Since Darlene started “Snippets from the Word“ on CWO, I would like to share with you my own personal thoughts on Sundays. I have to admit that I am not a Bible-Scholar or even much theologically trained (except for some theological courses I had taken several years ago). I want to share with you some personal thoughts, not supported by any doctrine or specific church body…If you care to share with me your own thoughts, I would be thrilled…This week I would like to reflect with you on Colossians 1 (reading from August 17)…
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
~ Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV)
Have you ever had the privilege to lead someone to Christ? I don’t know if I have, but I pray I did. But what truly happens to the person we were able to share His gift with? Do you continue to pray for them? Or do you step back and say: ‘Well, now it is up to them to get more knowledge about God and what His plan is for them’…
Did Paul leave the churches to themselves? No, he did not. He continued to encourage them through letters and visits. He prayed for them and did not leave the new converts to themselves and their old ways of thinking. We are made new in Christ, but we are certainly not a finished product. You see, we will never be finished, not until we are glorified with Him in heaven. So in order for new converts to grow, and even our own spiritual growth, we need His Holy Spirit to guide us in the way that is pleasing to Him. So we need to lift each other up in prayer and encourage each other to stay close to His Word.
Will you stand with me this coming week and pray for new believers, no matter if you know them in person or not? And that we will fill the need to help new believers to grow in their walk? If you know of someone who just received Christ as their Lord and Savior, would you send them an encouraging note or email. Let them know that you are praying for them.
Lord of Heaven and Earth. We lift up all new believers to You this morning. You know where their need is. Lord, would You send someone to help them to stay close to You. Would You give us the wisdom to guide Your new followers. We pray this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, we pray in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
Have a blessed Sunday…
