Be thankful regardless of our current circumstances?

As Paul wrote Colossians from a prison cell, he was still filled with gratefulness and joy. “Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:12). My friend, the more we grow in the knowledge of God, the more we give our attention to spiritual matters and to the Kingdom of God, the darker we will see this world and be grateful for the “Marvelous light” of God!” We live in a dark world. Evil is all around us, but we are most thankful for the light of Jesus that leads us to the Father! “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (v.13, 14). Paul was in a prison cave, thanking God for delivering him from the power of darkness. Paul was thanking God for using His Son’s Blood (Jesus) to forgive his sins. No matter our condition or current circumstances, we can thank God for our Salvation. We can thank God for delivering us from the power of Satan. We can give thanks for the inheritance of the Power of the Holy Spirit of God. Whatever your current circumstance, maybe this morning, it is only temporal. However, your Salvation is eternal through the Power of God, through His Son Jesus, and the keeping of the Holy Spirit of God. Father, I pray this morning that our readers are encouraged through the Power of God. I pray, we focus on our eternal promises in Jesus instead of our temporal condition in the flesh. Be Blessed in Jesus Name.

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Why we pray for fellow Christians.

One of the responsibilities we owe one another as Christians; is that we pray for each other, and I love reading when the Apostle Paul mentioned how he prayed for the believers in Colossae. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it do not cease to pray for you and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9). What a powerful prayer to pray for another believer; once Paul had learned of the faith and love this young church was demonstrating among each other; he prayed that they would grow in their relationship with Christ. As Christians, we must desire to be filled with the “knowledge” of God’s will. Whatever we are filled with, will control our thinking, control our desires, and control our actions. But, God’s will is obtained from His Holy Word; it is impossible to be filled with the “will” of someone if you do not know them. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to us. His Word is where we learn of God’s Son Jesus and that He died for our sins. God’s Word is where we learn that Jesus rose on the third day morning and now is seated at the Father’s right hand. Therefore, we must grow in the “Wisdom” of God, which is found in the principles of His Holy Word. “Wisdom” and “Spiritual Understanding” are gifts of the Holy Spirit of God; they do not come from fleshly or worldly-minded folks. I want to encourage us this morning to “Set your (our) affection on things above, not on things on earth” Col. 3:2). Wisdom, along with Spiritual understanding, activates the power of the Holy Spirit to be lived out in our lives. Father, I pray for all our readers this morning that we would be “fill with the knowledge of your will,” that we may walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Be Blessed in Jesus Name


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Press for the Prize

Good morning; I know the countdown is so real for us to start a new year! I know we all are hoping for a better year in 2021 than we have experienced in 2020. However, my friend, I want to encourage us to take on that responsibility for a better year and not leave control of our experience in others’ hands. “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing” (Phil. 3:16). I want to encourage you to walk into this new year with a commitment, with a signal-minded focus to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus. Do you remember the excitement and joy you had when you received Jesus as your personal Saviour? The spiritual concern, the spiritual mind you had as you “attained” your Salvation, continue to walk in that “rule” have that “same mind”. Also, be selective in who you mark yourself by, be careful of the examples you have walking into this new year. “Brethren, be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example” (v.17). Paul is encouraging the Philippian believers to follow godly examples, to surround themselves with people who will help them grow in this journey, as they are “pressing for the Prize”. My friend, life is short, and everything surrounding you right now, all your worldly goods will one day be destroyed. But as Christians, “our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (v.20). This morning I am thankful, very grateful, and overflowing with joy, knowing my name is written in the “Lambs Book of Life”! We as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are looking for Jesus to come again and receive His church, and we will spend all eternity with Him in the realms of Glory, in the presence of our heavenly Father. Eternity compared to our time on earth is but a drop in the bucket; therefore, as this new year approaches, focus on Jesus. Be Blessed in Jesus Name.

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