Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Colossians 4:2-18
Set – 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4
Go! – 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18-19; Colossians 4
Colossians 4:2-18
2 Pray, and keep praying. Be alert and thankful when you pray. 3 And while you are at it, add us to your prayers. Pray that God would open doors and windows and minds and eyes and hearts for the word so we can go on telling the mystery of the Anointed, for this is exactly why I am currently imprisoned. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message clearly and fearlessly as I should.5 Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter. 6 When you speak the word, speak it gracefully (as if seasoned with salt), so you will know how to respond to everyone rightly.
7-9 I am sending this letter by Tychicus and Onesimus, both dear brothers. Tychicus has been a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. He will update you on me and my situation here, and he will no doubt be an encouragement to you. Onesimus is one of you; and he, too, has been faithful. You will get the whole story from them.
10 My cellmate Aristarchus sends his love, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. (You’ve been sent instructions about him, so if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, also called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only workers in God’s kingdom here who are of the circumcision, and they are a great comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, another one of your hometown fellows and a servant of Jesus the Anointed sends his regards and wants you to know how passionately and sincerely he speaks to the Lord about you. He prays for your spiritual journey, that you will continue to mature and stand tall in the kind of confidence that comes from knowing God’s will. 13 I can testify to his zeal for you and those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved doctor, says hello; and so does Demas. 15 Send my well wishes to the brothers and sisters of Laodicea, especially Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 After this letter has been read among you, see that it is also read to the church of Laodicea, and make sure you publicly share the letter I am sending to them. 17 Tell Archippus, “Take care that you complete the service you received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, am signing this letter in my own hand. Remember that I am chained. Grace be with you all.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
Have you ever thought why Paul admonishes you to be alert and thankful when you pray? What’s that about? Maybe thankful makes sense to you. I give you blessings and gifts. I protect you from the evil around you. I forgive your sins and help you through the problems and troubles of life. I answer your prayers. So staying thankful makes sense.
But what of this stay alert when you pray? Why would Paul need to tell you to stay alert? Does he expect you to fall asleep? Well, perhaps. When do you pray? Is it when you go to bed? Do you give Me the scraps of your time at the end of the day when you are tired and have no energy left over for Me? Maybe you have your devotions at the very beginning of the day when you are trying to shake off sleep and you’re barely awake.
How are you to hear My voice if you give Me only the times when you are only half awake? Paul’s admonish to stay alert when you pray is as important today as it was when he wrote it to the people in Colossae, maybe more so. With your rushed schedules, busy lives, and sleepless nights, the average person seldom gets enough sleep, so early morning and late night you are often not at your best.
When you read My word you need to be alert. You need your mind and heart ready to hear My voice and ready to respond to the directions I give you for the day. I cannot guide you if you cannot hear Me. When you’re in a daze from lack of sleep or the fatigue of the day, you’re not at your best. And I want your best.
So when is the best time to hear My voice? During a break at work? Right after supper at home? During your lunch hour? After breakfast? When can you give Me your full attention and expect to remain most alert when you talk with Me? I want you to learn from Me. I want you to understand and know Me. I want you to hear Me clearly when I speak. That only happens when you are alert.
Listen to Paul’s words once more. “Be alert and thankful when you pray.”
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