Devote Yourselves To Prayer Being Watchful And Thankful
Be Led By The Spirit In All Things
COLOSSIANS 4:2-4
“”Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
Colossians 4:2-4 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/col.4.2-4.nkjv
Paul tells us that we should be devoted to earnest prayer, seriously, with sincere and intense conviction, being vigilant, careful and alert, that we pray the right prayer for the situation with understanding, that while we live physical lives and must take physical steps, our battles are in the spiritual realms, for what happens in the spiritual realms manifest in the physical (see EPHESIANS 6:10-20) through blessings and cursing, including in the things that we speak over ourselves and others (JAMES 3:10).
Jesus in His hour of distress, prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. (MARK 14:36””; LUKE 22:42).
“”Regardless of the suffering He would face, Jesus said “Your will, not mine “.
Jesus gave us a wonderful example of how and what to pray for, and the order of which to pray in the Lord’s Prayer.
He said, “”Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name (MATHEW 6:8-9)-God’s name is Holy , consecrated, revered, and honoured by all.
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven (6:10); not my will Lord, but that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven; God’s will shall come to pass.
“Give us this day our daily bread (MATHEW 6:11). That is to say all that we need to take in to our spirit, our soul (mind, will, and emotions) and our flesh to live healthy lives, both our physical and spiritual food.
Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (MATHEW 4:4; LUKE 4:4).
The truth is, we need God’s word just as much, if not more than we need physical food to survive every single day; that is our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors (MATHEW 6:12).
We must not only ask for forgiveness, but must forgive all who wronged us, for Jesus went on to say, ““For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (MATHEW 6:14-15).”
Forgiveness is a condition of Salvation, if you choose not to forgive just one person, your Father in heaven will not forgive you.
And do not lead us into temptation; but to lead us to turn from sin toward God that we sin no more. Repentance is a condition of salvation, and we need the help of the Holy Spirit to empower, lead and teach us to turn away from sin and walk in Christ righteousness.
Repentance and forgiveness are not always easy, but if we are willing, doing our best, God will do the rest, for He alone sees one’s heart.
But deliver us from the evil one; to set the captives free, to break every stronghold the devil has over our minds, our will, and emotions; to break every curse of witchcraft, and to expel every demon from our bodies and set us free.
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:34-36 NKJV
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen (MATHEW 6:13).
God is the creator of all things and therefore God’s is the Kingdom and the power and the glory.
It all belongs to God. Their is no place in God’s kingdom for those who refuse to submit totally to the Lord, turn from sin, yet through faith alone, He is our eternal future.
The truth is, without God their is no future nor hope; but with God all things are possible (MATHEW 19:26).
Persistent in prayer is an expression of our faith, and should not crumble; if the answers comes slowly we must accept that God’s timing is perfect, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (ROMANS 8:28).”
The mystery of Christ, is His “Good News of salvation”.
The whole focus of Paul’s life was to share the Good News, to tell others about Jesus Christ and explain His wonderful mysterious plan to save His people.
Just like Paul, as Spirit filled believers, our focus should be on reaching out to the lost souls-preaching the Good News to all with ears to listen; to live for Christ, after all, He died for us that we might live.
Today we have the blessing of the holy Spirit, to help us, lead us and guide us through every aspect of life (JOHN 14:15-18).
Pretty much every decision we make, the direction we walk, the projects we start and the prayers we bring must be Spirit led and the signs and wonders will follow, such as healing and deliverance, and all kinds of miracles along with the fruits of the Spirit, such as, love peace and joy.
But the prayers and actions of the flesh will produce its own fruits, for we can do nothing good and lasting in our own abilities and strength.
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:16-26 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
