May 17th

Paul´s Prayer in Colossians 1:9-14

Pastor Poliana de Carvalho

 

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 1:9-14

 

Paul was praying for those who believed in Jesus.

That prayer fits for us today.

That prayer was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

God Himself is interceding for our lives.

What does God want from me and from you?

Let´s see some aspects of Pau´s prayer!

1.  “To fill you with the knowledge of His will.” (verse 9)

God wants from us to understand His will.

When we understand the will of God for us, we have focus! We have an objective of life! A purpose!

Everything we do, we do for a purpose! Things we do are not in vain!

That´s why you need to know the will of God!

God´s will is not on earthly things! He looks further!

He´s worried about eternity.

Everything must work for the glory of God.

Even your fun time must please Jesus!    

2.  “Through all spiritual wisdom and understanding”

Many people have knowledge but don´t have spiritual wisdom.

Spiritual wisdom helps you to put into practice what you hear.

James 3:13-18:

“ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Spiritual wisdom comes when you humble before the Lord.

Spiritual wisdom is not about yourself and selfish desires, your ambitions.

3.”That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way.”

Are you living a life worthy of Jesus?

When you mention His name, are you worthy of Jesus?

Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This is a life that pleases God.

Romans 8:8-9:

“Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

If you are controlled by the Spirit of God, you please God!

To be continued...