7/23/12- Devoted to Prayer

² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2)

(Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane- Hoffman- where he said to watch and pray)


Thoughts: For most in the secular West, prayer is something we do when we're in trouble, sad or grieving, caught in a jam or don't know where to go.  But here the advice given not only to the Colossians but to all of us is to devote ourselves to prayer.
    Prayer is conversation with God.  It is talking to God in a relationship, but as many who have a consistent prayer life say, it is also listening.  While the Spirit of God speaks through the Word, the Spirit speaks in providence and in that still small voice when we are watching for it as Elijah was watching for God's presence.
    Our passage says we should be watchful and thankful.  Jesus said it in the garden- watch and pray lest you fall into temptation (Mt. 26:41).  Watching means watching like watchmen in a tower looking for the enemy, but also for a relief column.  We are to be people looking for God's hand and thankful for it.  The world is not watching for God and are blind to His movements.  But we are called to watch and be thankful.
    The way to watch, the way to listen is to pray. Not just a rote prayer- or someone else's prayer.  But developing your own prayer list, your own prayer life.  A prayer list may be for government officials by name, for specific requests for your family members,church leaders and members, sunday school or Bible study group, and people you work with if you work.  Taking a long, slow time to pray is important if you want to be devoted to prayer.

Prayer: Help me to watch and pray with thanksgiving, Lord.  Help me to be devoted to you by being devoted to prayer. 

7/22/12- Who We Serve

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. (Colossians 3:23,24)

(Mural in Bethany commemorating Mary's anointing of Jesus.  Every time we see Mary she is at Jesus' feet).

Thoughts: When people treat us unfairly we should not be surprised.  I used to tell my children who wanted to have the exact same measure of everything given to them- that while we tried to be fair, sometimes it was not possible, and that the world is not fair.  When the teacher does not give you a fair shake; when the boss recognizes another's work before yours; when you are punished for something that you did not do; when someone is rude to you when you did not deserve it; when the world is not fair to you- then remember, Paul says, you have someone who sees it all.  He holds people to account and will repay them for their wrongs (vs. 24)- even if they are important and powerful by human standards.  Christians do not give up when the world treats them unfairly.  We remember how the world treated Jesus- and how we treat Him too.  Instead of giving up- we serve the unrighteous as if we are serving Christ- this is part of turning the other cheek.  Unrighteousness, ironically, is overcome when the righteous do not give up when they are treated unjustly.

Prayer: Look out for us Lord, especially when we are treated unfairly.  Help us to have the grace and strength to serve others because ultimately we serve you.

7/21/12- It is Christ that we Serve

 ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

(Mary Magdalene anointing Christ's feet- serving Him)

Thoughts: The context of the advice to wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves (1/3 of the Roman empire were slaves and most of the early gentile church were slaves), is "whatever you do" (vs. 17 and vs. 23).  So the whole passage is an explanation of "whatever you do."  It is like saying, "wherever you are" or "wherever you find yourself" this is some advice for you.  Verse 17 says that whatever we do should be done in Christ's name. Verse 23 says that we should do "whatever we do" with all our heart.  We should do our best- not just to win other's approval- to get prestige and human honor- but to honor God.  Verse 24 points out that God rewards His servants (25 points out God punishes those who do wrong).  Verse 24 also points out that we are not serving just human beings, but Christ.  So, when we run into the complaining customer, the critic, the grouchy family member, the harsh or embittering father, or the overbearing boss, we should think of that sinner as someone God has made and cares about.  We serve them not because they deserve it, but because Christ deserves to be glorified.  If we take this seriously, it could change our life!

Prayer: Help me to serve you, O Lord, and honor you in whatever I do. 

7/20/12- Focus on the Name

¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Thoughts: Perhaps this is one of the greatest verses of meaning in life. There is to be a purpose, a direction in what we do.  This speaks to all of life being lived for Christ- not just our words- but our deeds, and not just our deeds but our words too.  Our walk must match our talk, but our talk must explain our walk. Some speak of their faith but do not live it- but most Christians live their faith but refuse to explain it to anyone.
This passage also gives importance to the "name of Jesus" for we are to do everything in this name.  In a day of pluralism, we tend to hide the name of Jesus lest it be offensive to anyone.  The trend in the last five years is to say, "In his name we pray."  But "his" can be nebulous and inoffensive.  It is Jesus that is narrow and particular.  But it is Jesus' name that has power and strength.  It is Christ who enables us to give thanks to God the Father.  It is the name of Christ that heals, strengthens, frees, and gives life and meaning. To do things in Jesus' name means to not do anything contrary to His will.  It means that we are stewards- his hands and feet who do His will for His sake.  


Prayer: Help me, strengthen me, to call on your name, to act on your name, and speak your name. 

7/18/12- Household lists

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Thoughts: There are several household lists in the scripture and especially the New Testament- Ephesians 5 and 1 John 2 are two prime examples.  I have heard some say that such passages are no longer valid for us because they are written by a primitive,patriarchal culture and we know so much more today.  There is some truth that we must appreciate the culture that the Bible was written in- otherwise it would not make any sense at all.  For example, we do not have slaves today in America (unless you want to call those who are in debt up to their eyeballs slaves- or indentured servants).  On a side note- the Bible does not encourage slavery- but it limits slavery and debt (the year of Jubilee, for example, all Hebrew slaves were set free and debts forgiven). Yet there are some major principles here from which we can learn. I would contend that we are not more civil than the culture in the scripture.  There is much more divorce (it has hovered around 50% since the great rebellion in the 60's), more abuse, and more drug abuse, anxiety and depression than ever.
      Let's look at some principles here:
1) Submission- Eph. 5:21 and 1 Peter 2:13ff. speak of the need of everyone to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  

2) Love- love is something all are called to do as well.  In our society that values lust over love, selfishness over sacrifice- love is God's claim upon us. 

3) Not being harsh- harshness is similar to meanness.  It is degrading and demeaning others.  Those who have the ability to be harsh without repercussions need to be sensitive and kind.  A great example of this regard is Boaz. 
4) Obedience- We are all called to live a life of obedience to those over us.  Yes, there are times when God delivers us (like Moses from Egypt, Gideon from the Midianites, Hezekiah from the Assyrians, Elijah from Jezebel, Peter and John from the authorities).  We must always, when there is a conflict, obey God rather than humans.
5) Not embittering- It is too easy to rub someone's nose in the dirt just because you can.  Parents especially need to be kind to their children- welcoming them back as the prodigal, not insisting in their own way. 
6) Work- when we are called to work we should work not just for money or because we have to ("I owe, I owe so off to work I go").  Christians are called to do the best we can- the best work possible as a witness to our faith- going the extra mile- not just for show or to maintain our job, contributing to society. 
7) Sincerity and reverence- All Christians are called to live our lives deeply, transparently, purely.  "Sincerely" means literally "without wax."  Wax was used to cover up and protect what was waxed over, and it was also used like bondo on cars- to fill in- but it was not as strong.  Reverence for God- respect for Him breeds sincerity and purity in the way we live. 
In our day of selfishness, selfishness, harshness, having to have our own way, embitterness, poor-work ethic, deceptiveness and lack of respect and holiness- this passage teaches us a different- and I believe- better way to live. 


Prayer: In a world full of heartache and selfishness , Lord teach me a different way- your way of peace. 

7/15/12= The Balance

Put to death therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature- sexual immorality, lust, evil desires and greed...rid yourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language. Do not lie to each other...As God's chosen people and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiving each other and above all else put on love. (Colossians 3)

(Maria Spelterini- walking across Niagara Falls with a balancing pole 7/4/1876). 

Thought: If you have ever watched a tightrope walker "walk across the air" with a balancing pole, it is important that one side of the pole not be heavier than the other.  The earthly things weigh us down and throw us off the path to God-- these must be gotten rid of.  The heavenly things are ethereal and keep us up.  So we are to add on weight to the heavenly side and take off the bad things that tend to pull us down to the ground.  Many are clamoring that we cannot make it- that we should fall like they did- that the task of living for Christ is impossible.  But they forget the invisible hand that not only tells us how we can get across (the commandments), but also graciously balances us- even catching us when we fall- enabling us to get back up and start again.  God's grace helps us have balance every single day. 

Prayer:  Help me, Lord to rely on you to help me across the crevice.  Balance me.  Help me to not hold onto this world.  Help me too, to know that when I fall your net of grace is there for me. 

7/14/12- Change of Speech

⁸ But now you must rid yourselvesof all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.¹³ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Thoughts: vs. 8 says to rid ourselves of three sins of speech- slander, filthy language and lying.  The word slander here in the Greek is blasphemia- from which we get our word "blasphemy."  When used of God it is the highest form of degradation- worthy of death in the Old Testament (and blasphemy of the Spirit was the unpardonable sin in the New Testament).  Instead of blasphemy- we are called to be kind.  Filthy speech- is cursing.  In place of cursing we are called to be pure.  In place of lying we are called to be true.  Today people have a hard time defining truth, but in our heart we understand truth. 

Prayer:  Let my words be kind, pure, and true for you, O Lord.