Paul has a vision of new creation: Christians full of God's will not fighting it at every stage, wise not worldly. They can be worthy of their Lord, make their Father happy, do His good work and know more about Him all the time. They can be strong with His strength, patient and faithful. Christians who rejoice!
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:9-14).
Yet instead we find ourself in a dry and dusty place. A place without joy, or growth, or excitement.
We don't just visit this spiritual desert; some of us built a little shack there (or even a church) and made it our home. We might even have forgotten that there is anything beyond the Christian to-do list.
Prayed. Check.
Went to church. Check.
Read my Bible. Check.
Does that sound like what Paul was praying for? Is that the Christian life he had in mind?
What will it take to transform us? One by one, family by family, Bible class by Bible class, congregation by congregation into the wise and worthy workers we want to be?
Want to see more? Watch the second video: Reading Your Bible Better. And the third: A Cold and Graceless Way.
Helene
PS. Are you looking for that book we were talking about? You can buy it now and when you give the book as a gift I have a free gift for you! Check it out!
Find me linking up at Friday Frivolity, Create with Joy, Mommy Moments, Sunday Thoughts, Create with Joy, Inspiration Monday, Darling Down Diaries,
Love the video!
ReplyDeleteOh thanks Jamie. I was super nervous. I think the next ones look better!
DeleteYes, its all about a deep relationship with our God!
ReplyDeleteYes! That's it exactly. Going through the motions just kills our joy, our motivation, and hearts.
DeleteHelene,
ReplyDeleteI'm here through the #SoulSurvival linkup. I'm praying that we all experience this great work of the spirit in real transformation. It's my heart's desire and I can tell it's yours too by the video.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Amen! That's just what i want for all of us-real transformation!
DeleteOh honey, I have been in the dry and dusty place so long ths time that I'm coughing up sand. Thank you for the post and the video. Sound advice.
ReplyDeleteOh Evelyn,
DeleteI am going to stop and say a prayer for you right now.
"God my Father,
Please lead Evelyn into a life of full obedience. Not obedience out of duty, fear, or habit but obedience like your Son Jesus who obeyed you because He loved you. Lead her to love, joy, peace and patience. Lead her to your word and let her find there the water of life!
In Jesus holy name,
Amen!"
Great post, Helene! I've been there many times and arguably might be right now. Sometimes I get so used to it and so accepting of it, as if that's the only way my spiritual walk will ever be. I find when I'm not growing or walking in closeness to God that, if I take a hard look at myself, the problem is that I'm neglecting true study of His word. This a terrific reminder of the hope and nourishment to be found in Scripture. The oasis of water is right there in front of us; we only need to drink and be satisfied.
ReplyDeleteYes! That's it. It's right there waiting for us in the Word of God. We make fun of those poor Israelites for how quickly they forget but we are just as bad. How many times I have needed refreshing and when I complained to a friend, they said, "Have you been deep in the Word?" And had to answer sadly, "No."
Delete