Colossians 1:1-9

1"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints
5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
7You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8and who also told us of you love in the Spirit.
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

I love the book of Colossians. Let's look at how we can apply these spiritual truths to our lives.

Paul was writing to the church in Colosse. He was concerned that false teachers were trying to sway and deceive some of the believers. But he was "re-presenting" the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way, and instructing the believers how to live out Christ in their daily lives.

The first thoughts he shares with them, after his official greeting, is to be thankful for their commitment to Christ and to sharing His gospel. He reminds them that this is not in vain, for it is bearing fruit all over the world. What an awesome thought! I believe that Crossroads is bearing fruit all over the world as we not only spread the gospel in Sullivan County, but share the gospel with the people of Haiti. There are many other ways that we can give to causes here and away. Isn't that what Jesus commanded before He physically left the disciples the last time? I know it's vitally important to think beyond ourselves to share Jesus in every way...to not get so caught up in daily living that we forget there are people dying without Jesus. We must do our part to share what He's done for us - to let people know what He's personally done for us.

In verse 9 Paul says that because of their devotion to Christ, he hasn't stopped praying for them. But look what he prays for..."asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

That's what I pray for you today...to be filled with God - with His knowledge - with His wisdom - with His understanding.

What's Jesus done for you?