OzThoughts Tuesday 29th September 2009

OzThoughts Tuesday 29th September 2009

If prayer releases the riches of God’s grace and glory for us, then surely the greatest thing we can do for others is to pray for them.

Paul tells the Colossians he hasn’t stopped praying for them. What does he ask for? He tells them exactly what he prays for them. He asks:
• God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works.
• That you'll live well for the Master … as you work hard in his orchard
• That you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Paul then reminds the Colossians that it is God who has rescued them and set them up in the kingdom of the Son who got them out of the pit they were in, got rid of the sins they were doomed to keep repeating.

[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2971.mp3 ]

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.

Chorus
Rejoice, rejoice! Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!

What though in the conflict for right
Your enemies almost prevail,
God's armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail.

Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o'ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
Acclaim him with trumpet and voice,
The loud hallelujahs prolong.
Author: Mary Elizabeth Servoss (b 1849)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 537


Colossians 1:9-14 (The Message)
9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
13-14God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

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