Scripture - Colossians 2:1-3 - For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Observation - Paul is in prayer for the churches at Colosse and Loadicea. He knows that the false teachers are at work with philosophy and worldly wisdom trying to move the Christians back to their old ways. He is praying earnestly and is praying for their unity that together they would defeat the false teachers. In intense spiritual warfare he is praying for the believer. It is the prayer that touches me today. He says "that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love..." Paul makes a strong connection here that if their hearts are knit together in love they can over come the false teachings. If their hearts are knit together in love they can become stronger and attain the riches of God. If their hearts are knit together in love they are stronger in their faith. All too often our hearts are not knit together in love. While we associate with each other - we don't become "knit" together. I believe that it is love that conquers all things according to 1 Corinthians 13. Love requires that we go out of our way. Love requires that we make sacrifices. Love requires that we do something for someone. In our churches - people come in looking for something. They have been beat up by the enemy and by the world and are looking for something different. Too often we look right by them. If they don't engage us we don't engage them. If they don't talk to us we don't talk to them. That is not their role. The need to be knit together with us in love. Love...
Application - Today I begin strategically, emphatically, carefully and mindfully planning to love more people. The only way we can make a difference anywhere is to gain the strength that unity of knit souls together brings. We must do our best to make everyone feel love. We must put ourselves aside to transmit love to everyone we meet. We must focus our attention on loving our neighbor and our guests and begin the weaving process of their hearts to ours.
Prayer - Father help me to teach and to live love. Help me to show the power of hearts knit together in love. Help me know the power of God's love working through our church and our lives.
Observation - Paul is in prayer for the churches at Colosse and Loadicea. He knows that the false teachers are at work with philosophy and worldly wisdom trying to move the Christians back to their old ways. He is praying earnestly and is praying for their unity that together they would defeat the false teachers. In intense spiritual warfare he is praying for the believer. It is the prayer that touches me today. He says "that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love..." Paul makes a strong connection here that if their hearts are knit together in love they can over come the false teachings. If their hearts are knit together in love they can become stronger and attain the riches of God. If their hearts are knit together in love they are stronger in their faith. All too often our hearts are not knit together in love. While we associate with each other - we don't become "knit" together. I believe that it is love that conquers all things according to 1 Corinthians 13. Love requires that we go out of our way. Love requires that we make sacrifices. Love requires that we do something for someone. In our churches - people come in looking for something. They have been beat up by the enemy and by the world and are looking for something different. Too often we look right by them. If they don't engage us we don't engage them. If they don't talk to us we don't talk to them. That is not their role. The need to be knit together with us in love. Love...
Application - Today I begin strategically, emphatically, carefully and mindfully planning to love more people. The only way we can make a difference anywhere is to gain the strength that unity of knit souls together brings. We must do our best to make everyone feel love. We must put ourselves aside to transmit love to everyone we meet. We must focus our attention on loving our neighbor and our guests and begin the weaving process of their hearts to ours.
Prayer - Father help me to teach and to live love. Help me to show the power of hearts knit together in love. Help me know the power of God's love working through our church and our lives.
