Listen to this podcast on our responsibilities of furthering the Gospel.
So, how do we stay on our mission to further the Kingdom? That is the directive we’ve been given. Paul gives the instructions to the Colossians.
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:2-6
We can find a lot of direction for ourselves in Paul’s words. First of all,
“Devote yourselves to
We live in a world that is full of evil and darkness that can sometimes be overwhelming. It causes us to respond with fear, to not trust, to become defensive, angry and to withdraw into isolation. But these are not qualities that reflect someone who has been saved by grace.
What if we live out the life saved by grace as one whose mission is to advance grace to others, as it should be.
We further the kingdom by showing grace to others.
We can never fulfill our divine mission by acting and reacting like everyone else. We are called into hostile territory, filled with spiritual battles.
We have to be different if we expect to live lives that reflect the character of Christ. People should wonder what is different about us. Why do we still remain joyful and stand firm in our faith when everything around us seems to be falling apart?
When we see the news, we hear stories of unimaginable terror and inhumane treatment of civilians, women, and children. But, you’re thinking what can I do about that? Nothing, right? Except that we can pray. We may not be able to change anything, but when we ask for God’s will in circumstances, He can do more than we could ever imagine.
Don’t believe me? Think about your life. What has God ever done for you? I don’t believe in coincidences, but I do believe that God has control of the path we are on. Sometimes I’ve needed redirection.
Sometimes my prayers have been a bit misguided because I’ve tried to tell God what I needed. What I “wanted”. I prayed that same prayer for 3 years with the same answer, crickets. Until one day it dawned on me that I was praying for the wrong thing. I should have been asking God to provide what he knew I needed. It was clear in a short period of time, that I was way off the mark. I see God working to provide the answer to this prayer and I marvel at the way I see things happening to put people into place.
God is not our waiter. Someone that we give our order to and he delivers. He is our creator! I think he knows better than you or me what we need. Be thankful for what he has already done and observant of what he is still doing, satisfied with what he’s already done. We’ve only got part of the story, He knows all of the pieces. Our trust is built on what we know he has already done.
The purpose of prayer is not to deliver a wishlist to God. We need for God to give us discernment for what we should be praying.
Sometimes I don’t let God get a word in edgewise. I spend my entire prayer time, asking for forgiveness, healing for this person, peace for that family at their loss, and on and on. I don’t have to tell God everything that’s going on in my life…He knows that already. But, I’m so busy, that I may miss what he’s trying to get me to see. I may be overlooking an opportunity to reach out to someone that needs my help, encouragement that I could give or a service that I could provide.
Sometimes we expect results to be instantaneous. God can work that way, but that’s not always in his timing.
We should never leave the presence of God the same way we entered it. God’s plan may be entirely different that what we were expecting. Trust me, His plan is always better, always!
When you prayer, be in the presence of God. Pray, listen, read the Word. Ask him to send you ways to share Him with others. Everyone may not be receptive to the gospel you share, but that’s not on you. It’s God’s job to change hearts, you plant the seeds. Share the amazing grace that you’ve found. Do it with boldness!
You may think you are crazy when words come out of your mouth that weren’t yours. Did you just volunteer for something you hadn’t planned to? Stepped into a role that you have no skills for? If it’s from God, he’ll provide what you need. Been there and I’m still learning!
We can become self absorbed in our own self. But, be intentional, be engaged. Love them towards God. The gospel is full of love.
We all need grace, love, seasoned with salt.
Pray for God to show you who he needs you to reach out to and then trust him for the courage and opportunities he will provide. Be gracious.
This has been my take away from my pastor’s sermon. I love it when God’s Word becomes clear!
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 