"DEVOTE yourselves to PRAYER, being WATCHFUL and THANKFUL. 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. Pray that I may proclaim it CLEARLY, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY. Let your CONVERSATION be ALWAYS FULL of GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:2-6
A few things to ponder in your day:
1. To DEVOTE means to give or apply one's time, attention, self ENTIRELY to a particular activity. Sounds to me like God is serious about his desire for us to commune with him A LOT! What are we devoted to?
2. Our prayers make a difference. Once we've offered up a request or asked him to lead us, it is our job to then LOOK for HIS ANSWERS, his working. To be WATCHFUL is to be closely observant; alert; aware, awake and vigilant. May we be aware of the people around us today who need to experience the LOVE OF GOD, and just how he is answering our prayers.
3. Thankfulness is a HUGE part of following Christ. In other places of Scripture it says, "Be OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS," and "Give THANKS in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES." May we be women known, not for our complaining or faultfinding, but rather for our thankfulness. The more we focus on being thankful, the more happy and peaceful our hearts will be (& the more of a blessing to others we will be.)
4. We have a MESSAGE to share. Do you know what it is?
"That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, NOT COUNTING MEN'S SINS AGAINST THEM. And he has committed to US the MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION. WE are therefore Christ's AMBASSADORS, as though Christ were making HIS APPEAL through US. We IMPLORE you on Christ's behalf: BE RECONCILED TO GOD. God made him who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5: 19-21
5. God is the LEADER and we are his FOLLOWERS. Wait for Him to OPEN DOORS. The more we pray, the more we will be amazed by his activity all around us and the more clearly we'll see the!!! open doors.
6. An opprortunity is that favorable time to act. It's the right moment to take action toward the goal of making God known through loving someone, saying something or doing something that reveals God's love and truth. Make the most of every opportunity!
7. Our conversation matters!!! May we become experts in controlling what comes out of our mouths. "Out of the overflow of the HEART the mouth speaks." May our hearts be sooo full of thankfulness, love, grace and mercy, tenderness, compassion, and all that is good and beautiful (basically just full of God) & his words). Know wonder God says, "Above all else GUARD YOUR HEART." May we be careful about what is going on in the inside so that what comes out of our mouth is FULL OF GRACE.
May many women come to know Jesus through our obedience to these words and all of his words. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy
p.s. I'll be out of town, "mourning with those who mourn" tomorrow. (My husband's aunt's husband {Rob's uncle} passed away)
"I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26
