Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 29
Tuesday


STRUGGLING
TO KNEEL

READ:
Colossians 4:1-12
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Always laboring
fervently for you in
prayers, that you may
stand perfect and
complete in all the will
of God. __Col. 4:12
__________________________________________________

Just before John Ashcroft was being sworn in as US senator, he met with family and friends for prayer. /as they gathered around him, he saw his dad trying to get up from the couch where he sat. Since his father was in frail health, Ashcroft told him, "That's okay, dad. You don't have to stand up to pray for me." His father replied, "I'm not struggling to stand up. I'm struggling to kneel."

His father's effort reminds me of the exertion it sometimes takes to intercede for a fellow believer. In colossians, Paul refers to Epaphras as a bondservant who is "always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (Col 4:12). "Laboring fervently" is the translation of a Greek word from which we get our word agony. It was used of wrestlers who in the Greek gymnastic games strained to overcome an opponent.

Epaphras interceded for other believers to become mature in their walk with the Savior. Asking God to overcome obstacles to spiritual growth in the lives of others requires our concentration and discipline. Are we willing to labor "fervently" in prayer to talk God to meet the needs of our loved ones? __Dennis Fisher
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````````````````````There's a holy, high vocation`````````````````
```````````````````Needing workers everywhere;`````````````````
``````````````````'Tis the highest form of service,`````````````````
`````````````'Tis the ministry of prayer. __Woodsworth`````````````
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Intercessory prayer is life's real work

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Colossians 4:1-12*********

1 Masters, give your
bondservants what is just and
fair, knowing that you also
have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue earnestly in
prayer, being vigilant in
it with thanksgiving;

3 meanwhile praying also for
us, that God would open to
us a door for the word, to
speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,

4 that I may make it manifest,
as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward
those who are outside,
redeeming the time. 6 Let
your speech always be with
grace, seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you
ought to answer each one.

7 Tychicus, a beloved
brother, faithful minister, and
fellow servant in the Lord,
will tell you all the news
about me. 8 I am sending him
to you for this very purpose,
that he may know your
circumstances and comfort
your hearts, 9 with Onesimus,
a faithful and beloved
brother, who is one of
you....

10 Aristarchus my fellow
prisoner greets you, with
Mark the cousin of Barnabas
..., 11 and Jesus who is
called Justus. These are my
only fellow workers for the
kingdom of God who are of
the circumcision; they have
proved to be a comfort to
me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of
you, a bondservant of Christ,
greets you, always laboring
fervently for you in prayers,
that you may stand perfect
and complete in all the will
of God.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In closing this letter (vv.7-18), Paul listed many who had co-
labored with him--Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and Asians, slaves
and freemen. Paul lovingly acknowledged their contributions to his
ministry. There is another such listing of names in Romans 16:1-15.
__SIM KAY TEE

[Lani]

*Amen2*

Awesome Post Cimi,

Thanks once again for your time and efforts!!!

Peace and Luv in Christ,

Lani