#JustFiveMinutes

In the fifth and final part of the Colossians' Prayer found in Colossians 1:9-11, we learn to pray "that GOD will strength [us]  with HIS own great power so that [we] will be patient and not give up when troubles come." Be encouraged today! HIS fullness, HIS power, HIS strength lives in you in our so that you can endure, persevere, to not give up. And in the end, we will be happy and give thanks to our heavenly FATHER.

In PART 4 of the Colossians Prayer found in Colossians 1:9-11, we learn to pray that we will grow in the knowledge of HIM. We are to everyday, every hour, every minute grow in HIM... learning that God is loving, faithful, just powerful, mighty, righteous, compassionate, gracious, forgiving, good, holy, merciful, mighty, fair, HE is our refuge, our help and HE is also with us.

In PART 3 of the Colossians' Prayer (Colossians 1:9-11), we learn to pray "that [our] life will PRODUCE GOOD WORKS of every kind." That means emotional, physical, financial, mental and spiritual good works. And they only way to produce good works is if we abide in HIM and HE abides in us.

Each part of the Colossians' Prayer builds on itself... Part one we talked about getting WISDOM so we can be CONFIDENT IN HIM and now we learn we have this CONFIDENCE will "help you live in a way that brings HONOR to the LORD and PLEASES HIM in every way."  

Breaking down the prayer found in Colossians 1:9-11. This first part prays "that God will make you completely sure of what HE wants by giving you all the WISDOM and SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING you need."  Be encouraged that HE gives us WISDOM without measure, freely, liberally, without a second thought... why? So then we can be CONFIDENT IN HIM.

God is soooo meticulous. From every hair on our heads being numbered, cataloged, reported, recorded and accounted for to every tear kept in a ledger to every toss and turn we have during our sleepless night. Why? Because HE SEES YOU and HE CARES FOR YOU and HE LOVES YOU! 

Been a way for a whole month! But back at it. Amid all the craziness, uncertainty, sickness, lack, confusion and doubt... HE IS STILL GOD! And HIS Word still stands. And Philippians 1:6 says, "that the GOOD WORK God began in you will CONTINUE until HE completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again." Be encouraged! 

This devotional inspired by a tweet I read... yes, a tweet. A pastor tweeted about the PRODIGAL SON and it gut punched me. I went back to the story in Luke 15:11-20 and re-read it. And I've realized that HE doesn't care what brings you back to him, whatever brought you BACK TO YOUR SENSES, HE stands with arms open wide ready for you to come on back home!