Please open your Bible and read: Colossians 1:9-14.

If someone should pose the question, “How can I pray for you?” would you be able to give a clear answer? Oftentimes we simply do not know what to say. The same thing can happen with our friends – when we ask them that question, we frequently get a vague answer. Learning to pray for one another does not come naturally; we have to be taught. That is why the Bible contains many patterns for effective prayer.

One such pattern is found in Paul’s epistle to the saints at Colossae. He asks that they may be “filled with the knowledge of His will” (Colossians 1:9). This means that we can come to know what God is up to in our lives. When we understand His will, that knowledge is most satisfying and precious.

Paul’s prayer also includes a second request on behalf of the Colossians. He asks that they will have more than just an understanding of what is right; he prays that they may walk in a manner worthy of Christ and that they should be strengthened with all power. (verses 10-11)

Such a transformed walk can be so attractive that onlookers will come to recognize God at work in the lives of His children. Believers can display the heavenly Father’s power to forgive sins, and they can walk before Him in holiness.

These are the specific requests we should make when praying for others. To effect a double blessing, we can ask the same things for ourselves. And this powerful prayer will always be answered because it is in full accordance with the will of God.

Question: What does it mean to be “filled with the knowledge of His will”?

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Who knows a child better than his parent? From the time a baby is delivered, its mother and father know more than anyone else what will make the child content, sad, frightened, or excited. They recognize not only the youngster’s preferences but also his needs. And for that reason, parents usually know how to select the most appropriate gifts for their son or daughter.

How much more does our Heavenly Father understand us! He didn’t have to learn about us the way earthly parents do. As our Creator, who “wove” each of us when we were still in the womb (Psalm 139:13), He knows us better than even our family.

That means He is perfectly aware, not just of our likes, dislikes, abilities, and struggles, but especially of our needs. So when it comes to gifts, doesn’t it make sense that God is the best Giver?

God knew our greatest need would be a solution to our sin problem, because sin separates us from Him. So He designed the perfect plan, which is also the perfect gift: He determined to send His sinless Son Jesus as the payment for your sin-debt and mine. The One we see as a baby in the manger is fully God, who came to earth with a purpose – to die so that you and I could have forgiveness of our sins, and that by believing, we might have the greatest gift of all: eternal life.

Your best Christmas present is not wrapped up and placed under the tree; it is the One whose birthday we celebrate. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Question: What gift of wisdom and faith would you like to pass on to a friend or family member this year? How can you seek to do so?

About the Author: Charles Stanley

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” John 14:16-18

One of the greatest hindrances to our prayer life is a lack of perseverance. Oftentimes people quit praying too soon. We feel that since we have asked, our answer should immediately be forthcoming or our need should quickly be met. God is not a bellhop, waiting to give us just what we want the moment we ask. We often have to exercise patience and continue praying.

All Christians are given the Holy Spirit to seal their relationship to God and it is He who counsels believers how to pray. (Romans 8:26) We have the idea that we need to come to God only when we have a need. However, prayer is about intimacy. If God gave us whatever we wanted as soon as we asked, we would not be able to understand the dynamic of our relationship – we might never learn important skills like patience or dependence.

Think of Paul, who tells us that he implored three times for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed before God gave a firm answer of “no.” (2 Corinthians 12:8) This probably refers to three protracted periods of time that Paul begged for relief. When we have been praying for a long time about something and don’t feel as if our words are going anywhere, that is not the time to quit. We have to pray through those situations. God is listening attentively to our cries and His Spirit is our constant companion – even when we cannot “feel” His presence or involvement. Instead of ceasing to pray, will you call on the Holy Spirit to aid you in persevering?

Question: In what ways does the Holy Spirit help us in prayer? Have you experienced God through prayer recently?

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:10-13

What we say about ourselves reveals what we are really like on the inside. We often fail to realize that our negative statements are more than comments on our life; they are the reason for our defeat.

The apostle Paul was different. Writing from places that were lowly in both the physical and the emotional sense, he is a triumphant example of positive confessions. We, like Paul, need to view ourselves as our heavenly Father does. The best way to do that is to recognize God as the source of our power: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Many of us have memorized this verse, but have we accepted its truth? To say “all things” is a bold statement, but it is balanced too. The emphasis is not on “I can,” but rather on the fact that I can through Christ – He supplies everything we need to carry out His plan for our life. This verse is a confession that we cannot do God’s will in our own power. But that does not mean we should simply sit back and become spectators. We Christians have a responsibility to obey the Lord’s leading in small matters as well as in momentous circumstances. Furthermore, it is your hands, feet, body, voice, compassion, and desires that God will use to accomplish His ultimate goal for you.

Obeying by faith may seem frightening, but the comfort zone is not where godly people choose to spend their time. To do all things through Christ, we must take a few risks. And the rewards for obedience are deeply satisfying.

Question: Why does obeying in faith often seem frightening?

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.” John 16:13-14

The Spirit-filled life is a life lived under the control of the Holy Spirit. It begins when we submit ourselves to the Lord. This involves a deliberate yielding to Him of all we are and all we have – that means our work, families, finances, and ministry. (Matthew 16:24) Such submission does not occur automatically at salvation; it is a choice we make. God expects us to surrender our old, self-centered ways and to live as His child under the Spirit’s control. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We can confidently let go of our old ways because of who the Holy Spirit is. The Lord called Him “the Spirit of truth” who speaks only what He hears from God the Father and who seeks to bring glory to our Savior. (John 16:13-14) He can be fully trusted.

Today many people talk about “getting more of the Spirit.” By that, they mean acquiring spiritual gifts, divine power, or visible manifestations. But God prefers that we ask ourselves, “How much of me is under the command of God’s Spirit?” The more we submit to His control, the deeper will be our intimacy with God and the greater our transformation into Christlikeness. As He shapes us, we will also become more productive and fruitful. That is quite a present – a divine person to live within us and to transform us into who God wants us to be.

The Holy Spirit is a gift that never wears out or becomes obsolete. His counsel is perfect for every situation. His presence fulfills Jesus’ promise never to leave us. (Hebrews 13:5) Thank God today for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit!

Question: Who is the Holy Spirit, and how have you seem Him working in your life lately?

About this Author: Charles Stanley

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

A person’s attitude about the resurrection is important any time of the year, not simply at Easter. If we are going to accept or reject a scriptural truth, we should understand how that principle impacts not only our faith but also our witness.

The greatest implication of claiming Jesus remained in the grave is that we are left with no hope of salvation. This, in turn, makes telling others about the Lord pointless. Jesus is the One who brings life – giving force to the Gospel message. Without Him, sharing the Word would have as much effect on someone’s life as reciting, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Further, we would be lying about God when we witnessed according to Scripture, saying He raised Jesus when He actually had not. If the Father didn’t resurrect the Son, then He must also be dishonest about the eternal nature of believers. How could we ever hope to be “absent from the body and . . . at home with the Lord” upon death if the blameless Son Himself did not receive such treatment? (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Without Christ’s resurrection, we have no saving Lord, no powerful Word, no hope of eternity, and a dead faith. A religion with those characteristics hardly seems worth practicing. Yet, church members embrace this and other fallacies without thought. A wise believer studies Scripture and, therefore, recognizes how God’s salvation plan fits together from Genesis to Revelation. The only legitimate basis for eternal hope is receiving Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our transgressions and believing He conquered sin and death to rise again.

Question: What are the consequences for our faith when we realize that Christ is truly risen?

About this Author: Charles Stanley

Please open your Bible and read: Matthew 26:36-46

Sometimes following the path God sets for believers requires that we trek through a personal Gethsemane. In the Garden of that name, Jesus struggled, knowing His impending crucifixion meant separation from His Father. At no other time in the gospels do we see the Son of God more brokenhearted than in these last few hours of freedom before He is seized by the Pharisees’ men.

We, too, experience periods of intense turmoil and distress, and the Word of God can be a beacon at such dark times. Matthew’s illumination of the Lord at Gethsemane teaches us how to respond to sorrow so that our painful experiences are not wasted.

God does not squander hurt or brokenness; rather, if we willingly accept His ministrations, He utilizes our vulnerability to teach us faith – building principles. Jesus asked that the cup of suffering be removed. The metaphorical chalice was filled with the wrath of a holy God against sinful mankind. When Christ drank, He accepted all the wrongs of man – and the righteous fury of God – on Himself. As a result, He effectively severed His tie with the Father, who cannot tolerate or associate with sin. But in Gethsemane, the Son did not plead for release from the pain; instead, He prayed three times that the Father’s will be done.

As we follow Jesus’ example and release ourselves to God’s will, inner turmoil is calmed by a sense of peaceful contentment. External circumstances may be unchanged, but in our inward Gethsemane, we are hand in hand with a loving Father.

Question: What examples can we take away by observing, with awe and reverence, Jesus’ sacrifice at Gethsemane?

About the Author: Charles Stanley

Please open your Bible and read: Colossians 1:9-14.

The most powerful act anyone can perform is to pray for someone. Of course, the power is not in the praying, but in the release God gives in His perfect answer to our prayers. Paul provides an example of one of the most effective prayers we could utter. He prays that the Colossian church:

– May be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. What a wonderful gesture to ask God to make clear for family members or friends the precise, exact decisions He wishes them to make in every circumstance.

– May walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. This means asking that someone’s life will have weight – will count eternally and not temporally.

– May bear fruit in every good work. We should pray for loved ones to remain so Christ – centered that He through them determines their conversation, conduct, and character.

– May increase in the knowledge of God. Can there be a more precious request than that of wanting someone to grow ever closer to our heavenly Father?

– May be strengthened and sustained with the power of God. Within an evil world system, we need the supernatural power of God to help us bear up under the strain.

– May give thanks that we already have qualified as saints of God. There is nothing for which we should be more appreciative.

Question: Which of these prayers resonates most with you today?

About this Author: Charles Stanley

Please open your Bible and read Philippians 3:3-8.

The apostle Paul had more reasons than any of us today to glory in his accomplishments, and yet he made it clear that his resume meant nothing to him. In fact, Paul counted “all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.“

The truth is, Paul didn’t lay aside anything to follow Christ that he shouldn’t have laid aside. He had been super – religious as a Pharisee, trying to gain entrance into heaven in his own power. But when he had an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, he learned that a relationship with the living God surpassed everything he’d ever done or could do on his own. His accomplishments were rubbish.

Actually, at the very bottom line, he had given up nothing of value and yet gained everything. How many of us today refuse to lay aside those things that have no value? How many of us so pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus that we count all else as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Him, really knowing Him? Are you willing to lay aside everything that competes with your love and devotion for Christ?

Question: As you live moment by moment, do you make knowing Him your top priority?

About this Author: Charles Stanley

Please open your Bible and read:
(Colossians 1:28 – 29)

What activities embarrass you? Maybe you feel uncomfortable singing in public or your face turns red when you are caught mumbling to yourself. Does talking about Jesus embarrass you? Staying quiet may seem safer than risking ridicule or being seen as a fanatic.

Unfortunately, silent believers waste their lives. We receive so many good things from God – forgiveness, healing, answers to prayer, and the Holy Spirit’s presence. The list could go on and on. Our favorite subject should be Jesus Christ and His transforming salvation.

The apostle Paul spoke freely of his great sin before redemption. (Acts 26:12 – 18) He was a church persecutor transformed into Christ?s missionary by God’?s grace. Nothing within Paul was worth saving, and he knew it. Consequently, the man never stopped publicly praising and proclaiming the Lord’s love.

Even with the magnitude of Paul’s sins, he received no greater measure of grace than any of us. We may have lived a moral life before receiving salvation, but sin still separated us from God. Believers sometimes neglect that truth and forget Jesus? transforming power. Then we find ourselves too embarrassed or uncomfortable to share about the great change He made in our lives.

Question: Do you have a passion to proclaim Him? If not, what does inspire passion in you?

About the Author: Charles Stanley