Keep on praying and guard your prayers with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray for us also. Pray that God would open a door for the word so we can preach the secret plan of Christ—which is why I’m in chains. Pray that I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I preach. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person. Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will inform you about everything that has happened to me. This is why I sent him to you, so that you’ll know all about us and so he can encourage your hearts. I sent him with Onesimus, our faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know about everything here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, says hello to you. So does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (you received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him). Jesus, called Justus, also says hello. These are my only fellow workers for God’s kingdom who are Jewish converts. They have been an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. He’s a slave of Christ Jesus who always wrestles for you in prayers so that you will stand firm and be fully mature and complete in the entire will of God. I can vouch for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas say hello. Say hello to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, along with Nympha and the church that meets in her house. After this letter has been read to you publicly, make sure that the church in Laodicea reads it and that you read the one from Laodicea. And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry that you received in the Lord.” I, Paul, am writing this greeting personally. Remember that I’m in prison. Grace be with you. (Colossians 4:2-18, CEB)
Pray always for the world and for your brothers and sisters.
Pray that God will make a way for the world to see love and respond in love.
Pray that a door would be opened so all will hear and receive the word of God and live the way that Jesus taught us.
The other day I was scrolling through my Facebook memories to share memes and about 6 years ago I shared a meme of a child holding a Bible that read, “Teach your children about Jesus before someone else teaches them about Jesus that isn’t truth.” Or something to that manner. And I thought I would need to put a disclaimer on that picture, I am sure that I would share it and people would read it as conservative and Jesus not wanting anyone who wasn’t white, male, and powerful to be included. But then I also thought that if people thought that about something I shared do they really follow my posts. But people have an understanding of what the Bible says and what is accepted by God, and I think we will all be surprised when we actually stand before the throne.
Love is the answer. I pray that all of our hearts are open to love and know it is not about us, but about God.
I pray that we all share love, and show each other God loves us all as we are.
Love like Christ.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 