Moments in the life of a Pastor

Walking with God


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7. Pleasing, Powerful Prayer – Part 3

Colossians 1:9-14

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you,we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his willthrough all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father,who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

2.         PRODUCTIVE Vs 10

The second petition to Paul’s prayer is that after they know God’s will they would choose to live out God’s will. Again this is in two areas. First, he prayed that they might be fruitful in their:

A.        Walk – “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him”

The way we act is a reflection on God so Paul prayed that they would respond to what God revealed, only through action does a person fulfill the purpose God has for them. Change comes not just through study but surrender when we say yes. It’s like a car you can rev up the engine all you want there is lots of power in it but until you put that power into gear into action you will just make a lot of noise. The ultimate aim of knowing God’s will and walking in a worthy manner is to please the Lord. Today we want His will to be pleasing to us, we have reduced His will to our wants. God desires us to live a life based on what He has done for us not what we want Him to do. Notice we are to “fully please Him” that requires full knowledge of His will. Our lives should not be driven by the expectations of self or others. Don’t get trapped into a life of trying to please others or self instead please the Savior. Allow His will not your wants or others whims to guide you. Examine your behavior and ask this simple question, Is God pleased with what I’m doing?

B.        Work – “being fruitful in every good work”

Paul prayed that the people would lead productive lives. When Jesus talked about bearing fruit in John 15 he said He was the vine and we are the branches and we must abide in Him, that apart from Him we will bear no fruit. The life of an obedient Christian is fruitful, because our Creator designed us to be fruitful. Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear lasting fruit” (John 15:16). To work without bearing any eternal fruit is a tragic waste. Are you contributing in the work of the Church? Are you a giver or a taker, what do you have to show for your Christian life?

C.       Know God Well  – “increasing in the knowledge of God”

We all learn in different ways, visual learners, hands on learners, intuitive learners and the cognitive learners. But knowledge here comes not just from study but from doing life with the Lord, it is a knowledge that enhances an accurate comprehension of God. What rain and sunshine are to the nurture of plants, the knowledge of God is to the growth and maturing of the spiritual life. It is relationship knowledge, because Paul knew that everything hinges on the health and vitality of our relationship with God. What is truly important is not that we know about God but that we know God. There is always a danger of substituting facts for a relationship. The life that pleases God is the one that yearns to know more about God so that they can know God better. Most of what you learn about God will not be revealed to you until you know His will, live out His will, and begin bearing eternal fruit. God discloses Himself as His children obey.


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6. Pleasing, Powerful Prayer – Part 2 

Colossians 1:9-14 

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you,we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his willthrough all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father,who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

  1. Will of God – “filled with the knowledge of His will”

How are you going to do God’s will if you don’t understand what it is that God would have you do? Paul didn’t want people guessing at God’s will for their lives, we can know God’s will and fulfill the purpose He has planned for us. You do not have to meander through life hoping your life is counting for something. You can know it is. We ask for them to be filled with the knowledge of His will, which means to have “full-knowledge”, that His will would pervade their being – thoughts, affections, purposes, and plans. God desires the knowledge of His will to be grasped and to penetrate deeply into our lives, to take hold. Have you asked God to fill you with the knowledge of His will, to be full of His will means there is no room for yours. Are you willing to submit your will to go wherever He wants you to go, will you surrender your time, talents and treasures. Paul is reminding us here that our life belongs to God, whose will are you following, don’t hold anything back this year, give your life back and let Him use you all of you.

  • Word of God – “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”

Not just reading the Word but responding to it, living what you learn by putting into practice the principles found in the Bible.

  • You may just be learning how to read. Read the Bible: Basic instruction before leaving earth. It will guide you as you start through grade school. 
  • You might be in your teen years when all of your friends have turned their backs on God and the church. They think the Bible is a boring book and unpopular read your Bible, it will get you through the years when you want to wonder away from God, home, the church, and guide you past the pain.
  • You might be in you twenties when the teen-age years have left you standing alone. It might not be popular among your friends to stand for God. Read your Bible. It will give you wisdom above your years and lead you into a life of significance.
  • You might be in your thirties or forties raising children, teen-agers or young adults. You are going to need the encouragement and inspiration the Bible provides. Your children are still watching you. They may not come to you with their problems, but they are watching to see how you handle the pressures of life. Your Bible will help you be a wise testimony to them beyond their adolescent years.
  • You might be in your fifties and beyond. Read your Bible. All generations need the guidance of godly grandparents. Leave a legacy of godliness. Pass on your passion for the Bible.