Today’s Bible reading is Colossians chapter 2
(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)
If there is one word to describe the Apostle Paul it is the word concerned. Paul was concerned for the church at Colossae. He endured intense spiritual agony in their behalf. Paul interceded for them desiring, “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.” (Colossians 2:2 ESV) Paul was even concerned for people he did not know or had ever met. His love for them was not stifled because of distance either. Paul said, “For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.” (Colossians 2:5 NLT) Being concerned for others is a spiritual quality. Spiritual concern motivates us to pray. Are you concerned for God’s people around the world and even those you have never met in distant lands? Paul’s love and concern for the Colossians was first that they would be protected from the high pressure of false teaching, and secondly that they would be firmly grounded in Christ and walk in Him. May we be motivated to pray for one another today with the same intensity and concern like Paul had when he prayed for the Colossians, or like Jesus prayed when He agonized at Gethsemane.
Prayer: “Lord, we pray for churches & Christians here at home and in distant lands to be encouraged & knit together in love, & to know the riches of the fullness of Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”
Randy J. McPheron
T.H.E.M. 