Colossians 1

I have been taking a LONG time to work through the book of Colossians. The plan is to take my time, but to try to gather as much as possible from the text. I anticipated taking, about six weeks to cover four chapters, but after four weeks and finding myself still in Chapter 1, I have decided that it will take longer than I anticipated. No problem.

One of my favorite parts of the book of Colossians is the book of Colossians. My favorite verse is Col 2:8; I love Col 1:17-18; the prayers of Paul are both educational and uplifting. Chapter 3 tells me how to develop as an individual and Chapter 4 shows Paul's love for his friends. It truly is a wonderful book.

I find Paul's prayer for the church at Colosse to be fascinating. When I see what he prayed for them, it causes me to reflect on my prayers for others. Often we pray and ask for generic, general requests, such as "help them to be healthy." Nothing wrong with asking for good health, but Paul was focused on the primary need: spiritual growth and in asking, he was specific. He asked for three specific things: (1) an increasing knowledge of the will of God; (2) that they would walk rightly; (3) that their faith would be strengthened. I read the verses and say to my self, " I need to pray that for myself, even as I pray that for others."

During this time of transition, I have sought to improve my walk and communication with my God. Paul's example and admonition is helping me to see the weaknesses in my life that need to be remedied. Eventually I may get to Chapter 2; for now, Chapter 1 is just loaded with material that I need to study in more depth.