People are watching

My second blog of the day.......famine or feast, I guess. 

I like to read the Message Bible when I simply want to 'read' not necessarily study. In doing this, I find meanings which are really authentic and relevant to my own life when I read this way....particularly in the MESSAGE version. 

Today I was in the book of Colossians and I saw the importance to write to you and encourage you.

Here goes......Paul is telling the people in the book of Colossians how important others are to him because they are willing to serve and encourage. The humorous part to me is he is encouraging 'free' people while he is held captive. He mentions 3 names in chapter 4 and what I notice is how he 'describes his friends.' 

He says, "My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me." I  thought, as I was reading, I wonder what he desires for them to know by writing to them about how he is doing. But, people really do want to know if someone is still living for Jesus, though they are in another part of the world. 

Then he writes about Tychicus and explains how he is a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master...Then goes on to explain how "he will encourage you in the faith." Then he talks about Onesimus, (one of my favorite stories) and how he says, "He is one of you" (I thought that was very typical because it sounds so much like what I want to write, to encourage my 'friend'.) And then he says, "Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings....and he names 2 more, Justus and Mark......he goes on to explain that he and Mark and Justus are the only ones left from the old crowd. 

Now, can I tell you my interpretation of what I feel God and Paul are doing here and telling me? OK! 

We get separated. We have lives that pull us away and into the chaos and we have jobs that bog us down but I can tell you from this side of ministry, there are times I want to throw in the towel many times, but I WON'T and I don't want to. However, we all get weary? Yes, I get weary but the GREATER part of me which is my Spirit, is always soaring for me and through me. My songs of praise make me fly like and eagle and then I am able to see so much more than my present, gunk!

As with you, my friend, much like Paul's letter, I send to you a letter to encourage you in your faith and I also invite you to stay renewed in the Word of God. 

I too could send a personal greeting and write a report about certain ones who I know will receive my words, so I will just close with this and say, "I pray that God is moving boldly in your lives and more than anything you are not losing hope as you see the day of His return. I also pray that the Holy Spirit will fill you with renewed strength as you journey to the next place that God has for you. I pray you find a place to give of yourself and encourage someone in their time of need, so that Christ will be magnified in all that you do. 

I know we live in a hostile world and it seems that many horrible and tragic things are happening all around us, but remember this, He has over come this WORLD. And much like Paul writes, I forward his words I found in Romans, which are to "never ignore God and please do not refuse to worship him and become silly and confused and pretend that you have it all figured out, trading him in for something you can buy at a roadside stand."

I encourage you my friends. Walk in Wisdom and seek to find all that keeps you built up so that your life will be as a standard for others to follow, to find Jesus.

Last month in my home Bible Study, we wrote notes to each other to encourage each other and then we shared them with the person with whom we drew their name......this should never stop when someone is placed on our heart, please send a text or an email or snail mail and let them know they are loved.

Become a Champion of your life and allow the one who increases your faith to become your Pulpit. People are watching.