- And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. Colossians 4:17 – In Paul’s letters he typically ends with a list of final greetings and last thoughts for the churches or for individuals in the church. While they can be filled with difficult to read names, do take time to read through these final thoughts for you’ll find treasures like this verse. Here we have Paul telling the Colossian church to speak into the life of Archippus. We don’t know much about him, but very likely he was a local pastor or evangelist. Paul tells the church to speak encouragement into Archippus, encouragement to fulfill the ministry that God gave him. Here is such a vital aspect of the church that can be easily forgotten. Our role is to encourage one another to fulfill the ministry God has called us to. The church is to encourage the pastor to fulfill his work and the pastor’s role is to encourage the church to fulfill their work. For there is a reality about the ministry that we have received from the Lord, it can remain unfulfilled. The race could not be finished, so let’s stand on the sidelines encouraging our brothers and sisters to complete the race well. Speak words of encouragement to them, walk with them in a difficult season, even be willing to carry a burden for them. Paul wanted the church here to see their role in Archuippus’ life, their words would be the life to his ministry to see it fulfilled. Choose then to be the life behind someone’s passion for the work God has called them to. The enemy is putting enough people around them to blow out their passion, you choose to be the one fanning it into an inferno. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3423
- Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 – I get the idea of continuing in prayer, that means to just keep praying. But what does it meant to be watchful in prayer? The encouragement is twofold. One, to watch for opportunities where you can pray and take advantage of those times. Two, to be watchful that you are in the right mindset when you pray. Not distracted but focused. So the lesson we’re being taught is pray always, seek more times when you can pray, and be there when you pray. Prayer must have a lot of value huh? Today be watchful for a time when you can set down the distractions and pray instead. Seek out a little more time with God today in prayer. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 550
- Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6 – As Paul concludes this last chapter of Colossians, he speaks to the attitude and lifestyle believers in Jesus should have around non-believers in Jesus. That we should be wise with our time with them, not wasteful, for tomorrow is not promised for anyone. We also should let our words be spoken kindly to non-believers and have a desire to guide them to the answer of Jesus. Our life should be about other lives coming to know Jesus. As I finished reading the chapter, I noticed a note I wrote in my Bible at some point in the past. It said, “If God answered your prayers would you have lots of stuff or would your neighbors know Christ?” Truly this question and this passage purposes a heart check for us today. Is our greatest desire people knowing Jesus? My prayer is this is the case for me and that it’s the case for you as well. One way we can see this be true is changing our prayer habits. How often are we praying for individuals in our life to come to know Jesus? Let’s begin to pray over specific names each day that we know are people that don’t have a relationship with Jesus. They can be people you know, people from your past, even celebrities are fine to pray for. Let’s though seek to have a posture of prayer that is more about lives coming to know Jesus than just stuff being added to our life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2409
Daily DEVO 