Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Church has to be on watch
Colo.4:2-6
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
We all are called to be His witnesses where ever we are. In this portion Apostle, Paul explains two ways through which we could join in evangelism.
1)Our Prayer (Vs.2-4)
It is an indirect way of involvement in evangelism. Prayer is designed as a walkie-talkie for the spiritual battlefield, not as an intercom between God for just our domestic comforts and us. The Soldiers to the rear with the Walkie- Talkie of prayer are very crucial in the frontline success of evangelism. Paul tells them to Persevere, be vigilant and be thankful in prayer. The prince of preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, would always take visitors to the church's basement and where people were on their knees, always, praying for the church. Spurgeon called this the ‘powerhouse of a church’. Each and every one of us has to bend our knees and be part of this powerhouse. Sometimes prayer seems to penetrate no further than the walls of our prayer room. At such a time the remedy is not to stop but to go on praying; for the one who prays, spiritual dryness cannot last. It is also a caution to us not to go to sleep when we pray. When we pray for the Storm Troopers who are assigned to the battlefield, for the openings for Gospel opportunities in the world, and for the mystery of Christ to be made plain; we are participating in the evangelism indirectly.
2)Our wise conduct and Seasoned speech (Vs.5,6)
Conduct yourselves wisely toward nonbelievers making good use of every opportunity we have and let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. It is the direct way of evangelism in which we must remember that it is not so much by our words but by our daily lives showing Christ to the people around us. It knows how to become all things to all people who are in need and want, without compromising holiness and truth. Francis Assisi once said to his disciples, ‘preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary. What we say about Christ and Christian life should be made as appetizing as possible. People don’t want to eat the food if it is not seasoned properly therefore our speeches must be appetizing for Christ. How could it be possible? Every day we should go to the Bible and kneel down in prayer; look for reasons why knowing Christ is the greatest thing in the world- we will be His witnesses. Christ needs to rub off on us so that people are drawn towards him through us because they can see Christ in us!
We all are called to be His witnesses where ever we are. In this portion Apostle, Paul explains two ways through which we could join in evangelism.
1)Our Prayer (Vs.2-4)
It is an indirect way of involvement in evangelism. Prayer is designed as a walkie-talkie for the spiritual battlefield, not as an intercom between God for just our domestic comforts and us. The Soldiers to the rear with the Walkie- Talkie of prayer are very crucial in the frontline success of evangelism. Paul tells them to Persevere, be vigilant and be thankful in prayer. The prince of preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, would always take visitors to the church's basement and where people were on their knees, always, praying for the church. Spurgeon called this the ‘powerhouse of a church’. Each and every one of us has to bend our knees and be part of this powerhouse. Sometimes prayer seems to penetrate no further than the walls of our prayer room. At such a time the remedy is not to stop but to go on praying; for the one who prays, spiritual dryness cannot last. It is also a caution to us not to go to sleep when we pray. When we pray for the Storm Troopers who are assigned to the battlefield, for the openings for Gospel opportunities in the world, and for the mystery of Christ to be made plain; we are participating in the evangelism indirectly.
2)Our wise conduct and Seasoned speech (Vs.5,6)
Conduct yourselves wisely toward nonbelievers making good use of every opportunity we have and let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. It is the direct way of evangelism in which we must remember that it is not so much by our words but by our daily lives showing Christ to the people around us. It knows how to become all things to all people who are in need and want, without compromising holiness and truth. Francis Assisi once said to his disciples, ‘preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary. What we say about Christ and Christian life should be made as appetizing as possible. People don’t want to eat the food if it is not seasoned properly therefore our speeches must be appetizing for Christ. How could it be possible? Every day we should go to the Bible and kneel down in prayer; look for reasons why knowing Christ is the greatest thing in the world- we will be His witnesses. Christ needs to rub off on us so that people are drawn towards him through us because they can see Christ in us!
Prayer
O Lord, help us to be steadfast in prayer to you and to always be thankful for the undeserved blessings we have. Lead us in your ways and enable us to be your witnesses in all possible ways revealing Christ's experiences in thought, word, and deed in our daily life. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
O Lord, help us to be steadfast in prayer to you and to always be thankful for the undeserved blessings we have. Lead us in your ways and enable us to be your witnesses in all possible ways revealing Christ's experiences in thought, word, and deed in our daily life. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Thought for the day:
‘Jesus looked at them and said ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God’- Mark 10:27. Remember our faith can move mountains!
Nissy Cherian
Staten Island Mar Thoma Church