Tag: Colossians 4:2-6
Clear and gracious speech!
Scripture reading for June 26th: Colossians 4, Psalm 126, Proverbs 2
Colossians 4:2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Paul, writing from prison in Rome, to believers, gives them words of encouragement concerning their need to stay connected in fellowship to Jesus through prayer while living in a hostile world among great darkness. He also asked them to pray for his own situation, though in a way we might not think of. He asked for open doors to preach the mystery of Christ. He asked that his speech and words would be made clear to those who would hear. He did not ask to get out of jail! He further instructed them to walk in wisdom towards the lost and to seize every opportunity to share the grace of God in Christ through gracious speech and the salt of the Gospel and the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Joy would be a fruit of obedience and God would bring forth fruit and protect them from evil men!
Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Paul’s instructions to us who follow Jesus Christ. The sowing of Your Word is done often through tears of compassion for the lost and suffering as a result of the darkness and evil of this world. Open doors for me today and give me wisdom and boldness to sow the Seed of Your Word with clarity. Thank You for the promise of a great harvest and great joy!
Proverbs 2:9-12 “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, and from men of perverted speech.”
Steadfast in prayer!
Scripture reading for June 10th: Colossians 4
Key Scriptures: Colossians 4:2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Paul closes this letter to the Colossians with an encouragement to pray and with a request for prayer himself. He encourages continuous prayer as a way to strengthen and prepare the believers. Prayer keeps us watchful and thankful for God’s provision. Prayer helps us to focus on God’s will and ask and depend on Him for our needs and His priorities. In light of this, Paul from prison, asks for open doors. Not prison doors either, but doors of opportunity to share the Gospel with lost prisoners or jailers. He also asks that He be able to clearly speak God’s Word and know how to respond to each person. That is true for all us who believe in Jesus and pray continuously.
Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes I struggle to pray for others. Help me to be faithful and steadfast in prayer. I want believers that I know to be mature and fully assured in the will of God.
First Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Steadfast prayer for ministry!
Scripture reading for March 10th: Numbers 19-21, Colossians 4
Key Scriptures: Colossians 4;2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Disciples of Jesus are called to a life of prayer. Ministry doors are opened through prayer. Boldness to preach comes through prayer and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Clear Gospel presentation comes as a result of prayer. Gracious speech and words spoken in season come through those who are connected to Jesus through a life of steadfast prayer. Paul, in prison for preaching, encouraged prayer for his ministry efforts–not release from jail!
Numbers 21:16-18 “And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! –Sing to it!–the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.”
Faith Confession and prayer: Lord, You alone are the source of all ministry, empowerment, fruitfulness, and open doors! I pray with the Israelites of old: “Spring up, O Well!” Fill me with living water to boldly preach Your Word.
Seasoned with salt!
Scripture reading for September 11th: Colossians 4, Psalm 32, Proverbs 28
Key Scriptures: Colossians 4:2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it, with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Paul’s final instructions contained a call to prayer for the church and for him and his ministry as a prisoner in a Roman jail. He never asked to get out, but for open doors for God’s Word and boldness to declare the mystery of Christ Jesus the Lord. He wanted to make it clear and know when to speak and what to say to each person, not wasting any precious time. Watchful prayers and faithful witnessing will bring God-directed results!
Faith Confession: Lord, help me to watch and pray for missionaries and evangelists who are preaching the Word. Give me open doors and boldness as I preach Your unchanging Word. Season my speech with the saltiness of the Gospel.
Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”
Salted Speech!
Scripture reading for September 11th: Proverbs 15-18, Colossians 4
Key Scriptures: Colossians 4:2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it, with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Believers are to be people of prayer. Pastors and missionaries need prayer and ask for it. Paul’s specific request was for open doors to preach God’s Word, the Gospel. He asked for boldness and clarity of speech for himself and for those he was writing to. Salt seasoning of speech is for all believers.
Proverbs 15:1-2 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.”
Prayer: Lord, I ask You for open doors for Your Word today. May my speech be bold for you yet filled with wisdom and compassion, seasoned with salt by the Holy Spirit. Amen.