Colossians 1:9 That is why we keep on talking to God about you since the day we heard about you. We ask him that you may know everything he wants you to do. We ask him that you may be very wise and that the Spirit will help you to understand.
10 We ask him that you will live the way the Lord wants you to live, so that you will please him in everything you do. We ask that you will do everything that is good. We ask that you will see the fruit from what you do. We ask that you will know more and more about God.11 God has wonderful power. And we ask him to give you all the strength you need to go through all your troubles, to be very patient in them, and to be happy.
12 Thank the Father who has made us ready to be with the people of God who live in his light.
Day 20—All the prayers from Paul who was imprisoned for the Gospel wind up with rejoicing. See Colossians 1:11 |
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The first person to rejoice at the presence of Jesus as He was becoming known in the earth was one who came later to be known as John the Baptist. This was, indeed, an early rejoicing, perhaps like none other. See this account of it in Luke 1:44—For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. These were the words of Elizabeth whose cousin Mary had come to visit her. Elizabeth, barren and old for giving birth, had conceived one who would be the forerunner of the Christ. Mary was bearing that one, conceived of the Holy Spirit at the Word of the Archangel Gabriel.
Let us hear that Word from Gabriel and take note of Mary’s response as it is recorded in Luke 1:30-38—
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: 33 And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the Angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also That Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy Word. And the angel departed from her.
Now, we know the crucified, risen and ascended Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is alive in us! Therefore, we rejoice!
LOVING FATHER, I do rejoice this day because Your Spirit has come upon my life. You granted me repentance! Now, I know Jesus, Your Son! He is alive in my heart! My life is changed! I have a hope that was never there before! There is grace for my sin! There is light for my darkness! Oh, thank You for loving us so much! DEAR FATHER, let this new Life become known in these I now name before You.
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