Our Daily Devotion for Friday , October 16th, 2020

24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25 I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.        Colossians 1:24-29   NRSV
 
In this part of his letter, Paul speaks of the work he is doing for the church as a minister. Paul states that the suffering he is encountering are for the sake of Christ, doing it on behalf of other believers. In v. 29 he speaks of the toiling, and the struggling he is enduring , through his faith in Christ. He also does recognize that anything that he is able to accomplish is not through his own power and/or abilities – it is only because of the power given through Christ Jesus.
 
Let us pray together – All Powerful , Ever living God, we thank you for the servants that have come before us in this Your church – ministers, teachers, preachers, prophets who brought Your Word to a world so needing to hear it. It is by the paths that these great men and women of faith paved that we can continue to do this work today. Help us to be strong, be vigilant and faithful to the end as they all were. Praise and Glory to You, through Jesus, our Savior.  Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

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