GO LIGHT THE WORLD!

SCRIPTURE

Colossians 4:2-18 (NRSV)
Declaring the mystery of Christ

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, "See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord."

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

DEVOTION

Today we are reminded of the importance of bathing our GOOD NEWS efforts in prayer! So often when people approach the work of evangelism (e.g., sharing the GOOD NEWS) they have good intentions, but no prayer to back them up!

Prayer is how we access the power of God! As we pray in agreement with God’s heart--and will—for the people of the Earth, God opens up the windows of Heaven, supernaturally equipping us with all that we need to successfully communicate the Gospel to others!

Do you have family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors who need to experience the GOOD NEWS in their lives? Do you have a heart for a specific ethnic or cultural group in your community? Do you have a desire to reach children, youth, men, women, veterans, the disabled, or any other social group within society?

If so, I believe that God has given you this desire with the expectation that you will act upon it! But, before you get to work, take a moment to pray, asking God how you can be most effective in your witness!

I love Paul’s admonishment to “devout yourselves to prayer and keep alert in it with thanksgiving [in your heart].” Anything that we seek to do for God needs God’s stamp of approval!

Spirit is so wise! When we pray the Holy Spirit will give us the wisdom, understanding, discernment, and love necessary to bring GOOD NEWS to those in need! Spirit will give us the energy, creativity, and resources to get the job done! Spirit will give us the patience, endurance, and fortitude to never give up or become discouraged when the going gets tough! Spirit will set us aflame as a light unto the world!

We just can’t share GOOD NEWS without the power of the Holy Spirit backing us up! Spirit gives us the ability to communicate that God loves the world so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins and gift us with eternal life!

If Spirit does not anoint our words they will fall on deaf ears or hardened hearts! Paul states, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.”

Wow! This is great advice! It is my prayer that each of us will heed it in such as way that all of our neighbors will come running asking us, “What must we do to be saved?!”



ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/

You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda

Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

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Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com