"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT'S POWER IN OUR LIVES"
Col 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy;
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. This verse is part of a prayer by Paul for the Christians in the city of Colosse.
2. The primary thing that Paul is praying for is that they would be given strength from the Holy Spirit. He actually says, Col 1:11 "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,"
3. This is also something that you can pray for day by day. I pray this prayer often for myself and others. God will answer this prayer, because, we know it's according to His will. He will give you strength.
4. Please notice with me, the three reasons why, or the three benefits, or the three effects of being strengthened by the Holy Spirit. This is not an exhaustive list, but it's sure a very primary one.
(1) For all patience
(2) And long-suffering.
(3) With joy.
5. What do these things mean?. Well, first of all, Patience means steadfastness, or constancy. In the Bible, it's the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. It's the idea of "sustaining perseverance" or just simply being able to "hang in there" Sometimes, it's said, that it's being patient with difficult circumstances.
6. Long-suffering is often used when speaking of dealing with difficult people in your life. It's very similar to patience, and means, a patient endurance, a forbearance, a slowness to avenge wrongs. It's the idea of the temper which does not easily succumb under suffering. It's the self restraint that does not hastily retaliate a wrong.
7. Finally, Joy. This is one of the purposes of God through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Joy, means gladness, or delight. God will give us this in spite of our circumstances. It's been said that happiness is dependent on our having favorable circumstances, whereas Joy, is not. We are happy when things go well.
But, Joy is something we can have from God even when nothing is going well.
A prayer:
Father, You are the God of patience, You are long-suffering, and You give us joy. Thank You that we can ask for You to make us strong through Your Holy Spirit. And, we do that this day. "Lord, would you please "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy;"
We need this, and we thank You in advance for answering our prayer, in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
