Journal 4-18-19

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.

       I received some news yesterday that was exciting to me and as I think about my life, this verse sticks out this morning. I will be getting out of prison around the first of May or so. This morning I am thinking and praying about my release, my time here, how far I’ve come and the people I have met here.  As I read the verse above this stuck out: “…that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.” And “…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.” As I look back on my conversations and my time here, God reveals to me that I have had many opportunities to share Christ with people. Savanah, people watch how we carry ourselves. They watch how we speak and what we do. My friends in prison, there are people listening to our conversations, men who desperately want to latch on and follow our lead, go to church, and get out of the misery they are in. I am trying to think back and recognize the mistakes I’ve made. Did I honor God in all that I did? No, I really fall short all the time. I do however have a desire to spread the news of Jesus Christ as much as possible and because we have taken that responsibility I feel it necessary for all of us to watch how we speak and act so that we don’t blow our testimony for another brother who needs the Lord and a good role model to follow to church. We all have a big responsibility to honor that and keep our minds sharp and in-tune with the Lord so we can be ready when someone comes at us with the questions we all have had about our Lord and Savior. I think God will bless us for that. It’s what helps us stay victorious in the kingdom.

Prayer

Father God, I pray that we all “continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” and whatever we do, we do for the Lord and not for man. I pray that we will stay salty for your purpose Lord and that they will know we are Christians by our love. In Jesus name, Amen

Thoughts:
Do we work for the world (Satan) or do we work for the Lord and our future in eternity? Philippians 1:27 says “only let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ...finally brothers whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, or worthy of praise think on these things.”