Christ Powerfully Works in Our Gospel Ministry

February 28, 2013 - Colossians 1:28-29

1:28		我 們 傳 揚 他 、 是 用 諸 般 的 智 慧 、 勸 戒 各 人 、 教 導 各 人 ． 要 把 各 人 在 基 督 裡 完 完 全 全 的 引 到 　 神 面 前 ．
1:29		我 也 為 此 勞 苦 、 照 著 他 在 我 裡 面 運 用 的 大 能 、 盡 心 竭 力 。

 ²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Paul witnesses how Jesus Christ powerfully works in his life that he proclaims, admonishes, and teaches everyone to know Jesus and to grow into full maturity in Christ. Christ becomes the only message of Paul and Christ is also experienced by Paul as Christ's Power accompanies his ministry for preaching the Gospel. 

My Lord Jesus, let me experience Your daily Presence and Power in my life by the Spirit as I learn to serve you faithfully day by day. Let me taste Your riches and power in my life - continually transforming me to be like You and to bring people into maturity in you. 

Knowing God's Will through the Wisdom and Understanding from the Holy Spirit

February 27, 2013 - Colossians 1:7-12

1:7		正 如 你 們 從 我 們 所 親 愛 、 一 同 作 僕 人 的 以 巴 弗 所 學 的 ． 他 為 我 們 〔 有 古 卷 作 你 們 〕 作 了 基 督 忠 心 的 執 事 ．
1:8		也 把 你 們 因 聖 靈 所 存 的 愛 心 告 訴 了 我 們 。
1:9		因 此 、 我 們 自 從 聽 見 的 日 子 、 也 就 為 你 們 不 住 的 禱 告 祈 求 、 願 你 們 在 一 切 屬 靈 的 智 慧 悟 性 上 、 滿 心 知 道 　 神 的 旨 意 ．
1:10		好 叫 你 們 行 事 為 人 對 得 起 主 、 凡 事 蒙 他 喜 悅 、 在 一 切 善 事 上 結 果 子 、 漸 漸 的 多 知 道 　 神 ．
1:11		照 他 榮 耀 的 權 能 、 得 以 在 各 樣 的 力 上 加 力 、 好 叫 你 們 凡 事 歡 歡 喜 喜 的 忍 耐 寬 容 ．
1:12		又 感 謝 父 、 叫 我 們 能 與 眾 聖 徒 在 光 明 中 同 得 基 業 ．

⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

   ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 

Paul exhorts believers that they receive love in the Spirit and also wisdom and understanding from the Spirit. This spiritual understanding and wisdom from the Holy Spirit are not mystical or intellectual in the world's view but rather concrete and practical that believers live out a life that is worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in good works, knowing more and more about God's will, and also having power to live a life with endurance and patience in sufferings or perseverance. 

My Holy Spirit, I only know how to love in You as You pour out the love of Heavenly Father in my  heart, and I only know God through You as You enlighten my mind to see the reality of His power and glory. You also show me the way of my Lord Jesus that I follow after Him. You also continue the sanctification work in my life that I can bear good fruit. You strengthen me to endure and be patient in suffering and perseverance. Pray that You Spirit draw me close to You everyday and rely on You to serve, to love, and to enjoy God's blessing in my life.