To “be the church,” we get to love God, love people, and make disciples. To do that, we need to be having three conversations on a regular basis. One of those conversations is with God. Today we want to talk about the benefits of having a daily, life-giving conversation with God.
The Relational Triangle
A friend and follower of Jesus engages consistently in three vital conversations. A disciple will have soul-connecting conversations with other disciples and not-yet disciples at least weekly.
And the foundation of a joyful life is laid with daily life-giving talks with Jesus. Every day a disciple invests time and energy to listen and talk to Immanuel (God with us). There are amazing benefits we can receive as we work to develop a close relationship with the Son of God.
In Colossians chapter 1, Paul describes in detail how he and Timothy talk to God about their friends in Colossae. As we think about this prayer, we can infer some powerful benefits that occur when we listen to, talk to, and obey Jesus. Let’s begin...
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you,” Colossians 1:9
Just before saying this, Paul applauds their faith in Jesus and love for others. That’s why Paul and Timothy are praying for them.
Friends Praying for You
When we set aside focused time to engage with Jesus, other disciples notice and begin to synergize with the power and purpose of God.
It’s like a small snowball rolled down a steep hill. Together our prayers grow, come into focus, and build spiritual momentum that enables us to unify around God’s will.
Which brings us to the next benefit.
Knowing God’s Will
What if you always knew exactly what God wanted you to do; and how, when, and where he wanted you to do it?
Paul and Timothy are praying for that very thing.
“God fill them with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Colossians 1:9
When I open my mind and listen to Jesus, I trust that he will give me all the relevant information I need at that moment.
When my heart is responsive, I can work toward seeing people and circumstances from all viewpoints in order to ultimately understand God’s true perspective.
When my will is courageous, I can act with wisdom based upon the spiritual knowledge and understanding given. We can live in confidence that we are being and doing what God wants, if we put the work in.
It’s cumulative. Don’t expect to be knowledgeable, to understand reality, and to act in wisdom all the time if today you invest 15 minutes in conversation with Jesus and tomorrow forget about it. But if you do that each day for a week, a month, and then a year, you’ll be well on your way to the next benefit.
A Life Worthy of Jesus
“You will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” Colossians 1:10
AND…
You Will Delight Jesus
“You will be fully pleasing to him:” Colossians 1:10
Your life can and will be a series of moments that shine in the light. Jesus will be delighted with you as you interact with him and follow his lead.
But if you don’t connect with Jesus daily, at least you can look forward to being like this woman in our clip who says, “I don’t need a second person for a conversation, a lot of the time they just get in the way.” When we do life solo, we miss this benefit.
But there is more!
Right Actions = Results
When you accumulate life-giving conversations with Jesus,
“You can and will bear fruit in every good work.” Colossians 1:10
When Jesus leads and we follow, our actions will produce transformational results.
But still, there’s more…
Deepening Relationship
“You can and will increase in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10
This doesn’t refer to having more information about God.
It’s all about communing with the Triune God—living with him and him living with us. We are inviting God to enter the “house” of our souls, remodel the rooms, and to move in and live with us.
As the relationship deepens…
Empowered by God
You can and will “be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might.” Colossians 1:11
Would you like to be empowered in conformity with and dependent on God’s magnificent, infinite energy? If I think about that too long, it gets a little scary.
Empowered to do what? Rule the world?
Well, God is love and love is patient.
Endurance and Patience
So,
“You can and will have all endurance and patience.” Colossians 1:11
We are empowered to possess an abundance of fortitude and forbearance with every person, even our perceived enemies, and in all circumstances.
When we link to Jesus, we’re strengthened to hang in there for as long as it takes.
Or at least until you land. Don’t miss the cat in the clip!
Joy and Gratitude
Even in those times you endure really tough circumstances,
“You can and will have joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Colossians 1:12
Glorious delight and gratitude will be characteristic of your life, because you know God’s will, live a life worthy of Jesus, you get results, you are deeply connected, empowered to endure with joy and gratitude. And as a bonus, the Father has rescued you from bankruptcy and darkness and prepared for you a rich inheritance and brought you into his light!
This is my prayer for you and me: That God would enable us to have daily life-giving conversations with Jesus that result in all these benefits.
Would you like to share this with your friends? Here’s the slideshow for today’s blog so you can talk about it with them!
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