Colossians 1:9-11 - "May You Be Strengthened"

Today, Sunday May 16 “May You Be Strengthened” Colossians 1:10-11 “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…” Twice in this prayer Paul said, “May you be…”. May you be filled with the knowledge of his will….” and “may you be strengthened with all power…”. He prayed and ask the Lord to fill them and strengthen them. This is something we should pray for our family and friends and fellow believers. When we know the will of God for our lives, and by faith are living in obedience to the Word of God and the voice of the Holy Spirit we can be assured that the Lord will then give us strength for the task that has been assigned to us. So often I have felt that I am so weak, tired and fatigued, that there is no way that I can take another step, or even get out of bed to begin the day. But something happens the moment I choose to obey the Lord and do the task that I know the Lord wants me to do. There is a miraculous energy that begins to flow through me, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually that is unexplainable! I forget about being tired and worn out and experience the power and might of God Himself as I obey. It reminds me of the scripture where Jesus told the man with the withered hand to “stretch it out”. The man could have said, “Lord that’s not possible, I’ve never moved this hand since I was born.” But instead he obeyed the command from Jesus and lifted up his arm and begin mentally, emotionally and then physically to stretch it out and something miraculously happened. It was immediately healed!!!! Your obedience to the known will of God for your life releases the very power and energy of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead into every aspect of your being! I’m convinced that both in my ministry at home, but especially when I’m overseas on a mission trip, because my family, church members and friends are praying this prayer for me, that I am able to accomplish any task assigned to me, despite how I might feel physically, spiritually or emotionally. It is amazing! We experience “endurance and patience with joy” as we serve in faith and obedience despite our feelings and weaknesses. People say they are too tired to read their Bible or pray. My friend, in obedience pick up your Bible and start reading. Bow your knees and start praying. Pick up that phone and make that call the Holy Spirit is prompting you to make.  Get in the car and go to church and teach that Sunday School class! And you will experience the divine energy, strength and power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish your assigned task! God bless!