"...Demas sends greetings..."

Funny…I was just thinking before I started today’s devotions…well, I’m at the end of the book of Colossians, and all Paul is saying is, “Tell him ‘hi’ for me...read the letter...", and giving me a long list of names I can’t pronounce. But, right before I started reading, I prayed that God would give me a fresh Word from His heart...that He would make that passage come alive for me this morning! oh yes...He did...God showed me so much more.
Demas…he was a fellow worker- working side by side by Paul, one of the greatest missionaries of all times, one of founding fathers of the faith…he learned from Paul- one of the best! All it says in Colossians 4:14 is, “…Demas sends greetings.” But, I did a little study on our friend, Demas, in the Bible. Apparently Paul wrote about him again to Timothy about 6 years later, “…Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10). How is it possible that he could trade a great friendship and ministry with Apostle Paul for something else? How could this happen? I don’t think it happened over night. I’m not sure how long this downward spiral continued, but this comment was written 6 years after Paul referred to him as a “fellow worker”. A lot can happen in 6 years…a lot of ideas, worldviews, idols of the heart, bad influences, and temptations, can creep in little by little into one’s heart and mind. And, if Demas wasn’t continually throwing off these hindrances, a love of this world could develop…and it did develop. His allegiance switched from a life devoted to Christ and His work, to a life devoted to this world. We have to be on our guard, friends! “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9a). May we learn a lesson from Demas.

Our Trustworthy God

Last night, while I was praying with a group of folks from my church, I was convicted. When I was talking aloud to the Lord, I echoed a father's prayer to the Lord, "Lord, help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) I confessed to Him that I have a problem trusting sometimes...it can be difficult in my humanness. Then, I believe God drilled a point into my heart. I thought to myself, what if one of my dear friends- one that I care about deeply and would do anything for- approached me and said, "Emily, I'm having a difficult time trusting you- it's just hard sometimes." I would be so offended, hurt, and disappointed! But, what about when I say that to the Almighty God? My Father, my Deliverer, my Refuge, my Creator, my All in All? He has proven Himself MORE than worthy to receive all of our trust! He really doesn't even have to prove it to us...but He does. We should trust Him because of who He is...the I AM. I do NOT want to offend the Lord by telling Him, "It's hard to trust You." How hurtful that is to Him...God, forgive me.

Cheer 'em on!

Picture Paul: in prison...in chains...uncomfortable...cheering people on...wait- cheering people on? Yes! Despite his earthly circumstances, Paul had an eternal perspective, which helped him to be one of the greatest cheerleaders and encouragers of all time! Get this: Onesimus, a runaway slave from Colosse, was totally going against the meaning of his name, “Useful”. When Paul met him in Rome, he could have disregarded him because of his sin- he could have thought of him as a rebellious young man who was not going to listen- he could have ignored him because of his attitude- but, no…Paul saw potential in that young man. He took Onesimus under his wing- he led him to Christ- he mentored him. Finally, Paul wrote a letter to Onesimus' former master, Philemon, requesting that he welcome him back with open arms. “Formerly he (Philemon) was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” (Philemon 11) Formerly… that is a key word here…Paul doesn’t let the past get in the way of the present or even the future…he sees past it. For the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it! I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18) Paul did not dwell on the things of the past- he did not want Philemon nor Onesimus to dwell on the things of the past…no! God was doing a NEW THING in the heart of Onesimus! Paul took the initiative to support Onesimus- he signed up to be his #1 fan and cheerleader. We have to do that as believers…we need to come behind someone and root them on to victory….help him/her to see and others to see that God wants to do a new thing in his/her life! Encouragement goes a long way… who will you cheer on today?

Tychicus' Example

"Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord." (Colossians 4:7)
Even if you can't pronounce his name correctly, you can clearly see he was a man of integrity and led by the Holy Spirit. He was special to Paul- a true friend...he was loyal, committed, dedicated- he worked alongside others for the glory of God. It is my desire for someone to say about me:
"Emily is a dear sister, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord." May we make it our goal to please Him! (2 Cor. 5:9a).

Pour on the salt!

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:6)
This passage said to season your conversation with salt…but it also said in the Old Testament to season all of your offerings to God. ("...add salt to all your offerings..." Lev. 2:13). Our speech is considered an offering to God…we need to see it as that. What kind of offering do you present with your words? Is it pleasing to Him? Our mouths and our words can be harmful or helpful…we need to see our conversation as an offering unto God. Seasoning it with salt...enhancing others...just as salt enhances the flavor of food, we want to enhance others’ walk with Christ. We can do that by using our words to build up others- not to tear them down. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

...being watchful...

Colossians 4:2a- "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful..."

Do we pray with great expectations? Do we expect the unexpected? If not, why not? We should! "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37). In this passage, Paul exhorts us to be WATCHFUL...to watch out for what God is doing. Don't have faithless prayers- our God is BIG! Faith and prayer go hand in hand. However the Lord decides to answer our prayers- it is for the best (Romans 8:28), and remember...our God can do ANYTHING!