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Pray Before Speaking

12 Feb
Pray Before Speaking

As we go through the book of Colossians, we’ve come to chapter 4. This is the final chapter of this short letter. You may want to read this chapter before continuing with this post.

In Colossians, chapter 4, Paul is giving some final exhortations and then he greets a number of people who will be receiving this. His first statement is about prayer.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2 NIV

Paul first gives us a general call to prayer. He gives us three important aspects of prayer. Devotion, watchfulness, and thankfulness. This is what our prayer times should look like.

The word, devote, means to be diligent. Prayer is not something to be neglected. It’s the most important part of your day, as a believer.

The Creator of the universe has given us total access to His throne. How can we neglect that great gift.

But, more than that, we need to be watchful, awake and alert. Our Lord is not simply a God who listens. He wants to speak to us as well. We need to be attentive for His voice in our spirit.

Finally, the apostle talks about thankfulness. That must be our overall attitude towards God. So often we stress over the little stuff. We get upset because we didn’t get a good parking space at the mall.

Don’t let that carryover into your times with the Lord. Come with a grateful attitude for the grace He has bestowed on you.

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Colossians 4:3-4 NIV

Then Paul exhorts them to pray for him. Specifically, so that he can proclaim Christ effectively. That’s important.

Instead of criticizing what church leadership says and does, we need to be praying for them. Pray for open doors of ministry. Pray for the effectiveness of what they say and do. Pray that they have clear direction and wisdom from God.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6 NIV

In this final part, Paul doesn’t specifically mention prayer, but I think it’s implied. How else can we walk in wisdom? James tells us that it comes through prayer (James 1:5).

If we start in the place of prayer, then we have the wisdom and grace that Paul talks about. Too often we answer out of our own thoughts or emotions. That usually causes more problems than it solves.

This is the best advice Paul could give us. Prayer first. When we prepare our hearts with prayer, the day goes a lot smoother.

In the final part of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he greets a number of people. In part of his encouragement, he mentions their pastor again.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Colossians 4:12 NIV

Prayer changes things. We need to be diligent to see all of God’s will accomplished in us. So, the book of Colossians closes with a clear call to prayer.

Question: How consistent is your prayer life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 12, 2024 in Leadership, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit

 

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A Devoted Life

29 Sep
A Devoted Life

Sorry…the following post is out of order. It should have published last week, but I had a glitch in my processing. So here it is, now!

We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. He’s been sharing his heart with them because of their faithful support of his ministry. He continues along these lines.

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:17-18 NIV

You have to understand that his reference to being a drink offering is not talking about martyrdom. That’s not what’s happening to him right now. It’s deeper than that.

Yes, the Greek word he uses in this verse means a libation – a drink offering. However, it’s also used to mean something that you devote your entire life to.

That’s where the “rubber meets the road” in our Christian walk. Sometimes it’s so easy for us to say, “Of course I would die for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The problem is when it comes to the daily sacrifice of our lives.

It’s so much more difficult to die to ourselves each day. That’s what Paul is talking about in this passage. He has devoted his life to see the church doing these two things – sacrificing and serving.

Because of their faith in Christ, they’re willing to be a living sacrifice. They’re willing to lay everything down for the cause of Christ. But, more than that, the word, service, that Paul uses, means a public devotion to the Lord.

That’s what the apostle has devoted his life to. And it brings him great joy to see the effect that the Philippian church is having in their region.

In the same way, this church had devoted much of their resources to support Paul’s ministry. They need to pick up on that same attitude of joyfulness. They can see the affect Paul is having and rejoice in the part that they have played in the advancement of the Gospel.

The fact is that this type of devotion is contagious.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Philippians 2:19-24 NIV

Timothy was one of Paul’s spiritual sons. He traveled and labored with Paul. During that time, he picked up the same devotion to ministry. Timothy’s desire was the same as Paul’s.

Paul makes the issue very clear. It’s something that we need to wrestle with in our generation. Are we looking out for our own interests, or those of Jesus Christ? How you answer that question makes all the difference.

In my last post, I talked about what it means to live an empty, unfulfilled life. This is just the opposite. When you devote all that you are to the cause of Christ, you find the joy of living.

I know this sounds counter-intuitive. Giving up your agenda and desires for those of Christ is not what we naturally want to do. However, in life, the best things are the hardest of lay hold of. Laying down your life for the Lord truly is the best road.

Question: How deep is your devotion to Christ?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 29, 2023 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Christmas Promise

25 Dec

Today is Christmas, so I decided to post some thoughts about the day.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18

The verse tells us that this is how, or literally, this is the manner in which it happened.  There’s a pattern that the Lord uses in bringing about His will.  It’s important that we see it.

First, there was an unexpected pregnancy.  This is interesting.  The pregnancy wasn’t expected.  Yet the Messiah was foretold hundreds of years before.

Just like today. God promises things, and then we forget it…or write it off.  Israel was captured and conquered many times.  Would the fulfillment ever take place?

And yet, in the fullness of time…Mary was found to be with child.

There is a supernatural announcement.  Angels appeared to both Mary and Joseph on separate occasions.

God usually doesn’t do things in the dark.  He always announces His plans.  That’s why we need to be a people who not only pray – but listen.

When the birth was imminent, it was announced to shepherds and wise men.

Then it came to pass.  What God promises, will happen.  Even though we don’t always know the how or why.

Finally, when Christ was born, there was a reception of joy.  “Joy to the world…”  He who is born must be received and with that receiving comes great joy.

God wants to do the same in us right now.

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…
Galatians 4:19

God’s work in us is a birthing process.  There’s a promise.  But then – an unexpected pregnancy.

I wonder sometimes; with all the prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament, did they think He would just appear out of thin air?

There are many great and precious promises God has for us.  We think the same thing sometimes…that they’ll just happen.  No, there’s a process.

It involves birth pangs.  There’s breathing, pushing, work, and sweat.  They come in waves, right up until the time they’re birthed in or through us.

When you think about Christ being born in a manger…think about the same process for His will being born in us.  Wait patiently for the fullness of time – then the rejoicing.

Have a very blessed Christmas as you celebrate what Christ has done!

© 2017 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 25, 2017 in Encouragement, The Gospel

 

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The Last Days – Separating the Fish

18 Jan

SONY DSCThis will be my last post in my series about the Last Day’s weeding that the Lord will perform in His Kingdom.  Jesus went on to underscore this message by telling another parable.

“Once again the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into a lake and caught all kinds of fish.  When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on shore.  Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.  This is how it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 13:47-50

The Lord tells us that the kingdom is like a net let down into a lake.  This net has been dredging the lake for 2000 years now.  It has caught a variety of fish.  Some of the fish are good and some are bad.

There are people who claim to be Christians yet know nothing of the Biblical means of salvation.  They’re relying on their own good works or their church membership instead of the blood of the crucified, buried, and risen Lord.

There are many that have heard and rejected the Good News because they like their own version better.  They say things like, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe in something.”  The church universal is full of good fish and bad fish.

So what’s new about that?  It’s been like this for hundreds of years.  It will not go on like this forever.  God is starting a separation process.

When the net is full, or literally, complete and finished, something new is going to happen.  Angels are going to be dispatched to separate out of the kingdom of God those who really don’t want to be there on God’s terms.  The word separate means to set off by a boundary.

In the last days God is going to perform a supernatural work that makes a clear distinction between His people and the world.  Right now the church and the world look very much alike.  Divorce, abuse, crime, and substance abuse levels are almost equal.

The end of the age is the time set by the Lord to cleanse His Temple.  He’s going to show that there’s a difference between His kingdom and the world.  It will soon become impossible to straddle the fence.

If you’re wise, you’ll make your decision now to serve Christ wholeheartedly.  Don’t wait until the weeding forces you to make up your mind.  Don’t miss out on a single thing that the Lord has planned for you.

We live in exciting times.  If you go all out for the Lord, then I can promise you that you’ll be a part of the greatest adventure the world has ever known.

Question: How different should we be from the world?

© Nick Zaccardi 2013

 
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Posted by on January 18, 2013 in Encouragement, Return of Christ, The Church

 

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No Turning Back – Part 1

20 Jul

Genesis 12:1-3
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

I sometimes wonder what might have been running through Abram’s mind as he was listening to the Lord?  These are some incredible promises that he was given.  God says that He will make Abram’s family into a great nation.  He also promises to make Abram famous and to bestow a blessing upon whoever helps him.

But the toughest part, at least for me, would be to step out based on this simple statement.  Our first reaction today is: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.”

We need to be more like Abram.  We must stop assigning God the role of the Madison Avenue hustler, whose only goal is to get your money into his pocket by selling you something you don’t need.

God knows and wants only the best for our lives.  His Word contains everything we need for an abundant life.  All we need to do is to accept it as true.  If we embrace God’s Word as truth, then we will not be afraid to step out on it.

Spend some time today meditating upon the truth of God’s Word to you.  Maybe there are some things you have never obeyed because of fear.  Use this day to settle the matter before God.

 
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Posted by on July 20, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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The Glory of the Dawn

18 Jul

Job 38:12-15
“Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?  The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.  The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.”

Sunrise is a very special time of day.  It is then that the dark, gray, formless world suddenly bursts with color, shape, and sound.  I consider it a privilege to be able to wake up with the dawn.  Just to see the blazing colors of the rising sun, to smell the earthy fragrance of the fresh morning dew, and to hear the chatter of the forest creatures as they begin their work in the new day is an experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere else.

This should humble us as human beings.  Just to think that this ritual of nature has been repeating itself since creation, and yet we have absolutely no control over it.  The rising and the setting of the sun was set by God ages ago and is far outside the realm of our power and authority.

Don’t miss the opportunity to thank God for this new day. Each one is a blessing from Him.  It is a gift from His hand, and we never know what it will bring until we walk it out.  Start each new day with adoration, praise, and thanksgiving to the Lord.  In that way you will have established it on a firm foundation.  What you do at this critical time will set the direction and atmosphere for the rest of your day.  Make good use of each one.

 
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Posted by on July 18, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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Your Thought Life

17 Jul

Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

This is one of the most important areas of your life.  It will either make or break you.  It’s always interesting to see what people do with their “down time”.  I’m talking about the time during the day that you’re not having to concentrate on what you are doing.

This is the time that you’re getting dressed, driving to work, or doing other things that don’t require a lot of thought.  These are times where you have nothing but your own thoughts to keep you company.  Using the time wisely can be very challenging.

Of course, with many people, this time is filled by their I-pod, radio, or cell phone.  The last thing this society wants is to think too deeply.  Like it or not, we need to take the time to think about important issues.

It has become abundantly clear to me through the Word of God and my own experience that what you meditate on during these times will ultimately shape your character.  If you are to achieve the maximum benefit from this, then you need to focus on what is spiritual – the Word of God, God’s calling on your life, and songs of praise and worship.

As these thoughts start to fill your mind, a change starts to take place in your heart.  You start to be drawn upward to God.  This idle time will now become a time of spiritual growth, renewal, and refreshing.

Take the opportunity today to turn off the external “noise”.  Begin to steer your thoughts toward the things of the Lord.  Discover the power you need for living as you fill your heart with the only thoughts that can bring lasting change to your life.

 
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Posted by on July 17, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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Getting Help

16 Jul

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Most of us like to be helped.  When facing a difficult challenge, even a word of encouragement can go a long way.

If you are like most people, then you have relied upon help at one time or another.  Scripture teaches us that part of showing gratefulness is taking the blessing you received and passing it on to someone else.  It can be anything – a kind word, food, a ride, or a helping hand carrying things.  If it is done in obedience to God’s Word, it’s powerful and life changing.

What we need to start realizing is that even though all these good things came through the people around us, God originated them.  All the blessings that we receive come from the Lord’s hand.  It’s in thankfulness to Him that we are willing to pass a blessing on to someone else.

Look for an opportunity, today, to be a blessing to someone.  Do something unexpected.  Take the good things you have received from God and pass them on to someone around you.  The Lord will see to it that some day, in some way, you will be rewarded for your act of gratefulness to Him.

 
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Posted by on July 16, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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The Mountain of the Lord’s Temple

15 Jul

Isaiah 2:2-3
In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.  He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”  The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

When the temple was established in Jerusalem, no gentile could ever enter it, no matter how devout they were.  Temple worship was the exclusive right of the nation of Israel.

Things are different now.  Because of what Christ has done, all nations may now enter the invisible, holy temple of God.  We can now climb the heights to His very presence.  What was formerly impossible is now accessible by grace.

It is now possible to sit at the feet of the Lord and allow Him to teach you His ways.  Even when the temple was open to Israel, only the priests had that privilege.  Now, because of the cross, we can all experience the move of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Make that climb today, to the top, to the mountain of God’s temple.  Approach the majestic presence of the Creator of all things.  Worship at His feet, for He is worthy to receive it.  Wait on Him, for His Spirit to move upon your heart.  Lives are forever changed up on that mountain.  Let yours be one of them.

 
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Posted by on July 15, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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The Word

14 Jul

Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

In this passage, the Word of God is compared to a double-edged sword.  The Word of God is sharp enough to cut through all your barriers to get to the real you.  It knows where you live.  It will find you and you cannot hide from it.  People try to run from the Word, but it catches up with them.

Once the Word of God is sown into your heart it’s inescapable.  As we walk through our everyday lives, we find that the world is alive with testimonies to God’s truth.  The Word of God opens your eyes to them all around you.  The Holy Spirit can speak sermons to you throughout the day.

Once activated in a person’s life, the Word cannot be stopped.  It will achieve that for which God empowered it.  Just think of the effect it will have if we yield to its power.  If I line my ways up with God’s ways, I will see a greater degree of transformation taking place in a shorter time.

Don’t fight it.  Let the Word of the Lord do its work in your life.  Don’t go a day without prayerfully reading a portion of Scripture.  After you’ve done that, then meditate on it throughout the day.  It is life-changing.  Apply it to your life, and see the difference it will make.

 
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Posted by on July 14, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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