WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
Colossians 1:9-14. 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,[a] 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[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus' makes a startling invitation in John 15:7 "ask whatever you wish" This offer is like walking into a shop and being instructed to choose whatever you wish. What would you like? You can have anything. Paul took this promise from Jesus very seriously. In Colossians 1:9-14 we observe Paul walking in that 'shop' fully embracing the offer to ask for anything and we hear him request what's most important, and precious to him. Paul says, "if I could have anything I wish, this is what I'd ask for, Knowledge of God's will, knowledge of God Himself, wisdom and understanding, so that you and I can live a life that's worthy, pleasing.
From first hand experience Paul knows that a fruitful, worthy and pleasing doesn't mean plain sailing, and an easy life. As we walk in this life there will be trials, complications, delay, the unplanned place and the unplanned pace, and its because of this reality that Paul also prays for the Holy Spirit to supply strength, power, and glorious might. The Holy Spirit gift of stamina leads to endurance and patience. The Kingdom doesn’t come all at once. There is process and steady steps. We are called to bring Kingdom transformation to the chaos, and societies broken spots.
Alongside endurance Pauls asks also for the Holy Spirit to give patience. Patience is emotional stability, strength so that in the face of delay, disappointment, and annoyance, there is supernatural stamina which gets expressed by facing life without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, outbursts. Patience is the capacity not to become restless, and not become weary in doing good.
A life that is enjoying wisdom, knowledge and understanding will outflow in joyful thanks, gratitude, and thanks giving. The gift of wisdom and understanding causes the believer to live in the good of the revelation that they are qualified, have an inheritance, are rescued, and forgiven. This leads to a life of gratitude. Thanksgiving is a precious means of drawing upon Holy Spirit and being empowered with pateince and endurance. It's almost impossible to simultaneously complain, be irritable and give thanks. Gratitude, thanks giving drives out restlessness and outbursts of frustation.
So embrace Jesus' invitation to ask for anything. Ask for wisdom, understanding, a revelation of who God is and what God is doing. Call upon the Father to supply Holy Spirit strength, power and glorious might, and that leads to supernatural stamina and capacity.
For more resources to encourage Intimacy, connection and trust in Father God please download the Dream Revolution smartphone App by clicking the link.
http://get.theapp.co/4ee1Jamie Lee, 01/02/2016