15 lines
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15 lines
4.6 KiB
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<html><head><title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">December 26</div></div>
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<h1>More on a Biblical Example of Spirit-led Praying</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>We…do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will…being <b>fruitful in every good work</b> and <b>increasing in the knowledge of God</b>; <b>strengthened with all might</b>, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; <b>giving thanks to the Father</b> who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col', 1, '9-10');">Colossians 1:9-10b</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Col', 1, '12-12');">12</a>)</div>
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<p>In our previous meditation, we began to examine a classic illustration of Spirit-led praying. The basic request of this majestic prayer was to learn about, and walk in, the will of God. We <i>"<b>do not cease to pray</b> for you, and to <b>ask</b> that you may be <b>filled with the knowledge of His will</b> in <b>all wisdom</b> and <b>spiritual understanding</b>; that you may have a <b>walk worthy</b> of the <b>Lord</b>, <b>fully pleasing Him.</b>"</i> Now we look at other issues in this <b>biblical example of Spirit-led praying</b>.</p><p>A significant aspect of the will of God involves fruitful laboring unto the Lord: <i>"being <b>fruitful in every good work</b>."</i> The abounding grace of God is able to produce abundant ministry in our lives. <i>"And God is able to make <b>all grace abound</b> toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an <b>abundance</b> for <b>every good work</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 9, '8-8');">2 Corinthians 9:8</a>).</p><p>The very core of God's will is next: <i>"<b>increasing in the knowledge of God</b>."</i> Getting to know the Lord is <b>the</b> supreme issue of life. <i>"I also count <b>all</b> things <b>loss</b> for <b>the excellence</b> of the <b>knowledge</b> of Christ Jesus my Lord"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl', 3, '8-8');">Philippians 3:8</a>). The corollary prayer in Ephesians has this as its fundamental request: <i>"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the <b>spirit</b> of <b>wisdom</b> and <b>revelation</b> in <b>the knowledge of Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 1, '17-17');">Ephesians 1:17</a>). A key verse for our grace devotionals suggests the connection between God's grace and knowing Him. <i>"<b>Grow</b> in the <b>grace</b> and <b>knowledge</b> of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Pe', 3, '18-18');">2 Peter 3:18</a>).</p><p>Another vital part of God's will for us is spiritual empowerment: <i>"<b>strengthened with all might</b>, according to <b>His glorious power</b>."</i> With the Lord of grace Himself as our strength, there is no limit to what we can do. <i>"I can do <b>all things</b> through <b>Christ</b> who <b>strengthens me</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl', 4, '13-13');">Philippians 4:13</a>). Yet, such divine power is often imparted for reasons other than we might imagine: <i>"for <b>all patience</b> and <b>longsuffering</b> with <b>joy</b>."</i></p><p>The final aspect of God's will mentioned is gratitude: <i>"<b>giving thanks to the Father</b> who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."</i> Since <b>all</b> of these riches are God's <b>grace</b> available through <b>humble</b>, <b>trusting prayer</b>, no wonder that the Lord concludes with a reminder about <b>grateful hearts</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Heavenly Father, I have a deep desire to be fruitful in service unto You. I have a strong yearning to know You more and more. I have a desperate need to be strengthened by You. I am overflowing with gratitude toward You. In humble faith, I cry out to You!</div></div></div><div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/12/1225.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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