Daily Reading February 13 2010 from Colossians 4:7-18 NIV

Day 34

I could not access the internet yesterday our hotel was experience technical difficulties so here is yesterday's scripture and commentary.

Colossians 4:7-18 NIV
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.12 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.13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

These concluding verses of the letter to the Colossians include Paul's mention of his fellow servants. Paul speaks of friends such as Tychicus who he is sending to the Colossians, Onesimus who is apparently a Colossian himself, the Apostle Luke the physician, and many others. It appears that Paul is wanting these people to know that they are not alone that others care greatly about them. This was a common practice of the Apostle Paul to send members of his team to these churches to encourage them to continue in their faith. He closes with a request that this letter also be read to the church at Laodicea. Though we know often we read Paul's letters and find they are written by others in this case in verse 18 Paul makes mention that he has written at least this section with his own hand. This appears to be another way that Paul is emphasizing the importance of this correspondence.

Pastor Larry

Daily Reading January 28 2010 from Philippians 1:19-30 NIV

Day 18

Philippians 1:19-30 NIV

19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved–and that by God.29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. 

Today we are reading Paul's famous discourse "to live is Christ and to die is gain". Paul describes his desire to be with Christ but then declares he cannot go at present time because he is needed. Paul is stating that he hasn't finished the work he has been called to do. He is also declaring that his desire is no matter what to do the will of the Father.  

The final few verses of this passage are Words of encouragement. Paul encourages the believers to stay in Christ and operate in faith and not fear. He says that when believers stand firm in the faith it reminds our enemies of our victory and their imminent defeat. We are victorious in Christ and we have a promise of eternal life because of His grace. Praise God for the promise! 


Today I am thankful for my mentors who have spoken words of encouragement into my life. It seems just in time when I need it most someone speaks a word of encouragement and propels me on to the next victory. I praise God for obedient friends who pray over me and keep me moving forward toward the goal. Paul was this kind of friend and we can still read his words today and take courage. 

Pray for your Brothers and Sisters and look for opportunity to pour into someone's life! 



Blessings,


Pastor Larry

Growing Pains

We are currently in a series of messages called "Growing Pains." This message series compares the stages of physical life the Children of Israel went through with our stages of spiritual development. We began this series with Stage 1 infancy and this past week I preached Stage 2 the Battle Years.

I wanted to blog about this subject, Growing Pains, because our church is truly experiencing some growing pains. We are rapidly out growing our current building. This is a great problem, it means that God is doing something. I have been in almost constant prayer that God will give us a vision for the future of the Porter Church. He has begun to do just that and I can now see that vision that He put in me catching hold of others in our congregation. I also know this, when God gives a vision He also gives the provision.

Sometimes when we are going through personal growing pains we see them as just problems. God often uses these types of issues to give us opportunities to learn to trust Him a little more. Joseph said to his brothers, you meant it for evil but God meant it for good. Don't you find it amazing that Joseph was able to find good in being sold into slavery and then falsely accused and thrown in to prison? I wonder how long he had to stay in that prison to let go and trust God?

I have noticed that many Christians live in a prison oppressed by the devil's schemes. All the while God is calling out let, Me help you! Let Me carry those burdens. We continue to struggle trying to find our own answers and satan continues to win. We have been given power and authority over him and his tricks. Just as the Children of Israel looked at a land and saw giants, God saw their opportunity for blessing. They saw a river that looked uncrossable, God saw dry ground that they could walk through. They saw giants and struggles, God saw the fearful inhabitants that already knew they were defeated. God gave some the vision and when Caleb and Joshua trusted Him they were given the provision to possess THEIR land.

I wonder how many times we have stood on the brink of victory only to see the troubles on the other side and faint with fear. The Bible says God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind. To sum it all up it is time we grow up and allow those Growing Pains to mature us to the victorious people God wants us to be. Below you will see part 2 of this series of sermons click to listen and let the Word of God encourage you.

Pastor Larry