Today's Passage - Col 1:9-10

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Colossians 1:9-10   ...asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...   Paul was constantly praying for churches.  When he prayed for the Colossian church, he didn't pray for gifts or positive circumstance, but he prayed that they would have "knowledge of His will."  Why is understanding God's will so important?  In Ephesians 5:17, Paul said "do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."  In other word, one who doesn't understand God's will is foolish, for he or she can easily be devoured by the trend of the world.  If a person doesn't have the right principles in his heart, he or she will be easily influenced by the world and thus live according to the principles of the world.  When a person understands God's will, he or she will live up to the standards of the Lord by following the principles of God.   So how do we understand God's will?  Paul said that we can acquire "the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."  It's like when I first learned to use the computer in Chinese, which composes letters by Chinese writing strokes.  It sounded easy, but was difficult for me because the right strokes according to the computer were different from the strokes that I was used to.  I was furious and thought the computer got it wrong.  The reality was that the computer knows the correct strokes, but it was me who didn't do it the right way.  After I learned principles of entering Chinese characters according to the computer, I could quickly determine the right strokes and start typing faster.   The spiritual matters work the same way too.  When we insist on our own ideas, principles and ways, we will suffer because we can't understand God's will.  When we understand the principles of God and His basic will, we will have better judgment on everything in life.  What is basic will of God?  Paul mentioned a few things that will please God: "bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God," "being strengthened with all power," and keep a thankful heart.  Are you pleasing God in all these things?  May God help us, let us understand God's will daily, and live a life that is worthy of the Lord's calling!      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please help me to be a responsible Christian starting today.  Do not be foolish, but to understand your will.  I am willing to live by your will everyday, to live a life that is worthy of the Lord's calling.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!