Decisions Determine Your Destiny

(written by Norm the Elder)

The Word for today:
Colossians 1:1-14

Most of my professional life was spent as a teacher and principal of high school students. It was a great career and for the most part I loved my job. One of the aspects I did not like, however, was watching young people make bad decisions and wrong choices that broke hearts and devastated lives.

Of course young people have no monopoly on bad decisions. Many adults pay a terrible price for the bad decisions they embrace. So how can we make the right decisons and encourage others to do so? One sure way is to know Christ and to be partakers in the abundant life He has promised.

In this epistle Paul wants the Colossians to get their hearts and minds around all they have in Christ. In chapter 1, verses 9-11, we find 12 things that Paul prays for the Colossians. He prays that they will:

1. be filled with the knowledge of his will;
2. be filled with all wisdom;
3. have spiritual understanding;
4. walk worthy of the LORD;
5. walk pleasing to the LORD;
6 be fruitful in all good works;
7. increase in knowledge of God;
9. have his glorious power;
10. have all patience;
11. have endurance;
12. have joy.

If we believe that God's hand is moved by prayer, it would be a good idea to emulate Paul's prayer to the Colossians for ourselves and for others. If the 12 characteristics listed above were manifested in the lives of all believers, then our daily decisions would bring blessing to ourselves and to others, to the glory of God.

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Dear Lord,
I pray that we will make all our decisions based on the light of Your Word, Your will, and the leading of Your Spirit.
In Jesus' Name.
Amen.

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