FRIDAY: I’M THANKFUL FOR YOU, LORD!

Aug 19, 2022
2 min read

Lord, today I desire to be devoted to You. Thank You for my highest and deepest relationship: the one I have with You.

Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

I’m devoted to many things. I’m devoted to my family. I’m devoted to my job. I’m thankful for both family and work. I’m watchful over both and will attempt to protect them from interfering priorities.

The highest priority I need to devote myself to is my relationship with God. This means talking with Him constantly and watching over that time by defending and protecting it. I also need to be thankful: not just thanking God for what He has given me but also thanking Him for the relationship I have with Him.

If I want to proclaim the mystery of Christ, I need to make the most of every opportunity. What Christ has done for me is not a mystery to me, but it is definitely a mystery to others until I explain it to them.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: Sharing the mystery of Christ is a lesson in courage. If I don’t share it, I will be dis-couraged, and if I do share it, others will be en-couraged. What is this mystery? That I am a sinner and Jesus died for my sin, so I can live with Him eternally. That doesn’t sound like a mystery; I thought everybody knew that.

Actually, they don’t. I need to be wise in the way I act toward nonbelievers. Most people can’t comprehend a loving God who is full of grace. Grace is like the salt that I can season my conversation with. I must tell them about grace to explain the God of grace. When I answer them with grace instead of judgment, this provides an open door for the message of Christ.

This process begins with devotion to prayer and ends with answers for everyone. Prayer gives answers. If I draw closer to God, I can understand His grace, so I can share it with others. Lord, please shower me with Your grace today, so I can sprinkle Your salt of grace on those around me. I am so thankful for Your grace that glorifies Your Name and reveals the Truth of Your Word.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman