Devotion for Monday, August 9, 2021

“Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12).

The actual word used in the Greek is the word for slave.  We begin by calling the Lord Jesus our Master.  That is because we do not know what we are doing, where we are going, and why we need to do certain things.  We must be as a slave to the master.  We need another to direct us in the way we should go.  This is what is means to be saved.  To be lifted up and out of the wickedness of this age is what salvation does.

Lord, help me to not fall into the rebellious habits of thinking that I can do all things the way I want to do them.  Guide me to see that in You alone is all hope.  In You is the way of life.  I do not know these things even when I think I do.  You need to lead me.  Help me to learn to listen to Your direction that I may grow in the goodness You have given me by grace to become like You.

Lord Jesus, You know how far I need to go.  You have encouraged me each step of the way.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may now and always be guided by Your mercy and grace.  Where I still rebel, bring me into submission.  Where I need to be bold, give me strength.  In all things, help me to be what You are making of me so that I may live into this eternal life You have given me by grace through faith.  Amen.