Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work

Date: May 10, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse: Colossians 1:9-10 (NIV) "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Heavenly Father, fill us with the knowledge of your will. Grant us the wisdom and understanding that comes from your Holy Spirit. Help us live lives that are worthy of you and pleasing to you. May we bear fruit in every good work we undertake and continue to grow in our knowledge of you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

E - Explore the History and meaning: The letter to the Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul, who wrote it while he was imprisoned. The purpose of this letter was to address false teachings and encourage believers to remain rooted in the true knowledge of Christ. In these verses, Paul expresses his ongoing prayer for the Colossian believers, asking God to fill them with the knowledge of His will. He emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding that comes through the Holy Spirit. Paul desires that the Colossians would live lives that are worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in good works and growing in their knowledge of God.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:

Knowledge of His will: Paul prays that the Colossians may have a deep understanding of God's will for their lives.

Wisdom and understanding: Paul recognizes that true wisdom and understanding come from the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to discern God's ways.

Live a life worthy: Paul encourages the Colossians to live in a manner that reflects the calling and character of Christ.

Bearing fruit: Paul desires that the Colossians would produce good works that are evidence of their faith, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel.

S - Summarize and Share: 

It's incredible how the timeless wisdom of Scripture still applies to us today. As I read these verses, I was struck by Paul's heartfelt prayer for the Colossians. He tells them that he hasn't stopped praying for them since he heard about them. Can you imagine the power of unceasing prayer? It's a beautiful reminder of the importance of interceding for one another. We need to lift each other up continually, seeking God's guidance, wisdom, and understanding for ourselves and those we care about.

Paul's prayer specifically asks God to fill the Colossians with the knowledge of His will. In our fast-paced and ever-changing world, discerning, or figuring out God's will can be challenging. But here's the amazing part: Paul reminds us that true wisdom and understanding come from the Holy Spirit. We don't have to rely solely on our limited human understanding. We can lean on the Spirit's guidance to navigate our lives in a way that honors God.

Living a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing Him—that's a tall order, isn't it? Yet, it's our ultimate calling as followers of Christ. The good news is that we don't have to do it alone. God empowers us through His Spirit, enabling us to bear fruit in every good work we undertake. When we align our actions with God's will, we become instruments of His love and grace in a world that desperately needs it.

So many times today, we face various challenges and distractions that can pull us away from God's will. False teachings, conflicting philosophies, and the pressures of the world surround us. But just as Paul addressed these concerns in his time, we also must remain rooted in the truth of Christ. It's vital to invest time in deepening our knowledge of God, immersing ourselves in His Word, and seeking His presence through prayer.

So, here's my call to action for you and for all of us: Let's make it a daily practice to seek God's will and pray for wisdom and understanding. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in every decision we make, big or small. As we grow in our knowledge of God, let's bear fruit in our actions, showing love, kindness, and integrity to those around us. Together, we can make a difference, one act of goodness at a time.

I encourage you right now, to take a moment to pause, reflect, and pray. Seek God's will for your life, trusting that He will guide you. May we be a generation that lives purposefully, embracing the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and radiating the love of Christ to a world in desperate need. Let's embark on this journey together, walking in step with God's will, and making a lasting impact.

Bible Cross References

Ephesians 5:17: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." This verse emphasizes the importance of understanding God's will, similar to Paul's prayer for the Colossians.

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This passage encourages us to seek God's wisdom and trust in His guidance, aligning with Paul's desire for the Colossians to have wisdom and understanding.

John 15:8: "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." Jesus teaches the importance of bearing fruit in our lives as a sign of true discipleship, which aligns with Paul's exhortation to the Colossians.

Philippians 1:9-11: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." Paul's prayer for the Philippians parallels his prayer for the Colossians, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, discernment, and bearing the fruit of righteousness.