Knowledge of His Will

Date: March 15, 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 and savor
S - Summarize and Share

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

Bible Scripture Verse – Colossians 1:9

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,"

Listen for God’s Voice

Heavenly Father, Please help me to grow in my faith, to deepen my relationship with you, and to seek your will in all things. Give me discernment and the ability to hear your voice clearly, so that I may follow the path that you have laid out for me.

I pray also for my brothers and sisters in Christ, that they too may be filled with the knowledge of your will and have spiritual wisdom and understanding. May we all seek to honor you in everything that we do, and may our lives be a testament to your love and grace.

Thank you for your constant presence in our lives, and for your unfailing love that sustains us. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae, which is in modern day Turkey, while he was in prison round 60-62 AD.  Paul writes to encourage and instruct the Colossians, reminding them of the supremacy of Christ and the importance of living in accordance with the Gospel.

In Colossians 1:9, Paul expresses his prayerful desire for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will and to have spiritual wisdom and understanding. Paul's prayer is that the Colossians would not only have a surface-level understanding of God's plan, but a deep and meaningful understanding that would inform every aspect of their lives.

Study and Savor – Key Words

"Pray" - This word indicates that Paul has been interceding on behalf of the Colossians, bringing their needs and concerns before God.

"Filled with the knowledge" - This phrase speaks to the importance of having a deep and comprehensive understanding of God's will.

"His will" - This phrase refers to God's plan and purpose for our lives.

"Spiritual wisdom and understanding" - This phrase indicates that the knowledge of God's will is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a matter of spiritual discernment and insight.

Summarize and Share

As believers in Christ, we know that our ultimate goal is to live in accordance with God's will. Yet, in order to do so, we need to have a deep understanding of what that will requires. That is why the words of Paul in Colossians 1:9 remain as relevant and important to us today as they were to the Colossians over two thousand years ago.

One of the key takeaways from this verse is the importance of praying for others. Paul set an example for us by regularly praying for the spiritual growth and well-being of his fellow believers. This is an example that we should all follow, as it is through prayer that we can help one another to grow in our knowledge of God's will and in our spiritual wisdom and understanding.

One example of how this can look in today's world is by praying for our friends and family members who may be struggling in their faith or facing difficult life circumstances. We can pray that God would reveal his will to them, and that he would give them the wisdom and understanding to navigate the challenges that they are facing. We can also pray for our fellow believers in our churches and communities, that they would grow in their faith and that God would use them to be a light in the world. We can also pray for everyone right here in our Blessed Intentions group. I pray for all of you daily, and would love it if you would add all of us to your pray list as well. 

As we pray for others, we can’t forget our own need for spiritual growth and understanding. We can ask God to reveal his will to us and to give us the wisdom and discernment to follow it faithfully. We should seek to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, so that we can better understand his will for our lives.

Bible Cross Reference

Philippians 1:9 - "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,"

Colossians 1:9 - "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,"

Ephesians 1:17 - "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."

Matthew 7:8 - "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."