Today’s Reading: Colossians 4:7-13, Psalm 72

Paul sure could have used email or social media. He had so many people he was keeping in touch with, concerned about, and preaching to. His following was huge! Of course, he probably had no idea he would still be teaching us centuries later. Without the postal service, email or texting capabilities, Paul had to rely on friends to deliver his letters and tell others about his ministry. The benefit of these letters was multiplied by the servants of Christ who hand-delivered the letters.

Oh how God’s letters to us are multiplied by those He sends into our lives to carry His word into our presence as we enter His! There are many preachers, teachers, evangelists and authors who have helped me understand God’s word over the course of my life. As I read through the last section of Colossians this morning while thoroughly enjoying a hot cup of my morning coffee, I stop to think of all the people God has sent into my life for the very same reason Paul was sending friends into the lives of the Christians in Colosse.

Tychicus will send you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose — to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. – Colossians 4:7-8

My mind immediately goes to those God has called to the same ministry He has called me — those I learn from and am daily encouraged by as we partner together in the Lord’s work. They are faithful and helpful. My coworkers are “beloved brothers” whom I love like family! Let’s stop and thank God for the “Tychicus” in our lives.

I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here. – Colossians 4:9

Have you ever had a friend who just “gets you”— someone who understands you consistently, laughs with you when no one else gets it, and someone you could tell anything to and they would still accept you? I cannot imagine my life without “Onesimus” and so I take time this morning to thank God for the friends who play this role in my life.

As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. – Colossians 4:10b

There are some people God sends into our lives so that we can reach out to them. God wants to use us in the lives of others today. Maybe the “Mark” in your life is unpredictable, like this one who MIGHT show up in Colosse. Maybe the reason God sends someone into your life is not about you but about how God wants to work through you, or what He wants to do in you through another person. Let’s have our eyes wide open so we can see “Mark” for who he is, just in case he shows up today.

This next one is my favorite and I wholeheartedly thank God for these people in my life!

Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays EARNESTLY for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays HARD for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. – Colossians 4:12-13

I’m so thankful this morning for the prayer warriors in my life. I do not know where I would be if it was not for the many people who have EARNESTLY prayed for me. Their prayers for me have been for protection and provision, for blessings and for wisdom. They have prayed for God to make me strong in difficult situations and for His Spirit to produce holiness in my life. They have prayed for God’s will to be clear and for my heart to obediently pursue the path the Lord sets before me. I am so thankful for my mom, my in-laws, my church, and for the many other people who consistently pray HARD for my family.

WHO WILL I BE TODAY?

Who is God calling me to be? What role is God calling me to play in the lives of other people? Am I Tychicus, Onesimus or Epaphras? Who is God asking me to teach and encourage today? To whom is God calling me to be a faithful and beloved friend?

HOW AM I GOING TO PRAY?

Here’s the big one for me: Who am I praying for today and how am I going to pray? Can my prayers be defined as earnest? Do I pray hard for the requests others bring before me. Perhaps God is calling me to be a warrior for someone else. What a great challenge for me today!

Father God, thank you for the reminder this morning of the many people you have sent into my life. Thank you for those who have spoken blessings and words of encouragement over me throughout my life. Thank you for those who faithfully remember our family as they lift up their requests to you. Lord, I want to be that person for others and so I lift up the needs of so many people this morning — my family, my friends, my coworkers, my church, my community, our leaders. I pray for those who are sick and for those who are grieving, for those who are lost and for those who are hurting. I pray for protection, provision, wisdom and understanding.

And Lord, I pray specifically for the family and friends of Charlie Kirk who was assassinated yesterday. Thank you for the influence Charlie’s boldness and intelligence has had on so many people over the years. I pray that you would continue to use the example he became in the lives of young people across our nation.

And I pray for the families of those involved in yesterday’s school shooting in Denver. Lord, we yearn for safety for our children, both born and preborn. We know that you see all and know all. We recognize that there are countless ways in which you protect us every day — ways we will never be fully aware of. Help us to trust you when our hearts are grieving, and help those around the world who are suffering and hurting today. We love you, Lord. Amen.