Endure in the season: Unpacking Colossians 4

In the season: Unpacking Col 4 

It’s seasonal, but in most cases in the book of Colossians I can substitute the word and meaning of prison with ailment.  My life has been a medical rollercoaster. Like Paul, I know the reason for my bondage. So, I no longer pray for life’s inclement seasons to end. Now understanding that our Father uses ALL things to shape us. He may be using that valley that you’re going through to humble you. To make you look more like Jesus. I suspect that Jesus was not a handsome lad after having been scourged. That unexpected, right on time, unmerited blessing that you received,... yeah that was Him expanding your completely inadequate understanding of who He is.  He’s bigger than that. He’s stronger than that, and He loves you. I no longer pray for healing, for myself.... Wait, wait, wait... before you stop reading  (labeling me a lunatic no doubt) listen to this. I no longer pray for healing, for myself in regards to certain things. That may seem like an odd thing to hear a pastor or preacher say. Do I want to be healed? Yes.  Do I believe He can do it? Of course, but I know what He has told me corn this season. In many things, most notably the encephalitic coma of 2015, I am in a, “by His stripes, I am healed” situation. But, in others, most notably, Sickle Cell Disease, I am in a, “My Grace is sufficient for you” situation. It’s not time to be healed. DO NOT let anyone tell you that all you need is faith. All you need to do is believe and God will do it. First we must realize the caveat.  His volition; the Father’s will is first and foremost. Secondly, “Faith without work, dead” (James 2:26)

I also don’t pray to be stronger as I used to. Why not? He says to me that, “in your weakness, My strength is made perfect.” Seriously, why would I (anyone) ever want to use my minuscule, ever failing, constantly depleting strength, and forego His infinite stores. So, I do not pray to be stronger. I pray for Him to increase my endurance in all things. After all, “the race is not given to the swift” (Ecc 9:11), right? I pray, “...(Col 4:3) that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— “ I pray for Him to grant me knowledge. To increase my understanding, and to bless me with wisdom.  I pray for the Mind of Christ. 

(Colossians 4:2–6)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 

So, while in this season, while trekking through wilderness, climbing this mountain, weathering the storm...Endure. Be ye steadfast. Do not grow weary in well-doing, Endure until the end. 

We love you SALT, and we are praying for you. .   

SALT

~Pastor Erroyl and Sis McGinty 

Sis. Pinky’s Prayer:

Lord, help us to remember that your grace is sufficient, especially during the turbulent times of our lives. We need to always rely on Your strength and not our own.

It is in the majestic name of Jesus we that we pray,  Amen. 

***SALT Ministries is based on Col 4:5-6.  We believe those two verses of scripture are poignant and encapsulate much, if not all that a church needs as its “mission”. 

Paradigm shift: Chronic Long-term pains

     As I am a man with a chronic illness, I completely understand what it means to “go through”... though our situations differ and may even be completely different. Pain is still pain, suffering is still suffering, loneliness is still loneliness, encouragement is still encouragement, and comfort is still comfort.

     I want to encourage you to continue to fight the good fight. As many have said, God is good! And even though He has chosen to allow afflictions upon you and me, God is still good! He is not surprised that you are going through.

Paul reminds us that God's grace is sufficient for whatever situation we come up against, and in our weaknesses, His strength is made perfect. He takes us to trying times so that His love and power is recognized by us, AND the people with whom we come in contact.... in other words as we go through the storms of life with our heads held high (perhaps with a headache or stiff neck), our steps are spritely (though slower, maybe with a limp), and our attitudes are of thanksgiving with praise... people see it and know that we are Christian and therefore God gets the glory!

-Job said it like this "though He slay me, yet will I trust Him"...he could have added something like this: God trusts me in this circumstance. It's pretty remarkable when you think about it. God has entrusted us with the delivery of an important, quite potent, lifelong, non-verbal message.

... rain or shine, up or down, drought or flood, plenty or impoverished, mountain apex or valley low, in sickness or health .… God is still good and He still loves you!

We love you, and we are praying for you 

~SALT
Pastor Erroyl,

Sis. Pinky's Prayer:

Thank you God for the rain and the sunshine; both are necessary for growth. Help us to embrace the spiritual storms and to lean on and trust in you in all circumstances. 

In Jesus’s name, we pray... Amen.