GOD'S TOOL BOX

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord
unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every
good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10

The Word of God is called by many names....Bible, Word, Scripture, etc. I don't know what we would do without it. Something I often think of when it comes to God's Word is its usefulness to me as a tool box. For the last few weeks, some dear friends and I have met together on Monday mornings for a special time in God's Word. The needs of each of us in that room are completely different...widowhood, health issues, concern for children, heavy teaching responsibilities, etc. Those are pretty common problems among Christians today that can affect any of us at any given time. We may have need of encouragement, comfort, instruction and even correction at any given time that the Word of God speaks to.

I learned early in our marriage that any time Brian and I went on vacation, the first things to go into the trunk in our car even before luggage were two tool boxes. Our car never pulled out of our driveway headed out for anywhere for an extended time but what those tool boxes were in our car. I think I can only remember one time when Brian needed to use a tool, but still they were in our trunk even for that one time. In our Monday time together, I have shared with the ladies principles from the book of Colossians. In studying toward closing the study, I found how Paul listed some very practical things that apply to our everyday living...tools for the task of being all we can be for God.

This list of tools isn't in any respect the only things from the Word we can make use of in our living for Jesus. The following are some of those tools I found important for our consideration as we strive to be all for Jesus we can be. These are concepts I found just in the latter chapters from Colossians. These concepts from Scripture are all the best of tools for us to use not just when something is broken in us. I often need spiritual repair work or just recharging...these are the handiest of tools I can keep not in the trunk of my car, but in the hollows of my heart.

PEACE & THANKSGIVING (3:15)

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

RICHNESS OF THE WORD, SINGING, SHARING (3:16)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

SERVICE (3:23)

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

PRAY (4:2)

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

WISDOM (4:5)

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, *redeeming the time.

*Redeeming the time is also mentioned in this verse. It is important for us to make the very best use of the time we are given in this life to serve and bring glory to God

SPEECH (4:6)

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

In every case, the tools listed require some action on our part. God hears, answers, strengthens us for tasks and directs how to be good Christians. Where there is no prayer, there isn't an answer. Some of these verses begin with the word “let” which indicates some act of cooperation on our part. God wants us to be “Jesus with skin on” when it comes to our service and even speaking with others. God loves our praise even if we can't carry a tune. A church building isn't the only place we can sing to the Lord. Just as we loved hearing our own children sing, our Heavenly Father also loves to hear our singing directed to Him.

Every tool we find in God's Word is meant to be used heartily and with the Holy Spirit's hand on our hand as we work for Him. Wisdom only comes from God and He will grant that to us just for the asking as we work our way through a very troubled culture.

These listed are tools are just a few to keep in the boxes of our hearts, that we take wherever we go, so we are always ready to serve Him heartily.

Dear Father, thank You for not just throwing us out into the world to fend for ourselves. Thank you for Jesus, Your Holy Spirit and Your Word...the perfect team to guide and use us however You see fit. We love you....Amen.

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