YWAP Fast 2020 Day Ten - A Letter From Jail Before The Earthquake

Author's Note: Every day on the YWAP Fast Jan. 6-26, 2020 we’ll write about our experience as we respond to what God plants on our hearts during our extended time with Him.. Eventually the story will be chronicled into a book. “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Matthew 6:33 AMP

A LETTER FROM JAIL BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE

           Every once in awhile, I wake up several times during the night with a Bible verse tattooed on my mind. Our cat walked on my head a few times trying to wake me up, but it was the Bible verse that caught my attention more than the cat. The verse was Colossians 1:1-3 which I had no clue what it said. When the cat finally clawed my pillow  enough to wake me up for good, I looked up the verse. Here's what it said, complete with footnotes: 
Colossians 1:1-3 Amplified Bible
Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments
1 Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the [a]saints and faithful [b]believers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father.
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we pray always for you,
Footnotes:
Colossians 1:2 Every born-again believer (saint) has been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, made holy and set apart for God’s purpose.
Colossians 1:2 Lit brethren.
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
          After reading the verse, my first thought was, "Well that's nice, but what does it mean to me?" Too often we dismiss something we don't understand at first glance. The Bible is different than any other book, it's a Living Word with deep meanings that can differ in many situations. When you want to understand what God might be trying to say, it's best to dig deep. In your digging, find the answers to these questions:

1. Who was the speaker or writer?
2. Who was the audience?
3. What was the time period or culture in history?
4. What was the purpose of the writing? 

          Paul was an apostle in prison writing a letter to a church in Colossae. He had never met these people, but they belonged to one of the churches he helped to start through his followers. He was writing to establish proper theology and teach them the truth of Christ. Some folks were trying to blend religions together and make up their own version. Paul sent his message in loving concern for people he didn't know personally. Here's an interesting piece of information I found in the Blue Letter Bible and a commentary by David Guzik. [iv. Adam Clarke adds an interesting comment: "That this city perished by an earthquake, a short time after the date of this epistle, we have the testimony of Eusebius." Tacitus also mentioned this earthquake, which happened around A.D. 60.] *
          I stopped studying at that point and asked God what might be His message to me from this passage. A guy writes a letter from prison to a group of people in a city where soon after there's an earthquake. He doesn't know these people personally, but expresses love for them anyway, and that's followed by an earthquake. So here's my takeaway so far: "Even if my life is limited in some way, there are folks with serious problems that may be in immediate danger. Time is of the essence in an eternal manner." I'm still praying about what God is saying and what He might want me to do.

DAY TEN WORD

Psalm 82:3-4 International Children’s Bible
“Defend the orphans and the weak.
    Defend the rights of the poor and suffering.
 Save the weak and helpless
    from the power of the wicked”
 
Proverbs 24:11-12 The Message
“ Rescue the perishing;
    don’t hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, “Hey, that’s none of my business,”
    will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know--
    Someone not impressed with weak excuses.”
 
Proverbs 24:11-12 International Children’s Bible
"Save those who are being led to their death.
    Rescue those who are about to be killed.
You may say, “We don’t know anything about this.”
    But God knows what is in your mind, and he will notice.
He is watching you, and he will know.
    He will pay each person back for what he has done."

DAY TEN PRAYER

Thank you God for taking the time to talk to me about time being of the essence. Your Word is time sensitive. Your Word is a plan to rescue us from an eternal hell. Our limitations mean nothing in your immeasurable grace, help us to go the extra mile for those in need, regardless of how we might feel imprisoned by our own problems. Amen.

DAY TEN DEEP THOUGHTS

• Ask God to show you people or situations that He considers a priority for you show some extra love.
• Do you know of anyone who might experience a second death (hell) if they were to die in an earthquake (or death in any other way?)
• If you feel you need more knowledge regarding God's ways of speaking to us, it's time for you to go the extra mile. Talk to a Bible believing Pastor. If you aren't going now, start attending a church where they teach the Bible. Time is of the essence.

      * ​https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/archives/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Col/Col_1.cfm