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, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Comment: Every word in this short section bears thinking about. Even the thought of praying for your friends is important! But then there follows a series of major thoughts.
- Increasing knowledge of God’s ways, but remember knowledge is of limited value if not mixed with wisdom and understanding the deep meaning of what you’ve learned.
- Living a life pleasing to God and not ruining our words by bad actions – rather being fruitful in good works.
- Knowing God’s strengthening so that you can endure your situation without grumpiness but instead joyfully and with patience.
- Then follows a list of the blessings we have in Christ – a share in His planned future; being taken out of the darkness of Satan’s kingdom; but rather redeemed, forgiven and placed in the kingdom of King Jesus.
Prayer: I’m challenged, Lord Jesus, by the above. Please help me to learn and grow in Your Way.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. It reminds me of the word in the Book of James which says, “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22). We must put into practice what we have learned. And then we need to “practice what we preached” and we need to remember that “actions speak louder than words.” God bless you.
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