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“HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A stenographer would write down the dictations of the one composing the letter. Every courtroom in our time has one that record the proceedings. Paul inserted his own handwriting at the end of this book to verify that it was legitimately from him. He asks the Colossians to remember his chains (prison incarceration). Paul was in prison in Rome and wanted the churches to keep him lifted in prayer as well as mindful of the cost of devotion to Christ. Surely no one would be imprisoned for something they weren't devoted to. Paul had gone the distance. He was sold out to Christ. NOTHING in this life mattered to Paul as much as Jesus Christ. Preaching the gospel was his life mission. Would to God that we had some preachers like that in our time. Most preachers today speak a "feel good" Americanized gospel that is all about the recipients comfort, promotion, and prosperity. WHAT ABOUT CHRIST??????? What happened to the God called preachers that loved Jesus more than life itself? What happened to the preachers who were more concerned about speaking the truth, living it out, and emptying themselves to the very end for the cause of Christ? Many ministers in our time are more concerned about personal comforts and the salary-benefits package than actually preaching the absolute, unadulterated truth of the gospel. What happened to the God called, Holy Ghost anointed preachers who believed God called them to carry the eternal message of Christ to the world instead of being politically, culturally, traditionally, and socially acceptable?? There is a Master! There is a mission! There is a message! There is a motivation! Let's get back to it!! I leave you today as Paul did the Colossians - in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God knows we all need it to fulfill His work, in His church, in this world.