Christian, you may have to fight with the enemy…

Christian, your redemption is no small thing. Yes, we stumble, and struggle, and fail, but we do not lose our inheritance when we do! If we did, our redemption would not be much of a redemption! Paul writes, “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of theContinue reading “Christian, you may have to fight with the enemy…”

Don’t give up!

Spurgeon said, “Spiritual ignorance is the constant source of error, instability, and sorrow.” The Apostle Paul would agree as he sets out to convey the truth of the riches of God’s glory in this letter to the Colossians that he has penned. He knew hearts would be encouraged and knit together by the treasures ofContinue reading “Don’t give up!”

Want to join me for Colossians?

Just want to take a moment and invite you to join me starting tomorrow (Jan 5th) in the book of Colossians. The past several months have been full of good things, and hard things, and busy things, for our family—like I expect many of you have experienced. The world around us is certainly ever-changing, andContinue reading “Want to join me for Colossians?”

Purpose, Peace, and Joy comes from this.

As we follow Christ in obedience and seek to bring honor and glory to Him, rather than ourselves , we find great purpose, abiding peace and inexplicable joy. And though Christ followers are already citizens of Heaven (Phil 3:29), we still live in this world and still feel the pull of sin and flesh (RomContinue reading “Purpose, Peace, and Joy comes from this.”

Jesus was enough. He is enough. He will be enough.

Jesus was enough on the day we were saved, and He will be enough every day we ever live. The Apostle Paul, who walked in such victory, through the hardest of circumstances with real JOY, says, in Christ “dwells all fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in Him, who is the headContinue reading “Jesus was enough. He is enough. He will be enough.”

Did you notice this about Colossians?

I’ve had a tough time being ready to be at the end of this study in Colossians. It is such a joy to study the Word with you, friends. And speaking of friends, have you noticed that Paul devoted so much of this short letter (most of the last of only four chapters) talking aboutContinue reading “Did you notice this about Colossians?”

You need to be salty!

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you might answer each one. (Col 4:5-6) When Paul penned this letter, Christians living in a Roman controlled world were thought to be many things. Many thought them toContinue reading “You need to be salty!”

Will you notice the eternal in this day?

Though he was in chains, Paul asked that others would pray for open doors to preach the gospel clearly. “Praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest as IContinue reading “Will you notice the eternal in this day?”

Looking for the blessings. Power in gratitude.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being VIGILANT in it with THANKSGIVING (Col 4:2, emphasis mine). Being vigilant in prayer is tied to thanksgiving. I keep praying because I’m thankful for a God who answers prayers. A thankful heart inspires hope. Hope leads to prayer. And by thankful, I mean grateful. There’s such POWER in a gratefulContinue reading “Looking for the blessings. Power in gratitude.”

Like it or not—Others will judge Jesus by how we act.

When Paul wrote these words, about half of the people he’d pass on the Roman streets were slaves— “Bondservant, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not toContinue reading “Like it or not—Others will judge Jesus by how we act.”

So much help for the hard stuff… (parents)

Fathers, do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged (Col 3:20). The Enduring Word warns, “Children who grow up with parents who provoke them will become discouraged. They will not feel the love and the support from their parents like they should, and they will come to believe that the whole world is againstContinue reading “So much help for the hard stuff… (parents)”

A couple thoughts on parenting…

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Col 3:20) The Enduring Word commentary says, “Paul has in mind children who are still in their parents’ household and under their authority. For these, they must not only honor their father and mother (as in Ephesians 6:2), but theyContinue reading “A couple thoughts on parenting…”

So, how well is your husband measuring up?

Husbands love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. (Col 3:19) And the Greek word Paul used for LOVE here is a really big deal— “Agapao does not denote affection or romantic attachment; it rather denotes caring love, a deliberate attitude of mind that concerns itself with the well-being of the one loved.”Continue reading “So, how well is your husband measuring up?”

What is submission? Let’s open a “can of worms”!

Wives submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18). Okay, let’s just skip that verse, because I know from just mentioning “submission”yesterday that I’m opening a big ole can of worms! I’m tempted to just move on, but I know my heart needs ALL the Word—not just the easy-to-do, feel-goodContinue reading “What is submission? Let’s open a “can of worms”!”

Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18) Why didn’t Paul start with the next verse about husbands loving their wives? (Col 3:19) Does he have to be so direct? And aren’t words like “submit” out of style? Can’t we just ignore this? Not only is the call forContinue reading “Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…”

How on earth do we forgive?

For the peace of God to rule in our hearts, and for us to walk in our new identity as Christians, we absolutely have to forgive others. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone hasContinue reading “How on earth do we forgive?”

Put on some truth! Walk in FREEDOM!

Paul says we are to “put on the new man” which means putting to death our old sinful ways. (Col 3:5-11) And, you know “old sinful ways” sounds like not such a big deal, but when we go as far as to name the sins that we need to kill in our lives, it’s muchContinue reading “Put on some truth! Walk in FREEDOM!”

How dying people LIVE!

The only remedy for sinful passions is found in the believers’ experience of union with Christ.” (Vaughan) Because we were raised with Christ, we find freedom when seek to live as He did. As we seek those things which are above (Col 3:2) we experience peace, hope and joy. Before Jesus, I was dead inContinue reading “How dying people LIVE!”