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?”
Tag Archives: #readColossians
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!”
How do I stop the sin cycle and just love Jesus so His ways become my ways?
As I come to the end of Chapter 2 of Colossians, I’m struck by Paul’s last sentence. “These things have the appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” If I don’t want to indulge my flesh, I can’t relyContinue reading “How do I stop the sin cycle and just love Jesus so His ways become my ways?”
Our problems come when we live like this world is all there is.
Temporary problems can get us all down. But we need to have our theology straight in order to not get consumed by them. There have always been those who want to take away from the Bible and those who want to add to it. When Paul wrote his letter, many of the Christians in ColosseContinue reading “Our problems come when we live like this world is all there is.”
Beware of false teaching so you can walk in freedom and abound in thanksgiving!
Yesterday, we talked about Christ being enough and getting discouraged when we look to people and things to do for us as only Christ can. We can also get discouraged and off track when we think we need to add to what Christ has done or change what God has said through His Word. ThisContinue reading “Beware of false teaching so you can walk in freedom and abound in thanksgiving!”
Jesus was enough on the day we were saved and He will be enough every day we ever live.
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 on the day we were saved and He will be enough every day we ever live.”
Every person you meet today is an immortal being
Paul sat in a Roman prison suffering. Yet, he rejoiced (Col 1:24) because he knew the HOPE of glory (Col 1:27)—Christ in us!! Paul was not only able to rejoice as he focused on Christ in that prison but the work of Christ grew in Paul as he focused on others. Others. Oh, I suspectContinue reading “Every person you meet today is an immortal being”
Walk in Christ
Are there false teachers among us? Certainly. The early church was impacted by them and so are we. The Apostle Paul was prompted to write his letter to the church at Colosse to encourage believers to walk in Christ and resist the false teaching of the day. One such false teaching held that there wereContinue reading “Walk in Christ”
We may have to fight with the devil, but Christian you’ll never be his slave.
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! Are you ready to dive deep today? As we slow down, and study Scripture, and grow in spiritual wisdomContinue reading “We may have to fight with the devil, but Christian you’ll never be his slave.”