Tag: Colossians

Posted in Bible study, Christ is All I Need, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel

Letting the Word Get into Us

Posted on by MaryEllen

Friday / The Word of Christ / Week 5, Day 5
Read: Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 119:9-16 SOAP: Colossians 3:16

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:16-17 NLT

Paul has written to the Colossian believers that, because they belong to God, certain virtues should be displayed in their lives. He actually refers to the virtues as though they are pieces of clothing to put on. They are meant to replace the behaviors of the old nature he listed for them earlier in the letter. Such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language, and lying should no longer be a part of their lives. Instead, they/we are to live as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, clothed in mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Peace is to rule in their hearts now; thankfulness should be evident, and love is to be the glue that binds all of these virtues together.

… love is the glue that binds all the other virtues together

Undoubtedly, we may feel overwhelmed when we read this, questioning how we can be expected to live so differently than the world. I believe the answer is found in verse 16, where we are instructed to “let the word of Christ [or the message about Christ] dwell in us richly. Friends, when the words of Christ and those about Christ fill our lives, we are equipped to focus on Him rather than on self or other distractions of this world. We are empowered to live as His representatives, not only being taught and exhorted by the Word that fills us, but being able to teach and exhort each other with wisdom from His Word. This is why one of my mottos/goals for the groups I have taught has always been: Getting into the Word and letting the Word get into us. I believe this is so important to our faith, our Christian walk, and our relationship with God and others. As we continue on our journey through His Word, may we keep this goal in mind and faithfully strive toward that end.

Exhortation: a strong, earnest attempt to persuade, encourage, or urge someone to take a specific, positive action.

Paul also mentions singing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Bibleref.com explains that Paul’s purpose in mentioning music is that it could be used to help keep the word of Christ actively dwelling within us. Praise and worship music and old hymns are my love language with God, and I know many of you enjoy incorporating music into your worship/study time as well. Not only can the music draw us closer to Him, but He uses music to help His Word come alive in us, or to encourage, guide, or comfort us.

I love that the Scripture reading for today’s journey included Psalm 119:9-16. It is a beautiful complement to this portion of Paul’s letter to the Colossian believers. It is also a wonderful example of how we can allow the Word to dwell in us by hiding it in our hearts. This happens when we meditate (focus on it continually) or commit to memorizing it. David said that he stored the words up in His heart. He kept thinking about them with the purpose of not sinning against God. I especially love that the result of David’s commitment was not only finding delight in God’s Word but remembering it. We may be intimidated at the mere thought of ‘memorization’, but if my feeble mind can do it, anyone can. If nothing else, we can write it on note cards that we carry with us or keep in strategic places so that we see/read them often. We can also pray for God to help us remember His Word ~ after all, He has equipped us with His Spirit, who will not only teach us everything but remind us of everything He has told us.

 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. John 14:26

Reflection and Application

What are some practical steps you can take to let the Word of Christ “dwell” in you?

Response of Worship

Response of Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word and for the privilege it is to have it dwell in us. Thank You that it is able to guide us and urge us to live in the way You have called us to live. Thank You for the light it sheds on our path as we walk through this world full of landmines and temptations of every kind. Thank You for the reminder from the words of David that when we hide it in our heart, it helps us to not sin against You. Your Word is powerful and encouraging; it equips us to walk in this world and empowers us to share You with others. Cause it to dwell in us richly. – Amen

The More We Know

What is the Word of Christ in Colossians 3:16?/Gotquestions.org

 Warren Wiersbe, interpret the expression to mean the Word of God: “The Word will transform our lives if we will but permit it to ‘dwell’ in us richly. The word dwell means ‘to feel at home.’ If we have experienced the grace and the peace of Christ, then the Word of Christ will feel at home in our hearts. We will discover how rich the Word is with spiritual treasures that give value to our lives” (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2, Victor Books, 1996, p. 139–140).

Holiness and unity, both individually and in the body of Christ, are cultivated when we let the word of Christ make its home in us—when we give the truth of God’s Word ample, comfortable space in our hearts and lives through teachings and Bible study, counseling one another with its wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16), and meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1:1–2). https://www.gotquestions.org/word-of-Christ.html

God’s Word is meant to permeate our lives so profoundly that it takes up permanent residence. This abiding infilling is made possible through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who reminds us of everything Jesus said and did (John 14:26; 16:13). As we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly and are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18–20), we become living representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ for God’s glory in whatever we say and do (see Colossians 3:17, 23; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 6:16). The life of a born-again believer, fully submitted to God and occupied by Christ, “will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God . . . and that word is the Good News that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:23–25, NLT).

Consider these words from today’s LGG Journal Entry/p160

What a beautiful name Paul gives to the Bible when he calls it “the word of Christ.” Jesus is the center of the Bible. Its prophecies and laws are there to direct us to Him, and “every one of God’s promises are ‘Yes’ in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

What an exhortation to let this Word “dwell in you.” In order for something to dwell in us, it first has to enter in. We must first read and hear what the Bible says. Then we let the words “dwell” in us, to remain and live there.

God’s Word will dwell in us when we love it, use our minds to really understand it, believe it, and obey it. It will dwell in us when we sing it. We should have the Word of Christ dwell in our memory.

Pick two or three promises from the Bible. Write them on pieces of paper. Stick them above your sink where you do the dishes. Review them and meditate on them until you have them memorized and dwelling in you.

This is how we live by faith and how we fight the battle against sin. When we feel tempted and discouraged, we must go back to the Word of Christ, calling it to memory and believing it. God will work mightily in our lives as we start meditating on His wonderful promises and learn to rest in them by faith.

May the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you put all your trust in God’s precious promises and as you pray: “Lord, please do as you have said.”

Father, I can’t thank you enough for your Word and all the precious promises that are mine through Jesus. Let it dwell in me today. Amen.

Posted in Bible study, Christ is All I Need, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Chosen, Set Apart, Loved…

Posted on by MaryEllen

Wednesday (w5,d3) / Put It On
Read: Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-10 SOAP: Colossians 3:12, 14

11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:11-14 (12, 14)

Our new life in Christ is not based on our race or our adherence to the law, how educated we are, or how we live. Because bondservants were common in his day, Paul even wrote that it didn’t matter whether they were slaves or free… what mattered, and what he desperately wanted them/us to understand, is that in Christ all are equal. In Him, we are new creations, unified in Him. Friends, don’t miss how Paul describes us here:

  • Chosen: by God
  • Set Apart: for God
  • Dearly Loved: by God

As such, we are to look, live, and love like Him. If you’re wondering what that looks like, remember ~ Christ was God in the flesh. Scripture paints a very vivid picture of who and what Christ was and how and why He lived. He was merciful, kind, gentle, patient, humble – even to the point that He took on the form of a servant (Phil 2:7-8), and He was abounding in love all the way to the cross, which He endured for us. In this, He made a way where there was no way – not only for us to come to the Father, but to be unified as one body made new in Him, set apart for Him, and dearly loved by Him.

While we might be tempted to say I just cannot live up to His standards, or to think for a minute that He doesn’t really expect us to be like Him, let’s think about some of the things we have been told in the Scriptures…

  • “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
  • “Be holy, for I am holy” is a foundational command found in the Hebrew Bible (in books like Leviticus 19:2) and repeated in the New Testament (1 Peter 1:16), calling believers to reflect God’s pure and set-apart character in their daily lives. (Gotquestions.org)
  • “If you love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15.

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, 6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. 8 He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death —even death on a cross! Phil 2:1-8

Friends, I know I use this next reference from 2 Peter all the time, but it bears repeating, and our minds need to know it and our mouths should say it often: God has given us everything we need for living as He has called us to live (my paraphrase). Whether it is loving others like Jesus did, forgiving as He has forgiven, thinking like Him, serving like Him, submitting like Him, dying to self (a.k.a: putting off the old nature and putting on tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…). No, living a life of godliness isn’t always easy – actually, it is rarely easy – but He has equipped us for it, so let’s commit to remember that we have been chosen by God, set apart for God, dearly loved by Him, and equipped by and for Him.

 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

Response of Worship

Response of Prayer

Father, God ~ thank You for choosing me and setting me apart for You. Thank you for loving me so dearly and equipping me so fully to do all that You have called me to do as Your child. Thank You for setting me free from the bondage of the sinful nature and making me alive in Christ! For whoever the Son sets free is truly free, and it is an indescribable joy to be able to say ~ I’m a child of God! Please help me to faithfully clothe myself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. May the mindset of Christ rule and reign over my thinking, words, and actions.

Reflection and Application

  • What do you think a life of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience looks like?
  • How can we strive to live like this every day?

The More We Know

(From the LGG Journal, Christ Is All I Need, p 152)

Reading today’s passage makes us realize how far we fall short of all that we are meant to be. How I would love to be more merciful, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. How I long to be able to truly love others.

This is when we have to be reminded of what Paul said earlier: “For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, and you have been filled in him” (Colossians 2:9-10). When God calls us to put on the clothes of Christ-likeness, He Himself will give us these clothes. They are already hanging in the wardrobe of our new, risen life. We only have to take them out and put them on.

However, a righteous life doesn’t happen automatically. If it did, Paul wouldn’t urge us to “put it on.” We “put on” the virtues of Christlikeness when we trust Him to provide all the love, mercy, and patience we need in any given circumstance.

In faith, we need to ask God for it. And then, in obedience, we simply go and do as we are told, loving others in word and deed, and thanking Him in advance for providing us with everything we need.

Everything God demands of us, He Himself wants to accomplish in and through us (Philippians 2:13). God calls you to love others. Ask Him for that love. When you walk by faith like this, moment by moment, day by day, Jesus Himself will increasingly live the life of love through you.

And never forget that you are God’s elect, holy and dearly loved by Him. He has chosen you because He loves you. He will continue His work of sanctification in you. He won’t give up on you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing and loving me. Please fill me with your love so that I can go and love others. Amen.

Posted in Bible study, Christ is All I Need, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Uncategorized

Living Beyond Earthly Desires: A Call to Seek Heavenly Things

Posted on by MaryEllen

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Colossians 3:1-4 (soap verses 3-4)

On our last day’s journey, we looked at the first two verses of this passage, where we were reminded that because we have been raised with Christ, we are to keep seeking and thinking about things of God, not the things of earth. Today’s passage picks up with an explanation from Paul telling us why: which is namely, because we no longer belong to the ruler of this world, but we belong to God, who has placed us in Christ. You see, Christ is more than the giver and sustainer of life – He is our life.

Christ is more than the giver and sustainer of life – He is our life.

Bibleref.com, Colossians 3:4

Consider these words from today’s LGG, Christ Is All I Need, journal

Why do we need to keep seeking the things above? Paul stresses that it’s because we are united to Jesus by faith. When Jesus died, we died with Him. He rose to life, raising us with Him. He now lives inside every believer. He is our Life.

Remember that you have been united to a Savior who lived His whole life on earth denying Himself. He expects you to do the same. Don’t live for the glory of this world. Don’t strive to “be somebody” now.

The real you is not visible on earth yet, and it’s not meant to be. It’s not what you see in the mirror. This earth is not your place of rest. One day, when Jesus returns, you will be revealed with Him in glory, shining like the sun in sinless perfection and being finally and truly at home.

Friends, I don’t know about you, but these words (particularly the last paragraph) left me shouting HALLELUJAH ~ COME JESUS COME! They also started me singing My Jesus, I love Thee. When I looked up the lyrics (so I could copy and paste), I learned they were originally a poem written by William Ralph Featherston following his salvation. Featherston was just a teenage boy at the time, somewhere between the ages of 12 and 16. His raw emotion and expression of thankfulness and love struck a chord in millions of hearts. Writing with the passion of a teenager, yet with the wisdom of someone years beyond his age, Featherston captures the beautiful, intimate relationship we have with our Saviour, and the glorious future that awaits us in eternity.1

Response of Worship

My Response of Prayer

Father, thank You for the beautiful truth that Paul writes about – the truth that we are dead in our trespasses and sins, but by Your grace and mercy and our faith in Christ Jesus, You have raised us to new life and placed us safely in Him. Thank you for loving us first. Jesus, thank You for dying, for wearing the crown of thorns, so that all who come to You by faith can be saved and walk in an intimate relationship with You, while we wait for Your return. Thank You that one day we will live with You in glory and endless delight, where we will adore You forever – even more than we do now. ~ In Jesus’ glorious name ~ Amen and Amen!

Reflection and Application

Do you find it difficult to set/keep your mind on things above (things of God and Jesus)? If your answer is yes, as I imagine everyone’s is, today’s journal entry suggests this as one of the reasons:

It is hard for us to set our minds on things above is that we can’t yet experience those blessings with our physical senses. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could already see, hear, feel, or touch the blessings that are stored up for us in heaven? We can’t because God wants us to live by faith, not yet by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).2

In the world we live in, it is common to work for and/or even expect the glory, recognition, and honor of the people around us, which is why we must remember our lives are not our own to do with as we wish. For as Paul writes, we died to this life, and our real life is hidden with Christ in God. Today’s journal entry explains this best: “This world is not the place for us to strive for glory, recognition, or honor. In fact, Jesus taught that following Him means daily taking up our cross and denying ourselves. (Matthew 16:24)”3

  1. The story behind My Jesus I Love Thee ↩︎
  2. Christ Is All I Need, p142, paragraph 1 ↩︎
  3. Christ Is All I Need, p142, paragraph 2 ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, Christ is All I Need, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Holding Fast to Christ: A Guide to True Spirituality

Posted on by MaryEllen

 Let no one who delights in false humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind.19 He has not held fast to the head from whom the whole body, supported and knit together through its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.

Colossians 2:18-19 NET

Today’s passage of our journey through Colossians picks up where we left off, with Paul warning believers not to get caught up in trying to fulfill the legalistic rules and demands of man. Now, he warns them about listening to, following, or being influenced by those who are not connected to Christ. He attempts to help them see that true spiritual growth comes when we are truly connected to Jesus, who is the Head (v 19), or as John described Him, “The Vine” (John 15:5). The Colossian believers are dealing with false teachers who do not hold to Jesus’ teachings but push and promote their own teachings – thus the strong explanation and warning to believers (then and now) from Paul.

After reminding the Church that Christ is the head and is to be held on to, Paul explains that the importance of “holding on”is to ensure that they will be “knit together” as a body. Bibleref.com suggests that God provides two elements to Christian life. “God is the One Who causes growth.” The commentary by Bibleref.com explains two things: “First, true spiritual progress does not occur through requiring ascetic practices (2:18), or rituals (2:16), but in following Christ. The more we rely on our own power and ability, the less we allow Christ to use His power in us. This is the problem with mysticism and self-denial: they rely on our own strength, instead of the power of Christ. The second element is that “our common dependence on Christ produces both growth and unity. Unity must be built upon God and His teachings in order to be genuine.”

The more we rely on our own power and ability, the less we allow Christ to use His power in us. This is the problem with mysticism and self-denial. They rely on our own strength instead of the power of Christ.

Bibleref.com/Colossians 2:19

Friends, the bottom line is this:

“We grow in spiritual maturity by abiding in Christ and holding fast to Him in trust and obedience.”1

Response of Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help us focus on what is really important in our growth as a Christian and protect us from being deceived by false teachers. Amen2

Reflection and Application

  • What can we do to guard against falling into the trap of false teachers

The More We Know

Know These Truths

  1. Christ Is All I Need/week 4, p122 ↩︎
  2. Christ Is All I Need/week 4, p122 ↩︎

Posted in Bible study, Christ is All I Need, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

ROOTED AND FIRM IN THE FAITH

Posted on by MaryEllen

Week 3, Day 4 of All I Need Is Christ (based on the Love God Greatly Study Guide)

Today’s Road Map for Our Journey: Colossians 2:6-10 (SOAP: 6-7); Galatians 3:1-5

 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:6-10 (6-7)

Just prior to this part of Paul’s letter, he had told the people that he was rejoicing in the way they were living according to their strong faith in Christ. Now he continues to encourage them to stand firm in their faith, reminding them that it is a faith rooted and built up in Christ – just as they had been taught by Epaphras (Col. 1:7). They have been built up in their faith by the teachings they have received, but Paul knows that this faith will be challenged by empty and deceitful teachings and philosophies of the world, which are based on “anti-Christian principles”. As we know all too well, it is easy to get caught up in the ‘ways’ of the world, sinful attitudes, actions, and language, ways that aren’t pleasing or glorifying to our true and living God but have become acceptable – not just among the unbelieving population but within the community of believers.

The false teachings confronting Colossae emphasized works and personal sacrifice as the means to pleasing God. It is true that works are a vital aspect of the Christian’s life (1 John 3:17–18), but these are the results of saving faith, not the source of it. Our walk with God must be rooted in faith—and therefore rooted in Him, not us—just as salvation is. Otherwise, our spirituality is based on human performance and is destined to fail.

Bibleref.com/Colossians 2:6 Commentary

Paul doesn’t want them to get tripped up by these deceitful philosophies and old traditions, but instead he urges them to stay the course of faith. He warns them about the dangers of being captivated by the world around them and urges them (us) to stand firm in the truths and foundations of their faith in Jesus. Friends, we must remember that real faith will stay rooted in Christ, and as he did in many of his other letters, he impresses on the believers in Colossae the importance of living out their faith. Life in Christ is based on Christ alone and is to be our firm foundation, not works or any other teaching. Remember, earlier in our journey we learned, or were reminded, that Christ is filled with the fullness of God; and now Paul reminds us that we (believers) “have been filled in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (Col 1:9-10) He has been appointed as head over us, the Church (Col 1:15-18), and our focus, as Paul teaches here, should not be on trickery and human preference, or being deluded by worldly philosophical tricks, but rather rooted in Christ alone, who is the Truth (John 14:6).


God does not want us to depend on our own efforts to live the Christian life. He wants us to live every day and every moment by faith in Jesus and the divine resources He offers to us. Christ Is All I Need, p102

Response of Worship

The More We Know

I’m so glad that today’s journey pointed us to the passage from Galatians 3:1-5; it’s one that was instrumental in God moving me along in my faith. I read it over and over and found it to be living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword, penetrating soul and spirit …making it personal… “MaryEllen, you have been so foolish. Who tricked you into believing that Salvation is by anything other than the blood of Jesus? You know it isn’t by striving harder, doing more, knowing more, or anything else that you can do. You heard the truth about Christ, you believed it, and received His Spirit; why are you now working to keep what was given to you by grace through faith? …”

Friend, if this type of deceitful thinking has pushed into your mind – let me ask you with the words of Paul: “Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you hear? … Did you begin with the Spirit but now are trying to finish your race by human effort? Why?… and thus the warning from Paul throughout this book and others … “… just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught …”

Reflection and Application

As Christians, we are to continue to live our lives in Christ, continue just the same way we received Him. We have to trust Him not only for our salvation but for living the Christian life.1

  • How did we receive Christ? ____ _________ (Eph 2:8)
  • How do we continue in Him? ____ _________ (2 Cor 5:7)

Response of Prayer


Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us everything we need to live a life of obedience. Amen.

  1. All I Need Is Christ, LGG Journal p 102 ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer

Pray for Each Other

Posted on by
The Importance of Prayer, Love God Greatly 2023, w1d5

Read: Romans 15:30 and Colossians 1:9-12; SOAP: Colossians 1:9

 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Colossians 1:9-12

He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

Colossians 1:8
Devoted to Prayer

Paul’s devotion to prayer teaches us much about praying for others in this one little passage, even in just this one focus/soap verse. Starting with the very first word we learn that we are to pray with a purpose. “So”, or “For this reason”, as found in the NET is a word or phrase that indicates the need to look back in order to truly understand why Paul and Timothy haven’t stopped praying for the believers at Colossae. When we look back to verse 8, we find the answer is because they heard how the Colossian believer’s love for others, a love given to them by the Holy Spirit. When we share the common bond of love – in the Spirit, whom we have received through faith in Christ, we will be or should be drawn to pray for one another. If we look carefully at verse 9 we will see at least three other lessons worth noting and I believe implementing in our own prayer lives.

  • Pray with a purpose: “because of your love in the Spirit.” (8)
  • Pray with others: “we have not stopped praying for you” (9)
  • Pray faithfully: “We have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you“. (9)
  • Pray specifically and in accordance with God’s will: “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.“(9)

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 1:9

“I’ll pray for you” can easily become a trite statement, something we say as a Christian nicety but with very little or consistent follow through. However, I believe this passage, specifically verse 9, gives us cause to guard ourselves against the nicety of prayers and implement this example in our everyday prayer life. When we invest in the lives of other believers, like Paul teaches, we will make an impact not only in each other’s lives but in the way we live for God. We will be known to bear fruit and honor God, and we will develop and deepen a relationship with Him. We will find ourselves strengthened with His power, not lacking in endurance or patience, and filled with joy. Oh the blessing and privilege of praying for each other. May He find us faithful and may we find ourselves different because of it.

10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Colossians 1:10-12

Reflection Questions:

  • Who are you praying for?
  • Do you pray with purpose and faithfulness?
  • Do you pray specifically and in accordance with God’s will?

Don’t forget today’s blog from Love God Greatly

https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

How can I pray for you? Please leave any prayer needs you have in the comment/reply box below.

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time
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OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS

TODAY’S READING: COLOSSIANS 2:6-7 (SOAP: V7)

According to Paul, true thankfulness seems to overflow, not from the circumstances of our life, but from the FAITH we have been taught and placed in CHRIST. When we allow that faith to grow and deepen “into Him” then it becomes unshakable and thankfulness abounds in spite of life’s circumstances. –


MefromtheNsideout –
YOUR TURN: HOW CAN YOU LET THE ROOTS OF YOUR FAITH GROW DEEP INTO JESUS? I invite you to share your answer in the comment bar
Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study
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KEEP ON SEEKING …

Week-2, Day-1 of Choosing God Instead Of The World, A Love God Greatly Study

Scripture Reading: Genesis 29:31-30:34 and (SOAP: Colossians 3:1-3)

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:1-3 NET
Observation:

If I had one of those fancy computers that allows you to circle words, highlight, draw arrows and make endless notes as though you were using a notebook or the pages of Scripture – I assure you, you would see circles and numerous colors of lines and highlights and notations all over this passage. I love marking up and making notes when I read God’s Word. I do it for a number of reasons but none more important than remembering what the Spirit (John 14:26) has shown me as I read.

In today’s passage, you would see the very first word circled with green and highlighted with yellow, along with arrows that point to notes in the margin alerting me to the fact that this verse connects to the previous chapter – where Paul was warning the Colossians to stand firm in their faith and be careful to not be captivated by the philosophies and thinking of this world.

Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 In him you also were circumcised—not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ. 12 Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead. Read more of Paul’s warnings on earthly things

Colossians 2:1-12 NET

I back-up because these three verses in chapter three will not make the impact intended by Paul if we don’t understand why we need to keep “seeking” and “thinking on” – things above. Equally important is the third instruction of Paul in these three verses – which is to NOT think about (dwell on) things on the earth. Why is it so important? Because when we are thinking or caught up with the things of the world our faith and godly standards can be easily shaken. Being “rooted and built up in Christ happens when we dwell on and with Him and His ways – and as Paul teaches here – when we “keep on (continually) seeking things above” (where Christ is seated beside God), and keep on (continually) thinking about things above” (where Christ is seated beside God). In other words, think about (dwell on) godly, spiritual things – in contrast to dwelling on the things pleasing to man, or the flesh. This takes great discipline because as citizens of this world we will no doubt have to give consideration to ‘earthly concerns’, but when our minds are filled with things above, the necessary worldly concerns that have to be dealt with will not over power us – rather the things above will over power them.

Application: How Then Should We Live

Paul answers this questions for us in today’s reading. “If [we] have been raised with Christ” we are to “keep seeking the things above“, things that are godly. We are to “keep thinking about things above“, things of God; and we should “not think about things on the earth”, or ungodly things as described by Paul later in chapter 3 of Colossians. 

5So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 10 and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.  Colossians 3:5,8-10  NET
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for making those who have come to You by Faith in Christ new creations in Christ Jesus. So that we no longer live but Christ lives in us. As we seek to walk by faith help us to keep our eyes on Him – on His Way – and Your will. Guard our minds from dwelling on or being captivated by the ungodly activities and fleshly desires of this earth that we live on. When they tempt us, help us to remember we have died to this life and our real life is hidden with Christ – in You, our God! Amen and hallelujah!

THOUGHTS ON GENESIS 29:31-30:24

In the margins of this passage you would see words like drama, manipulation, jealousy, pride, control, weakness, guilt, warped thinking, never satisfied and discontent. In light of this synopsis,I couldn’t help but think how Jacob and his family would have greatly benefitted from Paul’s teaching.

Your Turn:
  • What are some of the great blessings God has given you? (list as many as you can)
  • Are you more likely to celebrate the blessings you have received or compare them to the blessings others have received from God?
  • How can you fight a spirit of comparison today?

What’s your take away from today’s journey?

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Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 2 – Monday What’s the Genre?

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 19:4-6; Colossians 2:1-10 (SOAP: Psalm 19:4-6)

Psalm 19:4-6

Their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
6 It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles to their other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

Colossians 2:1-10

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.[a] 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.

Christ versus the Colossian Heresy

4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.

6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.

8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. 9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature[b] dwells bodily[c] in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

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Jesus Our Everything: Week 3, Day 5

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Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-6: Colossians 1:15-20 (S.O.A.P Hebrews 8:6; Colossians. 1:17-18)

The High Priest of a Better Covenant

Now the main point of what we are saying is this:[a] We have such a high priest, one who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,[b] 2 a minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. So this one too had to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer[c] the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 The place where they serve is[d] a sketch[e] and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, just as Moses was warned by God as he was about to complete the tabernacle. For He says, “See that you make everything according to the design[f] shown to you on the mountain.”[g] 6 But[h] now Jesus[i] has obtained a superior ministry, since[j] the covenant that He mediates is also better and is enacted[k] on better promises.[l]

The Supremacy of Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn[b] over all creation,[c]
16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created in Him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions,[d] whether principalities or powers—all things were created through Him and for Him.
17 He Himself is before all things and all things are held together[e] in Him.
18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn[f] from the dead, so that he Himself may become first in all things.[g]
19 For God[h] was pleased to have all His[i] fullness dwell[j] in the Son[k]
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through Him,[l] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

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