Tag: Paul

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

Finish The Work

Posted on by MaryEllen

A Handwritten Note From Paul

The following is the final page of the LGG, Christ Is All I Need Journal. It is sweet evidence of Paul’s sincere love and concern for these believers in Colossae whom he had not even met. It is evidence of a bond that believers experience within the church body – even when they haven’t formally met – to pray for and share needs with one another. I took particular delight in this, as it is in some form an example for us as we meet day after day, through these online written formats.

May this encourage each of us to be devoted to praying for and encouraging one another daily. May we be purposeful in our participation, allowing God to knit us together, whether near or far apart, that we might be strengthened in our faith, hope, and love in the Lord.💜

A personal note from Me

Will you especially join me in praying for the Love God Greatly Ministry and the team of women behind the scenes💙 ~ This study and the others that we have done come about from the hard work and faithful stewardship of women devoted to prayer and studying the Scripture, with the intended purpose of reaching other women with the Gospel message and encouraging us to grow in our faith. It also comes from the painstaking work of the many translators who make it possible for women around the world who would otherwise have no hope of participating in these invaluable studies.

Be part of the story…

We’re so glad you are here! Our story is about what God can do through a team of women, each using their gifts for a common purpose. Did you know that more than 61% of women globally don’t have access to Bible study materials or a Bible study community? We are here to meet that urgent need, and we’d like to invite you to be a part of the story…

More than Bible study tools… we are a community

Our desire is to help EVERY WOMAN in EVERY NATION have access to God’s Word in THEIR LANGUAGE. To accomplish this goal, Love God Greatly has developed a network of trained translators, who help us translate all our Bible studies into 40+ languages (view languages). As a result, we have been able to establish hundreds of Bible study communities globally, and our Bible study tools have now reached 100+ of the countries of the world!

We publish 6-7 Bible studies annually as either topical or book-based journals, which are available for purchase on Amazon. The funds from each Bible study journal purchase go right back into the LGG ministry, allowing us to train and equip our translators as they build communities.

Want to know how you can be part of the story?

Week 6 / Day 5

Friday / Finish the Work
Read: Colossians 4:7-18; 1 Peter 4:7-11 SOAP: Colossians 4:17-18

And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. – Colossians 4:17-18


Paul ends his letter to the Colossian believers with some personal notes and greetings. One of the people he mentions is Archippus, whom Paul cared about enough to tell the whole church to encourage him to complete the ministry he had received.

God has given each of us some special work to do. And we need to be reminded to keep going in that ministry, to get back to it if we have quit, and to complete it if we feel like giving up. Do you know what God is calling you to do? Have you left your work unfinished? Sometimes we get tired, distracted, or discouraged, and we leave our God-given ministry in order to find something easier. But God says to us, “Don’t quit. Finish the work.”

As in all of his letters, Paul ends by saying, “Grace be with you.” Grace, or God’s unmerited favor, has come to us in His Son, Jesus Christ. Paul has taught us that being a Christian is about sharing the very life of Jesus, being called to join in the eternal purposes of God, and having all His limitless resources available to us.

As we live to complete the work we have been called to, let’s look to Jesus. He has loved and redeemed us. He has nailed all our sins to the cross, and He has raised us to new life. By our faith in Him, we have been made gloriously rich. He is enough.

Let’s continue to be faithful in our God-given ministry. Let’s join Paul when he says: “I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:29).

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to finish the work you have called me to do. I praise you for your gracious gift that is salvation and life in Jesus. Amen.

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

Understanding the Necessity of Prayer

Posted on by MaryEllen

Thursday / Devoted to Prayer
Read: Colossians 4:2-6; 1 John 5:14-15 SOAP: Colossians 4:2

Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2

Attitude matters. It matters in our relationships and conversations. It matters in classrooms, in the home, in the office, in the neighborhood, at church, in difficult situations. Honestly, attitude matters in just about any scenario we can name, even (or perhaps especially) prayer. Why? Because our attitude spills forth in our words and actions. From smiles to frowns to tears and scowls…from kind words/actions to hateful ones; our attitudes feed our behavior.

A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone, something, or an idea, which is typically shown through a person’s behavior. 1

When it comes to prayer, Paul teaches that our attitude is to be one of devotion, alertness, thankfulness, and of course, faith. We are to be committed to praying. We are to be watchful, making sure we pray purposefully and not offering up empty prayers. This requires effort and intentionality from us to know who and what needs to be covered in prayer. This helps us to pray with purpose and to align our prayers with God’s expressed will and/or character. We may not always know what God wants in a situation, but we know that He is the great physician, so we can pray for healing. We know that He came to save sinners, so we can pray for the lost. We know He can do more than we ask or even imagine, so we can pray for the seemingly impossible. We know that He wants us to know peace and to have rest – so we can and should call out to Him for both.

To be clear, for a believer in Jesus Christ ~ prayer is communication with God based on the promise2 that He hears and answers us according to His will. It is a privilege to come boldly before His throne…it is calling out to Him in fear…pain…desperation…It is lifting up praises and thanksgiving for things He has done…It is a relationship builder and strengthening agent of our faith.

Friends, Paul makes it clear throughout this letter and others that we need to exercise our faith, and one way we do that is through prayer. That’s right, prayer strengthens our faith in God. Go back and read Paul’s prayer for the believers in chapter one of Colossians.

So how is your attitude toward/in prayer?

  • Do you see it as simply a duty or a privilege and joy?
    • Is it a hurry and get it done attitude or cherished time with God?
  • Do you pray in faith, or does doubt creep in?
  • Do you come to Him as a Father/Friend or as an unseen deity?
  • Do you come with your heart and mind on Him or with the distractions of the world?
  • Do you pray with an attitude of thanksgiving that flows from trusting God?

We exercise our faith by going to God and asking Him for everything we need, especially spiritual fruit, trusting Him to provide and thanking Him for it.

Christ Is All I Need / LGG digital Journal / p 190

As John wrote in 1 John 5:14, when we pray, we can have confidence that, when we pray according to His will, God hears us. In other words, our confidence doesn’t come from praying, but from the One we pray to… and praying in accordance with His will ~ ie., the things we know He wants (salvation for the lost3, obedience4, unity5, love6, peace7, understanding His Word and will8, wisdom9, His help10…)

And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, then we know that we have the requests that we have asked from him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15

Whether you pray in a quiet room or a noisy office, in your car on the way to work, or as you wait in line at the grocery store – pray. Prayer is not relegated to a closet (though those moments are priceless); it is an ongoing, open line of communication with the Creator of the universe. Remember, while Jesus got alone with God in the garden, He also called out to God from the cross. The One who spoke the worlds into place has invited us to come, not just with certain things but with all of our cares (1 Peter 5:7). And He doesn’t invite us out of obligation but because He loves and cares for us. I have found that the more we devote ourselves to prayer, the more we find ourselves devoted to God – and vice versa. From this devotion comes a growing confidence in and understanding of God, as well as an unshakable faith – that allows us to say with the Psalmist, I keep my eyes always on the Lord; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Ps 16:8)

Prayer demands ongoing attention, just like the guard at a city gate. In practical terms, this means prayer is not supposed to be a careless, casual, or frivolous act. We should pray with specific purpose and with deliberate intent.

Bibleref.com / Colossians 4:2

Paul is nearing the end of his letter and is impressing on the people that they will need to be people of prayer. He knows they will need courage and help in the call to be witnesses and that they still have much to learn about living the Christian life. They will face trials and carry burdens, and they will need God’s help. Paul understands that their source of help, strength, and wisdom is from God and that they only need to ask. So he urges them not just to pray but to devote themselves to the habit and practice of prayer. Like breathing, it is to be a way of life for every believer. They will need to make time for prayer, and friends, we need to do the same ~ which is why we must understand the necessity of prayer. As we called out to God for our salvation, we must continually call out to Him for our daily needs, for the forgiveness of sins, and for the help we need to escape the temptations to sin. He is our strength and our fortress, a very present help in times of trouble – all we need to do is call to Him, and He will hear and answer us.

Response of Worship

Reflection and Application

  • As we are called to be devoted to prayer, what things do you need to take in prayer to Christ today?

Prayer Response

Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. Thank You that You want to commune with Your children and for the promise that when we call out to You ~ You will hear us and answer according to Your will. Thank You for being such a personal God, inviting us to come with just ‘certain things/needs’ but with all of our cares. You are a good, good Father, and we are most blessed to be Your children ~ Amen and Amen!

The More We Know

Studying the book of Colossians has really shown us how much we need prayer if we want to live wisely. The Christian life cannot be lived any other way except by faith. We exercise our faith by going to God and asking Him for everything we need, especially spiritual fruit, trusting Him to provide and thanking Him for it. Christ Is All I Need / LGG digital Journal / p 190

Jesus taught us to never give up praying. He has given us wonderful promises: “Ask and it will be given to you,” (Matthew 7:7) and “whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you” (John 15:16). And then there is this sobering statement by James about lack of prayer: “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). Christ Is All I Need / LGG digital Journal / p190

  1. Merriam-Webster and other online sources ↩︎
  2. 1 John 5:14-15 ↩︎
  3. 1 Timothy 2:3-4. ↩︎
  4. John 14:15 ↩︎
  5. John 17:23, Ephesians 4:3 ↩︎
  6. Mark 12:29-31; John 13:34 ↩︎
  7. John 16:33 ↩︎
  8. Eph 5:17 ↩︎
  9. Prov 4:7, James 1:5 ↩︎
  10. Psalm 121:1-2 ↩︎

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

A Changed Life

Posted on by MaryEllen

Today’s Road Map for the Journey: Colossians 3:5-11 (SOAP: 8-9); 1 John 1:5-2:2

8But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

Colossians 3:8-9 NLT

Today’s portion of our journey continues with Paul’s instructions for the believers to turn from their sins. To the sexual sins he listed in verse 5, Paul, “not wanting to leave anyone wondering what our dirty clothes actually look like,” now adds other areas of spiritual failure, including anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and foul (or abusive) language. He also adds, “do not lie“(v. 9) to the list, reminding them that these things were all part of who they were before they came to faith in Jesus Christ. He desperately wants them (and all believers, including us) to understand that their new life in Christ is a changed life. The old is gone; the new is here. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Friends, the same is true for us. For we know that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ – and not by our works. Paul continually reminded the believers that the Christian life is a changed life. There isn’t a magic button to push or a transformation pill to take – it takes daily choosing to get rid of or to stop doing all of the things that belong to our old sinful nature. While Paul gives us a short list in this letter to the Colossians, note that it is not a complete list but examples of things we do or attitudes we have that do not please God.

As today’s LGG Journal entry explained, it’s very tempting for us to be unspecific and vague about our own sins. Instead of calling it “anger” or “rage”, we may say, “I’m just irritable today.” When we speak unkind things about other people, we may call it “openly sharing”, but we would never consider ourselves to be slanderers. Instead of admitting that we have lied, we call ourselves “clever” or “shrewd.”

The writer also points out that “Paul says in verse 6 of Colossians 3 that it is because of these sins the wrath/anger of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.” She goes on to write that, “In other words, God hates sin. Sins are not small matters to be played around with or to be tolerated in our lives.”

We will only “put off” our sins if we have become aware of what they truly are. We need to stop excusing our selfish attitudes and behavior. If we want to gain victory over sin, we need to name it. Tell it for what it is. ~Christ Is All I Need, p 156

Response of Worship

Response of Prayer

Father, thank You for the reminder that sin is no small matter and shouldn’t be something we play around with. Help us to hate sin as you do and to never tolerate it in our lives. Help me to be a little less like me and a lot more like Jesus. Help me to filled with kindness, goodness, love and grace ~ In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The More We Know

A closer look at things that should no longer be a part of or characterize a believer’s life1

First, Paul speaks against anger. Outbursts of uncontrolled anger are not meant to be found in the life of a Christian. Anger in and of itself is not always wrong, but it can lead to much sin (Ephesians 4:26). Human anger tends to pop up over issues which are not worth that emotion.

Second, Paul addresses wrath. In modern English we often mingle the words “anger” and “wrath.” However, they are really two separate ideas. Anger is an emotion, wrath is an action. In this context, wrath suggests the idea of revenge, and is sometimes translated as “rage.” In Romans 12:19, Paul taught that believers ought to leave wrath to God and not seek revenge on our own terms.

Third, Paul condemns malice. The Greek term used here is kakian, which includes the idea of desiring to harm another person. Paul has already condemned the emotion of unrighteous anger. He has done the same with wrath, which is the act of revenge. “Malice” is a broader term, referring to a general desire to see another person suffer or be harmed. We should not hope for harm to befall others.

Fourth, Paul speaks against slander. In the Biblical context, slander is putting down other people or speaking evil against others. This can include insults, lies, harsh speech, or even gossip.

Fifth, Paul prohibits obscene talk. Speech which is vulgar, or intended to be offensive, is not to be : associated with the life of a believer.

More insight from the LGG Devo2

“It’s painful to have our sins exposed by Jesus. It’s not easy to articulate our wrong thinking, speaking, and acting by bringing it all out into the open before a holy God. Yet, the reason He shows us a specific sin is so that we can confess it, be forgiven, and gain victory over it. Jesus is the good doctor who lovingly shows us our sickness and then offers us the cure. He gives us His gracious cleansing and the power to change.”3

  1. Bibleref.com ↩︎
  2. Christ Is All I Need, p156 ↩︎
  3. Ibid ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, Christ is All I Need, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Spirit, The Gospel

Put To Death…

Posted on by MaryEllen

Today’s Road Map for the Journey

Colossians 3:5-11 (SOAP: 3:5a); Romans 8:1-6

 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Colossians 3:5 NLT

‘So’ is the first word of our passage today, this means we need to look back or remember what ‘so’ refers to. In this case, it hinges on the fact that we died to self, and our real life is now hidden with Christ in God, and one day we will be revealed with Him in glory. Nothing new? Right? Our journey has been pinpointing this truth/instruction for days now, but today the depth and importance of the instruction is taken to a different level with just one word: DEATH. It’s the fourth word in the NLT, NKJV, and NET translations, and in the KJV it is MORTIFY, which, according to BibleHub.com commentary, means “put to death”. Paul wasn’t being dramatic here; he was letting them know how serious the instruction was. He knew that to let these things- sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and idolatry remain in our lives not only conflicts with the life Christ has called us to, but they would bring harm to the body of Christ. Or, as he wrote to the Church of Rome, “those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit… Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:5, 12-14)

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

Romans 8:5-8

Friends, Paul isn’t teaching us to merely set aside ‘these things’ for a day, month, or even a year. He is telling us, actually warning us with great urgency, to do away with them or with anything that distracts us from God (a.k.a. things above).

Because we have been hidden with Christ in God, we are no longer condemned for our sin – but forgiven and set free from sin’s power over us. Not only is this a great cause for believers to rejoice, but it is wonderful inspiration to put to death any sins still lurking in our lives. The Christian faith has standards; those standards aren’t set by man but by the Word of God and the life of Jesus Christ. If we want to walk by faith, these are the standards we must follow, not deviating to the right or to the left … but faithfully and quickly putting to death anything in our lives that does not align with God’s will. This life isn’t for sissies, but it is the only way that leads to life and health and peace. One final word of encouragement, especially for those who may be thinking the life of faith is too demanding, or that you can’t put to death the sins that have power over you … God didn’t call us without equipping us; instead, as Peter wrote, God has given us (believers) everything we need for life and godliness. He has done this not through our power or goodness but through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given His very great and precious promises so that through them we can participate in His divine nature, having escaped the corruption of this world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

3 I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. 4 Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.

2 Peter 1:3-4

Reflection and Application

  • Is there anything in your life that you should put to death?
  • How do we put our sins to death?

Response of Worship

Response of Prayer

Thank You for the teachings of Paul, for His instructions that point us away from self and to life in the Spirit. Thank you for Your divine power that has given us everything we need to live a life of godliness. Thank You for Your promise that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and for all of Your promises that are ours in Christ Jesus. We are most blessed and forever grateful. Help us to faithfully put to death all that is of the flesh and to walk in the power and guidance of Your Spirit in us. We are Yours, set apart for You ~ Amen and Amen 💜❤️💙✝️

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

Where Your Mind Is

Posted on by MaryEllen

When the word ‘therefore‘ begins a sentence, it indicates that the words that follow are related to the words that came before. When you are reading it straight through, it is a bit easier to recognize what ‘therefore’ refers to. However, when we are reading/studying in smaller clusters of verses – at least for this forgetful mind – it is important to clarify the reference. In this particular portion of the letter, Paul is referring back to the fact that the believers have died with Christ, and He has set them free from the spiritual powers of the world. Yet they are still hung up on the world’s rules and human teachings.1

This does not mean that believers should ignore all earthly concerns. It does, however, mean that believers ought to give their time and attention to things pleasing to God, rather than things pleasing to men.

Bibleref.com, Colossians 3:2

So Paul reminds them that having been raised with Christ, transformed into new creations in Him, their life is meant to be for and about Christ and the things He taught and did in His life on earth – not the world and its demands, expectations, or approval. For us to live like this, we must set our minds on Heaven – our eternal home where Christ and God are ~ instead of on earthly things that distract and often hold us captive. However, as Bibleref.com warns, “This [setting our minds on things above] does not mean that believers should ignore all earthly concerns. It does, however, mean that believers ought to give their time and attention to things pleasing to God, rather than things pleasing to men.”

Here’s a quick word picture of how our thoughts affect our actions, etc. ~ When my dad was teaching me how to drive, he started me off on a path that took me through our little town. One direction led under an underpass that, to this new driver, didn’t seem wide enough for two cars, and the other direction went up a hill where there was a pretty thick and tall’ish’ culvert on the side of the road. Fifty-some years later, I still drive these paths nearly every day, without a problem. However, at 16 years old and a new driver, the walls of the underpass and the protruding culvert rising above the road caught my eyes/mind every time and caused me to veer into the other lane and oncoming traffic. Needless to say, I caused my father great concern and was always reminded that I needed to keep my eyes/mind on the road ahead of me and not allow myself to be distracted/frightened or controlled by the things around me. ~ I hadn’t thought about those driving lessons for a while until the analogy flooded my mind just now – as a fitting reminder that to live the Christian life well in this world of distractions we must keep our eyes/minds on the “road ahead” or as Paul writes, the “things above” so that we aren’t distracted, frightened, or controlled by the things of the world.

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. ~ Colossians 3:1-2

Friends, in a world where people are always watching what we do and listening to what we say, how we live and speak matters. We know this because Jesus told His disciples to “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16); and Paul told the believers at Ephesus, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them“(Ephesians 4:29). Today’s passage makes it clear that it is equally, or perhaps even more important, to give as much concern to what we think about (set our mind on). After all, Scripture also tells us that out of the mouth comes the overflow of the heart (Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45), which I have learned in my own battles with my mind can also be translated: where my mind is ~ there my heart (actions, words, desires, attitudes…) will be also. In other words, what I think about is evident in my actions, words, desires, and attitudes.

Response of Worship

Reflection and Application

In all the years that I have been putting this teaching into practice, more than 30 years now, I have learned that to do so requires us to be purposeful. We must physically fix our minds on the things of God (Father, Son, Spirit) ~ things that matter to Him, things that cause us to live and speak and love like Jesus and not the world.

  • In your day-to-day life, what are some practical steps you can take to help you focus more on eternal things?

Prayer of Response

Father, You are good and worthy of my love and life – given by You and for You and Your glory, by grace through Faith in Christ. Spirit, help me to set my mind on things above ~ the things that matter to You. Guard me from being caught up with the things of the world and the pleasures and/or the desires and demands of ‘man’. For I am Yours, set apart for You 💜

The More We Know

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ~Philippians 4:8

Bonus Worship Song 🙂

  1. Bibleref.com, Christ Is All I Need, p 135 ↩︎
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, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Saints and Faithful Brethren

Posted on by MaryEllen

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:1-8 and Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (SOAP: Colossians 1:2)

 We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

Colossians 1:2

Friends, check out the words that Paul uses to describe the people who belonged to the Colossian Church: “…the saints1 and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.” Or as the author of Deuteronomy describes God’s people in his day, “… a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.” Or as the LGG journal entry encourages us, “We are His holy people, chosen and set apart for Him. We have been called out of the world to live for the world to come.”2 You see, while Paul is speaking specifically about the Colossian believers in his letter, and Deuteronomy’s writer is referring to the people of Israel, the terms saints and holy people apply to us who are believers as well.

The Christian life is lived by trusting in God’s grace, given to us in Jesus. We are God’s beloved children, and it is His grace, not our performance, that will provide us with all we need to live for Him.

LGG Journal, Christ Is All I Need, p36

It is important to understand that Paul’s description isn’t meant to elevate us or reflect how wonderful we are but rather how wonderful God is. After all, it was Paul who wrote that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. choosing us and setting us ~ imperfect as we are ~ apart for Him. This calling and gift is ours only through the grace of God when we place our faith in Christ who came to die so that we might live. It is as simple and yet profound as that.

“If we could truly understand grace and receive what Christ has accomplished for us, our hearts and lives would be filled with peace. The Colossians needed to hear this truth, and so do we today.”

LGG Journal, Christ Is All I Need, p36

It is my prayer that as we journey through the book of Colossians together, we will learn not only to know Jesus better but to more fully understand His grace and truth and be filled with His peace.

  1. This is not a reference to ‘ultra holy people’ but refers to believers (those who followed Christ). ↩︎
  2. LGG Journal, Christ Is All I Need, p36 ↩︎

Person walking on a forest path with quote about creating your own trail
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Walking By Faith Not By Sight

Posted on by MaryEllen

I love verses that stick with you. Verses like:

  • When I am afraid I will trust in You (Ps 56:3)
  • Don’t be anxious about anything. Instead pray about everything… (Phil. 4:6-8)
  • You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all who put their hope in You. (Isa. 26:3)
  • Do not be discouraged for I am your God. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
  • Give thanks to the Lord for He is good … (Ps 13)
  • Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. (Prov 3:5-6)
  • He has given you everything you need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises so that you may participate in His divine nature, having escaped the corruption in this world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
  • I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

Today’s ‘verse of the day’ from my reading plan is another of those verses. When the thing you have been called to do, or life itself, seems futile, filled with anxiety, difficult, disappointing, or brings suffering; when you can’t see how things are going to turn out, when it looks like there’s no hope, or your head is barely above the water, Paul’s declaration and encouragement is to walk by faith and not by sight. Elsewhere, he tells his readers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things (Col. 3:2), and to others he wrote, think about things that are true and noble and pure and right and lovely and admirable. He tells them, if there is anything excellent or praiseworthy, to think about those things. (Phil 4:8)

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

The devotion I read about this verse explains that Paul wrote these words while his body was literally breaking down. He was wrestling with an unnamed affliction- failing eyesight; he had been beaten and shipwrecked. He was dealing with churches that were splitting, the betrayal, abandonment, and desertion of close friends and fellow missionaries, and prison walls. Yet, through it all, he held on to his faith.

That’s the thing about sight ~ it’s a terrible judge of reality. Sight says your prodigal isn’t coming home. Sight says the diagnosis is final. Sight says you’re too old, too young, too broken, too ordinary to matter. Sight counts the bank balance and panics. Sight watches the news and despairs. ~ourdailyverse.com

Friends, I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful for the reminder that faith isn’t pretending everything is fine – it’s trusting God even when everything is not fine … when the way is too dark to see – or the the storm blows so hard we can’t stand – or we don’t know where the money will come from – or how the “story” will end… As I read in my devotional, “Faith is knowing that what we see is temporary, but what we can’t see is eternal.”

Today, your sight might be showing you impossibility. Good. That’s exactly where faith does its best work. ~ourdailyverse.com

I am so thankful for all the ways God has shown me that I can trust Him … for all the times I couldn’t see how things would work out, but I could tell He was near … and for all of the fears that were squelched by His peace that truly passes all understanding. I’m thankful that He has taught me to surrender my desperate need to know how things will work out … and to wait for His perfect timing when answers or outcomes don’t come quickly. The sweetness of being able to place all of the unknowns and concerns of this life in His trustworthy and capable hands is an unexplainable blessing for this previously impatient and anxiety-ridden creature. The other reminder that grabbed my heart and mind today was the comfort of knowing that even when I cannot see His hand, it is still there holding mine. ~ Friends, rest assured we can trust His heart of love and His never-ending faithfulness.

Reflection and Application

Let’s consider these words from Bibleref.com regarding Paul’s words, “We walk by faith, not by sight”, and ask ourselves if we are making a habit of walking by faith and not by sight. Do we so thoroughy believe the gospel and find that the struggles we face are not the most important concern in our lives? Can we truly say that we count the unseen things waiting for us with Christ as more real than the suffering of the moment? ~ If we aren’t there yet – what are some things we can do to foster this mindset?

Preaching the truth of Christ to the world has brought Paul and his co-workers much suffering. Yet they continue to strive and contend for the faith. They refuse to quit—they live with courage—because they are convinced that after they die, they will be resurrected as Christ was. They will receive glorified, eternal bodies where they will finally be free of all burdens and the groaning experienced by every living thing on earth.

As Paul sums it up in this verse, they walk—here meaning to live or make a habit—by faith and not by sight. In other words, they so thoroughly believe the gospel, including their own resurrection and eternal satisfaction, that the struggles facing them are not the most important concern. What they “see” includes death, pain, suffering, opposition and challenge. They feel the burden of those things deeply (1 Corinthians 1:8), but they count the unseen things waiting for them with Christ as more real than the suffering of the moment (2 Corinthians 4:18).

* Quote on graphic is by Søren Kierkegaard

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, prayer, Quiet Time, She, Volume 3

Mary, Mother of Jesus, Part 3

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from She, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 33-34

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:39-56, Hebrews 11:6, and Psalm 37:4-5

Take delight in the LORD; and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD; trust Him and He will help you.

Psalm 37:4-5

Sometime after Mary professed her belief in the angel’s message and surrendered to the will of the LORD, she went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. You most likely know the story, but it never gets old, does it? Luke writes that Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, ‘God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Oh, how I love the words of Elizabeth, the description of the baby jumping for joy, and the sign that seemed to be to her that Mary had indeed been given the honor of bringing the long-awaited Messiah into the world.

As Mary had believed the words of the angel and surrendered to the will of God for her life, Elizabeth also believed and made her belief known to Mary, saying: “And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” What an encouragement that must have been to Mary, whom I cannot help but imagine has been feeling somewhat alone in all of this since she received the announcement. Though undoubtedly, her faith was a sustaining grace, the questions, conversations, judgments, and, especially, Joseph’s initial doubts had to weigh heavily on her mind and heart. Then she arrives at Elizabeth’s and is greeted with great excitement and honor. The Lord, our God, is so good to give us just the encouragement we need when we need it.

The willingness of the women to believe and Mary’s willingness to surrender were, as the study journal points out, “birthed in faith that if the Lord said it, there is no doubt it would happen.”

This is the faith that the author of Hebrews writes about in Hebrews 11:6, where we read: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Both Mary and Elizabeth believed that what God had said would happen. This reminds me of what Paul alludes to in Philippians 1:6, when he states that he is “confident that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.“

She had faith, and God performed a miracle.1

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, ALSO SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE THAT WHEN WE BELIEVE WHAT THE LORD HAS PROMISED, HE IS CERTAIN TO PERFORM IT.

Reflection and Application

When you pray, is your attitude one of confidence – not in what you want but in what the Lord can do? If you are waiting for a prayer to be answered, are you confidently surrendered to the will/desire of God for your life or the life of the one you are praying for?

Friends, the way we pray and what we pray matters… consider this commentary from Hebrews 11:6 by bibleref.com:

What does Hebrews 11:6 mean?

This is a popular verse from the book of Hebrews, and also one easily misunderstood out of context. Taken all by itself, the verse presents a truth which is fairly easy to understand. Namely, that God’s first and foremost concern is with our faith—our attitude towards Him and trust in Him—rather than in our actions. This does not make our behaviors unimportant. On the contrary: what we do reflects what we truly believe (James 2:14–17). However, as this verse shows, merely “going through the motions” is not what God is looking for. Those who want to please God need to have faith, not simple agreement, and not merely reluctant cooperation. ~ ~The problem with quoting or reading this verse out of its context is the specter of “blind faith,” or wishful thinking. As shown in prior passages, the writer of Hebrews is not advocating for a gullible, wishful-thinking attitude. On the contrary, this entire letter has been an exercise in evidence and logic. The writer’s point is meant to emphasize the primacy of true faith over insincere works: robotic obedience without legitimate trust in God is worthless. This lesson is given as part of a description of Old Testament figures whose actions prove their faith. (emphasis mine)

The More We Know

“Many of our prayers appear to go unanswered simply because we do not believe that God is willing and able to bring them to pass.”2

  1. She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible/Volume 3/p33 ↩︎
  2. She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible/Volume 3/p34 ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ

A Servant of the Gospel

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/ w3d2

Read: Ephesians 3:7-9; SOAP: verse 8

I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power. 8 To me—less than the least of all the saints—this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ 9 and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan—the mystery that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things.

Ephesians 3:7-9 NET or (KJV)

Oh, friends, that we might understand that we are “servants of the gospel.” Paul got it. He was well aware of His past life. He was a persecutor of Christians, not just persecuting their beliefs, but also seeking their arrest and imprisonment, and even death if they refused to deny Christ (Acts 26:10-11). That is, until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus1. He was radically changed from the chief of all sinners, as he defined himself, into a minister sent to take the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles. His mission was to help them understand that God had made a way for them to be saved and numbered among the children of God. What a privilege and a challenge this must have been for Paul.

Our stories of salvation may not all be like Paul’s on the road to Damascus, with bright lights and temporary blindness. My Damascus Road was actually in a hospital room the night my first daughter was born.2 Friends, wherever we encounter Christ and put our faith in Him, we are saved by God’s grace and commissioned to “proclaim His grace and the ‘unfathomable riches of Christ'” to the world. May we be faithful, like Paul, to proclaim the message boldly, that everyone may be enlightened.

But God is greater than all of our shortcomings and failures. He can redeem anything and anyone. No one is too far gone or disqualified from His grace and service. This is why Paul writes that he is “less than the least of all the saints.” He knows what his life looked like before Christ, yet Jesus called him to His great mission. … Your resume doesn’t disqualify you. Instead, it qualifies you as a recipient of His grace to love watching world.

LGG Journal/p97

Do you remember what your life looked like before Christ? Do you understand the privilege of being called by Jesus to carry out His commission to share His message and love with others? If so, I invite you to share your story in the comments; if not, I invite you to visit the “Know these truths” link below.

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/