Key Verse: Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth." Colossians 1:15-16 NLT
This passage gives a terrific statement on the diety of Chirst( that He is God) and his role in creation of heaven and earth.
As we continue to read through the passage we discover some wonderful things about the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord!
1-He created Everything:
16 for through him God created everything incuding the seen and unseen:
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
2-He was here before Creation and he holds things together:
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
3-He is Over the Church and the Body of Christ:
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.[f]
So he is first in everything.
4-The Fulness of God is in Christ.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
5-Through Christ, everything was reconciled to God
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. Colossians 1:16-20
Prayer: Father, thank you that you are the Creator of the Universe! Lord I submit to you as my King and Ruler. Thank you for reconciling me to God through your precious blood.
Help me now to live a life of obedience to you. In Jesus Name! Amen.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
8:10 Pauls Prayer for the Colossians:My Prayer for You and Me
Key Verse: "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you." Colossians 1:9a
It must have been encouraging for the Church at Colossae to read these words from Apostle Paul!
In verses 9 through 11, we see Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers. It is a wonderful insight into Paul's care for these believers and their growth in the Lord. It is a good model of prayer that we can pray for ourselves and other believers that we care about.
Notice Paul's heart and prayer for the Colossian saints in 1:9-11:
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,[c] 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom[d] and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:9-11 (NLT)
Paul Prays the following for the believers at Colossae:
1-That God would give them complete knowledge of His will.
2-To give them spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Result: They will honor God and produce good fruit and grow as they get to know God better
3-He prayed that they be strengthened with all his glorious power.
Why: So they would have endurance and patience
4-He prayed that they would be filled with joy-always thanking the Father
What the Father has done: (This is what I have to thank the Father for)
1-He has enabled us to share in the inheritance
2-He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his dear son
3-He purchase our freedom and forgave our sins
Lord, I pray that the above would be true for me and all the believers in my life. In Jesus Name Amen!
It must have been encouraging for the Church at Colossae to read these words from Apostle Paul!
In verses 9 through 11, we see Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers. It is a wonderful insight into Paul's care for these believers and their growth in the Lord. It is a good model of prayer that we can pray for ourselves and other believers that we care about.
Notice Paul's heart and prayer for the Colossian saints in 1:9-11:
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,[c] 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom[d] and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:9-11 (NLT)
Paul Prays the following for the believers at Colossae:
1-That God would give them complete knowledge of His will.
2-To give them spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Result: They will honor God and produce good fruit and grow as they get to know God better
3-He prayed that they be strengthened with all his glorious power.
Why: So they would have endurance and patience
4-He prayed that they would be filled with joy-always thanking the Father
What the Father has done: (This is what I have to thank the Father for)
1-He has enabled us to share in the inheritance
2-He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his dear son
3-He purchase our freedom and forgave our sins
Lord, I pray that the above would be true for me and all the believers in my life. In Jesus Name Amen!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Volume 7:10 The Power of the Gospel to Change Lives!
Key Verse:This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives Galations 1: 6a NLT
The Apostle Paul in writing to encourage the Colossians begins by talking about the fact that the Good News of the Gospel is changing lives everywhere including the lives of the Colossian Christians.
The Good News Changes Lives!
6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
The evidence of their changed lives is the love that they have for others:
Evidence of Changed Lives: Love for Others
7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf.[b] 8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
Paul lets the Colossian saints know that he is praying for them.
Praying for Exemplary, Fruitful Lives
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. (Galations 1:6-9) NLT
Prayer: Lord let me never forget the power of the Gospel to change the lives of the people around me. Lord I submit to you will and way in my life that you would continue the work that you have begun in me. Help me to see any ways in which I have not cooperated with the work you want me to do in my life. Lord I pray my life and the lives of the saints in my life would be a Godly example and the we would bear much fruit to your glory!
In Jesus Name! Amen!
The Apostle Paul in writing to encourage the Colossians begins by talking about the fact that the Good News of the Gospel is changing lives everywhere including the lives of the Colossian Christians.
The Good News Changes Lives!
6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
The evidence of their changed lives is the love that they have for others:
Evidence of Changed Lives: Love for Others
7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf.[b] 8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
Paul lets the Colossian saints know that he is praying for them.
Praying for Exemplary, Fruitful Lives
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. (Galations 1:6-9) NLT
Prayer: Lord let me never forget the power of the Gospel to change the lives of the people around me. Lord I submit to you will and way in my life that you would continue the work that you have begun in me. Help me to see any ways in which I have not cooperated with the work you want me to do in my life. Lord I pray my life and the lives of the saints in my life would be a Godly example and the we would bear much fruit to your glory!
In Jesus Name! Amen!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Volume 6:10 " Lay Aside Every Weight and Run the Race"
In this new year, I want to challenge myself and others to lay aside the weights and the sins that keep us a way from God's purposes for our lives. The scripture in Hebrews puts it plainly:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Lord, What are the weights and sins which keep me from running a focused race for you? By your Holy Spirit, help me to identify those weights and sins and lay them aside so that I will be able to run the race, keeping my eyes focused on Jesus who both established my faith and is perfecting it. Lord, you ran the race, endured the pain and the shame and finished it. With your help, I can run the race and finish well. May it be so. To your Glory Lord! Amen!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Lord, What are the weights and sins which keep me from running a focused race for you? By your Holy Spirit, help me to identify those weights and sins and lay them aside so that I will be able to run the race, keeping my eyes focused on Jesus who both established my faith and is perfecting it. Lord, you ran the race, endured the pain and the shame and finished it. With your help, I can run the race and finish well. May it be so. To your Glory Lord! Amen!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
5:10 Is Your Faith and Your Love is a Witness?
Key Verse: 3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—Colossians 1:3, NIV
As the Apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual children at Colossae, he was excited about two things, their faith in Christ and their love for each other! Those are the two things that shows evidence of our Christianity, our belief in God and our how we treat our brothers and sisters!
Where does that faith and love come from? Verse 5 makes it plain: that this faith and love comes from our hope in the Gospel!
5 (your faith and love) come(s) from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.
This Good news is changing lives, including ours!
6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. Colossians 1:5-6, NLT
Lord, I thank you that I can have Faith and Love because of the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Hallelujah! Help me to walk as a faithful witness to the truth of the Gospel! In Jesus Name! Amen
As the Apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual children at Colossae, he was excited about two things, their faith in Christ and their love for each other! Those are the two things that shows evidence of our Christianity, our belief in God and our how we treat our brothers and sisters!
Where does that faith and love come from? Verse 5 makes it plain: that this faith and love comes from our hope in the Gospel!
5 (your faith and love) come(s) from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.
This Good news is changing lives, including ours!
6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. Colossians 1:5-6, NLT
Lord, I thank you that I can have Faith and Love because of the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Hallelujah! Help me to walk as a faithful witness to the truth of the Gospel! In Jesus Name! Amen
Friday, January 8, 2010
4:10 "How to Grow Your Faith"
Key Verse: "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7 NLT
You love Jesus and you have rejected the ways of the sinful flesh. You don't want to regress to your past life of sin but how do you go deeper in Christ? Colossians 2:6-7 makes it plain:
You must be active, not passive. You must continue to follow him:
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.
You must put down spiritual roots in Christ:
7a Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.
This will help your faith to grow!
7bThen your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
What does this look like on a practical level? How do you get your roots to grow down deep into Christ? First the soil of your heart must be prepared to receive God's word.(see the parable of the sower in Luke 8:8: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%208:8&version=NIV
Get up everyday and spend time in prayer before God, meditating on his word. When he speaks to you from his word, decide to walk in obedience to his word. Pray for wisdom on matters you don't understand. Secondly, it is important to spend time with other believers in fellowship, bible study and worship. The body of Christ can help you grow in ways that you cannot grow alone.
Prayer: Lord, although I have walked with you for a number of years, help my roots to grow down even deeper in you! Help me to have a heart that is open to receiving your word and a help me to live a life of obedience to your word. Thank you for the precious body of Christ. Help me to stay connected so that I will be sharpened like iron by my brothers and sisters. I know that if I do this faithfully, my faith will grow strong in the truth that I was taught, and I will overflow with thankfulness according to Colossians 2:7
In Jesus Name! Amen!
Colossians 2:7 NLT
You love Jesus and you have rejected the ways of the sinful flesh. You don't want to regress to your past life of sin but how do you go deeper in Christ? Colossians 2:6-7 makes it plain:
You must be active, not passive. You must continue to follow him:
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.
You must put down spiritual roots in Christ:
7a Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.
This will help your faith to grow!
7bThen your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
What does this look like on a practical level? How do you get your roots to grow down deep into Christ? First the soil of your heart must be prepared to receive God's word.(see the parable of the sower in Luke 8:8: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%208:8&version=NIV
Get up everyday and spend time in prayer before God, meditating on his word. When he speaks to you from his word, decide to walk in obedience to his word. Pray for wisdom on matters you don't understand. Secondly, it is important to spend time with other believers in fellowship, bible study and worship. The body of Christ can help you grow in ways that you cannot grow alone.
Prayer: Lord, although I have walked with you for a number of years, help my roots to grow down even deeper in you! Help me to have a heart that is open to receiving your word and a help me to live a life of obedience to your word. Thank you for the precious body of Christ. Help me to stay connected so that I will be sharpened like iron by my brothers and sisters. I know that if I do this faithfully, my faith will grow strong in the truth that I was taught, and I will overflow with thankfulness according to Colossians 2:7
In Jesus Name! Amen!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
3:10 "Walk in the Spirit in 2010
Key Verse: "16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galations 5:16
In our January 2nd devotional, New Year! New Opportunity to Walk in Freedom in Christ!, we looked at this passage. I wanted to review a portion of it again in more detail.
It is clear from the passage that the Christian is involved in a spiritual battle:
17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. When you are being led by the flesh, it leads you to do things that you do not really want to do as a believer. However, when you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law and don't have to worry about being judged or punished for your actions!
Then Paul details the works of the flesh-things that are contrary to the Spirit of God and the purposes of God. Things that the Christian does not really want to indulge in:
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
God's people do not habitually indulge in these kinds of acts as a lifestyle. These are the acts of people who do not know God! I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Christians goal instead is to have the fruit of the Spirit:
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.
There is no law against these things:
Against such things there is no law.
God's children have brought their sinful nature under subjection of the Holy Spirit 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Our charge is to live and walk by the Spirit: 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
The question for us is this:
Have I crucified my sinful nature with it's passions and desires? Am I walking in the spirit or in the flesh? Where am I walking in the flesh? What are the areas in my life that I need to bring under the subjection of the Holy Spirit?
Lord help me to honestly bring these issues before you and help me to me to have ears to hear and a willing heart to do what you say. In Jesus Name! Amen!
In our January 2nd devotional, New Year! New Opportunity to Walk in Freedom in Christ!, we looked at this passage. I wanted to review a portion of it again in more detail.
It is clear from the passage that the Christian is involved in a spiritual battle:
17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. When you are being led by the flesh, it leads you to do things that you do not really want to do as a believer. However, when you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law and don't have to worry about being judged or punished for your actions!
Then Paul details the works of the flesh-things that are contrary to the Spirit of God and the purposes of God. Things that the Christian does not really want to indulge in:
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
God's people do not habitually indulge in these kinds of acts as a lifestyle. These are the acts of people who do not know God! I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Christians goal instead is to have the fruit of the Spirit:
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.
There is no law against these things:
Against such things there is no law.
God's children have brought their sinful nature under subjection of the Holy Spirit 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Our charge is to live and walk by the Spirit: 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
The question for us is this:
Have I crucified my sinful nature with it's passions and desires? Am I walking in the spirit or in the flesh? Where am I walking in the flesh? What are the areas in my life that I need to bring under the subjection of the Holy Spirit?
Lord help me to honestly bring these issues before you and help me to me to have ears to hear and a willing heart to do what you say. In Jesus Name! Amen!
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