2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:2-6, NLT
In this short passage, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Colossians to be diligent in prayer, to pray for his ministry and to live a Godly lifestyle before believers.
The are encouraged to:
1-Pray with alertness and thanksgiving:
vs2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
2-Pray for Paul's Ministry:
vs3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
3--Be a Witness with their lifestyles:
vs5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Prayer:
Lord thank you for this reminder to Pray with altertness and thanksgiving. I admit that sometimes my prayer is sluggish and repetitive and that I am not always thankful. Help me to be ever mindful of the impact that my lifestyle is having on the unbelieving world around me. Lord bless those of us who labor in ministry. Help us to clearly proclaim the message of Christ, even in the midst of challenges!
In Jesus Name! Amen!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
20:10 Jesus Never Changes!
Once Again, I am sharing a devotional written by Bill Bauerle
Bill is the Vice President of The North American Reformed Seminary
http://www.tnars.net/
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
I do not remember which radio ministry would sign off with this verse, but I can still hear the voice in my head, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday…..today….and ….forever.” This verse is tucked between a verse about remembering your leaders particularly concerning the Word and about the dangers of being led astray by strange teaching. If you are looking for verses that are “relevant” with our time (all actually are) this is one. The writer is asserting the unchangeable nature of Christ and that the same the Christ these leaders had taught is the same Christ forever. God has revealed his plan of redemption through his Word and in His Son which is an unchanging message. We may come upon new insights concerning the life and times of Christ. We may gain some insight about textual concerns of manuscripts. In all this, however, the message of Christ as God and redeemer remains the same. We will admit that there are areas of Scripture that seem to be a mystery or difficult to understand, but that which concerns Christ is perspicacious, or clear. Why is it that we want to read something novel concerning our faith? The book shelves of Christian books stores are littered with books that attempt to put a new twist on things of faith, but we read here “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” In other words there is nothing any more relevant for any age than Christ Himself.
Bill
Bill is the Vice President of The North American Reformed Seminary
http://www.tnars.net/
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
I do not remember which radio ministry would sign off with this verse, but I can still hear the voice in my head, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday…..today….and ….forever.” This verse is tucked between a verse about remembering your leaders particularly concerning the Word and about the dangers of being led astray by strange teaching. If you are looking for verses that are “relevant” with our time (all actually are) this is one. The writer is asserting the unchangeable nature of Christ and that the same the Christ these leaders had taught is the same Christ forever. God has revealed his plan of redemption through his Word and in His Son which is an unchanging message. We may come upon new insights concerning the life and times of Christ. We may gain some insight about textual concerns of manuscripts. In all this, however, the message of Christ as God and redeemer remains the same. We will admit that there are areas of Scripture that seem to be a mystery or difficult to understand, but that which concerns Christ is perspicacious, or clear. Why is it that we want to read something novel concerning our faith? The book shelves of Christian books stores are littered with books that attempt to put a new twist on things of faith, but we read here “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” In other words there is nothing any more relevant for any age than Christ Himself.
Bill
Monday, February 15, 2010
19:10 The Proof of Your Faith
I receive a daily devotional from Bill Bauerle each day. I was really touched by today's devotional and wanted to share it with you. He shares this verse from Hebrews:
Key Verse: Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
Then he begins to talk about the true test that you are a Christian. Plesae read carefully. I beleive it will challenge you as it has challenge me! Blessings! Fred
“Remember” here is the idea of “consider” so as to heed admonish. The writer here wants us to consider the admonitions of the leaders in word and deed. We see here three areas that we are to consider:
1-The word they have spoken
2- The example they give and
3-The faith they exhibit.
We see first of all that God’s word is preeminent. We hear a lot about “deeds” today. Phrases like “no creeds but deeds,” aim to merely take the real substance out of Christianity, making it an empty shell. And while there is a need for orthopraxis it must always be based on orthodoxy. It is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16) not our deeds.
We notice, secondly, that there is reality that exists in their lives. Schaeffer spoke of the final apologetic as being the observable love we show one to another. He noted:
“In John 13 the point was that, if an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he is not a Christian. Here Jesus is saying something which is much more cutting, much more profound: We cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus’ claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians.
Now that is frightening!!!
…The church is to judge whether a man is a Christian on the basis of his doctrine, the propositional content of his faith, and then his credible profession of faith… But we cannot expect the world to judge that way, because the world cares nothing about doctrine. …That is especially true [now] …men no longer believe even in the possibility of absolute truth. And if we are surrounded by a world which no longer believes in the concept of truth, certainly we cannot expect people to have any interest in whether a man’s doctrine is correct or not.
But Jesus did give the mark that will arrest the attention of the world…” (LOVE) "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35 KJV
Prayer: Father, I confess to you that I am challenged and convicted by this scripture! Forgive me for the times that I fail to love my brothers and sisters and thereby deny the truth of my faith. Help me Lord to grow in my love for you and my love for my brothers and sisters.
Key Verse: Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
Then he begins to talk about the true test that you are a Christian. Plesae read carefully. I beleive it will challenge you as it has challenge me! Blessings! Fred
“Remember” here is the idea of “consider” so as to heed admonish. The writer here wants us to consider the admonitions of the leaders in word and deed. We see here three areas that we are to consider:
1-The word they have spoken
2- The example they give and
3-The faith they exhibit.
We see first of all that God’s word is preeminent. We hear a lot about “deeds” today. Phrases like “no creeds but deeds,” aim to merely take the real substance out of Christianity, making it an empty shell. And while there is a need for orthopraxis it must always be based on orthodoxy. It is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16) not our deeds.
We notice, secondly, that there is reality that exists in their lives. Schaeffer spoke of the final apologetic as being the observable love we show one to another. He noted:
“In John 13 the point was that, if an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he is not a Christian. Here Jesus is saying something which is much more cutting, much more profound: We cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus’ claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians.
Now that is frightening!!!
…The church is to judge whether a man is a Christian on the basis of his doctrine, the propositional content of his faith, and then his credible profession of faith… But we cannot expect the world to judge that way, because the world cares nothing about doctrine. …That is especially true [now] …men no longer believe even in the possibility of absolute truth. And if we are surrounded by a world which no longer believes in the concept of truth, certainly we cannot expect people to have any interest in whether a man’s doctrine is correct or not.
But Jesus did give the mark that will arrest the attention of the world…” (LOVE) "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35 KJV
Prayer: Father, I confess to you that I am challenged and convicted by this scripture! Forgive me for the times that I fail to love my brothers and sisters and thereby deny the truth of my faith. Help me Lord to grow in my love for you and my love for my brothers and sisters.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
How to Dress! Fred's Daily Devo: 18:10
How to Dress!
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
How to Deal with Other People's Faults:
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.
Let Peace Rule your heart!
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Live, Teach, Sing and Rep the Message of Christ!
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 3:12-17
Prayer: Lord, I can't do the things above because without a heart of submission. Help me Lord to submit myself to you so that I will be able and willing to clothe myself in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In Jesus Name! Amen!
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
How to Deal with Other People's Faults:
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.
Let Peace Rule your heart!
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Live, Teach, Sing and Rep the Message of Christ!
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 3:12-17
Prayer: Lord, I can't do the things above because without a heart of submission. Help me Lord to submit myself to you so that I will be able and willing to clothe myself in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In Jesus Name! Amen!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Fred's Devo: 17:10 Your Old Life is Dead: Christ is Your Real Life Now!
Key Verses:
4Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. Colossians 3:4a
These verses found in Colossians 3: 4-11 come across very clearly in The Message version. Let the word of God speak to you to day.
Christ is your real life:
4bWhen Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
Kill off the old way of Death:
5-8And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.
Put on some new clothes:
9-11Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ (Colossians 3:4-11, The Message)
Prayer: Father, help me to wake up everyday with the reality that my old life is dead and that my life is now in Christ. When I am tempted to walk in the flesh, help me to quickly repent and "kill of everything connected with that way of death" Through the power of Jesus Christ! Amen!
4Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. Colossians 3:4a
These verses found in Colossians 3: 4-11 come across very clearly in The Message version. Let the word of God speak to you to day.
Christ is your real life:
4bWhen Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
Kill off the old way of Death:
5-8And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.
Put on some new clothes:
9-11Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ (Colossians 3:4-11, The Message)
Prayer: Father, help me to wake up everyday with the reality that my old life is dead and that my life is now in Christ. When I am tempted to walk in the flesh, help me to quickly repent and "kill of everything connected with that way of death" Through the power of Jesus Christ! Amen!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Fred's Devo 16:10 "Set your minds on things above"
KEY VERSE: 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2, NIV
Paul Challenges the believers that since they have been raised with Christ, they should set their hearts and minds on things above - where Christ is seated. He challenges hem not to set their minds on earthly things. The scripture tells us that where our treasure is, our hearts will be there too! So we definitely want to treasure things above rather than things on this earth!
He tells them they are Dead and Hidden:
3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Then he challenges them to put off the things, the earthly, fleshly things that bring no glory to God an bring men down.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:5-11
Application Question: What is your mind and heart focused on? What is the result in your life?
2-What do you need to confess and repent of?
3-What do you need to stop focusing on? What do you need to start focusing on?
Prayer: Lord Thank you for your challenge for me to set my mind on things above and not on the earth. I know that where my heart is, my treasure will be. Help me this day to set my heart and my mind on you. In Jesus Name! Amen!
Paul Challenges the believers that since they have been raised with Christ, they should set their hearts and minds on things above - where Christ is seated. He challenges hem not to set their minds on earthly things. The scripture tells us that where our treasure is, our hearts will be there too! So we definitely want to treasure things above rather than things on this earth!
He tells them they are Dead and Hidden:
3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Then he challenges them to put off the things, the earthly, fleshly things that bring no glory to God an bring men down.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:5-11
Application Question: What is your mind and heart focused on? What is the result in your life?
2-What do you need to confess and repent of?
3-What do you need to stop focusing on? What do you need to start focusing on?
Prayer: Lord Thank you for your challenge for me to set my mind on things above and not on the earth. I know that where my heart is, my treasure will be. Help me this day to set my heart and my mind on you. In Jesus Name! Amen!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Fred's Devo 15:10 "Don't Follow Man Made Rules: Follow Christ"
Key Verse: So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Colossians 2:21-23 (NLT)
The Apostle Paul was addressing an error or false teaching that had arisen among the Colossian saints. "This false teaching tried to reduce Christianity into a legal system and to obscure the person and work of Christ" See: http://www.abu.nb.ca/ecm/Col00b.htm
Paul had already told them in Colossians 1:18 that all things have preeminece in Christ.
He pleaded with these early Christians not to allow their Jewish and Gnostic friends to lay on them any extra rules other than faith and obedience in Christ!
16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. 18 Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.
Christ has set them free from following worldly legalistic rules. They do nothing to deal with man's evil heart!
20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
Prayer: Father, thank you for this reminder to follow Christ and Christ alone. Help me not to give my allegiance to any human beleif or legalistic doctrine which tries to make me righteous apart from Christ. As you say in vs 23: These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Lord, I trust you to change me through the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ my Lord and In His Strong Name! Amen!
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