Colossians

August 21st – Colossians 2:7

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Colossians 2:7

“rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

One of my favorite trees is the mighty oak. Beautiful and strong, it outlasts almost every living thing on the earth. And no matter the strength of the storm, because it’s roots grow wide and deep, it’s branches can withstand the blowing winds. When we have roots that run wide and deep in Christ, we too can withstand anything Satan and his evil world can throw at us. To be rooted in Christ means to anchor our lives in His teachings, character, and love. It involves cultivating a strong and enduring relationship with Him by spending time in His presence, through prayer, and by studying  His Word. Just as a healthy tree bears fruit, being rooted in Christ leads to spiritual growth and transformation. And as we draw from His wisdom and grace, we become more resilient against the challenges of life and more fruitful in our actions and relationships. Our great encourager, Paul urges us to strive for a faith that is not superficial, but deeply grounded in the truths of Christ. Thereby allowing us to stand firm, and to flourish amidst the changing tides of the world.

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August 20th – Colossians 4:18

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Colossians 4:18

“Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”

I often think how wonderful it would have been to be an apostle. To actually walk, talk, and live with Jesus. But the life of an apostle wasn’t easy, comfortable, or physically profitable. And more than just a few of the letters Paul wrote were written from prison. So if there’s anyone who understood deeply about suffering for your faith, it’s Paul. He endured many hardships and near death experiences due to his commitment to spreading the gospel of Christ. So when he asks the Colossians to remember his chains, he’s reminding all of us the cost of being devoted to Jesus. And how the road of a Christian is anything but easy. Yet no matter what he faced, Paul let nothing stand between him and following his God given calling. And neither should we. We too need to be just as committed as Paul to fulfilling our mission. To have the boldness, dedication, and perseverance of an apostle. And despite adversity, let nothing stand between us and completing the job personally given to us by our Lord and Savior.

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August 19th – Colossians 1:22

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Colossians 1:22

“He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him”

The unimaginable violence Jesus suffered is heartbreaking. Yet because of His great sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God. Covered by the blood of Christ, and clothed in His righteousness, we can be presented before our Father as holy and blameless in His sight. And although horrific, the violence of Jesus’ death is a powerful reminder of the gravity of sin. And the great cost required for redemption. His sacrificial act, marked by suffering and brutality, serves as the ultimate expression of God’s love and mercy. By willingly enduring this violent death, Jesus bore the weight of our sins. And He Himself took the punishment we deserved. Through His death, the separation between God and humanity was ended. And a path to reconciliation was forged. Jesus’ violent death emphasizes the great lengths God was willing to go to restore our relationship with Him. It shows the depths of His grace and the magnitude of His plan for salvation.

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August 18th – Colossians 2:10

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Colossians 2:10

“In Christ you have been brought to fullness”

Everyone was born with a God shaped hole. A void in our spirit that can only be filled by our Creator. Sadly, people try to fill this hole with people, drugs, power, fame, or money. None of which can bring us the complete fullness found only in Jesus. Because through our faith in Christ, we are united with the One who fills every void and meets every need in our lives. Through His unconditional love, unending grace, and transformative presence, Jesus meets even our deepest longings. The satisfaction we receive from worldly achievements, possessions, or recognition is fleeting. But those who follow Christ discover the true fullness of life. This completeness transcends the limitations of our human nature, as Christ’s love heals our brokenness and aligns our hearts with His purpose. By recognizing and embracing our completeness in Christ, we are free to live with confidence, purpose, and a deep sense of belonging, knowing that we lack nothing when we abide in Him.

 

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August 17th – Colossians 4:1

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Colossians 4:1

“Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Our world today is more divided than ever. And hate for one another is running rampant. But as Christians we know better. we know that we all belong one Creator. All are equally loved by God, and precious in His sight. And as followers of Jesus, we need to treat each other with respect, dignity, and fairness. This means reflecting a Christlike attitude of recognizing the value and worth of everyone individual. We can do this by listening more than talking, valuing others opinions, and making sure that every voice is heard. Whether we agree with the opinion spoken or not. It’s about upholding the principles of honesty, integrity, and empathy in all we do. The world is watching. And when we treat people fairly, we mirror the teachings of Christ. The One who demonstrates love and compassion without favoritism. By embracing this principle, we contribute to a more just and harmonious world, where every person is valued and treated with the kindness they deserve.

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August 16th – Colossians 1:11

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Colossians 1:11

“being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;”

As I’m sitting here on hold with customer service for almost 30 minutes now, Paul’s prayer for believers to have, through the power of God, enduring and joyful patience resonates loud and clear. This divine strength, rooted in the Lord’s might, empowers us to persevere during the hard times. Because life will throw many challenges at us. Yet we can overcome them all with a steadfast spirit. And not only can we be victorious, when we tap into God’s power, we find the strength to have a patience that goes beyond mere endurance. It can actually become a source of great joy. How? When we rely on God’s strength, the result is a positive outlook, even in the face of trials, because we know that out of His great love, God’s purposes are at work. This patience, infused with joy, is a testament to our faith in His sovereignty and goodness. A joy which allows us to remain hopeful while we wait for His plans to unfold. And the ability to show the world what grace and an unwavering trust in God looks like.

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August 15th – Colossians 3:2

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Colossians 3:2

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

With all the distractions of daily living, it’s easy to set our minds on earthly concerns and priorities. That’s why Paul encourages us to be intentional in our thinking. To instead purposely set our minds on heavenly matters. But what are these things from above which should be our focus? First is God’s will. We should be constantly seeking to understand and align our lives with God’s purposes and desires. And there’s eternal truths to focus on. The unchanging truth of God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus. And how about our spiritual walk? One of greatest priorities should be our own spiritual development and maturity in Christ. By keeping our hearts attuned to the heavenly, we navigate life’s challenges with a renewed sense of purpose, finding contentment in God’s presence and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives. This enriches our spiritual journey. And it reminds us of the wonderful and imperishable treasures that await us beyond this world.

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August 14th – Colossians 2:14

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Colossians 2:14

“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

We are all born sinners who need to be reconciled to our perfect and holy Creator. That’s why we must depend on Jesus. Because He is the only one who can cleanse us and prepare us to dwell in His house forever. On our own, there is nothing we can do to be good enough to stand before a righteous God. Our sin is too great, and our sentence is death. But because of His great love, our Father paid our sin debt Himself. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, through whose death on the cross, became the perfect sacrifice and atonement. And it is only because of His shed blood can we receive forgiveness. A sweet forgiveness that restores our fellowship with God, and provides a path to eternal life. Once condemned, in bondage to sin, and separated from God, our Father took the perfect righteousness of His Son and put it on us. Why? To reconcile us back to Himself, and so we could experience the joy and freedom that comes with knowing our sins have been forgotten and the slate wiped clean!

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August 13th – Colossians 4:12

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Colossians 4:12

“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”

So often when we hear of another’s troubles the first thing we say is, “Sending prayers.” But how often do we actually stop what we’re doing in that moment and petition the Lord? When it comes to helping others, one of the most powerful things we can do is to pray. To fervently intercede for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. For it is a powerful expression of love, unity, and solidarity within the body of Christ. We all have a spiritual walk. And by lifting each other up in prayer, we participate each other’s spiritual journeys, offering support, encouragement, and healing. The gift of prayer is a powerful gift of communication between us and God. And we are to use it often, coming before Him for not only ourselves, but each other, with the hopeful expectation that He will answer every petition. Through our prayers, we not only connect with God but also create a network of care and empathy. One that transcends distances and differences, embodying the unity and love that characterize the body of Christ.

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August 12th – Colossians 1:5

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Colossians 1:5

“Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.”

Many are the rewards waiting for us in heaven. Besides the crowns that we will lay at the feet of Jesus, there will be joy, rejoicing, glorified new bodies, and an eternity spent by the side of Jesus. That’s why Paul encourages us to lead our lives in anticipation of our heavenly treasures. By anchoring our faith in the rewards promised by God, we find the hope to persevere through life’s challenges with unwavering trust. This hope fuels our actions and choices, inspiring us to treat others with genuine love and kindness. Moreover, the promises of eternity enables us to keep a balanced perspective, helping us focus on what truly matters and avoiding being consumed by temporary concerns. And as we navigate through life, because of the hope we have in the Lord, we are guided toward a purposeful and meaningful existence. And all of these wonderful rewards we have as a result of God’s grace. Not earned through good deeds, our treasures in heaven come from the love of God and our love of Christ.

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