Colossians

March 31st – Luke 6:12

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Luke 6:12

Jesus was a very real person like you and me, experiencing every temptation that we too face in our lives. And just as Jesus often went off by Himself to pray to the Father, so should we. Praying as Colossians 4:2 tells us, with an attitude of thanksgiving. Many times Jesus left the disciplines to be alone in secret with God. Because spending one on one time with the Father was vital. And it’s just as vital for us. Because prayer is a powerful weapon against the Enemy, we should be praying often throughout our day. Always looking for opportunities to pray and to be bold in those prayers. Pray according to His will and it will be done. And remember, that sometimes our prayer requests are a long time in coming but don’t give up. Because in His perfect timing, God will answer!

Blessings, Lyn

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February 25th – Colossians 2:6-7

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Colossians 2:6-7

In Colossians the apostle Paul admonishes believers to walk in Christ just as they received Him. So what does that mean? It means that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. So to walk in Jesus means a continuous, daily walk in faith. Not an easy task. But not impossible when our foundation is built on the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus and the Word of God. And that foundation, whose roots of faith run deep in our hearts and minds, allows us to withstand any attack of the Enemy. When we invited Christ into our hearts, we began a wonderful, loving, relationship with our Heavenly Father. A relationship that grows and blooms only when we are walking in Jesus. And so with hearts overflowing with thankfulness, each day we should walk hand in hand with the One who loves us most!

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February 24th – Colossians 1:10

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Colossians 1:10

We are almost at the end of the winter season and most of us are getting ready for the spring! Some are excited to begin working in their gardens. Because although it involves lots of work and dedication, in due time they get to see the results. They enjoy the beauty, and can’t help but smile and sigh knowing the work was worth it! Those who are pros know they need to have good soil so whatever they plant will grow and bloom. And the plants have to be protected from weeds and pests so they will grow and bear fruit. So almost on a daily basis the gardener must bend down and look for those weeds and pests in order to get rid of them ASAP!!

In today’s scripture Paul has written God’s heartfelt desire for His people to walk in spiritual wisdom and understanding. He wants us to, “please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God.” In our Christian walk we as “the gardeners of our soul”, must also protect our hearts and minds from those “weeds and pests” that will prevent us from growing and bearing fruit. James 1:21-22 tells us how. “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

I would like to ask you to take some time and prayerfully, in wholly surrender, ask our Abba Father to show you, what you are to get rid of to fully please Him and be able to bear fruit? He will show you and will also help you. You only need to ask. Because God loves you and He is Faithful!!

Blessings,

Mari

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February 15th – 2 Peter 3:18

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 2 Peter 3:18

Peter tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” But have you ever wondered what that means exactly, and how one can grow in grace? Is it our responsibility, God’s or both of ours? Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith. This is not our doing, but a gift from God . One through which we mature and are sanctified by grace alone. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor”; a blessing that we don’t deserve. It is God, through His grace that justifies, sanctifies, and eventually will glorify us in heaven. This sanctification process, (becoming more and more like Christ), is actually synonymous with growing in grace.

Therefore to grow in grace actually means to mature as a Christian. We grow in grace by reading God’s Word and letting it “dwell in us richly” (Colossians 3:16). Peter also mentions growing in “knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ“. This happens  by praying and communicating with God, our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ. And It’s also important to note it’s not about gaining more grace from God, for His grace never increases; it is already infinite. But we do need to seek and trust Him for it. Because grace will be the attribute of God that will enables us to break free of our sinful nature and follow Him. It will give us strength and protect us from the evil one.

Blessings,

Sue

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February 2nd – Colossians 2:6-7

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Colossians 2:6-7

Have you noticed that the Christian life continues the same way it begins – through faith? The apostle Paul gives us three practical ways to keep us  moving forward and growing in our walk with Jesus. Abiding in Him, being strengthened through faith, and overflowing with thankfulness.

We are to remain in the Lord in order to be rooted and built up in Christ. Imagine a large oak tree that is able to withstand the wind, rain (the storms of life) and even seasons of drought! It flourishes no matter what life throws at it because of its strong root system. Think of faith like a muscle that needs to be constantly exercised. Allowing it to grow strong, get in shape and be ready to withstand anything and everything. Often times God uses times of adversity, or those who rub us the wrong way and cause friction to strengthen our faith.

In keeping with our tree analogy, gratitude is the branches and fruit; the natural and visible part of the tree. These show the health of the tree, and when dead branches are trimmed it benefits the life of the tree. In the same way, a believer’s life without thanksgiving and gratitude can damage the spiritual health of the believer, and a life that overflows with gratitude flourishes.

Colossians 2:6-7 is a beautiful picture of the redeemed life; rooted, secure, strong, mature, and continually bringing glory to God through a life of gratitude.

Blessings, Sue

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January 26th – Colossians 3:2

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Colossians 3:2

The Bible often addresses the importance of having a spiritual mindset. According to the World English Dictionary, a mindset is about the ideas and attitudes with which a person approaches a situation. In life there will be situations beyond our control. And God wants us to look beyond those situations and focus on Him. To give the results and outcomes to Him. Caring about our duty to Him more than our duty to man. Now although it is a good testimony to be dutiful, hardworking, dependable, etc., we have to be careful not to make our priorities pleasing or performing for others. Instead focusing on the bigger picture, seeking guidance from God about our decisions and priorities. Not only is this spiritual mindset important for our day to day circumstances, but also for our grander perspective on life. And by focusing on our eternal purpose and destiny we can be freed! Free from the anxiety of wasteful toil and effort focused on earthly gain and recognition. 

Blessings, Becky

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November 30th – Colossians 3:15

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Colossians 3:15

With the holiday season upon us, wishes of “peace on earth and goodwill to men” fill the hearts of people around the world. But for Christian’s, the peace of Christ should rule in our hearts everyday, not just at Christmas. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, wonderful things begin to happen. First, we become adopted members of God’s family. Next, the Holy Spirit enters and gets to work transforming us into the likeness of Jesus. He begins by softening the rough edges of our heart. Next He takes out the garbage, and replaces it with the joy, love, and peace of Christ. A peace we are to let reign in our lives, and a peace we are to extend especially to fellow Believers. For we are each valuable members of the body of Christ. And out of thankfulness for the grace shown to us, we need to show the peace of Christ to a world that is anything but.

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November 13th – Ephesians 5:4

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Ephesians 5:4

I once saw a sign which read, “No swearing or bad language allowed. As a bird is known by its note, so is a man known by his conversation.” As Christians the unbelieving world isn’t just watching our actions, its listening to the words we speak. And Paul tells us that our words should be anything but foul, offensive, and obscene. This includes swearing, sharing crude jokes, or speaking without self control. For merely by the words it utters, the tongue wields great power, either for good or evil. And we should seek to keep our thoughts and speech pure before the Lord. How? Paul tells us that if we have attitudes of gratitude, and hearts of thankfulness, “foolish talk” will have no place in our lives. The world is filled with enough vulgarity, and we as followers of Jesus need to be different. We need to, “let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. “ (Colossians 4:6)

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July 17th – Colossians 1:22

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Colossians 1:22

Civil war general Lew Wallace once said, “Riches take wings, comforts vanish, hope withers away, but love stays with us. Love is God.”  Love is one of the greatest gifts God bestows upon us. And God’s love isn’t corruptible, conditional, merited, or changing. Instead He loves us graciously, faithfully, tenderly, and compassionately. And it is because of this awesome love that God refuses to leave us stranded, alone, and alienated from Himself. It is why He willingly paid the price to change us from enemies to beloveds. God wants a close, intimate relationship with each and every one of His children. And so He came in the flesh to be nailed to a Cross in order to reconcile us back to Him. Our Lord paid the price with His precious blood to release us from bondage, and present us as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach!

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It Isn’t Fair – Matthew 19-20

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Matthew 19-20

During His time on earth, Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven using parables. In chapter 20 we learn the story of the workers in the vineyard. At first glance it seems a tale about an unjust landowner who pays his workers unfairly. But in actuality it’s a lesson on grace and how “the last shall be first, and the first last”. …

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