Paul

August 27th – Colossians 4:4

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Colossians 4:4

“Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

It’s a big responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul knew that false teachers were making the rounds using trickery and deception to confuse young believers about the scriptures. So the apostle asked for prayers that his sharing of the Good News be done correctly and clearly. Because never should the Word of God be twisted into the meaning we want. Instead all Christians should follow the rule that when the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, lest it result in nonsense. That’s why Christians should pray for all fellow Christians. For we we all commanded to share the gospel. And praying for each others reminds us that as believers we are divinely connected. And prompts to uplift one another in our individual callings. It’s a powerful reminder that our unity in Christ extends beyond physical boundaries and allows us to participate in the global mission of spreading God’s love and truth to all corners of the world.

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August 25th – Colossians 2:1

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Colossians 2:1

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face.”

We live in a “me first” society. And when it comes to helping others, many chose to sit back and watch. Or worse yet, pull out their phone to record. Yet Paul tells us Christians aren’t to act this way. Just as he had a deep concern for the Colossians, we too are to have concern for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. To be the first to step up in times of trouble. In a world marked by division and distractions, Christians are called to be knit together in love, respect, and grace. To support one another’s faith journeys, and to offer a helping hand in times of doubt or struggle. Paul suffered greatly to share the saving message of Jesus Christ to all. Being willing to struggle for other believers stems from the principles of love, unity, and compassion that are central to the teachings of Christ. For no one struggled or suffered more for us than Jesus Christ. And as part of His glorious family, we are called to support and uplift one another, just as a family supports its members during challenging times.


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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 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 6th – Colossians 2:16

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Colossians 2:16

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

As Christian’s growing in the Lord, each of us are different places in our spiritual walk. That’s why Paul urges us not to let others judge us based based on religious observances, festivals, or dietary rules. Because these are external practices that don’t define our spiritual worth or connection with God. While rituals and rules can provide structure and guidance in our faith journey, they aren’t to become the source of our identity or salvation. Instead, our focus should be on a personal relationship with Jesus. Because it’s through Christ, that we find true freedom and fulfillment, transcending the limitations of any man made rituals and rules. Embracing His teachings and embodying His love in our actions is what truly matters in our faith. For it leads us to a deeper understanding of God’s purpose for our lives. While others may judge us, God both looks at and knows our hearts. (Sam. 16:7, Rom. 8:27) And as long as we are striving to walk closer with Him each day, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks!

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August 5th – Colossians 4:6

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Colossians 4:6

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

In the times of both the Old and New Testament, salt was used for more than just seasoning food. It served as a preservative, disinfectant, currency and part of a temple offering. And as followers of Jesus, our speech should carry the same value. Salt was often used to preserve meat and keep it from spoiling. Our words should preserve the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and keep it from being spoiled by those who would twist it. Salt was also often used to kill bacteria. With our speech we too can kill the bacteria of false gospels by sharing the inerrant Word of God. When the Romans were interesting in purchasing a slave, salt was given as payment. When our speech points others to Christ, we lead them to One who purchased their freedom with His precious blood. And when the people brought their sacrifices to the altar of burnt offerings, none could be offered without the seasoning of salt. The smell lifted to God as a pleasing aroma, as does as our speech when it’s filled with the flavor of grace, truth, humility, and love.

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August 4th – Colossians 2:2

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Colossians 2:2

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”

In today’s world of division and polarization, Paul’s pleas for unity among Christians rings loud and clear. Because the unity of Christians, founded in love, serves as a powerful witness to the very transformative and healing nature of Christ’s love. God desires our hearts to be united in love because love is the very essence of His nature. Love fosters compassion, understanding, and empathy. And when our hearts are united in love, we transcend our differences, break down barriers, and build bridges of connection. United in love, we become instruments of peace and healing in a world desperately lacking both. And through our love, we reflect the unconditional and endless love of God for all creation. Moreover, a united heart in love enables us to lift each other up, support one another in times of need, and celebrate the joys of life together. By cultivating love and unity, we align ourselves with God’s divine plan for humanity, fostering a world where love is the guiding force in every action and decision.

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August 1st – Colossians 3:16

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Colossians 3:16

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

It doesn’t get much better than driving in your car, sun shining, windows down, and your favorite song blaring on the radio. Whether it be from the lyrics, the beat, or the melody, music can bring forth a variety of physical responses. Paul understood the capacity music has to change both hearts and lives. And so he tells us to use the songs we sing to both teach the Word of God, and to gently advise those who may need correcting. Always doing so with hearts of thanksgiving and with the goal of helping each other in our walk of faith. But most of all, to glorify God. The greatest purpose music can serve is when we use it as God intended, as a means to worship Him. The music we play and the songs we sing, are a testimony to both God and world around us. So let our song be one of devotion, thankfulness, and appreciation to the Lord. A melody of thankfulness that sprouts from deep in our hearts and brings a song of joy to our lips.

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