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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:

What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ? 

What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him? 

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Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

It’s an unfortunate reality that the culture in which we live defines some words differently than the Scriptures. One common example is the word freedom. 

For many, freedom is the ability for somebody to do whatever they’d like. Freedom of Speech is the freedom to say whatever you’d like to say. Freedom of the Press is the freedom for the news media to write and say things from a variety of perspectives. Freedom is essentially, a right. 

But this understanding of freedom is in stark contrast to the freedom mentioned through the New Testament. Here, freedom isn’t about the right to do something. Instead, it’s about what we’ve been freed from. Jesus purchased our freedom, setting us free from being slaves to sin.By doing so, we are also freed from an incessant need to prove ourselves to God. And as Celebrate Recovery rightly notes, we can now experience freedom from any & all hurts, habits, or hangups. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 1:9-14, JOHN 8:36, GALATIANS 5:1  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Be honest: What thoughts usually come to mind when you think of the word “freedom?” 

DIGGING DEEPER: Jesus had the freedom to do a lot of things, but He consistently chose a different path – the path to surrender. In what ways may God be inviting you to surrender your cultural understanding of freedom? 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that some of the first thoughts that come to my mind when I think of the word “freedom” are thoughts of what I am free to do and not thoughts about what I’ve been freed from. Help me to not conform to the behaviors of this world, but to experience the renewing of my mind by changing the way I think (Romans 12:2). In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Colossians 1:11 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…

Imagine sitting in a circle with some friends. You’ve just finished another Bible Study or Small Group discussion and you’re going to close your time together with some time in prayer. What kind of prayer requests are shared with the group? Perhaps something like:

Pray for my grandmother. She’s having hip replacement surgery next week and the rehab will be long and difficult. 

Pray for a friend at work who recently learned he has cancer. 

Pray for me. I’m going through a difficult season at work.

While praying for these types of requests is encouraged, prayer can be about so much more. Take the opportunity to read this previous post which is a compilation of Paul’s prayers throughout the New Testament. Then consider what steps you can begin to take to grow deeper in your own prayer life.

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 1:9-14, PSALM 116:1-14  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION & PRAYER: Take an extended period of time today to slowly read through Paul’s prayers at the website link provided in today’s reading. Write down at least 8-10 specific things Paul prayed for. Then write out your own prayer to God, offering a similar prayer for your family and friends. 

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider reading the prayer you wrote out to a loved one, your family, Community Group, or another group of friends. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

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Colossians 1:10…the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.

Consider your favorite hobby. Whether it’s golf, running, cycling, photography, cooking, sewing, music, or coffee roasting, you’ve almost certainly learned a great deal about this hobby over the years. What was the purpose of watching all of those videos about running or photography or…whatever? The purpose was to gain more knowledge and insight so you can improve and get better at it. Knowledge can be helpful, but only when it’s put into practice.

Paul understands this vital truth in his opening prayer to for the people of Colosse. He prays not only that the Colossians would gain complete knowledge of God’s will, but that they would use this knowledge to “honor and please the Lord” by the way they live and “produce every kind of good fruit.” 

This truth is absolutely essential for our lives as well. We can learn a lot about God, and have a lot of knowledge about the Scriptures, but this knowledge is useless without living it out. Christianity isn’t just set of beliefs. It changes the way we think. It changes the way we live. It changes everything. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 1:9-14, PROV. 2:1-22, ROMANS 12:2  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: How could you explain to somebody else what kind of effect Christianity is supposed to have in a person?

DIGGING DEEPER: In what areas of your life do you currently have knowledge of God and/or the Scriptures but this knowledge isn’t leading to life change? (e.g., bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, gossip, slander, depression, anxiety, sadness, drunkenness, pornography, etc.) What is getting in the way of you putting your knowledge of the Scriptures into practice? 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that when I think of areas in my life in which I have knowledge of the Scriptures but I’m not putting it into practice, it’s because I feel ashamed. Thoughts of not being “good enough” flood my mind, so I numb or ignore these areas instead of allowing You to help me experience real life change. Remove these thoughts of shame and fear from my mind so I may grow into the person You’ve created me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Colossians 1:9b We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

In the days of the Apostle Paul, Greek philosophy and other forms of knowledge was of extreme importance. Critical thinking and the sharing of new ideas were commonplace among the people. 

This kind of lifestyle had a number of pros, but also some cons. On the one hand, the Greeks are responsible for the creation of a democracy. Their intellect was used to create a new form of government which many nations continue to benefit from today. On the other hand, the quest for knowledge became so strong that, for many people, knowledge itself was a god. 

Wisely, Paul strikes a perfect balance for the people of Colosse. He had been educated as a Pharisee and understand the benefits of knowledge and education, yet also came to see his knowledge was useless if it was out of alignment with the will of God. As such, he strongly encouraged the Colossians to grow in knowledge. Not knowledge as others may understand it, but the knowledge of the will of God and spiritual wisdom. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 1:9-14  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Think back over the previous week, month, and year. In what ways have you grown in knowledge of God and spiritual wisdom? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Take the opportunity to share your own prayer of Thanksgiving to God for the growth that has occurred within you. And ask Him to reveal to you any ongoing growth areas in which He desires to work deep beneath the surface in your life. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it’s a common phrase that “the more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know.” When I think of the many things I do know about You and Your Word, I cannot help but to accept that there is still much I do not know. May Paul’s prayer for the people of Colosse be true for me – that You will provide me complete knowledge of Your will, and that I will grow in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:

What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ? 

What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him? 

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Without a careful review, some may read all about Paul’s life in the New Testament and determine he was a workaholic. While it may appear he knew God had a calling for his life and he was determined to fulfill this calling no matter what, the reality is that Paul methodically surrendered his own desires in order to fulfill the calling God had for his life. He wasn’t a workaholic. Instead, his life was one with emotional and spiritual brokenness, hunger, beatings, and shipwrecks. If anybody could have ever said, How can a good God let this many bad things happen to a person? It could have been Paul. 

But Paul was able to see the larger picture. He was able to acknowledge that his current circumstances were temporary. He was able to return to God quietly in prayer again and again and again in order to more fully understand the heart of God. 

Paul’s life story reveals that he didn’t want God to be more transformed into his likeness. Instead, he deeply and sincerely welcomed God to transform him more into His likeness. As a result of his spiritual transformation, Paul was able to set aside his desires in order to fulfill the calling God had for his life. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     2 CORINTHIANS 11:21-30  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: What steps are you taking to more fully understand the heart of God? What may you need to set aside/surrender in order to more intentionally fulfill your purpose?

DIGGING DEEPER: Embrace up to five minutes of silence at least three different times throughout the day today. As you embrace these opportunities for silence, identify where and how God is currently working deep within you. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge there are some things I don’t want to set aside in order to more fully live out Your purpose. I don’t want to set aside my favorite book or tv show in order to return to You in prayer again and again and again to better know Your heart. But I’m beginning to realize I need to set aside good things for something even greater. Continue to help me become more like You. Amen.

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The Apostle Paul wasn’t always a fan of Jesus. Earlier in his life, he hated those who were part of “The Way” and was responsible for murdering some Christians. Looking at his resumé, he’s the last person you would expect to become a major advocate for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Yet something significant happened. God chose Paul to a new life. Not just a life that set aside his murderous ways, but a life of surrendering control, receiving the love of God, and a determination to share the Gospel with everyone — including those with significant authority in the Roman Government. Paul knew God had chosen him for a significant work and after a personal encounter with God, he accepted his calling.

While Paul’s story may be very different from yours, you too have a calling. If you have professed faith and trust in Jesus, you have been chosen by God to fulfill a purpose. Like Paul, this purpose requires surrendering control, receiving the love of God, and having a fierce determination to set aside some things that may be good in order to be part of something great. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     ACTS 9:1-30 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: God has chosen you to fulfill a specific purpose. What is the one defining purpose God has for you? If you’re not sure, ask Him to reveal it to you.

DIGGING DEEPER: Write out a list of at least 10 things you believe God has called you to do. Then begin to narrow it down and you can more fully identify one specific purpose you believe God has for you. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess it’s easy for me to say that You have given me a purpose, but it’s much more difficult for me to clearly identify it, accept it, and live in such a way that Your calling is evident to all who interact with me. Continue to give me clarity on the purpose You have for my life. I pray You would provide wise mentors in my life who can help me identify my purpose. And I pray I will live out Your purpose in grace and truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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All throughout the Scriptures, the topic of what it looks like to worship God comes up over and over again. In the book of Genesis, some worshiped God by building an altar or other monument. Elsewhere in the Old Testament, the people of God were so awestruck they fell facedown in worship. Later, the Psalms were written to provide the people of God with a way to worship God in song. In the Scriptures, there wasn’t always a right or best way to worship. Instead, worship was a way of life. 

While there may not have been a specific list indicating a right or best way to worship, there were some notes on how not to worship. Worshiping other gods, for example, was a big no-no. 

In Colossians, Paul knew the people of Colosse may be adding elements to their worship which fell outside the Gospel. How does he respond? He begins by saying, May God our Father give you grace and peace (1:2). Instead of ridicule and immediate condemnation, Paul uses gracious language. He invites God’s people to more fully understand the Gospel and to allow it to transform everything about their lives. Including their worship.

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 1:1-2 & 4:7-18  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: How well are you able to respond to those who are making unwise or unhealthy decisions with a spirit of grace and peace toward them? 

DIGGING DEEPER: You cannot present an attitude of grace and peace toward others if you’re unable to have an attitude of grace and peace toward yourself. In what ways may God be inviting you to be more gracious to yourself today? 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I cannot count the times in which I’ve had a spirit of ridicule and condemnation toward others. Today, I’m reminded that You could have easily had a heart of condemnation toward me, yet You chose to give of Yourself so that You and I could draw closer to one another. This is such a tremendous gift! May I experience Your presence today so that others may experience Your presence through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul finds himself in a remarkable situation. For starters, Paul is imprisoned. Unlike prison facilities in modern day, prison for Paul was likely him being confined to a small building and chained to a Roman soldier. But as a Roman citizen, he was permitted to visit with others and write letters. Still, it wasn’t a great situation. 

As he’s chained in this small building, he receives word about a group of people from the city of Colosse who have professed to believe in Jesus as their Messiah. It’s likely he also learns that their acts of worship are complex, intermixing worship of angels and other Greek customs. I have such love and admiration for the people of this city, Paul thinks to himself, but they’re attempting to add unnecessary elements to the Gospel. I feel compelled to let them know.

So Paul sets out to write a letter. While this letter is much shorter than others he writes to Christians in Rome and Corinth, it focuses on a central theme. The Gospel is not Jesus plus something else. Instead, the Gospel is Jesus. He is 100% God and 100% human. He is the head of the Church. Our desire is to be in union with Him. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 1:1-2 & 4:7-18  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: In what ways do youthink Christians in our culture today see the Gospel as Jesus plus something else? Can you think of any reason people may be afraid to let the Gospel fully rest on Jesus? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Colossians is a letter, which means the entire letter was likely read out loud during a church gathering. Consider reading the entire letter in one sitting. What sticks out to you? What are some of the main themes Paul emphasizes? 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the times I think that the Gospel is Jesus plus something else – the times I think I need to earn Your love, the times I think I can find peace and contentment elsewhere, the times I think You won’t accept me where I am, and more. Continue to lead me to a life of full trust and confidence in You. A life in which You transform me into Christlikeness. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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