Tag: Bible

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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 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

Everything in the Bible is the Word of God. It’s all important. But every once in a while, there a verse or passage which ought to make us pause in order to more fully consider the implications. A couple of verses which qualify are Colossians 3:17 and 2 Corinthians 5:20. The first is quoted above in the NIV, but the NLT reads, And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus. Likewise, the 2 Corinthians passage reads, So we are Christ’s ambassadors…

This was Paul’s way of saying to the Colossians and Corinthians, “You’re not just followers of the Way when you gather for worship services. You’re a representative of Him in everything you do and say.” 

Living this out is, of course, a challenge. Every follower of Jesus will miss the mark and fall short. Yet every day is a new opportunity. We don’t need to get lost in all the negative thoughts about how we’ve failed in being an ambassador for Christ in the past. Instead, we can focus on the here and now, and enter into this day a representative of Christ. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:16-17, 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11-21 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: What is one way Jesus may be inviting you to be a representative of Him today? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Spend 10-15 minutes in silence and prayer. Utilize this time to discern an answer to the above question. 

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, there are moments when I think about all of the mistakes I’ve made and I wonder, Does Jesus really want me to represent Him? Today’s reading is a reminder that you don’t just want me to represent You, but that You have called me and You trust me to do so. What an honor and a privilege! May I represent You well today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Colossians 3:16b Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

There are seasons in life in which thankfulness comes easily. For some, the month of November is a great opportunity to reflect on life experiences for which they are thankful. Others may focus on birthdays, anniversaries, or other special life events. Yet there are a select few who make thankfulness a way of life.

Consider this: For the majority of people, there are likely one or two things which take up the majority of their emotional energy throughout a week. Dozens and dozens of thoughts, conversations, and situations arise, but there are those one or two things lingering in the back of their mind. It could be a relational challenge, financial hardship, or any other number of life’s stressors. But those who practice thankfulness don’t only think about those one or two stressors. Instead, they will identify at least three positive, joyful, thankful experiences each day. At the end of the week, there may be one or two stressors on their mind. But there are at least twenty-one positive memories over that same time period. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:16-17  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

PRACTICE: What are at least three things you’ve experienced over the past 24 hours you’re thankful for? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Begin to write down a list of at least three positive experiences each day. Over time, notice the impact this has in your ability to be thankful. 

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today’s reading was eye-opening to me because I know I am someone who can easily get caught up in one or two significant stressors and forget to find joy and thankfulness in the little things. While I was able to think of three positives from the previous day, I don’t want to stop there. May I begin a lifestyle of practicing to be thankful for many things each day – both great and small. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Colossians 3:16 Let the message about Christ…fill your lives. 

Where do you go to get to know Jesus? Some may say, I read the Bible. That’s where I get to know Jesus. Others may respond, I go to church. Or, I pray. Or, I sing songs of worship. Responses such as these are good. 

But consider this; maybe Paul had something more in mind when he wrote, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.” Perhaps Paul was indicating that the overall message of Christ – while it can be experienced in church, prayer, scripture reading, and song – can also be experienced in other aspects of life. 

Consider a stroll through the forest. There, the presence and message of Christ is evident.

Consider the scent of a homemade meal with family and friends gathered around the table. There, the presence and message of Christ is evident. 

Consider standstill traffic with a crying child in the back seat. Even there, the presence and message of Christ is evident.

Everywhere you may be, His presence is evident.  

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:16-17, ROMANS 12:1-21  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: What are some locations or situations in which you regularly discover the presence of Christ? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider for a moment that spending time with God is something that is fun to do. Now, spend some extra time with Him today, and enjoy it.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, just as the world experiences different seasons, I recognize that I go through the seasons in which Your presence comes to me more easily than others. With the winter months in the rear view mirror, help me to see Your presence throughout this Spring. Not just in seeing the world come to life, but allow me to see You in unexpected ways as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Colossians 3:16 Let the message about Christ…fill your lives. 

Many years ago, I (Pastor Justin) was attending a large convention in another city. One evening, while walking alone on the streets of an unfamiliar city, someone approached me and asked if I had any change for them to make a phone call. This person was a complete stranger to me. They may or may not have actually planning to make a phone call. Despite this, there was another reality at play; I had no change to offer. 

This reality exists for everyone: You cannot give others what you do not possess.

When thinking of material objects, this makes sense. You cannot give somebody a car, a house, or even pocket change if you do not possess it. However, this truth applies outside of material objects as well. 

Consider the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and so on. You cannot help others experience love, or joy, or peace if you are not yourself in a state of love, joy, or peace. As such, it’s essential to live with a mindset to not just share the gospel with others, but to preach it to yourself; to daily receive the gospel and have it transform who you are.

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:16-17; PSALM 48 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: What are some ways you can “Preach the gospel to yourself” so that it can transform who you are? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Throughout the week, search out at least 5 Scripture verses which focus on who you are in the eyes of God. (Example: John 1:12 says those who follow Christ are a child of God.) In the weeks to come, continue to add to the list of Scripture verses you discover. Read these daily.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I think about what it means to preach the Gospel to myself, I recognize how often this can be a challenge for me. My mind can easily wander or be distracted by the simplest of things. Yet I know that just a few mins of reminding myself of core gospel truths, 3-4 times a day, will help me to have the message of Christ fill my life. As I take opportunities to pause throughout the day, may I receive Your message. May it fill me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

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? 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

This verse is yet another one in which English translations miss out on the richness of the Greek text. In this case, the culprit is the word love. This isn’t the fault of those who are translating the text. Instead, it’s the fault of our own language. We use the word love in so many ways. (e.g., I love my family. I love Starbucks. I’m going to make love with my spouse. I’m going to love on that person who seems depressed.) 

The English language uses one word with a variety of meanings! But ancient Greek – and many other languages today – don’t have just one word for love, they have several.

The Greek word used here in Colossians 3:14 is the word agapé This type of love is what God expresses toward us in John 3:16. It is not an emotional feeling, nor is it a passive expression. Instead, agapé love is active. It is acting toward the good will of others, having genuine concern toward them and their well-being. In Colossians 3:14, Paul invites us to relentlessly and actively love one another. Because in the new family of Jesus, love is what holds us together. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Why do you think Paul writes about forgiveness and love back to back in Colossians 3:13-14? What steps do you sense God may be inviting you to take in these areas of forgiveness and love?

DIGGING DEEPER: Who is somebody who showed you real, sacrificial love at a moment in your life when you didn’t believe you deserved it? Considering writing to them to thank them for modeling agapé love to you. 

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you for all of those who have shown me a tremendous amount of sacrificial love. Continue to shape me into someone who can be sacrificial love in the lives of those who need it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

The topic of forgiveness is one which is easy to read or talk about, yet is often difficult to live it out. The above verse answers two important questions: (1) What do you do when you have a grievance against someone? And (2) Why do you take this step? The answers are clear – forgive them, because the Lord forgave you. 

However, there’s a third question which isn’t answered: How do I go about the process of forgiving somebody who hurt me? I understand what I need to do and why I need to do it, but I don’t have a full grasp on how to do it. 

Consider this, if you’re currently struggling to forgive somebody, maybe how to forgive them isn’t actually the biggest question deep within you. Instead, consider meditating on other questions such as: Why did God forgive me? In what ways am I missing out on experiencing real peace by not forgiving this person? In what ways might I be believing that I deserved to be hurt by this person? Or perhaps, What am I actually holding onto that I’m struggling to release?

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, 1 JOHN 1:9, MATTHEW 6:5-15 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: In what ways have you previously struggled to forgive others? Are you currently struggling to forgive somebody who has hurt you? What do you think may be at the root of that struggle?  

DIGGING DEEPER: Counseling is not a dirty word. Consider finding a mentor, counselor, or spiritual director who can help you discover what may be at the root of your struggle to forgive others. 

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that there are some people in my life I struggle to fully forgive. Today, I recognize that I may have been wrestling with the wrong question – how do I forgive them – when instead I could be wrestling with the question – what am I actually holding onto? Reveal to me whatever I may be struggling to release to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Colossians 3:12 …clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Yesterday we looked at two specific terms in the above passage. Today, we will continue with the next three. 

First, the word humility is far more than simply the appearance of being humble. Instead, it is a true inward state of one’s heart. One Greek dictionary defines humility as “having the correct estimate of ourselves.” This would mean seeing our own worth and value to God and others while not seeing ourselves as “better” or “of greater value” than others. 

Next, the word gentleness is sometimes translated as meekness in other English translations. Unfortunately, this has a negative connotation to those who have been taught that “meekness is weakness.” But the gentleness described here is not weakness. It is the state one one’s soul which is experiencing a profound sense of peace. 

Finally, patience is about remaining emotionally calm even in the midst of difficult circumstances. A patient person is one “who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so.” 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, EPHESIANS 4:2, 2 PETER 3:9, PROVERBS 15:1-4, GALATIANS 6:1,  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Of the three words more fully defined today, which one sticks out to you most? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Take 10-15 minutes to close your eyes and imagine “putting on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Then consider, what will these attributes look like to others as I live them out today? 

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, becoming someone who is compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient, is not something I can do in my own strength. Instead, I must trust You and the work You are doing deep within me. Continue to root out anything in me that offends You so that I can be more and more like Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Colossians 3:12 …clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

In the verse noted above, Paul mentions five specific attitudes and/or attributes to “put on” or to “clothe yourselves with.” In the original Greek Language, many of these words have a richer, deeper meaning than what can quickly be translated into English. Let’s have a look at the first two. 

First, the word compassion is translated in other English Bibles as tenderhearted mercy, heart of mercy, or, heartfelt compassion. While some translators were sure to include the word “heart” it still misses out on how the Colossians likely understood the term. In this verse,because compassion is something to “put on” or “clothe yourselves with,” the fuller meaning behind it is this: to increase your capacity for compassion. It isn’t just about being compassionate, but to increase your capacity to be compassionate. 

Second, the word kindness isn’t simply about being nice to one another. Instead, kindness is to be useful and profitable to others. Useful in building them up, and profitable, in helping them realize their worth and value to God and others.

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, ISAIAH 63:7, 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4, PHILIPPIANS 2:1-3 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Of these two— compassion and kindness — which one would you say is currently your greatest growth area? How may God be inviting you to grow in this area? (Be specific.)

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider writing out at least three ways you may be able to increase your capacity for compassion? Similarly, write out at least three ways you can build others up today, helping them realize their worth and value to God and others? Be specific. 

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as I enter into a new week, I pray that You will reveal to me the ways in which I may increase my capacity for compassion. In the same way the Good Samaritan crossed the street to help a wounded man in need, reveal to me the hurts and wounds of others – physical, emotional, spiritual – and lead me to be Your hands and feet. Amen. 

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