real life. real relationships. real purpose. in writing.
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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 3:10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Professional athletes know the kind of training required for their sport. Even non-professionals who challenge themselves to a major goal (running a marathon, learning to scuba dive, hiking the Grand Canyon) know that time, energy, and finances will be required for them to achieve their goal. But with enough time and energy, major goals can be achieved.
This is where the topic of Discipleship becomes challenging for some followers of Jesus. We can fall into the trap of thinking, But I will always have growth areas. I will always fall short of perfection. I can train, and train, and train, and train, and still have more training to do!
Indeed, this is true. But in the new family of Jesus, our Discipleship isn’t about what we do for God (including all that training). Instead, real discipleship is a never-ending exploration of the love of God. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:10, you are invited to know your creator and be like Him. The more you explore His love, the more you become like Him.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11, 1 JOHN 4:7-12, ROMANS 8:35-39, ROMANS 5:7-8, ISAIAH 54:10 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Does thinking of your own discipleship as a “never ending exploration of the love of God” cause you to think about discipleship differently?
DIGGING DEEPER: What are some ways you like to explore (exploring outdoors, exploring a new hobby, exploring a new recipe, exploring new friendships, etc.)? How might some of the time you spend with God be different if it’s used to more deeply explore the depths of His love for you?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Today, write out your own prayer to God. Take your time, focussing on the never-ending depth of the love of God. Thank Him for how it has changed You. And ask Him to help you explore new ways to experience it.
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Colossians 3:5 So put to death [what’s] lurking within you.
Living in the new family of Jesus isn’t always easy. We all bring stuff from our old family into the new family. And we don’t always want to openly share that stuff with others, believing the lie that we can figure it out all by ourselves.
But to live in the new family of Jesus is to accept that this new family of Jesus functions differently. It functions in a way in which each member of the family is open and honest, confessing their growth areas with one another. It functions in such a way that the members don’t say, “What were you thinking?!” But instead ask, “How can I be an encouragement to you and help you take the next step?” It functions in such a way in which nobody is ever alone.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What can you do today to more intentionally explore the love of God?
PRACTICE: 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, I recognize that when I think of church or spiritual exercises I’m not regularly thinking about how time with You can be fun. Yet Your Word says that You make Your face shine upon me. You delight to be near me. Continue to help me grow to see that time with You is a delight. A joy. Fun. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:5 So put to death [what’s] lurking within you.
Do you sometimes struggle to openly acknowledge what may be lurking deep beneath the surface in your life? For example, can you think of a time when you sinned against God and others but went on to compare your sin to others as if to say, “Well yeah, I did that. But it wasn’t that bad.” Some possible examples may be:
Unfortunately, we’re not able to put to death our earthy nature when we deflect responsibility for our sins against God and others. Being part of the new family of Jesus means that we are honest with God, honest with ourselves, and honest with others. It’s to take responsibility for the wrongs we commit so that we can take steps forward in our new nature.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11, ROMANS 6:1-23 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Consider the previous 2-3 days of your life. Can you think of at least one time when you minimized a wrong you committed?
DIGGING DEEPER: Spend some time in prayer with God. Ask Him, “What may be lurking deep beneath the surface in my life that has led me to minimize my sins against You?” Then spend some additional time journaling your thoughts and feelings about anything that may have risen to the surface during this exercise.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, yesterday I prayed that I would see myself as You see me. At the same time, I don’t want to live by completely and totally minimizing the wrongs I commit against You and others. Instead, I pray that You will open up my eyes to the reality of the sin in me, while also opening my eyes to the depth of Your love and grace. Despite my sin, You are with me and for me. Thank You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:5 So put to death [what’s] lurking within you.
Colossians 3:5-11 focuses on the need to “put to death” certain sins. Paul specifically mentions a number of sexual sins as well as sins of speech. Many may read through this passage and conclude that the heart of the passage is about behavior modification. God has a heart that we ought to live a certain way (which is 100% true) and it’s up to us to change our behaviors in order to live that way (not quite 100% true).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about behavior modification. It’s about God’s desire to reconcile His people back to Himself. It’s about God restoring our fractured lives to make us whole in Him. As such, the heart of the Gospel focuses more on who you are than it focuses on how you live. This doesn’t mean you’re free to live and sin however you’d like (Rom. 6:15). Instead, it means that understanding who you are will shape how you live.
You are a saint. You are a child of God. You are a friend of God. You are part of the new family of Jesus. You are secure in Him. And so much more. Holding firmly to these truths will lead to the death of your earthly nature.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Do you spend more energy being concerned with how you live (your behaviors) or who you are in the eyes of God? What changes might you need to make to more regularly and consistently see yourself as God sees you?
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, I confess there are many times when I don’t see myself as a “saint” but instead as a “sinner.” While I know I have sinned against You and others, I’m grateful for the reminder that You see me as a saint. A friend of God. A child of God. May the truths of who I am permeate my spirit deeply, and may I grow in seeing myself as You see me. 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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Children in Jesus’ day started their education at around the same age children do in our culture today. The primary education for children between the ages and 5 and 12 was to memorize the Torah – the first five books of the Old Testament. A select few who showed tremendous aptitude would continue their education, while those who didn’t make the cut would begin apprenticing with a parent or other family member in the family business. Those whose education continued would go on to memorize the entirety of the Old Testament.
But then there was more. Only a very, very, select few would be invited to follow a Rabbi. The selection process would’ve been similar to Ivy League schools today. The standards for this level of ongoing education was very high.
Then enters Jesus. He invites Peter, a fisherman, to follow Him. And Matthew, a Tax Collector, to follow Him. Those who “didn’t make the cut” for all other Rabbi’s, Jesus saw something remarkable in them. He has invited you to follow Him as well. And He continues to cry out, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
READING & PRAYERS:
2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18, JOHN 14:6 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What are some areas of life in which you find it easy to follow the Way? What are some areas in which you find it difficult to follow the Way?
PRACTICE: Choose just one of the areas in which you find it difficult to follow Jesus. Surrender this area over to Him every day, perhaps several times a day. Continue this practice daily until you discover that Jesus truly is inviting you in a different way of life; a way of life that actually works.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, despite the many times I feel like I’m unworthy of Your love, You have invited me to be Your disciple; to follow You in all things. I’m grateful for this invitation, and I do desire to follow You in order to continually recognize that You are leading me into a way of life that actually works — a way of life that rests in You and Your finished work, and not a way of life that requires my own strength. Thank You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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It is here. 2024 is upon us. For some, there’s excitement for the Summer Olympics. For others, there’s a high level of anticipation for the political elections, or those who just want that part of the year to be over with. Still others, are looking forward to something else this coming year. While it’s true we can enjoy the presence of God anywhere, we must be careful not to put our hope and trust in people or things outside the kingdom of God.
Setting aside of worldly thoughts and instead focusing on what it looks like to live in the kingdom of God is a common theme throughout the New Testament. In the early portion of Colossians 3, Paul hits on this theme when he writes in verse 3, “…your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Translating the original Greek into English isn’t always easy, and this is one verse in which it’s difficult to get the meaning of the text just right. The word life in this verse is about your current, physical life. Paul isn’t writing about the life you will have in eternity, but the life you’re currently living. A life which finds it’s identity in the kingdom of God. Not in any personal achievements or political victories, but a life in His kingdom.
READING & PRAYERS:
MATTHEW 6:33, ROMANS 14:17, MATTHEW 6:9-10 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: In what ways does the mindset that you are living in the kingdom of God impact the way you see the world around you — everything which is outside the kingdom of God — differently?
PRACTICE: Throughout the day, pay close attention to the messages you see and hear throughout the day which fall outside the kingdom of God. How many messages every day do you see or hear that fall outside of God’s kingdom?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, living in a culture which focuses on everything but life in Your Kingdom is difficult. Continue to help me see the world for what it is, and You and Your Kingdom for it is. May I grow to live in a state of complete peace, knowing You are on the throne. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Imagine for a moment it’s a warm day in late Spring. You’re walking through a forrest as sunlight cascades through the tree branches which are just beginning to sprout leaves. The birds are chattering their songs delightfully. There in the warm sun you take an opportunity to just be. There is no deadline for work. No essay to write. No errands to run. You can simply take a few moments to rest, breathe, and be.
Now, allow me to let you in on a little secret: Experiences such as this are gifts from God. It’s good to receive these gifts as often as possible and to respond in a way that leads you to practice rest.
When Paul writes “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth,” he is not in any way prohibiting these kinds of experiences. Enjoying God’s creation and being present with Him there is not the same as thinking worldly thoughts. Thinking about the things of heaven is to be mindful of the eternal and not the temporary. As such, enjoying God’s creation is one of many ways to be thinking about the eternal.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:1-4, ROMANS 1:20 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What are two or three ways you like to “think about the things of heaven?”
PRACTICE: Take the opportunity to Pause throughout the day to meditate on what’s eternal. As you do, pay close attention to what you learn about God, as well as any specific invitation He may have for you today.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, every day I’m inundated with thoughts that are not of what’s eternal. My to-do list. All the errands which need to be run. Other things I feel I have to do. Continue to help me recognize the truth that what matters most are not the things of earth, but the things of heaven. May I enjoy You and Your presence even in the situations which may seem mundane. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:1 …set your sights on the realities of heaven…
What is one hope you have today? For this month? For this year?
Sadly, many people do not often consider their hopes. The challenges and disappointments of life lead some to think, If I don’t hope for anything, then I won’t experience disappointment as often. So why hope?
Unfortunately, this mindset doesn’t work. In her book Atlas of the Heart, a book which explores the many different emotions people feel and experience, author and researcher Brené Brown notes that disappointment is one of the most common emotions people feel. This is because we all have expectations — even very simple expectations — which don’t get met. When they don’t get met, we feel disappointment. When we feel disappointment, we set our hopes aside. The cycle continues until disappointment is rampant and hopes are few.
The simple reality is this: you have deep hopes within you. Some may be simple hopes (e.g., A husband indicating he hopes for a date night with his wife soon,) but others are profound hope which can be experienced only in Christ.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:1-4, MATTHEW 6:33 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What is one deep, passionate hope you have? When will you take a moment to sit in the presence of Christ to experience the fulfillment of this hope?
PRACTICE: Begin sharing at least one hope with somebody else every day this week. Continue this practice daily. As you do so, you’ll discover the beauty and wonder of having a life more deeply rooted in hope.
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 if I were to pay close attention to how often I share a personal hope, it may be a lot less often than I would’ve guessed. Help me grow into a person who not only has hope, but one who shares those hopes with others on a regular basis. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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