Colossians__3

Scripture

Colossians 3:23

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Observation-What does it say?

Paul writes a letter to the Colossians to encourage and remind them of their new life in Christ. Paul tells them that they are God's new creation, that their old and sinful ways should be buried and dead to this world. And now is the time to live a new life, a life filled with Christ. A life filled with the attributes of Jesus Christ.

Understanding-What does it mean?

We all have a boss to serve...and His name is Jesus.

We've all been in a workplace or situations where we have to submit to people who are in authority over us that we may not particularly like. While others may defy them, Jesus calls us to submit to their authority. Work willingly for them, as though we were working for the Lord rather than people-(vs. 23). This is a great reminder for me in my workplace. I know there are times for me when I feel under appreciated or disrespected, and I just think to myself, "what's the point?!" I mean here I am giving work my all, and management is gonna come back and not even acknowledge the hard work?! If anything they either criticize it or give me even more work to do! Ugh! Then I remember this verse. It reminds me that Jesus is watching. He sees the works that I am doing. It is Him who I am trying to please. Then I'm also reminded that as a Christ follower others around me are watching as well. They are observing how I am reacting to certain situations. That is even more incentive to work happily and willingly. This way when others may fold and break under those difficult circumstances, I can remain steadfast. Then others may ask "how I'm able to do it?" I can simply say it is my Lord and Savior Jesus who gives me strength to do so, and He is the One I work for!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV

Life Application

It's all about the attitude.

No matter what comes my way today, I'm going to come at it with a grateful heart, knowing that Jesus is with me, and understanding that He is in control. Understanding that He has a purpose behind everything, whether good or bad. It's up to me and how I carry my attitude, which can help determine how I can use those situations to glorify Him.

-Moses Gaddi

Jeremiah_1

Scripture:

Jeremiah 1:5-8⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew^[a] you,    before you were born I set you apart;    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”⁶ “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”⁷ But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Observation:

These verses capture the calling of Jeremiah and what became a 40-year ministry. 

Understanding:

Jeremiah was resistant to God’s calling.  He was believed to be around 17 years old at the time of this conversation where God makes clear His calling and plan for Jeremiah. Imagine that, 17-years-old and hearing – it seems rather clearly – that you are to be a prophet over nations – “appoint[ed] over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” (vs 10)It sounds big and bold and exciting…and maybe overwhelming?  So, it makes sense that Jeremiah’s first response is one of resistance, hesitation, excuse – “I am too young.”  God is not one for taking excuses though.  Remember, He created us for such a time as this, with a plan and purpose in mind.  So, God’s response is…⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew^[a] you,    before you were born I set you apart;    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”“Jeremiah was already a young man, but God wanted him to know that his call went back even further than his youth. Jeremiah existed in the mind and plan of God before he ever existed in his mother’s womb. God told Jeremiah this so that he could walk in God’s pre-ordained plan by his own will.” [https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/jeremiah-1/]With God there is no too young, too old, too smart, too dumb, too crippled, too broken/lost, too good…God is able to use us in whatever stage we are in and He is able to equip us and surround us (whether with people or resources) to accomplish whatever He has called us to do. Our role is simply to listen for the call, then go obediently towards it.  God will fill in the rest. 

Life Application:

Simple…listen, trust, go.“You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” (vs. 7)Rei

Colossians__1

Scripture  Colossians 1:9-12  We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.  Observation-What does it say?  The town of Colossae is near Ephesus, in present day Turkey.  Paul was most likely writing to the church while he was in prison, either in Ephesus or in Rome.  Though he had never visited the church here, he had heard there was much to be thankful for.  But, there was still area for concern, as they were introducing ideas and practices from other philosophies and religions.  This is a practice that is common to this day.  While it can be innocent in nature, this practice can take away God’s supremacy as we lean on the wisdom of ourselves and other men.  In opening his letter, Paul both praises them for their faith and prays for their wisdom and knowledge to grow deeper.  The knowledge Paul speaks of is not just the possession of facts, but the practical knowledge associated with godly living. Understanding-What does it mean?  When I was in my early twenties, I spent a lot of time wondering and worrying about where my life was headed.  I would have times of prayer where I would ask God to reveal his will for my life, as if He were a GPS that would give me the step by step directions from now until death.  Thankfully God never gave me such a road map, and my faith in Him has grown because of it.  Besides, I probably wouldn’t have followed the directions even if he gave them to me.     I still have times where I start asking the same questions, but they come less often.  I get to move in life  with the assurance that comes with the experiences of God caring for me and providing for me.  Furthermore, I have learned to search God’s word for answers to these questions and often found answers to these questions in practices that God asks us to live out.  God reveals His will for us in directions like those give to the Thesalonians, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thesalonians 5:18).  We also see this same knowledge given to us through James, Jesus’ brother, when he wrote “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).   As we seek to follow the directions found in scripture and grow in the knowledge found within, our individual purpose seems to take shape.  Furthermore, as we grow in our faith through this knowledge, the next step becomes less important. This is when God fills us with the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Life Application: Jesus, when I start to feel anxious about the future, help me to look to your word.  Fill me with your peace, which only comes through your knowledge.  Help me to rely on this knowledge everyday, so I can live out your love and share it with my neighbors and with your body, the church.       

 

-Tyler Galloway