Colossians 4 - 5.5.23
Scripture
Colossians 4:17
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
Observation
Paul is writing his final remarks in his letter to the Christians in Colossae. And right before the last line, he singles out Archippus, challenging him to make sure he completes the ministry he received from God.
That encouragement, phrased strongly almost as a command, is a reminder to me that completing things isn’t automatic. As a matter of fact, there are many people in scripture who started well but finished poorly. And I don’t want to be one of them.
Application
See to it that I complete the ministry I’ve received.
I know I can’t do anything on my own, but only through Christ in me. So for me to “see to it” means that I connect to Jesus, the “True Vine,” to continually supply the strength, grace, vision, passion, and everything else I need to finish well.
Prayer
God, thank you so much for giving me a ministry to begin with. You’ve given me a ministry to my wife, to love her and help her to experience all you have in store for her. You’ve given me a ministry to my kids, to disciple them and raise them to know and love and serve you. You’ve given me a ministry to your church, to love and serve and pastor them. Thank you for entrusting me with so much. I really want to be faithful. I really want to finish strong and complete all the ministry you have in mind for me. So I look to you today. Fill me and empower me and help me to complete the ministry I’ve received, whatever that looks like. All my hope and trust in in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
-Levi Thompson
Colossians 3 - 05.04.23
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:1-2 NLT
“Since you have been raised to New LIFE with Christ, set your sights on the Realities of HEAVEN, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
OBSERVATION:
I am so moved by this verse for many reasons. First, God is speaking to me about the importance of the ‘one’. How many times Jesus gave us examples in His parables and talks—He will leave the 99 to go after the ‘1’.
Colossae was a church that should never have been mentioned in the New Testament. Paul never visited this city—nor did any other Apostle. A man that no one has probably ever heard of-or ever thought about—the ‘1’ —a man named Epaphras visited in Ephesus where Paul ministered. Here, two men were brought to faith-Epaphras and Philemon. Epaphras was from Colossae and became the key founder of the church there—for he shared the Gospel with his friends there (1:7). Epaphras also shared ministry in the neighboring cities of Heirapolis and Laodicea.
God used a “willing” layman to build ministry in three cities.
APPLICATION:
The ‘1’
God cares so deeply for the One. To Who and How am I ministering? I pray I will have God’s filter on and not my own. That as I go about my days I will be “heavenly focused” and eyes for God’s ‘1’--who may seem ‘unlikely’-- as Pastor Levi shared in his Powerful teaching several weeks back—
For this VERY “1” that God sees—their tender heart—has within them the possibility to change lives as they carry the Gospel message [they themselves have received] as partners in our work.
“So it happened, when they had come, Samuel looked at Eliab [the eldest son] and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:6-7 NLT)
God is in the business of redeeming and restoring the unlikely—that the Glory may belong to Him Alone. (Luke 19:1 Story of Zacchaeus)
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus,
Your heart is so tender for those that are humble and truly seeking You. You Know ALL things. You Spoke the world into creation. Everything is in complete submission to Your Will. May I hear and be in Complete Obedience to Your Will. As I get older I am more aware of time getting shorter—and although none of us know our hour—I pray I will set my eyes towards heaven—that I will have Your lens—that eternal Life with You will FILL my thoughts and I will not get bogged down by daily annoyances that seek to distract me. Your faithfulness has proven itself over and over and over in my life. My Confidence is IN You. I pray for More workers to GO into your ripe harvest field. In Jesus Name. amen.
Tina L Kudelka
“So God has given both HIS promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This HOPE [Jesus] is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us right through the inner curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” (Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT)
Colossians 2 - 5.3.23
Scripture
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Observation
Paul gives encouragement to the church in Colosse that can serve as an encouragement to us today. It's all about Jesus Christ!
Application
Remain in Jesus. Live lives in Him, be built up in Him, and be thankful.
As we remain in Him, a grateful heart will naturally flow as a result. Let us stay connected in relationship to the Source of all power and continue to remain in Him. Apart from Him we are nothing.
““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord, You give us purpose, meaning, life, breath, and our being. Thank You Jesus for your faithfulness and continued providence and sustenance in this life. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi