Colossians 3 - 2.7.24

Scripture

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16, KJV)

Observation

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.."  In Chapter 3 of Colossians, we are given practical instructions on how to live a Christian life. First of all, prioritize and seek the things of God (verses 1-2). Put to death the sinful cravings that do not glorify God (verses 5 to 9). Put on God's nature and love and forgive each other (verses 12 - 14). This is followed by instructions on how to order ourselves in the family and workplace that God has placed us - wives to submit to their husband's leadership, husbands to love their wives, children to obey their parents, and employees to to do their work as to God and not their bosses (verses 18 - 22). For us to be able to do all this, we need to be rooted in Him, and have the word of Christ dwell in us richly.

Application

We need to be filled with God's word everyday. We need to abide in Him, and let his words abide in us. That is the secret of answered prayer (John 15:7). God's word is milk for his children, without which we cannot grow (1 Peter 2:2). God's word is meat for us, that gives us sustenance (Heb 5:14). To live a life that pleases God, we need to be filled with God's word and God's spirit every single day. It takes effort, obedience and discipline to allow God's word to dwell in us richly. That means spending time with God reading his word and praying everyday. Let that be a non-negotiable priority in our life.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that your word will dwell in me richly. Help me to make time with your word a priority so that your word will go deep into me, and I will be rooted and grounded in your word. Help me  to seek you first. I pray that you will help me to be consistent and obedient in seeking you. May your will and purpose be fulfilled in my life. In Jesus's Name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Colossians 2 - 2.6.24

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians 2:8-10  “Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.  For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, Who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

OBSERVATION:  Paul was dealing with the hearsay that had crept into the Colossians church.  It appears that false Jewish teachers had been attempting to convince the Colossian believers that salvation was based on more than grace through faith.  Paul indicated that most of the Colossian believers had resisted this wrong doctrine, but he was still very concerned and encouraged them to be on guard and remain true to what they had been taught so they could remain firm in their faith. 

APPLICATION:  One way to allow our spiritual roots to grow deep is by hearing, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.  The more we know the truth of God’s Word, the easier it becomes to identify false teachings. We are taught that the door of salvation is open to all people, but unfortunately there will be some who will ultimately reject the gospel message.  Since Jesus is the ONLY way to God, this means that the ones who reject Jesus and deny He is Lord will be choosing to be deprived of God’s saving grace; salvation. 

One of many false teachings I’ve heard is that there is no hell, because a loving God would never send anyone to hell!  God is a loving God, but He is also a just God, and because He’s just, He MUST PUNISH SIN!  The punishment for sin is DEATH! (Separation from God!). God Who created us and loves us has given us a very important message, and He has revealed HIS ONE AND ONLY PLAN OF SALVATION, which states that if we confess Jesus is Lord, and believe that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.

The law does not save us, religion does not save us, our good works do not save us, but… “EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord WILL BE SAVED.”  (Romans 10:9,10,13).

PRAYER:  I pray we will KNOW the truth of God’s Word so that we will be quick to DISCERN what is NOT the truth. I also pray, that as we have heard and responded to God’s plan of salvation, that we in turn will reciprocate by sharing His message with others so that they can come to know the truth of what Jesus has done for them! I pray we will go out, be prayed up, and filled up with all the love and courage God has given us to boldly proclaim His love and truth to them.

- Robin Orefice

Colossians 1 - 2.5.24

Scripture

Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT

”For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.“

Observation

Paul and Timothy are writing the church in Colosse. They are writing to encourage them to continue to live godly lives. They are writing to tell them how they are thankful for them and how they are continuously praying for them. They want to encourage them to stand firm and stay strong in the faith they have in Jesus. They must remain strong in telling others about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Application

The greatest love story ever told…the story of Jesus. ❤️

It’s such a simple yet beautiful message. That God loves us so much, that He humbled Himself to become man. He left the comforts of Heaven. He came to earth and showed us how to live. He chose to serve and not be served. He lived a sinless life, and yet He died a sinners death. He willingly laid His life down on the cross to pay for the world’s sins. So now everyone who puts their faith in Jesus, and turns from their sinful way of living, is now reconciled to a Holy God.

‭”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.“-John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭

It’s a message that this world desperately needs to hear right now. It has the power to save lives. It has the power to change lives. Paul has seen it firsthand with the church in Colosse. He has seen it personally with his own life. Who do we know can benefit from hearing the gospel message of Jesus today?

Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your endless love for me. You left Your home in Heaven, so that I can have a home in Heaven. You became poor, so I can be rich. You died for me, so I can live with You. You have given us the perfect love story to share with others. I pray that I can do my part and tell others about the love You have for them. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi