Colossians 3 - 7.28.25

Scripture:

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation

Paul speaks to the church in Colossae about what living a changed life in Christ looks like. In verses 5-8, they are told what to put to death and then in verses 12-14, they are told

what to put on instead, to replace the old life.

In verse 2, it is a basic summary on how they will be able to put on the correct identity and that’s by focusing their minds and hearts on eternity, not on this world.

Application

Live in our NEW identity, not the OLD.

I think it’s interesting how all of the traits that we need to put on (even those we need to put off) has to do with our character and heart. True and lasting compassion, kindness, humility, love and forgiveness does not come from something learned outside of ourselves. It comes from our heart. It’s impossible to make those changes in and of ourselves. It can work temporarily, but not in the long run.

Therefore, the first step in putting on the right “clothes” is to focus on Jesus; to set our minds not on our temporary, earthly dwelling place, but rather, our eternal dwelling in Heaven with Him. Once our hearts are aligned with His and we are aware of how He chose us and loves us dearly, the overflow will always be us putting on the correct “clothes.”

We work for Jesus and must represent Him well. We are His servants not just at church, but even while we work our jobs in the marketplace; while we do chores at home; while we take care of our kids and spouses; while we interact with our friends, family and neighbors; and even while we scroll/post on social media!

“And WHATEVER you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” -Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for choosing us and loving us so much! Help us Holy Spirit to always be clothed with Your compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love, instead of everything else that You have described as idolatry in Your Word. Change our hearts and minds to focus on the eternal and not on temporary things here on earth. All things will pass. You won’t allow anyone or anything to take Your place.  I pray we would focus on You and spend time with You daily through Your Word and Worship so that we wouldn’t fall into the enemy’s traps. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Mark 16 - 7.25.25

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

 “1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

Observation:

The ladies had followed the soldiers and Joseph to see where they were burying Jesus.  They had to wait until the Sabbath was over to complete the traditional burial anointing.  They knew there was a large stone that they could not move themselves.  They wondered how they could move it, but went anyway.  They had faith and determination.

When they saw the stone was rolled away they looked in the tomb and saw an angel.  He mentioned Jesus by name and said, “He is Risen! He is not here.”  Then told them to go tell the disciples and Peter the news and to go to Galilee and they all would see him.  The ladies were so afraid they fled trembling and did not tell anyone immediately.  We know they did.  Mathew tells us as they decided to go, Jesus met them on the way, Mathew 28:9-10.  John’s Gospel in chapter 20:1-18 gives us even more details.  It states how Mary went and told the disciples.  John and Peter ran to the tomb. They see the angels and get the message that he is risen.  Mary followed them and after they left she cried at the tomb the angels asked her why.  Then she turns and Jesus is there.  She thinks he is the gardener.  He asked her the same questions, “Why are you weeping, whom are you seeking?”  He says her name and she realizes it is Jesus.

The ladies were being obedient to their custom and desiring to honor Jesus by anointing his body.  This would be impossible because of the stone and guards.  Maybe they though the guards would have pity and move it?  Going there with the guards there was a risk. They received a huge honor and blessing themselves.  They were the first to hear the news Jesus had risen from the dead and see Him themselves.

Application:

This is an excellent reminder that as Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Mathew 19:26

I want to remember when I purpose to obey and honor God, He will remove the things that appear to block my way.

Choosing to honor God will cause me to see him.  I may not see Jesus physically as the ladies did, but God’s presence and evidence of His working are all around us.  He also sends people to our aid as I’ve heard it said as Jesus with skin on.  

I want to walk in a way that acknowledges He is with me and be mindful of honoring Him.

Prayer:

Lord, Thank you for your presence being with me always.  You are able to remove any barrier .  Please help me to remember that and take steps of faith in the right direction even when it looks impossible.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit that leads and guides me.  Thank you that I can see your handiwork in creation and be reminded of your goodness.  

You have called me by name and have a plan for my life.  May my life be one that is determined to honor you, no matter the cost like Mary and the other ladies.

Amen

- Cindy Howard

Mark 15 - 07.24.25

SCRIPTURE 

Mark 15:15-20 NIV

“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate…had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be—crucified. The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on HIM, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again—-they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify HIM.”

OBSERVATION

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of political rebellion,  which was Pilate’s primary concern. He also recognized that this was a frame-up. “Pilate realized that it was out of jealousy over Jesus’ popularity that the Chief Priests wanted Jesus crucified” (vs 10). However, Pilate did not want a riot on his hands,  and it was clear that the crowd,  stirred up by the Chief Priests, was turning against Jesus. “Wanting to satisfy the crowd” Pilate had Jesus flogged and handed Him over to be crucified.

The soldiers were given a simple assignment: Jesus was to be flogged then taken to the hill to be crucified. But they had another idea. They wanted to have some fun first.

The flogging was commanded and The crucifixion was ordered—but who draws pleasure out of spitting, beating, and mocking a man who is already half-dead?

Jesus endured a flogging with leather straps that had pieces of lead, bone, and metal at the end of the straps—all meant to tear out pieces of flesh with each lash. Up to 40 lashes were given depending on the severity of the Crime. Flogging almost always preceded crucifixion as they wanted to bring a victim “up to” the point of death—causing the maximum amount of pain and suffering without actually dying.

After the flogging, Jesus entire body was torn open and bleeding, leaving Him in a state of severe physical and mental trauma, shock, and in excruciating pain.

The guards took Jesus back into Pilate’s headquarters. The entire company of soldiers were called in to participate—which could be upwards of two hundred. Someone got the bright idea to weave a crown of thorns for “The King of the Jews” (His Crime) and jam it on his head. They took off his clothes and put a purple robe on him and gave him a Staff to be a scepter. Then they struck Him on the head with the Staff—again and again—while spitting on Him. “They struck Him on the head—again and again”. 

This would have dug the thorns from the crown—into his head—deeper and deeper— with each striking blow. 

All of this had been prophesied: Isaiah had written, “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” “His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human” (Isaiah 50:6, 52:14-53:6)

APPLICATION 

Take every Need to Jesus—HE Knows Your Pain

Why did JESUS suffer Crucifixion on the Cross?

The wages of sin is death. We all have a destination. That destination is hell. We are born in sin and our flesh wants to sin. We are incapable of saving ourselves. We have ALL sinned. And we all continue to struggle with the flesh.

IF we say we have no sin—then we are calling God a liar (1 John 1:10). 

Jesus-being Fully God and Fully Human-came to earth and lived a perfect life. His life was not taken from Him. HE came to earth to freely Give His life as payment for the remission of sins. 

God Loves us and desires relationship with us. But our sin separates us from a Perfect and Holy God.

God is also Just and must punish sin. In His Love God sent His one and only Son-Jesus-to be the ONE time-Perfect Sacrifice. All punishment for ALL sin was laid upon Jesus at the time of His crucifixion.

So anyone who Believes IN Jesus can receive forgiveness for their sins—the forgiveness that Jesus paid in Full—on the Cross.

Jesus conquered death when his body was resurrected. Demonstrating that all who Believe in Jesus will have resurrection life. Death no longer has any sting.

And this IS the GOOD NEWS! 

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)

“After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”  (John 17:1-3 NLT)

TODAY You can Know—that If you have pain that You think no one will ever understand, think about what Jesus suffered. He was flogged and His skin was ripped off of Him. His word says that HE did this SO that we can KNOW that By the stripes of those lashes across His body—we receive Healing. His blood spilled is our Wholeness.

He was spit upon and beaten until He was not even recognizable. Jesus chose this. Not because He enjoyed being abused. Because any pain you suffer—HE Knows Your pain. He understands humiliation, hurt, abandonment. At the Cross He refused the myrrh which was a numbing agent. He experienced every pain for our benefit. At anytime He could have stopped any part of it. But He accepted every part of it for us.

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Forgive me for the times I have asked “where are You in this season”. Forgive me for the times I have doubted the plan, feared, worried, questioned. I am beyond Thankful that You came and did what is so unthinkable and so unimaginable. Thank You for pursuing me. Help me Lord Jesus to Follow Close to You and be obedient To You. I want like Paul to say I am a slave to Jesus Christ. Here I am Lord. Empty me of myself, Fill me with Your Spirit and Use me for Your glory.

Tina L Kudelka