Scripture:

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

Observation:

“whatever grievances” - Ugggghhh. That’s hard to do. Whatever it is that someone has done to wrong me. I have to forgive. Whatever someone has said. Whatever they have done. They are worth forgiving. Like I said…Ugggghhh. But how can I deny them forgiveness when I’ve been forgiven of so much. The Lord himself has forgiven me. He didn’t have to…but he did…and he went even further by laying down his life for mine.  That’s true love. True forgiveness. I can at least forgive my neighbor, friend, parent, spouse, kid, co-worker.

Application:

Start small. But start. Forgive one person today. Just choose one off your list. You know you have a list! Reflect on all you have been forgiven of…and forgive.

Prayer:

Forgive me Lord…for being so unforgiving. Create in me a clean heart and cause me to forgive others. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” Colossians 3:11

Observation:

There are two sides to this verse. In our sin we are all the same. No one is better than the other. Your sin is not worse than my sin. My sin is not worse than yours. We are all sinners…all the same.

On the other side…in Christ we are all the same as well. Forgiven. Set free. Reconciled and Justified. My rescue is no more important than yours and yours is no more important than mine. In Christ we are all the same. Saved. No one is better than another.

Application:

This is hard to live by. We all compare ourselves to one another all the time. But in truth we are all the same. Before and after we meet Jesus. We are sinners…then sinners saved by grace. All the same. I need to remember each day I’m no better than anyone else.

Prayer:

God remind me today of my sinful state. Forgive me when I look down on others…forgetting my own sin. Restore me in Christ…I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

Observation:

This is a simple reminder of what’s really important. Not the things of this earth but the things of heaven. I’m also reminded that this just doesn’t automatically happen as I wake up each day. I have to “set” my mind on the things of heaven. It’s something that I must choose each day.

Application:

As usual I have a choice…and my choices matter. They matter now…and they will matter to my future. I need to more carefully consider my choices to determine the impact they will have now and the impact they will have for eternity.

Prayer:

God help me to choose you and the things of you each day! Don’t allow this world to draw me away from what matters most…You and your kingdom. Use me today…with the things I set my mind on…to influence this world for Your glory!

Scripture:

“These are all destined to perish with us, because they are based on human commands and teachings.” Colossians 2:22

Observation:

What a great way to describe legalism. “based on human commands and teachings”

Following Jesus is not about following rules or commands…or even teachings. It’s about loving Jesus.

Now that of course means that if you genuinely love Jesus you will want to follow HIS commands and teachings. Obedience is always coupled with love.

Application:

Love…Obedience. In that order and for that reason. Obey because you love. Not because you want to be a better person. Know and love the best person of all…Jesus.

Prayer:

Jesus I love you…because you first loved me. Thank you that you were obedient to your Father’s commands. Even to the point of death. I want to follow you in the same way…motivated by love…resulting in obedience! Not based on human commands and teachings but all because of love. I pray in your name, Amen.

Scripture:

“having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.”  Colossians 2:14

Observation:

Everything was nailed to the cross. Jesus took it all with him to Calvary.  My sin. My need to fix myself. My unrighteousness. It all was laid on him. The law was evidence that we could never measure up. I’m glad for that! Jesus is my substitute and perfect sacrifice.

Application:

Why do I continue to carry the weight of my sin? Trying to continually fix myself instead of relying on Jesus perfect sacrifice on my behalf. It’s done. Nailed to the cross. All of it. Live today free from bondage. Free from guilt. Free from my own need to make things right.

Prayer:

Jesus you are all sufficient. I rejoice in the cross. In your FINISHED work! In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

“having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Observation:

Baptism is a fitting picture of what has already happened in the life of the believer. We have been buried. Dead to sin. Dead to our former way of life. Now just as Christ was risen from death…our lives have been raised as well. New creations. New life. No longer in bondage to sin and death.

All as a result of something that has already happened before we ever enter the water…”faith in the power of God”. The very same power that brought Jesus back to life!

Application:

If you are a follower of Christ…remember today your “baptism”. Let it remind you of what you used to be…and what you have been saved from! Now live today as a new creation. Alive by the very power of God!

Prayer:

God I will never forget the day I went into the water. Remind me each day of who I used to be…and who you have now remade me to be! May my faith in your power increase each day. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

“So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”. Colossians 1:6-7

Observation:

“continue to live in him” - Salvation is just the beginning. We must continue to live in him…allowing his Spirit to sanctify us daily.

“rooted and built up” - rooted in Him, built up in Him. Again…Salvation is just the beginning…. Real life begins in Christ…continues in Christ…goes on to eternity in Christ.

“strengthened in the faith” - we must never stop learning…who God is…who Christ is…who we are to be.

“overflowing with thankfulness” - If you’re not thankful…your not trying! I’m thankful for all Jesus has done for one so underserving as I am.

Application:

I need to begin each day in Christ, continue each day in Christ, end each day in Christ…and be thankful for it all!

Prayer:

Thank you Jesus for beginning the beginning and the end. The alpha and the omega! Today…what is left of it, as well as what has already passed belongs to you. Help me to live each day in this truth! In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

Observation:

“encouraged in heart” - Paul is a pastor at heart. His heart is to build up and encourage those under his care.

“united in love” - Paul’s desire is that they are united under Christ. His love should be evident in all.

“complete understanding” - of Christ! They have no need for anything other false knowledge or understanding. In Christ is found everything they need.

Application:

Be encouraged today if you know Christ and are united under his love. You are not alone. You have everything you need. There is no need to look anywhere else for your soul’s rest. Rest in Christ.

Prayer:

God you are all sufficient for me. I am encouraged in heart today…united under your love. All I need to know is you! I rest in you today…everyday.  I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:28-29

Observation:

We - It’s our job. Not anyone else’s. Ours.

Proclaim - Someone has to say something.

Him - Nothing else. Jesus alone. What more needs to be said?

Even the power and energy needed to proclaim Christ comes from Christ. Paul makes that clear in vs. 29 - “his energy”, “works in me”.

Application:

What will you proclaim today? Him? Or something else? Will you work under your own power and energy or His? Draw upon his power to speak of Him. Nothing else needs to be said. But make no mistake…it needs to be said!

Prayer:

Fill me to overflowing! I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture:

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.”  Colossians 1:25-26

Observation:

God has given Paul a ministry. A ministry to the present the word. What a great calling. His calling is rooted in the right things as well. Jesus suffering on the cross. The church’s responsibility to reach a lost world.

Paul understands the need to build up the church and reach the world. It’s a balanced calling. Ultimately he is a servant. A servant of God. A servant of the church. A servant to the lost.

Application:

Are you a servant of God? A servant of the church? A servant to the lost? You don’t have to be a pastor to receive a calling similar to Paul’s.  You just have to be willing!

Prayer:

Praise God in Christ for his suffering on our behalf. May this truth spur me on to serve him, serve his people, and serve a lost and dying world! I pray in Jesus name, Amen.