Colossians
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You that to know You is to experience change and transformation in my life! I praise You that because of Your great love for us, You would not leave us in a state of sin. I pray that as I go about this day that You will fill and empower me by the Holy Spirit to live the victorious life that You intend for me, that I will be more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves me. Glorify Yourself in my life today, by guiding my every thought, word, and action. Use me to bring about change in others lives through the Holy Spirit’s presence in mine. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Colossians 1:1-6
1This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
2It is written to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
May God our Father give you grace and peace.
3We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God’s people. 5You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven—as you have been ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. 6This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard and understood the truth about God’s great kindness to sinners.
Reflecting on God’s Word
What is the single, biggest change that knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord has brought to your life?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
According to Paul, how extensive was the travel of the Good News at this time? (1:6)
What impact was the Good News having in people’s lives? (1:6)
How did this compare with the impact in Colosse? (1:6)
Understanding God’s Word
What do we learn about the impact of the Good News of Jesus’ salvation from today’s Scripture reading?
How does Paul’s record of what the Good News was doing in the world in his day compare with what it is doing in ours?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
What does today’s Scripture reading call you to do right now?
Thoughts...Changing Lives Everywhere...
Wherever the Good News of Jesus has been shared and believed, the result has been changing lives! The Good News is not just information. It is not just thoughts, ideas or philosophy. The Good News of Jesus is a message of transformation, that brings the reality of God to individuals lives. Jesus died on the cross to take away sin and death, and to offer eternal life in their places. When we once understand this—not just intellectually, but in our hearts as well as our minds, the result is a changing life. Christianity spread like wildfire through the known world of Paul’s day, because folks received the truth of Jesus amazing salvation into their lives, and lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. The same opportunity is available for people today. As Jesus’ followers our lives are different in kind than an unbeliever’s life. When people see that change, and ONLY when they see that change, will they want the transformation as well. The best witness we can offer today to glorify Jesus is a changed life. When people see the change, then they will want to hear about its cause. May our lives open doors for sharing Jesus!