Colossians
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I praise You for being the God of abundance! You supply everything I need in abundance, whether what I lack is spiritual, emotional or physical. I praise You for sending Jesus into the world to show us exactly who You are, and exactly what You expect of us in our relationship with You. I praise You as well, that while You call me to give myself completely to You, that You don’t call on me to deny myself just to prove my commitment to You, but when You call me to deny myself it is ultimately for my benefit and blessing. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit right now that I may be faithful and obedient in everything You call me to be and do today. Pour Your Holy Spirit into my life that I may glorify You in every way. Use me as You see fit to advance the cause of Your coming Kingdom. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Colossians 2:16-23
16So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself. 18Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial. And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud. 19But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God. 20You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. So why do you keep on following rules of the world, such as, 21"Don't handle, don't eat, don't touch." 22Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. 23These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.
Reflecting on God’s Word
Why do you suppose that Paul uses the image of the “body of Christ” in nearly all of his letters to the churches?
What is the most helpful thing about the image of the body of Christ to you?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Who is not connected to Christ? (2:19) (You may need to re-read yesterday’s Scripture!)
How does Paul say we are connected to Jesus? (2:19)
What happens as we get our nourishment and strength from God? (2:19)
Understanding God’s Word
What does today’s Scripture tell us about Jesus?
What does today’s Scripture tell us about our role in growing as Jesus’ followers?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
What one thing do you need to do according to today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...We grow...
Christians often talk about “growing” in Jesus, or “growing” in the Lord. In today’s Scripture, Paul tells us that we only grow as we are connected to Jesus, and as we get our nourishment and strength from God. This brings to mind the image of the vine and the branches that Jesus offers in John 15. Growing as a Christian is not something that we can force. Only as we stay connected to Jesus, and only as we get our nourishment and strength from God do we grow. We don’t have to “try” to grow. We don’t have to “work” to grow. What we MUST do to grow is stay connected to Jesus! Only as we stay connected to Him do we become stronger and more fully-devoted followers of Jesus. So often we try to find the “formula” or the “discipline” to grow as Jesus’ followers, but often this degenerates into just one more attempt to follow the rules and regulations rather than deepening our relationship with God through Jesus. We are bound to fail in our growth as Jesus’ followers if we do anything other than stay connected to Him and let Him supply the nourishment and strength that leads to supernatural growth!