The New Testament
Return to Bible Devotional -> Scripture Prayer ->Mid-week Mini-Worship -> Weekly Bible Books
Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
Dec. 18-23 2023
Enter the presence of the Lord-
(All) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
(Men) clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
(Women) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
(All) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
(Men) the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
(Women) Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom
(Men) psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts
(Women) 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.
(All) Thanks be to God.
(Colossians 3: 12-17, NIV)
Confession:
Lord of our Savior and the Head of the church, you do have a vision of peace and unity for the new human community born out of your own saving work. Yes, we confess that we have the times of indifference, rudeness, pride, impatience, and unforgiveness to each other. We forgot putting off the old self in us and putting on the new self you gave us. May your knowledge through many ways renew us into your image and touch us with your gentle love. So we will say how good and pleasant it is when we dwell in unity and experience your blessing, life forevermore. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Scripture Reading : Colossians (NIV):
1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
1:21-22 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation
2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (2:6-7)
4:2-6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Thoughts to Share: Stay on focus: grow deep and grow mature
The first generation of Christians came to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all kinds of cultural challenges. Their conversions indicated the power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ in calling people out. They did not have the luxury of a well-established and programmed church communities to uphold their peaceful growth from their cradle time. For the Colossian Christians, they received the Gospel from Epaphras. They grew well in faith, love and hope at first. Then some of them were tossed by the all kinds of religious and spiritual stuff around them. They became distracted in the philosophy, empty talk according to the human tradition. They discussed food, drink, festivals, Sabaath, and circumcision. They studied asceticism, angels, and visions.
Paul was very much aware of the struggle of these young Christians. He saw them in need of guidance in two directions - to be rooted and to be built up so that they could stand firm.
1. To be rooted means that they will need to go back the basics- knowing more and deeper about who Christ Jesus was and what he had done from passion Friday to the resurrected morning. We hear-
1) What Christ Jesus had done:
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (1:13-14, NIV))
2) Who Christ Jesus is:
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (1:15-17)
"in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments." ( 2:3-4 )
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." ( 2:9-10 )
3) What relations of Jesus Christ to the Church
"Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (1:18-20)
2. To be built up means that they will need to understand what the Gospel meant to their real everyday life. We hear that they could demonstrate the new lifestyle in relationship-
1) with themselves –
They will put off the old self and put on the new self after the truth and of Jesus Christ
" Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. "(3:1-5)
2) with other fellow Christians –
They are to practice compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, forbearance and pursue love, peace and unity. Let Christ be all and in all.
"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. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 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. "(3:12-17)
3) with outsiders
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (4:5-6)
4) with the kingdom of God plan
" And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should." (4:3-4)
5) with their spouses, and their family-
practice submission and love, obedience and encouragement
"Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." (4:18-21)
6) with their bosses and employees.
Workers, obey your bosses in everything. Treat your work as for the Lord. Do it with sincere heart to the Lord. Bosses, treat your employees justly and fairly. You have Lord over you as the BOSS. (4:22a, 24, 5:1)
By being rooted and built up, the Christian believers will stand firm against the cultural tides or established philosophies. Paul inspires us to not only proclaim and teach the gospel boldly and confidently but also discover the richness and distinctiveness of the Gospel in the light of the fullness of Jesus Christ. Knowing who we believe and what he has done for us will help each of us and each church weather through all confusions imposed by our cultures.
Prayer Suggestions
Christ Jesus, the Head of our church, in all confusions that the world offer us, we are grateful that you are our Lord, Head of our church. You have all fulness of God. You love to fulfill us with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Help us to be rooted in you and be built up in you. So, we know we will stand steady. You are our blessed assurance. Thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.
Prayer Request
Devotional
News
2024-01-3
Free Training Mental Health Initiative for church by Light University
2024-01-3
-info on 2024 Christian Ministry Learning and special grant Opportunities
2024-01-3
-EFC educational workshop
2024-01-3
-Rev.Dr. Samuel Tang Bookroom
2024-01-3
-Church Leadership Podcast
2024-01-3
-free courses at Our Daily Bread Christian University for edifying and serving