These devotionals will serve as a guide for your time with the Lord
Opening Prayer
-- Song: "Lift High The Name of Jesus"
Devotional #25: "Greetings to Colossae"
Scripture
Colossians 1:1-2 (ESV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers[a] in Christ at Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Devotional #25: "Greetings to Colossae"
Paul write’s his letter to the Church in Colossae while in prison at Rome (Acts 25:11). The other four prison epistles are Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. Paul can receive guests during this time and is awaiting his trial to present the gospel to the Roman Emperor.
Paul begins his letter with a greeting. He states that he is an apostle of Jesus since the risen Lord appeared directly to him and called him to the office (Gal 1:15-17). Timothy is with him, helping him to write this letter. Paul addresses the faithful as “saints.” All of God’s people who believe in him are saints. You and I are saints, not because we are perfect, but because the Jesus’ perfect righteousness has been given (imputed) to us. Lastly, Paul greets the church with the words “Grace” and “Peace.” With the knowledge of the Father’s salvific plan these words invoke God’s lavish love and sustenance for His people. Questions
Devotional #26: "Thanksgiving"
Scripture
Colossians 1:3-8 (ESV)
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.[a] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your[b] behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
Devotional #26: "Thanksgiving"
Paul gives thanks for the Church’s faith in Jesus and love for all the saints. This faith and love are Holy Spirit given gifts, unique to the body of Christ; a fruit that can only be produced by the gospel. Both are grounded upon the hope that is laid up in heaven. Faith, hope, and love are intricately intertwined in the Bible. Paul will often highlight one over the other (1 Cor 13), but all three are indispensable in describing the perfection of God’s work of salvation. Love without hope and faith becomes an exercise of futility. Faith without love and hope becomes a misguided trust. And hope without faith and love devolves into delusion. God’s work is always the perfection of faith, hope, and love.
Paul is thankful that the preaching of the gospel has born the fruit of faith, hope, and love among the Colossians. Question
How would you describe faith, hope, and love?
*Without the faithful proclamation of the gospel the Church can not bear the fruit of the gospel. Pray that we can proclaim Jesus without shame.
Devotional #27: "Prayer"
Scripture
Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV)
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Devotional #27: "Prayer"
Have you noticed that what you are thankful for is also what you usually pray for? If we are thankful for good health, we will continue to pray for good health. If we are thankful for success in our careers, we will continue to pray for more success. In fact, what we are thankful for reveals what is most important to our lives.
Paul’s prayer is no different, except that his prayer is fully inspired by the Holy Spirit! Paul is thankful for the work of the gospel at the church in Colossae and so his prayers follow suit. He prays that they would grow in “knowledge” and “wisdom” to please the Lord. He prays that they would bear fruit in every good work. He prays for strength, endurance, joy and thankfulness to accompany the knowledge and deeds as well! Question
What part of Paul’s prayer impressed you the most?
*Use this prayer as a template for your own prayer for others.
Prayer Time
(Closing prayer by head of household) -- Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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These devotionals will serve as a guide for your time with the Lord |
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