These devotionals will serve as a guide for your time with the Lord
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Opening Prayer
-- Song: "Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God"
Devotional #34: "Paul Rejoices in Suffering"
Scripture
Colossians 1:21-2:5 (ESV)
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Devotional #34: "Paul Rejoices in Suffering"
The Christian can suffer for the gospel only when they behold its beauty. Paul says, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake…” (Colossians 1:24). When the Christian sees Christianity as only a routine to be followed, or a set of rules to adhere to, our suffering becomes burdensome. But Paul can rejoice in his sufferings because he understands the beauty of Jesus. We see the power of the resurrected Christ flow through our lives and the life of the Church. We eagerly long for Jesus, “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) to be made complete in us. As Paul says with all conviction, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18). Or as Tim Keller aptly state in his book, “Walking with God through Pain and Suffering--” “But resurrection is not just consolation — it is restoration. We get it all back — the love, the loved ones, the goods, the beauties of this life — but in new, unimaginable degrees of glory and joy and strength.”
We need to pray for our hearts may be amazed by the gospel. Let us pray for ourselves and one another. Questions
Devotional #35: "Paul Fills Up What Is Lacking In Jesus"
Scripture
Colossians 1:21-2:5 (ESV)
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Devotional #35: "Paul Fills Up What Is Lacking In Jesus"
Paul says, “I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” At first glance, we may think that Jesus’ death and resurrection is not sufficient to save. Does Jesus’ death really pay for ours sins once and for all? Do we need Jesus plus something else to be saved? The answer to these questions is a resounding “No!” Paul is speaking about the outworking of the gospel being demonstrated to all who did not personally know Jesus. Paul and every one of us are the “letters” (2 Corinthians 3:3) that the world reads to know Jesus. Not only our words, but our actions declare that saving power of the gospels. If a Christian declares that they know Jesus but is unwilling to bear the afflictions, then our witness is either weakened or discredited. As God’s people our default should not be to run away from the hard things of the gospel, but to run towards them. With all wisdom, let us show the world, that we will sacrifice and suffer for our Savior and for their salvation. As Jesus Himself says in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they prosecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11,12).
Questions
Devotional #36: "Make the Gospel Known"
Scripture
Colossians 1:21-2:5 (ESV)
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Devotional #36: "Make the Gospel Known"
If you want to grow an apple tree, you must plant apple seeds. And if you want to see the fruit of the gospel, you must plant the good news of Jesus. Often, we forget that the gospel is not only something that changes us inwardly, but it is also a power that compels us to declare this ministry of reconciliation within and without the church (2 Corinthians 5:11-15). We long to see people come to faith in Jesus! We eagerly help our brothers and sisters to grow in His likeness! Our joy comes in planting the seeds of the gospel and to see that gospel transform His people. I am confident that God has placed many people in your life to help in this endeavor. May we share the good news of Jesus with everyone, and may the Lord mature our church in His love, grace, and mercy.
*Pray that God may open your eyes to the people in your life. They all need you to share and demonstrate the gospel to them.
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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