Suggested clothing to be in style

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved cloth yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Clothes are very important to many fashion minded people and because of that clothing stores abound and designer names carry weight to the fashion minded.  However, who we are is identified by our wardrobe displaying our inner self.  This passage certainly suggests every Christian’s wardrobe.  The difference between our closet wardrobe and our inner self wardrobe is huge.  One displays something purchased while the other displays our heart.  The heart display is far more important than the closet display.  Let’s all wear the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Very simple, yet very hard

Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” God expects us to enjoy our life on this earth and live a life dedicated to Him as we use our talents serving Him and our fellow man.  But, our minds are always looking forward to a glorious future living with Him in Heaven.  If we live only for earthly pleasure and gain, we will live a very disappointing life.  We will leave this earth saying the well known words—is that all there is?  If we live thanking our God for all our blessings we will leave this earth saying the well known words—praise be to God, Heaven is my home.

A warning

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” The world is full of philosophies which might or might not include correct man’s thinking and some moral thoughts.  Man is easily fooled into thinking, especially in America, where we highly value freedom of life which includes freedom of thought.  As Christians we have to evaluate all philosophy as to whether it is God thinking or simply man thinking.  Man thinking might have some value but certainly not the absolute truth God wants us to make our own.

Really —Perfect? How?

Colossians 1:22-23a “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—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Because of our Savior you and I are forgiven when we confess we need forgiveness and become faith filled loved adopted children of God.  The difficult to understand truth happens–we become perfect before God and are heirs to eternal life.  Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection become wonderful celebrations.  Santa Claus and the Easter bunny only become distractions from the real meaning of Christmas and Easter. Have a great weekend.

Applicable prayer

Colossians 1:10b-11 “…bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.,” Our obligation to our loving God is to do good works.  Our obligation is to study His Word and gain knowledge.  Our God is the One who gives each of us endurance and patience so that perseverance becomes our middle name.  What a privilege it is to honor and serve our Magnificent God.

How to live life

 Colossians 1:9-10p “…We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you might live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way…” Our author wrote a prayer which could apply to all of us.  We are all to live lives serving God and asking ourselves–are we doing the will of our God or serving our own will.  Unfortunately, you and i need to be constantly reminded who to serve.  We should always seek the knowledge and wisdom only God can provide.  Contentedness comes from our God.  Peace and wisdom come from God.  Every Christian desires all 3.

Faith and growth

Colossians 1:5-6parts “…faith…about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you.  In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world…” A belief and total trust in God with zero doubt is a definition of faith as a Christian sees faith and as God describes faith should be.  The people described in Colossians had such a faith.  You and I should have the same.  That faith allows us to enjoy the Gospel story.  We therefore enjoy studying Scripture for therein lies the sweet Gospel story.  We always want to learn what our God has to teach.

Subject of a prayer

Colossians 1:3 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people” You and I have to ask ourselves — could this verse apply to us?  The people being referred to had to be faith filled.  They gave our God what He wants—their hearts.  We ask ourselves—Are we giving God what He says matters to Him–our hearts?  He has given us His—now you and I give Him ours. Have a great weekend.

What we all need

Colossians 1:2b “…Grace and peace to you from God our Father.” You and I possess a lot.  We have been blessed tremendously.  We have family.  We have possessions.  We have an abundance of food.  What we have been blessed with is endless.  But, what if we were told we could have only 2 blessings.  Would we be wise enough to choose grace and peace?  Grace–so we can live with a firm foundation which only our Heavenly Father can provide–knowing we live as repentant, forgiven, loved, adopted children of God; and peace–so that we can live with no anxiety or depression or any negative mentality, but rather–relax, breath easily and enjoy all of God’s creation.  Would you say grace and peace would be 2 excellent choices?

Paul’s example

Acts 28:31 “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with boldness and without hindrance!” Paul’s courageous manner is an example for all of us.  We call ourselves Christians and as such we represent our God on this earth.  In all we do we represent our Savior.  Always humble.  Always honest.  Always sincere.  We are never to act any other way.  We are His loved and adopted children.  What an honor that is for all of us.

Unbelievable plot

Acts 23:12-13 “The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.  More than forty men were involved in this plot.” How could a group of mature men be so evil they would lie and conspire against the truths Paul was preaching to people in regard to eternal truths?  These men were united.  They were sincere.  It appears they were willing to die rather than letting God’s grace be known.  You and I have to carefully study our Bible so we are not fooled by seemingly united, sincere and desperate liars.  Always we have to ask—what does God really say?  What is truly truth?  Without studying Scripture we also can be easily fooled.

The thinking of God

Acts 23:21 “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage!  As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.'” God never changes.  You and I have a hard time understanding that because we constantly experience change.  God knows you and I always need His encouragement.  We are often afraid to express our faith.  As God spoke to Paul He speaks to you and me—take courage and tell others about Me–I am with you!  We are never to be afraid of telling others the good news of our loving Savior.