Give Glory To God

Colossians 3:1-17 KJV; Do and say that which glorifies God! All thanks belongs to God.

Made Complete

Colossians 2:6-10 KJV; We are made complete in Jesus Christ.

Is It Possible To Truly Forgive Without Christ

Col 3:13 KJV; Is it possible to truly love and forgive one another without the abiding presence of Christ?

Reconciled By His Blood

Colossians 1:12-20 KJV; Reconciled by the blood of Jesus the Christ who is the light sent to the world. 

Walk In Christ; Live Life In Him!

Reading from Colossians 2:6-13 KJV As we have been buried with Christ in baptism; we are also risen with him in new life.

Translated Into The Kingdom Of God

Reading from Colossians 1:1-14 KJV We have been translated into the kingdom of God by faith in the Son of God who is our redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins. We get to live in His presence even today!

We Forgive Because We Cannot Keep The Law

His Will

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;" (Col 1:9 KJV)

Eta is going to put a stop to my morning prayer walk today. I will still pray; but, I will miss the walk. It's raining and the wind is blowing pretty good. It is not terrible; but, not good enough to be walking in either. The last time I took my prayer walk in the wind and rain my umbrella was blown inside out. 

I have found that I can focus more intently on prayer if I am walking outside as I can pray out loud. I can actually have a conversation with God. And... everyday, I pray for all my loved ones and all whom I know some of the same things that Paul prayed for the Colossians: that they might be filled with the knowledge of God's will and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do that will. 

May God grant that our ears and eyes and hearts and minds be open to a greater understanding of His will for us and fill us with the Holy Spirit that we might be inspired and empowered to follow in the way that He would have us go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Confession and Forgivenss

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

                                                                                  (Col 2:10-15 KJV)

The list of sins that I recall during confession every day can get pretty long at times. Sometimes, it is a lone sin that plagues me to the point where it is most difficult to rid myself of the feelings of guilt because I know the potential damage that the words of my lips or my actions can cause unless God will intercede on the behalf of others. There is nothing I can do about it once something is said or done; except to repent and ask God to protect others from my sinful words or actions. I cannot go back and undo the damage I have done. I can go back and apologize and ask forgiveness. I can trust that God is with those whom I might harm (intentionally or unintentionally) and accept that on the cross my sins were forgiven.

Our sins are forgiven. They are washed away by the blood of Christ. However, in spite of this awesome gift from God, we continue to sin. Martin Luther was well aware of this war within us. That old sinful man keeps rearing its ugly head in spite of the fact that we have life in the body of Christ. Martin encouraged us to daily repentance and renewal. In the Small Catechism Martin Luther answers the question:

"What does Baptism mean for daily living?"

It means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

St. Paul writes in Romans 6: "We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Rom 6:4)

None of us are without sin. May God help us to remember that it is not just others who might be in need of daily repentance; but, each of us should recognize what our sinful natures are capable of; repent; and be renewed by faith in the one who lived and died and yet lives for and through us.

When your sins plague you with feelings of guilt; remember that Jesus died so that your sins might be forgiven. Remember that as you have been buried with him in baptism you have also risen with him through faith. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Give Thanks To God Our Father

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Col 3:17 KJV)

Now, isn't that just a novel idea! That is: doing everything in the name of Jesus and giving thanks to God our Father! Living with thankful hearts and minds is a  much more peaceful way to live than being angry and frustrated that you can't have or do what you want all of the time. 

It may sound cliche'; but, just maybe it's time to look around you and give thanks for what you do have and for the people in your life who actually care about you. So often, so many people gravitate towards those who feed their egos. But, when their own egos are no longer being fed by being in relationship with you, they will turn on you in the blink of an eye.

Do everything with the loving heart of Jesus and give thanks to God your Father in heaven then you will know the true joy of living! 

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Knowledge Of His Will

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;" 

                                                                                               (Col 1:9 KJV)

There you have it: a prayer not only for the people that surround us; but, a prayer that will give us all more peace.

Wouldn't it be so nice if everyone could have the mind of God, to know His good will, that all dissensions would just disappear? I hope; I pray, for this so often. But, there will always be those who reject God's Word and His will. There will always be those who prefer their false gods and so life will continue on with challenges and troubles of every sort. But, that should not stop us from praying that others might know the love and the will of God. Who knows what miracles God might bring about!

"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. "

                                                                                            (Rom 15:5-8)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sing Psalms, Hymns, And Spiritual Songs

Sometimes, it seems, we can share the Word of God and His love with all that we have in our inner being; but, it reaches deaf ears. It is met with rudeness and even anger. There are many who just do not know how to react to genuine love.

What to do about this? We are to continue sharing the Word with all who will listen. Do not be afraid of slander or any kind of vicious attacks. Rather, continue to: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God." Col 3:15 NRSV

Remember that you are a child of God and He will be with you always, no matter what befalls you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Kind

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.." 

                                                                                         (Col 3:12-15 KJV)

We are not to be doormats. We are to stand firmly on the truth, which is the Word of God. Jesus, and in the end his disciples, did not back down from the truth. They stood firmly on God's Word and on His promises.

But, neither are we to be bullies asserting our rights over the rights of others. Paul encourages the Colossians to treat one another with compassion and kindness. We are to try to have empathy for others; to, as the saying goes: "walk a mile in the shoes of others." We are to listen to all sides with humility; humbling ourselves so that we do not put our desires over the needs of others, and with empathy so that we can act with compassion and kindness to those who are suffering.

May God reconcile us to Himself and to one another, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord's Or The World's Way?

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

                                                                                   (Colossians 2:6-9 KJV)

I have heard often that the government tells us something is good for us and years later I hear that it is not. Some things we are told are bad and later we find out that they are actually good for us.

There are lots of stories about how certain things are good for you and others  things are okay for you to participate in. Some of these stories are akin to fake news. What seems good to the world is not necessarily good. Sometimes those things which are purported to be good are really just out there so someone can make a name for themselves; profit from it; or even justify their own sinful natures.

The voices from the world around us recommending what is good and what is bad come from many directions. They often contradict each other or themselves at a later date. Fortunately, we live in a country where we can make most of the choices for ourselves. It is imperative that as we are being told what is good for us by the world, that we listen to the word of God so that we do not end up doing that which is contrary to the word of God and hurting ourselves and others.

We do have the word of God! Listen to him! As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him!

Gift thanks for we have received a great gift! Give thanks for life in Christ!  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

For your own sake and the sake of others, live in him! Live in His Way!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Kind

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (Col 3:12 NRSV) 

As the saying goes, "if you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem." There is enough natural trouble in the world without adding to it. There is much suffering due to incurable diseases. Multitudes are homeless. Natural disasters are common and when they happen people often find that they have lost everything that they own.

Most of us feel empathy towards those who are suffering. What do we do about it? Do we look away? Do we continue to cause more suffering with divisions and strife over trifling things? Do we insist on our own way even when that way is damaging to others as well as the world around us?

If we can't get along well enough to be part of the solution; then we are a part of the problem. 

Be compassionate and kind, serving one another with humility. That might be a good start to having less suffering in the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Clothe Yourself With Good Things

"As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." Col 3:12 NRSV

We are not to be doormats. We are to stand firmly on the truth, which is the Word of God. Jesus, and in the end his disciples, did not back down from the truth. They stood firmly on God's Word and on His promises. 

But, neither are we to be bullies asserting our rights over the rights of others. Paul encourages the Colossians to treat one another with compassion and kindness. We are to try to have empathy for others; to, as the saying goes: "walk a mile in the shoes of others." We are to listen to all sides with humility; humbling ourselves so that we do not put our needs over the needs of others, and with empathy so that we can act with compassion and kindness to those who are suffering.

May God reconcile us to Himself and to one another, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Your Life In Jesus

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2:6-7 NRSV)

What is the sense of receiving Jesus Christ and then not living in him? If you acknowledge and receive him as your savior; they why would you turn your back on the privilege of living in him? What could possible be worth more than being united with Jesus?

The world really has nothing better to offer than Jesus. But, in Jesus, we can live life in the world in a much more peaceful place.

If he's good enough for you want to be with after death takes you from this world; then he ought to be good enough to live with and in now. Live life in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lead The Way

"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."  (Col 1:9-12 NRSV) 

We pray for one another. But, what do we pray for? 

I know that I pray for a lot of people for a lot of things. Some of the things I'm asked to pray for sometimes seem a bit worldly to my senses. That does not stop me from praying for them. I include in all of my prayers that their ears, their hearts, and their minds might be opened so that they might know God's will for them. I pray that they will have a better understanding of the way in which God would have them go and that God would empower them to follow in that way.

I know of no greater gift that one could have than to be able to live the life that God intends for them; today and for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Prayer and Proclamation; Don't Forget Praise!

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
                          Col 4:2-6 NRSV

Prayer, praise, and proclamation; that is my evangelism strategy. As Paul closes his letter to the Colossians he reminds us to be diligent in prayer and proclamation. Devote yourself to prayer. Pray that God will open doors for the message so that mystery of Christ may be proclaimed. We don't need a program. We just need the grace of God in order to do His will.

Years ago, my congregation was involved in a multi-congregation effort to do more evangelism. We met quite a few times to talk about evangelism among ourselves. As I drove home with two of the congregation's "delegates" to this consortium, we discussed the fact that we were driving quite a distance and spending an awful lot of time talking about evangelism and not actually doing any evangelism.

The truth be told we had these many meetings and had come to the conclusion that we were not of like minds. Leaders from various congregations did not trust one another; everyone seemed to have different and personal agendas, and we were not working well together. We talked a lot at every meeting; but, we never actually got to the point of proclaiming the mystery of Christ. We never got around to doing any evangelism. We had been too busy trying to figure what kinds of evangelism programs would work best. On that drive home we agreed that we already knew in our hearts what we needed to do.  That we would quit wasting time, energy and financial resources talking about evangelism. We were determined to get back on track and put our time and energy into doing the ministry we had received from the Lord. Rather than just talk about it, we would get on with the business of evangelists: praying, praising God, and proclaiming the Good News through both word and deed. We presented this to the council. The motion was approved. By the grace of God, we continued to grow both in Christ and in numbers.

The growth that happened though, did not happen because of one or two or even three people. In this closing section of Paul's letter; he reminds us that he had many co-workers in the gospel. They proclaimed the Good News with one heart and mind. Those who heard the Gospel were encouraged to share it with others. There were no special programs. They did not discuss strategies. By God's grace, they prayed that God would open doors and proclaimed the mystery of Christ clearly to the glory of God. And... the church continued to grow both in Christ and in numbers.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Angels

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 

                                                                                  (Col 2:18-19 NIV)

So what about angels? Every now and then I am jolted by the reality that someone I know depends on angels more than they depend on Jesus. They pray to the angels to protect them. Why ask the angels? Why not ask the Lord to send his angels to protect you. God is in charge of angels. He directs them. He sends them out.

Just because something or someone exists in the spiritual realms does not mean that we should worship them or put our trust in them. Angels are created beings. We do not worship the creature. Rather, we worship and put our trust in the one who has charge over the spiritual realms; the one who created the spiritual realms; the one who created all things.

Angels have many purposes. Some are messengers. Some have been deliverers of God judgment. Some are ministering spirits. Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptations by the devil in the wilderness. Angels are beings created by God to serve according to God's will not our will.

Do I believe that angels exist? Of course, I believe that. But, I do not put my faith in them. We cannot serve two gods. Angels are not creators. They are created beings. Angels did not die for you. Jesus did. By worshipping and honoring angels; by lifting them up and trusting in them more than we do Christ, we lose the connection we have with the head, from whom the whole body grows, who is Jesus the Christ. We are to worship the one who has charge over angels and not the angels.

God's Peace - Pr. J