Welcome back! This is
Day One of our Colossians Devotion where we’ll fix our minds on Christ.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother: To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Colossians 1:1-2 (HCSB)
Golden Nuggets Hidden in the “Insignificant” Verses
I know a woman who would refer to verses like this as “insignificant
Bible verses.” She didn’t feel there was much to be learned, but I beg to
differ. I think we learn some golden nuggets right here in the first two verses
of Colossians.
First, we see that Paul refers to himself as an Apostle. When
we think of the term Apostle, we think it’s a high and lofty position. The word
actually means one sent forth with orders, one who is a delegate, or an
ambassador, in Paul’s case, for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We may not think of ourselves as apostles, but I can tell
you that the Lord has a job for you and for me. We all have Kingdom work to do.
So we need to seek the Lord in that and ask Him, “Lord, what’s my mission for
you today? How would you have me be Your apostle?”
The next point I’d like to emphasize is that Paul talked
about Timothy and the saints at Colossae as His brothers. This shows that the
Lord values unity. Paul valued unity as well. Unity is tremendously important
if we are going to accomplish the Lord’s work.
Do you think of your brothers and sisters in Christ as just
that or others who are just people “out there?” Do you feel that you’re in the
same army fighting for the same cause and the same purpose? Or is there
something that has you dis-unified and butting heads with one another? Think
about this in your families as well as in your churches.
Challenge #1
My challenge for you today is to pray specifically for the
unity of your church. Ask the Lord if there is anything that you personally are
doing that breeds disunity within your congregation. Chances are very good He’ll
impress upon you that all is well and you’re doing okay. That’s wonderful. But
if He pricks your heart, if He prompts you in some way, listen to that. Turn
from it. Fix it. Go develop unity within your church family.
We face an enemy who wants to destroy and tear us down. When
we pose a unified front, we are demolishing strongholds of the enemy in Jesus' name. So let’s walk in unity in our church families and in our relational
families as well.
Challenge #2
Lastly, we see how Paul encouraged the saints with His
words. Seek the Lord and ask Him who He’d have you encourage today. Who needs
an encouraging word? Who needs an uplifting text or email or Facebook post? Ask
who you can lift up with your words today? Then do it.
Thank you for sharing in today’s devotion. Tomorrow we’ll cover
the next few verses of Colossians as we fix our minds on Christ. Please meet me
right back here.
Cathy McIntosh is the author of Victorious: Finding Triumph When Hope Seems Lost. When you can’t see God’s activity in your situation, you might begin to feel hopeless. You’re tempted to doubt His care and involvement in your life because He feels so . . . absent. Victory feels elusive as if God intends it for everyone but you.
But God is never absent. He is as involved in your life today as He was when He protected Queen Esther and the entire Jewish nation from annihilation, and He will bring victory. Click here to purchase.
No comments:
Post a Comment