Colossians 2

Paul described his passion for the spiritual growth of the saints at Colosse by using the word contend. Other translations say struggle for, engage in conflict over, work hard at, agonize over. These are expressions that express the energy he used in his prayers and efforts to see them grow in Christ and spiritual stability.

Is it possible that we are too laissez faire (willing to just let things take their natural course)? Probably.

Ask God to give you a burden for those on His heart. Then begin praying diligently for their soul.

CONTEND!

Colossians 1

Christ Jesus is not one-third of God. He is the fullness. When you discuss God, you are not wise to use fractions. Christ was all God. The Amplified Bible describes fullness as being the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes.

If you think you have God with no Jesus, you don’t have God. If you have Christ Jesus, you have the Heavenly Father.

He that has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me … and will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself unto him. [Jn. 14:21]

Phil. 4

In his need, Paul was more concerned about the welfare of his disciples than he was about himself. THIS is mature Christianity.

He knew that if his disciples gave to help him in his time of need they would receive a reward at the Judgement Seat of Christ. So, that was his focus … their benefit.

As you grow with Christ and learn His ways, you naturally begin putting others first. You KNOW that Christ will take care of you, whatever your need. I have found this very true in my life.

Phil. 3

So many Christians begin rebuking the devil when they experience suffering. Is it possible they are overlooking the value of suffering?

Paul was well acquainted with sufferings.

• 5 times he received 39 lashes on his back
• 3 times beaten with rods
• pelted with stones once
• shipwrecked 3 times
• floated one whole day and night at sea
• subjected to numerous dangers
• hunger and thirst, hard work and sleeplessness, cold and naked

However, he discovered that he came to know Christ more fully through these sufferings. Rather than resist them, he pressed in to qualify for every opportunity to relate to the way Christ suffered for our sins.

The next time we suffer, we should think about this.

Philippians 2

As we peruse the current media tension over political and health issues, its obvious that a fear of God and reverence for His principles is lacking. Two-faced politicians will give lip-service to an appearance of godliness, but pass legislation that cuts against Biblical teachings.

It’s comforting to know that God has everything on a leash. He merely waits for the condition of civilization to align with His ultimate purposes to reveal His Greatness.

There will be a great “UNMASKING”  of His power and holiness which will compel every living person to bow their knee in submission to Him.  Likewise, every tongue will acknowledge that HE IS LORD over ALL.

Philippians 1

When faced with the consequence of life or death, Paul saw the benefit of both. He concluded that if he was to remain living, it would offer him the chance to continue “fruitful labor” in the work of the Gospel.

For any Christian who faces the end of their life, this can be their prayer … “Lord, I am willing to remain here on earth to serve You so I can continue fruitful labor for You”

If in fact Philippians was Paul’s last letter to the Church, he made his comments from a heart that was resigned to a fate left in God’s hands. Tradition relates that he may have been martyred outside of Rome in 67-8 AD. We thank God for his letters to the churches which provide so much practical wisdom for the Christian life.

Eph. 5,6

Paul reminded that it would go well with you IF you honor your father and mother.

How do we do that?

• We communicate with them frequently to see to their well-being
• We treat them with gratitude and respect, always remembering the commitment they fulfilled in raising us and the support they provided for our needs
• We live our lives in a manner that embraces the enduring values they transferred to us
• We give them acknowledgment of the positive influences they displayed for us
• We seek to impart the same values to our children
• We teach our children to honor and respect them too
• We discretely and graciously assume decision-making when they can no longer do so
• We seek their comfort and happiness when their lives near the end

If you do these things for your parents, chances are your children will do likewise.

Eph. 4

As Paul discusses the analogy that we are Christ’s body here on earth, he makes it clear that each of us has a part to play in its operation.

Can you imagine how difficult life would be without a body part?

God has given each of us a function in His Body. Your spiritual health is vital.

Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  [1 Tim. 4:8]

Eph. 2,3

Paul says our lives are being used as construction materials for God’s building where Christ is the Cornerstone. What do you do if a person you don’t get along with is placed right next to you in the wall? Since we have all come from the same mud and His Holy Love binds us together, how can we tolerate ill will towards a Christian brother or sister. If God is putting us together, who (?!*#) could be working to separate us?

Lord, help us get along.

Ephesians 1

It’s difficult for us to understand God’s control of everything, but HE can make everything conform to the purpose of His will. Does He control every decision we make? No. He gave us a free will. However, He can arrange circumstances to achieve the outcome He desires. It’s His prerogative. He created everything.

This knowledge helps us pray effectively. We can ask in faith because we know He is working everything for the good of those we pray for. For instance, imagine that God has control of all the stoplights on a busy street. He can pinpoint the time a car will arrive at it’s destination even though He wasn’t driving it. We were driving it. Still, He controlled the stoplights and provided the road, the car, the air to breathe, the sunlight to allow us to see.

He’s a big picture God but works out the littlest details in our lives to bring us to Himself.