A letter composed by Paul and designed to correct error in the church at Colosse, this epistle contains so many theological truths with which our Christian faith is stabilized. The centrality and exalted relationship of Christ with all believers is a major theme.

Paul’s focus upon Christ’s pre-eminence frames a healthy model for a ministry organization such as Trinity Christian School. We can call Christ our Head. A mortal man or woman may have a similar title, but in essence, Christ Jesus is recognized and consulted as the true Leader through His Word and prayer.

We are “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” [Eph. 2:20]

PRAYER: Lord, Whom have we in heaven but You, and there is none upon earth we desire besides You. You are the Lord of All.

READ: Col. 1-4

Every day, every situation, every challenge, is an opportunity to apply Christian principles to life and thereby “Work out” your salvation. When we work out, we exercise our muscles. When we apply God’s Word to life, we are exercising our ability to be obedient to His commands and thereby become stronger in our Christian witness.

When we are tempted to react in a carnal, sinful manner, we should resolutely say, “I am going to be obedient to God’s Word and give a Godly, spiritual response to this challenge.  I am going to display for everyone how a Christian should act.”

We need God’s grace to pull this off.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You are the source of all life and goodness. Empower us today to show to everyone what a Godly, loving response should look like. We do it for Your glory, not ours.

READ: Phil. 2-4

Paul knew that God would keep working in the lives of new Christians if they would devote themselves to Christ. He also knew the importance of his prayers for them.

Mature Christians and Christian leaders have the privilege of nurturing and strengthening the walk of those younger by praying and teaching . The mature in the faith serve a critical role in the development of the Body of Christ in this way.

Paul said, “Though you may have ten thousand instructors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers.” [1 Cor. 4:15]

PRAYER: (Today we lift up a family who is suffering and grieving deeply over the tragic loss of a little 4 year old boy. Our hearts go out to them in this difficult time of pain and loss.)

Loving Father in Heaven, we bear up this family who are grieving deeply this morning. Send in the comfort of the Holy Ghost and give them the strength they need to walk through this difficult challenge. Lord, You know all things.

READ: Eph. 5,6; Phil. 1

So much of our present culture accents healthy eating, healthy workouts, healthy living etc. The latter portion of Ephesians 4 emphasizes healthy speech.

We have the capacity to issue health and life or death and decay through our own tongue. Let’s Speak Life.

READ: Eph. 1-4

Paul made it clear that we are not saved or made right with God by merely obeying the laws and rules. However, he did say, “How will we know what sin is except by the law?”

Consider our highways. Without rules and laws, we would have chaos.

The law is a Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.

READ: Gal. 4-6

When men try to get what they want from God, they can easily corrupt theology. However, when we seek to please God and consult his word directly, he can impart to us the truth we need to know to live holy lives before him.

I have noticed that listening to the word of God seems to give a greater sense of context than reading it. It’s so easy to pull scriptures out and isolate them when you read. Get from scripture what you need, not what you want.

READ: Gal. 1-3

2 Cor. 11 is a catalog of Paul’s sufferings for the sake of the message God gave him. It is a seemingly incomparable description of human suffering that few can describe. Yet, he saw every such occasion as a chance for the power of Christ to rest upon him. He did not resent the personal price he paid, but rather gloried in his sufferings because he was rewarded with a greater measure of God’s power and Spirit resting upon him and working through his life.

It’s not like we are looking for ways to suffer … no worries, if you give your life to Christ, they will find you.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for bringing us through life’s many challenges and giving us a greater measure of Yourself. You are worth it.

READ: 2 Cor. 10-13

Paul gave instruction to the Corinthian church on how to give to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem by using the Macedonian churches as an example. They gave out of their need. He challenged the Corinthians to give as they were able … not pressured into giving more than they could, but with willing hearts. God loves a cheerful giver.

God doesn’t hold a gun to our head to get us to give. He wants us to maturely respond to opportunities for our abundance to meet the need of the less fortunate.

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

PRAYER; Father, You have blessed us with so much. We open up our hearts and want to be generous to others with the bounty You have favored us with.

READ: 2 Cor. 5-9

Just a few evenings ago a Christian couple with a glowing reputation lost their lives in a tragic car accident. Their daughter had been a valued teacher at TCS.

In the middle of that horror, we pray for comfort from the Holy Spirit for the remaining, grieving family members.

Paul identifies the comfort and mercy depths of God in 2 Cor. 1. It’s the emotional supplement available to us when we experience the pain of life’s trials and challenges. His mercy and sensitivity to our distress is available when we really need it.

Our prayers to the Mayo family.

PRAYER: Father, You’re a good, good father who gives us the comfort we need to endure life. Be with the Mayo family right now. Bring Your comfort through our lives to those around us who are hurting.

READ: 2 Cor. 1-4

Paul gives a key to all ministry gifts when he states, “Build up the church.” If we or anyone else see or use our spiritual gifts for self promotion or aggrandizement, we have erred – we are missing the mark.

A healthy self-test is … “do I benefit from my motives or does the Body of Christ benefit? If we puff up at the expense of the spiritual well-being of fellow Christians, we are getting off track.

Love “Seeks not its own.” [1 Cor. 13:5b]

PRAYER: Lord, above all else I desire to put You first, to worship You alone. I don’t worship myself nor my comfort. I want to be selfless like me Lord Jesus Christ.

READ: 1 Cor. 13-16