Colossians 1:9-18
King James Version (KJV)
9 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;
When we think about it, this is about all that we really need of the Lord. We need to have access to knowledge. That he has already provided in the written word. The Bible contains all that we really need to know, so we need to pray for the guidance of the Spirit as we read it. We may want to know more, but what we need is there waiting for us, we just need the wisdom to search in the right places. In our present generation, we have the ability that no one ever had before us. We can turn on a computer, go to “search” and type in a few words from the text, or the subject we want to know more about, and it is there. Test it, go to search and type “baptism.” The computer will answer, what?, why?, examples, commanded by Christ, and everything you need to know. In Acts 8 it is described in detail in the conversion of the Ethiopian official. Everything we really need to know is in the Bible somewhere and often clearly described. Just pray that the Spirit will give wisdom to understand it, and then search it!
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
If we walk with the Lord in all things, others are going to notice, we don’t need to build ourselves up. He will bless accordingly. I can not recall how many times people commented that they missed us when we started attending the early worship service because I was placed on the greeter list at the door. Then it happened again when we changed where we sat. I have often been greeted at the supermarket. Once I was wearing my label which carries the name of the congregation where we worship. On that occasion, we were returning from church and stopped to pick up a perscription of my wife’s that had been refilled.
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
He will deliver us, not from suffering, but from destruction. His hand will be over us it was over Job, even when his own wife told him it was all over for him and his friends spoke only gloom. His wife advised that he should deny God, and his friends accused him of bringing his problems on because he had secret sin. Most illnesses are not brought on by sin, though some can be.
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
It is only through the blood of Christ that we can receive forgiveness. He paid the price for all sins!
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Christ went ahead to clear the way. He died, then arose giving clear evidence of life following our departure from this material world. He was the firstborn in that he was the first to arise from the grave never to die again.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
“All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Mankind says, “Oh, there are many churches, they are only taking different ways to heaven.”
Jesus’ response is, “I will build my church.” in Another place, he said I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” When the scripture says “church”, it means that which was founded in Jerusalem at Pentecost, to which he was adding daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47).
Did he say that there are many churches? Did he say, there are many paths? Not in my Bible, nor in yours either! He doesn’t!
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.
It was of His Son that God said, “Hear ye him!”
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Herein is the danger, if we replace his Word, with our’s, we are in danger of being moved away from the hope of the Gospel. The heart message of the Good News (gospel) is that there is life through Christ who died for our sins, (paid the price for them). The “wages of sin is death.”
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
__________
READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR
OCTOBER
13th Sunday - Jeremiah 30, 31, 1 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:25-32
14th Monday - Jeremiah 32, 33, 1 Thessalonians 4, Psalm 119:33-40
15th Tuesday - Jeremiah 34, 35, 36, 1 Thessalonians 5, Proverbs 25:1-10
16th Wednesday - Jeremiah 37, 38, 39, 2 Thessalonians 1, Psalm 119:41-48
17th Thursday - Jeremiah 40, 41, 42, 2 Thessalonians 2, Psalm 119:49-56
18th Friday - Jeremiah 43, 44, 2 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:57-64
19th Saturday - Jeremiah 45, 46, 47, Titus 1, Proverbs 25:11-20
__________
MEMORY VERSE
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” - 2 Thessalonians 2: 15
__________
SAY THAT AGAIN?
1. Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.
2. Light travels faster than sound, and this is why some people appear intelligent until they speak.
3. If I agreed with you, then we’d both be wrong.
4. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is not putting it in the fruit salad.
5. I didn’t say it was your fault. I said I’m blaming you.
6. I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.
7. I am supposed to respect my elders, but they are getting harder to find.
0 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
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