Highlights In Today's Reading:
Jesus first (1:15-20)! Not contemporary programs or legalism, but Christ and all His Word (Ch. 2). Live to please God. The Christian home and social relationships (Ch. 3). Witness to unbelievers (Ch. 4).
We are ever coming into conflict with forces that appear too strong for our human weaknesses. But God has made known to us that there is no limit to any Christian who reads the Bible, through which understanding, strength, and endurance are made available by the Holy Spirit. Christ alone, through His Word, will reveal and meet all of our spiritual needs.
To help us grasp the importance of this, Paul wrote: We . . . desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints (believers) (1:9-12). Notice how often the word all is used — all wisdom . . . all pleasing . . . all might . . . all patience.
God desires that we be led by the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and strengthened with His glorious power. The two essential keys to accomplishing this are prayer and the Word of God. As we read all of His Word with a desire to please Him in all things, we will be strengthened with His glorious power. The promises of God are exceeding great and precious to those who pray specifically and persistently (Acts 4:29-31).
We need to prayerfully continue reading God's Word with a desire to please Him in all of our decisions; then the Holy Spirit will guide us into a deeper revelation of His will and His plan for your life. Just think, we have available all we need to be filled with the knowledge of His will (Col. 1:9) stored up in the Word of God! Right now, as you continue reading through His Word. 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. And ye are complete in Him (2:8-10). This is not a mere theory but the infallible truth of His eternal Word — there is no other source of spiritual discernment!
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16).
Thought for Today:
The Christian that studies God's Word is difficult to lead astray — a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Tim. 2:15).
Cross References:
For Col. 2:11: See Deut. 10:16; Col. 3:23: see Eccl. 9:10. Col. 4:6: see Eccl. 10:12.
Word Studies:
1:12 made us meet =b> made you sufficient; 1:13 translated =b> transferred; 1:23 settled =b> firmly grounded; 2:4 beguile =b> deceive; 2:23 will worship =b> self-inspired efforts at worship; 3:5 Mortify =b> Treat as dead; concupiscence =b> uncontrolled desire for sexual immorality; 3:22 singleness of heart =b> out of reverence for your Lord; 4:1 give . . . that which is just and equal =b> do what is right and fair.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Government Official: Rep. Ray LaHood (IL) • Country: Russia (146.5 million) northeastern Europe and northern Asia • Major language: Russian • Religious freedom • 55% Russian Orthodox; 9% Muslim; 1% Protestant (Baptist, Pentecostal); .8% Shamanist/Animist; .6% Buddhist; .5% Roman Catholic; .5% New Religions (e.g., Hare Krishna); .4% Jewish; .1% Old Believers; 32.1% Agnostics/Atheists/Others • Prayer Suggestion: Call upon the Lord in adversity, for He will hear (Ps. 116:1-4,8).
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Chronicles 7:14