by Pastor Cecil | Nov 11, 2020 | Colossians
Colossians 2:6-7
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Yesterday I shared God’s plan for our salvation by quoting from Ephesians 2:8-9. It is by God’s grace and our faith in believing and receiving His provision of eternal salvation for all who trust in Him alone.
When we place our trust in the completed work of Jesus Christ we begin our walk as new believers. It is at this point that much confusion exists. All too often we are led to believe that we are kept by our works. We can no more be kept by our good works than we can be saved by our good works.
Notice in today’s Scripture that Paul writes that just as we received salvation by grace through faith, we are to walk with the Lord by grace and through faith. In order to be strong and productive believers we need to live in victory. We do that by constantly walking by faith as God’s own dear children.
As adoptive children of the God of the universe we have received a new name and a new identity. There is nothing we can do that will keep us saved any more than we could do anything to deserve it in the first place. We just live as believers!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 22, 2020 | Colossians
Colossians 1:3-4
“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints.”
When we think of giving thanks, it is most often for something that is of benefit to us. We receive a blessing or are about to receive one and so we give thanks for that which makes us feel more satisfied.
In today’s scripture Paul gives thanks for the report he has received about what God is doing for the church at Colosse. His rejoicing comes when he receives the reports of how the people there have a radiant witness for Christ Jesus and a love for all of the saints.
It causes me to stop and consider what my prayer life lacks. Am I consistently thanking the Lord for the way other believers are growing in the Lord and the work they are doing for Him? I think I need to refocus my prayers of thanks.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my many faithful readers around the world who have supported this ministry with your prayers and gifts. God has opened doors to reach thousands that need to be encouraged. I covet your continued prayer support and messages of encouragement.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 3, 2020 | Colossians
Colossians 3:23-24
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
It seems I can still hear our kids in play as one would rebuke the other, “You’re not the boss of me!” I don’t know that anyone appreciates being bossed around, so it is no wonder that resentments often arise on the job. We do not like someone telling us what to do — even when they are our supervisor. Who is your boss?
Today’s Scripture convicted me many years ago. I was working for a man who seemed to view himself to be a Viking warrior. He was often the topic of conversation in the break room and at any other time a group of us gathered together. Our comments were not at all respectful of his position.
As the Lord convicted me through His Word, I went to my boss’s office and asked for his forgiveness for the manner I had behaved toward him. I confessed to making derogatory comments about him. I was truly sorry and made a pledge to speak to him directly if I disagreed with his decisions.
Today’s Scripture is very clear about how we are to behave in the workplace. If Paul is saying how slaves are to respond to their masters, how much more does it apply to employees. He says “in everything” … and even when the boss is not around. Not to get a promotion, but doing it as unto the Lord. How do you stack up?
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 6, 2020 | Colossians
Colossians 1:9
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
I am ashamed to admit that I have often promised to pray for someone—even had the best intentions to do so—but became busy and forgot my promise. Because of this I have made a separate file for visits and prayer requests. That being said, what kind of prayers should we offer up?
Paul had heard of the faith of the church in Colossae and sent this letter as an encouragement to their faith in the face of persecution. In today’s Scripture Paul says he is praying for God to fill them with the knowledge of His will through all wisdom and understanding.
In the next few verses Paul becomes very specific in what he anticipates as the result of his prayer. Let me list four of them for you:
- Bear fruit in every good work.
- Grow in the knowledge of God.
- Be strengthened with God’s power for endurance and patience.
- Joyfully give thanks to the Lord.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
