datethewordtest

Tag: Colossians

  • Verse to DATE the Word on April 3 (4/3) is Colossians 4:3

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 3 (4/3) is Colossians 4:3

    Our verse to DATE the Word on April 3 (4/3) is Colossians 4:3
    Colossians 4:3 says, “meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,”
    PRAYING for OPPORTUNITIES to SHARE CHRIST

    What do you pray about when you pray?  What are you earnestly and fervently praying for God to do? What do you ask others to pray about when you ask for prayer?  Does your personal prayer time and do your prayer requests to others include asking that you would have opportunities to share Christ?  More than praying for a person you know that is lost to be saved (a very important prayer request) are you praying that God will OPEN DOORS of opportunities to be a witness for Him?

    One of the reasons we hold the Apostle Paul in such high regard is because of his unflinching focus on being a soul-winner.  As the books of Colossians and Ephesians are being written the Apostle Paul is in Rome in jail.  I would think he would have numerous prayer requests for God’s people as he sits in jail.  Surely he would be asked for prayer that he would be released and/or treated fairly.  YET his prayer request to the Colossian believers is for OPPORTUNITIES to witness.  His prayer request to his friends at the church of Ephesus was “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

    What can we learn from Colossians 4:3?  Without question one of the answers is our prayer list needs asking GOD TO OPEN DOORS FOR US TO WITNESS.  

    Now you need to know something.  When you pray a prayer like that you better be READY and PREPARED for God to answer.  If you pray this prayer your “spiritual antennae” better be up because God will go to work designing “divine appointments” for you.  The apostle Paul began winning Roman soldiers to the Lord.  He even won members of Caesar’s household to the Lord.  Read Philippians 4:22. God used CHAINS in order for Paul to have CONVERTS in Rome!  As you pray for God to open doors to be a witness you need to be “spiritually ALERT” to divine appointments!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 3 (4/3) is Colossians 4:3. Colossians 4:3 says, “meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,”

    Pray a prayer that is sure to be answered. Pray for God to open doors to share the gospel!

    Continue Strong making Him known,
    And remember to DATE the Word
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23.
    Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” 
    Autograph your work with excellence!

    The Bible speaks of having a “strong work ethic.” Colossians 3:23 challenges one to see whatever you are doing to be done “as to the Lord.” In Colossians 3:17 we are to do everything we do “in the name of the Lord.”  In Colossians 3:17 we are to be representing the Lord with our work. Our work ethic should be consistent with who CHRIST is.  Now Paul adds that our work should be done “AS TO THE LORD.”  The idea is that we are to be looking for His approval.  Our mindset then should bring about a desire that no matter what we are doing we are to be doing our very best.  We want to hear from the Lord WELL DONE!

    Within the instructions to do whatever we are doing as to the Lord the Apostle Paul instructs us in how to do whatever we do so that it will be approved by the Lord.  He says, to “do it heartily.” Other  versions will say “work at it with all your heart,” or “do it enthusiastically,” or “work at it with enthusiasm,” or “do it wholeheartedly.” Interestingly the Greek word here is not one for the heart but is the word for the “soul.” The idea is that you put your soul into what you are doing. To do something for the Lord is to be filled with passion, with soul!  

    I have had many employees working for me and I have been blessed to have many who went the extra mile, giving to the various ministries excellence.  Occasionally I would have someone who needed some encouragement to do better.  I recall a time that I gave an employee an assignment and was looking forward to seeing what they would produce.  When they returned to my office and handed me their work, I reviewed it and was astonished.  It was clearly work done with little effort. Believing they could do much better work (and that the work was not to my standard) I asked the worker to sign their name to the work. With it being a poster that was to be posted in many locations and many people would be seeing it I quickly heard, “give me a little more time to work on this.”  An hour later I saw a very professional poster that was done with excellence!

    Autograph your work with excellence!

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23. It says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” 

    Are you putting your soul into “whatever” you are doing?  Are you making the most of the opportunities you are receiving? Are you truly doing your best?

    Continue Strong doing EVERYTHING YOU DO AS TO THE LORD!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
     
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17
    Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 
    The Golden Rule for the Believer

    Colossians 3 may very well be the most informative and instructional chapter for the believer on how to live the transformed Christian life.  Starting with Colossian 3:1 we find an appeal to live differently since we are now believers.  It says, “Therefore, since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

    As the chapter continues one will see the word “therefore” two more times as it lays out instructions on what the transformed Christian life looks like.  Since we have been raised up with Christ, we are told to PUT TO DEATH certain behaviors as they are not to be a part of the new life.  It then tells us to PUT OFF actions that are not to be a part of the new life and then it tells us to PUT ON the actions of the new life.   Notice from Colossians 3:5-13:

    Colossians 3:5 “Therefore PUT TO DEATH your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
    8 But now you yourselves are to PUT OFF all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
    12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, PUT ON  tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 

    Do you see the PROGRESSION for transformation? For the Christian to live the transformed life, the new life we have in CHRIST, we PUT TO DEATH, we PUT OFF and we PUT ON.  

    NOW, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse.  14 But above all these things PUT ON LOVE, which is the bond of perfection.   
    Then, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse. 15 And let the PEACE OF GOD rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  
    Then, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse. 16 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.  
    Then, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

    With Colossians 3:17 we not only get one more INSTRUCTION we get a summation of all the previous actions.  Our verse to DATE has been described as the GOLDEN RULE for the believer.  After laying out all the actions to take from putting to death, to put off, to putting on and then PUTTING ON LOVE and letting the PEACE OF GOD rule your heart and letting the Word of God DWELL in you Paul SUMS UP the transformed life with WHATEVER YOU DO in WORD or DEED do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.  In this one verse, we are instructed to do everything we do by doing what is CONSISTENT with who CHRIST IS.  “In the name of the Lord Jesus” means to do what He would do.  Whatever we do is to be consistent with the character of Christ!   As Paul said in Romans 14:13 we “PUT ON the Lord Jesus Christ,”

    Along with 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says, “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, (we are to) do all to the glory of God” we have a second guiding verse for all of our behavior.  Everything we do is to be consistent with who Christ is.  And without question, we offer thanks to God for this changed life! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17. It says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 

    Continue Strong living out the new life you have in Christ,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 28 (1/28) is Colossians 1:28

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 28 (1/28) is Colossians 1:28

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 28 (1/28) is Colossians 1:28
    Colossians 1:28 says, “we proclaim Christ Jesus, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
    The Apostle Paul’s Mission Statement for his Ministry

    From the Apostle Paul, we can find “life mission” statements.  For instance, “For me to live is Christ.” (Phil. 1:21) or “My ambition is to be well pleasing to Him.” (2 Cor. 5:9) Or “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24).  

    As well we can get ministry mission statements from him such as from Colossians 1:28.  Paul says here his mission is “to present everyone mature in Christ.”  Let’s notice how he does it so we can also do it.

    When we become a believer, we begin a journey of BECOMING Christ-like.  The journey starts with a new birth and as a newborn, we must GROW.  Little by little the newborn becomes a child, and the child is to then grow to maturity.   
    For maturity to be achieved Paul says he issues WARNINGS as well as imparts WISDOM.   When warnings and wisdom are applied you will see a believer becoming MATURE.  

    Regarding seeing an example of this I look to Ephesians 4:28.  Paul writes to those who were thieves and issues first a WARNING and then WISDOM.  He writes, “Let the thief no longer steal,” That is the WARNING.  STOP STEALING!  He continues with WISDOM. “But rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”   Warning and Wisdom are imparted and when applied we have a mature believer living a CHANGED LIFE! 

    For a person to be known as MATURE we would say they have become RESPONSIBLE. The mature know there are things that they don’t do, and they DON’T DO THEM and there are things that they do and THEY DO THEM   They listen and they learn! They heed the warnings and hear the wisdom.  They acquire wisdom and they APPLY wisdom! 

    Part of maturity is understanding the necessity of helping others mature. We who now know Christ are to make Christ known to others (evangelism). We who are MATURING (the process is continual) are to help others become more like Christ (discipleship). 2 Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

    Some questions to ask: 
    Are you maturing?  Can others see your progress in becoming more Christ-like?
    Are you listening to warnings from Scripture?  
    Are you learning from the wisdom of Scripture?  
    Do you have a mature believer in your life that gives warnings to you as well as imparts wisdom?   
    Are you making Christ known (witnessing)? 
    Are you helping mature (discipling)?

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 28 (1/28) is Colossians 1:28. It says, “we proclaim Christ Jesus, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

    Continue Strong maturing as a believer and helping others mature as a believer.
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 10 (1/10) is Colossians 1:10

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 10 (1/10) is Colossians 1:10
    Colossians 1:10 says, “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
    A PRAYER for yourself and for others

    The Apostle Paul is a prayer warrior and we are so grateful the Holy Spirit had him put into writing what he prayed.  His prayer for the Colossians is, without a doubt, one of the best prayers to pray. 

    As we come into Colossians 1:10 we find that Paul is asking for believers to walk worthy of the Lord, FULLY PLEASING Him.  In other words, each believer needs to be FOUND FAITHFUL.  Each decision of life is to go through the filter of does this PLEASE GOD!  The prayer is to be FULLY PLEASING!

    Paul’s prayer continues with a prayer that we would be fruitful in every good work.  In other words, the believer is to be FOUND FRUITFUL!  Jesus has ordained that His disciples bring forth fruit. Each believer should be praying that their work for the Lord is productive.  Fruitfulness is achieved as we serve others on behalf of Christ and share Christ. 

    Paul’s prayer continues with a prayer that we would increase in the knowledge of God.  In other words, we will be FOUND FINDING out more about God.  There should be a hunger to know more about God.  The more we know the more we will love Him and desire to serve Him.  The more we know about God the more we will want to make Him known,

    As you ponder and think on the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, I encourage you to pray for yourself that your walk will be fully pleasing to the Lord; that your work will be productive for the Lord, and that you will pursue knowing more and more about the Lord. 

    I also encourage you to pray this for family members and friends.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 10 (1/10) is Colossians 1:10. It says, “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

    Continue Strong living, serving, and knowing Him more!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD