208th Week, Colossians Chapter 3-4 and Proverbs 17 & 18 (Click on title for Video Introduction)

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 Click on Title for Video Intro


Monday, Colossians Chapter 3
Colossians 3
Verse 15
Matt Strayer

Verse 15: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

THOUGHT
My study Bible states that the word "rule" comes from the language of athletics. “Paul tells us to let Christ's peace be the umpire or referee in our hearts. Our hearts are the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires that clash our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love. With this constant battle going on, Paul tells us to let peace in our hearts rule.” 

To "let" peace rule, I firmly believe that we must "choose" to let it rule. Our feelings rise out of our sinful nature, yet we have the ability to override these feelings with our self-control and choose peace. In essence it is taking ourselves to a higher level spiritually, to the extent that we will start to see the fruits of the spirit.

If peace rules in us, just think of our ability to be an effective co-worker, church member, husband, wife, father, mother, and the list goes on. Let's focus on letting peace rule in our hearts this weekend. Have it become a habit that demonstrates who we are in Christ. 

PRAYER
Thank You, God, for a wonderful week in Your Word. Give each of us the ability to override our feelings and choose peace. Allow peace to rule in us always. AMEN


Tuesday, Colossians Chapter 4A (Verses 1-6)
Colossians 4A 
Verse 2
Mindy Strayer

Verse 2: Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

THOUGHT
This is such a simple sounding statement, isn’t it? Another translation of this verse states: “Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life, being both alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving.” To me this translation doesn't sound as simple. How many of us have said prayers for ourselves or others just to say them because we know that we should, and our whole heart isn’t really into it? How many times have we prayed and prayed and prayed for something that has not yet come to pass, and we are tired of praying about it?  We allow ourselves to get frustrated, and we give up. How many times do we let our prayer life with God slip away because we don’t get a tight enough grip on God and prioritizing His purposes? How many answered prayers and blessings do we miss seeing because our hearts are not full of gratitude so the blessings of God go unnoticed? 

This has happened to us all. In my own life I have noticed that every now and again prayer, or prayer without intent, is like watered down Christianity, lukewarm and useless. The Holy Spirit convicted me a few weeks ago for not having a heart full of gratitude. It wasn’t that I was feeling unblessed, but I was letting days go by without acknowledging all that the Lord had been blessing me with. I had been missing some of the little blessings in life that the Lord gives us because I was taking too casual of an attitude. I am not exceptionally perceptive by nature, so it takes some effort on my part to focus and be mindful of what is occurring around me. There are so many highlights in life when we choose to have a heart of gratitude. His intention is for us to have High Definition Life, not missing any detail. 

PRAYER
How awesome are You, Oh God! Great are Your ways! We lift up a shout of praise to You, our Lord! Thank You, Lord, for Your love. Thank You, Lord, for Your Word. Thank You, Lord, for our lives. Thank You, Lord, for giving us salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice. Lord, we want to be a grateful people. We want to be aware of Your presence in every area of our lives. Help us, Lord, to continue to make prayer with You our priority. Guide our prayers that we can pray with intention and purpose, to be a useful and powerful prayer warrior for the advancement of Your Kingdom. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. AMEN 


Wednesday, Colossians Chapter 4B
Colossians 4B 
Mindy Strayer

THOUGHT
Tychicus, Onesimus. Aristarchus, Mark (cousin of Barnabas), Jesus (called Justus), Epaphras, Luke, Demas, brothers at Laodicea, Nympha, and Archippus. Who were all of these people that Paul mentions at the end of his letter? Some of Paul's descriptions say: 

1. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and fellow servant of 
   the Lord.
2. Our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. 
3. My fellow prisoner 
4. Workers for the kingdom of God who have proven a comfort to me
5. Someone who is a servant of Christ Jesus 
6. Someone who wrestles in prayer for other people 
7. Someone who is working hard for other people
8. A dear friend
9. A doctor
10. Someone who had a church in her house
11. Someone who needs encouragement to finish the work that the Lord      
    gave him to do

I want to say that we had a sermon one Sunday where our pastor asked this same question about these people. His answer went something like this: The list of people that Paul gives were nobodies by the world's standards. There are no movie stars listed, or kings, or extremely wealthy people, or people of great power and authority. But in the eternal kingdom of God, they have made their mark. 

The characteristics and actions of these people who are like you and I got recorded in God's Holy Word. So I ask myself, “Do I possess these traits, and do I act as these people did?”  Those are traits I should be focusing on because those are traits that matter to God. Even the characteristic of being a doctor fits. Doctors provide medicine and aid in healing. Well, we as spiritual beings can provide spiritual medicine, comfort through the Word of God. These were ordinary people who made a difference in God's eternal kingdom.

PRAYER
Lord, we praise Your Name and the Name of Your Son, Jesus! Thank You for speaking to us through Your Word. I am so very grateful that the things You value are not dependent on the world. I am so grateful that the traits and actions that You desire of us to possess are attainable because of the grace of Jesus Christ in our lives. Help us, Lord, to value these characteristics so that we too can contribute to and be a part of Your Eternal Kingdom. We ask this in Jesus Name. AMEN 


Thursday, Proverbs Chapter 17
Proverbs 17                                                       
Verse 17                                                      
Jeanie Boldt    
                                                   
Verse 17a:  A friend loves at all times.  

THOUGHT                                                  
What Kind of a friend are you?  There is a vast difference between   knowing someone and being a true friend.  The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (loving at all times) – being available to help in times of darkness or personal struggles. 

I really found out what was meant by being a true friend when my marriage fell apart.  I could clearly hear through the phone or see when they talked to me, if the person really cared or was just searching for information to go and share with another.  Friends are ones who listen, who encourage, who stay by your side when they wanted to do something else, will eat pizza when they wanted to go for fish, will listen to Led Zeppelin when they would have loved to hear Garth Brooks, will sit and watch racing when their legs were itching to walk at least 4 miles, is a peacemaker when they could have very well stood their ground for an argument, feels the hurt when they are not involved with the pain, prays at any time of the day or night and will loan them their coat when they themselves are cold.  All of these examples are descriptions of agape love.  

Too many people are fair-weather friends.  They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they’re not getting anything out of the relationship.  Think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them.  Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages.  Your mate should be your best friend with Jesus your 1st.  That trio is a perfect triangle.  

PRAYER                                                             
Father God, please give us agape love.  Help us to think of others before ourselves.  Please make us selfless in our actions and thoughts and deeds.  May we be peacemakers with loving kindness.  Fill us daily with the Fruits of the Spirit.  Help us to forgive and ask others for our forgiveness.  We invite Jesus to be our Best Friend to guide and direct us into many more awesome friendships.  AMEN


Friday, Proverbs Chapter 18
Proverbs 19
Verse 21
Matt Strayer

Verse 21:  Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

THOUGHT
This is just another reminder to me that God is in absolute control of our lives. We all have hopes, dreams and desires in our lives. Many of these were placed there by God to accomplish His Will. I think as humans we must truly seek to understand what God wants for these plans that we have in our
heart. After we have done the best that we can in that regard, it is up to Him to allow His purpose to prevail. 

Kristen has helped me realize that it is OK to plan, but don’t forget to allow God to work. Ultimately His Will is going to be done. Trust in God. His intentions never change.

PRAYER
God, thanks so much for the desires You have put in our hearts and the plans that we have made based on these desires. Help us to seek Your counsel and trust in You. We know that ultimately Your purpose will prevail, and that is ever so comforting.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN















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