Monday Colossians 1:24 The apostle Paul is not known for drawing attention to himself. Throughout all his writings, he seeks to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, glorying in all Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection. He strikes a similar theme in Colossians 1:13-23; but it would appear that he had his critics, as...
Monday Colossians 1:15-24; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:13-16 1:12 Paul’s letter to the Colossians addressed heresy that was creeping into this young church. “[The Colossian heresy] denied that the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Christ … [also rejecting] that the Christian was complete in Christ … [This heresy] tried to supplement the freedom in...
Monday Colossians 1:12 A kingdom person is thankful. “And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.” —Paul (Colossians 1:12) As a boy scout, I learned that a scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,...
Monday Colossians 1:1-8; Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 21:5-7 The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians—along with Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon—comprise his “prison epistles.” Most date these concurrent with Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, 60-62 AD. As we will be spending much of the next 13 weeks in Colossians, let’s consider the context of this book whose central...
Monday Psalm 139:1-12; Hebrews 13:5-6 It is one of those days you just wish would hurry up and end. Nothing is going according to plan. You are stressed, overwhelmed, emotional, and no one apparently wants to know or care about who you are, how fragile you are, or what you need. Your cry is for...
Monday Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Chronicles 29:15; John 17:14-16 Perhaps you’ve heard that Christians are to “be in the world, but not of the world,” partly paraphrasing what Jesus said in John 15:19 and 17:14-16. Paul develops this theme in Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:22-24. Ephesians 2:19-22 starts here: “So then you are no longer strangers...
Monday Hebrews 1:1-3; Philippians 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 “Why does God make it so hard? Why can’t He just come down, clearly show us who He is, and then we can believe?” asked my unbelieving nephew, Greg. Isn’t it interesting how skeptics often express frustration and criticism regarding a God in whom they profess disbelief?...
Monday Read Genesis 1 & 2; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11 Creator God “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Everything created started the same way—with a design. A design is an idea of how to make something—a chair, a flower, or a book. You can build your own design...
Monday John 16:25-33 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.” —Jesus (John 16:25) Jesus’ comment to His disciples as He wrapped up His instructions to them (John 13-16) and prepared to pray for them...
Monday Luke 19:1-10 – Jesus Saw Zacchaeus This week we consider five encounters with Jesus as we follow Glenkirk’s VBS daily curriculum. Today’s appointment is with the outcast tax collector, Zacchaeus. Rome’s occupation of Israel began in 63 BC, more than 90 years prior to today’s story. Roman governance in ancient Israel included both Roman...
