Colossians 1:5-6

5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;

(is the gospel bearing fruit and increasing in my life?)

Colossians 1:4

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints

(whom have I heard of regarding their faith and love? has anyone heard of my faith in Christ or my love for the saints?)

Colossians 1:3

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you

(how and when do I give thanks to God? how often, and for whom, do I pray?)

Colossians 1:2

To the Holy and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae: grace and peace to you from God our Father

(where am I looking for grace and peace? it only comes from God our Father)

Colossians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother

(what am I by the will of God? thank God for Tim O., my brother in Christ)

A Focus on God and His Instructions

• Ephesians 6 gives us of some important instructions; obey your parents, honor you father and mother that it may go well with you and you may enjoy a long life; it also states not to exasperate your children but to train and instruct them in the Lord

• Regardless of how…the important thing is that Christ is preached (Philippians 1)

• Philippians 2 asks the question; are you looking out for your own interests or Christ’s?

• Heaven is God’s throne and Earth is God’s footstool (Isaiah 66)

• Philippians 4:6 instructs us to pray about everything…

How Are You? Are You Living In Christ?

Thoughts from my quiet times this past week:

• Galatians 5 reminds us to use of freedom to demonstrate our love for one another

• Get wisdom, discipline and understanding (Proverbs 23:23)

• In Isaiah 38 King Hezekiah become deathly ill and pleaded with God for his life; God, in His mercy, replied that He would 1) give him 15 more years of life and 2) deliver the city from the king of Assyria

• Galatians 6 states that we are to carry each other’s burdens (more than a backpack), carry our own load (your backpack) and don’t become weary in doing good

• Isaiah 39 tells us that Hezekiah’s storehouse had silver, gold and oil in it. What does my/your storehouse have in it?

• Ephesians 1 declares our riches in Christ

• Ephesians 2 says we are dead unless we are alive in Christ; we are created to do good works…

• Ephesians 4 instructs us to put off ourselves and to put on Christ; to put off lies and to put on truth

Things that Matter

Galatians 4:15 asks “What has happened to your joy?”

Find your rest in God alone (Psalm 62)

Galatians 5 thoughts: Following the law will separate you from Christ; faith expressing itself through love is what counts; use your freedom to love one another

Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding (Proverbs 23:23)

Financial Guidance from God

This week it seemed like several passages from Scripture were speaking directly to me about financial issues and what we trust in.

What does Ecclesiastes 10:19 mean when it says “…and money is the answer to everything”?

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Sow sparingly, reap sparingly, sow generously, reap generously; you are made rich in every way so you can be generous, which results in thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)

Isaiah 2:22 reminds us to stop trusting in man

2 Corinthians chapter 11 says to me that boasting in self is foolish

When I am weak, then I am strong because of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:10)

And finally, a great reminder from Proverbs 23:4-5; don’t pursue riches, show restraint, understand that riches are fleeting

Long Time, No Hear

So, a couple of months ago I fell off the proverbial blogging wagon about my time in Scripture. Yep, I got lazy and just posted links or articles written by others. Well, I’m back now writing to you thanks to the accountability provided by my MasterMind partners.

Side note: in August my wife and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary and our first born celebrated his 17th birthday.

Okay, here are some specific Scriptures that impacted me during the last few weeks.

• The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life (Proverbs 22:4)

• 1 Corinthians 4:1 reminded me that any ministry we have is due to God’s mercy

• In reading through the book of Ecclesiastes, all seems meaningless in life until you get to chapter 12 verse 13 where it states that the conclusion is to fear God and keep His commandments.

• Psalm 46 is such a great passage on God being our refuge and strength. Therefore we should not fear because the Lord is with us.