Colossians 3  As believers and followers of Jesus Christ.. those who have been taken from darkness to light.. from death to life.. Paul teaches.. we are to live "in Him".  This chapter spells it out for us...  

First of all, we need to start thinking like Him.. "Set you minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.. "  Our lives here and now are temporary..  but, we have eternal life in Christ.. and He "is seated at the right hand of God".  Paul says our lives are "hidden with Christ in God".  We have "died" to the temporal and have been raised to the eternal.. "When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."  This is an amazing statement!  For the present time.. we live with eternity in view.. even while we anticipate that day when we will see Him face to face.. for it is then that we will be "like Him".  

As followers of Christ, who have "died" in Him.. we "consider the members of [our] earthly bodies as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed.. "  In other words.. we strive to be like Christ in every way.  We also put aside "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech.. " We don't lie to one another either.  We put on "the new self".. the self that Jesus has raised us up to be.. "according to the image of the One who created him".  

This new self looks more like Jesus.. "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other... and beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." 

 Paul goes on.. "let the peace of Christ rule in you hearts... and be thankful.... Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom.. "  As we set our minds on Jesus.. and as He works in us through His Word and by His Spirit... our hearts will be filled with His peace and will overflow with thankfulness.. we will sing praises to God with all our heart! 

"And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  

Father in heaven, sanctify us through and through.. that we might be more like Jesus.. Keep our minds on the eternal.. on life in Christ forever.  Help us to do all things in His Name.. for Your glory.  We give You thanks for all that You have done.. You have chosen us.. transformed us.. made us new creatures in Christ. You are our Help and our Strength.. You are our God who calls us "Beloved".. Thank You! Be glorified in us today we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Colossians 2:6  "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him."  

Paul  reminded his readers of Who they now belong to: Jesus.. "the image of the invisible God"; the One through whom all things were created.. and "for" whom all things were created;  Jesus.. who is before all things and who holds all things together.  Jesus, the head of the church.. His body.. who He reconciled to Himself.. and in whom all the treasures of God are made known. 

This is the Jesus we must "walk" in.  The life we now lead.. is to be in Him.  We are to be "rooted" and "built up"  in Him.  We are to be established in our faith.. in Him. 

In Christ we stand.. not allowing the empty philosophies of this world deceive us.  In Him.. we are "made complete".. and do not turn to any other source of life.. He is our Head.  He rules over us. He is the only authority that we must submit to...  

In Christ.. our hearts are circumcised.. removing the "body of the flesh".. In Him we were buried.. by baptism.. and "raised again with Him through faith". He made us alive. He forgives our trespasses. He cancels out our debts.  "He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." 

Jesus.. "disarmed" every ruler.. every authority.. He triumphed over them all! 

"Therefore".. Paul says.. don't let anyone tell you that you need any other salvation.. no food.. no drink.. no sacrifice.. no observing certain days.. no rituals.. no "self-made religion".. no "self-abasement".. nothing else has authority to save.  Nothing else can add to what Jesus alone has done!

"Hold fast to the head"... Paul writes.. Hold fast to Jesus... the One who holds all things together.. "the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and  ligaments,".. to "grow with a growth which is from God." 

Father in heaven, You are our Almighty God who has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and placed us in the Kingdom of Jesus. We live.. because of Him.  We want nothing to keep us from being made complete in Jesus. Have Your way in us today. May we hold fast to Him.. today and every day.   In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 

 Colossians 2

Paul struggles for the church.  He is still praying for them in these verses.. "that their hearts may be encouraged.. knit together in love.. attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledges of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  ( v2-3) 

These verses are  on my prayer list... it is my prayer for my church too... for the pastors and the worship team.. for the teachers and leaders.. for all of us together.  May our hearts be encouraged!  May we be knit together in love!  May we attain the blessing of assurance..confidence..in Jesus.. May we understand the vastness of all the hidden treasures in Christ! 

There are other passages that speak of the treasures.. the riches of Christ.. He is rich in kindness, Romans 2:4 says, " Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience... "  He is rich in glory, Romans 9:23 tells us. "He.. made known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory"!  He is rich in grace.. ( Ephesians 1:6) ... and.. as our passage above says.. He is rich in "wisdom and knowledge." There is no end to the hidden treasures in Christ Jesus!

Paul is praying that the church would attain all the riches of Christ..  Isn't this a wonderful prayer for every church ?  

Father, may this be so in us.. today.. that Christ will be known in every heart.. that our faith would be complete in Him.. that we would receive all that He has for us.. for His glory. Amen. 

 Colossians 1:24-29  Paul's prayer for the Colossian church is for them to have true knowledge.. spiritual wisdom and understanding of God.. that they might walk in a worthy manner.. pleasing Him.   As we meditate.. think deeply about.. the truth of who Jesus is, as Paul described in verses 13-23.. we will come to know Him more and more..  

Paul calls these truths a "mystery" which had been hidden but was now being "manifested".. "God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (v27) 

This is Who Paul proclaimed.. the One that Paul wanted every man to know fully.. so that they would be made "complete in Christ." This is what Paul strived for.. labored for... and prayed for.. 

Oh that we would do the same!

Father in heaven,  we pray for a deeper understanding of spiritual truths. May we know You more.  May we know You.. not just through words.. but through the power of Your Spirit

 Colossians 1:13- 23  Paul's desire for those reading this letter is that they will know God...  that they will filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding.  

Knowledge - in general was an issue in those early days.. (and in ours too)..  it had become a heresy.. a false religion.. an idol, if you will. Gnosticism had invaded the early church and caused conflicts and dissensions.   Think of it this way.. if someone has an advanced degree and another never finished high school..outside of the grace of God.. would they consider each other equals? Would the educated person submit himself to the teaching of the other? Would pride become an obstacle to unity? To truth?

Paul saw the problem.. and prayed that all of them would value the only knowledge that really matters.. the knowledge of God, our Father and  Christ Jesus the Son!  When we really know Him.. what else really matters? 

"For He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son." (v13)   We need to know the wonderful, miraculous, amazing truth of this statement.  This is the gospel.. this is the hope we have.. this is our foundation.. our salvation... This is what it means to understand God's grace!  He is the One who delivers us. He is the One who changes our lives.. our past, present, and future!

".. in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (v14)  We look to the cross.. to our Lord Jesus, who paid the price for our sin.  We need to know that our God loves us so much that He gave His Son to save us from judgement.. from death.. from hell... that He forgives us and redeems us.. in Jesus!

We need to know Jesus.. this Savior who died for us and who now reigns forever:

We need to know that He is the "image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation." (v14)

We need to know that "by Him all things were created.."; the "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." That, "He is also head of the body, the church.. the beginning, the first-born from the dead;"  That He has "first place in everything."  (v15-18)

 We need to know that the Father was pleased to make "all the fulness to dwell in Him." (v19)

We need to know that it is through Jesus that "all things" are reconciled to Himself. (v20)

We need to know that He has "made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him.. whether things on earth or things in heaven." (v20)

And most of all, we need to know that even when we were "alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds... " that it was Jesus who came to reconcile us by His death on a cross.. "in order to present [us] before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach." (v22)

Paul encourages his readers to be firmly established in faith.. "steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the gospel." (v23)

Father in heaven, thank You for giving us such amazing grace.. Thank You for changing our lives.. redeeming us from the past.. living in us and sanctifying us in our present lives.. and preparing us fro a glorious future in Your eternal Kingdom.  Help us to know You more.. to know Christ and Christ only! Help us to be steadfast and immovable in Jesus.. our hope.. our Rock.. our everything . In His name we come before You... with praise and thanksgiving. Amen. 

 Colossians 1: 1-12  This church was begun by the ministry of Epaphras, a fellow worker of Paul.  It does not appear that Paul had visited them at the time he wrote this letter.  He had "heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and the love which [they had] for all the saints."  They had accepted the "truth of the gospel" and they had "hope.. laid up.. in heaven".  

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this: " Faith is the soul looking upward to God; love looks outward to others; hope looks forward to the future. Faith rests on the past work of Christ; love works in the present; and hope anticipates the future."  It is because of the "hope.. confidence in what God will do in the future".. that we have love and faith.. a greater confidence in God and a deeper love for others. 

Paul says that this truth is "constantly bearing fruit and increasing.. in you.. since the day you heard of it and understood ( or came really to know)  the grace of God in truth." (v6)  

Paul then shares this wonderful prayer that he continually prays for them.. 

".. we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." 

Jonathan Graf in his book Praying Like Paul writes that this prayer helps us.. and those we pray it for.. to know God's will. As we ask for "spiritual wisdom and understanding", we are recognizing that "knowledge of God's will comes through gaining more insight into spiritual things".  Jon states that the "more we gain an understanding of God, the more we will live out all the will of God that is revealed in Scripture...Ultimately, gaining knowledge will be less for day-to-day decision making and more day-to-day kingdom living."   Kingdom living... is "a life worthy of God"..  It is a fruitful life.  It is a live that has "power, endurance, and strength". 

Paul wanted the Colossian Christians to be Kingdom Christians.  We want that too! We want that for our loved ones.. for our church family.. for our brothers and sisters all over the world. May we be faithful to pray.. and not stop praying!

Father in heaven, we do ask that You would  fill us with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  May we come to really know You.. know the greatness of Your grace.. know the blessedness of the hope You have given us.. the faith You have granted us.. and the love You have poured out upon us and through us. We give You thanks.. with great joy.. for all You have done and what You are going to do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen! 

 Joel 2-3 The rest of this book bounces back and forth between a day of judgement and a day of restoration.. both coming from the hand of the Lord. 

 On one hand the people are to be glad.. for the Lord will give them new grain and wine.. the rains will come.. the fields will grow.. and all will be satisfied with plenty.  They will praise the name of the Lord.. "who has dealt wondrously with [them]".. 

On the other hand.. judgement for sin will be brought upon all the nations. There will be wars.. the sun and moon will darken.. God will bring recompense upon those who came against His people. Justice will be served... 

So much of Joel's prophecies seem to be similar to what we read in the book of Revelations.  The warning is clear.. the Day of the Lord is coming and our only hope is the Lord. " And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered." (2:32)

Until then it is important to know that God is still at work calling people back to Himself.. He has poured out His Spirit "on all mankind".. to prophesy.. to dream dreams.. to see visions.."  He will display His wonders in the sky.. He will be in the midst of His people and He will render judgement upon those who hate Him and His people. 

Father in heaven, we thank You for saving us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Beloved Lamb who was slain for our sins.  Help us to be ready for that great day that is coming.. let Your Spirit overflow in us so that Your Word will be preached all over this world.. before it is too late.  Change hearts and lives this day. Send us.. and strengthen us to do the work that You have planned for us. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Joel 2:1-17  This chapter begins with the picture of an invasion so massive that the whole land trembles. There is darkness and gloom.. there is a consuming fire.. completely wiping out everything that it comes upon. The earth quakes.. the "heavens tremble".. The Lord "utters His voice before His army; surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the Lord is indeed great and awesome, and who can endure it?" 

Whether this is a picture of ancient Israel.. or of modern day America.. the warning is the same..the day of the Lord is coming.. and with it there will be judgement that none can escape. 

"Yet even now, declares the Lord, Return to Me with all your heart.. " 

O hear this!  It is not too late to turn back to the Lord.  He is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil." 

We first hear these words in the book of Exodus.. it is on Mount Sinai.. when Moses came before the Lord.. when the tablets had to be replaced after they were broken... because of Israel's sin of worshipping the golden calf.   It was there that the Lord "descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord".. that the Lord "passed by" and "proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.. " ( Exodus 34:6-7)

This is the God who asks us to "rend" our hearts.. to fast and weep and mourn over our sin.. to "return to Him".. and find that He will forgive, restore, and bless.

We think that it is a hard thing.. to turn to the Lord and find His salvation.. but that is because we just don't know Him.   He wants us.. He wants our hearts.. He has compassion for us.. He is willing to forgive us.. again and again.. He won't stop loving us. He wants what is best for us!  What He offers is everything we will ever need or want. What He wants to save us from is everything that will destroy us. 

Let us come to Him!

Father in heaven, our gracious and loving Lord. May we see You more clearly.. know You more fully.. and love You more deeply.. for You are a great and wonderful God!  We give You praise!  We declare Your glory. We bow in worship before You. Amen! 

 Joel 1 Joel gives us a devastating description of what God can do.. and will do.. to call His people back to Himself.. 

The locusts came.. and destroyed every crop.. " for a nation has invaded my land, mighty and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion.. it has made my vine a waste, and my fig tree splinters.  It has stripped them bare and cast them away." (v4-7)  Everything is ruined.. grain, vines, fruit trees.. everything. 

"Indeed, rejoicing dries up." (v12) 

Joel exhorts the people to do the one thing that they can do in light of such a disaster.. PRAY!  " Gird yourself with sackcloth and lament, O priests; Wail, O ministers of the altar! Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God..   consecrate a fast, Proclaim a solemn assembly.. gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord." (v13-14) 

This is the warning.. "Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty." (v15) 

If we think that the Lord will overlook the sins of America.. we are wrong! The day of the Lord will come and destruction will be even worse than what Joel describes here.  The book of Revelation makes it very clear. What can we do?  Only what Joel tells us here.. we need to pray.. we need to cry out to the Lord with sincere and humble hearts. We need Jesus!

Father in heaven, You are holy and righteous and patient.. yet we know that there will be a time when You will bring judgement upon the earth.. when it will be too late for those who stubbornly refuse to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.  We cry out to You, Lord, that hearts will be convicted of sin.. that they might repent and be forgiven.. that lives will be made new by the power of Jesus Christ.. that there will be a harvest of souls for the kingdom of God.  Come Holy Spirit and fill us today and let the Word of the Lord fill this land. We need You desperately.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Philippians 4 So many wonderful truths in this letter.. especially in this chapter..  Words of truth that we can gird.. wrap around ourselves... like a belt of truth, our armor for the battle..  

Verses 6-7 have become such a vital part of that armor.. " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

It is in these truths that we can "Rejoice in the Lord always.. "!  He hears our prayers and He gives His peace.. Hallelujah!

Paul instructs the believers to be "forbearing" ( v5).  To be patient and mild.. so that the character of Christ is seen in them.  He also instructs them to keep their minds occupied with what is "true.. noble. (or honorable) . right.. pure.. lovely.. admirable.. excellent.. and praise-worthy"  (v8)  We must keep practicing "these things", Paul tells us.. and God will be with us!  (v9)

Paul also teaches.. by his example.. the truth about being content.  He tells us that he has learned to be content with much or with little.. with abundance and with suffering.  His secret?  " I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  God will supply! We can absolutely trust Him with every situation!

 God will also bless our offerings and He will be pleased with our sacrifices on behalf of His children. "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (v19) May we be generous and faithful in every way He leads us. 

Father in heaven, God of peace.. wrap Your Truths around us.. surround us with Your supernatural and abundant peace and grace. May we bring every need before You.  May we lay every burden at Your feet. May we keep practicing those things that please You!  May we know that You are near!  We rejoice in Your Truth and are filled with thanksgiving for all You have done in us.. for us.. and through us.  We love You and praise Your Name. Come, Lord Jesus and fill us with Your joy. .amen. 

 Philippians 3  I need to hear this.. again.. just like the people of the Philippian church needed to hear it again.. it is important to walk in the Truth and not get distracted by anything that takes us away from the true purpose that God has for us.. 

As Paul reminds us.. " we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh."  Our faith is in Christ alone.. not in any works that we might do.. not in any heritage we might have.. not in any laws that we might keep.  Paul says that he has "counted as loss.... as rubbish.. " all those things that he once took pride in.. because they were nothing compared to having Christ. 

Only Jesus can provide true righteousness. ( v9)

Only Jesus has the power of resurrection. (v10)

Only Jesus.. 

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (v14)  Paul entreats his readers to have this "same attitude".. this same way of thinking.. this same desire to live according to this standard.. "our citizenship is in heaven from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (v20-21) 

This is our goal.. as followers of Christ.. to leave everything else behind.. all the "earthly things" ..  because what He has for us is worth so much more.. so keep "reaching forward to what lies ahead"!

Father, O that we will walk in this truth.. knowing that all this world offers will pass away.. but, Your Word will never pass away.. and we can "lay hold of that for which... " we were "laid hold of by Christ Jesus."  He is coming again.. He will transform us.. He will take us Home!  May we be found in Him, in faith, in righteousness, walking the power of His resurrection... the fellowship of His suffering.. being conformed to His death... so that we might also "attain to the resurrection from the dead."  We are pressing onward.. help us to keep reaching forward!  In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. 

 Philippians 2:17-30  Paul reminded the church that Jesus, Himself, is our example of how to walk in a manner that is "worthy". The fact that He stepped down from Glory and became an offering for our sins.. dying on a cross.. was the supreme example of humble obedience. 

Here we see that Paul is also an example for us.. "But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you." (v17)   Paul could have acted pridefully at his position as an apostle of Christ.. he could have lorded it over the churches he started.. but he never did.  He gave himself.. in words... in prayers.. in actions.. for those that he considered his children in Christ.  He was rejoicing even in his imprisonment.. for those he loved were growing in their faith. 

Paul also talks about Timothy, his co-worker and his "son" in the faith.  Timothy was another example of someone who walked in a manner worthy the gospel.  He was a trusted messenger. He was "of a kindred spirit" with Paul.  He was "genuinely concerned" for the welfare of the church. Timothy "served" well in furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

There is one more example given in this chapter.. Epaphroditus. Paul considered this man his "brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier".  Epaphroditus has come from Philippi and knew them personally.  He had suffered a grave illness that almost killed him.. but he was more distressed because the church was concerned about him than about himself.  

Humble obedience, serving others.. rejoicing in the spiritual growth of others.. being genuinely concerned for the welfare of the church.... even willing to be "poured out".. for the church and for the gospel of Jesus Christ.. this is what our Lord desires for us.  May His Spirit fill us more and more with His grace and peace that we might conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel!

Father, give us ears to hear and hearts to obey.. fully and completely... by the power of Christ in us.. the hope of glory. Amen. 

 Philippians 2:1-16  Paul's prayer is that the church would abound in love.. approve the things that are excellent.. and be "sincere and blameless" when Christ returns.  He tells them to rejoice in all circumstances.. because even in the struggles Christ is being made known, and that is worth rejoicing over! He reminded them to act in a "manner worthy of the gospel of Christ".. no matter what.. "standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." 

In this chapter Paul continues to encourage them in their walk of faith.  "If.. " or  "Since.. there is any encouragement in Christ.. any consolation in love.. any fellowship of the Spirit.. any affection and compassion.. make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (v1-2)  This is the foundation.. the source of worthy living.. Christ Jesus!  He gives us the courage, the love, the Spirit.. so that we can be united with one purpose.. He is the Vine and we must all be connected with Him so that we can grow together. 

We cannot do this if we are living selfishly or if we are conceited. We cannot do this if we are looking out only for ourselves.  We are called to a higher standard.. and a deeper humility.  It is the standard set by our Lord Jesus:

He stepped out of heaven and into a human form.. He "emptied Himself".  He became a man.. a humble man.. a "bond-servant".  "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (v6-8)  He is our ultimate example.. and we are encouraged in our walk to do the same.. 

Because Jesus obeyed.. "therefore also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name."  Likewise, Paul says to the church, "obey".. "work out your salvation with fear and trembling.. " It will be worth it all!  " It is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure." 

With God's help and Christ's attitude of humility... we can walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.. we can do it without "grumbling or disputing".  We can do it as "blameless and innocent children of God".  We can do it in the middle of a "crooked and perverse generation".  We can be the light that the world needs to see. Let us hold fast to this word!

Father in heaven, You are God of heaven and earth and there is no other!  You alone are worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.. of our love and devotion.. and of our obedience. We come before You with humble hearts.  We know that we cannot live in a way that is worthy of You.. unless we have Your Spirit in us.. making us over into the image of Jesus Christ our Lord.  May we have the attitude of Jesus.. help us to empty ourselves of self.. to courageously obey.. even to the point of death.. so that You are glorified in us.  Work in us.. the will and the work .. to do that which pleases You. We ask this in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ the Lord. amen. 

 Philippians 1:12- 30  Paul was in prison but he was not the least bit concerned! In fact, he was rejoicing!

First of all, he rejoiced because his "circumstances [had]  turned out for the greater progress of the gospel"! (v12)  Because of his imprisonment "the cause of Christ" was being made known to those who otherwise might have never been told.. 

Secondly, Paul rejoiced because his "brethren" were "trusting the Lord " and were more courageous in speaking the word of God. (v14)

He was also rejoicing that the truth of Christ was being proclaimed.. even by those who had wrong motives.. and especially by those who were speaking out of love. ( v15-18)

Paul was not concerned either about what the future held for him.. " my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that will all boldness, Christ shall, even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. " (v20) 

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." ( v21)  Paul writes.. and  this seems to be  the root of his joy.. If he lives.. then he will be able to keep on rejoicing as the church continues to make progress in their faith.  If he died then he would be with Jesus... and "that is very much better"!

Paul didn't want the church to be fretting over his circumstances. He loved them too much to see them lose heart over his fate..  He just wanted them to keep walking with Jesus.. " Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel." (v27) 

Paul didn't want the church to be afraid of their opponents either. . They were to look at things from his perspective and realize that "it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." (v29)  They were in good company in their suffering.. and they could do no better than to have the same outlook as Paul... no matter what.. rejoice.. for Christ is being made known!

Father in heaven, let us keep our eyes on Your good and perfect will.. knowing that no matter what we are facing right now.. we are in Your hands.  You will bring about good.. for Christ will be made known even through our suffering or struggles. Help us to walk in "a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" and stand firm.. together.. for the faith.  We ask this in the name of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 Philippians 1: 1-11  Paul was in prison.. in Rome.. when he wrote this letter to the church in Philippi. He begins the letter with words of love.. "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.. "  Who would you write those words to?  The first that comes to my mind is my husband and daughter.. but all of my family would be included.. I think fondly of siblings and grandchildren.. nieces and nephews.. but also, my brothers and sisters in Christ. So thankful for those who God has put into my life.  But, Paul did not stop at  just thinking about them.. he was "always offering prayer" for them "with joy"!  

What joy we have when we know that those we love are walking with Jesus! Paul wrote, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."  Paul trusted the Lord to accomplish His good will and purpose in this church.  He didn't stop praying that grace and peace would abound.. and that their "love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ." 

Jonathan Graf writes in his book Praying Like Paul.. " Love is an amazing force! God is love! Paul was praying for love so that they would grow in their discernment of what was best (God's will and purposes) and that they would live pure and blameless lives."  He goes on to say, "Praying for love for yourself and others will have a profound effect on you or those you pray for - on how you view life, on how you handle circumstances, on how you pray for others." 

I'm reminded of the letter written to the church in Ephesus, found in Revelation 2.. the message from Jesus was that the church had left their first love... They were doing the right things, but their hearts were growing colder. Paul's prayer in the letter to the Philippians was that their love would abound more and more.. for without a greater love there would not be "real knowledge and discernment".. they would not be able to distinguish the more excellent things of the Lord in order to live sincere and blameless lives in Christ. 

Father, I pray that You will give me a greater love.. a deeper love for You and for others. I pray that You will lead the church to seek Your amazing love in deeper ways. May we encourage and bless one another by praying for this great love to fill our homes and our churches.. our towns and our world.  We need Your grace and peace to overflow in us.. Lord, teach us to pray!   To the glory and praise of Your holy Name. Amen. 

 Hosea 12-14  The Lord reminds Israel.. and us.. of what He has done and what He requires of His people. 

The Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.. out of bondage, just as He has brought us out of darkness and sin.  He spoke to them.. and He speaks to us... "Even the Lord, the God of hosts; The Lord is His name. Therefore return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually." (v6)

The Lord said to Israel.. " .. I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt; and you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me. I cared for you in the wilderness.. " (13:4-5) But.. they became satisfied.. and then they became proud.. and then they "forgot" Him..   Does this happen to us too?  Do we forget everything that God has done for us.. do we forget that everything we have is from Him? Do we become proud of our own accomplishments.. the houses we build, the bank account we have accumulated.. the careers that we succeed at?  Do we become so caught up in our own lives that we forget the Lord?  

"It is your destruction, O Israel, that you are against Me, against your help." (v9)  When they turned away from God.. demanding a king.. He gave them one. But, now the Lord was taking away.. not only a king.. but their land.. their homes.. everything that He had given them.. He was holding them accountable for their deeds.  As He will hold each of us accountable for ours. 

Still the message of Hosea ends with one more plea.. "Return O Israel, to the Lord your God... take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.'"   The promise of God is that when we return to Him.. He will hear us! Hallelujah!  "I will heal their apostasy. I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them." (v4) The Lord promises restoration and beauty.. fruitfulness.. and renown.. He promises to care for His people.. 

"Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right,  and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them." 

The story of Hosea is one of hope.. the Lord our God loves us so much.. that even when we have gone far astray.. even when we have been unfaithful.. He does not stop pursuing us.  Is love is so great that He wants us back and He will forgive us of all our sin. He will take away all iniquity.. .He will receive us graciously.. He will heal us and love us and restore us and bless us!

Father in heaven, how thankful we are that You are the God who saves!  We thank You for being patient and kind.. merciful and gracious. May we keep our eyes on You and our hearts united with Your own. Help us to walk in kindness and justice.. to be merciful.. to walk as children of light.. loving You with all our hearts and loving others as ourselves.  You are our Help and we look to You for all that we need to live that way You want us to.. We put our trust in You today.. In Jesus' name and by His power. Amen. 

 Hosea 11  In this chapter the Lord shows us His heart.. the heart of a Father..  "When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son." 

The Lord tells us that it was He who "taught Ephraim to walk".. That He "took them in [His] arms".  He healed them.  He drew them with "bonds of love".  He took off their yoke of bondage and "bent down and fed them." 

But, even with all of that.. they were rebellious. They were "bent on turning from " Him.  The more that the prophets spoke.. the more the people rebelled.  They would not call on the Lord to be saved. 

Yet, even though judgement would come because of their sinfulness.. God's heart is still a Father's heart for His son..  "My heart is turned over within Me. All My compassions are kindled.. " 

God chooses not to destroy His wayward sons.. He will call them back to Himself.. "He will roar like a lion; Indeed He will roar, and His sons will come trembling from the west." 

God is not done with His people. He is not done with us either. The beauty of His love shines through this tender picture of a Father's heart .. So  thankful that He has made a way for us to turn back to Him and find His arms opened wide as we run back home. 

Father in heaven, we have all gone astray.. we have all rebelled at one time or another.. but You never stopped loving us and wanting us!  O Hallelujah!  We are so thankful!  Keep us in Your hands.. hold us in Your arms and draw us with Your great love. May we walk in Your ways and serve You with hearts of love..all our days. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Hosea 10 Each message that Hosea speaks to Israel drives home the fact that they were heading for judgement because of their wickedness.  "Their heart is faithless.. now they must bear their guilt."  This is the verdict against every rebellious and sinful heart. Every false idol will be destroyed.. every place once thought sacred will be torn down.. taken away.. or covered with thorns and thistles.  

The Lord says that they "have plowed wickedness" and would "reap injustice".  They had "eaten the fruit of lies".  They continually chose to live the way they wanted and would not turn back to Him. 

This is truth.. for Israel.. and for every one of us. If our hearts are faithless... if we live outside of His will.. if we choose to put ourselves or our "idols".. whatever they may be... first..  and do not turn back to God, then the same judgement will come upon us.  Everything will be taken away, torn down, or covered by thorns and thistles..  

Why is there so much heartache and suffering in our world? Why so many broken homes?  Why so many homeless and abandoned people? Why so much violence and destruction? Why do so many turn to drugs?  Why so many suicides?  It is spoken clearly in God's Word.. sin begets more sin.. we cannot sow sin and reap goodness.. There is no hope without Jesus!

"Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you. "(v12) 

Hard hearts can be changed!  We have a great God and nothing is impossible for Him! This is the message of truth that we need to hear and to share!  It is time to seek the Lord!

Father in heaven, holy and mighty are You!  Thank You for giving us living hope in Christ Jesus.. Hope that will not fail.. Hope that will never fade.. for we having a living Savior and He is in the world today!  He brings life to the dead hearts. He brings light into the dark places.  Our Lord has not forsaken us and he is coming again!  Rain down on us with Your righteousness and Your peace, Lord God. Grant repentance and forgiveness to all who call on You.  Open eyes to see the Truth we pray.. in Jesus' powerful Name. Amen. 

 Hosea 9 The punishment that Israel would suffer because of the greatness of their sins.. is horrific.. It would effect every aspect of their lives.. 

They would not be able to produce enough food to eat. (v2)

They would be exiled out of the promised land. (v3)

They would lose all of their sacred rites.. no more sacrifices.. no more feasts.. no more worship of the One True God. (v4-5)

They would lose their homes. (v6)

And, they would lose their children.  "Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them until not  a man is left. Yes woe indeed when I depart from them!" (v12) 

"Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will love them no more;"

Fruitless.. Childless.. and Homeless..  " My God will cast them away because they have not listened to Him.. " (v17)  

Father in heaven, there are so many people following this sad and horrible path to destruction.. O may ears be opened and hearts changed.. Let the power of Your grace.. through Jesus Christ be proclaimed from the rooftops and may the ears of those who are imprisoned by their own sins.. hear and turn to You. You are our only hope and Your love never fails.. so we pray that You will move in our land so that many more will repent and find the salvation that Jesus came to provide for us. We ask this in His powerful and wonderful name... Amen.

 Hosea 8 "Put the trumpet to your lips!"  The Lord tells His prophet.. ".. the enemy comes against the house of the Lord."   They had "transgressed"  and they had "rebelled".(v1)  They claimed to know God, but rejected the "good" that He taught them.  They chose kings and appointed princes.. by their own wills and not by God's will.  They made idols of gold and silver.. idols that would be smashed to pieces. 

"How long will they be incapable of innocence?"  Indeed, how long will we be the same?

Because of the greatness of their sin the Lord was bringing judgement.. they would "sow the wind" and "reap the whirlwind".. Their crops would fail. Their allies would betray them. Their sacrifices would be rejected.  

This is a grave word.. "But the Lord has taken no delight in them. Now He will remember their iniquity, and punish them for their sins.... For Israel has forgotten his Maker." 

This message to Israel was not heeded. They did not repent and judgement came.  The message continues to be proclaimed.. to all the world.. and to every heart.. Listen for the trumpet sound!  The day of judgement is coming.. but right now.. it is not too late to turn back!  We can remember the truth of God's Word.. we can choose to obey His voice.. we can know the Lord our God.. and delight in Him forever!

Father, let Your words be broadcast across the land again today.. Give us ears to hear and the will to obey. Help us to seek You and find You.. to worship You and to love You with all our hearts and souls. In Christ we come.. Amen. 

 Hosea 7  The Lord wanted to heal Israel, but they first had to acknowledge the depth of their sinfulness.  They were dishonest. They robbed one another. They practiced adultery and drank until they made themselves sick.  Anger and violence filled them.. "their hearts are like an oven.. their anger smolders all night, in the morning it burns like a flaming fire.." 

The people were consumed with their sin and consumed their rulers  "like an oven".  They did not "consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness.. "  (v2) The Lord says.. " None of them call on Me." ( v7) They wouldn't turn to Him. They wouldn't seek Him. They wouldn't listen to His Words of warning through the prophets.  "I would redeem them, but they speak lies against Me. And they do not cry to Me from their hearts." (v13)

This is the portrait of a nation.. that had everything.. and gave it all up because they rejected the One who loved them.  This also is a portrait of every person who refuses to turn to the Lord who wants to heal them, to save them, to deliver them.. to "redeem them". 

We live in a world where anger burns like an oven.. where hearts are wicked and stubborn.. where people reject God and are consumed by their own sins.  We are shocked when a news report tells of another shooting.. a senseless killing.. a horrible rage-filled attack on innocent bystanders or not so innocent family members. But.. where sin runs deep.. hearts are consumed by it.

Here is what the Good Shepherd says to this world we live in... " I would heal you.  I would redeem you. I would save You.. Call on Me.. Seek Me.. Turn to Me.. Cry to Me.. "  As Paul wrote.. where "sin increased, grace abounded all the more.. " (Romans 5:20) We have a God who is greater than all our sin! Hallelujah! Jesus came to seek and save the lost!

Father, we know that there are so many around us who are not only lost.. but they are like smoldering ovens, ready to burn like flaming fires.. they are hurt and angry and filled with hatred.  And many  of them do not even know why.. for they have not heard Your Word and they do not know You.  Father, we pray that Your Word would "... spread rapidly and be glorified" as You send forth workers into the harvest fields. ( II Thes. 3:1)  You are faithful and You will direct us into Your love and the steadfastness of Christ.  Strengthen us by Your power and grace.  Protect us from evil and grant us Your peace.  Open our eyes to see the ones who need to hear Your voice and help us to speak up! We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.