STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY YOU GROW THE WAY YOU WERE BORN

COLOSSIANS 2:1-7 Paul spoke here of the necessity of the Colossians to continue as they had begun. In other words, he was telling them, “Get settled in Christ; see that Christ is everything in your life.” Paul wanted the Colossians to recognize that if someone taught differently, then that teaching...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY “CHRIST IN YOU”

COLOSSIANS 1:21-29 On the surface, the emphasis of “Christ in you” (Col. 1:27) may not seem so important. But when we grasp the significance of this great truth, our thinking about Christ and ourselves will be changed and even our prayer life will be changed. I well remember when I...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY CHRIST ETERNAL!

COLOSSIANS 1:13-19 Christ existed prior to all creation. He is “the firstborn of every creature” (Col. 1:15). From the original language of the New Testament, this phrase is literally “firstborn of all creation.” The Greek word translated “firstborn” does not mean that He was the first one born; rather, it...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY LIVING TO PLEASE GOD

COLOSSIANS 1:9-12 As Paul prayed for the Colossians and their walk, or way of life, he did not pray that it might be pleasing to man but to God. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul said of himself, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN?

COLOSSIANS 1:1-8 Almost everyone talks about faith because almost everyone has faith in something. But faith is only as good as its object. It is important to recognize that we are not saved from condemnation by having faith in faith. Paul commended the Colossians for their “faith in Christ Jesus”...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY CAN YOU CLAIM THIS PROMISE?

PHILIPPIANS 4:17-20 Philippians 4:19 cannot be understood apart from the preceding verses. Some Christians have claimed verse 19 but have not met the conditions of the preceding verses; therefore, they are unwarranted in expecting God to keep His promise of verse 19. And when they see that God has not...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY CONTENTMENT, NOT COMPLACENCY

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13; 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-11 Nowhere does the Bible suggest that we should be content with unsatisfactory conditions. But because of our personal relationship with Christ we can be content in them. As different situations arise and we learn our lessons one after another, we will also find it possible...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY THE RENEWED MIND

PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9; 2 PETER 1:1-9 A good exercise is to analyze the kind of thoughts you have been thinking. Some will be spiritual thoughts that make a positive contribution to life, others will be thoughts about things that are not necessarily good or bad, and there will be thoughts that...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY DO YOU HAVE “PET CARES”?

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7; MATTHEW 6:24-34 There are at least three characteristics, or marks, that indicate we have excessive care. The first is being more concerned about things than about God’s will for us. We will never have peace by acquiring things; peace comes only by being in God’s will, with or...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY CONSIDERATE CHRISTIANS

PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14; 1 TIMOTHY 1:12-7 The word “moderation” (Phil. 4:5) emphasizes pliability and agreeableness. It is a special consideration given to other people, and it is to be the additive that causes a believer to patiently forbear under injury without desiring revenge. It is a spirit that is ready to...

Continue reading