Looking Back

         

Summary of Philemon

LET IT GLOW and GROW

When this week passes, it will never return. As you well know, this is the first week of a brand new year. Last year will not return. What's done is done. Have you been looking back at the old year? I have. I found there were some things I should have done differently; some things I should have said or not said; some things I should have done more, and some I should have done less. Evaluation is always good. It puts things in their right perspective, don't you think? We can learn from our mistakes and improve.
So I am ready to take a look back at the letter Paul wrote to Philemon, a summary if you will. Since we have looked at the people and situation, I want to look at some words Paul used.

• love-Paul heard of the love Philemon had toward the Lord Jesus and the saints. (verse 5)
• faith-Paul also heard about Philemon's faith in Jesus. He must have been teaching it in the church which met in his home. (verse 5)
• thanks-Paul thanked God for Philemon. (verse 4)
• prayers-Paul prayed for his dearly beloved friend Philemon. (verse 4)
• joy-Paul had joy because of the refreshment of the saints at Colossae due to Philemon. (verse 7)
• refreshed-The believers were encouraged at this church because of Philemon. (verse 7)
• prisoner-Paul was in imprisoned in Rome because of his witness for Jesus, but allowed visitors. (verse 9)
• servant-Onesimus was still owned by Philemon, but was free in Jesus. (verse 16)
• wronged and owed-Paul was willing to make right what Onesimus had done wrong to Philemon. (verse 18)
• receive-Paul encouraged Philemon to receive back Onesimus, who had sinned and run away.(verse 17)
• grace-Jesus gives all grace freely. It is by God's grace that we are saved through faith.(Eph.2:8)
• forgiveness-A word not mentioned, but implied by Paul.

Will I spend more time in prayer this year? Will I give thanks to God more? Is my love and faith growing stronger? Will I refresh others? What kind of servant of Jesus' will I be this new year? Will I forgive what happened last year and show more grace? Will I serve Jesus more faithfully?
Those are things to ponder.

LET IT GO

At the feet of Jesus, I need to let go of some attitudes and hurts so I can forgive and start anew.
Seek the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, then show it to others.
Make time to pray more.
Be more thankful.
Be filled with the joy of Jesus.

Setting the Table

Philemon
Who (Onesimus) formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.
Verse 11 NAS 

LET IT GLOW

When I was growing up, holiday meals were a big deal in our family. Mom spent the day before preparing pies and cakes. Then on that day, she got up early and began making those scrumptuously huge homemade rolls, put a turkey or a ham in the oven, and continued praparing the rest of the dinner. It wasn't just two vegetables, either. They were fresh, from her freezer, or her canned ones from her pantry. The table was covered. How I mess those days.
Now my job was to set the table with our china, silver, and glassware. Then I would ususally make a green salad, cutting up all the veggies.
Mom always had a wonderful meal on the table, but she made her guests feel welcome, too. Many times we would have aunts and uncles and cousins join us. Looking back, that's when and where I learned about being  a servant, observing Mom.

Let me update any new visitors. Paul sent Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus, back to him. Onesimus had stolen some money from Philemon and high tailed it to Rome to hide. Now Paul was imprisoned in Rome, but the providence of God was at work. Wouldn't you know it, the two got together and Onesismus came to faith in Christ. What a missionary that Paul was!

Warren Wiersbe said there were estimated to be 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire. An average slave sold for 500 denarii, a day's wage, while an educated and skilled slave sold as high as 50,000 denarii. A master could free a slave or the slave could buy his freedom if he could. (Acts 22:28) A runaway slave would be put on on the "wanted" list. Any free citizen could return the slave to his owner. The slave was an expensive and useful piece of personal property.

Paul doesn't condone nor condemn the use of slaves. In his letter to the Colossians, He emphasized our service is to the Lord, not just mankind. (chapter 3) Now that Onesimus bacame a believer, Paul wanted Philemon to treat him as a brother.

A servant is one who gives himself up wholly to another's will. They are to do what their master wishes.
Jesus came as a servant, doing what His Father wanted Him to do. He also served the disciples in the upper room by washing their feet. He picked up a towel.
One day in heaven,  Jesus will set the table for us and bid us to "Come and dine."


LET IT GROW

I want to be a servant of Jesus. He paid my debt, purchasing my salvation so it would be free to me. Such love He showed me. How do I return love to HIm? By serving others.
As His servant I want to please Him. But how?

In Luke 9:23, he tells us how: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

First, I must deny myself- my preferences, my plans, my will. I have to say "no" to self and "yes" to what and when Jesus leads.
Second, I must take up my cross daily-choose Christ instead of my way.
Third, I must follow Jesus. No stipulations nor requirements are added, are they? More than believing Him, I obey Him. I die to something, self, daily.

As this New Year is speeding on in time, am I taking time to serve the Lord? Do I give my time to someone who needs it? Do I do what my husband wants to do instead of what I want to do? Am I teaching and showing the next generation self-denial, cross-bearing, and following Jesus?


LET IT GO

Let go of pride, pick up a towel, and serve.

Be self-denying, cross-bearing, and follow Jesus.

A Fresh New Start

Philemon
For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.  Verse 7 NAS

Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ . Verse 20 NAS

HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR FRIENDS!!!!!!
Thank you for faithfully walking with me through 2 Corinthians to Philemon last year. You are such a blessing!!!!!!!!!! May the Lord shower you with His Spirit this year!


LET IT GLOW
As I read verses 7 and 20, the word refresh jumped at me. Paul said that the "hearts of the saints had been refreshed through Philemon. Paul also wanted to be refreshed by Philemon. I wonderd how that could happen-refreshing others and being refreshed myself. So I had to look it up. According to Thayer's Lexicon, refreshed means invigorated (strengthened).

"Paul was encouraged because Philemon was such a rest and refreshment to the saints(other believers) in Colossae," states Liberty Bible Commentary.

How did this happen? It was Philemon's love and faith for Jesus and others. (verse 6) Probably he gave them food for their body and soul.
John Gill said,"Hearts were filled with gladness, the pressures upon their minds were removed, and they had an inward pleasure in ther souls, along with rest, refreshment, comfort through liberal communications of Philemon to them; Philemon did what he could cheerfully, so it did their souls good, as well as their bodies."

LET IT GROW


Don't you like fresh, new starts? Since this in only the second day of a brand spanking new year, I am thinking about fresh starts. I can start again with my life anew. Forget about those harsh words, wrong choices, bad attitudes. It's a new year. It's a time in my life when I can start my life anew.
 I don't make resolutions because I break them. However,there are some things I can improve on-diet, time spent with family, share with friends, send more cards, make more calls and visits. These are temporal things. In the scope of eternal things, I need to pray more, surrender my will more, serve better, increase giving, etc.
I changemy walking shoes often, buying new ones every 6 months, for my walking work-out.  I realize that I need to evaluate my spiritual walk and make a few changes, too. How about you?

How could Philemon refresh a spiritual man as Paul?
Here are some opinions I found:

• by forgiving Onesimus and bringing unity in the Colossian church (MacArthur)
• by sending Onesimus back to Paul (Guzik)
• by doing the same for Paul as he did for others (Shepherd's Notes)

I don't know what Paul intended, nor what happened. At any rate, Philemon's faith and love made an impression on Paul, don't you think?


LET IT GO

Let the Lord Jesus refresh me so I can in turn refresh others.

Follow the Lord's leading so the hearts of the saints can be refreshed.

Will You do Me a Favor?

Philemon
I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people.
Verses 4-7 NLT

Verse 6 in NAS says: and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake.

LET IT GLOW

Shepherd's Notes has this to say:

This letter appears to address four readers: Philemon, Apphia (probably his wife), Archippus, and "the church that meets in your home." The letter makes clear, however, that Paul directed his comments to Philemon alone. Most likely Paul included the others because they were part of Philemon's family and courtesy demanded it.

Who was Philemon?
He had been saved under Paul's ministry, probably in Ephesus (verse 19), several years earlier.He was wealthy enough to have a large house in Colosse and owned at least one slave, Onesimus. (MacArthur)
The New Testament churches met in homes (Rom. 16:5), as did this church in Colosse, which met in Philemon's home. Slavery was common in the Roman empire days.

Let me add that Onesimus stole money from Philemon and ran away, ending up in Rome. (Onesimus wasn't a Christian at that time.) Onesimus met Paul while in Rome and was converted to Christ. Paul grew to love Onesimus and wanted to keep him there with Paul, but to do the right thing, Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon.

What were some good things (descriptions) Paul wrote about his friend Philemon?

• He was a dearly beloved co-worker of Paul's. (verse 1)
• He shared his faith in the Lord Jesus because Paul heard about it. (verse 4)
• He showed love for all of God's people. (verse 4)
• He was a model believer, before the Lord, and with regard to other believers. (Falwell)
• He had a friend (Paul) who prayed for him. He prayed that generosity would come from Philemon's faith as he understood and experienced all the good things we have in Christ.    (verse 6)
• His love gave Paul much joy and comfort. (verse 7)
• His kindness often refreshed the hearts of God's people. (verse 7) 

Can others describe me as having the same qualities?


LET IT GROW

How many times have I heard the question, "Will you do me a favor?" Better yet, how many times have I asked it of a friend or family member? I ask it with the good intentions of returning a favor to that person, but do I? Paul asked a favor of his friend Philemon.

Verse 20 in the New Living Translation says: Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

What favor did Paul want Philemon to do for him? I think the answer is found in verse 18: If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. (NLT)

In other words, Paul was asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus of his wrongs done Philemon (stealing money and running away). When I flipped the page of my daily devotional today, I read this appropriate verse.
Colossians 3:13 says: Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

"If we don't release our grudges to [God] and pray sincerely for his love and forgiveness to flow through us, it will never happen," stated Marilyn Meberg.

Now that verse becomes personal when you put  I own name in front. Linda, forgive whatever grievances you may have against___________. Will you do the same?
I think I have some homework to do.


LET IT GO

Let go of those hurt feelings and forgive.

Share my faith.

Show love for all God's people.

Heart to Heart

Philemon
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlaborer.  verse 1


LET IT GLOW


Sometimes it is needful to sit down and have an indepth discussion with my husband. It's not just a time of expressing what I think or how I feel about something in particular. I also listen to his point of view concerning the topic. Now that's what I call having a heart-to-heart discussion. It's not surface words nor what I think he wants to hear, but an open expression from my heart to his heart. (We don't do it often enough.) As I read through the letter,  I got the feeling that Paul was having a heart-to-heart discussion with Philemon about the subject of Onesimus. Shall we look a little closer?

Instead of identifying himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, as Paul usually does, he identifies himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
The definition of prisoner, stated in Thayer's Lexicon, means "bound, in bonds, a captive; it reads 'whom Christ, in his truth which I have preached, has put in bonds.' "

Timothy was visiting Paul in Rome, though not detained.
All true believers in Christ are brothers. (Falwell)

As you will recall, Paul lead Timothy, Philemon, and Onesimus to salvation in Christ. While Paul was on his first missionary journey in Lystra, he lead Timothy to faith in Jesus.( See 1 Timothy 1:2, 18;
1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 1:2.) Philemon's conversion took place 5 or 6 years prior through Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon's, fled Rome, where it just so happened that Paul was. By God's providence, the two met and Onesimus was converted to Christianity.(Paul spent two years ounder house arrest there.)

I see why Paul used the adjectives brother and dearly beloved to describe these guys. Can't you? These were men of faith, dear to Paul's heart. They had a bonding.
We will talk more about Philemon and Onesimus in our next couple of lessons.
Keep in mind that this letter was also to be read to the church there at Colossae.

What do we find Paul saying in this letter?

• He sends his common greetings of grace and peace to his readers.
• He prays for and praises Philemon. (verses 4, 7)
• He pleas to Philemon to show love to Onesimus. Paul had deep affection and admiration for Onesimus. Actually, Paul would have liked to have kept Onesimus with him in Rome.
• He plans to visit Philemon once Paul's case in Rome is decided. (verse 22)
• He wants Philemon to remember him in prayer. (verse 22)
• He sends greetings to nine specific people, which Paul names. (verses 2, 23,24)
• He ends this letter by sending the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ toward Philemon and his household. (verse 25)

LET IT GROW

What does Paul say to me in my present time?

• Show Christian love.
• Forgive and don't hold grudges.
• Be grateful for the best in others. (verse 4) 
• Seek the welfare of others. (verse 10
• Deal honestly with others. (verse 12)
• Bear the burdens of others. (verse 18)
• Believe the best of others. (verse 21)

[Rseource: MacArthur Bible Commentary]

LET IT GO

Have a heart to heart talk with the Lord.

Allow Him to change me into what He wants me to be like.

If needed, have a heart to heart talk with others if our relationship is smudged.

Introduction to Philemon

 "Introduction to Philemon"    Dec. 28, 2011
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlaborer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.  Verses 1-3

Background:

The Letter:
Paul's handwritten letter to Philemon is the shortest of his 13 canonical books. It only has 25 verses, as you will notice. In our Bible, it is placed last in the collection of Pauline Epistles. It was written and sent at the same time as the letter to the Colossians, around A.D. 62, while Paul was under guard in Rome awaiting trial before Caesar. (See Acts 25:12; 28:16,30) Therefore, the book of Philemon is one of the Prison Epistles, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

This letter was carried from Paul to Philemon by way of Tychicus when he returned to Colosse with the epistle of Colossian
(Col. 4:7-9).

This beautifu personal letter urged Philemon to forgive Onesimus, 
his runaway slave, and welcome him back to serve Christ as a believing brother.

 The City:
Colosse was a city in Phrygia, which was in the Roman province of Asia, modern Turkey. It was located about 100 miles east of Ephesus.
This was a thriving city in the fifth century when Persian king Xerxes marched through its region. Colosse was situated at the junction of the main north-south route and the east-west route. Important products were black wool and dyes, as well as chalk deposits. However, by Paul's day, the main road was rerouted through Laodicea, bypassing Colosse, thus leading to its decline. 
The main population of Colosse was Gentile, with a large Jewish settlement dating back to 223-187 B.C. So one could expect a combination of Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism there.

The Church
When did the church at Colosse begin? I was during Paul's three-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19). After Epaphras was saved during a visit to Ephesus, he most likely started this church in Colosse when he returned home. So Paul wasn't its founder.
The Colossians encountered the threat of heresy in the form of Gnosticism, a belief that God is good, but matter is evil, that Jesus was one of a series of emanations descending from God and being less than God, denying Jesus' humanity, too; Jewish legalism which taught circumcision was necessary for salvation, observed ceremonial rituals of the OT law, called for the worship of angels and mystical experience.

The Theme
Forgiveness is the dominating theme in this letter. Paul doesn't use the word "forgive" but provides its biblical definition.

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Handbook]


LET IT GLOW

I wanted to write our study on Philemon a little differently. We will be looking at the three main characters instead of going verse by verse for discussion. Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus are the three people we'll look at. So I challenge you to read through these 25 verses with that perspective before our next lesson.

Do overs. I like do overs. I'm talking about the time when I was in elementary school, playing on the playground, and jumping rope with my little girlfriends. If I messed up" running in" to jump rope while two girls turned it, which stopped the whole procedure, they would let me have "do overs." I could start again, have a fresh start, try again. I can still see my head bobbing around following the rope up and down in a circle, my hands going in the same circular motion. Sometimes two of us would run in together and jump to a rhyme. We got rather good at it.
Yes, I am glad the Lord allows me "do overs." Friends,  I mess up every day, sin, and need a chance to do it over. Because of God's grace, I can do just that.

Paul was asking Philemon to let Onesimus have "do overs." Onesimus had taken some money and ran away. He was a slave owned by Philemon. Forgiveness was involved in this story. Philemon couldn't fake it, but had to completely forgive Onesimus for his wrong doing.

Do I forgive others when they do me wrong?


LET IT GROW


Not only was Philemon confronted with the forgiveness issue, but he was given a chance to show Christian love.
Christ forgives me when I ask. In fact, He ask the Father to forgive me while hanging on the cross, dying. Such love! How can I do any less of others?


LET IT GO

Be like Jesus and forgive and love others.

Desertion

2 Timothy 4-Part 8
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.   2 Timothy 4:16-17


LET IT GLOW

The other night I  made tea for the men in our revival team to drink.The problem was, it was weak.  I had put a little water in a bowl and heated it in the microwave, then put one family-sized tea bag in it. Well, either I didn't get the water hot enough, didn't use two family-sized bags, or didn't leave it in long enough. At any rate, when I added cool water to the pitcher, I knew it was too weak. Men like strong tea, don't they? We can be like tea-weak or strong in faith.
Poor Paul, where were his friends? Was Paul weak or strong during his trial?

After all that Paul had done for his colleagues and friends, you'd think the least they would do was come and stand in his defense. However, to support a Christian at his trial would have been a death wish. As it happened, Paul's friends in Rome either had been captured and tried, or they fled like rats from a sinking ship. (Swindoll)
In spite of it all,  Paul wasn't alone-the Lord Jesus stood with him. Hebrews 13:5-6 reminds us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus will always stand with us. He is the one we need and all we need. What was available to Paul in his trial? Strength was available and came.

"Strengthened me is how Paul put it. It's the Greek word endynamoo, which means pour in strength. It is always available. There is no need to give in or give up," states Liberty Bible Commentary.

The next night, I used two bags to make the tea. It turned out stronger and more was drank. It's been my experience that when I asked for His strength, Jesus gave it to me. Do you need strength to carry on today? Do you feel weak and deserted? Turn to Jesus, friend. He will pour it in like tea is poured from a pitcher into a glass.

LET IT GROW

Have you ever been deserted? I can recall a few times in my life. Mostly they occurred when a parent had a bone to pick with me, their child's teacher. That's when my colleagues scattered. So who deserted you? Was it a parent or a spouse? I get the feeling that Paul felt deserted by his friends at his time of need.

The word forsook means to abandon, desert, to leave in straits, leave helpless, (leave in the lurch).

Let's back up to the beginning of this verse: At my first answer, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me.

Liberty Bible Commentary explains this verse in this manner:

Answer in the Greek is apologia. We get our word  apology or defense from it. He is referring to his trial.
Stood with me in the Greek is this word paraginomai. This is a technical word and would refer to a defense lawyer or advocate.
All me forsook me The same word used of Demas in verse 10, abut he did not let it make him bitter. No matter how it hurts, no root of bitterness can be allowed lest many others ge hurt (Heb. 12:15).

Paul must have preached the gospel to Nero at his trial, just as he had done when before Felix. What does Paul says next? He was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. What lion, Paul? Was it Nero the Emperor, a symbol of Satan, or the lions to whom the convicted were thrown? Certainly he was delivered from which ever he meant.

Paul had been deserted at his trial by everyone, but did he hold a grudge? No.
"He was a man of grace, who estended grace to so many, he believed in grace enough to ask for it and to receive it gratefully when offered," said Charles Swindoll.

Time to look within. Will I show grace or hold onto grudges so they can make me bitter? Do I live with regrets or my Redeemer? Does grace cover me or does shame? Am I fearful or strong as a rod of iron in my spine because grace put it there? If I practice grace daily, will I resemble Paul in his last days? If I knew I only had one day left in which to live, how would I respond? How about you?

I think Paul continued to preach Jesus to his fellow inmates, guards, and friends. I am thankful for his writing of these prison letters-1 & 2 Timothy and Titus while he was in Rome awaiting his death for Christ. Did you catch it-Paul prayed asking God to not charge anyone guilty of his death. So did Stephen and Jesus. Could I do the same? Can I love my enemies to this extent?


LET IT GO

When forsaken, turn to Jesus.

Ask Jesus for strength to carry on through my trials.

Trust my Deliver's timing and method.

Remember that Jesus never leaves me nor forsakes me.

Where am I Walking?

Summary of Colossians

Paul had never been to Colosse. This letter to the Colossian church was one of four that Paul wrote during his first Roman imprisonment. Timothy and five other men were with Paul during this time. Paul tells who they were in chapter 4.
Because the Gnostics were trying to influence this church with its heiracy, false teachings, Paul Paul taught some doctrine. They were urging people to leave their Christian roots and accept their religious ideas.

One theme that predominates in Colossians is the supremacy of Christ. Christ is the sufficency for the total Christian life. Only He is worthy of worship and obedience, not angels, as Gnotics believed. Paul urges these believers, and us, to be firm in faith, committed to Christ, live and grow in Him.

Christ is both Creator and Reconciler (1:15-23). We are to abandon our sins of our old life and cultivate the virtues of the new life (3:5-4:6). Paul's thanksgiving embraces three aspects of the Christian church-their faith, love, and hope.

Paul identified three characteristics of those who walk in God's will:
1. They continue to grow spiritually.
2. They persevere.
3. They are joyfully thanking the Father.
[Resource: Shepherd's Notes]

Where am I walking, in my will, or in God's will? I want to walk in God's will. How about you?

Here are a few gold nuggets highlighted in the book of Colossians:
*That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing
   in the knowledge of God. (1:10)
*In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (1:14)
*And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he
   reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable
   in his sight.  (1:21-22)
*In whom (Christ) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (2:3).
*For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (2:9)
*If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
   God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid
   with Christ in God. (3:1-3)
* There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but
   Christ is all, and in all. (3:11)
*Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
   meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel
   against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. and above all these things put on charity (love),
   which is the bond of perfectness. (3:12-14)
* Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms
   and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (3:16)
*And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
   Father by him. (3:17)
*And whatsoever ye do, o it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (3:23)
*Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. (4:2)
*Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (4:5)
*Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every
   man. (4:6)

Thank you, dear friend, that you have taken time to walk with me through the book of Colossians. I have learned many things and hopefully you have also. May we be challenged to do whatsever we do heartily as to the Lord and not to people, or for our glory. As Paul ended his letter, so do I:
Grace be with you.

Join me tomorrow as I begin a new journey through the two epistles Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica.

Keep an Eye On

Colossians 4-Part 5 And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you." HERE IS MY GREETINGS IN MY OWN HANDWRITING-Paul.
Remember my chains.
May God's grace be with you.
Colossians 4:17-18  NLT

LET IT GLOW

Paul's letter ends with a person touch. He signed the greeting in his hand. This means that someone else penned the epistle, which happened to be common in the first century and with Paul's letters. It might have been due to Paul's poor eyesight that prohibited his actually writing these letters. The authenticity came from his signature.
In verse 18, Paul gives the two final reminders:
1. "Remember my chains." Paul was asking the Colossians to remember and intercede for him in prayer.
2. Paul reminded the Colossians of God's grace. He ends his letter where he began it, with the principle of
    grace, that God supplies salvation freely, that He requires nothing but a trust in the work of His son, Jesus,
    and that grace sustains the Christian's life. If God's grace is with the Colossians, they need nothing else.
    [from Shepherd's Notes]

God's grace is a free gift that we don't deserve. We are saved by it through faith, not of works, so we can't boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) How wonderful is this gift! Have you received it?

LET IT GROW

I like the way the King James Version says verse 17, "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."

Heed, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, means to look at, beware, perceive, regard.

Liberty Bible Commentary says it this way, "Take heed-keep an eye on. Archippus was called of the Lord, and most probably had some ministerial responsibility in the church at Colossae. Paul tells him to keep on filling to the full, discharge fully (his calling). This is a lifetime job. God does not discharge His servants."

This makes me think about my situation. I keep an eye on the cattle that are here on our farm. Even though most of them belong to our son and his wife, I still watch out for them. During the calfing season, I notice whenever a cow is down, or off in the corner alone. I've learned that this is a sign of her time to give birth is near, or she is currently in the process. This has been benificial since there have been times that the cows have needed help in delivery. Thus the newborn calf and mamma are saved.

Am I keeping an eye on my calling as a Christian to witness, read the Word, pray, teach God's Word, support my church, encourage believers?


LET IT GO

Be grateful for God's grace to me.

Stay faithful to my calling.

Greetings-To and From

Colossians 4
Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord's work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose-to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that's happening here.    Colossians 4:7-9  NLT


LET IT GLOW

I enjoy receiving a nice card or letter from a family member or friend. Birthday cards are usually all that I send out anymore. Now that there is email, facebook, and cell phones, I rarely write a letter. A letter that's signed by the author instead of typed is so much more personal. Don't you think? Why don't I write more, since I enjoy receiving them so much? Paul wrote many letters that we have as part of our New Testament. I'm glad he liked writing them and wasn't sloughful like me.

We are coming to the closing part of this letter to the Colossian church. Paul has decided who he wants to carry the letter to the church. He chose Tychicus and Onesimus. Letters were often carried by personal messengers in the first century. This made the communication more meaningful.
Apparently the Colossian Christians didn't know who Tychicus was. Actually, I don't remember either. Shall we find out?

Tychicus:
-his name means "fortuitous" or "fortunate",
-a beloved brother in the faith,
-a faithful minister,
-a fellow servant in the Lord,
-a Gentile convert Paul took to Jerusalem as a representative of Gentile churches (Acts 20:4),
-a reliable companion of Paul and capable leader, since he was considered as a replacement for Titus and
  Timothy (2 Tim. 4:12, Titus 3:12),
-had the responsibility to deliver Paul's letters to the Ephesians (6:21) and Philemon (verse 9) and the
  Colossians.

Onesimus:
-a faithful and dear brother in the faith,
-a runaway slave whose return to his master, a believer in Colossae, was the basis for Paul' letter to
  Philemon
-he came in contact with Paul in Rome, became a Christian while there, and was a dedicated helper to Paul.
  His story is continued in Paul's letter to Philemon.

Am I considered a faithful, dear friend in the Lord to others? Am I a reliable fellow servant of the Lord Jesus?


LET IT GLOW

Paul sends greetings to the Colossians from five men who were with Paul in Rome. I wondered who some of these men were. Here's what I found out:
Aristarchus:
-fellow prisioner, fone of three Jewish believers with Paul at the time,
-a native of Thessalonica,
-one of Paul's companions who was seized aby a rioting mob in Ephesus (Acts 19:29),
-accompanied Paul on his trip to Jerusalem and his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:2).

Mark:
-after having a fallen out of favor with Paul for some time, he's seen here as one of Paul's key helpers
  (2 Tim. 4:11),

Jesus called Justus:
-comforted Paul in his trial
-one of three with Paul at the time of writing,
-could have been one of Romans Jews who believed Paul's message (Acts 28:24).

Epaphras:
-was so concerned about the heresy at Colossae that he made the long journey to Rome (verse 12, 13),
-remained behind in Rome, mayabe to receive further instruction from Paul (Philemon 23),
-prays earnestly for this church asking God to make them strong and perfect, fully confident that they're
  following the whole will of God (verse 12 NLT),
-prays for believers at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Luke:
-Paul's personal physician and close friend who traveled frequently with him on missionary journeys,
-wrote the Gospel of Luke  and the Book of Acts,
-had a significant role in the early church.

Demas:
-accompanied Paul to Rome, but later deported because he "loved this world." (2 Tim. 4:9-10)

Paul instructs the readers to send his greetings to the Laodicean church, to encourage believers there,
(Book of Ephesians may have been delivered to them first); to Nympha (church at Laodicea met at her house in Acts 12:12); to Archippus (maybe son of Philemon), to encourage him.

"The Epistle to the Ephesians was a circular letter to various churches in the province of Asia, one copy going to Laodiceas and to be passed on to Colossae as the Colossian letter was to be sent to Laodicea," by A.T. Robertson in Word Pictures of the New Testament.

Are my writings an encouragement to others through my emails, Facebook conversations, and cards, and blogs? How about you? Like Paul said to the Philippian church, "whasoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, think on these things."
[Resources: The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Shepherd's Notes, David Guzik's Commentary on the Bible]


LET IT GO

Mail out more letters and cards of encouragement.

Share the love of Christ with someone today.

Be a beloved sister in the faith and a faithful helper to a believer today.

Seasoned as Green Beans

Colossians 4-Part 3
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.  Colossians 4:6  KJV
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.  NAS
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.  NLT
Always talk pleasantly, season your talk with salt so you will know how you should answer everone.  Beck


LET IT GLOW

Paul is telling me, as a Christian, how to speak. Always speak with grace; always speak graciously. What is that like?

John MacArthur says, in The MacArthur Bible Commentary:

To speak with grace is to speak what is spiritual, wholesome, fitting, kind, sensitive, purposeful, complimentary, gentle, truthful, loving, and thoughtful.

Grace is that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness; grace of speech.
(Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)

I know some people who speak in that manner. They are pleasant to be around. They aren't critical, always fault finding, like others I know. I need to work on what I say and how I say it.


LET IT GROW

Green beans without salt? Oooo, how flat and yucky.
I recall how my summers were spent during my childhood, helping Mom can fruits and vegetables. Since green beans were my favorite vegetable, I didn't mind snipping off the ends, then snapping them into thirds. I could do a handful in no time. One thing Mom always did before putting the lids on top of the jars was to add salt to each one. I didn't think anything about it at the time, so I didn't ask her why she did that. Now that I have grown up, I know that the salt was a preservative and it added flavor. It kept the beans from going bad. Of course, the pressure cooker cooked them. What did Paul say should be seasoned with salt? My speech? Why does it  need to be salty? Shall we check it out?

Salt had three uses in Paul's day: it could (1) preserve a food, (2) "sterilize" a food, or (3) season a food. In this passage, Paul takes the last meaning. Conversation is to be seasoned, that is, acceptable and inoffensive.
(Shepherd's Notes)

Just as salt not only flavors, but prevents corruption, the Christian's speech should act not only as a blessing to others, but as a purifying influence within the decaying society of the world. (John MacArthur)

The Greek word for salt, is halas, which  means prudence. (Thayer's Lexicon)
Prudence means descretion, which is careful, wise, according to Webster's Dictionary.

So my words, conversation, needs to be thought about, not just blurted out. Without thought, that's when they tend to be not so gracious.

Liberty Bible Commentary says:

Christ was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Christians are to be gracious, pleasant, attractive, winsome, and courteous. Their speech is to be seasoned with salt, not flat, not dull, not tasteless. Christians are to have an edge of liveliness, and to be marked by purity, wholesomeness, and hallowed pungency. This is so we know how to answer everyone. It is in order that we can adapt the message to the situation and speak appropriately to each and every man.   

 How would my words be described by others? Are they gracious and nice and salty? Or do they sting, like salt in a  sore? Is my speech seasoned like green beans, with grace and truth? He is the Potter, I am the clay. My conversation needs some reshaping.
All of this is so I know how to answer when people ask questions about the Lord, salvation, and meaning of Scriptures.


LET IT GO

Be more gracious and pleasant in my conversations.

Be salty in my words, telling about Jesus.

Open Doors

Colossians 4-Part 2
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Colossians 4:5


LET IT GLOW

I like springtime. The weather warms up so I can open the front door and see out. We have a glass outer door. I enjoy seeing the green grass covering the hills, trees getting their green leaves back, flowers and dandelions popping their heads up out of the earth, various colored birds singing in trees. This is especially enjoyable after experiencing a long winter of weeks with the ground covered in deep white snow. Sometimes I walk through the open door and sometimes I just look out of it. There are other doors that can be opened. Paul talks about one.

Paul asks the Colossians to pray for him and Timothy to have "a door for the Word." He wants an opportunity for preaching the Word of God, which would be best afforded by his release from prison.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:9, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."  
In 2 Corinthians 2:12, Paul said, Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord."
Paul realizes that it is the Lord who opens this door of opportunity to speak about the mystery of Christ. We know he was faithful to those opportunities because servants of the King's household were saved as a result.

Am I looking for those open doors? Do I walk through them and share Christ with a lost soul when it is available in conversation?  Or do I just look at the door?


LET IT GROW

Looking at verses 5 and 6, David Guzik said,"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside: the Christian life isn't only lived in the prayer closet. There also must be "shoe-leather Christianity," which lives wisely toward those who are outside. How we speak has a lot to do with this, so we must let our speech always be with grace. If only Christians could speak with grace as well as they seem to speak with gossip. Christians should seek answers in God's Word, and communicate those answers to those who are outside."

The way I walk is my behavior. I am to conduct myself wisely, prudent in behavior and discreet in conduct.
Redeeming the time refers to buying up the opportunity for one's self; making wise and sacred use of every opportunity; using the time to the best possible advantage. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Am I walking in wisdom toward those unsaved?


LET IT GO

Look for open doors to share Christ with the lost.

Let my behavior honor Christ.

Pickin' and Choosin' in Prayer

      
Colossians 4-Part 1
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.   Colossians 4:2


LET IT GLOW

I must confess that there are times that I grow weary in praying for others. How about you? Maybe it's because my prayers haven't been answered yet. Their names seem to fall by the wayside in my prayertime. Maybe the problem is that I am praying for my will and not for God's will to be done in that person's life. I think they should be or do this or that. Perhaps on my time table, it  has been a long time to pray without changes seen. But all this is all from my perspective.
1 Thessalonians 5: 17 says, "Pray without ceasing." So I should not STOP praying  for that person. God is hearing my prayers, working on His time table, not mine, working in His way, not mine. Keep on praying. I do not want people to give up and stop praying  for me, so I should continue praying for others.

In verse 2, Paul says to continue in prayer. Obviously, in order to continue then we must be doing it already.

This is an appeal to give constant attention to prayer. The Christian should persevere steadfastly in intercession.
Ephesians 6:18 states, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in ever thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." 

(Did you notice it said for ALL SAINTS?) That word ALL jumped out at me. Forgive me, Lord, for pickin' and choosin' for whom I pray.

Prayer was the secret to the prospering Colossian church (1:3-8). It would only continue to prosper through vigilance in prayer. We are to always pray with thanksgiving for the great things God has done.
(David Guzik)
So I am to continue to pray with thanksgiving. Pray for everything, whether joyful, or sorrowful, mercies temporal and spiritual, nation, family, and individual. (Jamison, Fausset, Brown Commentary)

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concening you."

I have learned some things from the Word today.


LET IT GROW

Verse 1 in this chapter talks to masters, employers, supervisors, bosses. Let's see what it says.

David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible says:

Be just and fair to those who work for you. It is a terrible thing for a boss to cheat or mistreat his workers, but for worse for a Christian to do it. Christian masters or supervisors need to remember that they have a Master in heaven that they must answer to. Would they like God to treat them with the same measure of justice and fairness they have treated their workers with?

Just means what is due to others and equal means fairness. (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)

"Render on your part that which is right and fair; deal equitably. This would solve a lot of problems between management and  labor. God keeps His eye on the character and conduct of all me, and "every one of us whall gaive account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). Liberty Bible Commentary

As a Christian business owner, I shall be just and fair in the way I treat my employees. Treat others the way I want to be treated.


LET IT GO

Continue in prayer and give thanks to God for all He has done and will do.

Treat employees just and fair.

Heartily Serving

Colossians 3-Part 7
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.  Colossians 3:23


LET IT GLOW

As a woman, I serve in many capacities. I serve my family at home, my company at work, others at church. Am I a faithful servant of the Lord wherever I am?

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (verse 22)
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.  (verses 24-25)
Masters, give unto your servants, that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.  (4:1)

What is a servant?
A servant is a slave, bondman, man of servile condition. (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)

Am I a servant?

Why do I serve?
Paul mentions three motivations for a service done with all my heart:
*for a reward (verse 24),
*sovereignty of the Lord, He's in control,
*wrongdoers will be repaid for wrong done (verse 25).

I think the main reason I serve is because I love my Lord and I love others.

How do I serve?
Verse 23 tells me to do my serving as though I am serving the Lord, not a person or others.

John Gill said, "Fear God who sees and knows all things that servants do when their masters are absent from them, and to whom they are accountable; a servant that fears God will make conscience of discharging his service faithfully, will not misspend his master's time, nor embezzle his goods, or waste his substance."

Paul uses the word "heartily" to describe our serving. Heartily means "of the source of conduct, as to be found in the state of the soul, its feelings, virtues, vices." (Thayer's Lexicon)

Literally, I am to werve out of the soul. Christians are to throw their souls into their work, and labor cheerfully and diligently. (Liberty Bible Commentary)


LET IT GROW

Where do I serve?
At home, church, work, everywhere.

Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, said this:

God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you.
How can you know if you have the heart of a servant? Jesus said,"You can tell what they are by what they do." Matthew 7:16 CEV

Warren said that real servants:

• make themselves available to serve,
• pay attention to needs,
• do their best with what they have,
• do every task with equal dedication,
• are faithful to their ministry,
• maintain a low profile.

We serve God by serving others.
Mark 10:43 (MSG) states, "Whoever wants to be great must become a servant."

Service starts in your mind. To be a servant, I must think like a servant.
Servants think:

• more about others than about themselves, 
• like stewards, not owners,
• about their work, not what others are doing,
• base their identity in Christ,
• of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation.

Which of these characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me? Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others? Do I have a heart for serving?


LET IT GO

However I serve, whatever I do, do it heartily with all my soul, as though I am serving Jesus.

Give it my all, doing my best, so it honors the Lord.

Submit and Obey

Colossians 3-Part 6
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.     Colossians 3:17


LET IT GLOW


While in high school, I was sent to Girls State convention as our representative. Maybe I was chosen because my achievements met the criterion or because my father was a World War II veteran. At any rate, I represented my school, town, and local auxilliary of the VFW, Veterans of Foreign War. Whose representative am I now? Paul tells shows us in verse 17.

Liberty Bible Commentary states:

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. In all relations of life, act as His representative, obeying His word, trusting in His power, and devoted to His service. We should live Christ-centered lives. All of the life must be Christian; belief relates to behavior; creed issues in conduct; and doctrine relates to duty.

How do I represent Christ to the world around me?


LET IT GROW

My Christian commitment affects every area of life, including the family. Naturally, Paul addressed the Christian responsibilities in this area in verses 18-21:

• Wives submit to own husband.
• Husbands, love your wife and don't be bitter against them.
• Children obey your parents in all things.

What is the result if this is followed?

• Wives honor the Lord.
• Husbands love their wife without causing them to be irritated or resentful.
• Children please the Lord.
• Fathers encourage their children.

According to Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, submit means to subject one's self, to obey, to submit to one's control; fit refers to duty, as was fitting; obey means to harken to a command, be obedient unto; bitter means exasperate, to embitter, render angry, indignant, irritated.
Embitter means make resentful, in Webster's Dictionary.

David Guzik says it this way:

As is fitting in the Lord does not define the extent of a wife's submission. It does not define the limit of a wife's submission. It defines the motive of a wife's submission. It means, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands because it is a part of your duty to the Lord, because it is an expression of your submission to the Lord." They submit simply because it is fitting in the Lord to do it. It honors God's Word and His order of authority. It is part of their Christian duty and discipleship.

Shaunti Feldhahn, in her book, For Women Only, concuded through surveys of men: 
*A man deeply needs the woman in his life to respect his knowledge, opinions, and decisions-what I would
  call his judgment.
*Women hold an incredible power in the way we communicate with our men to build them up or to tear
   them down, to encourage or to exasperate.
*Dozens of men told me how painful it is when their wives cariticized them in public, put them down, or even
  question their judgment in front of others.  
*Men need respect in our assumptions-that he needs reminding, he chooses not to help in a situation, that it's
  his fault it happened.
*A man's heart is powerfully touched by a few simple words: "I'm so proud of you."


Am I submitting unto my own husband? When I do so, I am honoring God's Word and His order of authority.


LET IT GO

Represent Christ to my best ability.

Submit to my own husband.

No Place Like Home

Colossians 3-Part 5
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16


LET IT GLOW

I can walk through our house in the middle of the night with complete darkness without any problems. That is, unless an unexpected door is closed, a laundry basket or toy is not in my path, then I stub my toe. It's because this is my childhood home of 18 years; the place where I grew up. I know all the corners and turns, rooms and doorways. I have lived here almost 5 years since then.
There's no place like home, as Dorothy reminded us, especially after meeting the challenges of a  work day. Home a place of retreat, comfort, relaxation. Home is where your heart is. It's my dwelling place. Do I consider God's Word a "dwelling place?"

Webster's Dictionary states that the word "let" means to allow, permit, cause.
Do I allow God's Word to dwell in me?

In her daily devotional book, Joni Eareckson Tada says:

When the apostle Paul says, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly," he is reminding us that Scripture should find a home in our hearts. We should dwell in it. Richly. For like any home, we should know God's Word like the back of our hand. God wants His Word to find a home in your heart. For you, it can be a strong refuge, or a restful sanctuary from a pressure-filled world. Wherever life takes you, home can be as close as your heart, as close as that Bible next to you.

John Wesley said, "To dwell was not a short stay or an occassional visit, but take up its stated residence."

During the years my family lived elsewhere, we would occassionally visit my mother, who lived here in this same house. It wasn't my  residence back then, only a place to visit. Is God's Word only a place where I visit on Sundays or occassionally when in need of help? Or is it my spiritual  home? Do I memorize the Word so I can take it with me wherever I go?

All the Scripture is inspired by God, edited by the Spirit of Christ. We are to search, carefully attend, diligently read, frequently meditate upon the Scriptures. It furnishes us with all spiritual wisdom. Let the Word
take up residence, never to depart. Develop a steady faith in and an affection for the Scriptures. Make It a rich treasure, an invaluable mine of precious truths. (John Gill)


LET IT GROW

What else is Paul instructing us to do? He says to teach and admonish one another. How do I do that? Use  psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Admonishing means to put in mind, to caution or reprove gently, warn, according to Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.

As we teach the Scriptures, it should be a caution, a repoof, a warning. Not only are we to teach God's Word, but we are to sing the Word, too. We can sing choruses, hymns, new spiritual songs. How am I to sing them? With grace in my heart to the Lord. sing His praises. Sing as an expression of gratitude and worship. Not just in the church building, but throughout my day. We have the message of God's love and redemption in Jesus Christ. (Shepherd's Notes)

So, am I teaching, admonishing, singing God's Word? Am I encouraging others to have joy in Jesus?


LET IT GO

Allow God's Word to take up perminent residence in my heart by reading, meditating, and treasuring It.

Faithfully teach God's Word to others.

Singing praises to the Lord.

The New Me

Colossians 3-Part 4
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, whoever has a complaint against any one; just as the Lord forgave you so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 
Colossians 3:12-15 NAS


LET IT GLOW

Last fall when I was visiting my daughter in Rhode Island, she showed me a new book she read. It was by Shari Braendel, called Good Girls don't have to Dress Bad. I was captivated by it and had to buy one when I returned home. After reading the book, I changed my winter wardrobe of browns and blacks, being a fall colored person, to bright yellows, hot pinks, deep purples, and Christmas reds. This is my new color scheme after the body analysis. I purchased new sweaters with those colors, but now that spring is here, I haven't a thing to wear (those colors, that is). My attire must change. Paul tells us how to clothe ourselves. He gives the attire of the new person, his spiritual wardrobe. Shall we check it out?

Yesterday we talked about the old nature and characteristics we are to get rid of. Today we see the new clothing of the Christian, the new me, which begins with personal attributes:

*Compassion-mercy in action; a heartfelt sympathy for the less fortunate

*Kindness-thoughtfulness of others; unselfishness, sweetness of disposition, gentleness, and graciousness;
                   an inner attitude

*Humility-an outward expression of the inner attitude; modesty, places self last and least

*Gentleness-meekness not weakness, but lowliness; delicate consideration for others; the opposite of
                      arrogance and self-assertion; pride has no place in the Christian's life

*Patience-long suffering under provocation; restraint which enables one to bear injury and insult without
                resorting to retaliation; accepts the wrong without complaint

*Bearing with one another-put up with things we dislike and get along with those who disagree

*Forgiving each other-always treats the offending party graciously; forgives and forgets
  Charizomai is the Greek word for forgiving and is built on the same root as the word grace and means to
   bestow favor unconditionally. We forgive unconditionally, without stipulations or requirements.
A quarrel is a cause of blame, a ground for complaint. Forgive as Christ forgave me.

I put this as the glow instead of grow, because a Christian's life should be glowing with these attributes. They should be prevelent in my life. Do I need a new spiritual wardrobe?


LET IT GROW

What is on top of all those things Paul mentioned previously? What is the outter garment?  Love, charity, is the basis and cloak of all the graces (1Cor.13:13). Love is the bond that binds the others together. Love completes us. Love is more important than anything else in the Christian life. It is the love of God expressed in His redemption for the Christian. This love must be put on "above all," for it is the identifying mark of the genuine believer.
The peace of Christ is to rule in my heart, thoughts, feelings, desires. It is to settle all questions, as an umpire.
"Let the peace of God be the umpire in your life," says David Guzik.

Then I am to be thankful. Thankful for everything and thankful in all situations. After all, it could be worse.
Thank God for what He is doing and will do. Be thankful. I can't be thankful enough. How about you? Are you working on the 1,000 things for which you are thankful? I'm only on number 106 and I started last month.
[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary, Shepherd's Notes]


LET IT GO

Let go of those hurtful feelings and forgive.

Have and show compassion, humility, patience, forbearance, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness,  and love.

Submit to the Holy Spirit for these qualitites.

Enjoy the peace of Christ.

Be thankful.

Time to Get Rid of It

Colossians 3-Part 3
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.  Colossians 3:5-9 NLT


LET IT GLOW

Verse 10 of NLT says, "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us."
I am to be clothed in the new person since I've been saved. I am to be renewed, constantly being renewed (anakaineo). The ol' gal is continuously being renewed, maturing, developing spiritually.There are no distinctons in this process. Christ is all, and in all. Did you catch that? Christ is everything. He's all that matters.


LET IT GROW

Speaking of clothing, since the warmer weather is here, it's time to get rid of the winter clothing and bring out the summer things. I like the bright, light weight caprees and blouses. Though packing up sweaters and long-sleeved shirts isn't my idea of a way to spend an enjoyable morning, it is fun to have my favorites back to wear. Paul is telling us some things we need to get rid of, as a Christian.

My old self, old nature, seems to pop up every now and then. It is to be crucified in order that sin might be rendered ineffective in the believer's life.
Romans 6:6 says, "Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin."  (NAS)

Shepherd's Notes tells us:

The first five are sins of personal aggression. The individual who commits them thinks more of himself than he does of others. Paul gives two reasons why Christians should never practice these sins. They bring the wrath of God (verse 6), and they characterize the former life of sin and rebellion (verse 7).

What are the first five?
1. Sexual immorality-adultery, breaking the covenant marriage and fornication, sex outside of marriage
2. Impurity-failure to have the proper attitued to God's gift of sexuality
3. & 4. Lust and evil desires-refer to strong desires gone bad
5. Greed-covetousness, longing for something that belongs to someone else.

We may have been committing those sins before we became a Christian, Paul is reminding us. Now that we are a child of God, we are to get rid of them in our hearts and life.
" Idolatry is the worship of false gods, putting things in place of God," Liberty Bible Commentary tells us.

I don't want to be a child that is disobedient. Therefore, I need to make sure I get rid of the next five things According to LBC, Paul mentions:
1. Anger-uncontrolled temper, revengeful resentment
2. Rage-wrath that is boiling agitation, fiery outburst of temper
3. Malicious behavior-malice, a vicious disposition, willful desire to injure, refoicing in evil to others
4. Slander-blasphemy which is slanderous talk, evil speaking, railing insults, reckless and bitter abuse
5. Dirty language-filthy communication, obscene speech, shameful speaking, foul-mouthed abuse, unclean
                           stories.

One more thing Paul says-do not lie to each other. In the Greek, the present tense is used, which says to stop lying. There is no such thing as  "a little white lie." All lies are big and black.

Since the old nature, my old self, is corrupt, useless, not renewed, not converted, I am to get rid of her. It's time.
James tells us to bridle our tongue in James 1:26 and 3:1-9. The Lord needs to keep my words under control as a horse needs a brittle to control where it goes.

I'm ready for a change of clothes, physically and spiritually. How about you?

LET IT GO

Let go of any sinful habits, sins of the heart, sins of the mouth, sins of the mind.

Daily let Christ be my all in all.

Wanted: Dead and Alive

Colossians 3-Part 2
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ is God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.     Colossians 3:3-4


LET IT GLOW

When my mother was the local postmistress, I would often walk to the post office after school. There hanging on the bulletin board were the description and pictures of notorious criminals who were wanted.
I recall reading about them, why, I don't know. I guess it was a way to kill time, or else I was courious as to what they did. They must have done something bad to have their picture on the wanted list in the post office, though. They were wanted alive, not dead, so they could go to trial for the crime they committed. What good would it do if the criminal was dead?

In verse 3, Paul says we are dead. The old Linda is dead, permanently dead. The selfish, sinful ol' gal is forever gone. That's because Jesus Christ forgave her of her sins and became her Savior. Now I am alive, hid in Christ, permanently hid in Christ. His blood covers me, makes me pure, washes away my sins.
I'm glad to be dead, aren't you?

Adrian Roges said, "My will dies and God's will lives in me."
Romans 6:11 says, "Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So I need to act like I'm dead when it comes to sinning. Dead people can't do things. I am suppose to not be sinning. Anyway, stop doing it.


LET IT GROW

My new life source is Christ:

* In John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
   but by me."

*"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," Paul said in Philippians 1:21.

*1 John 5:11-12 states, "And this is the record,that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

* "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should abe called the sons of God: therefore the worlk knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know thet, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is," says 1 John 3 1-2.

Life means real and genuine; a life active and vigerous, devoted to God; blesses. (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)

I'm a new person since I'm alive with Christ in me. I have eternal life with Christ. So I should act like it.
Easier said than done, I know. That's why I am to walk in the Spirit so I don't fulfill the lusts of my flesh.
Tomorrow's lesson teaches us how this new person is to live.


LET IT GO

Bury my dead person and her sinful ways.

Be alive with Christ.

Learn more about Jesus and how He lived, then follow His example.

Seek and Set

Colossians 3-Part 1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.   Colossians 3:1-2


LET IT GLOW

Where is Christ? He is sitting on the right side, on the right hand of God. He is second in command, being on the right hand. He is interceeding for us to God the Father. He is our High Priest. It's His righteousness that clothes us so we can enter the throne room. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty. The One who was, is, and is to come. We bow down and worship Him, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Worthy is the Lamb to be worshipped.

LET IT GROW

When I think of the word set, I think of setting the table. Whether it was with china and silver or Melmac and stainless steel, mom had me to set the table when I was a kid. I learned the proper place for the fork is on the left of the plate, the knife then spoon go on the right side. Where do I set my affections? On things above or on things on the earth? It's a deliberate thing, to set something.

Set means the ability or competency to do a thing; seek means the desire, endeavor, enquire, to go about, according to the Greek Dictionary of the New Testament.
Since I am raised in new life with Christ, Paul tells me to keep on seeking spiritual things.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says, While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Seek those upward things-heavenly crowns with jewels, treasures of heaven where moths and rust don't corrupt and thieves don't steal (Matt. 6:20), and Christ, my Savior who is on the throne in His place of authority. Paul gives heavenly motives for earthly duties.
What are my desires? What do I go about seeking?

"Keep on thinking about and directing your mind toward heavenly things. We should seek everything in the light of eternity. The Christian must be heavenly-minded, not worrying about earthly things," states Liberty Bible Commentary.

Where do I set my affections?
Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible defines affection as to mind, think. It is the Greek word phroneo.

Now that is different from what I thought affection meant. Paul wasn't talking about the way I show love,
but what I think on. What my mind is dwelling on, I care about.

Joni Eareckson Tada, in her devotional book, Diamond in the Dust, said this:

We must set our hearts and minds on things above. In other words, things above are to capture our imaginations, emotions, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and on and on. When you consider that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart and mind, it follows naturally that we should set our hearts on things above "where Christ is seated at the right hand of God."
So live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, abide by the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and you can't help but glean a real and deep longing for heavenly glories above.
What enriches your spirit? Filling your heart and mind with whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or anything excellent or praiseworthy. What enriches your spirit? Accessing the means of grace through prayer, worship, the reading of God's Word, and fellowship. What enriches your spirit? Trusting and obeying your Lord.


 LET IT GO

Seek those things above, where Christ is.

Set my affections, thoughts, on Christ and heaven.

Let go of the world and fleshly lusts and let God's Spirit direct me.