Category: Obedience

True Freedom

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I enjoy the 4th of July in the United States. I get the day off work, sometimes spending time with friends, and maybe enjoy some fun fireworks. I am thankful to have so much freedom in the country of my birth.

God provides freedom. We are free from the bondage of sin (unless we choose to give in). We have many choices in life that God allows us to make. Unfortunately, we sometimes use our God given freedom selfishly. Our freedom according to this verse is to be used to serve others. Some days that can be difficult. Others are not always fun to serve. However, I have learned that doing what God commands brings intense satisfaction. There is an internal freedom when my selfish wishes are not dictating my life. I’m not saying it is easy, but I know it is worth it.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom You provide. Please help us to use that to serve others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

What is Good

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God has given us information about what is good. God has given commands – commands that He has the right to give. This verse gives a simple list. Act justly. Love faithfulness. Walk humbly with God.

I’ll admit it is not always simple to follow those things. Pride in self interrupts other serving humility. Faithfulness requires hard work. Living justice when that is not what is happening around us can become tiring. However, God promises to be with those who trust in His Son. He promises the grace we need to obey His commands.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us what is good. Thank You for providing the help we need to obey Your commands. I ask for strength to act justly, love faithfulness and walk humbly with You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

God’s Will

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Many people worry about what the will of God is. We tend to think in terms of what job to take, whom to marry, what to do for vacation, etc. God gives us several specifics about His will, but not the way we tend to think. Today’s verses tell us the will of God. We are to “rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks”. These are not always easy to do. In fact, when life is tough they can be difficult. However, if it is the will of God, He will give us the strength to do these things.

Rejoicing can boost low spirits. Praying reminds us how much we need God. Giving thanks shows our appreciation for what God has and will do. All of these things will draw us closer to Christ as we follow God’s will.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us what Your will is. Please give us the strength to rejoice, pray and give thanks no matter what our circumstances are. We know You are worthy of all these.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Everything

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We live in a world that seems to think “It’s all about me.” Sadly, even believers fall into this trap. We need to spend time with God daily asking Him to show us what we are selfishly holding back. If we do something good for our own benefit instead of the glory of God, I think we contradict this verse. Every part of our lives should be for our Heavenly Father.

This is easy to say, but hard to do. That is why we need to daily go to God to ask for help glorifying Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to do everything for Your honor and glory. We know you are deserving of glory. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to glorify you.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Praying to Grow

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Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ have the opportunity to grow and mature. I appreciate Paul’s statement in verse 9 that he and Timothy are consistently praying for the believers in Colossae. Pray should be step number one in our spiritual maturity. We should pray to be “filled with the knowledge of His will” for ourselves and others. Then, we need to seek knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding.

The purpose? To “walk worthy of the Lord.” He is worthy to be pleased and we get to grow by “bearing fruit in every good work”. There is no greater purpose.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving the gift of prayer. Please help us to look to the knowledge and wisdom You have given. Please guide us to the greatest purpose of bearing fruit to please You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Thankfulness and Love

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The apostle Paul often opens his letters with thankfulness for the believers to whom he is writing. I like how Paul qualifies that thankfulness in this book. This is because of the love the Colossians had “for all the saints”. John 13:35 tells us that people will know we belong to Jesus by our “love for one another.” This tells us that love for other believers is very important.

Love doesn’t always come easily. We face many challenges. However, God is faithful to increase our love for Him and others through the challenges. He gives us His Spirit and His Word. And He gives us other believers with whom we can wrestle through the difficulties.

Dear Heavenly Father, please give us the wisdom we need to show all men that we are Yours. Guide us to love as You do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Death of Self

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We don’t like to think about death. There is pain involved. This verse talks about being crucified with Christ. This isn’t literal, physical death. This is the death of our selfish sinfulness. While we feel pain with the death of self, we can know greater joy when allow Christ to take over. Remember as you face the pain of dying to self, there is greater joy to come.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to remember that salvation means we are “crucified with Christ”. Please help us to set our own desires aside for the desires of Christ. Thank you for the gift of Jesus.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Imitate and Worship

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This verse reminds us of some very important truths. People often imitate those they love, respect and/or worship. Believers are to imitate God. We have many examples to follow in the Bible. Jesus is the best example, the perfect example. Walking in love is a “sacrificial and fragrant offering to God”. There is no greater goal in life.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to imitate Your perfect example. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to “love us and give Himself for us.” We acknowledge this incomprehensible gift.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Complete

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This life is incomplete. We face challenges and often don’t feel like we get to where we want to go (wherever that is). Sometimes in our pursuit for identity, we put God in second place (or later). Family, friends, job, and other pursuits are good. We gain much enjoyment from them. However, those things are not done well if God is not in first place. I believe we will receive more blessing from those things as we submit to God’s plan to bring us to completion.

Dear Heavenly Father, we ache with the desire to be complete. Please help us to be patient as we wait for Your timing in bringing the good work to completion. Please help us to submit to Your plan and put You first.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.