FBC Daily Devotions

“…the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel.”

These days, anytime you ask Lyanne how many days until school is out, she can tell you without hesitation of thought. A long, weary year of teaching will cause any teacher to look forward to summer. It’s just enough to help make it through the last few months.

When I read today’s verse, it reminds me that there is hope beyond the journey. Like summer for teachers, the hope of our eternal future in heaven should be enough to help us persevere through this life. Not that life is miserable and always difficult, but there are times when the Light at the end of the tunnel gives us a little more umph to make it through to the end. But what is so fantastic about our future in heaven (as compared to summer) is that our future is so good, so “heavenly” that we ought to more than limp to the finish. The eternity that awaits us ought to cause us to sprint to the finish – to spring forth faith in God and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ as was the case for the Colossians.

There is something about looking forward to something great that helps us let go of things that might normally bother us. Knowing our current afflictions are temporary and that there is Light at the end of the tunnel ought to bring more patience and graciousness and faith-walking experiences into our lives. Are you struggling with your faith in God and love for others? Then maybe spend some time considering heaven for a little while. Read Rev. 21 for some encouragement.

Colossians 1:3-4
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints.”

Are there people in your life that whenever you think of them, they bring a smile to your face and produce thoughts of thankfulness to God for them? I can think of many in my life that do that for me, just so glad God blessed me with them in my life. When I think of these people, I find the reason for my thankfulness is related to how they have been a personal blessing to me. Whether they have been an encouragement or an inspiration or a friend in times of need, there is a personal investment of their lives into mine.

I think what is most impressive in Paul’s remarks here, though, is that Paul had never visited the Colossian church. He didn’t know them face-to-face. It was his companion Epaphras who started the church while Paul remained in Ephesus. And yet Paul is said to always thank God for them when they prayed. Why was Paul thankful for strangers? The reason he had a thankful heart while not being personally blessed by them was because his heart was set on the gospel of Christ spreading into lives. If a life was changed by Christ, he was thankful to God for them. It didn’t matter if they were strangers. Any heart changed by God affected Paul’s heart.

Do you share Paul’s heart? Do you thank God for people you don’t even know because they have been touched by the Savior in a powerful way? I pray that my thankfulness will extend beyond those who have blessed my life to those who have been blessed by God and are making an impact for the kingdom of God. Who can you give thanks for in prayer right now?

Read Col. 1:1-2.

Do you remember when you got your first bike or car? I remember when one of my first bikes. I think today we might call it a little geeky. It wasn’t cool looking or the rage of my friends… but it was new. And it had three speeds and a spiffy soft, black vinyl covered seat, and big tires (well, not like the mountain bike tires of today, but big in my mind at the time). I used to take care that bike in ways it probably never needed. It seemed like I was taking off the tires all the time and adjusting the brakes to make sure they closed evenly. There is something about the newness of things that makes a person want to take care of them. (Come on guys, didn’t you wash your first new car like every other day?)

In Paul’s greeting to the Colossians, he calls them “saints” (NAS) or “holy” (NIV). This is not to say they were saintly, but that they were saints or holy in the sight of God because of Christ. As believer in Christ, we were imputed with (i.e. given) the righteousness of Christ and made holy before God. Our holiness is a work of Christ in this regard. But Paul also calls them “faithful”, that is to say, they were walking faithfully with God. Faithfulness was a quality of life that was conducted by these saints. Like a new bike or a new car, they were taking care of the new life that was given to them in Christ.

We also have been given a brand new life in the sight of God. Sometimes it’s hard to see just how new it is when it doesn’t reflect that newness. Don’t you wish it looked as new as it really is? Don’t you wish you took care of it as much as you did a new bike or new car? That’s the challenge we face everyday. But the truth of the matter is, we are new creations in Christ. We are holy before God. We are as brand new today as we were when Christ saved us. We are holy, and we are called to be faithful. Consider today treating your life like you would a new bike or car. Give it righteous treatment. Take care of your life by walking in faithfulness to God because, really, it’s brand new and unblemished in the sight of God.

This Sunday we begin a new series through the book of Colossians. The book (really a letter) stands out for its emphasis on the supremacy of Christ and the complete adequacy of Him over human philosophies and regulations. What I like about this letter in particular is how Paul lifts up Christ above all things, and then tells us what that means for us practically as we live in this world. Because we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies (3:1), we are to live in light of that truth with our minds set on the things above. All too often my mind is set on the things of this world resulting in a sort of pessimistic and a critical spirit. But when I stop to think of Christ’s supremacy over all things and that He is my Lord, what have I to be grumbling about?

With that in mind, the series is entitled: “Living the Supremacy of Christ”. He is supreme, and it ought to make a difference in our lives. I’m looking forward to studying together with the Church Family one my favorite books of the New Testament.

As we begin our journey through this letter, take time right now to read the first chapter of Colossians. It is such a full chapter! Ponder a few of the things that stand out to you, and pray that the Holy Spirit might enlighten you to ways these truths can be applied to your life today.

Have you struggled spending time with God lately? Make this a fresh start and commit to making the meditation of God’s Word a priority in your priority-filled schedule. May God bless your time and effort in this journey!

One must admire the courage of Peter after Jesus’ resurrection. On the beach Jesus is cooking breakfast for the disciples – John 21:1-14. Somewhere along the way, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him and if so, then Peter must take care of His sheep – the children of God (Jn. 21-15-17). Afterward, Jesus describes the kind of death Peter will suffer as one of Jesus’ disciples (Jn. 21:18-19). His death will be that of a martyr. And then Jesus does what most salesmen would never do; he tells Peter to follow Him. Follow Jesus after being told the “rewards” of following would be an unkind death? That’s a hard sell.

But notice that Peter never says, “Yes, I will follow You.” He only acknowledges that he loves Jesus. In fact, he deflects attention to John and asks, “What about him?” as if to say, “Why should I have to be the only one who has to suffer?” (Jn. 21:20-22)  Jesus then basically tells Peter not worry about other people. Don’t worry about His plans for others. The only thing that mattered was that he follow Jesus.

Why do I admire Peter’s courage? Because although he never said, “Okay! I’m ready to go! Let’s do it!”, we do know the rest of the story from the book of Acts and from other recorded history. We know that Peter committed his life’s journey from that day on to making Jesus known to others. Tradition tells us that Peter indeed suffered a martyr’s death. Peter’s courage is admirable because despite being given insight into an unkind future, he still followed Jesus.

I personally find great encouragement in Peter’s life. You know, his life didn’t change overnight as a result of Jesus’ resurrection. I am sure he still had fears of rejection as he had in the recent past. I don’t know if it was guilt or a strong conviction from seeing Jesus alive, but somehow this impulsive, impetuous man changed enough to follow Jesus with determination.

I just started a Sunday School class on the book of 1Peter last Sunday. To see this man in the gospels and then read his letters written some 30 years later shows an amazing transformation. God can change people. Let me rephrase that: God can change people when they follow Jesus. That really hits me. If I want to change, if I really want to be transformed, then I will need to take courage and follow Jesus. Transformation comes with following.

Jesus says, “Follow me!”