Bible Pathway - Dec. 7, 2011
Read Colossians 1
Highlights:
Christ is Supreme (Col. 1:15-20). Former enemies now friends (1:21-22). Paul instructed to reveal the mystery which hath been hid from . . . generations (1:26). Dead in . . . sins, alive in Christ (chap. 2). Live the new life in Christ (3:1-17). What is a Christian household (3:18-25)? We are encouraged to: Continue in prayer (4:1-4).
As Christians, we frequently face conflict with forces that are too strong for our human weaknesses. But God has made known to us that there is no limit to any Christian who reads the Bible, through which understanding, strength, and endurance are made available by the Holy Spirit. Christ, through His Word, will reveal and meet all of our spiritual needs.
To help us grasp the importance of this, Paul wrote: We . . . desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints (believers) (Col. 1:9-12). Notice how often the word all is used — all wisdom . . . all pleasing . . . all might . . . all patience.
God desires that we be led by the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and strengthened with His glorious power. The two essential keys to accomplishing this are prayer and the Word of God. As we read all of His Word with a desire to please Him in all things, we will be strengthened with His glorious power (Acts 4:29-31).
We need to prayerfully continue reading the Word of God. Then the Holy Spirit will guide us into a deeper revelation of His will and His plan for our lives. Just think, we have available all we need to be filled with the knowledge of His will (Col. 1:9) that is stored up in the Bible! Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him (2:8-10). This is not a mere theory but the infallible truth of His eternal Word; there is no other source of spiritual discernment!
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 (Col. 3:16).
Thought for Today:
The psalmist wrote: Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee (Ps. 119:11).
Cross References:
For Col. 2:11: See Deut. 10:16. Col. 3:23: See Eccl. 9:10. Col. 4:6: See Eccl. 10:12.
Word Studies:
1:12 meet, sufficient; 1:13 translated, transferred; 1:23 settled, firmly grounded; 2:4 beguile, deceive; 2:23 will worship, self-inspired efforts at worship; 3:5 Mortify, Treat as dead; concupiscence, uncontrolled desire for what is forbidden, especially sexual immorality; 3:22 singleness of heart, sincerity, honesty, not hypocritical or self-seeking; fearing God, out of reverence for your Lord; 4:1 give . . . that which is just and equal, do what is right and fair.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Iva Ann McElroy (Dr. John A. Hash's Mother) • Government Official: Sec. Ray LaHood (Dept. of Transportation) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (NY) • Country: Iceland (272,000) at the northern end of the Atlantic • Major language: Icelandic • Religious freedom • 94% Protestant; 6% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Confess your sins to the Lord; He is merciful and forgiving (Dan. 9:4-9).
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Corinthians 13:1
