Use your opportunities wisely. (Colossians 4:5)

Colossians 4:5

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

We should be wise in our contacts with non-Christians, making the most of our opportunities to tell them the Good News of salvation. What opportunities do you have?

 

Joe

 

Forgive. (Colossians 3:13)

Colossians 3:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

 

The key to forgiving others is remembering how much God has forgiven you. Is it difficult for you to forgive someone who has wronged you a little when God has forgiven you so much? Realizing God's infinite love and forgiveness can help you love and forgive others.

Joe

No Barriers (Colossians 3:11)

Colossians 3:11

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹¹ 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.

 

The Christian church should have no barriers of nationality, race, education level, social standing, gender, or power. Christ breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to Him. Nothing should keep us from telling others about Christ or accepting into our fellowship any and all believers. Christians should be building bridges, not walls.

 

Joe

Tell the Truth. (Colossians 3:9)

Colossians 3:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

 

Lying to one another disrupts unity by destroying trust. It tears down relationships and may lead to serious conflict in a church. So don't exaggerate statistics, pass on rumors or gossip, or say things to build up your own image. Be committed to telling the truth.

Joe

Legalism still attracts many people today. (Colossians 2:23)

Colossians 2:23

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²³ Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]

 

To the Colossians, the discipline demanded by the false teachers seemed good, and legalism still attracts many people today. Following a long list of religious rules requires strong self-discipline and can make a person appear moral, but religious rules cannot change a person's heart. Only the Holy Spirit can do that.

 

Joe

Do you have problems with impure thoughts ? (Philippians 4:8)

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies, magazines and the internet. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pray more....Worry less ! (Philippians 4:6-7)

Philippians 4:6-7

The Message (MSG)

^6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Imagine never worrying about anything ! It seems like an impossibility - we all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school. But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more. Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.

Joe

Put God's Word into practice. (Philippians 4:9)

Philippians 4:9

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

⁹ Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example.

The God who gives peace will be with you.

It's not enough to hear or read the Word of God, or even to know it well. We must also put it into practice. How easy it is to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said. How easy it is to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. How easy it is to debate what a passage means and not live out that meaning. Exposure to God's Word is not enough. It must lead to obedience.

Joe

Hey Church...stop complaining ! (Philippians 2:14-16)

Philippians 2:14-16

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Why are complaining and arguing so harmful? If all that people know about a church is that its members constantly argue, complain, and gossip, they get a false impression of Christ and the gospel. Belief in Christ should unite those who trust Him. If your church is always complaining and arguing, it lacks the unifying power of Jesus Christ. Stop arguing with other Christians or complaining about people and conditions within the church and let the world see Christ.

Joe

Can you be trusted to do your best, even when the boss is not around? (Ephesians 6:6-8)

Ephesians 6:6-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. ⁷ Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ⁸ Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Paul's instructions encourage responsibility and integrity on the job. Christian employees should do their jobs as if Jesus Christ were their supervisor. Can you be trusted to do your best, even when the boss is not around? Do you work hard and with enthusiasm? Remember that no matter whom you work for, the One you ultimately should want to please is your Father in heaven.

Joe

Want Long Life? (Ephesians 6:2-3)

Ephesians 6:2-3

New Living Translation (NLT)

² “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: ³ If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Some societies honor their elders. They respect their wisdom, defer to their authority, and pay attention to their comfort and happiness. This is how Christians should act. Where elders are respected, long life is a blessing, not a burden to them.

Joe

Live as Children of Light. (Ephesians 5:8)

Ephesians 5:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

As children of light, your actions should reflect your faith. You should live above reproach morally so that you will reflect God's goodness to others. Jesus stressed this truth in the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:15-16 below).

Matthew 5:15-16 

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.


Joe

Obscenity and coarse joking have no place in the Christian conversation. (Ephesians 5:4)

Ephesians 5:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

 

Obscenity and coarse joking are so common that we begin to take them for granted. Paul cautions, however, that improper language should have no place in the Christian conversation because it does not reflect God's gracious presence in us. How can we praise God and remind others of His goodness when we are speaking coarsely?

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imitate Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Ephesians 5:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)

 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Just as children imitate their parents, we should imitate Christ. His great love for us led Him to sacrifice Himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind - a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service.

Joe

Do people see Christ in you? (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Ephesians 4:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)

4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

God has chosen us to be Christ's representatives on earth. In light of this truth, Paul challenges us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received - the awesome privilege of being called Christ's very own. This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you? How well are you doing as His representative?

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God's household is not a building. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Ephesians 2:19-22

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. ²⁰ Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. ²¹ We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. ²² Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

 

 

A church building is sometimes called God's house. In reality, God's household is not a building, but a group of people. He lives in us and shows Himself to a watching world through us. People can see that God is love and that Christ is Lord as we live in harmony with each other and in accordance with what God says in His Word. We are citizens of God's kingdom and members of His household.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are God's masterpiece ! (Ephesians 2:10)

Ephesians 2:10

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

We are God's masterpiece. If God considers us His works of art, we dare not treat ourselves or others with disrespect or as inferior work.

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"That's very nice - now how much do I owe you?" (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Ephesians 2:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

When someone gives you a gift, do you say, "That's very nice - now how much do I owe you?" No, the appropriate response to a gift is "Thank you." Yet how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God. Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy.

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s grace is so rich ! (Ephesians 1:7-8)

Ephesians 1:7-8

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

 

⁷ We have been set free because of what Christ has done. Through his blood our sins have been forgiven. We have been set free because God’s grace is so rich. ⁸ He poured his grace on us by giving us great wisdom and understanding.

 

Grace is God's voluntary and loving favor given to those He saves. We can't earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. No religious, intellectual, or moral effort can gain it, because it comes only from God's mercy and love. Without God's grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is through faith in Christ.

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1)

Ephesians 1:1

 

 

 

 

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

 

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

 

 

 

 

 

"Faithful in Christ Jesus" - what an excellent reputation! Such a label would be an honor for any believer. What would it take for others to characterize you as faithful to Christ Jesus? Hold fast to your faith, one day at a time; faithfully obey God, even in the details of life. Then, like the Ephesians, you will be known as a person who is faithful to the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't compare yourself to others. (Galatians 6:4)

Galatians 6:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

 

When you do your very best, you feel good about the results. There is no need to compare yourself with others. People make comparisons for many reasons. Some point out others' flaws in order to feel better about themselves. Others simply want reassurance that they are doing well. When you are tempted to compare, look at Jesus Christ. His example will inspire you to do your very best, and His loving acceptance will comfort you when you fall short of your expectations.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you lost your joy? (Galatians 4:15)

Galatians 4:15

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

¹⁵ What has happened to all of your joy? If you could have torn out your own eyes and given them to me, you would have. I can give witness to that.

 

Have you lost your joy? Paul sensed that the Galatians had lost the joy of their salvation because of legalism. Legalism can take away joy because 1.) it makes people feel guilty rather than loved; 2.) it produces self-hatred rather than humility; 3.) is stresses performance over relationship; 4.) it points out how far short we feel rather than how far we've come because of what Christ did for us. If you feel guilty or inadequate, check your focus. Are you living by faith in Christ or by trying to live up to the demands and expectations of others.

 

Joe

 

 

 

Before we put our Faith in Christ, we were prisoners to sin. (Galatians 3:21-22)

Galatians 3:21-22

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. ²² But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

Before faith in Christ delivered us, we were imprisoned by sin, beaten down by past mistakes, and choked by desires that were wrong. God knew we were sin's prisoners, but He provided a way of escape - faith in Christ. Without Christ, everyone is held in sin's grasp, and only those who place their faith in Christ ever get out of it. Look to Christ - He is reaching out to set you free.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ die for nothing??? (Galatians 2:21)

Galatians 2:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

 

 

Believers today may be in danger of acting as if Christ died for nothing. How? By replacing Jewish legalism with their own brand of Christian legalism, they are giving people extra laws to obey. By believing they can earn God's favor by what they do, they are not trusting completely in Christ's work on the cross. By struggling to appropriate God's power to change them (sanctification), they are not resting in God's power to save them (justification). If we could be saved by being good, then Christ did not have to die. But the cross is the only way to salvation.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's 100% Free ! (Galatians 1:6)

Galatians 1:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News

 

Some were preaching "a different gospel." They were teaching that to be saved, Gentile believers had to follow Jewish laws and customs, especially the rite of circumcision. Faith in Christ was not enough. This message undermined the truth of the good news that salvation is a gift, not a reward for certain deeds. Jesus Christ has made this gift available to all people, not just to Jews. Beware of people who say that we need more than simple faith in Christ to be saved. When people set up additional requirements for salvation, they deny the power of Christ's death on the cross.

 

Joe

False Teacher? Ask these 3 questions. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

2 Corinthians 11:14-15

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing to be attractive, good and moral. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth-talking, Bible-quoting leaders into cults that alienate them from their families and lead them into the practice of immorality and deceit. Don't be fooled by external appearances. Our impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn't a true follower of Christ; so it helps to ask these questions: 1.) Do the teachings confirm Scripture (see Acts 17:11)? 2.)  Does the teacher affirm and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God who came into the world as a man to save people from their sins (see 1 John 4:1-3)? 3.) Is the teacher's life-style consistent with Biblical morality (see Matthew 12:33-37)?

 

Joe

The Bible should be your authoritative guide. (2 Corinthians 11:4)

2 Corinthians 11:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

 

The Corinthian believers fell for smooth talk and messages that sounded good and seemed to make sense. Today there are many false teachings that seem to make sense. Don't believe someone simply because he or she sounds like an authority or says words you like to hear. Search the Bible and check his or her teachings against God's Word. The Bible should be your authoritative guide. Don't listen to any "authoritative preacher" who contradicts God's Word.

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't let your faith get sidetracked. (2 Corinthians 11:3)

2 Corinthians 11:3

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

 

³ But Eve was tricked by the snake’s clever lies. And I’m afraid that in the same way your minds will somehow be led down the wrong path. They will be led away from your true and pure love for Christ.

 

The Corinthians sincere and pure devotion to Christ was being threatened by false teaching. Paul did not want the believers to lose their single-minded love for Christ. Keeping Christ first in our lives can be very difficult when we have so many distractions threatening to sidetrack our faith. Just as Eve lost her focus by listening to the serpent, we too can lose our focus by letting our lives become overcrowded and confused. Is there anything that weakens your commitment to keep Christ first in your life? How can you minimize the distractions that threaten your devotion to Him?

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How does your life compare to Jesus Christ? (2 Corinthians 10:12-13)

2 Corinthians 10:12-13

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹² Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

¹³ We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us.

 

 

Paul criticized the false teachers who were trying to prove their goodness by comparing themselves with others rather than with God's standards. When we compare ourselves with others, we may feel pride because we think we're better. But when we measure ourselves against God's standards, it becomes obvious that we have no basis for pride. Don't worry about other people's accomplishments. Instead, continually ask: How does my life measure up to what God wants? How does my life compare to Jesus Christ?

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God must be your commander in chief. ( 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

 

⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Paul uses military terminology to describe this warfare against sin and Satan. God must be the commander in chief - even our thoughts must be submitted to His control as we live for Him.

Joe

As you bless others, you will be blessed. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15)

2 Corinthians 9:12-15

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

¹³ As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. ¹⁴ And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. ¹⁵ Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Paul emphasizes the spiritual rewards for those who give generously to God's work. We should not expect to become wealthy through giving. Those who receive your gifts will be helped, will praise God, and will pray for you. As you bless others, you will be blessed.

Joe