The Devotional

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 347 Colossians 1:19-23 New King James Version (NKJV) Reconciled in Christ 19  For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20  and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him Jesus , whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21  And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23  if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God Possibly in words more easily understood, humans are out of balance or out of sync with God. All of creation experiences

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 346 Colossians 1 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) Rescued and Transferred 13  He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. 14  It is through his Son that we have redemption — that is, our sins have been forgiven. 15  He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, 16  because in connection with him were created all things — in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities — they have all been created through him and for him. 17  He existed before all things, and he holds everything together. 18  Also, he is head of the Body, the Messianic Community — he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead so that he might hold first place in everything. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God As you know I have been reading the Complete Jewish Bible, I have found this version o

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 345 Colossians 1 New King James Version (NKJV) Unceasing Prayer 9  For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ; 10  that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God ; 11  strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12  giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God What would be the prayer of the Apostle Paul for your church?

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 344 Colossians 1 New King James Version (NKJV) The Colossian's faith commended 3  We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4  since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5  because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6  which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7  as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8  who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God Prayer is not a communication that many of God’s children take seriously. We often become discouraged by the details of life surrounding us. Th

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 343 Philippians 1 and 4 New King James Version (NKJV) Greeting 1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Greeting and Blessing 21  Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22  All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Colossians 1 New King James Version (NKJV) Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God The opening and closing comments of the apostle Paul in all of his e

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 342 Philippians 4 New King James Version (NKJV) Philippian Generosity 10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13  I can do all things through  Christ who strengthens me. 14  Nevertheless, you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15  Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16  For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 341 Philippians 4 New King James Version (NKJV) Meditate on These Things 4  Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God I do not think that

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 340 Philippians 4 New King James Version (NKJV) Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer 2  I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 [ a ] And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4  Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God  Philippians 4:1 was included yesterday since it should be in chapter 3. I fully believe that there is no greater joy on earth when the childre

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 339 Philippians 3 New King James Version (NKJV) Our Citizenship in Heaven 17  Brethren join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18  For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19  whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21  who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. The Christ/Messiah – Meditation in The Wisdom and knowledge of God Along with the seriousness of Philippians 3:12-17 of pressing on it does not take much understanding that the apostle Paul is fervent that we as believer