TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Peter 1:10-16
Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - 1 Peter 1:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Future Grace, John Piper explained: “To fear the Lord is to tremble at the awareness of what a terrible insult it is to a holy God if we do not have faith in his future grace after all the signs and wonders He has performed to win our obedient trust. It's this faith in future grace that channels the power of God into obedience. . . . There is such a delight in the worth of God's past grace, that we are driven on to experience more and more of it in the future. But this is not done by ”˜payments' of a debt in any ordinary sense. Rather, it is done by transforming gratitude into faith as it turns from contemplating the pleasures of past grace and starts contemplating the promises of the future.”

Christ's Second Coming is chief among the promises of future grace, and in today's reading Peter linked grace with eschatology. Verse 13 is the key. “Therefore” points back in the passage to the gospel message, God's grace in Christ that saved us, and the plan of redemption that previously had not been fully revealed (vv. 10-12). As a result of all this, we are to live with self-control and put our hope “fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed,” that is, when He returns. Since Christ's Second Coming is an absolute surety, there's no reason to give in to temptations and trust in any lesser hope. We are to live holy and obedient lives in the power and delight of future grace (vv. 14-16).

In the past, the prophets looked forward to the “grace that was to come.” In the present, with God's plan of Christ's atoning sacrifice revealed, we have the privilege of trusting in Him for salvation by grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the future, when Christ returns in glory, we will be on display as eternal trophies of His grace!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 3:12-14
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Ligaments connect bones to other bones or cartilage to form joints, similarly to the way that tendons connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are made of tough, white fibrous connective tissue and are slightly pliable or elastic, which provides some freedom of movement while also giving stability to the joints. Too much extension or strain on them is not good, though they can be made more supple and healthy through stretching exercises.

What ligaments do for our physical bodies, grace does for the body of Christ—holds things together. Grace can do this because it puts others ahead of self. Today's reading is a succinct list of qualities that characterize a grace-filled life (a list that parallels the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22-23). It all begins with the word “therefore”—meaning that this thing results from our identity as God's chosen, beloved, and holy people (v. 12). As such, we are to practice compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love (vv. 13-14).

The chief virtue is agape love, “which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Jesus had prayed that His disciples would be united: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23). Unity means following Christ and “with one heart and mouth” glorifying God (Rom. 15:5-6). We are to “clothe” ourselves with love and the other virtues. As one might put on a suit to go to work, so we should “wear” godliness and do Christlike actions to “go to” our daily lives.

To summarize so far: We're saved by grace. On the unbelieving side of salvation, good works are worthless. No one deserves or can earn eternal life. But once we've crossed over from death to life, true grace results in good works, always and inevitably, like an apple tree bears apples.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you show grace to others as a rare or regular part of your relationships?

As today's reading shows, this grace in action might take the form of forgiveness, kindness, patience, or other virtues. Ask your spouse or another close friend to evaluate honestly whether they see grace in your interactions with them and others. If the answer reveals an area for improvement, ask God to help you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 4:14-16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - Hebrews 4:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his autobiography, True Vine, journalist John W. Fountain described his grandmother: “I have never seen anybody more ready and willing to pray than Grandmother. She didn't mess around when it came to calling on Jesus. While spending the night at her house through the years, I had heard the telephone ring in the middle of the night, then Grandmother's raspy but soothing voice praying aloud, pleading for God to intervene in some situation for the caller on the other end. . . . It was like she had a hot line to heaven and that God was one of her bosom buddies.”

Grace in and through prayer is one of the great privileges of the Christian life. We have this privilege because Jesus Christ was both human and divine (v. 14). The Son of God became one of us. He walked the earth as flesh and blood and was tempted in every way as we are—in fact, more so, since He never yielded and thus felt the fullest force of every temptation (v. 15). As a man, He can indeed sympathize with us; and as the sinless and perfect God, He can do more—He can empower us to resist temptation.

No wonder we can pray with confidence! When we come before the Almighty King, He has at His right hand a Conqueror, one who took our place and now takes our part. Jesus died and rose again, defeating death and so paying sin's price for all who believe on Him.

Now He advocates on our behalf so that we can receive what we most need: mercy and grace “to help us in our time of need” (v. 16; cf. Heb. 12:2). In context, this “need” refers specifically to our battle against temptation—that is, Christ stands ready to help us live righteous lives! “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Eph. 3:12).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Assuming that prayer, along with Today in the Word, is a normal part of your daily devotions, go to prayer today with renewed faith and confidence. You go not to a “throne of judgment” or a “throne of wrath,” but to a “throne of grace,” a term that hopefully has more meaning now after this study. You pray not to a distant, mysterious God, but to the God who sent His Son to become one of us and who understands us better than we understand ourselves.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his Treatise on Good Works, Martin Luther wrote about grace: “So blind are we: with our bodily sickness and need we run to God; with the soul's sickness we run from Him. . . . If you wish to be cured of sin, you must not withdraw from God, but run to Him, and pray with much more confidence than if a bodily need had overtaken you. God is not hostile to sinners, but only to unbelievers, that is, to such as do not recognize and lament their sin, nor seek help against it from God, but in their own presumption wish first to purify themselves, are unwilling to be in need of His grace, and will not suffer Him to be a God Who gives to everyone and takes nothing in return.”

Living by grace is all about our weakness and God's strength. The grace that we depend on for salvation is the same that we must also depend on to live righteously. That's why Paul “boasted” about his weakness and what God had done to and through him, not trumpeting his own abilities or achievements. Fourteen years previously, during his early ministry years in Damascus and Arabia, the Lord had given him extraordinary “visions and revelations ” (v. 2). In contrast to the claims of false teachers who touted similar experiences, Paul said that such things are nothing that people should admire.

To help him resist the temptation of pride, God gave Paul a “thorn in the flesh” (v. 7). Suggestions about what this might have been include eye problems, migraine headaches, and chronic back pain. Though he prayed for whatever it was to be removed, Christ's answer was “no.” Why? In order to prove the powerful, joyful energy of grace: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Grace enabled Paul to have success in ministry, as well as sustained him through hardships and persecution. “When I am weak, then I am strong” perfectly describes the paradox of God's grace at work in all our lives (vv. 9-10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In this brief study, there are inevitably dimensions of God's rich grace that we haven't had time to explore adequately. In fact, it's our hope that this study has awakened rather than sated a severe thirst for grace in your life. As September draws to a close, ponder what it might be about God's grace that you most want to learn but don't yet know. This might in turn prompt further Bible study, focused prayer, or conversations with other believers.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 2:12-18
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. - Philippians 2:12-13
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound / That saved a wretch like me! / I once was lost but now am found; / Was blind, but now I see. . . .”˜Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, / And grace my fears relieved. / How precious did that grace appear / The hour I first believed . . . . Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares / I have already come. / ”˜Tis grace hath bro't me safe thus far, / And grace will lead me home.”

“Amazing Grace” says it all! Without grace, we would have no lives to speak of, much less lives filled with purpose. In today's reading, verses 12 and 13 capture in a nutshell the paradox and wonder of grace at work to cultivate a harvest of righteousness in our lives (compare Ephesians 2:8-10). On the one hand, we are to “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling,” meaning we are to lead holy lives in reverence before God. On the other hand, we can do this because “it is God who works in [us] to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Grace and good works are very far from contradicting one another—in fact, the first implies the second!

How shall we then live? We are to walk with God, learning obedience in such problem areas as complaining and arguing. He will enable us to choose what is pure and blameless and to live as befits His true children. Against a backdrop of worldly sinfulness, grace-filled believers doing good works will “shine like stars in the universe.” We are to “hold out the word of life,” sharing the gospel wherever we can (vv. 15-16; cf. Dan. 12:3). Like Paul, we are to view ourselves as “drink offerings,” spending ourselves in worship that pervades every aspect and moment of our lives. Indeed, grace-filled people love God and live for Him alone!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
An appropriate way to conclude this month's study would be with a time of personal or family praise and worship, thanking God for His past grace and trusting wholly in the infinite grace yet to come. “Amazing Grace,” quoted above, might be a good place to start, then choose other hymns, choruses, and responsive readings to put together an “order of service” that leaves your heart and the hearts of anyone joining you in awe of our gracious Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 63
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you - Psalm 63:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Lyrics from the song “God and God Alone,” written by Phil McHugh and performed by Steve Green, help us grasp the psalmist's passion for the Lord: “God and God alone / Is fit to take the universe's throne / Let everything that lives / Reserve the truest praise / For God and God alone / God and God alone / Will be the joy of our eternal home / He will be our one desire / Our hearts will never tire / Of God and God alone.”

As we have so often this month, in Psalm 63 we find a heart thirsting after God and satisfied in Him alone. The header probably refers to the time when David was forced to flee from his son Absalom, who led a political rebellion (see 2 Sam. 15-17)—everything else had been stripped away and only his faith remained. It is significant that in these circumstances the psalmist didn't offer a complaint or a lament as such, but instead a portrait of God, defined by his need and hunger for Him.

First, God is personal—“my God.” David sought him as a thirsty man in a desert seeks water. Second, God is powerful and glorious. His love is better than life itself, a rich banquet that satisfies the soul. David planned to “praise you as long as I live,” which for all he knew at that time might not be much longer (v. 4).

Sleepless in the midst of his troubles, he meditated on God and His works through the night, reaching a conclusion of faith that he should continue to “sing and cling.” Later the apostle Paul summed this up simply as “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Third, God in turn can be counted on to uphold His people. Because He is righteous, inevitably He defeats and destroys the wicked. He will do so in this case as well, and David fully expected to rejoice in God when the rebellion was crushed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Even those who find Scripture memory a difficult assignment can keep God's Word close. The first eight verses of Psalm 63 are wonderful spiritual resources to have on hand. One technique is to write the verses on an index card and stick it in your shirt pocket (or on your car dashboard, bathroom mirror, etc.) to review throughout the day. Others have found that placing sticky notes inside kitchen cupboards, by the phone, or in other frequently visited locations helps to focus thoughts and attitudes on God's Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 64
All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. - Psalm 64:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Like many musicians in church history, Charles Wesley understood the biblical spirit of worship. In his hymn, “Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above,” he wrote: “Celebrate th' eternal God with harp and psaltery, / Timbrels soft and cymbals loud in this high praise agree; / Praise with every tuneful string; all the reach of heavenly art, / All the powers of music bring, the music of the heart. / God, in Whom they move and live, let every creature sing, / Glory to their Maker give, and homage to their King. / Hallowed be Thy Name beneath, as in heaven and earth adored; / Praise the Lord in every breath, let all things praise the Lord.”

In today's psalm, the cunning heart of man cannot compare to the righteous heart of God. The actions of David's enemies, from whom he naturally prays for protection, are described as typical of evildoers (vv. 1-6). They are noisy, unjust, deceitful, and destructive. They take pride in their “perfect plan” and spur one another on toward more evil deeds. They try to ambush or ensnare the innocent, apparently believing they can get away with anything and will never be held accountable.

They're wrong. God is righteous and will surely judge them (vv. 7-8). As we've seen before, His justice is poetic. Those who shoot arrows will themselves be shot by divine arrows. Those who lie in wait for others will themselves be suddenly struck down. Those who use their words to attack will find the tongue to be a self-destructive weapon. Those full of confidence and pride will become objects of scorn and humiliation. Their public sins and insolence will bring about their public downfall and punishment.

The result of this contrast is that everyone will worship and praise the Lord (vv. 9-10). How foolish human pride looks compared to the greatness and glory of God! Pondering and proclaiming what He has done and will do is the joyful responsibility of every believer.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
At the end of Psalm 64, David declares his intention to proclaim and ponder the works of the Lord. These two actions seem like good applications for us as well. Which would you prefer today—to proclaim or to ponder? The first is more active, the second more contemplative, yet both are part of a lifestyle of Christian worship. Choose a specific action that goes with one of them and carry it out soon—God will use it for His glory!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 65
Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. - Psalm 65:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Studying the hymnbook of Israel naturally turns our thoughts to great songs of praise, and so again for another day a great song captures the spirit of these psalms. Like today's reading, “Let All Things Now Living,” with lyrics by Katherine Davis, exalts and exults in the goodness and blessing of God: “Let all things now living / A song of thanksgiving / To God the creator / Triumphantly raise. / Who fashioned and made us, / Protected and stayed us, / Who still guides us on / To the end of our days. / God's banners are o'er us, / His light goes before us, / A pillar of fire / Shining forth in the night. / Till shadows have vanished / And darkness is banished / As forward we travel / From light into light.”

Psalm 65 rejoices in who God is and what He does. This psalm of pure praise gives us a host of reasons to praise the Lord: He hears and answers prayer (v. 2). He forgives sin (v. 3). He brings us near for relationship and worship; He blesses us to overflowing with good things (v. 4). He is righteous, He saves, He does amazing deeds on behalf of His people, He is the hope of the world (v. 5). He is the powerful creator (v. 6). He rules over nature and is sovereign over nature and nations alike (v. 7). He inspires reverence and rejoicing (v. .

The final five verses are a picture of God's loving providence, picturing Him as a diligent farmer. He makes the land fruitful, which of course is a blessing to His people. The Israelites may have used this psalm as a spring prayer to praise the Lord during the growing season. The psalmist personifies the land, imagining the hills to be clothed with gladness (suggesting they're covered with flocks and crops), the valleys similarly “mantled” with grain, and all nature shouting and singing for joy. These are images of peace, prosperity, fullness, and abundance—all blessings from the hand of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As a suggested application of today's devotion, we encourage you to hold a special family worship time focusing on God's goodness and blessings. Don't get out your prayer lists, just focus on who God is and what He's done in your lives and in the world. You might use some of the Psalms-based praise music you found back on October 6. Prayer, Scripture reading, and personal testimonies could be interspersed throughout times of singing. Give praise for all His wonders!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:2
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. - 1 Peter 2:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Russ Lawson recounts the story of Minnie, a homeless and very unattractive little dog. When Minnie was about to be euthanized, Russ, a vet's assistant, was struck by her good disposition and decided to find her a home. In response to his ad, a teenager called and said that he wanted the dog for his grandfather. Warned that the dog looked strange, the young man was not deterred. When the family arrived to pick up Minnie, Russ waited anxiously to see what their reaction would be to her appearance. Minnie's tail wagged excitedly as she licked the grandfather's face and he stroked her lovingly—it was a perfect match! Minnie's funny appearance was no problem because the elderly man was blind.

Now you may be wondering what this has to do with our study on Colossians this month! Well, in many respects, believers can be like funny-looking dogs. We're far from perfect, yet despite appearances, we're actually chosen—even royal and holy (1 Peter 2:9)! This month we'll focus on the purpose that comes from knowing who we are in Christ and the treasure that we have in Him.

Colosse was a small town that most likely neither Paul nor Timothy ever visited. Apparently, Epaphras, whom we'll learn more about in a few days, was converted by Paul in Ephesus and brought the gospel back to Colosse. Epaphras must have contacted Paul about his concerns for the Colossian believers, and the letter we now have is Paul's reply. Throughout this letter, we'll see the love Paul has for these believers whom he has never met.

He begins by reminding them of who they are in Christ: holy, or set apart for God, and faithful in Christ. This is true even though they're currently troubled by some dangerous teaching. Paul then greets them with “grace,” a reminder of God's free gift of life, and “peace,” a word describing the wholeness that comes from God alone.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul's letters show us how we can encourage one another. Perhaps you need to confront someone who's struggling with some sin. First focus on what's true about this person in Christ, then address the issue at hand. Recall how Paul reminds the Colossians that they're holy and faithful, even though he needs to challenge them on some serious issues. The Corinthians faced even more severe problems, yet consider how Paul focuses on their true status in Christ first.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:3-4; Philemon 4-7
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement. - Philemon 7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Pastor Rich Clement's twenty-something daughter was going through a very difficult time. She had a good job and close friends, but life clearly wasn't what she'd hoped it would be. One day, in her weekly call home, she asked her dad what his “secret” was to being happy. He replied simply, “The key to life is to be thankful.” How naïve, she thought! But as the years passed, she began to appreciate the wisdom of her dad's words. Scripture also focuses on the importance of being thankful. In fact, Paul begins nearly all of his letters by expressing gratitude for his recipients. Colossians 1:3 begins an extended section of thanksgiving. As we'll see in the next few days, Paul first lays a foundation of thanksgiving upon which he builds his discussion of the supremacy of Christ. Only then does he address the problems facing the Colossians in chapter 2.

Paul addresses his thanksgiving to God the Father of the Lord Jesus (v. 3). This expression reflects Paul's understanding of the Trinity, and it introduces us to the key theme of Colossians: the lordship of Jesus Christ. Throughout this letter, we'll see Paul return to this one theme in every discussion of the problems facing the Colossian church.

Notice what prompts Paul's thanksgiving—the faith and love of the Colossians. Although Paul probably never visited Colosse, word got back to him about these believers. Their faith reflected their trust in God and their love gave solid evidence of that faith lived out. These are wonderful words of encouragement, especially for a group of people struggling with dangerous false teaching. Notice how joyfully and sincerely Paul praises the Lord for what is true in these believers' lives.

Paul does the same thing with Philemon. Paul needed to exhort Philemon to forgive Onesimus, a runaway slave, and to receive him as a brother in Christ. Yet notice the joy that Paul has for what Philemon is doing right (v. 7).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul says that he's always thanking God. Most likely Paul kept regular hours of prayer, but beyond the time that Paul prayed was his attitude of prayer. He cultivated a habit of thanking the Lord. Both the Colossians and Philemon needed reproof, but Paul begins with thanksgiving. What a wonderful example! Throughout this month, consider believers who might need correction, and then take time each day to thank the Lord for a specific aspect of their life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:3-5
Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts. - Romans 5:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to an article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on June 16, 2005, the Department of Revenue has $470 million in unclaimed funds, including personal inheritances. Recently officials have begun sending out thousands of letters, hoping to connect individuals and their unclaimed money.

The thought that a large sum of money could be ours is pretty exciting. It's easy to daydream about how we'd spend all that money. For many, the future would seem brighter given the prospect of much wealth. And yet, as believers, we already have an unimaginable inheritance waiting for us!

Many passages in Scripture describe our heavenly inheritance. In Colossians 1:5, our inheritance is defined in terms of “hope,” which is the source of our faith and love. Recall from yesterday that the faith and love of the Colossians was the source of Paul and Timothy's thanksgiving. There's a wonderful connection between these three: faith, love, and hope, as we see in today's verse. Human beings cannot exist without hope—that's why we're so devastated when our hopes are dashed. But hope based on faith in what Christ has done can never disappoint.

Christian hope is a very powerful reality. Many people around us live with no real hope for their futures. They believe that when a person dies, that's it. But this viewpoint isn't what the Bible teaches. In 1 Peter, we learn that our hope is based on Christ's resurrection and that our heavenly inheritance can never be taken from us. This inheritance of eternal life is protected for us and we are protected by God's power.

It's likely that this message of hope was stressed when Epaphras shared the gospel, or the word of truth, with the Colossians. And this same message needs to be shared today. As one Bible scholar says, “The solid facts about the future hope of Christians are a powerful motivation for constant faith and costly love in the present.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
There's no need to check the mailbox to find out if you have an inheritance waiting for you—you already do! Spend some time focusing on the hope that comes from this certain inheritance of knowing that you'll spend eternity with Jesus Christ. Pray that this hope will increase your love for Him and others.

If you've never trusted Christ for eternal life, don't let one more day go by without the eternal hope that comes from knowing Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:6-8; Acts 19:8-20
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season. - Psalm 1:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Whether it's called a dragon or sapphire tree, Royal Empress or Royal Paulownia, the tree with the Latin name scrophulariaceae is an amazing tree! It can grow 10 feet per year, becoming over 70 feet high and 30 feet wide. This hearty tree can withstand temperatures of below 10 and over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And with fragrant lavender blossoms, it's no wonder that it's popular with landscapers.

This wonderful tree is a helpful picture of the gospel. Like a tree, the gospel reaches up and out throughout the entire world. Paul may have been thinking about trees when he describes the gospel as bearing fruit.

Today's reading from Acts helps explain how the gospel came to the Colossians. Colosse is about a hundred miles east of Ephesus, where Paul spent over two years. According to Acts 19:10, all the Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia, or modern-day Turkey, heard the gospel. (The gospel's extraordinary spread is also reflected in Acts 19:20.) We know that Paul didn't visit every city in this province, so those who were converted by Paul must have shared the gospel in their hometowns.

One such person was no doubt Epaphras, a native of Colosse (Col. 4:12). We also read about him in Philemon 23, where he's described as Paul's “fellow prisoner.” We know that Paul wrote Colossians while in prison, most likely in Rome. It's possible that Epaphras was also imprisoned, but it's more likely that he ministered to Paul during his imprisonment and shared closely in Paul's suffering.

Paul's affection for this dear man is evident as he calls him “our dear fellow servant” (v. 7). Even though we don't know much about Epaphras, we see how he continued to minister to the Colossians after he had shared the gospel with them. First, he informed Paul of their love, the fruit of the gospel coming into their lives, and then, he brought their current situation to Paul's attention.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage shows the remarkable power of the gospel to spread worldwide. This happens in many ways, including evangelism, missionaries, and prayer. But like a tree, the gospel also takes root deeply, transforming people's lives. Notice that Paul says that the gospel is also bearing fruit among the Colossians (Col 1:6). This is nurtured through Bible study, Christian fellowship, worship, and solid preaching. Both aspects of growth are essential for the gospel to produce the fruit that God intends.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:9-12
We dealt with each of you as a father . . . urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. - 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to some estimates, literally millions of standardized tests are administered annually in U.S. public schools. These tests evaluate students' reading and math abilities, I.Q., and written proficiency. Standardized tests are designed to evaluate how much students know. Such tests can be helpful, yet these tests are designed to evaluate only one kind of knowledge. A perfect SAT score isn't a reliable indicator of an individual's ability to relate to others!

Paul is also concerned about knowledge. Yet it's clear that he's not talking about knowledge that can be evaluated by any standardized test! Instead, ever since he heard about the Colossians, he continually prayed that they would be filled with knowledge about God's will, the kind of knowledge that only comes from spiritual wisdom and understanding. Wisdom has to do with relating rightly—to God, to life, to others, to ourselves. Understanding has to do with discernment or perception; it's about seeing things correctly. This kind of knowledge enables us to understand more clearly what God wants and is only possible through the Spirit.

There's no standardized test to evaluate how much of this knowledge we have, but there are clear evidences of it in our lives. The more we're filled with knowledge of God's will, the more we're able to live purposeful lives that are worthy of Him and are pleasing to Him in every way.

Specifically, there are four good indicators that we are growing in spiritual knowledge of God's will. First, we bear fruit in the good works that God has prepared for us (v. 10; see also Eph. 2:10). Second, we grow even more in our knowledge of God. Later in Colossians, we'll see the necessity of God's Word for growing in knowledge of Him. Third, we are empowered with God's power, so that we might have endurance and patience (v. 11). Fourth, we are thankful (v. 12). Recall our discussion on gratitude on October 2.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What a wonderful picture of walking worthy of the Lord: fruitful, growing, patient, and thankful. Let's consider the third element more fully. Patience is often used to describe God's attitude toward his people. Consider Exodus 34:6-7: “The compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness . . . forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” Patience is hard for most of us, so it's comforting that we're given God's own power to be patient with one another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:12-14; Exodus 15:1-18
The land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance. - Numbers 26:53
TODAY IN THE WORD
Winston Churchill called it “a miracle of deliverance.” During May and June 1940, more than 300,000 British, French, and Belgian troops were rescued from the beaches surrounding Dunkirk in France. Having seriously underestimated the Nazi forces, Allied troops were cut off from the Dunkirk harbor and any chance of crossing the English Channel. Large navy vessels were unable to reach the stranded troops assembled along the surrounding beaches. That's when hundreds of smaller ships, including private yachts and fishing boats, crossed the channel and ferried hundreds of thousands of troops to safety. Sixty-five years later, people still call it “the greatest rescue operation” in modern history.

The greatest rescue operation of all time, however, has been going on for much longer than two miraculous months in 1940. It was anticipated by God's great deliverance of His people from Egypt. The Song of Moses, recorded in Exodus 15, describes this event is powerful language. Paul clearly has the Exodus in mind as he describes the ultimate rescue operation that the Father has accomplished for believers through Jesus Christ.

Paul begins by using the language of inheritance used to describe the land promised to Abraham (see Gen. 12:1-3) and conquered by Joshua. In fact, to describe our portion of inheritance in God's kingdom, Paul uses the same terms that were used in Numbers 26 to describe the division of the land among the tribes.

Just as God delivered His people from their bondage in Egypt, so too He has rescued us from the realm of darkness, or Satan, and the bondage of sin. Just as He led His people into the Promised Land, so too He has brought us into the kingdom of His Beloved Son. In the Old Testament, a key theme is God's deliverance from powerful enemies, often the surrounding nations. But today's passage shows us that the greatest enemy is the Evil One who holds people captive in sin.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We've looked several times at thankfulness so far. Today's passage gives four more reasons for thanking the Father: He has qualified us to receive our inheritance, He has rescued us from darkness, He has transferred us into His kingdom, and He has paid the debt of our sin. Take time this week to thank the Father for all that He has rescued you from and for all that He has done by qualifying you for an inheritance in Christ's kingdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:15-17; Proverbs 8:22-31
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. - John 1:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Have you ever wondered why Earth doesn't just fly off into deep space? After all, we're flying through space at about 18 miles per second, nearly 67,000 miles per hour! At that speed, we should have been far away from the sun long ago! Instead, the sun's gravity holds Earth in its orbit. Even greater than the sun's power is the description of Jesus that we find in today's passage: He holds everything in place!

Colossians 1:15 introduces one of the most exalted passages in the entire Bible, sometimes called a “hymn,” because of Paul's lofty description of our Lord. Paul begins by calling Jesus the “image of the invisible God” (v. 15). An “image” often referred to a king's picture on a coin. Here it's used in a way similar to John 1:18: “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.” In Jesus Christ, the invisible God has become visible!

Next, Paul says that Jesus is “firstborn over all creation.” This is another way of saying that Jesus is Lord of all creation, and has existed forever. The title firstborn often indicated supreme rank or honor. For example, in Exodus 4:22, God says, “Israel is my firstborn son.” This meant God chose Israel over all other nations.

Paul goes on to describe Jesus as the One through whom the entire universe was created, including the spiritual world. The terms thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities, were likely chosen because they were used by the false teachers in Colosse whom we'll look at later. The point here is that there's nothing in all creation that has more authority than Jesus Christ.

Last, not only did Jesus create everything, but everything remains created, or in existence, because of Christ (v. 17).

Centuries earlier, Solomon poetically expressed similar ideas as those echoed in our passage in Proverbs 8, where Wisdom, described as a person and foreshadowing Jesus Christ, is active in creation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Perhaps you agree with the bumper sticker that reads: “Stop the world! I want to get off!”

It's often easy to feel that things are spinning out of control. Yet in Christ, not only does the entire universe hold together, but, even more, we ourselves are tenderly held together. If Earth's orbit is held in place by Christ, we can be assured that He is also holding together everything within us, including our purpose in life and our relationships.