“Just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit” (Colossians 1:7-8).

We may be tempted to think that one has more weight when they speak than another does.  The Word is the Word and no matter who speaks the Lord’s Word, it will not come back void.  Listen in season and out of season and do not be one who wants merely to be entertained, but informed and enlightened.  The Lord speaks in many and various ways, but this is through His Son so that you may have His grace.

Lord, give me ears to hear and eyes to see.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I would now and always humbly abide in and by Your Word.  Lead me, O Lord, in order that I may be led by You alone and know the riches of Your grace and mercy.  Lord, You know where I am deficient.  Send those who would speak to that place where I need to grow.  Then give me ears to hear as they speak.

Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, You have come and dwelt among us.  You bore on Your own body our iniquity.  Lead me in Your goodness, Lord, so that I would learn from You what is always right and fitting.  Guide me by Your goodness that in Your example I would walk and do those things You show me and tell me to do.  Teach me to follow, always looking to You, O Lord.  Amen.

“Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:5-6)

Have you heard the Gospel and do you understand it?  Many say they do, but it seems as though there may be confusion still.  Jesus is the Good news.  God in the flesh coming and giving us the means to be saved is the Good news.  God’s mercy and not condemnation is the Good News.  Therefore, we are invited to live into a new life.  Do you have the hope in the Lord as your hope?

Lord, guide me into understanding in order that I would know the simplicity of the Gospel.  Help me to see with clarity so that I will not be led astray.  Lead me now and always in the truth You have revealed and keep me close to You.  Through You, I have hope and a good future.  No matter what comes in this life, keep my eyes upon You.  Bear good and lasting fruit in and through me.

Lord Jesus, You are the vine and I am one of Your branches.  Cause Your fruit to grow in me so that I would become more like You each day.  Guide me in the Gospel way to live the Good News and share it through my life in word and deed.  You have lavishly given me grace upon grace, providing all that I need.  Help me live into this Gospel life that You have given me.  Amen.

“We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints” (Colossians 1:3-4)

The Lord provides for each person all that is needed.  Yes, He works through others, for in teaching them, He helps you too.  Be a part of what the Lord is doing and know that in Him there is all purpose and meaning.  Do you love His people?  Do you love His church?  Be one who is filled with faith, hope, and love knowing that the Lord has provided all these things for you.

Lord, all around I see the balance that You have put into creation.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may know this balance and live according to Your purpose.  You have placed me in a fellowship where I may learn, grow, and serve.  Help me to be fully in and connected with those whom You have given me to serve.  Guide me always in the way of life that You have established.

Thank You Lord Jesus for the salvation You have given me through grace.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life so that I would live according to the direction of Your Spirit.  Help me now and always to see things through Your eyes and be guided by Your example.  Lead me this day to love others as You do, doing what is good in the Father’s sight.  Thank You for the privilege of following You.  Amen. 

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father” (Colossians 1:1-2).

By the will of God: this is the truth of all who are walking in the light of Christ.  For as many as come to the light, to them He gives the power to become children of God, born not of the will of the flesh, but of the Spirit.  How is it we have become so enamored with ourselves that we  think that we have anything to do with being saved?  Walk in the light the Father has shone on you.  Jesus alone saves us.

Lord, You alone are Lord.  There is no other.  You do not need my help to save me.  Save me, Lord, according to Your will; for this is what You will.  Guide me, then, and let me see how dependent I am upon You.  Lead me to rejoice that You alone are God and that I need not participate in order to receive, but just accept the gift of grace that You give.  Lead me, Lord, and teach me to follow.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save as many as come to the light.  Guide me this day so that I may walk in the light of Your countenance.  Guide me according to Your purpose in order that I would now and always be led by You and by no one else.  Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my mind to understand the goodness that shines in my life because of You.  May I remain in Your peace always.  Amen.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philippians 4:23).

The Lord be with you!  Do you respond in kind that the Lord would be with the other’s spirit?  In our day, greetings often fly out which have no real meaning.  “Have a good one.”  A good what?  Trivial disconnect is the game of the wicked one.  The Lord has knit together His bride, the church, and He desires that we love one another.  Do you pray for the saints?  Do you desire for their spirit to be fed as you desire your spirit fed?

Lord, You have shown me these deeper things.  You have guided me by Your grace thus far.  Take me ever deeper into the realm of Your presence so that I may learn to desire for the other what I desire for myself.  Lead me, O Lord, into the grace and mercy You have for me.  Guide me so that I may walk the path You have set before me.  Lead me by Your Holy Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit, and reach into my depths.  Grant that I would have the same desire for others that I have for myself.  Guide me now and always on the ever-deepening path of salvation into which I have come through the cross in order to learn how to be faithful.  Guide me this day and every day that You, Holy Spirit, would guide my spirit in the good depths of faith that are laid before me.  Lead on, O King Eternal!  Amen.

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.  All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:21-22).

We who believe are a part of the communion of saints.  In all times and places, we are connected to other believers.  Marvel at the connection the Lord has made and the invitation by which we have come into this communion.  Rejoice in what the Lord is doing and know that You are a part of what the Lord is doing eternally.  You have been united with Him forever.

Lord, help me to ponder the mystery of this family into which I have been grafted through You.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may see more clearly the great gift You have given me.  Let me now and forever rejoice and be thankful for this family of the faithful.  May I see in them the connection that is You.  May I have my mind and heart opened so that I may be guided by you and so serve others in the family as I should.  Lead me Lord into this greater portion of the body which I often do not even think about.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, Lord, in this abundant life in order that I may walk knowing that I am not alone.  You have drawn together a cloud of witnesses such that their number is hard to count.  Thank You, Lord, for including me in this family You have knit together through Your body and blood.  Teach me to rejoice today and every day.  Amen.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20).

Has the Lord provided for your every need?  Of course He has, but do you give thanks?  We can become wrapped up in our own thoughts and ambitions such that we do not give thanks to the One who makes all things possible.  Have an attitude of gratitude.  Be led by the Lord and no one else, not even yourself.  Know that He who formed you in your mother’s womb knows who you are and what you need.

Lord, teach me to be thankful in all circumstances.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see that only in You is there hope and a future.  Let me not be carried away with my selfish  thoughts, but look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, to guide me in my thinking.  Guide me this day and every day in the truth of Your love and mercy.  Let me learn from You, and in all  circumstances to rejoice and give thanks for Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, while I did not care about these things, You were giving me all that I needed.  When I did not know what I needed, You provided.  You know me better than I know myself and You know all that is needed.  Guide me, dear Lord, so that I may walk the path You set before me and give thanks for all Your benefits.  Grant that I have a thankful heart now and forever.  Thank you, Lord. Amen.  

“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.  But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:17-18).

Be encouraged and encourage others.  The Lord is working in all places and at all times.  Know that in the Lord you have great hope.  The Lord has amply supplied your every need.  Sadly, many will not avail themselves of what is available, but the Lord provides none-the-less.  Be guided in the Lord’s provision and know that He knows what you need even before you ask.

Lord, I try to figure things out.  Not that this is all bad, but often I forget that You have already made the plans for me and they are for good.  Help me to turn to You so that I would seek You first and learn what You have in mind.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth and guide me according to Your will.  Lead me to encourage others as You have sent those who have encouraged me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all that You have done and are doing.  You have led me through the cross into the light of Your glory.  You have provided for me every step of the way.  Draw me close to You so that I may, this day, be a little more conformed to Your image and be more like You.  Through all things, teach me to live in faith, hope, and love.  Guide me as You know I need to be guided.  Amen.

“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs” (Philippians 4:15-16).

The good we do is remembered.  But we should not do it for any other reason than that it is good, right and salutary.  Look to the Lord and He will teach you what is good.  In all that you do, do it as serving the Lord, for He alone should be the One you worship.  He desires those who will worship in spirit and in truth.  Come then and leave behind the things this world uses to distract you and worship the Lord.

Lord, thank You for the opportunities You have given me to do what is right without thinking about it.  Help me now and always to look to You and do what is good in Your sight.  Lead me according to the principles You have taught me so that I may do those things which will last.  Let me be motivated simply by trust in You and the doing of good for others now and always.

Lord Jesus, You came and gave Yourself for us.  In Your example, help me serve my neighbor as You would serve them.  Lead me in the goodness and mercy You give from the cross so that I may live by Your example and do those things which are good in the Father’s sight.  Lead me Lord Jesus and teach me how to follow.  Amen.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction” (Philippians 4:13).

I can do nothing without the Lord.  When all is said and done, everything done apart from Him will mean nothing.  Everything He does is forever.  You can do all things through Him who gives you a new life by grace.  As His child, do what pleases Him.  Come into the light and walk in the eternal things and no longer scheme as those who do not believe, do.  Live in the life of Christ.

Lord, this is so simple to say.  I see it, but how hard it is to do in daily life.  Each day has its temptations, and I am tugged and pulled to live in the way of the world.  Help me learn how to be strengthened in You and live into the life You give, knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Guide me in the way of life that looks to You for all things knowing that only this new life You give really matters.

Lord Jesus, You came so that we would have abundant and everlasting life.  Let me learn how to follow You such that I do not turn back to the fleeting ways of this world.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see through the temptations of this world.  Help me live in the goodness You give now and forever.  You are the way, truth, and life.  Help me do all things through You.  Amen.