“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything” (Colossians 1:17-18).

Have you ever thought about these things?  Maybe all of this thing we call creation was made specifically for the purpose of giving you the opportunity to be eternally united with Him as a child of the Heavenly Father.  Jesus is the Firstborn.  Now if He is first, it means there are others who will follow.  Not being God, for He told us equality with God is not to be grasped, but a child of God.

Lord, help me think more deeply and to realize what You are doing through this thing called salvation.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may walk in the light of Your salvation and live as You would have me live.  Help me now and always to look to You, my Lord and God.  You are my Savior and in You are all things held together.  Lead me, O Lord, and I will follow.  Teach me and I will learn.

My Lord and God, “God’s Salvation,” as your name means, guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I may now and always go where You send me.  Help me to better understand the gift of life which You have given me.  Help me to better understand the direction of salvation that You have provided.  Through all things, lead me in the way of everlasting life so that I may now and always be guided by You.  Amen.

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

Who is Jesus?  This is a question that those who do not know ask over and over again.  The cults prey upon the ignorance of those in darkness and offer all kinds of answers.  Jesus is the Word who is God.  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  Through Him all things have come into being and apart from Him nothing came into being that has being.  Christ is the invisible God made visible.

Have you taken in what the Word says?  It is clear and there is no room for negotiation.  I know there is a cult that denies Jesus is God in the flesh, but even Scripture gives explicit warning about this.  Jesus is God in the flesh and it is God who is your Savior.  He has come that You may be eternally connected with Him.  Come into the eternal relationship prepared before the foundation of the world.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, the One through whom all things have been created, You are my King and Savior.  Lead me always in the way of life that You alone know fully.  Help me to see that in You alone is there all hope and the glory of all ages.  Guide me ever deeper into the life of a disciple so that I may now and always humbly abide with You and through You in the Father’s presence.  Amen.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15).

Faith is the conviction of things not seen.  We are told plainly here who Jesus is: He is God.  The One who is invisible makes Himself visible by becoming the only begotten Son.  God from God, Light from light, Very God from Very God; these are the words spoken amidst the mystery of God made flesh.  Yes, Jesus and the Father are One.  God is our salvation just as the Old Testament says over and over again.

Lord, so few words that speak something that is beyond my ability to comprehend.  You have become like one of us, God in the flesh.  Or is it that You have made us to be like You?  You have come to lead the way.  You have come to give the example of what living life is to be like. You have loved us so much that You have given up Your body on a tree that we might be able to be with You forever.  What an amazing God You are!

Lord Jesus, firstborn among many brethren, God in the flesh and the light shining in the darkness, though I may never fully comprehend the magnificence of what this means, help me to look to the Father as You taught us to look.  Help me to do those things You have taught us to do.  Help me to follow You as You asked me to do.  Through all things, help me be Your disciple.  Amen.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

The picture of dark and light runs throughout Scripture.  God separated the dark from the light.  Jesus is the Light shining in the darkness.  We have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and given the light.  Come then and live as a child of God, a light bearer, and one who has been redeemed to become like Christ.  You are one for whom the Lord died to redeem you, and you have what He gives from the cross.

Lord, so often I hear what I must do.  Here I am hearing what You have done for me.  Help me come to the place where I do not think in terms of what I must do but live in the freedom of doing what is good because it is pleasing to You.  Take me out of dark thinking and into thinking as one who is in the light.  You have forgiven my sins, redeemed me, and given me the power in You to become like You.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  You have asked me to bear the light that all may see and glorify the Father in heaven.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I may be guided by Your goodness.  Keep me close to You in order that I may not walk again in the shadows of the dark kingdom.  In all things, remind me that You have redeemed me and that You have a greater purpose for me by walking with You.  Amen.

“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light” (Colossians 1:10-11).

The world is not perfect.  You know that.  It takes steadfastness and patience to navigate this sinful world as a redeemed sinner.  The Lord will not only amply supply your needs, but also, He will teach you amidst all strife of this life, His plan and purpose.  You have been given the power to become a child of God.  Live in that power and walk as a child of the Light, no longer in the darkness.

Lord, there is much I need to learn and many, many things that I do not know.  Guide me by Your light so that I not so much seek to know things as to know You.  Lead me into Your Light so that I may see goodness and be one who practices what I see in You.  You have accomplished for all who believe the salvation we all need.  You have finished the work, and now, learning to live as a child of the Heavenly Father begins.

Lord Jesus, teach me today the way of being thankful, steadfast, and patient.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I would now and always walk humbly with You.  You are my Lord and Savior and in You alone is there all hope and a future.  Lead me in the way You would have me go and help me to willingly obey Your ordinances.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all that You have done, are doing, and will do.  Amen. 

“So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10)

You have been given grace and mercy.  The Lord has died for your sins so that you might be redeemed.  The Lord has demonstrated His love for you.  What then shall you do?  Does one jilt the one they love?  May it never be!  You have been invited into a loving relationship with the Lord.  Live now in that relationship and do what is pleasing for the One who loves you and whom you say you love.

Lord, teach me how to live this loving relationship that You have established in grace.  Guide me according to Your goodness that I may learn more and more each day and walk in such a way that it is pleasing to You.  Nourish in me that fruit which You shall grow and increase in me those things which You know I need to know.  Let me never forget Your grace upon which I depend.

Lord Jesus, You are the model of godliness.  Lead me this day, Lord, in the way of life You are teaching me so that I may walk in a way that is pleasing to the Father.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to know that I am unworthy, but to walk as though I were, not by my might or power, but by Yours.  Lead me, O Lord, and help me to accept Your teaching so that I would humbly follow wherever You lead.  Amen.

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9)

Do you hear the things Paul was praying for?  He prays for us to be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Will you receive what the Lord gives you?  Will you walk in the knowledge and wisdom He imparts?  This is always a good and true question that we should at all times be willing to answer.  The Lord would have you grow in His likeness.

Lord, you know all that is right, good, and needed for me to grow into Your likeness.  You have sent those who would speak Your Word so that I might receive the mercy and grace needed to continue on the path of following You.  You know what I need Lord.  Help me live into the life You have called me live into and for which You died.  Guide me in the Gospel way, giving thanks for the saints who have prayed for me.

Lord Jesus, help me join the communion of saints who at all times and in all places have prayed for those in need.  Lead me, O Lord, in the Gospel way so that I would join as one of the active saints who cares for others as I have been cared for.  You know where that direction is.  Help me to understand that You do know all things and I need to learn how to follow You, now and always.  Amen.

“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.