“This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.” (Colossians 1:1)
What’s the best letter, email, or text you’ve ever received? The communication may have come from your spouse or future spouse. It may have been communication from a boss, a friend, your parents, or a child. It could have been communication from someone else you admire. It could have been communication from the IRS (but probably not). Letters, emails, or texts can be encouraging and uplifting, or they can be discouraging or dispiriting. But what someone communicates to us in writing or text can have an encouraging, uplifting impact on our lives or have a discouraging impact on our lives.
The Book of Colossians in the New Testament was a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to some Christians in the first century Church in Colossae. Colossae was a city in Asia Minor, about 100 miles from the large city of Ephesus and the cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea. The Church in Colossae was an outgrowth of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19-20). A man named Epaphras came to faith in Jesus during Paul’s time in Ephesus, and he started a Home Group (like our Life Groups) in Colossae that eventually turned into a Church.
Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Colossae while he was in prison to tell them that he appreciated them (Ephesians 1:3-8), to address some challenges they were experiencing, and to affirm the claims of Jesus and the call of His Church. We will be studying the first part of this letter to the Colossian Christians during our THIS IS THE WAY series (which includes our 21 Day Prayer and Fasting emphasis). In doing so, we will be learning in the 21st century what they learned in the 1st century - how to live vibrant and victorious lives in the midst of a challenging and changing world.
Prayer - Lord, I thank You for the encouraging, helpful communications I’ve received from others over the years. But I especially thank You for Your Word that teaches me how to know and walk with you, and live a vibrant and victorious life. Help me to learn what I need to learn from Your Word during these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.
Reflection - What do I need to learn from God’s Word and Spirit during these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting? And what types of help do I need in my life?
