Daily Bible Reading “The Hope of the Gospel” (Colossians 1:18-29)

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Hope of the Gospel

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Colossians 1:18-29. Paul talks about Jesus being the head of the body, which is the church. Paul said it pleased God that all fullness should dwell in Jesus.

Jesus made peace through His blood on the cross and reconciled everything to Him in heaven and earth. Paul tells them they were once alienated and enemies in their minds because of their wicked works. Now Jesus reconciled them through His death on the cross, and made them holy and blameless in His sight.

Let’s look at Philippians 2:5-11:

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul exhorted them to stay firmly grounded in the faith, and not stray from the hope of the gospel, which they have heard. He reminded them that the Gospel had been preached to every creature on earth, in which He was a minister. Paul told them that he rejoiced in his suffering for them, since his job as a minister of God was to fulfill the Word of God in them. How could Paul rejoice when he was in prison?

Paul talks about the mystery of the Gentiles, which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Ephesians 3:6 tells us, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” Paul says we preach this, warning and teaching to every man, that we might present them perfect in Jesus Christ. Paul worked very hard to preach the gospel, by God’s power working in him even when he was in prison. His desire was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.

Daily Bible Reading:

Colossians 1:18-29

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Things to think about:

How could Paul rejoice in his sufferings?

What was the mystery that Paul was talking about in this Scripture?

How can we be made holy and blameless in God’s sight?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Colossians where Paul is writing to the church of Colosse. Help us to do as Paul says and keep the faith and hope of the gospel in our lives. Thank You for all the ministers that You have sent to share the gospel, so we might know You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away …

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from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

– Colossians 1:23

Featured Book:

The Book of Colossians: Paul’s Letter to Colosse

by Deborah H. Bateman.

The Book of Colossians: Paul’s Letter to Colosse is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. This book is a study of the book of Colossians from the Old Testament of the Bible. The Book of Colossians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. In this letter Paul acknowledges the people of Colosse for their faith in Jesus Christ, their love of the saints, and their hope in heaven.

Paul encourages the Colossians to walk worthy of the Lord, to put their hope in the gospel, and to let the peace of God rule in their hearts. Paul also discusses with the people of Colosse how to have relationships that are pleasing to God. Paul reminds them of the great sacrifice that the Lord Jesus Christ made for them on the cross and encourages them to redeem the time.

The Book of Colossians: Paul’s Letter to Colosse contains eight Daily Bible Reading lessons, which can be used as a personal or group Bible study. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer to go along with the lesson. Our desire is that this book will help you to have a better understanding of Paul’s letter to the Colossians and how you can apply his message to your life today.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Daily Bible Reading “Walk Worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:9-17)

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Deborah H. Bateman

Walk Worthy of the Lord

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Colossians 1:9-17. Paul tells the Colossians that ever since he heard all these good things concerning them, he has prayed for them continually. This prayer of Paul’s is a model prayer. It would be a good prayer for us to pray for the people we care about in our life.

Paul prayed for them to be filled with knowledge of God’s will, to have wisdom, and spiritual understanding. He prayed that they would walk worthy of the Lord, be fruitful, and increase in the knowledge of God. Paul prayed that they might be strengthened by God’s glorious power, have patience, long-suffering, and joy. This is the fruit of the Spirit, which is spoken of in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Paul prayed they would give thanks to God. God made us to be qualified for the inheritance of the saints in light and delivered us from darkness. God delivered us from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light by His dear Son, Jesus, in whom we have forgiveness of sin, through the redemption of His blood. Paul tells them that Jesus is the image of God, who created everything in heaven and earth, both visible and invisible.

God created thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. All things were created for Him and by Him. God was before all things and by Him all things consist. God is the creator and the sustainer. Even you were created by Him and for Him. We don’t need to worry about the future. God is in control!

Daily Bible Reading:

Colossians 1:9-17

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Things to think about:

In what ways can we acknowledge God as the creator of all things?

Which of the fruits of the Spirit are evident in your life?

How can we walk worthy of the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father:

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Colossians. We see this prayer that Paul prayed for the Colossians. He said that they had the fruit of the Spirit. May we have the fruit of the Spirit evident in our life because of You living in our heart and life. Help us to remember that all things were created by You and for You and that You are in control. Help us to have complete trust and faith in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in …

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every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

– Colossians 1:10

Featured Book:

The Book of Colossians: Paul’s Letter to Colosse

by Deborah H. Bateman.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
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Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Invite your friends and family members to join us.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Faith, Hope, Love” (Colossians 1:1-8)

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Deborah H. Bateman

Faith, Hope, Love

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Colossians 1:1-8. In the book of Colossians, Paul, an apostle and Timothy, who Paul considered to be his brother in Christ, are writing a letter to the church of Colosse. Colosse was a small Phrygian city near Laodicea, about a hundred miles from Ephesus, in Asia Minor. This letter was written during the time when Paul was in prison in Rome.

Paul starts the letter like he does most of his letters saying, “Grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Why do you think Paul starts his letters off with this statement? It is a sort of greeting and a blessing.

Paul tells them that he gives thanks to God and Jesus for them and prays for them always. Paul tells them he heard of their faith in Jesus and the love that they have for the saints.

The faith and love they have is because of the hope they have in heaven, since they heard the Word of truth found in the gospel. Paul says, the gospel is bringing forth fruit in the entire world, as it has in them, because they knew the grace of God in truth.

Paul said he learned all these things about the Colossians from Epaphras, Paul’s fellow servant, who was their faithful minister of Christ. Epaphras told Paul about the Colossians great love in the Spirit.

As we’ve been studying these books of Paul’s letters, I have been thinking about the lost art of letter writing. How many of us still write letters to our friends, family members, or fellow believers? I remember enjoying getting a letter in the mail or a card from a friend or family member, but they are fewer and fewer these days. I am guilty of not communicating in this way myself as much as I used to. I used to send out hundreds of Christmas cards, but haven’t done that in the past several years. Do you still like to get a card or letter in the mail? Maybe this would be a great way for us to encourage one another from time to time.

Daily Bible Reading:

Colossians 1:1-8

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Things to think about:

How could writing letters to fellow believers benefit us as well as them?
In what ways do your actions show you have faith, love, and hope in Christ?

What are some ways we can share our faith, love, and hope in Christ?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this letter in the book of Colossians that Paul wrote to the church of Colosse. Paul tells them that he heard of their great faith, hope, and love. May we be known by our faith, love, and hope in You. We love You, Lord. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, – Colossians 1:3

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Featured Book:

The Book of Colossians: Paul’s Letter to Colosse

by Deborah H. Bateman.

Go to: Amazon

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Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Invite your friends and family members to join us.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Give Thanks to God” (Colossians 3:1-17)

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Give Thanks to God

And whatsoever ye DO in WORD or DEED, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS to God and the Father by him. – Colossians 3:17

Paul tells the people if they are in Christ they should seek those things which are above, not the things on the earth. He says to put off the sins of the old sinful man and put on the image of the new man, which is created after the image of Christ. The Bible tells us when we get saved that we become new creatures in Christ. God helps us to do away with our old sinful nature and take up characteristics that are Christ-like. In this Scripture, Paul uses the male gender, but this applies to all those who accept Christ as their Savior, both male, and female.

Paul says as Christians we are all one in Christ; there are no differences between us because of our background or race. Paul goes on to tell what the new man should look like in Christ. These are the characteristics that Paul says should be indicative of the new man, he should be holy, merciful, and kind. He should show the traits of humbleness, meekness, and long-suffering. He should be forgiving, show love through charity, and let the peace of God rule in his heart. Paul says, “Be ye thankful.”

In verses 16 and 17 he tells us how to do that, by studying the word of God, teaching, admonishing one another, and singing psalms and hymns. He reminds us that whatever we do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God, the Father by Him.

As Christians, we should get in the habit of studying God’s Word and encouraging one another. God loves it when we sing songs of praise and worship to Him and give thanks to Him for who He is and all He has done for us.

Daily Bible Reading:

Colossians 3:1-17

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Things to think about:

In what ways can seek the things which are above?

Have you put off the old sinful man?

Are you in the habit of giving thanks to the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins. Help us to set our sights on things above and not on things on the earth. Help us to be forgiving of one another. Help us to put on the fruits of the spirit. We love You and praise You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, …

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giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

– Colossians 3:17

–Excerpt from “Give Thanks” by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

Christian Music Video: “Give Thanks” by Don Moen

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back tomorrow. Please invite someone to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

Give Thanks

by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

About the book:

Give Thanks is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends. Give Thanks contains 21 daily Bible lessons that remind us to have an attitude of gratitude.

Each lesson contains a brief commentary, coordinating Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day. Give Thanks is a great Bible study for individual or group Bible studies.

Four of Deborah’s friends contributed to the book and one of her friends contributed pictures of nature to remind us to be thankful for God’s creation. May God bless you as you read this book and remember all the things you have to be grateful for and to “Give Thanks” with a grateful heart.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life