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:

 

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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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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