Bible

The Word 11.22.09

It is that time of year again. During Thanksgiving we all try to pause from the craziness of everyday life and reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. I think my pastor put it well this morning when he said that it often brings to mind the fact that I should be doing more of this type of reflection all throughout the year. As Christians, our thankfulness should have no limits. We have been given the greatest gift of all. Jesus Christ died so that we might live forever. He has given us new life and qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints. That’s something worth expressing gratitude for every day. Paul’s opening words in his letter to the Colossians expresses this truth beautifully. Reflect on his words this week (and beyond) and offer up praise to God for the glorious salvation he has freely given us.

Colossians 1:1-14 (ESV)

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

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. behalf

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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