FEBRUARY 24
________________________________________
FULLY CARRY OUT THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am supplementing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of His body, which is the church. 25 I was made a minister of this church according to the commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me.
– Colossians 1:24-29
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul shows the Colossians that he rejoices in his suffering for the sake of being able to fully fulfill his commission from God as a minister of the church. The world and unbelievers will never understand the importance of rejoicing in the midst of suffering. It is very hard to grasp the Spirit’s work when one does not believe in God. The world’s perspective regarding suffering is to avoid it whereas in God’s economy, we need to go through it so we can endure and mature spiritually. Without suffering, we will all be shallow and superficial. It is the pain that makes us endure and press on to God. Paul talks in verse 25 how he was commissioned by God to fully carry out the preaching of the word of God. He speaks about the honor that was given to him as God gave him this responsibility to reach out to the Gentiles, to bring them into the kingdom of light by preaching the true gospel. In verse 27, Paul explains to them the mystery of Christ revealed: that Jesus is the wealth that we possess when we accept Him in our hearts. That the mystery is that Jesus is in every believer and that there is hope that all believers will experience the same glory that Christ has. In verse 28, Paul says that we need to proclaim and preach the Good News of Christ’s act of sacrifice to bring us out of the kingdom of darkness into God’s light. He reminds us all believers of our responsibility to preach the word of God and fully carry out what Christ has begun. He started a good work in all of the believer’s heart. We are all expected to follow through with our assignment in the carrying out of preaching the word of God throughout the ends of the earth.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How far have you obeyed this mandate to preach the Good News to all mankind?
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
THE AIM OF RECONCILIATION ILMA’S VLOG
February 22
________________________________________
HE WHO RECONCILES ALL THING TO HIMSELF
18 He is also the 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. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. – Colossians 1:18-20
________________________________________In verse 18, Paul continues to explain to the Colossians that Christ is the head of the church. He points out some truths about the relationship between the church and Christ. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. In other words, just like our head is the one that dictates the other parts of our body, the parts cannot function without the head. What the head says, the body follows. Jesus serves as the Master of the church. He heads it and has authority over it. Without Christ, the church is powerless. He is the Spirit that guides the church in order for it to live and function. Barclay comments that without Christ, the church cannot think the truth, cannot act correctly, cannot decide its direction. There are two things combined here. There is the idea of privilege. It is the privilege of the Church to be the instrument through which Christ works. There is the idea of warning. If a man neglects or abuses his body, he can make it unfit to be the servant of the great purposes of his mind; so, by undisciplined and careless living the Church can unfit herself to be the instrument of Christ, who is her head. Barclay comments further that Christ is the beginning of the Church. The world is the creation of Christ and the Church is the new creation of Christ. She is his new creation by water and the word. Jesus is also the beginning of resurrection and the first in everything. Barclay says that there are four great facts about Jesus Christ in his relationship to the Church, which now we can put in order. He is the living Lord; he is the source and origin of the Church; he is the constant director of the Church; and he is the Lord of all, by virtue of his victory over death.
Because of the sacrifice on the cross by Jesus, we are reconciled to God the Father and we are going to be able to have all that God promised those who abide in Christ and all those who are members of the body of Christ. What a great privilege it is and an honor to be a believer!
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross the only way to be reconcile to God?
IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER ILMA’S VLOG
February 21
________________________________________
IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER
13 For He rescued 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.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. – Colossians 1:13-17
________________________________________
In these passages, Paul is giving the Colossians a picture of who Jesus is. In verse 13, he describes how we are all in a realm of obscurity and here, Paul describes that it was Jesus, who brought that light and moved us away from this domain of darkness into God’s kingdom. In verse 14, Paul focuses on the salvific power that Jesus gave us so we can be forgiven from our sins. In verse 15, Jesus was described as the actual image of the God whom no one has ever seen and also that he is the very first created among all creation.
Verse 16 is one of the most important description of who Jesus is. He is the reason for the creation of all things in heaven and on earth, both seen and unseen are and it was through Him that things were created. It is in this verse that we get a picture of the other things that were created that we don’t visibly see such as thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities. Barclay comments on verse 16 as: This is true of things in heaven and things in earth, of things seen and unseen. The Jews themselves, and even more the Gnostics, had a highly-developed system of angels. With the Gnostics that was only to be expected with their long series of intermediaries between man and God. Thrones, lordships, powers and authorities were different grades of angels having their places in different spheres of the seven heavens. Paul dismisses them all with complete indifference. He is in effect saying to the Gnostics, “You give a great place in your thinking to angels. You rate Jesus Christ merely as one of them. So far from that, he created them.” Paul lays it down that the agent of God in creation is no inferior, ignorant and hostile secondary god, but the Son himself. it is he who holds the world together. That is to say, all the laws by which this world is order and not chaos are an expression of the mind of the Son. The law of gravity and the rest, the laws by which the universe hangs together, are not only scientific laws but also divine. So, then, the Son is the beginning of creation, and the end of creation, and the power who holds creation together, the Creator and the Final Goal of the world.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What is the sign in your life that Christ is the glue that holds all things together?
LOVE IN THE SPIRIT ILMA’S VLOG
February 19
________________________________________
LOVE IN THE SPIRIT
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also 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 bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
– Colossians 1:1-8
________________________________________According to the custom of letter writing in those days, the sender or author of the letter signs their names first. So, here, we know that it was Paul writing the letter and he is with Timothy his brother or brethren. Notice how he mentions his authority as an apostle of Christ assigned directly by God. Then the next part of the letter states who the letter was addressed to. In this case it was the believers in Colossae. According to David Guzik’s commentary, Paul wrote the letter while in Roman custody, probably from Rome and around A.D. 63. In Colossians 2:1, we get a hint that Paul hasn’t been to Colossae himself.
Because Paul was an apostle of Christ, he had the authority to write them instructions in this letter to the believers in Colossae. Vaughn says that the literal meaning of Apostolos in “one sent”; but at its deepest level, it denotes an authorized spokesman for God, one commissioned and empowered to act as his representative. Timothy was included in the salutation though he wasn’t an apostle. He was a brother in Christ to Paul. Paul addresses the believers in the city of Colossae which was probably the smallest city that he wrote to. But Paul thinks that the situation there was important enough for apostolic attention.
Paul must have had concerns about the Colossian heresy and wrong doctrines infiltrating the church, so he thought it was something he needed to dealt with. He mentions Epaphras in verse 7 who gave Paul a good report of their love in the Spirit.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to have a love in the Spirit?
• What happens if we do not have this kind of love?
GOD SUPPLIES ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES ILMA’S VLOG
February 18
________________________________________
GOD SUPPLIES ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. – Philippians 4:19-23
________________________________________
Paul ends this this letter to the Philippians with a promise that God will look after all their needs based on all His riches in glory through Christ. Spurgeon comments on verse 19 “He says to them, ‘You have helped me; but my God shall supply you. You have helped me in one of my needs-my need of clothing and of food: I have other needs in which you could not help me; but my God shall supply all your need. You have helped me, some of you, out of your deep poverty, taking from your scanty store; but my God shall supply all your need out of his riches in glory.’” Spurgeon thought that this verse was a great illustration of that wonderful miracle in 2 Kings 4:1-7, where Elisha told the widow to gather empty vessels, set them out, and pour forth the oil from the one small vessel of oil she had into the empty vessels. She filled and filled and miraculously filled until every empty vessel was full. David Guzik comments “All our need is like the empty vessels. God is the one who fills the empty vessels. According to His riches in glory describes the style in which God fills the empty vessels – the oil keeps flowing until every available vessel is filled. By Christ Jesus describes the how God meets our needs – our empty vessels are filled by Jesus in all His glory. Because the Philippians had given more than they could afford, with the right heart, God is going to top that giving.Paul closes the letter with a praise to God, a doxology, giving glory to the Father and giving his warm regards to all the believers in Philippi. Paul always ends with giving them the blessing of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with them always. Probably all Christians could learn from the Philippians in terms of giving. God blesses those who give generously from their hearts. He gives them back lavishly because he is a loving and generous God who takes delight when we honor what is important to Him. He wants believers to take partnership with those who are working for the gospel to be spread throughout the ends of the earth.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How did God supply your needs when you supported the spreading of the gospel?
GIVING FROM THE HEART ILMA’S VLOG
February 17
________________________________________
GIVING FROM THE HEART
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. – Philippians 4:15-18
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul commends the Philippian church for partnering with him in ministry by their giving. He is grateful to them that even when he was in Thessalonica, they continued to give out of their generosity. Paul clearly explained that he wasn’t thankful for the gift itself, but for the gain that it will bring to their faith. He calls it a fragrant aroma, which is an acceptable sacrifice that is pleasing to God. In Acts 16:6-10, Paul travelled to Macedonia as the first leg of his ministry to spread the gospel. Verse 15 gives reference to this first preaching of the gospel after he left Macedonia. Paul claimed that no other church partnered with him in spreading the gospel, only the Philippian church did. The Philippians supported and provided Paul’s needs more than once. How often do we partner with kingdom work so that the gospel may be preached? The Philippians gives us an example of giving from the heart. It probably wasn’t important how big or small the gift was, but it was done in an attitude of generosity, which is one of God’s trait. God loves a cheerful giver and he doesn’t want us to give just out of compulsion or obligation, but out of love. He likens the gain of the act of giving as a sacrifice to God, just like in the Old testament when they offer animal sacrifices and burnt them becomes a pleasing aroma to God because they honored him with these sacrifices, wanting to please their God. Exodus 29:18 says “It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the LORD” which also alludes to Christ’s love for us when He gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God in Ephesians 5:2. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul tells this church that they should follow the example of the Philippians in terms of giving. Paul testifies to the generosity of the Philippians. In verse 2, Paul commends them that in the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it important that your giving be from the heart and not out of compulsion?
CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET TO LIVING
February 16
________________________________________
CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET TO LIVING
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. 11 Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty.
– Philippians 4:10-14
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul addresses the issues that James addresses in his book on chapter 1. He says in verses 14-15 that the source of our sins is from our lusts which leads us to pursue it and conceives and gives birth to sin and when sin has been born, it brings us to death. The antidote to sin is this letter of Paul to the Philippians which tackles the secret to living a life that God planned for us. In verse 10, he mentions how glad he was that they were concerned for him but wasn’t able to act on it because they didn’t have an opportunity to do so. He gives them his secret to living a worry-free life: contentment. In verse 12, he says that he is able to accept whatever circumstance comes his way. He wasn’t even concerned if he had little or much. He declares that he is thankful when he is lacking and also thankful when he is prosperous. Verse 13 had always been a misunderstood verse because many people think that it is being given strength in doing things through Christ. But Paul uses this verse to indicate that it is in contentment that we can do all things in Christ. In verse 14, Paul acknowledges their concern on his difficulties.
Contentment is a novelty right now in our world. We always find something to complain about or to be dissatisfied with. Isn’t Paul wise to know that all good gifts come from God and He works all things together for good for those who loves him? Whether we are placed in a circumstance that is difficult and uncomfortable, he always has a reason for allowing us to go through these trials and challenges. Our human nature makes us quick to see the inconvenience of things and ask the “why” questions instead of looking at these situations as training ground for us to endure and grow our faith in Christ. Why can’t we as “What do you want me to learn from this Lord?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What are some of the causes of your discontent or dissatisfaction in life?
THINK OF THESE THINGS ILMA’S VLOG
February 15
________________________________________
THINK OF THESE THINGS
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9
________________________________________
Paul gives us a guideline of what thoughts we need to let our minds think about. Not everything that comes to our minds should be entertained or dwelled upon. In his 2nd letter to the Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul instructs the believers how to examine these strongholds or thoughts and mindsets that goes against the knowledge of God and make them captive to obey Christ. According to sources, the letter to the Corinthians were written AD 55-56 and the letter to the Philippians were written AD 60-62. So, Paul is continually teaching believers that renewal of the mind is essential in our walk of faith. In this letter, he enumerates in detail what thoughts are approved by God. These are the following things that God wants us to focus on:
1. Whatever is true (accurately lining up with God’s truth)
2. Whatever is honorable (honest and fair, deserving of respect)
3. Whatever is right (what is morally good, justified and acceptable to God)
4. Whatever is pure (free of corruption or contamination from the world system)
5. Whatever is lovely (delightful, gracious, harmonious)
6. Whatever is commendable (outstanding, exemplary)
7. Whatever is excellent (magnificent, skillful)
8. Whatever is praiseworthy (good report, admirable)
Are most of our thoughts qualify as the things that God wants us to think about? Aren’t we most inclined to listen to lies from the world system? Aren’t we stingy to give affirmation? Don’t we live compromised lives that do not proclaim what is right? Don’t we praise delightful acts and behavior of others? Don’t many of us become envious of people who do outstanding acts and we do not commend them? Don’t we encourage those who does excellently and instead find things to criticize about people? Don’t we talk about good report or admirable things? Paul constantly reminds us that we need to focus on these thoughts so that we are not going to be defeated by the enemy’s tactics.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Which among this list of things to think about do you struggle with? Why?
PRAYER & THANKSGIVING EQUALS GOD’S PEACE ILMA’S VLOG
February 14
________________________________________
PRAYER & THANKSGIVING EQUALS GOD’S PEACE
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:5-7
________________________________________
In this letter of Paul, he recommends to the Philippians the importance of having a gentle spirit and having it manifest for all people to see. Baker’s Evangelical defines “gentleness as a sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior founded on strength and prompted by love. In the King James version, it is defined as moderation. Why does Paul advised the Philippians to show it off? Human nature will not automatically be gentle, that is why Paul probably explains in the next sentence of the same verse that the Lord is near. Without the Lord’s presence in our lives, it is impossible for us to be gentle. After the fall of Adam and Eve, our nature is inclined to being selfish. One cannot be gentle, unless they have Christ in them, who is the epitome of selflessness and sacrifice.
Paul also gives the believers an antidote to worry and anxiety which is prayer and thanksgiving. Because of the curse of the fall of our first parents, the key to our freedom and dominion was handed to the serpent. This is why it is so easy for us to sin but very hard to stay pure and holy. Worry and anxiety is sin because when we indulge ourselves in these two negative acts, we are not operating in the image that God created us to be, which is love. Since God is love, and we are made in His image, we are supposed to operate in love. Perfect love casts out fear. So, fear is the cause of worry and anxiety. It is a form of mistrust in the character of God who is our protector, provider and maker. In Matthew 6:26-28, we are given an explanation why worry and anxiety are something that questions God’s provision and love for us. When we pray, we are humbling ourselves to a higher being who is so good to provide all our needs. When we thank the Lord for all his gifts, there will be no room for worry or anxiety. As we pray and give thanks, we reap peace that exceeds all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Jesus. What powerful life lessons Paul gives the believers! He equips us to walk in the Spirit instead of gratifying our flesh and sinful nature.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How does the world view worry and anxiety as opposed to God’s view?