Colossians 1:1-20

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 and peace to you from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4 because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—
5 the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.
7 You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8 and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
...

The sin of heresy [Greek: hairesis] is the act of choosing to follow one’s own tenets. So a person can be a heretic with the truth if he uses it to fracture the body of Christ. A person can be technically “orthodox” and yet be a “heretic” by using an orthodox belief to divide Christians from one another.

There is no need too great, no wound too deep, no battle too fierce, and no valley too dark for the name of Jesus.

When I feel unseen, He is El Roi—the God who sees me.
When I am in need, He is Jehovah Jireh—the Lord who provides.
When I am hurting, He is Jehovah Rapha—the Lord who heals.
When my heart is troubled, He is Jehovah Shalom—the Lord who is peace.
When the battle surrounds me, He is Jehovah Nissi—the Lord who is my banner.
When I lose my way, He is Jehovah Rohi—the Lord who is my Shepherd.
When I am weak, He is El Shaddai—God Almighty.
When sin condemns me, He is Jehovah Tsidkenu—the Lord my righteousness.
When the future is uncertain, He is Alpha and Omega—the Beginning and the End.

Different names revealing one faithful God. One truth. One Savior. Jesus—the Name above every name.

Whatever you are facing today, call upon His name. His name still saves. His name still heals. His name still provides. His name still protects. His name still brings peace.

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” — Philippians 2:10–11

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Choose truth and live with integrity.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to walk in honesty and integrity.

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Righteousness That Comes from God

These days, we are meditating on the Gospel of Matthew, especially the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches His disciples the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. After teaching them to let their light shine before others so that people may see their good works and glorify their Father in heaven, Jesus explains the true meaning of righteousness and obedience to God’s Law.

Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill its purpose and reveal its deepest meaning. The heart of God’s Law is love: love for God and love for others.

Jesus confronted the religious leaders of His time because the scribes and Pharisees often emphasized outward religious practices while neglecting the condition of the heart. They had developed human traditions that sometimes replaced God’s commandments. Jesus asked, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3).

The Law is holy because God is holy. The Ten Commandments reveal God’s character and help us understand what sin is. However, the Law cannot save us. Instead, it reveals our sin and shows us our need for a Savior. It leads us to recognize our need for God’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 says, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” The scribes and Pharisees practiced righteousness outwardly, often seeking recognition and honor from people. Jesus warned, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them” (Matthew 6:1). Their righteousness was based on self-righteousness rather than a transformed heart.

Therefore, Jesus declared, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). True righteousness is not merely outward behavior; it comes from a heart transformed by God through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is why Jesus calls us to be poor in spirit—to recognize our spiritual need and humbly come to Him. May our righteousness never be hypocritical or self-made, but may it be the righteousness God gives through Jesus Christ. Let us love God, love people, walk humbly, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. May God bless you.

THAT WAS THEN. THIS IS NOW. BUT WHAT HAPPENED THEN CAN HAPPEN AGAIN.

When we read the book of Acts, we see a church marked by boldness, prayer, sacrifice, biblical conviction, community, mission, and an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/23/that-was-then-this-is-now-but-it-can-happen-again/

The early church wasn't perfect. Scripture openly records its struggles, disagreements, and failures. But there was something unmistakable about those believers:

Christ had the preeminence.
 They feared God more than people.
 They prayed believing God could move.
 They were willing to sacrifice for the gospel.
 They lived with eternity in view.
 They confronted sin while extending grace.
 They cared deeply about reaching people with Jesus.

The question isn't whether we can somehow recreate the first century.
The question is whether we are willing to recover those same spiritual priorities in the twenty-first century.
Before pointing at everything wrong with the church today, we should ask:

Lord, what needs to change in me?

Am I more concerned with God's approval or people's approval?
Am I willing to stand for truth when it costs me something?
Is Jesus truly first in my life?
Do I pray expecting God to work?
Am I more passionate about the gospel than my preferences?
Do I live like eternity is real?

We don't simply need better programs, bigger churches, or newer strategies.

We need Christ-centered churches filled with surrendered people who believe the gospel is true, Jesus is alive, eternity is real, and the mission is worth our lives.

Maybe our prayer needs to become very simple:

Lord, do it again.

Read the full blog and consider what it would look like for the church—and for each of us individually—to recover the passion, courage, holiness, prayer, and mission we see in the book of Acts.

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Dear God, thank You for this new day and for the truth that eternal life isn’t something I have to wait for, it’s already mine. Your word in John 5:24 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” God, I’ve heard Your word and I believe in You, and that’s enough to pass me from death into life right now. Help me really understand the weight of that today and not just read past it like it’s ordinary. I don’t want to live like eternity is something far off. I want to live like it’s already mine, because it is. I give You all the praise for a salvation I could never deserve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:6

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Monday Encouragement — Now Let Us Live What We Believe

Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

Yesterday we had the wonderful privilege of gathering with God’s people on the Lord’s Day. We worshiped our sovereign God, heard His precious Word proclaimed, prayed together, and were reminded once again of the saving grace that is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But now Monday has arrived.

The worship service has ended, but our worship has not.

Today we return to our homes, workplaces, ministries, communities, responsibilities, and challenges. And this is where the truth we heard yesterday must become visible in the way we live today.

It is easy to proclaim our trust in God while surrounded by fellow believers on Sunday. The greater challenge comes on Monday when difficulties return, unexpected problems arise, and the noise of this world begins competing for our attention.

Yet the God we worshiped yesterday is the same God who walks with us today.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” — Hebrews 13:8

Whatever this week brings, let us resist the temptation to immediately depend upon our own understanding and strength. Before making decisions, pray. When difficulties arise, pray. When opportunities appear, pray. When someone needs encouragement, ask God to give you the words to speak.

And wherever the Lord places us this week, let us remember that we carry something this world desperately needs—the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are not called merely to observe the darkness around us. We have been commanded to carry the Light into it.

There may be someone God places before you this week who needs to hear that there is hope. Someone may need to experience Christian compassion. Someone may simply need to see through your life that Jesus Christ truly makes a difference.

Let us therefore begin this week asking one simple question:

“Lord, how can You use me today for Your glory?”

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” — Colossians 3:23

May the Lord guide our steps, guard our hearts, strengthen our faith, and give us courage to faithfully proclaim Christ wherever He sends us.

Yesterday we gathered to worship.

Today we go forth to serve.

Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone.

Soli Deo Gloria.

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32 NLT

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Though storms may rage around us, Jesus is still present—He is our calm within the storm.

____

All of us would be wiser if we would resolve never to put people down, except on our prayer lists.

D. A. Carson

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Dear Jesus, I trust You as You fight for me.

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Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12 NLT