Continuing on in Colossians: Rooted in Him, we added to the portion  we are memorizing:

“Bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you should also forgive.”
(Colossians 3:13)

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The week began with reading Colossians 1:11 and Romans 1:16.

In this one verse, Paul prays for us to have power to walk worthy of God. This power, received at salvation, is now living inside of us and is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

So elementary and yet, we often forget this powerful truth.

This power enables us to go through life’s difficulties, but doesn’t mean we will not experience them. This power brings the assurance that we will have strength, we will endure.

The study asks: What does Romans 1:16 tell us about the power of God? How do we receive the power and strength of which Paul wrote? Is this something that happens once or continually?

“We walk with joy even when the road is difficult, and the path is dark … We carry on in His strength and not our own.”

(from Colossians: Rooted in Him, page 32)

It is this power, His power, which will make the difference in how we go through troubles and difficulties.

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On Wednesday, we read Colossians 1:15-17.

Paul wants to remind us that “Jesus is everything and Jesus is all that we need” (page 39).

Jesus has made God visible to us, and to the world. He created all things, has authority over all things, breaks down barriers, and loves us unconditionally.

Let your attention settle on verse 17:

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (NASB).

Jesus holds all things in balance and that includes … each one of our lives. Can we even imagine our God holding each one of us together?

When we think we are falling apart, He rushes to our aid and with His very hands, cups our lives and holds us all together and in place.

How does this passage display the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus? How should the truth of who Jesus is change our daily lives?

Jesus is everything. He’s all you will need each day, and He is holding you together this very day!

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We brought the second week of study to a close with reading Colossians 1:19-20.

There is so much packed into these few verses:

• Jesus, becoming like us, in order to be able to save us. Will we ever be able to fully comprehend this? I truly think not.
• Jesus is completely God and everything that God is.
• Paul also tells us that something has gone wrong with creation. The reconciliation Jesus brings is not only in reconciling people to Himself but also reconciling ALL things to Himself. The entire world, all of creation will be reconciled and restored. Think on that for a minute … one day we will get to experience a perfect world. The way it was intended from the beginning.

What does the need for reconciliation teach us about the condition of humanity? How does this passage give us confidence about what is ahead for God’s people?

As you read these few verses, and think about reconciliation and restoration, I pray for us all – may we be compelled to live with our hearts and minds set towards eternity.

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His power living in us,
holding our lives together, and
bringing reconciliation and restoration.

Photo 1: by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Photos 2 and 3: by David Tommasino

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .