# 46 2018 Dev. Col. 1:1-5. Hope! Read verses 1-14. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Colossians 1: 3-5 “ 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people — 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope(I) stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel…”
Colossians is one of the prison letters written by Paul while incarcerated in Rome. Paul’s theme is the superiority of Christ’s actions and teachings compared to human philosophy. The Colossian Church, most likely planted by Epaphras one of Paul’s Gentile converts, was under attack by a group of Judaizers promoting a heretical approach to Christ’s teaching. The heresies include: food restrictions, circumcision, worship of Angels and Christ minimized; a form of Gnosticism and Humanism. Colosse was on the main trade route from the Euphrates river valley but had declined in importance by trade in surrounding cities.
Paul begins with a greeting and a prayer for the Colossians, vs.3-14. Paul thanks God for their faith, love and hope. Please read the full prayer here summarized. I have not stopped praying, Paul says, asking God to fill you; knowing God’s will through spiritual understanding, live a life worthy of Christ, bearing fruit and knowing God. Be strong, have great endurance with patience and joy, thanking God for His Kingdom and Salvation in Christ from the dominion of darkness to life in the Kingdom of light!
There has been a shift in our culture and in the idea of a Christ centered world and life view; no longer is prayer and seeking the guidance of the Spirit a daily practice in Christian homes. Fear has set in; information is suppressed, followers of Christ are deprived of meaningful prayer and God is deprived of legitimate praise. Therefore, on a daily basis, this is a prayer every follower of Jesus must pray, for him/herself, for all true believers and for the church. Practice love, faith and hope by praying always and always praising God!
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