Again, a new book today, the book of Collagen, so I'll have you turn there.

And our text today is going to be chapter 1, verses 1 through 6.

I'll ask you to stand if you're able.

You can follow along as I read, if not where you're seated is fine.

On Sunday mornings, prior to the Prophe prophecy update, we're going through the Bible

book by book and chapter by chapter and verse by verse, and we finished Philippians last week. And so now

we begin in this amazing book of collages. I know I say that about every book of the Bible, but boy, are we in for a treat

and a blessing, especially today. So, verse one, Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will

of God, and Timothy, our our brother to God's holy people in Colossay, the faithful

brothers and sisters in Christ.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ,

when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people.

The faith, verse 5, and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven

and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you.

In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world,

just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace.

Let's pray if you would join with me. Loving Heavenly Father, we are so grateful to you for your word in this portion that we have before us today.

But Lord, we're also keenly aware that the enemy of our souls will do everything he can to get our minds to wander and be distracted, especially because of what you have for us today so that we miss it and don't hear it.

So Lord, we want to ask you to help us by the Holy Spirit to focus, to concentrate, to quiet our minds and settle our hearts

so you can speak into our lives in and through your word.

So Lord, will you?

We're asking you in Jesus' name.

...