Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome back today. We are in the book of Colossians, the first chapter. The Apostle Paul begins this powerful letter by expressing gratitude for the Colossians' faith in Jesus Christ and their love for all the saints, rooted in the hope of heaven as expressed in the gospel. He prays for their spiritual growth, urging them to live lives worthy of the Lord.

The chapter highlights Christ as the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation, and the head of the church.

Through him, all things were created and reconciled by his blood on the cross.

Paul reminds them of their former alienation, but celebrates their reconciliation through

Christ.

He explains his role as a servant of the gospel, laboring to present everyone mature in Jesus,

whose mystery has now been revealed.

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

What an awesome idea.

As recipients of God's grace,

we proclaim the greatness of Jesus

and are calling to live in a way that honors Him.

We've been rescued from darkness

and brought into the kingdom of Christ,

who is the image of the

invisible God, and the one who through whom all things were created. Because of this, we live with

gratitude and purpose. We do not walk aimlessly. We walk worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit

...