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 to our study in the book of Colossians. It's such a great little letter,

kind of a microcosm of most of the New Testament epistles. It frontends so much great

information about Jesus, which we saw in the first two chapters, and now it gets extremely

practical in the back half. Let's jump in together on chapter three. Believers must set their hearts and minds on heavenly things, not earthly desires.

Having died to their old lives and been raised with Christ,

they are called to cast off sinful behaviors like immorality, anger, and slander.

Instead, they should clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness, and patience. Forgiveness is key, just as Christ forgave them. Above all virtues,

love binds everything together in perfect unity. Paul emphasizes letting Christ's peace rule in their hearts and encourages believers

to be thankful. The message of Christ should dwell richly among them expressed through teaching,

wisdom, and songs of praise. In all they do, they are to act in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Lastly, Paul addresses family dynamics, encouraging wives,

husbands, and children to embody Christ's presence within the home. If we are raised in Jesus,

we must flee old habits that no longer define us in him, like sexual sin or bitterness towards others.

In our daily lives, we should actively choose purity of heart, compassion and forgiveness, even when it's hard.

When tensions rise at home, work, or with friends, we must remember to let Christ peace guide our responses.

Love must be the foundation of everything we do, being featured in our family.

...