In recent weeks we’ve been talking about how what’s in your mind influences what you do.         Look at the things Paul says to put to death in Col. 3:1-11. Now think through the things you         view or listen to over the course of a day. How much of what you choose to watch falls into         the category of what Paul says to put to death? How can you put on the “new self” instead? Paul often...  Read More

Romans 6:1-11 (HCSB)The New Life in Christ6 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dea...  Read More

Galatians 5:22-26 (HCSB)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envyi...  Read More

Colossians 3:12-17 (HCSB)The Life of the New Man3 So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4 When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in gl...  Read More

Galatians 5:19-21 (HCSB)19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the ...  Read More

Colossians 3:1-11 (HCSB)The Life of the New Man3 So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4 When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glo...  Read More

Paul likely wrote his letter to the believers at Colossae around AD 61-62 while he was under house arrest in Rome. He continued teaching believers to obey all of Christ's teachings.Study the Word: Jesus Christ makes a difference in every part of your life. Because of him, you are dead to your sins, buried with Him in baptism, freed from your sinful past, and raised with Him to conduct your life di...  Read More

Root determines fruit. What your mind is rooted in will determine the fruit of your actions.       Colossians 2:6-8 describes how we are subtly affected in our thoughts. What ideas have you       seen take root in our culture that are contrary to God’s word? Where are those ideas most           prevalent? How can you guard your mind against bad philosophies or traditions taking root?   Verses 9-15...  Read More

Colossians 2: 20-23 (HCSB)20 If you died with the Messiah to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: 21 “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? 22 All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are commands and doctrines of men. 23 Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ...  Read More

Colossians 2: 16-19 (HCSB)16 Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his unspiritua...  Read More

Colossians 2:6-15 (HCSB)Therefore, as you have received  Christ Jesus the Lord,  walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him  and established in the faith, just as you were taught,  overflowing with gratitude. 8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,  based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.  9 For the entire...  Read More

Ephesians 1: 3-6 (HCSB)God’s Rich Blessings 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. 4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 6 to the praise o...  Read More