Today’s reading is Colossians 1:1-2:23.

Colossians 2:7 says, “…rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

I don’t have any trouble with trying to be rooted and built up in Christ and being established in the faith. My struggle is with that bit about abounding in thanksgiving. I have a sad tendency to look on the pessimistic side of things. I spend too much time complaining about the blessings I have yet to receive. I spend too much time whining about what hasn’t gone my way. 

However, instead of whining, moaning, complaining, I need to remember that Jesus has done so much more for me than I ever deserve. Even when everything isn’t working out exactly the way I like, I should be covered up with thanksgiving. I need to take some time every day writing a thanksgiving list to remind me of the blessings I really have received. Here are some things that need to be on that list every day.

1. Forgiveness in Jesus
2. Strength in Jesus to overcome temptations
3. A church family
4. Brothers and sisters the world over
5. Parents who taught me about Jesus
6. A wife who also serves Jesus
7. Healthy children who are learning to serve Jesus
8. Shepherds who support me even when I mess up
9. Friends who also preach that provide a lot of help
10. An ability to work in Christ’s kingdom

No doubt, this just scratches the surface. It doesn’t even get into the material blessings almost too numerous to count. I really should abound with thanksgiving.

Thank you, God, for this opportunity to study Your word with people all over the world.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

I needed this reminder today. 

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6, ESV).

I don’t have much to say about this verse. I just needed to remind myself regarding the relationships to which I need to personally apply this verse.

• Marita (my wife)
• Tessa (my daughter)
• Ethan (my son)
• Ryan (my son)
• Trina (yes, I even have to apply this to my relationship with a 9-month-old)
• Brad and Christopher (my brothers)
• Linda (my step-mom)
• My friends (I won’t list them all by name)
• My elders
• My brethren
• My neighbors
• The check out clerk at Wal-Mart
• The snotty check out clerk at whatever store
• The guy who cut me off in traffic
• My enemies

Debt. I hate it. Sadly, before learning how bad debt really is, I racked up my fair share of it. Even more sadly, after learning how bad it really was, I had developed habits that have been difficult to overcome. Therefore, I racked up even more of it. Now, slowly but surely, we are working our way out of it.

Worse than that, however, is my debt to God. I have sinned. I have sinned greatly. I owe God my very life. In fact, I owe God more than I can possibly pay. When I have paid it, I will be dead. Not just physically dead, but eternally, spiritually dead. Even worse, I cannot work my way out of this one. I cannot pay a little today and then a little tomorrow, make a sacrifice here and a sacrifice there and then one day be out of debt with God. It just can’t happen. 

What on earth can I do?

Nothing. 

But God has done something.

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14, ESV).

God sent Jesus to live among us and then die among us. He nailed Jesus to the cross and placed my debt there with Him. He canceled my record of debt, writing “PAID IN FULL” with Jesus blood across it. He forgave me of my trespasses and made me alive in Jesus. 

How powerful and amazing is that? 

When I start getting down and discouraged, I just need this reminder now and then. That makes me glad I got to read Colossians 1-2 today.

Keep the faith and keep reading, 

ELC