Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone
Today I’m sharing a weekend audio teaching in the First 5 app as we study Colossians together. Have you ever wondered about God’s will for your life? We’re digging into that topic today. You can click here to listen or download the First 5 app and join our new study!
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Today we’re kicking off our study of Colossians in the First 5 app, and I’m sharing a teaching on the epistle’s first two verses. Here’s a preview . . .
Today’s Reading: Colossians 1:1-2
Colossians 1:2 (ESV) “To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
I have a confession to make: My emails are usually longer than they need to be. In most situations, it seems rude to write only a few business-like sentences. I might start my email with “I hope you’re doing well” and end with “Have a great week!” These sentiments are sincere but not necessarily critical to the message.
Sometimes I’m tempted to skip over the first few verses of Paul’s epistles as if they’re the “Hope your Monday is off to a great start” of biblical times. But there are no insignificant words in God’s Word. (2 Timothy 3:16) Today we’ll consider the importance of the words Paul included in his greeting here and in many of his other letters: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father” (Colossians 1:2).
God’s grace is His undeserved favor freely given to sinners through faith in Christ. By God’s grace, we don’t receive what our sin deserves (God’s wrath), and instead we receive that which we could never earn (God’s gift of salvation and eternal life).
Jesus Christ is our source of God’s grace. John 1:14 tells us that Jesus was “full of grace and truth.” Our salvation is rooted in this free gift of God’s grace in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
You can head over to First 5 to read the entire teaching, or download the app and join us as we study Colossians together!
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Today I’m sharing over at First 5 about one of my favorite topics – God’s presence with us. Here’s a preview . . .
Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 3:3-4
Habakkuk 3:3 (ESV) “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran …His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.”
It was 4:55 p. m. when I showed up at the front desk of my oncologist’s office without an appointment. I had just started my fourth round of chemotherapy, and I had symptoms that made me think the treatment wasn’t working. I hoped to leave a message for the on-call nurse, so I was shocked when I found myself face to face with my oncologist. He was a busy physician and researcher with a family at home. And yet, when he heard I was worried, he came to check on me. He listened to my concerns, examined me and reassured me that all was well. His presence calmed my fears.
In today’s verses, Habakkuk’s prayer of praise focused on the Lord’s majestic presence. (Habakkuk 3:3-4) Teman and Mount Paran referred to the region where the Israelites camped after God delivered them from Egypt. Habakkuk’s description communicated the Truth of God’s majesty, power and deliverance. But with these two words, “God came,” Habakkuk emphasized God’s gift of His presence. (Habakkuk 3:3)
Habakkuk’s words recalled an encounter the Israelites had with God at Mount Sinai after their exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 19:16-20) God came down and made covenant promises to be with them and be their God. (Exodus 29:45-46) God could have brought them out of Egypt and then left them on their own. He could have sent one of His angels to deliver the law and point them in the direction of the promised land. But God Himself came to His people and dwelled with them. (Exodus 40:34)
You can head over to First 5 to read the entire teaching, or download the app to continue with us as we continue our study of Habakkuk.
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Today I’m sharing a weekend audio teaching as we continue our study of Habakkuk in the First 5 app. You can listen to the teaching here, and I hope you’ll check it out! When we truly understand the seriousness of God’s judgment, the gift of His mercy becomes even more precious.
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