5 Life Lessons From Colossians
Lesson 1: Chapter 1 – Christ is everything.
Colossians 1:17-20, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
It's easy to get overwhelmed in this world with which we live. It seems like there are competing philosophies and views about almost everything. But the words in the above passage hold amazing and transforming words. Jesus Christ means everything and as his followers we need to reflect that.
Lesson 2: Chapter 2 – Live in Christ.
Colossians 2:6-10 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
Being a Christian means more than just assenting to a creed, or a particular moment in faith, or a public confession. We are to live in Christ.
Our lives are established and experienced in a daily commitment to follow the way of Jesus. He alone is the authority of our lives and he directs our path. Worldly “religion” and philosophy have no place in the lives of believers.
Lesson 3: Chapter 3 – Set your mind on Christ.
Colossians 3:1-3, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
I don't want to be misinformed or uninformed so I try to keep up with the news reports of what's going on around me. However, in today's world that can still happen if you watch the news. We can get overwhelmed, confused, and at times thrown in despair. Too much of this world's information can take our minds off of things from above. Focusing on Christ, his mission, his priorities and his values helps us get things right.
Lesson 4: Chapter 4 – Walk wisely as witnesses for Christ.
Colossians 4:2-6, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
I’ve seen two extremes in witnessing. Many say, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism and I’m not good at talking with people, so I’ll just live the Christian life, be an example.” That's a good start, but if that's all you do you’re going to have to live the Christian life better than Jesus because he not only lived the life (perfectly), he also spoke to sinners about salvation.
On the other hand, some Christians come across as what I call “throat crammers for Jesus.” These are the types who work in telemarketing and love it or just stand on a street corner screaming that everyone's going to hell. They have no problem accosting total strangers and shoving their message down the person's throat. And then the person who gets accosted makes sure they never go near another religious fanatic again. And unfortunately, those who are “silent” witnesses gain another excuse for why they don’t talk to others about Christ: They don’t want to be like those rude, insensitive “throat crammers for Jesus.”
There are two things here: First, there is the content of the gospel itself; then, there is how we share and discuss that content.
The Lord doesn’t want us to be “silent witnesses” or “throat crammers for Jesus.” He wants us to be wise witnesses who live godly lives and who take advantage of every opportunity to talk graciously to lost people about the Savior.
When Paul says that we are to walk with wisdom toward outsiders, he means that we are to live in line with God’s Word so that those who are not Christians will see the beauty of our lives and relationships that reflect Jesus Christ. They ought to be able to see the fruit of the Spirit in us, which should draw them to the Savior.
It should be noted that Paul asked for prayer so that when God opened the door, he would SPEAK the gospel. He was confined in prison, but he was still looking for ways to both live as an example of the gospel AND speak the gospel. That should be our mindset as well.
Jeff Hagan
Activating Abundance Now Through This Creative Technique – “Finances”
If you've spent time around me and the ministry, you're likely aware that I'm a man of activation. I enjoy empowering others to realize their God-given potential, particularly in the prophetic realm. I've always been a practical believer in my walk with the Lord. I seek to understand spiritual concepts and experience my inheritance in Christ in practical, tangible ways. God delights in us when we embrace what His only begotten Son sacrificed for.
One of the activation techniques I've adopted is what I call “My Abundance Journal.” I select a blessing topic and creatively write about it. I'll share my process and encourage you to engage in it during your private time. Essentially, this journaling exercise involves journeying with the Holy Spirit to amplify your blessings in your imagination, stretching your mindset to its maximum capacity, much like physical exercise builds muscles. The excerpt you're about to read touches on one of the many topics I've explored: financial blessings.
God is boundless! We're born into a culture of limitations, scarcity, and poverty mentality. Your feet won't take you where your mind hasn't already visited before.
In this activation, the key is to break down mental barriers and expand your beliefs through creative writing and imagination. While it might be challenging for some, it promises great blessings. Understand that this creative writing exercise is meant to stretch your mindset and perspective; it's not necessarily a prophecy that will come to pass. Approach it with a spirit of enjoyment and fun, and remember, as much as you exaggerate, you'll never surpass God's abundance and goodness for us. We may fall short, but we can still attempt to scratch the surface! Stretching your borders, start by stretching your mindset and belief system, let's activate…
Crazy Wealth Overnight:
Before my father died, he summoned us in his presence to reveal his last will and tell us what he was leaving for us as heritage and inheritance. He sat with each member of my family alone, and then it was my turn. I felt a mix of excitement and sadness; my dad was my greatest inheritance, but I knew he couldn't stay here anymore. His inheritance would mean so much to me because it reminded me of him—an extension of his love and a reminder that he entrusted me with it all.
He sat behind his office desk as I entered his all-black leathered room. His smile held so much love and hope, and I returned it. There was a folder on his deluxe desk, and I knew it contained everything for me. I sat before him, and he asked if I understood what would happen in that session. I nodded gently.
Growing up, I was born into a middle-class family, never experiencing extreme poverty but also unfamiliar with vast wealth or abundance. Dad, after taking a sip of his tea, began reading from the legal paper. His emotions poured through his words, touching me deeply. However, my shock came when he revealed my inheritance. I had expected perhaps some land or property, but it was much more than that.
Dad had bequeathed me everything that belonged to him, instantly making me wealthy. At a time when I was finishing college and about to embark on my business journey, this newfound security filled me with hope for the future. With talent, energy, and high expectations, I aimed to serve my community with creativity, seeing myself as a solutionist.
After tearfully thanking him, Dad stood up, his gaze fixed not on the paper but on me. He approached, sat before me, and revealed there was more. My three deceased uncles, each living in different countries, had left us all their assets, totaling more than $5.6 billion dollars. The news was overwhelming, breathtaking, and filled me with gratitude.
As a child, I had sensed something significant awaited me, but this surpassed all expectations. The magnitude of $5.6 billion dollars was beyond comprehension. Waves of realization washed over me, leaving me energized and hopeful for the future. Dad had taken care to distribute our wealth wisely, ensuring it would enrich not only our lives but the lives of others through projects and investments. The wealth awaiting me was immense, yet I vowed to use it to make life beautiful for my family, myself, and everyone around me.
The Wealthy Man
Tony Francis
Let me know in the comments below your opinion about this activation and if you have tried it. Also, I want you to watch my new 1-hour video course “As you go up, glory comes down”: Learn more