This passage is a reminder that belief in God is necessary. Belief cannot be faked because God looks pass the outward appearance to your heart posture. In other words, it’s not what you say or do, it’s what your faith displays that matters.

This is why God did not accept King Saul. He did not believe. Saul’s actions certainly appeared to be God honoring, but he had a heart of disobedience and self-doubt. This is not “belief.”

So a question for you as you go about your day is, do you believe. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Today’s Reading:

1 Thessalonians 2

How you live for Christ is important. People look at your life and use it as an example of how to follow Christ. Therefore, it is critical that you read your Bible daily, pray daily, and surround yourself with mature christians who will walk with you in truth and be those Matthew 18:15-17 type friends.

When people imitate your life, does it draw others to Christ? Make sure your life imitates Christ in His fullness. Here's today's Bible verse. Enjoy.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-7

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

Today's Reading:
1 Thessalonians 1

What a fascinating end to Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Why did he say, “remember my chains?” I do not know the reason, but I have a theory.

We all struggle. Critical to our faith journey is how we respond to our struggles. Paul remained focused on Christ in all circumstances. As you read his letters, it becomes obvious that many early believers allowed themselves to “fall away” from the sound doctrine they heard from his teachings. I believe Paul is reminding them to draw inspiration from his response to struggle. They know he has been wrongfully accused, flogged, stoned, and jailed, yet his zeal for the Lord never wavered.

The next time you find yourself knee deep in a pity party, remember Paul’s chains. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Colossians 4:18

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Today’s Reading:

Colossians 4

Imagine your life if your motivation for doing anything was to honor God. Imagine how your work life, your parenthood, your friendships, and so much more would be if all you did in those circumstances was for Christ’s sake. Would your life look much different? My guess is, yes.

So what’s holding you back from surrendering your life to Christ and living a God-honoring life? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Colossians 3:23-25

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Today’s Reading:

Colossians 3:18-25

READ TODAY’S READING:

I know how busy we get at times. So busy, in fact, that slowing down to read these daily readings just doesn’t happen. I implore you to read today’s.

Christians are always seeking to live right. Colossians 3:1-17 is a text book lesson in Christ-like living contrasted with fleshly-desired living. Take your time, read this passage, and make any necessary adjustment to your life. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Colossians 3:1-3

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Today’s Reading:

Colossians 3:1-17

I love passages like this one. These are the words I want to say to you.

Many of you have been receiving these daily verses for over ten years. The three OGs, my wife, my daughter, and Paige D have been receiving them for twelve years. In this time I have developed a great love for all of you. When you send me a text to let me know these daily verses impact you for Christ, I am blessed.

Let’s keep growing together and sharing this gospel. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Colossians 2:1-5

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Today’s Reading:

Colossians 2

I believe one of the more difficult realities US Christians struggle with is salvation. Many believe because they have heard of Jesus, go to church, and do good things, they are saved. It is not that simple, yet it is simple.

We must accept that we cannot be saved a part from the blood Jesus shed on the cross. If we do, then we have the promises of God as taught in the Bible. If we do not choose Christ by faith, we do not have salvation. It’s that simple. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Colossians 1:21-23

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Today’s Reading:

Colossians 1:15-29

I can think of no better reason to pray for you and others seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ. Can you? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Colossians 1:9-12

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Today’s Reading:

Colossians 1:1-14

The confusion is real! We pray to God for something we want. We do not get it and we get upset at God. We claim He doesn’t care or, worse, He must not exist.

The problem is, God never promised us He would give us everything we want. He gives us everything we need. And that need is for fulfilling His plan for your life.

Too often, Christians, especially in the United States, think of God more like a genie than an all knowing God who loves us and knows what is best for us. Do a self-evaluation of your recent request. What is the ultimate goal of that request. Is it for your purpose or for God’s? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Reading:

Philippians 4:10-23

If the enemy can get you to have a bad attitude, he wins an important battle. Our Bible teaches us that his fate is sealed. God is the victor in this spiritual war that rages around us in the unseen spiritual world. The only thing left to decide is which humans will accept the free gift of salvation and which ones will not.

So the enemy convinces us to think on things of this world, our problems, our beauty, our riches, and the like. Anything that will fade is what the enemy wants you to think on. This is not so with the Lord. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Today’s Reading:

Philippians 4:1-9

“HOPE!” I have a good friend who loves Romans 5 because of the “hope” that Paul speaks of. As I read this passage, I thought of her. I actually read it twice because the last three verses struck me and I wanted to take my time to better understand it.

What a message of “hope” the Lord delivers through Paul as He reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven, not on earth. Therefore, I will continue to put my trust in God and not allow myself to get lost in the pursuits of things man calls necessary. Only Christ, and Him crucified, is necessary. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Philippians 3:17-21

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Today’s Reading:

Philippians 3