Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 11
Sunday


GO BEYOND
READING

READ:
Colossians 3:12-17
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As the elect of God,
holy and beloved,
put on tender
mercies, kindness...
longsuffering
__Colossians 3:12
_____________________________________________________

Pastor, where are the Our Daily Bread devotionals?" The words came harshly--almost in anger. The latest edition had not yet been placed in the rack outside the church auditorium. This led at least one reader to confront the pastor about their absence. Although it was not his responsibility to distribute the booklets, he felt terrible about the way this parishioner had reprimanded him for not making sure the devotional guides were there on time.

When I heard this, I was struck by the irony of this situation. Devotional booklets are meant to encourage Christian growth and godly grace. And as followers of Christ who read devotional materials, we hope we are moving toward spiritual maturity that leads to "tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering" __qualities Paul says we should "put on" (Col 3:12).

Our spiritual disciplines__reading God's Word along with accompanying study or devotional materials, prayer, and worshiping together--should not be ends in themselves. Instead, those actions are means to becoming more Christlike, more godly, or Spirit-led. Our spiritual practice should lead to having the "Word of Christ dwell in [us] richly" (3:16). That will show in everything we do and say. __Dave Branon
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```````````````I want my heart to be in tune with God,`````````````
```````````````In every stage of life may it ring true;``````````````
````````````I want my thoughts and words to honor Him,````````````
``````````````Exalting Him in everything I do. __Hess``````````````
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Bible study is not merely to inform us--
its' meant to transform us.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Colossians 3:12-17********

12 Therefore, as the elect
of God, holy and beloved,
put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility,
meekness, longsuffering;

13 bearing with one another,
and forgiving one another,
if anyone has a complaint
against another; even as
Christ forgave you, so you
also must do. 14 But above
all these things put on love,
which is the bond of
perfection. 15 And let the
peace of God rule in your
hearts, to which also you
were called in one body;
and be thankful. 16 Let the
word of Christ dwell in you
richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord. 17 And
whatever you do in word or
deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father
through Him.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Warren Wiersbe wisely observes how both the Word and the Spirit
can bring interpersonal harmony: "If a believer is out of fellowship
with another believer, it is because one or both of them have gotten
out of fellowship with God. Compare Colossians 3:15-18 with
Ephesians 5:18-22, and you will see that being filled with the Word
produces the same blessings as being filled with the Spirit. To be
filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Word" (Wiersbe's
Expository Outlines). DENNIS FISHER

[Lani]

Bible study is not merely to inform us-- its' meant to transform us.

Transformed in His word!

Awesome Cimi! Appreciate your time!!!

Lani*BearLove*

[changedforever]

Greetings Cimi
Thank you for sharing that story re: "Our daily bread" booklets.
It's amazing what comes out of us when things are not the way we expect in life. Thus we can see the fruit or lack of it in our lives and the need for the Lord to change our hearts, that we would be like Him.

14 "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection"

Amen - love conquers all.

John 13:35 "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another"
Have a wonderful day in Christ - "Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good....."