Highrock Church

The church in Colossae was filled with new believers and Paul's final words invite them into deeper engagement. Though they are just starting on the walk of faith, Paul invites them to partner with him in prayer, and a very challenging prayer at that. He also invites them to partner with him in sharing the good news with their neighbors, but in a way that is winsome and inviting rather than dismissive or judgmental. Finally, he offers them a number of models of faithful living, people who were already partners with Paul in bringing the good news about Jesus to a lost and hurting world. What are some ways that God might be inviting you into a deeper partnership?

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

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For Reflection:

- What do you think it means to be devoted to prayer with an "alert mind and a thankful heart" (v2)?

- How might you become more attentive to opportunities God may be opening for you to share your faith (v5)?

- How does Paul's list of coworkers demonstrate the importance of partnership in ministry?

- Who has helped you in your walk with Christ, and how might you express your gratitude to them?

- Prayer: Lord, help me to wrestle in prayer like Epaphras, desiring more to see your will done rather than my own.

Have you ever felt like the work you do at home, at work, and even at church, goes completely unnoticed leaving you angry or frustrated?

What if attention, applause, and a few likes were never going to be enough anyway? And where might the affirmation you’ve been looking for actually be hiding?

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To a city filled with the power of Rome and the mystery cult of Cybele, Paul starts with the supremacy of Christ. Christ is the ultimate power in both heaven and earth, and the fullness of God is present in him. In light of these challenges, Paul prays first that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will through spiritual wisdom and understanding. While knowledge may show us the way, it doesn't give us the power to actually walk the path, so Paul prays also that we would be filled with God's power to live godly lives to the full.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What does Paul pray for the Colossians, and why is that important?

- How does spiritual knowledge differ from simply having information about God?

- Which description of Jesus in this passage stands out to you most, and why?

- How can the truth of Christ's supremacy help you face challenges or uncertainties?

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to grow in the knowledge of you and the power to live a life that honors you in all I do.

Paul brings this letter to a close with an appeal for peace. First, he asks for peace between two church leaders, women named Euodia and Syntyche. Paul then invites us all to pursue peace — whether through kindness to all, rejoicing, surrendering our anxieties to God in prayer, remembering God's faithfulness, or through choosing to focus on what is good and right rather than just on what is wrong. This pursuit of peace, Paul says, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace we seek is not found through controlling our circumstances, but in trusting Christ in those same circumstances that make us feel that our lives are out of control.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Why is Christian joy different from simple happiness?

- What does this passage teach about handling anxiety and worry?

- How can gratitude change the way you approach difficult situations?

- What do you think Paul means when he says he has learned the secret of contentment?

- Prayer: Lord, help me bring my worries to you, fix my mind on what is good and true, and to ground my peace, joy, and contentment in Christ.

Suffering can rob us of many good things. In Paul's case, it robbed him of freedom and forced him to write from prison. Even so, suffering could not rob Paul of joy and he encourages us to rejoice as well. What is Paul's secret? How can he live out such joy even in prison? He shares with us his firm foundation for joy and also a secret opportunity for joy that is hidden in our suffering — that whatever is taken from us will serve only to bring us closer to Jesus, the very source of our joy!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Why did Paul consider his impressive religious accomplishments to be like "garbage"?

- What do you think Paul means when he says he wants to "know Christ"?

- Why is it important not to become stuck in either past successes or past failures (v13)?

- Are there things in your life that compete with your desire to know Christ more deeply?

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me value you above every earthly achievement and press on each day toward a deeper connection with you and your purposes for my life.

When you're a child in Sunday school, you know that "Jesus" is going to be the answer. It's less obvious that "Jesus" will still somehow be the answer even long after. For Paul, Jesus is the answer to "What is God like?" and "what are we to be like?" and all the questions and issues that flow from those far-reaching inquiries. We see a God worthy of our trust in Jesus and we also see a clear example of how we are to humbly love and serve one another and God. Jesus laid aside his power and privilege to serve us because that's what God does, and that's how God calls us to live as well.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Why is humility so essential to Christian unity? How have you seen a lack of humility harm relationships?

- How does Christ's willingness to serve challenge the way you approach relationships and leadership?

- Does knowing that God is at work in you (v13) encourage you to work hard or to relax, or perhaps both? Explain your thinking.

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me follow your example of humility and self-emptying love.

Paul writes to the believers in Philippi from prison, yet his letter is filled with joy and gratitude. He thanks God for their partnership and expresses confidence that God will continue the good work he began in them until it is complete. Paul knows that they will soon face persecution and hardship, so he encourages them through his own example, sharing all that God has accomplished through Paul's imprisonment — including his opportunity to share the good news even with the palace guard itself!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What stands out to you about Paul's attitude while he is in prison?

- How did God use Paul's difficult circumstances to advance the gospel?

- What do you think Paul means when he says, "For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better"?

- How can you maintain joy and purpose during difficult seasons of life?

- Prayer: Lord, help me trust that you are working in me, and live in a way that reflects the hope of the gospel.

Have you ever had to choose between being liked and doing what's best for someone you love?

A teenager storms off. A friend stops returning your calls. A truth you can't change.

What if love has never been about making people happy in the moment?And what does it look like to love well when you can't be sure how?

· · ·

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👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals

Paul urges believers to live lives worthy of the calling they have received in Christ. This new life involves speaking truth, dealing with anger appropriately, working honestly, using words to build others up, showing kindness and compassion, and forgiving others just as God has forgiven them in Christ. This calling is the way we are invited to participate with God's plan to bring all things into unity under Christ (Ephesians 1:10).

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What does it mean to live a life worthy of your calling in Christ?

- What old attitudes or behaviors does Paul say believers should put away?

- In what area of your relationships is God calling you to reflect the character of Christ more fully?

- Prayer: Lord, renew my mind and transform my heart so that I may live in unity, speak with grace, and reflect the love and forgiveness of Christ in all my relationships.

Have you ever been ready to throw a stone before you even realized you were holding one?

An email that made you furious. A person you've already written off. A mistake you can't let go of.

What if compassion isn't a feeling you have but a stone you're willing to drop? What's the stone in your hand right now?

· · ·

👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons

👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals