One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Colossians 2:9, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” We shouldn’t be taken captive by man-made philosophies or lesser spirits because we want God and God alone! We can find him in Christ, so we shouldn’t seek anywhere else.

This episode looks at Colossians 2:8, “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.” We need help to not fall under the influence of systems of thought that seek to add to or subtract from our Christian faith. We ask for this help to think clearly and for teachers and peers to come alongside of us in this pursuit.

This episode looks at Colossians 2:7, “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” This verse fleshes out what it means to walk in Christ. We walk in Christ by relying upon him as our life-giving source, by building our lives on him as the foundation, and by confirming in our lives all the things we have been taught. We also must overflow with gratitude at all times for his work in us.

This episode looks at Colossians 2:6, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” Our actions must line up with our beliefs! We need God’s help to live according to what we know to be true. We want to practice what we preach.

This episode looks at Psalm 7:17, “I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.” We give thanks to our righteous God because we know he will do what is right. We praise our God because he is above all and most worthy. Our thanks and praise actually help us enjoy good things and endure hard things.

This episode looks at Psalm 7:16, “His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.” Patterns of trouble will eventually come back and destroy us, both here on earth, but especially into eternity barring repentance.

This episode looks at Psalm 7:15, “He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.” Those who unrepentantly commit evil will have that evil returned upon them, either in this life or in eternal judgment. This cautions us to repent and not willingly continue in sin. It also calls us to turn the other cheek and defer to God’s judgment as we call others to repentance.

This episode looks at Psalm 7:14, “Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.” Wickedness doesn’t just happen. It is something that we carry inside of us and give life to over time. We need eyes to identify the wickedness in our own hearts and to turn from that evil.

This episode looks at Psalm 7:13, “he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.” Again, we call on the Lord to fill us with his desire to patiently seek after the repentance of all people. At the same time, we also confidently look forward to the day when all wrongs will be made right.

This episode looks at Psalm 7:12, “If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;” We know God is patient with sinners like us, but we also praise him for bringing justice in time. While that patience persists, we ask that God would use us to reach others with the good news of forgiveness and salvation.