S – He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him

 Colossians  2:14–15 CSB 

O – Jesus canceled our debt of sin and any opposition against us. There is no entity that is greater than him.

A – The challenge we have when we sin or don’t measure up in God is usually the disappointment and distance we feel.  We don’t see how God can forgive.  We focus on our inability to beat sin or temptation.  What a great encouragement to see the solution for sin is always there.  When the challenge or entity looks bigger than us, it is never bigger than Him.

R – Lord, I am fully human and capable of doing your will and my own.  I will do my best to align with your purposes and words in the Bible.  When I fall short, thank you for the death and resurrection of Jesus.  I know that I can be forgiven and restored when I come back to you in repentance.  Thank you for loving me so much that I can walk in this confidence.

S – God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

Colossians  1:27  CSB

O – Two big concepts in the early church.  First, Gentiles were part of the kingdom of God.  Secondly, God would be in man through salvation and the Holy Spirit.  The hope of glory is the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore us and all creation (see Romans 8:19–21 and 1 Peter 5:10).   This is crucial to the establishment of the early church.

A – I am grateful that I live today with a relationship with Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit.  I am in the restoration process of my sinful nature changing to Godly character.  Thankful that God doesn’t give up on me in the process.

R – Lord, thank you that my journey is a lifetime.  In that time, namely, today, let me become more like you.  I am grateful that you loved me enough to send Jesus and the Holy Spirit to save and empower me in my journey.  Let today be another step closer to you.

S – Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things

Philippians 4:8 CSB

O  – Commentary:

whatever. In the Greek “whatever” is plural, which suggests that several things could be included under each heading.

True (alēthē) things are of course the opposite of dishonest and unreliable things (cf. Eph. 4:15, 25). Noble refers to what is dignified and worthy of respect (this word semna is used in the NT only here and in 1 Tim. 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2).

Right refers to conformity to God’s standards.

Pure (hagna) refers to what is wholesome, not mixed with moral impurity.

Lovely (prosphilē, occurring only here in the NT) speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict.

Admirable (euphēma, also used only here) relates to what is positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive.

A – The spiritual battle starts in the mind.  Our thoughts is the front lines of attack from the enemy.  Using the list above, we have a great list of qualifiers of what how we should be thinking and what we should ponder.

R – Lord, my mind covers a lot of thoughts in one day.  Help me today to align my thinking with these things.  Let me win the battle of the mind so I can go into all of my conversations and situations with truth and purity that honors you.

S – Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you

Philippians 3:13–15 CSB

O – After listing his qualities as a Jewish leader, Paul says he hasn’t accomplished what God has for him. He gives a great call to “neglect, overlook” what is in the past and stretch forward to what is before us.  God’s call on our life is found in front of us.  Those who are more experienced will have this mindset.

A – Our past is always there with a message.  It can emphasize how good or bad we were in a prior moment.  Once that has occurred, it is there in our memory.  We need to grow in our relationship with Christ where our past doesn’t slow us down or puff us up.  The three elements of God are faith, love and hope.  Love is present and the other two deal with the future.  Today, we need to forgive or learn from the past and express love in the present.  We grow from a “future” mindset.

R – Lord, you know my past.  The times I have sinned, let you down and been forgiven.  You also know when I have “won” in a challenge.  Let all of my past be a building block for my ability to demonstrate your love today.  I look with great expectations to what you have before me.  I submit to your will today.

S – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves

Philippians 2:3 CSB

O –

“Selfish ambition” – ĕrithĕia,  intrigue, i.e. (by impl.) faction:— contention (-ious), strife.

“conceit” – kĕnŏdŏxia, empty glorying, i.e. self-conceit:— vain-glory.

“humility” – tapĕinŏphrŏsunē,  humiliation of mind, i.e. modesty:— humbleness of mind, humility (of mind, loneliness (of mind).

“consider” – hēgĕŏmai, to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); fig. to deem, i.e. consider:— account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think.

“important” – hupĕrĕchō, to hold oneself above, i.e. (fig.) to excel; part. (as adj. or neut. as noun) superior, superiority:— better, excellency, higher, pass, supreme.

A – I am not supposed to think, speak or act in a way that centers on my acrimony, strife or conceited praise.  Instead, I must humble myself to lead by valuing others in higher esteem than me.  Sounds easy – tough to do.  My flesh wants me to be recognized but I must learn to celebrate others. Lead so they win and I take the shots so they don’t.

R – Lord, there are times I want to be selfish and to be known.  Help me to lead in humility so that you get all the glory and others are empowered to accomplish your purpose.  That is the high calling of leadership you are calling me to today.

S – Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel

Philippians 1:27 CSB

O – “Live your life worthy of the gospel”- 

“Live” –pŏlitĕuŏmai,  to behave as a citizen (fig.):— let conversation be, live.

“worthy” – axiōs,  appropriately:— as becometh, after a godly sort, worthily (-thy).

“standing firm” –stēkō, to be stationary, i.e. (fig.) to persevere:— stand (fast).

James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – Love this phrase.  We should live our lives as Christians, appropriate to what God asks of us.  He never asks us to be perfect.  He tells us to love Him, love others and work out our salvation daily.  He asks us to have faith, be courageous and to show God’s love to others.  We need to persevere in this daily.

R – Lord, thank you for the grace to live a life with you.  Where I fall short and sin, I thank you for your forgiveness.  Where I am growing, thank you for meeting me where I am at with your compassion and strength.  Where you are leading me, give me the courage to follow in your direction.  In my relationship with you, help me to discern the depth of your love.  And, let me extend that love to others.

S – Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil

Ephesians 6:10–11 CSB

O – 1.  We can tap into God’s strength and apply it to ourselves.  Why don’t we do this more often?  We don’t think we need it, feel undeserving of it or don’t think it is necessary.

2.  You can’t go into battle with just one or two pieces of armor.  God offers the whole array of weapons – use them.  Preparation is key.  You won’t know what weapons you need until you are in the battle.  Once you are in it, you can access the weapon you need if it is on your person. Have them all ready.

A – Preparing for the battle is our responsibility.  Before we get too far in our day, we should interact with God and put on his armor for each day’s assignment.  

R – Lord, I don’t know what I will face today, but you do.  I invite the Holy Spirit to go with me today in my words, thoughts and actions.  I put on all the armor that you put at my disposal.  I set my resolve to honor you to the best of my ability.  In all I do today, help me to love you, love others and help others take a step closer to you.

S – Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—¹⁶ making the most of the time,^, because the days are evil. ¹⁷

Ephesians  5:15–17 CSB

O – “making the most” –ĕxagŏrazō :   to buy up, i.e. ransom;  to rescue from loss (improve opportunity):— redeem

“time” – kairŏs:  an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:— × always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. comp. 5550

 The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – God wants us to rescue our time from loss.  That doesn’t mean we are busy from the moment we wake up till sleep.  We are intentional and productive.  Even things consider ungodly (brushing our teeth, taking a nap, etc) feed into our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  We must be aware and intentional in what we do in our daily lives.

R – God, help me to use the hours you give me today to be strong, courageous and healthy for you.  Let me push myself to grow and enjoy solid rest when both are appropriate.  Let curiosity be a healthy component of gaining new wisdom and understanding.  Let my relationships flourish because I genuinely care and value others.

S – And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption

Ephesians 4:30 CSB

O – Commentaries:

The fact that the Holy Spirit may be grieved points to His personality. His seal of a believer remains until the day of redemption, the time that a believer receives his new body 

“Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

Believers must not alienate God’s Holy Spirit, who identifies them as belonging to God (cp. Mark 3:29; Acts 5:3–5, 9; 1 Thes 4:8; Heb 6:4–8). • has identified you as his own (or has put his seal on you)

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

Grieving” the *Spirit reflects a serious offense; in Isaiah 63:10 (one of only two Old Testament texts to use the title “holy spirit”), it refers to Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness, which led to their rejection by God. Similarly, Israel’s rebellion against the Spirit led Moses to sin with his mouth according to Psalm 106:33

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – The Holy Spirit is a person.  Grieving the Holy Spirit is similar to a parent who deeply loves their child. rebellion, insubordination, words, and actions that don’t honor or reflect the parent’s character, will bring distress and sorrow.  The parent will want the best and so much more for their child but knows the painful correction and growth that is necessary.

R – Lord, I know there are times when I bring grief to you because I want to do things my own way.  I don’t want to do this.  Instead of rebelling against you or doing things my way, help me to walk with your Holy Spirit and not against Him.

S – “I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, ¹⁷ and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, ¹⁹ and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”

Ephesians 3:16–19 CSB

O – Fantastic prayer! In his prayer:

• Acknowledges the glory of God
• Development of your power in your soul
• The Holy Spirit is the conduit for growing our souls.
• Christ would be central to our lives.
• We must have faith.
• Love is essential to us.
• God’s love is unlimited.
• God’s love is incomprehensible.
• When we acknowledge God, and grow in our faith in Him, He takes our foundation of love and allows us to align with His – we experience relationship and fulfillment in Him.

A – Great checklist for us to spend time with God in each area.

R – Lord, I want all of this.  Where I lack, I ask for your help to grow in my faith in you.  Where I have momentum, help me to gain more growth that draws me closer to you.  I will never understand all of your love for me…help me to understand and be grateful for the measure of you that you give me today.