30 Jun July 29 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER

Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. . .”

Each time I have introduced a new book of the Bible upon which the daily devotions I prepare for you are based; I have emphasized who the Holy Writer was that wrote the book.  So, for today’s devotional thought I once again do this as I am presenting a series of devotions to you based upon a new book of the New Testament, the Book of Colossians.  Actually, as has been the case many times previously, Colossians is a letter rather than a book, but is included in a Book of books of the New Testament.

St. Paul is again the writer, chosen by God, to pen the letter to the Colossians so many years ago.  Paul again introduces himself to the Christians in Colossae as “an apostle of Christ Jesus.”  Thus, the words of this letter that were read to them were important then as they are yet today.  They were important because Jesus had personally selected Paul to serve as one of His Apostle’s.

Jesus chose twelve of His disciples to become His Apostle’s. (Luke 6) Mark records Jesus sending them out to proclaim the Gospel.  (Mark 6) A simple definition of the word Apostle is, “a sent one.”  By using this term in the way Paul did He told the Colossians and tells you he was personally chosen and sent by Jesus to proclaim the gospel.  Luke recorded the fact that Jesus sent Paul to be His messenger to the Gentiles. (Acts 22:21)

What is interesting is it is thought that although Paul was the founding Apostle of the church at Colossae, he never went there personally.  He wrote this letter that will be the basis of the devotions, probably from Ephesus and sent it with Epaphras, who personally hand carried it to Colossae.

I pray you will continue to join me as we daily meditate upon a verse or two of this short letter.  It is only 95 verses long.  However, it has a lot to tell us about Jesus and our salvation.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, lead and guide us devotionally through Paul’s letter to the Colossians that what he wrote so long ago will be a blessing in our lives now.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Almighty God Your Word is cast Like seed into the ground;

Now let the dew of heav’n descend And righteous fruit abound.

Let not the sly satanic foe This holy seed remove,

But give it root in ev’ry heart To bring forth fruits of love.

Let not the world’s deceitful cares The rising plant destroy

But let it yield a hundredfold The fruits of peace and joy.

So when the precious seed is sown; Life giving grace bestow

That all whose souls the truth receive Its saving pow’r may know.

(LSB 577)