The lesson of this passages is that the best way to identify the counterfeit message is by being intimately familiar with the true message. The true doctrine of Christ, as Paul teaches, is centered upon both the person of Christ and the work of Christ.

“But, why?” A question that has been thought of or asked by everyone at some point in their life. It’s a question that often is revisited in trying or confusing seasons and it is the question that Paul answers in this particular set of verses in Colossians.

Colossians 1:15-23 reminds us about a hope that won’t disappoint us, even in times of suffering. A rock-solid hope that doesn’t shift with the ever-present changes throughout life. A hope that will never ever disappoint us, let us down, or change can be found in only one place.

Over the next few months, we will be exploring the book of Colossians! This book has many key themes including Wisdom, Suffering, Spirituality, and, above all, Christ himself. We pray that this devotional series is an encouragement to you as we unite in our mission of helping people find and follow Jesus.

Perfection and beauty - the 2 things an artist strives for. We work our craft, practice, hone, develop, mimic, toil and work toward perfection and beauty. But why?

We live in a society where people can live under the illusion of self-made security. Of course, everyone knows it’s all temporary. They know that one day they will die and leave it all behind. So, where or what should we be investing in?

Christian parents often keep silent about the single most important aspect of their lives, their faith in Jesus Christ. But we are told to share our story and the tenets of the Christian faith with the next generation reminding them how salvation is achieved.

We live in a boastful society. People boast about just about everything. The Bible has some harsh things to say about those who boast. Humility is a touted attribute in those who call on the name of the Lord. But we are also called to boast. It’s the object of our boasting that is different though.

Whatever we do as our vocation, we are called to do it with excellence. We are to do all things as unto the Lord, regardless of whether we like our company or the work, whether our boss is kind, unkind, competent, or incompetent.

Sometimes we forget what Christ really did for us on Calvary. We often, once we are saved and God begins the process of sanctification in us, confuse our works with Christ’s finished work. We begin to think that our right standing before God is based on our works.

Jesus, when He was here on Earth, was engaged in a kind of ‘divine dance’ with His Heavenly Father and the Spirit. As Christ followers, we are also engaged in that divine dance. We are to hear our Bridegroom’s voice and respond to Him.

All of us go through times of sadness, sorrow, or even depression. Scripture makes it clear that we live in a fallen world, and that because of sin, we will experience pain in this life. But the purpose of suffering is not to make us let go of life; rather its purpose is to mature us.

Part of what happens as we come into the presence of the Lord is the healing of our souls. He desires a type of redemption that restores our very souls.

Music is powerful. It may not tame the savage beast as they say, but it can have a profound impact on our emotions. Every week we come together to experience the presence of God through worship.

The reality is since the fall of mankind, sin has been crouching at all our doors. Sin wants to destroy us. There are 3 primary battlefronts of our souls: the devil, the world system, and the flesh. So how do we fight on these three fronts?

Guilt can be powerful in our lives. It is good in that it should lead us to recognize our sin, acknowledge it before God, confess it to Him, and receive forgiveness that was paid for on Calvary. But once we confess, God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

When I was a young musician, I’d decided that I was going to move to Nashville. It was the hub of Christian music. But just before I made the move, I got a job offer from a church that I’m still serving at today. Though I had a plan, God led me in a different direction.

Have you ever been in complete darkness? The type where you can’t even see your hand in front of your face? Many of us have been in situations where we felt the darkness closing in, and we were not sure how to get out. But remember the light of the Lord.

The house of the Lord is a wonderful place of refuge in a world gone crazy. But what happens when the sanctuary becomes like this crazy world? The church is full of broken people; it is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners. So, how do we respond?

Have you ever tasted something so wonderful and delicious that you had to share it with someone else? Worship is like that. Worship seems to elevate when there are others around to experience it with us. It’s as if God wired us to experience certain things more deeply in community.