“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

Saint John says it this way, “What we will be we do not know, but this we know: we shall be like Christ.”  You are a creation in process.  You are being made into a child of the Heavenly Father.  Stay the course and fight the good fight.  Be guided by the Holy Spirit and not by the world.  Know that in the Lord there is all hope and the glory of salvation.  Do not be conformed to this world, but to the Lord.

Lord, You know all of the difficulties I face.  You know what it is like to fight against the trends of this world.  Lead me in holiness so that I may be guided always by You.  Lead me to see through the smoke of this age and stay the course of becoming, this path upon which You have placed me through grace.  You know what lies before me.  Prepare me for the steps I need to take, for the journey ahead of me, and grant that I may not lose heart.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross so that we may have true life and have it abundantly.  Guide me today and every day in the way of the Gospel in order that I may grow in Your likeness.  Let me receive all that comes knowing that all of these things are preparing me for what the Father has always intended.  Guide me now and always in the way of truth and help me stay consistently on the path You set before me.  Amen.

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3).

Set your mind on things above.  How often do we get caught up in the things of this world which do not matter?  Leave them behind and look toward the prize of your salvation.  This does not mean that we are to be checked out in this age, but that we are never to lose sight of where we are going.  Be guided by the Lord and His goodness.  Know that in Him is the way, truth and life.  That which He has promised is sure.

Lord, guide me in the way You know I need to go and let me not take my eye off the goal.  Remind me that this world is a difficult place in which to live and that I will need to fight the good fight of faith.  In and through all things, lead me according to Your goodness to trust that all that needs to happen will happen and that all the difficulties I encounter are a part of Your plan.  Keep my eyes fixed upon You.

Lord Jesus, in You alone do I have hope.  This world is a mess and has been throughout the ages.  Remind me of this so that I do not lose heart.  You have given me Your heart, so let me cling to You as this life is lived in order that I may be guided in Your goodness to do that which is pleasing in Your sight.  Help me now and always, Lord, and remind me as often as I need it that You alone are my hope and stay.  Amen.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).

Now that you know that Christ has come to save you, will you keep walking in the path of salvation?  The world clamors for one to crawl over another to stand in order to stand on top of a pile of things.  The Lord calls you to walk with Him.  Yes, you need what you need, but that is it.  Come then and live into the life You have been given through Christ and know that in Him is all life and true liberty.

Jesus, teach me these things so that I may be guided in the truth of Your example.  Lead me so that I would humbly walk with You, my Lord and God, knowing that You alone can lead me where I need to go.  In Your will Heavenly Father, let me never stray, but always humbly walk with You in the promise of Christ, my Savior.  Lead me, O Lord, and teach me to follow.

Lord Jesus, You showed us through Your willingness to go to death, even death on a cross, so that the way of life is not in this world, but through You.  Guide me in the grace which is mine through You so that I would now and forever live according to the Father’s will.  Help to me see that in You alone is all hope and the glory You promise through the resurrection.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way I need to go.  Amen.

“These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Some produce a religion that makes us go through steps in order to receive the promise.  Jesus has promised that as many as believe are saved.  We have faith and in that faith we are to live.  Do not fall back into the elemental things of this world, but live according to the promise you have received in Christ.  In Him is all grace and mercy.  Through Him alone is the eternal salvation He has promised.

Heavenly Father, You know the plans You have for each one of us.  Before we were in the womb, You knew us.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of true life so that I will not be caught up in systems or things that would detract from knowing You.  Help me now and always to see that in You alone is all hope and the glory of an eternity spent with You.  Please let nothing get in the way of this hope.

Lord Jesus, guide me today and every day to walk humbly in the path of salvation.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and help me to not veer from its path.  Jesus, You alone have saved me and in You alone is all hope.  Help me to see through the things of this world that I may not cling to earthly treasures.  Let me give up nonessentials that I may be with You forever.  Amen.

“Which all refer to things destined to perish with use – in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?” (Colossians 2:22)

The things of the Lord are the things of the Lord.  The things of this world are the things of this world.  What God has created – the perishable things of this world – will indeed perish.  God has created you to live with Him forever.  Come then and live into the life to which you have been called and do not live for those things which will perish.  In Him is life; it is not found in the things of this world.

Lord, grant me wisdom to see clearly how easily I fall for working so hard for the things that do not matter while not caring about the things that do.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always humbly abide in You and the promise You have given me through Christ.  Help me to focus on necessary things, laying aside the inessential things of this world so that I may live into the promise of being Your child.

Lord Jesus, You came and taught us to prioritize our lives around the eternal things You showed us.  Guide me Lord in order that I may humbly walk in the truth of Your revelation and live into the life as a child of the Most High.  Teach me all that this means and keep my eye upon the prize.  Lead me, O Lord, and help me by Your Spirit to willingly follow wherever You lead.  Thank You for these gifts.  Amen.

“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”  (Colossians 2:10-21)

I have seen this too many times to not point out to you, dear friend, that it will do you good to pay attention to this.  You are not here to please others, but the Lord who made you.  Yes, be sensitive to others, but know that this is for love’s sake and has nothing to do with the law.  You are free, but do what is profitable for your faith.  Smile and love those who promote these things, but live freely.

Lord, grant Your heart to me so that I may live in the freedom You give.  Guide me to see where I need to be sensitive and where I need to simply walk away and do what needs (or should) be done.  In all things, help me to see that it is You alone whom I am to please.  You gave us rules for proper conduct, Lord; help me not to fall prey to any other’s ideas of propriety.  Guide me now and always in what is good, right and salutary.

Lord Jesus, You have given me Your Spirit to lead me every moment in the way I should go.  Let me not fall into the snares of the wicked one who would trap me with a false sense of propriety.  In all things, lead me to be sensitive, but firm, so that I may live life as You would have me.  Guide me today and every day in the way of truth and teach me how to live this life in Your freedom.  Amen.

“[A]nd not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God” (Colossians 2:19).

To whom are you attached?  To what do you belong?  How do you function?  Many live for themselves and do not truly consider being a part of any whole.  The Lord offers that we come into Him and He into us so that we may grow in His likeness and be a part of what He is knitting together.  This is the mystery of the church.  This is the gift of life in Christ.  It is life itself.

Lord, the culture I am in accentuates self above all else.  Help me to realize that You are my Creator and that there can be no life worth living apart from You.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may walk humbly with You, my God, and learn from You how to live this life You have given me.  Show me the way You would have me go and let nothing hinder the walk You have planned for me.

Lord Jesus, You have come that as many as will walk in the light of Your countenance shall find grace and mercy to live into eternal life.  Lead me, O Lord, and guide me along right paths for Your name’s sake.  Guide me, Lord, and let me learn from You how connected I am to You and others.  You are the One who must lead and in You is all hope and the only future worth living.  Amen.

“Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind” (Colossians 2:18)

What difference does it make that another has an experience that differs from yours?  This world celebrates these things and they are titillated.  And we are too, if we are honest.  But we should move beyond these things to know that our hope is in Christ alone; and whatever experience we have, He deems adequate as a base for spiritual growth.  Do not make a cult of your faith, but live in the freedom He gives you.

Lord, I do see these things around me.  Help me now and always to live into the life You have given me by and in faith.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I would hold fast only to that which is true.  As for those who have differing experiences, let me think nothing of them other than to pray blessings upon them.  As for me, let me always gladly receive the message You send so that I may abide in You.

Lord Jesus, there are many who come selling all kinds of things.  Help me to hold fast to the truth You have delivered once for all.  Keep my focus on the hope You give and know that in You alone is there grace and mercy.  Let me never fall away, nor be led away by those things the world uses to entice.  Help me now and always to abide humbly in You and walk the path upon which You lead me.  Amen. 

“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day – things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ” (Colossians 2:16).

For those who think that the feasts, festivals, and formal celebrations are pagan rituals, think again: they are a shadow of what is to come.  For those who think that these things are absolutely essential, think again: they are a shadow of what is to come.  Do not look just  at what you prefer, but to the One who makes all things possible.  Be where He has placed you and do what He gives you to do.

Lord, teach me to be content in every situation.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may learn from You the truth which You have revealed in Your life, death, and resurrection, as well as learn from the Word which You have given me.  Lead me into truth so that I would not think more highly, nor any less of what is happening around and in me.  Show me the truth which You reveal and know Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  You have shown us the way to where we are going, but we are not there yet.  As I live my traditions, Lord, let them be but a reflection of what is coming and never let me think they are You or heaven.  Guide me, Lord, so that I would rejoice in all that You have given me knowing that You are the One who will lead me to where I need to be.  Amen.

“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:15).

The ways of this world are opposite to the way of the Lord.  Rulers seek power for themselves, but this is an illusion, for all power and authority have always belonged to the Lord.  Those who are in Him know this and seek to live in accordance with His will.  Those of the world lord it over those under them.  You see this clearly in the Passion when the leaders are nothing compared to the Lord.

Lord, You know what it is to be falsely accused.  You know what it is to have people lie about You.  Teach me to be like You and to be humble in the face of those who are, in public, lying, that they may be shamed by the truth.  You have disarmed me with Your Gospel.  Use Your Gospel through me to disarm others so that we may no longer be at war against You, but serve in Your eternal kingdom.

Lord Jesus, Your kingdom is not of this world.  You have come in order that we may join with You, the One through whom all things have their being.  Lead me into truth so that I may celebrate with You all that You have accomplished.  Guide me to know that in You, through You, and by Your power and authority, I can do all things right and fitting.  Guide me this day to be one who does the Father’s will.  Amen.