1 Thessalonians 2:10-20

1 Thessalonians 2:10-20 (New International Version)

10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[a]Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians
17But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

DEVOTION:
“. . . the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” (verse 13) This verse causes me to think. What does it really mean for scripture to be the word of God? What does it mean for Jesus to be called the Word? How is the word and the Word at work in me? I believe that we can call scripture God’s word because it has come directly from him. It is God breathed. Jesus is the Word, because he is the human, living example of God, his teachings and his love. When we know Jesus intimately, we are able to better understand God’s word. For the Word to work in my life, I have to believe in him as God’s Son, and work daily at building my relationship with him. One way I can do this is by reading God’s word or scripture on a regular basis and meditating on it so that it becomes a part of who I am. In that way, the word will be at work in me.

PRAYER:
Father, Thank you for the gift of scripture – your word- and for the gift of your Son, Jesus – the Word. Lord, help me to know you so that the word and the Word will be at work in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-9

1 Thessalonians 2: 1-9
1 You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, even though we were surrounded by many who opposed us. 3 So you can see that we were not preaching with any deceit or impure purposes or trickery.
4 For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you very well know. And God is our witness that we were not just pretending to be your friends so you would give us money! 6 As for praise, we have never asked for it from you or anyone else. 7 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we gave you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that our expenses would not be a burden to anyone there as we preached God’s Good News among you
DEVOTION (Chris Bunch)
Almost everyone I know is often tempted to please people before they please God. It may be your spouse, your parents, your kids, your friends, your co-workers or your boss. We each can easily slip into being a people pleaser above anything else. Why is that? Why are we so concerned about what other people think? Well, I believe that it is because we want people to like us, we want them to see us in a good light, we want them to be impressed. This week I was talking with a college student about a relationship that she was going to break off. She knew it was a difficult decision and she was very worried how the guy would respond and even more so———what his parents would think of her. Although she knew it was the right thing to do and that she had felt prompted in her prayer time to break it off, the decision to do so was very difficult because she wanted people to still like her.
Paul says in this passage: “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.” (vs.4) Are you in a relationship that you know you should get out of but you are worried about hurting feelings? Are you in a job that is causing you to do something unethical and you know it is wrong? Are you buying all kinds of stuff to get people to like you but you are getting further and further in debt? Doing the right thing and pleasing God above people is not easy——but it is the only way to a joy-filled and abundant life. So, the question becomes today: Who are you going to please———God or people?

PRAYER:
God, you know I am often temped to please people before I please you. Help me to put you first and do that in every decision I make today and throughout this week. I want to please you before I please people. In Jesus name. Amen

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (New International Version)
1 Thessalonians 1 1Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.[b]
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith 2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Colossians 4:10-18

Colossians 4:10-18 (New Living Translation) 10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! 12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15 Please give my greetings to our brothers and sistersa] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. 17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” 18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.


Well this is a short passage to write a devotion on but I think it is very powerful in that when you look at the end he states remember my chains. So I picture paul being persecute, placed in chain and now he is writing letters to make sure everything is ok with the church that he has planted. I think this is just amazing! I try to imagine myself in chains, imprisoned for believing in and loving Jesus Christ and wondering what I would do. I am not sure I would be in as good of spirits as paul, he is still working to spread Gods love and check in on the churches he had planted. This just speaks greatly to his character and love for Jesus Christ. I just hope in my lowest times I am able to do the same and remember the good lord, give him thanks, and continue to spread with word.

Pray
Lord thank you for the men that have been persecuted for loving you so that your word could be spread and help me when I am down and out to remember you and continue to give thanks for everything we do have. amen

Colossians 4:2-9

Colossians 4: 2-9 (New International Version)
Further Instructions 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Final Greetings 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[a] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
(Devotional)
I watched a co-worker deal with her husband losing his job and going down the path of drugs and alcohol. In a few short months they lost their home and are now divorced. She also lost both grandparents of whom she was very close to during this time of life changing experiences. I talked with her on several occasions during this time and told her that God is there for her. I let her know I am praying for her and try to show God’s love and mercy is always there for her.
As Christians, we should watch for any opportunity to tell others of God’s Love and Mercy. Asking someone if you can pray for them is one of the most loving things you could do. Ask God to help you be a servant so that Christ is seen by others. Then clearly listen for his answers. I bet you will find a sense of peace and confidence to speak out as you feel God is in control.

(Prayer)
God, you are my best friend and I want everyone to meet you. Guide me today to listen and watch for opportunities to share your love with people I interact with. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me to be encouraging and speak the words so that they understand who you are and that they will want to make you their best friend too.

Colossians 3:12-4:1

Colossians 3 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.[e] 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
Colossians 4 1 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.

Devotion: by Justin
Peace, Man! Love one another! You can plainly see that the hippie movement of the 1960s and 70s was not original. Paul started the hippie movement long ago as part of something much greater. Paul was writing to the church in Colosse (present day Turkey) to encourage them and to confront false teachings. He wanted to give the church a blueprint for how to succeed. How do you tell a church how to behave in just one letter? Go back to the basics. Keep it simple. “Above all,” says Paul, “clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Everything else that Paul writes to follow in these passages goes back to that message. Why did God send his only son to die?—out of love for us! How could Jesus endure the torture?—out of love for us! Christianity’s central theme is love, and Paul is calling us out in our mission and in our daily lives. Who have you shown love to today? Pray for God to show you who is in need of love. Reach out to that person with the love of Jesus. You might just change a life.

Prayer:
Father, fill my heart with your love. Help me to weed out any bitterness that I harbor. Show me where I have failed to forgive others for hurts that they have caused me. Help me to fully forgive them and to pray for blessings in their lives. Help me to understand the times when I have hurt others. Heal them from the hurts that I have caused. Lord, help me to see opportunities to help others by reaching out with your unending love. Give me courage to reach out. Help me feel your love and protection. Amen.

Colossians 3:1-11

Colossians 3:1-11
1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. 3-4Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. 5-8And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. 9-11Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

Devotion (Jen Bunch):
Colossians is one of my favorite books, and I especially love the beginning of this chapter. The Message translation, in particular, doesn’t mince words. “If you’re serious about living this…life with Christ, act like it!” Sometimes I know I need to be reminded to be thankful for the incredible blessings that I’ve been given and start living my life like I’m grateful to have a Savior! Then Paul (the author of this book of the Bible) goes on to say, “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with things right in front of you.” How often do you notice that you seem overwhelmed with daily tasks? I know for me, it’s more often than I’d like. I find myself fretting at times about not getting dinner made on time (or at all ), or failing to complete all of my assigned tasks at work for that day – hence, piling on the work that will come tomorrow.
Then I read this scripture: “Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” LOOK UP! Of course! That’s where the action is. I need to refocus my attention on what Christ is doing around me. Join in with the work you see happening around you. Change your focus so that you can see what is occuring from the perspective of Christ – who knows us most and loves us best. LOOK UP!

Prayer:
God, thank you so much for choosing to love me. I confess that I sometimes shuffle along with my focus on the wrong things. Help me to daily change my perspective so that I look up and see the world and others the way you want me to see them. Help me to “get in on the action,” and show your love to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Colossians 2:16-23

Colossians 2:16-23
16) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; tyhe reality, however, is found in Christ. 18) Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you fot the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his inspiritual mind puffs him uo with idle notions. 19) He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20) Since you died with Christ to the casic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21) “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch! 22) These are destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23) Such regulations indeedhave the appearance of wisdom, with their selfimposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Devotion
Colssians was written while Paul was in prison in Rome. It was written as a result of a visit to Paul by Epaphras who had brought the good news of Jesus Christ to Colosse. The visit was to bring Paul news of false teachers who were preaching about the need to follow strict riles regarding food and drink, religious festivals and circumcision. They were discrediting Jesus as the Christ. Paul advises the Colossians that such teachings consist of false humility and lack any value.

I see Paul imprisoned, yet who has completely surrendered to God’s will, forgetting about his own circumstances, being an encourager for those new in Christ, reminding them of the path true path to Christ. Paul is an encourager for me. He reminds me how easy it is to be distracted or be led astray by the world around me. Alone I would fail, but with those around me in the Jar, small group, CR, etc. I can stand firm in my relationship with Christ.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the avenues of support we have in the Jar and through fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who help us to remain strong and true to our Lord and Saviour.

Colossians 2:6-15

Colossians 2:6-15 (New Living Translation)
Freedom from Rules and New Life in Christ
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. 8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
Devotion (Mikey Skoglund)
This passage speaks of the wonderful freedom we experience in Christ. I love the words at the beginning of this passage, “Let your roots grow down into Him and let your lives be built on Him.” I must let Christ be the foundation of this life I’m living, and the roots I have in Him will draw forth nourishment for my faith to grow strong in the truth I’ve been taught, and then my heart will overflow with thankfulness for what my Lord has done for me. What a way of life! A life full of God’s abundance and faithfulness. In verse 8 it speaks of not getting caught up in all of the empty philosophies that are circulating this world. And there are a lot of them that try and explain away God’s existence or explain how we are all gods ourselves. But these are of this world and not of Christ. If we follow Christ’s philosophies, then we are filling our hearts and minds with the fullness of God, which is in Christ. I mean, if you think about it, if Christ is ruler over all other authorities anyways, why would we settle for something less when we have immediate access to the source, which is Jesus. And finally the best news of all is in the final verses, where Christ has cut away our sinful nature, taken it upon Himself, and whe n He was crucified and buried, our sins were buried along with Him, and when He was raised from the dead, our spirits have been made new, or “have been raised to new life, because we have trusted in the mighty power of God who has raised Christ from the dead.”

Prayer
Lord please help me to continue to trust in Your mighty power for my life. I know that through Your grace and power, Christ died for my sins but You raised Him from the dead so that I may have new life in Him. Thank You for all that You have given me. I give my life to follow Yours. Thank You for Your love.
Amen.

Colossians 1:15-23

Colossians 1:15-23 (New Living Translation)
Christ Is Supreme
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,[a] 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.[b]So he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. 21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.
DEVOTION:
“You are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” How often do we as Christ followers forget how Christ’s sacrifice has changed us? How would we live differently if we truly understood and believed that we are “holy and blameless?” This passage is so freeing to me. It allows me to stop beating myself up for my faults and failures, and to live as the person God made me to be. My teacher recently told me, “When we sin we are not being our true self- not who God made us to be. When we live His way, we are living wholly as our true self.” This passage clearly supports his statement. I’d like to say that I have that all figured out, but I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it. How would I live if I truly understood who I am in Christ?

PRAYER:
Father, thank you for the sacrifice of your Son – through which you have saved me and made me “holy and blameless.” Help me to see myself as you see me, and to live accordingly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians 1:1-14 (NLT)
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
2 It is written to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace. 3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God’s people. 5 You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven—as you have been ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. 6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard and understood the truth about God’s great kindness to sinners. 7 Epaphras, our much loved co-worker, was the one who brought you the Good News. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us in your place. 8 He is the one who told us about the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. 9 So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. 14 God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
DEVOTION: (Chris Bunch)—-“Beautiful Benefits”
Any time I receive a hand written letter in the mail, I am always excited to open it up. In our technological world, rarely do people ever write anything in their own handwriting, let alone a letter. Colossians is a letter written by Paul and he makes this known in chapter 4 verse 18 as he says, “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.” He wanted it to be clear that the words in this letter were his and no one else’s. He wrote it from a prison cell in Rome, as he did most of his letters. It was written approximately 60 A.D.
He was writing to the church in Colosse, which is in present day Turkey. He had helped to start the church and had developed leaders to carry on the good news of Jesus. However, false teaching had entered the church, and he was writing to encourage the believers in Colosse to combat these errors, specifically Gnosticism (which believed that Christ could not be both human and divine).
After he spends the first 11 verses greeting the believers, he enters into the beautiful benefits of being a faithful follower of Christ. Have you ever wondered what are the benefits of being Christian? How many could you name? Paul lists five in verses 12-14 and they are beautiful.
Check them out:
1.He made us qualified to share in his inheritance (abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven)
2.He rescued us from Satan’s darkness and made us his children.
3.He brought us into his eternal kingdom.
4.He redeemed us—-brought our freedom from sin and judgment, set us free.
5.He forgave us for all our sins. Here are the benefits Paul shared. What benefits can you add to this list?

PRAYER:
God thank you for all that you give me in my relationship with Christ. Help me to honor you today as I thank you for the beautiful benefits I have Him. In Jesus name. Amen

Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:10-23 (New International Version)
Thanks for Their Gifts 10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings 21Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Devotional:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”. The secret is our faith in the Lord. He will see us through! What contentment and peace being a follower can bring to each of us! God does not promise that our lives will be free from struggles and that we will never experience pain and heartbreak, but He does promise to never leave us or forsake us. He promises to be a presence in our lives for all who believe. He has prepared a place for us far greater than we can ever imagine where we will always have contentment, peace and plenty! What great joy and peace we can have in the Lord!
Verse 13: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” This is one of my very favorite passages of scripture. It really speaks for itself and I have often found myself saying this verse in times of struggles or uncertainty. Our strength does indeed come for the Lord and not our own willpower!

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to always gain my strength in you. Help me to be content in whatever my circumstances may be and know that you are always with me to guide me and lift me up. Amen

Philippians 4:1-9

Philippians 4:1-9 (New International Version)
Philippians 4 1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
Exhortations 2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow,[a] help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 3:12-21

Philippians 3:12 -21 (New International Version)
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
(Devotional by Marilyn Brooks)
For most of my life I managed to live a pretty normal life and not get into too much trouble. The shameful things of my youth that always seem to surface from time to time would allow the guilt to eat at me and make me feel somewhat hopeless. When I was down and feeling lost I would go shopping for new clothes or shoes and that would lift me up. Re-decorating the house could make things better…..for a while ….and then that feeling of being lost would come back again.
Then a few years ago I had the most joyful feeling of love come over me and somehow I knew it was God telling me that there is so much more to strive for. He led me to a place where I fit in and I found a joy that no other earthly thing could provide. Once I accepted Christ forgiveness the things in my past turned into experiences that could be shared to help others. My hopelessness has been replaced with a faith in Christ that continues to grow.
Paul is telling us in this scripture that the past is forgiven. God has power over us. Go out and Fellowship with other Christians to build your faith and grow to be Christ like. The prize awaiting you will be an eternity more joyful than ever imaginable.

Prayer:
God, Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to show us, that there are no earthly treasures as precious as your endless love and mercy for us. May we faithfully press towards the goal of eternity with you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Philippians 3:1-11

Philippians 3
The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ
1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God[b] are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[c] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Devotion:
In this passage, Paul describes a journey to which many of us can relate. Prior to knowing Christ, he was a Pharisee who had much and was considered powerful. He valued what he had, what others thought of him, and the rules that the Pharisees upheld. He put much confidence in his own effort and that of his fellow Pharisees.
However, when Paul came to know Jesus, his life was turned upside down. He came to know how worthless his previous treasures were. He came to depend on Christ alone and his faith grew tremendously. He so eloquently stated his faith in verse 10 above. Paul’s growth is an inspiration to me as he went from a persecutor of Christians to one a devoted and influential Christian.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you in this season for the gift of your Son Jesus so that we might have eternal life with you. Help us to continue to grow in our faith so that we might know you more. Amen.

Philippians 2:19-30

Philippians 2:19-30 (New International Version)
Timothy and Epaphroditus 19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Ephesians 4:17-5:7

Ephesians 4: 4:17-5:7 (NLT)
17 With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
20 But that isn’t what you were taught when you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, 22 throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. 23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. 24 You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness—righteous, holy, and true. 25 So put away all falsehood and “tell your neighbor the truth” because we belong to each other. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. 28 If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.Chapter 5
1 Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do
DEVOTION (Chris Bunch) “WORDS COUNT”
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This is one of the dumbest statements I have ever heard in my life. Words do hurt and words do count. Verse 29 says this: Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
The words we say to one another can be a powerful force for good, for building up. On the other hand, they can be just as powerfully destructive, tearing us down. Think back to when you were young: What kinds of words do you remember the most? Were they positive, encouraging words that built you up and made you feel valuable and worthwhile? Or did you hear more terms like “loser,” “worthless,” “stupid”? Words that were told to you by parents or other adults either brought smiles or pain.
Your words have the same effect on those around you, especially those closest to you. Your spouse, your children, your parents, your family and friends. Today, each time you are tempted to complain or tear down———-STOP!!!!! Then, ask for God’s help to say a kind word that encourages and builds up the person you are talking to.
As we approach the joy of Easter——-commit to having joy flow from your mouth all week. Also, take the time to use your mouth to invite someone to join you at The Jar this Sunday for our Easter Celebration.

PRAYER:
God, thank you that you never put me down or tell me how bad I am, but you are always telling me how proud you are of me and calling me your precious child. Help me today to use my words to build up and not tear down. And, when I am tempted to use my words to hurt———remind me and help me change them. In Jesus name. Amen

Ephesians 3:1-21

Ephesians 3:1-21 NIV
Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
1) For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2) Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3) that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4) In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5) which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit of God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6) This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Jesus Christ.
7) I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gid’s grace given to me through the working of his power. 8) Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9) and to make plain to everyone the administartion of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hiddenin God, who created all things. 10) His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11) according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.. 12) In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13) I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14) For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15)from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through the Spirit of your inner being, 17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20) Now to him who is able to do imeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Devotion
Paul is writing Ephesians from prison in Rome and he asks the Ephesians not to be discouraged by this fact. Instead he writes about the mystery revealed to him by God’s grace. The mystery is that “ through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Isreal…..sharers together in the promise of Jesus Christ”. In the old testament Isaiah 11:10 scripture says “The root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him”.Thru this we can see that the coming of Christ was foretold hundreds of years earlier. What it doesn’t say is that the Jews and Gentiles will be considered as one thru Christ. Paul also is explaining that thru Christ, God’s wisdom is being revealed and that thru faith in Christ we can approach God with “freedom and confidence”.
The second part of this chapter is a prayer for the Ephesians to have a deeper experience in God’s fullness. He prays that they may be strenghtened in their faith and realize how deep God’s love is for them, “to know this love that surpasses knowledge”. There is a final reminder that our ultimate goal of our existance is to glorify God.
I admit I struggled with this chapter just to write my understanding of the passage but probably more importantly realizing that my understanding of God will never be complete because of His infinite nature, that there are mysteries while here on earth we will never know about Him. Forunately, by God’s grace thru faith I don’t need to know. His watchful, loving eye is ever present. He is sufficient for all our needs. Glory be to God.

Prayer
Heavenly Father I pray that my faith in you never fails, that I turn from the world and seek you with freedom and confidence to experience your fullness.

Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2 (The Message)
1-6It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
11-13But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.
14-15The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.
16-18Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.
19-22That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Devotional
God’s mercy and grace! Wow! In the midst of our struggle with sin, with our doing what we want to do, when we want to do it, God doesn’t give us what we deserve. He doesn’t lose his temper and get angry with us. That’s mercy! Instead, He gives us what we don’t deserve. He takes our lives, that feel so empty and dead because of sin, and He fills us up with His love, giving us new life. That’s grace!
Even though I’ve been a follower of Christ for a long time, I have struggled with this issue. For a variety of reasons, I have often felt like God was watching me in order to catch me doing something wrong, that He was angry with me. Because of that, I’ve tried really hard in my own efforts to be good in order to be worthy of God’s love. But that’s not what this passage says. Rather, it says that all we have to do it trust him enough to let him do it. He wants to shower us with his incredible love. The NIV versions states verses 8 and 9 this way. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” I can never be good enough to earn God’s love, it truly is a gift. When I try in my own efforts, I wear myself out. How about you? Do you ever struggle with trying to earn God’s love? Rest in the assurance that He loves you – because of who He is and what He has done. Not because of anything you have done. Feel His loving embrace even now.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you know that I sometimes struggle with trying to earn your love. I have worn myself out trying. Help me to rest assured in your grace and your mercy. That your amazing love, as evidenced by Jesus’ death for me, is all about who YOU are. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can never say thank you enough for an amazing love that I really don’t understand and certainly don’t deserve, but I accept it as your gift to me.
Amen.

Ephesians 1:1-23

Ephesians 1 (New Living Translation)
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Spiritual Blessings
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.[b] 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,[c] for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,[e] 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[f] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[g]19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Devotion
What do you feel when you read the passage above? Think about the emotions that you just experienced. If you just skimmed instead of processing the words go back and reread the passage, thinking about the meaning and implication of each sentence. Even though this letter is addressed to the Christians at Ephesus, it is also meant for us today. This letter encompasses what it means to be a Christian. What would you say if someone asked you why you are a Christian, or what it means to you? Paul gives his answer in his introduction – Thank God! God loved us all so much that he adopted us as his children and paid the price with the blood of his own son! God is so powerful that he overcame death through Jesus Christ, who now reigns with God and will at the right time be given authority over all things on heaven and earth. Paul continues by saying that God sent the Holy Spirit to us as a guarantee that we are heirs to Christ’s kingdom. What emotions are stirred up when you read this? Do you feel guilt, doubt, or skepticism? Do you feel excluded, isolated, or alone? If you do then you have something sitting in between you and God – Satan has found a way to distance you from God. I hope that when you read this chapter you feel love, acceptance, hope and inner peace. Take some time to pray that God will open your heart to the Spirit and remove any obstacles between you and Him.

Prayer
Holy Father, thanks for the wonderful plan that you set into motion – even before you created the universe. Please help us when we feel distant to you. Help us to remove our pride and give you the glory of our victories, as well as our struggles and defeat. Please fill our hearts with hope and joy. Remove our doubts and strengthen our faith. Lord, help us be your faithful children!
Amen

Galatians 6:1-18

Galatians 6:1-18
1 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. 2 Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. 3 If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. 4 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. 5 Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. 6 Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience. 7 Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!— 8 harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. 9 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. 10 Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. 11 Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you. 12 These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ’s suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. 13 They themselves don’t keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible! 14 For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. 15 Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! 16 All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of G od—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them! 17 Quite frankly, I don’t want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus. 18 May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!

Devotion:
Your day is over and you are exhausted. The only thing on your mind is getting home and relaxing with your family, or spending a moment alone with a good book. This time of year, perhaps watching a little March Madness is on your evening agenda. Just as you are pulling out of the parking lot at work, an elderly gentleman is stumbling on the corner sidewalk and appears confused. This is the moment. Decision time. Do you pretend you didn’t see him or do you stop and offer your assistance?
There are so many of these moments, in different varieties, throughout each of our daily lives. I sometimes struggle with continuing to do good, especially when I’m tired and I feel like I’ve done “good” all day. Perhaps it’s someone else’s turn? This scripture reminds me not to think that God is fooled by all my “good” deeds. He wants me to continue to stay faithful to the fact that I know he expects me to make the right choice, and not to become fatigued in doing good. I need to get rid of my selfishness and pride, and instead allow my actions to reflect to what I know God wants for my life, allowing his Spirit to lead me. I’d like to have a lot more to show for my life than weeds!

Prayer:
God, please help me to see others as you see them. Help me to be sensitive to their needs. I confess that I sometimes allow pride and selfishness to creep into my life. Please forgive me for this, and help me to replace these thoughts with your love and compassion, allowing me to bless the lives of other people. Thank you for being a God of forgiveness and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.