Colossians Chapters 2-4 are very important to read and act on.-------------------------------------------------- From: "O.Addison Gethers" <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 7:23 AM To: "Deaf-blind inspirational life groups" <[email protected]> Subject: {dbilg} Fw: Daily Bible Reading For Sunday December 6
> > O. Addison Gethers > > e-mail address > [email protected] > [email protected] > > twitter > URL http//:twitter.com/OAddisonGethers > > Messenger contact > window live/msn messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: > cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS > rs > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Donnie Parrett" <[email protected]> > To: "Donnie Parrett" <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 9:57 PM > Subject: Daily Bible Reading For Sunday December 6 > > >> Day 340 >> >> Colossians 1 >> 1-2I, Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of >> God's master plan. Together >> with my friend Timothy, I greet the Christians and stalwart followers of >> Christ who live in Colosse. >> May everything good from God our Father be yours! >> Working in His Orchard >> 3-5Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We >> can't quit thanking God our >> Father and Jesus our Messiah for you! We keep getting reports on your >> steady faith in Christ, our >> Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians. The lines >> of purpose in your lives >> never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept >> taut by hope. >> 5-8The Message is as true among you today as when you first heard it. It >> doesn't diminish or weaken >> over time. It's the same all over the world. The Message bears fruit and >> gets larger and stronger, >> just as it has in you. From the very first day you heard and recognized >> the truth of what God is >> doing, you've been hungry for more. It's as vigorous in you now as when >> you learned it from our >> friend and close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for >> Christ! >> I could always depend on >> him. He's the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into >> your lives by the Spirit. >> >> 9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't >> stopped >> praying for you, asking >> God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so >> acquire >> a thorough understanding >> of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the >> Master, making him proud of >> you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God >> works, you will learn how to >> do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over >> the long haul-not the grim >> strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is >> strength that endures the >> unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us >> strong enough to take part in >> everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. >> >> 13-14God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us >> up >> in the kingdom of the >> Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got >> rid of the sins we were >> doomed to keep repeating. >> >> Christ Holds It All Together >> 15-18We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at >> this Son and see God's >> original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely >> everything, above and below, >> visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels-everything >> got >> started in him and finds >> its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and >> holds it all together >> right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes >> and >> holds it together, like a >> head does a body. >> 18-20He was supreme in the beginning and-leading the resurrection >> parade-he is supreme in the end. >> From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, >> everyone. >> So spacious is he, so >> roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without >> crowding. Not only that, but all >> the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe-people and things, >> animals and atoms-get properly >> fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, >> his >> blood that poured down >> from the cross. >> >> 21-23You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all >> had your backs turned to >> God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance >> you got. But now, by >> giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ >> brought you over to God's >> side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You >> don't walk away from a gift >> like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly >> tuned in to the Message, >> careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message-just >> this one. Every creature >> under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this >> Message. >> >> 24-25I want you to know how glad I am that it's me sitting here in this >> jail and not you. There's a >> lot of suffering to be entered into in this world-the kind of suffering >> Christ takes on. I welcome >> the chance to take my share in the church's part of that suffering. When >> I >> became a servant in this >> church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God's way of >> helping >> me serve you, laying out >> the whole truth. >> >> 26-29This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's >> out in the open. God >> wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret >> inside and out, regardless of >> their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in >> a >> nutshell is just this: >> Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's >> glory. It's that simple. >> That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people >> not >> to add to the Message. We >> teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each >> person to maturity. To be >> mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working >> so hard at day after day, >> year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives >> me. >> >> Colossians 2 >> 1 I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for >> you, and also for the >> Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, >> but >> that doesn't make any >> difference. Know that I'm on your side, right alongside you. You're not >> in >> this alone. >> 2-4I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything >> there is to know of God. Then >> you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great >> mystery. All the richest >> treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and >> nowhere >> else. And we've been >> shown the mystery! I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone >> leading you off on some >> wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the Secret." >> >> 5I'm a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe >> me, I'm on your side, >> right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways >> you conduct your affairs, >> and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ. >> >> From the Shadows to the Substance >> 6-7My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with >> what you've been given. You >> received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in >> him. You're well >> constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what >> you've been taught. School's >> out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living >> spill over into >> thanksgiving. >> 8-10Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and >> intellectual double-talk. They >> want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to >> anything. >> They spread their ideas >> through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions >> of spirit beings. But >> that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so >> you can see and hear him >> clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to >> realize the fullness of Christ, >> and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that >> fullness comes together >> for you, too. His power extends over everything. >> >> 11-15Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or >> achieve. It's not a matter of >> being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already >> in-insiders-not through some >> secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone >> through for you, >> destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, >> you've already been through >> it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your >> old life; coming up out of >> it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. >> When you were stuck in your >> old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought >> you alive-right along with >> Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old >> arrest warrant canceled and >> nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the >> universe of their sham >> authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. >> >> 16-17So don't put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, >> worship services, or holy days. >> All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the >> substance is Christ. >> >> 18-19Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow >> and scrape, insisting that >> you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. >> They're a lot of hot air, that's >> all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, >> Christ, who puts us together >> in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head >> and we are the body. We >> can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us. >> >> 20-23So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and >> infantile religion behind you, >> why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't >> taste >> that! Don't go near >> this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are >> worth >> that kind of attention? >> Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even >> give the illusion of being >> pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing >> off, >> making yourselves look >> important. >> >> Colossians 3 >> He Is Your Life >> 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. >> >> 12-14So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe >> God picked out for you: >> compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be >> even-tempered, content with second >> place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as >> the Master forgave you. And >> regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, >> all-purpose garment. Never be >> without it. >> >> 15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step >> with each other. None of >> this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let >> the Word of Christ-the >> Message-have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. >> Instruct and direct one >> another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! >> Let every detail in your >> lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, >> thanking God the Father >> every step of the way. >> >> 18Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in >> ways that honor the Master. >> >> 19Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of >> them. >> >> 20Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no >> end. >> >> 21Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush >> their >> spirits. >> >> 22-25Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't >> just >> do the minimum that will >> get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for >> God, confident that you'll >> get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always >> that the ultimate Master >> you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be >> held responsible. Being a >> follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work. >> >> Colossians 4 >> 1 And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. >> Don't >> forget for a minute that >> you, too, serve a Master-God in heaven. >> Pray for Open Doors >> 2-4Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. >> Don't forget to pray for us, >> that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while >> I'm >> locked up in this jail. >> Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as >> day to them. >> 5-6Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a >> trick. Make the most of every >> opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the >> best >> in others in a >> conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. >> >> 7-9My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He's a trusted >> minister and companion in the >> service of the Master. I've sent him to you so that you would know how >> things are with us, and so he >> could encourage you in your faith. And I've sent Onesimus with him. >> Onesimus is one of you, and has >> become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they'll bring you >> up-to-date on everything that has >> been going on here. >> >> 10-11Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings; also >> Mark, >> cousin of Barnabas (you >> received a letter regarding him; if he shows up, welcome him); and also >> Jesus, the one they call >> Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck >> with me in working for God's >> kingdom. Don't think they haven't been a big help! >> >> 12-13Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! >> He's been tireless in his >> prayers for you, praying that you'll stand firm, mature and confident in >> everything God wants you to >> do. I've watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked >> for >> you and for those in >> Laodicea and Hierapolis. >> >> 14Luke, good friend and physician, and Demas both send greetings. >> >> 15Say hello to our friends in Laodicea; also to Nympha and the church >> that >> meets in her house. >> >> 16After this letter has been read to you, make sure it gets read also in >> Laodicea. And get the >> letter that went to Laodicea and have it read to you. >> >> 17And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, "Do your best in the job you received >> from >> the Master. Do your very >> best." >> >> 18I'm signing off in my own handwriting-Paul. Remember to pray for me in >> this jail. Grace be with >> you. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ~~~~~ >> Please join us on Skype Monday thru Friday at 8:00 EST for our Morning >> Skype Prayer Time. >> Also, follow my tweets on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/Donnie1261 >> >> >> Contact Me At: >> Donnie Parrett >> 1956 Asa Flat Road >> Annville, Kentucky 40402 >> Home Phone: 606-364-3321 >> Church Phone: 606-364-PRAY >> Skype Name: Donnie1261 >> Email: [email protected] >> >> > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/dbilg?hl=en. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/dbilg?hl=en.
