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Deuteronomy 31:23

Then Moses commanded Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be valiant and strong; for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land the Lord swore to them; and He shall be with you.”

The early church fathers taught that Joshua, the son of Nun, was a foreshadow of Jesus, the Son of God. Joshua was chosen by God to lead His people out of the desert of Sinai into the promised land. Jesus was chosen by God to lead His people, the followers of Jesus, into the eternal promised land, heaven. This promised land is here and now and those of us who follow Jesus, the Messiah, can experience it as heaven on earth. Jesus was valiant and strong as He fought the evils that had infiltrated the chosen people and were bolstered by the pharisees and zealots. Jesus stood up to the enemy of God and broke down the gates of his Kingdom of hell to set us of free from death and the bondage of sin. Glory be to God!

Colossians 3:8-10

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Personal Challenge

Part of dying to the world and being raised in Christ is putting off our old selves and ways, and then putting on His ways. We are called to do away with anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language in order to cleanse and purify ourselves. We are also not to lie to one another. Once we have done this, we are to put on our new selves, which are given to us by Him and reflect Him. Glory be to God!

Colossians 3:1-2

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Personal Challenge

What does it mean to be “raised with Christ”? Backing up a few verses before this passage, Paul talks about us dying to this world for Christ. When we choose to follow Him we are to die to this world and live for Christ. In our baptism we go through the process of death, burial, and resurrection for our Lord. If we have done this, not just as a symbolical act, but as a true commitment, then we will seek those things which are above where our Christ is. Our minds and hearts will be heavenly focused and not earthly focused. We will be changed. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Colossians 1:19-20

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Encouraging Words

Mankind was separated from God by the sin that entered into the world from Adam and Eve defying God. We have continued in that defiance by our own choices by continuing to sin. Jesus, by His incarnation and obedient work, even unto death, has reconciled us to God and reunited us with Him. Glory be to God!

Colossians 2:6-7

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Personal Challenge

What does it mean to walk in Christ? We are to follow Him in all that we do, copying His way of being and doing that until it becomes our natural way of being and doing. We emulate Him. As we do this our roots begin to set deep into Him and we are changed into His disciples. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Colossians 1:9-12

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Personal Challenge

Paul commits to be praying for his brothers and sisters in Christ. He asks that we do the same. We can pray for our needs, but is more fruitful to be praying for others and their needs. So, what do pray for in the lives of others? We pray that they will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We pray that they may walk worthy of Him, pleasing Him, being fruitful in good work and increasing in the knowledge of Him. We pray that they might be strengthened in Him and to grow in Him. As we pray for others this way, we too are blessed. Glory be to God!

Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Encouraging Words

Throughout the scriptures we are reminded that God will supply for our needs. This is not some prosperity or name it and claim it gospel. God knows our true needs. He also knows our wants. The issue is that we often do not even know our needs because we are so focused on our wants. God will always take care of us, His children. He will always make sure that our needs are met. These are needs that He sees for each one of us. They are not needs as we, or the world sees them. Our role in this supply is to be content with what He gives us and to trust that He knows what is best for us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!