Colossians 1:9-14

Dear Brethren,

Good Morning!

When we, as Christians, consider our lives, we should stop and reflect upon how much good we have done. I do not mean that we should reflect for our own self-satisfaction, but rather, to make certain that we are living faithful to the Father above. I realize that we all face daily temptations to sin. However, the question we should consider is whether or not we are overcoming those temptations. Are we overcoming sin and doing good? Is it possible for Christians to always overcome sin and do good?

In Paul's letter to the saints in Colosse, he offered a prayer on behalf of the saints. In Paul's prayer, we see that a Christian is equipped to do that which is good. Consider a few lessons learned from the prayer found in Colossians 1:9-14:

• We can be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,"
• We can "walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
• We can be "strengthened with all might . . . for all patience and longsuffering."
• God has "qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

God has made it possible for Christians to live a faithful life in all they do and be pleasing to God. Christians can have strength for patience and longsuffering. Christians can partake of the inheritance of the saints. God has made this possible by forgiving the sinner of his sins through the shedding of Jesus' blood. All Christians have been delivered "from the power of darkness and conveyed . . . into the kingdom of the Son of His love." As result, we, as Christians can live a faithful life, doing good, pleasing our heavenly Father.

Here is Colossians 1:9-14 presented for your consideration.

Colossians 1:9-14

9 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;

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

In Love,

John Duvall

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Dear Brethren,

Good Morning.

Learning and gaining of knowledge is a life long pursuit for most people. From a young age, we begin the process of learning. Sometime in the our pasts, there were people who taught us how to talk, read, write, spell, etc. Through the years, we continued our education, our learning. As we grew to adults we applied those years of learning to our lives. Some of us became doctors, lawyers, builders, mechanics, musicians, etc. Through the years we have put our learning to much use.

In some respects, our learning never ends, no matter our age. We continue to learn from life's lessons, from other people, and, of course, from the Bible. However, before we get too caught up in expanding our knowledge of other things not related to the Bible, we must keep in mind the most important lesson learned from the Bible. Solomon wrote, "Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh." He then went on to declare the conclusion of his life lessons: "Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all." While we continue to work to increase our knowledge and to learn many things, let us make certain that we keep our minds focused upon what is most important: Keeping the commandments of God.

Here is Ecclesiasts 12:9-14 presented for your consideration.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.

10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.

12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

In Love,

John Duvall

Acts 2:36-41

Dear Brethren,

Good Morning!

One of the reasons for becoming a Christian is the forgiveness of one's sins. While it is true that a person becomes a Christian in order to be saved, the forgiveness of their sins is crucial to that salvation. A person who is still bearing the guilt of their past sins cannot be saved.

As Christians, when we teach others about Jesus Christ, we need to show them from the Bible the necessity of the forgiveness of their sins. We must also show them what they must do in order to be forgiven of those past sins.

Acts 2 serves as a great example of the steps from teaching to baptism, resulting in the forgiveness of sins. In verses 14-35 of Acts 2, Peter taught the people about Jesus Christ. Then in verse 36, Peter said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." At this point, Peter had convicted the people of their sin. Those who were "cut to the heart" recognized their need for help. As a result, they asked Peter what they had to do. In reply to their question, Peter said, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." The people were to repent of their sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (by His authority). If they complied with the commands of the Lord, then the Lord would forgive them of their sins. (The Lord would grant this forgiveness after they repented and were baptized, not before they were baptized.)

Here is Acts 2:36-41 presented for your consideration.

Acts 2:36-41

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

In Love,

John Duvall

Psalms 23

Dear Brethren,

Good Morning!

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." begins a psalm heard by children and adults alike in many churches throughout the world. It is a passage which people memorize and then recite in times of great loss. However, when was the last time you and I took a long look at Psalms 23, beyond simple memorization?

While it is true that a person cannot live his life without problems, it is possible for that person to keep his worries and concerns in proper perspective. If you are like me, then there have been times when you have found yourself worrying about people or events overwhich you have no control. At these times you and I need to remember to continue relying upon the Lord. David wrote, "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters." Consider the tranquility and peace of mind illustrated by this metaphor. This is what the Lord can do for you and I if we will always rely upon Him and trust in Him.

As you have time today, give consideration to each verse of Psalms 23. Let the assurance and comfort experienced by David exist within your life. Trust in the Lord. Here is Psalms 23 presented for your consideration.

Psalms 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

In Love,

John Duvall

Galatians 1:6-10

Dear Brethren,

Good Morning!

Confusion is a very disturbing feelings. Confusion is different than fear. With confusion, you do not know what to do, which way to go, or what is right. Within the realm of religion, there is a fog of religious beliefs which can quickly confuse and disorient the one seeking truth. Such confusion can cause a person to give up on seeking the truth because he knows not which way to go.

As Christians, we must always be on guard not to enter into such a fog of confusion. There are plenty of religious beliefs floating around, seeking dedicated followers and support. However, we must always follow only the Bible. We must not follow the doctrines of man, church organizations, conventions, councils, board of directors, etc. Let us not allow ourselves to be turned away to a perverted version of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here is Galatians 1:6-10 presented for your consideration.

Galatians 1:6-10

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

In Love,

John Duvall

Acts 8:34-40

Dear Brethren,

Good Sunday Morning!

In your efforts to teach those who are not Christians, you will encounter people who will discount the need to be baptized in order to be saved. There are several religions which teach baptism of different forms and for different purposes, but very, very few teach that baptism is necessary for salvation.

Here is a suggestion to consider the next time you are in a discussion with someone over the need to be baptized: Refer to Acts 8:34-40. Acts 8:34-40 is an example of God's plan of salvation in action. Consider the following observations from this passage.

* The eunuch heard about the gospel. (Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch.)

* Philip taught the eunuch Jesus's command to be baptized. (How else would the eunuch know to ask to be baptized?)

* The baptism taught by Philip was water baptism. (The Eunuch said, "See, here is water . . .")

* In order to be baptized, a person must believe in Jesus Christ. (Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may.")

* The eunuch stated clearly that he believed in Jesus Christ.

* After confirming the eunuch's belief, Philip took him into the water and baptized him.

* The eunuch went on his way rejoicing. (The eunuch rejoiced because he knew that he was now saved.)

Here is Acts 8:34-40 presented for your consideration.

Acts 8:34-40

34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

In Love,

John Duvall