Knowing God

In this final episode, it is one more encouragement to pursue knowing God with your life. I discuss what it means to know God, how we have the ability to know God, and a final suggestion on pursuing knowing God. Check it out, and keep giving yourself to this pursuit.

Finally, the end. Check out this episode as we consider Paul's final words to the Colossian church. These words can be a great challenge and point of emphasis. In this episode, we end our study of Colossians by looking at Colossians 4:18.

If I have time in the Word by myself, is that enough? Why do I need a community built on the Word if I have quiet time and personal time in the Word? Paul's words in Colossians 4:15-17 point us to the reality that we need communities, and specifically community that is built on the Word.

God's design for us to live in community is written throughout all the Scriptures. And many times, it is our community that is an immense blessing and help in our lives. But community can also cause heartbreak. We consider both the help and heartbreak in God's community. Also, in this episode I give an update on the future of the podcast.

We once more read about the Colossian church planter, Epaphras. Paul highlights him and his love and work for the Colossians. But he also notes one of the more powerful images he gives in this section. We examine what it means and how that might change how we pray.

Where do we turn in our lowest moments? Specifically, where do we believe we can find comfort? In this episode, we look at how Paul shows that the community of God brings the comfort of God to the people of God.

Conviction. Belief. Prayer. Core elements to any genuine relational reconciliation. In this episode, we continue with 4 more aspects needed for working toward reconciliation.

Last episode we saw the example of Paul and Mark's reconciled relationship. But does God really do that now? And how does that happen. Today's episode is part 1 of looking at steps we can take toward reconciliation in our faith community.

This relationship is complicated! Of all Paul's relationships, Mark is probably his most confusing/complicated relationship. But from anger and division, Paul gets to a place of appreciating his presence. Check out this episode as we explore an example of a reconciled community.

Our friendships are no accident. The people in your faith community are not by coincidence. In this episode, we consider God's providence in all our relationships.

A slave turned brother? How does the power of relational and identity transformation shape our communities? Do I even have transformation stories in my community? We explore these questions through examining Onesimus's story.

One of the great gifts in any community is a generosity of encouragement. In this episode we look at what encouragement is, and how to grow being a community of encouragement.

As we near the end of Paul's letter, we see the value and beauty of his community. In order for Paul to do what God called him to do, many others needed to also do what God called them to do. In this episode we consider the beauty of simply being faithful in who we are, and what God has called us to.

Paul ends this section by encouraging us in the type of speech we should have as followers of Jesus. What does it look like to have words and tones that are gracious? And why is that important to grow in as Christians? Check out this episode as we explore.

How we live impacts how people will listen to us talk about Jesus. If we want to be a people who are boldly sharing the gospel, we must also be a people who are living out our union with Jesus day after day. In this episode we look at the reality of how walking in wisdom will impact our witness as Christ followers.

What are some practical ways to share the gospel with clarity? In this episode, we look at a few ways that can help you feel more confident in sharing the gospel. Check it out and then try one!

The clear call from Scripture is to share the gospel. But how do we do it in a way that isn't forced or awkward? In this episode we look at one of the best traits you can have if you want to be an evangelist : be a question asker!

If prayer is our first step in evangelism, it makes God the primary worker in evangelism. But, what is our responsibility then? If God is the one who does the work, what am I to do? In this episode we address what our role is in evangelism.

Throughout the Scriptures we are called to evangelize, or tell people about the goodness and truth of God. But is it possible we often miss the first step? What is Paul's first step to effective evangelism, and how might that impact how we view and practice evangelism?

Once more, Paul encourages the church in Colossae to pray. Multiple times he has given this encouragement. But why is it important to continue in prayer in the Christian life? And what is a primary aspect of continuing in prayer?

Every boss has a boss. Most people have an earthly boss, but Paul wants to reminds us all that ultimately we have a boss that we answer to. And if our boss is the Lord Jesus, that will greatly impact how we serve and lead people today.

At the end of Paul's encouragement to workers, he reminds them that judgment is coming. Every wrong will be judged and made right. But, is that good news? We explore, in this episode.

Have you ever worked harder because of a greater reward at the end? Paul encourages Christians to work well, because a great reward is coming. What is the reward and why should that motivate us to faithful labor? Check out this episode where we find out.

Who are you working for? Part of our issue in work is that we forget who we are laboring for ultimately. In this episode we consider what it means to work for the Lord and not for man.

How does our faith in Jesus impact our work? Paul highlights one main temptation we all face in work, and how Jesus calls us to a greater work ethic.

What do we do with passages about slavery in the Bible? Is Paul promoting Slavery? Allowing it? Condeming it? In this episode we consider how we should approach such passages, and what insight we can get about slavery from Colossians 3.

Dads...you matter! Your voice and influence is pivotal in the life of your kids. In this episode, we look at Paul's exhortation to parents and the consequences of living them out or not.

Parents have been given authority and responsibility in the lives of their children. But how should that authority be excercised? And is there a difference between the responsibilty of moms and dads? Check out this episode as we consider those questions and more.

In Christian households, what is the responsibility for children? In this episode we examine Paul's encouragement for children to obey their parents. Check it out as we consider how that should look.

In many cultures children can be idoloized or neglected. Seen as priority or even property. How does the Bible speak to this? How should a follower of Jesus view raising children?

What does a godly husband look like? In Colossians 3:19 Paul calls husbands to a high calling. Check out the episode as we consider the role of husbands in the drama of marriage.

In Colossians 3:18, Paul gives encouragements for how wives can live out their union with Christ in marriage. It is in this way that marriages and wives can flourish. Check out this episode as we consider Paul's teaching on union with Christ in our union of marriage.

What is marriage? In this episode, we consider the foundaiton of marriage. Once we get this right, then we can approach Paul's encouragment for wives and husbands with anticipation and joy.

Are you a maximalist or a minimalist? No, not with earthly possessions, but with God's glory? Are you looking to glorify God with as little effort or sacrifice possible, or are you maximizing your life for God's glory?

Colossians 3:17 is a crucial part of Paul's argument in this section, and the book as a whole. What does our union with Christ actually mean for our life? How much does Jesus impact my day-to-day? Check out this episode as we consider a pivotal piece of Paul's encouragement to Christians to live this out.

At the end of Colossians 3:16 we see the impact that songs can have on our spiritual life. The Word of Christ does not only grow in us through teaching but through singing. In this episode we examine the power of songs for our formation.

How do we get the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly? In this episode we see the importance of being taught and also teaching others in our faith communities.

In this episode we begin to look at Colossians 3:16. What does Paul mean by the Word of Christ, and why is it so important that it dwells in you?

And...we're back in Colossians. After taking a break in the Christmas season to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus, we are officially back in the book of Colossians. In today's episode, we remember Paul's main arguments and end with a simple prayer for the rest of our study.

In this episode I explain why I'm still talking about Christmas a week later. And how we can grow in faith and gratitude this year by following Mary's example.

The angels cry out that there is good news of great joy on this night 2000 years ago. The most important birth in all of history has happened. What is the appropriate response to such great news being told?

Good news demands a response. In Luke 2, we see the angels respond to God's gospel with 2 distinct actions. May these two actions be routine in our response to the gospel as well.