1 John 1:1

Scripture: 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

Observation: That which was from the beginning: Jesus Christ. John is talking about Jesus.

• John heard Jesus
• John saw Jesus with his eyes
• John looked on Jesus
• John touched Jesus with his hands.

Jesus is referred to here as the Word of life. Reminds me of John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Should I Trust My Heart?

Prov. 18:2 "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself."

Prov. 28:26 "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..."

Gen. 6:5 "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

Jer. 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Prov. 18:1 "Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom."

Prov. 3:7 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”

Rom. 1:22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”

II Tim. 3:7 “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Prov. 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Matt 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander."

Colossians 4:1-3

Scripture: kjv Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.² Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;³ Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Observations:
In order to *continue* in prayer we have to begin praying in the first place. This is an area I struggle with, I just assume everything happening in my life is Gods will therefore I dont pray as much as I should. I recently heard a message about not being content with things but to wrestle and pray fervently for change. Paul tells us in this passage to pray, watch, be thankful.
Paul asks for prayer and again I find significant what he asked the church at Colossae to pray for, that God would open doors of utterance that they might speak the mystery of Christ. Our prayers are so selfish and feeble. When was the last time we prayed for open doors to speak the mysteries of Christ? What is a *door of utterance*?An opportunities to speak. To speak the mystery of Christ. The Gospel.
For which I am also in bonds...Paul was in prison for the doors of utterance he had already walked through yet here he is again praying for more doors to be opened, not at all discouraged or dissuaded from continuing to preach the same mysterious message that got him in prison. Peace that passes understanding.
Application: We often get in the car and pray that wherever we go God would lead us to a hungry soul. Someone we can help. I dont expect to share the gospel, I hope to share a smile, encouragement, kindness. The one thing I hope to teach my children is that they would not be selfish and obsessed with only their own needs....this prayer is a great reminder of what our objective in this world should be. Praying for doors to be opened that we might share the gospel. God open doors of utterance that we may share the mystery of Christ.
Pray: God give us doors of opportunity to share Jesus, give us boldness to walk through the doors for your glory.

Colossians 3:23-25

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Observations: Love this reminder that whatever we do should be done heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men. That changes everything doesnt it? We have this tendency to do everything for men, to be seen of men, admired by men, approved of men, rewarded by men, paid by men, but the Bible tells us Who we should be working and doing for. Lord Christ. Thats a beautiful way to say Jesus isnt it? Lord Christ. And dont just do for Lord Christ but do it heartily. He is worthy isnt He?
Not unto men. This is a problem every single one of us struggles with, working for men, placing our hope, trust, faith, success, and significance in men. We should do everything as unto the Lord and we can also expect Him to reward us, "the reward of the inheritance" meaning the heavenly glory.
There is a flip side. But he that doeth wrong shall also reap what he has sown, there is no respect of persons.
Application: I fail, my efforts are feeble, Im insignificant, I lack talent, Im not appreciated....all not true. This passage reminds me of 1 Cor 15:58 Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Do it heartily for Jesus, not man. Its not in vain, not insignificant. Even if by mans standards it seems to flop or fail, we have this assurance that when we work as to the Lord and not unto man it isnt in vain. Love this!! Knowing that ye shall receive the reward. What a promise! When the Bible says ye shall, then ye shall. Why? For ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:20-22

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Observations: I feel the weight of the children obey your parents scripture because it is my responsibility to teach my kids to obey. They arent naturally inclined to obey, so I have to teach them. This is a command to them but really more of a responsibility to me, to make sure they do obey. Note that is says in ALL things. Not some or most things but obey your parents in ALL things. No exceptions.
Fathers provoke not your children to anger. When the Bible is specific like this and names a certain thing to watch out for like provoke not your children to anger it must be because fathers have this tendency to make their kids angry...so beware. Watch out for this inclination. Lest they be discouraged. There is a connection between provoking our kids to anger and them being discouraged. Are my kids discouraged? Perhaps we have provoked them to anger.
Servants obey your master. Of course we dont have servants but I think it applies to employee and employer relationships.
Application: God commands our children to obey us in all things. Its important I teach them this command. I also need to not provoke them to anger. Keep a calm peaceful home where we speak softly and consider one another before ourselves. You first, Ill follow.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. I believe this is how we get our children to obey, by establishing and cultivating deep loving relationship with them. Love first, obedience follows. We obey who we love. If they love us they will keep our commands, they will obey. Jesus asked Peter:do you love Me...feed my sheep. See the order? Love then obedience. We can apply that truth to our children...Do you love me, obey. Love first. Relationship. God doesnt want us to do amazing, over the top, miraculous things for Him, He simply wants us to love and obey. Same with my kids, I dont want their performance I want their hearts.
Pray: God this command for my children to obey is more for me than them since it is my job to teach them the Word. Help me to teach by example that we should obey you. Always.