Read Colossians 1:9-14
As we begin our second week in Colossians, I believe it is vitally important for us to read through this passage first to allow God to speak to our hearts through His Word and the Holy Spirit,

While there is great value in reading what great minds (and not-so-great minds like mine) have written about Scripture passages over the centuries, I passionately believe that God wants to uniquely speak to our hearts through His word. Consider the words of Hebrews 4:12…

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Since the Bible is literally a living book, as Christ-followers it should be a daily pursuit to hear from God through His word.

Read through this passage slowly three times with your journal and pen in hand from your own Bible. As you read through this passage, write down any words or phrases that stand out to you. If you have access, read through this passage in different translations. (You can find quite a few translations at biblegateway.com).

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14 NIV

Questions to consider:
In your journal, write down the most important idea that stood out to you from this passage.
What does this passage say about the importance of prayer?
Ask God to impress these lessons on your heart today.