For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:16-20)

“all things were created through him and for him.”

We were not randomly formed. We were not the result of accidental chaos or evolutionary coincidence. We were spoken into existence—through Jesus. And not only created through Him—but for Him. That changes everything.

It’s easy to lose sight of that in a world that tells us we’re our own, that our lives are ours to define and direct. But the idea that we can find true purpose apart from God is a lie from hell. Pride resists the thought of being subject to something higher, especially Someone holy. But the biblical view isn’t one of rigid subjection—it’s of joy-filled belonging and purpose. Our loving Creator didn’t make us to drift through life aimlessly, but to walk in relationship with Him, fulfilling the purpose we were made for.

That truth brings freedom. We were created for Him—to know Him, glorify Him, love Him, and live in reverent accountability to Him. When we deviate from that, when we live for ourselves, we stir chaos and conflict within. Why? Because deep down, we know the truth. We were made for more. We were made for Him.

Let the knowledge of that purpose realign your heart today.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16)

“He is the image of the invisible God.” He—Jesus. These verses leave no ambiguity: Jesus is not just from God, He is God. He is the Creator, not the created (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-4, John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1-3). Every corner of creation—things visible and invisible, heaven and earth—was made through Him and for Him.

Some still scoff at the idea that Jesus is God, claiming the Bible never says it. But even the Pharisees knew what Jesus was claiming (John 8:56-59; John 10:24-33). They picked up stones because He made Himself equal with God. Denial doesn’t change truth. I could deny gravity exists, but that wouldn’t stop it from holding me to the earth. Likewise, Jesus’ divinity stands, whether acknowledged or not.

We were made in His image (Gen. 1:27), and not only through Him but for Him. And yet how often we mar that image with sin, chasing identity in anything but Him. But here’s the beauty: Jesus, the very image of God, took on flesh and allowed Himself to be marred for our sin. Now, by His Spirit, we are being transformed—one degree of glory at a time (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

We were created for a purpose. Let’s live like it. Not marring His image, but maturing into it.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

These two verses are packed with powerful, foundational truths—and every word is worth sitting with.

He—the Father—delivered us. The word implies more than just rescue; it means He drew us to Himself, pulling us from the grip of darkness where we were once under the influence of sin and domain of satan. That domain had strength, power, and bondage. But God didn’t stop at rescue.

He also transferred us—from one place to another. Our position changed. We were moved from darkness into the kingdom of the Son He loves—a kingdom defined by love (agape), because God is love. In that kingdom, we aren’t just rescued—we’re redeemed. Jesus paid the ransom, releasing us from the penalty and bondage of our sins.

And not only are we redeemed—we’re also forgiven. That word in the original language means “released,” “pardoned,” as if the sins were never committed. That’s how completely God has dealt with our past.

By the will of the Father, the obedience of the Son, and the indwelling of the Spirit, we have been delivered, transferred, redeemed, and forgiven.

So live in that freedom. Live in love. Let your mindset and position reflect the kingdom you now belong to—where Christ is King, and grace abounds.

being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:11-12)

The strength we receive isn’t random—it’s purposeful. Paul says we are strengthened with all power according to His glorious might—not our own—for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father. That kind of strength doesn’t come from sheer willpower. It comes from the Spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6).

But why do we need strength for endurance and patience? Because spiritual maturity is forged in the fire. Trials test the genuineness of our faith, and as James tells us, we’re to count it all joy when we face them. Why? Because we know what it’s producing and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). When we zoom out and look at the bigger picture, we begin to see that what we’re enduring is producing something far more valuable: maturity, perseverance, faith.

And then comes the gratitude. Because all of this—the strength, the growth, the hope—is ours only because the Father has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (John 12:46). Jesus came as light so we could walk in it. We ought to be thankful for this remarkable truth in our lives.

So even in trial, we rejoice. We give thanks. We endure with joy, because we’ve been strengthened by His power and qualified by His grace. That’s reason enough to lift our heads and keep going.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-10)

Paul didn’t just thank God for the Colossian believers—he prayed for their growth. After hearing from Epaphras about their love in the Spirit, Paul’s response wasn’t to simply celebrate what was already there. He prayed that they would grow even deeper—into spiritual wisdom, understanding, and a life that fully pleased the Lord.

Do you pray like that for other Christians?

If we’re honest, it’s often easier to critique or complain about fellow believers than to intercede for their maturity. But what does complaining profit anyone? Nothing. James 5:16 reminds us that the fervent prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Imagine how the Church would flourish if our first instinct wasn’t criticism but was instead prayer—asking God to mature each other in wisdom, fruitfulness, and knowledge of Him.

If that kind of prayer doesn’t stir us, maybe it’s time for a heart check. Pride and self-focus can dull our love for others. But when we genuinely want others to grow in Christ, we reflect the very heart of Jesus—who never stops interceding for us.

So today, who can you pray for? Ask God to deepen their walk. And as you do, you might just find your own heart growing, too.

Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth (Colossians 1:5b-6)

The gospel came to me—but it didn’t stop there. I heard it. I understood the grace of God in truth. But again—it didn’t stop there. Paul writes that the gospel is bearing fruit and growing, not just in the world, but also in us. That’s personal. That’s ongoing.

If we stop growing in the gospel, how can we bear fruit? James reminds us that faith without works is dead. So if our life is void of fruit, we have to ask ourselves: Did I really hear and understand the gospel in truth? Or did I only grasp it in theory, through a lens of pretense or partial understanding?

The way we hear and understand the gospel matters. It’s the foundation we build everything on. And sadly, it’s possible for someone to call themselves a Christian for years and yet still have misunderstood the grace of God—mistaking culture for truth or emotion for faith. But the beauty of grace is this: correction is possible. Transformation is still possible.

If we seek truth—if we truly seek Him—we will find Him. God promises that (Jeremiah 29:13).

So pause and ask: Have I heard and understood the gospel in truth? Is it growing in me? Am I bearing fruit? And then, in grace and humility, press in deeper. Because real truth produces real growth.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints (Colossians 1:3-4)

Two small words—always and when—carry a powerful message in these verses. Paul writes that he always thanks God when he prays for the saints. His prayers weren’t limited to requests; they were filled with thanksgiving. He lived what he preached—just as he encouraged the Philippians to pray about everything with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6), he practiced it faithfully. Gratitude was a regular rhythm of his prayer life.

The word “when” points to a habit of prayer, not a random act. Paul was a man of prayer—and not just for his own needs, but for others. That kind of consistent intercession flows from a heart focused on Jesus. When we’re aligned with Him, people naturally come to mind because they’re already on His heart.

Jesus Himself modeled this. In Luke 22:31-32, He prayed for Peter before Peter even failed. And now, as Hebrews 7:25 reminds us, Jesus continually lives to intercede for us. If Jesus does that for us, how much more should we do it for one another?

So when you pray for others, don’t just ask God to move—thank Him for how He already has. Thank Him always, when you remember them. Let your prayers be marked by intercession and overflowing with gratitude. It shapes your heart and honors the heart of God.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

As Paul opens his letter to the Colossians, he doesn’t just introduce himself by name—he includes his role and, more importantly, the authority behind it: “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” That detail might seem small, but imagine how the letter would’ve landed if he had left it out. The early church often faced criticism and skepticism, and Paul knew the weight that spiritual authority carried—especially for those who might question his position.

It’s reminiscent of the Pharisees questioning Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things?” (Matt. 21:23). They couldn’t accept the authority of the very Son of God. Paul may have once been among those asking such questions, which makes his acknowledgment of divine authority all the more significant. He wasn’t self-appointed. He was sent.

And then Paul closes his greeting with a blessing: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” This wasn’t just pleasantry—it was intentional. Perhaps it softened the way for the hard truths that would follow, giving the recipients space to receive correction through the lens of grace. But maybe it also grounded Paul himself—reminding him to write from a place of peace, not pride.

Whether giving or receiving truth, we all need that anchor: grace and peace from God our Father. So today, may we lead in both humility and boldness.