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.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49)

As Jesus stood with His disciples in those final moments before ascending to the Father, He did what only He could do – He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. These were men who had walked closely with Him for three years. They had heard His teachings, seen His miracles, and witnessed His death and resurrection. But they still needed Him to help them truly understand the Scriptures.

We are no different.

The Bible is not a book to be mastered by intellect alone. The Bible is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and it must be spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Without the illuminating work of Christ, the Scriptures remain like a sealed book – factual, perhaps even interesting, but void of power in the life of the reader. We must come to Jesus, accept Him as Lord of our life and Savior of our soul, and then He will open our mind to help us see and know and believe what He has written.

And what’s even more amazing is that Jesus didn’t stop there. He continued by commissioning them as His witnesses when he told them, “You are witnesses of these things.” And then came the promise that He had spoke of earlier when he told them He wouldn’t leave them as orphans: “Behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended with power, filling and equipping the disciples to boldly proclaim the gospel to the nations. And that same Spirit lives in every believer today.

We are now the continuation of this mission – the ones entrusted to carry the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection to the ends of the earth. But just as the first disciples needed the Holy Spirit’s power, so do we. We can’t walk in truth, speak with boldness, or love with sincerity apart from the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper, our Comforter, our Teacher – and He clothes us with power from on high so we can be faithful ambassadors of Jesus.

It’s not about striving in our own strength. **It’s about living surrendered, with open minds and willing hearts, walking daily in the Spirit – truly denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily as we follow Jesus.

After speaking these words, Jesus led them out and ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50–51). Jesus will return one day soon – but until then, we have work to do. Let’s be found faithful, busy with our Father’s business, with minds opened by Christ and hearts empowered by His Spirit.

As we close this journey through the Gospel of Luke, may we hold fast to this calling – to know Him through His Word and in prayer, to walk in the power of His Spirit as we serve with joy and purpose, and to be ready and watching for the return of our King Jesus.

P.S. We’ll be going through the book of Colossians next!

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. (Luke 24:36-43)

As Jesus stood among His disciples, “Peace to you” were His first words to them after His resurrection. But instead of rejoicing, His disciples “were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.” These were the same men who had walked with Him for three years, seen Him feed the multitudes, calm the storms, raise the dead, and teach with unmatched authority. And yet, when the fulfillment of His own words stood before them, alive and resurrected, their hearts were slow to believe.

It might be an initial response to have a “tisk tisk” type attitude towards the disciples, but if we’re honest with ourselves – isn’t that just like us?

How often do we know the truth of God’s Word, having we seen His provision, heard His promises, and tasted His mercy – yet still hesitate to believe when fear, grief, or doubt enters the scene? Sometimes we become so accustomed to the routine of walking with Jesus that we can lose the wonder of what He’s really said, what He’s truly done, and what He’s still doing.

But look at how Jesus responds. “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”

Here’s the amazing part – Jesus didn’t shame them. He didn’t turn away. He didn’t demand perfect faith. Instead, He invited them closer - “Touch me and see.” He offered His wounded hands and feet – the very marks of His love and sacrifice – as proof; not because He had to, but because He is gracious and kind. Jesus met them right in the middle of their disbelief.

And then, to further ease their troubled hearts, He asked for food and ate in their presence. Not because He was hungry, but to show them He was real, tangible, alive – risen.

What a Savior. So patient with our fragile faith and so willing to meet us in our weakness.

We are all susceptible to disbelief – no matter how long we’ve walked with Jesus. The key is not pretending that we never doubt, but trusting that He remains faithful, even when we falter. As Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.”

So today, let’s choose childlike faith – the kind that trusts even when we don’t fully understand, the kind that believes because He said it, not because we’ve seen it. And when God, in His kindness, does give us signs of His presence and faithfulness, may we respond with a deep gratitude and humble worship, not demanding more proof, but offering more praise.