October 29

Colossians 2

Christ is our Savior and example – the center of life for Christians.

INSIGHT

People can no more save themselves than they can fly to the moon. Both are utterly impossible. And because of our spiritual condition and the spiritual laws of God, we stand a greater assurance of making our spiritual condition worse instead of better by trying to save ourselves. Paul says that we were dead. We had decrees written against us that we were powerless to remove. God made us alive together with Christ and removed the decrees against us by nailing them “to the cross” (vv. 13-14). We must gain salvation by grace through faith in Christ or not have it at all.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord that in our utter helplessness He offered us salvation through Christ:
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33). Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:3)

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities
(Psalm 51:7-9)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
(2 Timothy 1:12)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for others
• The work of missions in Australia and New Zealand
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
(Titus 3:5)