17 November 2024

Intro to the Epistle to the Colossians, Part 2 (TMF:2490)

Friday, November 22, 2024

Peace to Live By: Intro to the Epistle to the Colossians, Part 2 (TMF:2490) - Daniel Litton
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This being the case, it is also ascertained that Paul hadn’t visited the city of Colossae before. This can to determined from verse 1 of chapter 2. And the audience to which Paul was writing may have been quite large. At the site of the city in present day, the walls are still there, as well as a theater, and the theater suggests seating of about 25,000 to 30,000 people. Thus, in understanding Colossae’s size, we understand that the church may have been large, but to what degree, it really is not known. In coming to verse 1 of chapter 1, we read the following: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” For those who are familiar to the setup of things after the Lord Jesus Christ’s accession into Heaven, we know that God basically chose two men to be the primary heads of the work he sought to accomplish. Those two people are the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul. Now, Peter was with Jesus during his earthly ministry, all the way from the beginning and all the way through the end.

Intro to the Epistle to the Colossians, Part 1 (TMF:2489)

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Peace to Live By: Intro to the Epistle to the Colossians, Part 1 (TMF:2489) - Daniel Litton
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Turning in our New Testaments today, we come to Paul’s Letter to the Church of Colossae. The book has come to be known as ‘Colossians.’ While this letter may have been sent from Paul as a response to the threat of false beliefs threatening the brand new church, really, it is an encouragement and overview of what is to be expected from the church and believers in general. Paul—the minister to the Gentiles (and likely eventual minister to the Jews as well)—is the one who has the authority from God to deliver such a message. Along with him is Timothy, who is the minister most famous as the recipient of Paul’s letters to him, which appear a few books over in our New Testaments. Thus, Paul was likely behind bars in Italy at the writing of this epistle here. Rome to be specific. It seems likely that this traditional view in the church throughout the ages is the correct view. This being the case, it is also ascertained that Paul hadn’t visited the city of Colossae before.

The Way to Real, Genuine Happiness, Part 2 (TMF:2488)

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Peace to Live By: The Way to Real, Genuine Happiness, Part 2 (TMF:2488) - Daniel Litton
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Without being in that right relationship, as I just talked about a little bit ago, no one can really have that foundation, that trust, that peace residing inside their minds. When we know God, everything else is secondary. We know that truly, no matter what happens, everything will be okay for us. We are guaranteed to go to Heaven. And one gains this guarantee by believing in and trusting in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. You see, Jesus came to earth, some 2,000 years ago, and died on the cross to make any one of us right with God. If we trust in his death on our part, we can no longer be held guilty for any of our sins against God. And, Jesus rose from the dead and now lives in Heaven with God. Because he rose, God promises that anyone who believes in his resurrection will themselves be resurrected from the dead one day. This is a tremendous truth in that we will have a new body one day after we die. So, by trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can live new lives in God, lives of happiness that last forever.

The Way to Real, Genuine Happiness, Part 1 (TMF:2487)

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Peace to Live By: The Way to Real, Genuine Happiness, Part 1 (TMF:2487) - Daniel Litton
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Well, that concludes our happiness points, and indeed, I still had more I could do. We just ran out of time unfortunately. I could go on and on, but I think we got through the essential ones, or at least, essential ones that we can use to make our lives better. In finishing up, one thing I would note is that before any real, genuine happiness can ever occur, one needs to be in right relationship with God. Yes, that is where true happiness begins. Without being in that right relationship, as I just talked about a little bit ago, no one can really have that foundation, that trust, that peace residing inside their minds. When we know God, everything else is secondary. We know that truly, no matter what happens, everything will be okay for us. We are guaranteed to go to Heaven. And one gains this guarantee by believing in and trusting in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. You see, Jesus came to earth, some 2,000 years ago, and died on the cross to make any one of us right with God.

God Really is Like Mister Rogers, Part 3 (TMF:2486)

Monday, November 18, 2024

Peace to Live By: God Really is Like Mister Rogers, Part 3 (TMF:2486) - Daniel Litton
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We may read our Bibles and see all that judgement side of God, but there is something we need to note about that. You see, all of God’s anger is directed toward sin, right? I mean that’s why God gets upset, right? He gets upset at sin. So, we read our Bibles, probably especially the Book of the Revelation, and think that God has this great judgment side. Well, yes, as long as sin is around he will. But, reading our Bible to the end, we know that sin will one day cease. What does that mean? It means that all God’s anger ceases. Interesting. That being that case, the day will come when all there is with God’s character are the attributes we personally like—those which we adore in fact, just like it will be with us. That’s all that will be displayed. In that case, we find that God really is like Mr. Rogers after all, that Mr. Rogers really modeled how God really is. And with that, my friends, we can rest and be happy.