Verbatim Word with Justin Gerry

It can be tempting to hit the snooze button in the morning, but that's not something the Christian can do when it comes to the Lord's promised return. Though there may be some mystery surrounding it, Paul reviews some of the important principles of watching and waiting, lest we be asleep and not ready. Instead, it should bring hope and comfort as we look toward that Day. BIBLE VERSE References: 1...

The work of Jesus will abound in the life of the believer. Paul encourages them to increase more and more in holiness, in love, and expectation of Jesus' return. BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-18 | GENESIS 2:17 | 1 CORINTHIANS 6:18-20 | EPHESIANS 4:15-16 | 2 THESSALONIANS 3:11 | 1 TIMOTHY 5:13 | EPHESIANS 4:28 | ACTS 20:35 | 2 CORINTHIANS 5:8 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-52 | GENESIS 1:20 |...

We can't do it all...and we don't have to. There is freedom in yielding to God the things that He can and will do best. Paul trusts Jesus to work in the lives of the Thessalonians since his influence and ability are limited.  BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 3:11-13 | ACTS 18:9-11 | MATTHEW 26:39 | EXODUS 4:22-23 | JOHN 1:12-13 | ACTS 9:5 | HEBREWS 4:15 | MARK 1:41 | MARK 5:19 | MARK 6...

Our lives get shaken up every now and then. What do we cling to in those times? Only Jesus offers a firm foundation that cannot be moved, and God can supply all that we need to bring us through those afflictions by faith. BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-10 | MATTHEW 5:41 | MATTHEW 9:35-36 | ACTS 17:11-15 | MATTHEW 7:24-27 | 1 PETER 1:6-7 | JOHN 15:16 | MARK 4:16-17 | HEBREWS 12:26-28 |...

What is your crowing achievement? For Paul, it was introducing people like the Thessalonians to Jesus. And while the work may be hindered at times, it will all be worth it in the end. BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:13-20 | LUKE 19:10 | HEBREWS 9:27 | LUKE 15:7,10 | LUKE 9:51-56 | MATTHEW 24:12 | JEREMIAH 7:16 | EXODUS 8:32 | EXODUS 9:12 | 1 JOHN 5:19 | GENESIS 50:20 | MATTHEW 5:44 | JON...

Not everyone will be supportive in your call to be a voice for the gospel. Paul had those in Thessalonica that may have sought to cancel him and the impact of the gospel. But Paul knew that he had been approved by God to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ. BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12 | 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7 | GALATIANS 3:24-25 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 | ISAIAH 55:10-11 | MARK 7:5-15...

Make it known. That's something Jesus called His followers to do -- to testify of the powerful gospel. Our lives and our words should all be a part of declaring the good news.  BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:5-10 | ACTS 1:8 | JOHN 15:26 | MARK 13:9-11 | 2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-5 | JOHN 4:35 | MARK 16:20 | ACTS 2:43 | ACTS 5:12 | ACTS 6:8 | ACTS 14:3 | HEBREWS 4:12 | JOSHUA 4:21-24 | ACTS...

You never know when time is up. Life is full of deadlines, but some of the most important ones are not scheduled. Paul writes to the Thessalonians to encourage them in their new faith, pointing them to the eternal hope of the gospel. BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-4 | JOHN 9:4 | ACTS 17:1-15 | 2 PETER 2:2 | MARK 4:4, 14-15 | 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-4 | EPHESIANS 6:10-18 | PHILIPPIANS 2:12...

Sometimes it can be hard to let go of the past. Paul writes to Philemon, encouraging him to forgive someone who had done him wrong. God had worked in spite of the wrongdoing and blessing awaited if they could move beyond the hurts of yesterday. BIBLE VERSE References: PHILEMON 1:1-25 | PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 | JOSHUA 24:15 | 1 CORINTHIANS 7:12-14 | JOHN 21:15-17 | EPHESIANS 4:25 | JAMES 1:20 | LUKE 1...

Look around you. Who is in your circle? As Paul closes his letter to the Colossians, he reflects on those whom the Lord has placed in his life during this delicate and important season. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 4:7-18 | PROVERBS 27:10 | EPHESIANS 4:16 | MARK 8:35 | GALATIANS 5:22-23 | 2 TIMOTHY 2:13 | JOHN 8:29 | ACTS 20:4 | 2 TIMOTHY 4:12 | PROVERBS 17:17 | MARK 14:32-42 | MARK 6:7 | EC...

Connecting to God, so we can connect the world to Him. It's a divine blueprint that cannot be forsaken. Paul asks the Colossian believers to pray for open doors despite the unfavorable circumstances in which he finds himself.  BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 4:2-6 | MARK 1:35 | MARK 6:46 | LUKE 22:39-40 | MATTHEW 6:6 | LUKE 5:16 | ACTS 1:14 | ACTS 2:42 | ACTS 16:25 | ACTS 9:40 | ACTS 28:8...

Working as unto the Lord. Learning to serve Jesus professionally is part of our calling. Paul reminds us that the believer can see our work as a stewardship from God to be used for His glory. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 3:22 - 4:1 | GENESIS 3:19 | 1 CORINTHIANS 7:20-24 | 2 CORINTHIANS 2:14 | GENESIS 39:2, 21 | ACTS 1:8 | PROVERBS 22:29 | LUKE 17:7-10 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 | MARK 9:41 | MARK...

We each wear many hats. How do we bring glory to God in all the various roles we play? Paul begins by outlining God's design for the most important roles we have been assigned -- those in the family. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 3:18-21 | 1 TIMOTHY 2:14 | GENESIS 3:16 | GENESIS 1:27 | 1 TIMOTHY 2:12 | 1 PETER 3:1-6 | GENESIS 3:12 | HEBREWS 12:14-15 | DEUTERONOMY 7:6-8 | PROVERBS 4:23 | JOHN...

Our lives can have many components. But in whatever we do, we should do it in the name of Jesus. His Word dwelling in us will guide us in how to live. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 3:16-17 | ROMANS 8:11 | 2 TIMOTHY 1:14 | 1 THESSALONIANS 5:19 | EPHESIANS 4:19 | JOHN 8:31 | JOHN 15:7-8 | MARK 4:1-20 | 2 TIMOTHY 2:15-18 | LUKE 24:27 | ACTS 8:4 | COLOSSIANS 1:6 | PSALM 119:25 | JOHN 4:23-24 | 2...

It's the stuff of nightmares to leave the house without being properly dress. As followers of Christ, we should be even more concerned that above all else we put on love. Being clothed in love will fill us with peace and thanksgiving, no matter what life throws our way. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 3:14-15 | 1 PETER 4:8 | 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-4 | ACTS 1:8 | JOHN 13:35 | GALATIANS 5:22 | JOHN 3...

The believer is privileged to have a new identity in Christ. Living out our faith calls for us to put on a different approach to life and relationships than the world around us. As we do, we can truly bring Christ to this needy world. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 3:12-13 | PHILIPPIANS 2:12 | ISAIAH 45:2-4 | 2 TIMOTHY 2:13 | DEUTERONOMY 7:6 | 1 PETER 2:9 | 1 JOHN 4:19 | ROMANS 5:8 | LUKE 9:52...

Life transitions can kick us out of our comfort zones and cause us to seek the Lord. It's during these times that we need His wisdom, and to trust that He is preparing all that is needed to see us through to the other side.

A new life in Jesus allows us to put on holy living, and be freed from the corrupt nature. Paul guides the Colossians on how to put to death the old man, and to put off the old ways when we are tempted to choose them. We have the freedom to put on the new man, created in the image of Jesus. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 3:5-11 | EXODUS 21:12-17 | GALATIANS 2:20 | MATTHEW 10:28 | 1 CORINTHIANS...

In what direction is your life headed? Paul challenges the believers to set their minds heavenward and to seek things that are not necessarily on this Earth. It's this future and hope that should be at the forefront of our lives today. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 | 1 TIMOTHY 4:8 | PHILIPPIANS 2:12 | MATTHEW 7:24-27 | JAMES 1:23-25 | LUKE 15:18 | MATHEW 28:5 | 1 PETER 5:8 | REVELATION...

It's important not to lose our balance. Following Jesus will always lead us on a path right down the middle of God's will. Beware of going to extremes that can push us off course.  BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 2:11-23 | GENESIS 17:7-10 | DEUTERONOMY 10:16 | DEUTERONOMY 30:6 | GALATIANS 5:6 | 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 | 1 SAMUEL 16:7 | JAMES 2:10 | ROMANS 14:5-8 | ACTS 20:7 | 1 CORINTHIANS 16:2...

Staying in the game is important. Paul warns the Colossian believers to beware, lest they be cheated of all that Christ has for them. Looking to Jesus to fill us and make us complete is key to not being caught up in all the distractions of this world. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 2:8-23 | ACTS 4:13 | JOHN 14:18 | PSALM 46:1 | PROVERBS 13:12 | GENESIS 3:24 | REVELATION 2:7 | REVELATION 22:2,...

Each of us would be wise to press in and hear what God's still, small voice is calling us to be a part of in His Kingdom. Paul was invested in seeing others grounded in the faith. It was a burden given to him by the Lord, and one that he was faithful to obey.  BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 2:1-7 | 1 THESSALONIANS 5:24 | PHILIPPIANS 4:19 | 1 KINGS 17:8-17 | 1 CORINTHIANS 14:3 | EPHESIANS...

Most people will only give until it begins costing them. Paul reminds the believers that they may pay greatly in proclaiming their faith, but the dividends are far greater than anything they might endure. Christ will dwell in them and work in them to fulfill God's call upon their lives. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 1:24-29 | 2 CORINTHIANS 2:17 | EPHESIANS 2:8-9 | JOHN 19:30 | JOHN 15:18 | MA...

Stand on solid ground. Paul reminds the Colossians of the firm foundation they have in who Jesus is and His finished work. It's in Him that God sees us as holy, blameless, and above reproach. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 1:19-23 | PHILIPPIANS 1:2 | JOHN 1:1,14 | COLOSSIANS 2:9 | ACTS 5:3-4 | ISAIAH 64:8 | JOHN 1:3 | COLOSSIANS 1:15-17 | JOB 33:4 | JOB 26:13 | 1 THESSALONIANS 1:10 | JOHN 2:19...

Don't forget from where you came. Paul reminds the Colossians that Jesus delivered them from a life of darkness and conveyed them into His Kingdom. While the cares and priorities of life may demand attention, Jesus alone should remain at the top of the list in all things. BIBLE VERSE References: COLOSSIANS 1:13-18 | PSALM 18:2 | PSALM 40:17 | PSALM 70:5 | 1 JOHN 5:18-19 | JOHN 8:42-44 | 2 CORINTHI...