As you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. (Colossians 2:6-20)

Lord, do not allow me to lose connection with the Head, which is you.

And do not let anyone judge me by the basic principles of the world. The basic principles of the world lack value in restraining sensual indulgences (Colossians 2:23). Only your perfect Spirit can transform me and keep me pure.

Should I find myself among sinners, does that mean I promote sin? That you promote sin? Absolutely not!

I have died with you. It is no longer me who lives in this shell of this body, but you living in me (Galatians 2:20). I now consider myself dead to the basic principles of this old world (Colossians 2:20).

Your very life serves as my example, for you ate with sinners and yet you never participated in sin. In fact, you warned those you met to stop sinning.

“You are well again,” you said to a recovering invalid. “Now, stop sinning.” (John 5:14)

“I do not condemn you,” you declared. “Go and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)

Like the Twelve and all others who called themselves your followers, we are called to meet folks where they are and introduce them to you. And should some seek to sin right before our eyes, may we do as did and our Father does and turn away from such wicked acts. For as you say:

“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” (Habakkuk 1:13)

Lord, may I always welcome sinners with the love you have for me, but never invite sin into my heart, my home, or my relationships.

Lord, may I seek to behold your glory. Well I know that in doing so I will be transformed into your image one degree at a time, for this change can only come from yer Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

And if I gaze upon sin, be it live in the flesh around me, in words told to me, or in images crafted by wicked desires, well I know I will be changed by another spirit, one that is unclean and unholy.

By my actions I either confirm that you live in me or I prove that I have no part of you (Romans 6:1-2). Your Spirit convicts me of my sins (John 16:8–11). And once I stand convicted, I must either confess with my mouth and repent—agreeing with my Father that my sin is an affront to him—or go my own way into darkness that leads to destruction and death.

In all ways at all times may I remain connected to the head, my Lord, for in you is life to the full.

And I can always use a heaping helping more of that sort of getting ahead. 

Amen and amen.

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:25-29)

Lord, I am struggling for those at _________. My purpose is that they be encouraged in heart and united in love. May those at _________ have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know Christ, for in him is hidden all the treasures and wisdom and knowledge of the Father.

Lord, may no one at _________ be deceived by fine-sounding arguments. May we stand firm in our faith in you.

The faithful and true witness, the Amen, the ruler of the Father’s creation, knows our deeds. He says of us, “You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other. But because you are lukewarm I am about to vomit you out of my mouth. I rebuke those I love. I discipline those I love in order that they repent earnestly. I am standing outside _________ this very moment, knocking. If anyone hears my voice, please open the door. I wish to come into _________ and greet, eat, and meet with you.” (Revelation 3:14-20)

Lord, my our passion for you, your words, and your character burn within us. Bless us to be on fire for you. This is your will and your desire for all who walk in discipleship with you. 

Amen and amen.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death. (Colossians 1:21-22)

Lord, we are created in your image—and you are created in the image of the invisible God our Father. By you and in you and for you all things where created. All things were created by Christ and for Christ. Christ was before all things. In you all things hang together, be it creation, nations, families, or a marriage. 

Lord Jesus, you are the head of the body, your church. Therefore, we beg you to reclaim this assembly for your own. In everything, you reign supreme.

We declare right here, right now, that you reign supreme in this crew and congregation. 

Through you, God our father has reconciled all things to himself. Lord, you are our peace offering. Once we were enemies of God, but now through your shed blood on the cross, we are holy, blameless, without blemish, free from accusation… free from sin.

Because of you, we are welcomed back into the arms of our Father.

Thank you Jesus for becoming our bridge back to the Father.

Amen and amen. 

Give joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. (Colossians 1:12-13)

Lord Jesus, you have rescued us from the dominion of darkness. By your hand and for yer glory we have been brought into the Kingdom of Light through your suffering and death. For our redemption and for the forgiveness of our sins we have been bought back—snatched, as it where, from the devil’s paws. With your hand in ours we walk into the arms of our Father.

Thank you Jesus! 

Lord, through you, I am qualified to enter the Kingdom of Light. You rescued me from the streets of darkness and led me through the front gate of your kingdom. Before I was not qualified to step foot on the property of your kingdom, but now because of your precious sacrifice, I am welcomed into your kingdom as a child of the Father. 

Thank you Jesus! All glory and honor belongs to you and you alone. 

Amen and amen.