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Colossians 3:15 ESV Context

In Colossians 1:1–2, we learn that the book is a letter to the Christians at Colossae written by Paul and Timothy.

The church at Colossae started while Paul was in Ephesus, so while he may have never visited Colossae, Paul feels a sense of pastorship toward the people there.

He writes a letter with Timothy (some scholars believe Timothy was transcribing for Paul) to encourage the Colossians in their newfound faith and to provide instructions on living a Christlike life.

Chapter 3 focuses on specific ways to “put on the new self” and change their behavior from “the old self” (3:9) now that they have Christ.

Verses 8–16 focus on being Christlike in relationships with others—Paul and Timothy instruct the Colossians to be kind, and humble, and to forgive one another.

Colossians 3:15 ESV Meaning

Because of the context of the previous few verses, verse 15 continues the theme of loving and getting along with others. If we allow “the peace of Christ” to rule our hearts, we will be able to achieve unity with other believers.

In order for our relationships to be transformed by this peace, the peace needs to first rule in us and over our thought life.

In the same way that having Christ’s peace rule our hearts changes how we interact with others, having Christ’s peace also changes how we interact with ourselves and respond to the world around us.

If we are focused on the peace Christ has given us, everything else that flows out of us—our thoughts, words, and actions —will have an undertone of peace rather than an undertone of fear or worry.

This is the image Paul instructs us to strive toward.

Colossians 3:15 ESV Application

Stress, worry, and anxiety (and the innumerable situations that cause those things) threaten to upend the peace in our hearts, but Paul encourages us to allow the peace of Christ to live in our hearts even still.

If our thoughts are normally a chaotic collection of worries throughout the day, focusing on this peace and the hope of being Christlike can help us combat those thoughts.

Achieving peace is not an easy goal, but it is possible with the new life that we have in Christ.

The verse ends with the simple yet powerful directive to “be thankful.” Gratefulness is often a common tactic used to combat worry or negative thinking, and for good reason—it works!

If we are focused on thanking God for the ways in which he has provided, our focus is not on our worries. This is not only a useful technique toward healthy thinking—being thankful is a biblical mandate.

Creating a lifestyle of thankfulness can help us obtain the peace of Christ that Paul speaks of.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:11 Context

The book of John was written by the apostle John, one of Jesus’ closest friends during his earthly ministry. It is believed that this was the last of the Gospels to be written.

In chapter 20, John states that the book was written: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John 10:11 Meaning

To understand the meaning of John chapter 10, we have to back up to the previous chapter. In John 9, Jesus has just healed a man who was blind from birth.

This was quite the scandal, supposedly because Jesus healed him on the Sabbath day, but more likely because the Pharisees were jealous of Jesus’ power and authority.

Chapter 9 ends with Jesus in a dispute with some Pharisees because Jesus accuses them of being guilty of sin.

From there, chapter 10 focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This is in contrast to the spiritual and political leaders of his time, whom Jesus is equating to thieves and robbers.

Why? Because they don’t really care for the sheep. They just want to use them for their own ends.

Jesus, on the other hand, sacrifices all for his sheep. Verse 11 couldn’t be more clear: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is willing to give his life for his sheep.

And this was no idle promise—he was predicting his own terrible death for our sakes.

As it says in Isaiah chapter 53, we are all like sheep who have strayed from the right path, and God laid on Jesus our sins. He, the Good Shepherd, fulfilled his own prophecy on the cross.

The passage goes on from there to distinguish between hired hands, who would just run away if a wolf came to take a sheep.

and the good shepherd, who would lay down his own life to save them. From there he talks about his sheep knowing his voice.

John 10:11 Application

We fret and worry because we believe it’s our responsibility to look out for ourselves. If we don’t, who will? Jesus, of course.

Our Good Shepherd laid down his very life for his sheep, proving a love that is deeper than we can understand. He is calling you to lay down your burdens and trust in him.

Trust in Jesus as your Good Shepherd—not only for your salvation but for the daily struggles in your life. Even as a Christian, it is easy to start following robbers and hired hands.

Listen carefully for the voice of your shepherd and go where he leads. There you will always be safe.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Hebrews 11:1 Context

The author of Hebrews is unknown, but it is likely the audience was Jewish Christians. The author spent the previous chapters showing Jesus Christ as the Son of God, revealing God’s plan of grace and salvation.

Hebrews 11:1 Meaning

Jesus is the promised Messiah, both the High Priest going before the Father on our behalf and the final sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world once and for all.

We no longer rely on an earthly priest or animal sacrifice of the Jewish tradition, but we now have faith.

We know our sins are washed away. We are forgiven and now have access to God the Father and his very presence. This is our assurance of salvation and faith.

Faith is not a vague feeling or concept, but a rooted confidence in who Christ is and a trust that God is who he says he is, and that his promises will come to pass.

Hebrews 11:1 Application

It is easy to know that the right thing to do is trust God and have faith, but why can’t we trust and have faith?

As a son and daughter of God, your hope, your confidence, and your faith must be rooted in Christ.

Then, in every circumstance, you have the opportunity to respond out of that restful, settled assurance of what you already know—the good news, the promises, and the character of our mighty God.

If we can reassess circumstances in the light of this assurance, we can begin to walk in hope.

Pray the Lord reminds you to focus on who he is, and what he has already done to make a way for you. Let this assurance of your salvation and his unending faithfulness come alive in your heart and mind.

God has called us, so we need not lose heart. We can confidently run the race because he knows what is ahead of us. He is trustworthy and good. He will “never leave us or forsake us” and “his mercies are new every morning.”

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”

Hebrews 4:14–16 NLT Context

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers in Christ, encouraging them to remain faithful to Jesus rather than return to Judaism.

The book shows that Jesus is greater than Moses, Aaron, angels, prophets, and priests. In this particular passage, the author of Hebrews lists the many ways that Jesus is superior to the Jewish high priests.

Hebrews 4:14–16 NLT Meaning

Jesus is the ultimate High Priest. The Old Testament earthly high priest entered the most sacred part of the temple—the Holy of Holies—to offer an animal as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of the sins of the Jewish people.

But Jesus sacrificed himself rather than an animal, and he entered into the presence of God in heaven instead of the temple.

The earthly high priest was a sinful man, while Jesus had no sin. The high priest had to offer a sacrifice once a year in order for the people’s sins to be forgiven. But Jesus died for our sins once and for all.

The second part of this Scripture talks about how Jesus understands our weaknesses because he had them too. Verse 15 says Jesus faced all the tests we do.

Whatever your sin, whatever your struggle, Jesus knows how you feel. Because of this, he sympathizes with us and gives us mercy and grace.

We can take our needs to the Father because the Son gives us access, even more access than the High Priest.

Not only did Jesus sacrifice himself for us, intervening on our behalf before the throne of God, but he understands our every weakness, sympathizes with us, and offers us mercy and grace. What a Savior!

Hebrews 4:14–16 NLT Application

If you’ve ever felt that no one understands your struggles and temptations, you were wrong. Jesus knows.

He knows how you feel, he knows what you’re going through, and he knows how hard it is. Because of what he’s done for us, you can boldly go to God’s throne and receive his mercy and grace.

Whatever your difficulty, take it to the throne. Lay it at the feet of the One who knows how it feels. Give it to your perfect High Priest. He will provide understanding, forgiveness, and freedom.

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Hebrews 12:1 Context

Just before this passage is what’s known as “The Hall of Faith,” leading us through a lightning-fast history of the Old Testament.

The author has spent the first part of Hebrews encouraging believers to “hold fast” to their faith even in the midst of false teaching and persecution (10:23).

The brief profiles in chapter 11 answer the question they include people like Abraham Moses and Rahab, who put their belief in God’s promises into action.

Hebrews 12:1 Meaning

If you’re like most of us, during times of suffering and struggle, fears whisper in the back of your mind when you’re lying awake at night.

Things like “No one understands,” “I can’t make it through this,” and “I’m completely alone” creep in.

The great comfort of this verse is that God understands, and he lovingly responds by telling you three things: you’re not alone, the weight you’re feeling is real, and the goal is always worth the struggle it takes to get there.

The image of a race is one that stands the test of time. Even back in ancient Greece when these verses were written, races had several key components: there was a crowd watching and cheering, athletes had to persevere through obstacles and weariness, and a finish line met the runners at the end.

Like a race, the Christian life has a “cheering section”—our brothers and sisters in Christ who have dealt with many of the same trials and temptations we do.

Just like marathon runners training for their goal, this life isn’t going to be easy, but when sin and selfishness threaten to distract us.

We can push those things aside and move forward. Victory is already ours in Jesus . . . so let’s keep running!

Hebrews 12:1 Application

Think about the obstacles that might be holding you back from spiritual growth.

Are there any distractions that might “hinder” you from focusing on God? Maybe it’s a bad habit or attitude you find yourself slipping into, like grumbling or gossip, or maybe there’s something other than God you look to for hope and fulfillment.

What sin “easily entangles” you? Is there a Scripture you could use to fight back when temptation comes? Like staying physically fit.

Focusing on running your spiritual race well takes effort, but you can take comfort in knowing that you’ll never have to go through a difficult season alone.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

Proverbs 1:33 Context

Much of the book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, the son of David. It is a collection of practical wisdom that is organized into pithy, memorable statements.

The key word is practical, in that most of the verses focus on how to wisely live one’s everyday life rather than wrestling with the big questions about the relationship between God and man.

Proverbs 1:33 Meaning

The first chapter of Proverbs gives general advice on living wisely, and the emphasis is on humbly listening to the right voices.

We all fail to listen sometimes, and quite often it’s because of pride. We think we know best.

This chapter, on the other hand, emphasizes the humility of listening to God and fearing him rather than assuming we have it figured out on our own.

The highlighted verse for today is within a passage spoken by a female personification of wisdom. In other words, the idea of “wisdom” is given a personality here, and she’s calling out to us to listen to her voice.

Verse 33 makes a bold claim: If you listen to her (wisdom), you will live in safety, live an easy life, and have no reason to fear. Is this true? Yes, it’s true because it’s in the Bible.

On the other hand, other places in the Bible say that trouble comes to everyone. How can both things be true? To answer that, we have to consider the point of Proverbs: to give people practical instruction.

For instance, if you tell your child to study hard so they can get a good job, are you promising that they’ll never be out of work or won’t struggle with their career? Of course not.

But is it true that studying hard is a path to better employment? Absolutely! In other words, pointing out cause-and-effect relationships (being wise leads to less fear) is not the same as a biblical promise. But it’s still sound and true!

Proverbs 1:33 Application

Most of the other verses in this book contain promises from God. This one, on the other hand, gives sound advice—which isn’t quite the same thing.

Take a moment to think about your own life. Are there things you’re doing that are unwise? Maybe there is a sin that you haven’t dealt with, bad spending habits, an unhealthy lifestyle, etc.

Working on these things can help you live a less anxious or worried life. Pray that God helps you see any actions you could take to clear a path for more peace and less anxiety.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Philippians 4:6–7 Context

Philippians starts with a greeting from Paul to the church in Philippi, a prayer for “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The book ends here with a reminder that peace is bookended for some hard topics, like resisting false teachers and facing suffering.

Since these letters were often read out loud to the whole church, Paul wanted these thoughts to be among the last words the believers heard.

Philippians 4:6–7 Meaning

Every time a fear surfaces in our minds, we have two choices: dwell on our worry or give it up to God in prayer.

Paul tells us that trusting God with our anxiety is the better way, no matter what: “about anything” and “in every situation” covers it all. There’s no fear that you can’t take to God to be replaced with his peace.

This peace isn’t a general calm with no troubles. It’s an active peace; it “guards” both our hearts (emotions) and minds (thoughts).

That’s military language, like the Psalms describing God as our defender and shield against enemies. When we pray, we aren’t just comforted; we’re protected.

Besides that, God’s peace “transcends all understanding.” Our human minds can’t explain it or even fully grasp it.

If you’ve ever seen fellow believers choose to trust God in the middle of terrible suffering and wondered how they were able to do it, you’ve seen this amazing peace at work.

How can we know this is true? Just before this passage, in verse 5, Paul reminds us, “The Lord is near.”

Not far off in a distant heaven, blissfully unbothered by human troubles and only able to be reached by a few super-spiritual people, but “near.” When we pray, God hears us, because he’s always close by.

Philippians 4:6–7 Application

So often we believe it’s up to us to be strong and fight anxiety. But here, Paul tells us that it is God who guards us and gives us peace. Yes, we have a part to play, but it’s not making a list, gritting our teeth, and trying harder.

It’s turning constantly to prayer in every moment of fear, choosing to be thankful, and resting in the peace God gives through Jesus.

Challenge yourself to put this into practice by praying short prayers for peace when your instinct is to worry instead, and thank God for being close enough to hear and loving enough to care.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Psalm 23:4 Context

“The Lord is my shepherd!” How many times in your life have you heard those words? Psalm 23 offers a unique perspective because David, the author, served as a shepherd in his youth before becoming king.

He knew firsthand what it meant to be the shepherd of sheep, and then later in life a shepherd of people.

Shepherds live with their flock and are intimately involved in daily life. Like David to his sheep and his people, Jesus is our shepherd and walks through each moment alongside us.

Psalm 23:4 Meaning

This psalm is peaceful, but it covers the spectrum: green meadows, peaceful streams, right paths, and darkest valleys. We have all heard this psalm used as a comfort for those facing trials.

It addresses the calm and turbulent moments in life as well as God’s provision. All of us will likely encounter “dark valleys” in our lives.

These dark valleys can appear as death, illness, anxiety, depression, fear, or worry. Our promise is this: We will not be afraid. Our shepherd’s rod and staff will comfort us.

Dark valleys don’t stay dark. The beauty of a valley is that it dips down but then rises back up. Valleys aren’t endless stretches of defeat but stretches that we walk through and rise from.

What a beautiful promise. We are not alone in our valleys. Even as we “walk through,” we don’t need to sprint through in a panic.

We will walk through our valleys with Jesus by our side and emerge safely, made stronger by the experience.

Psalm 23:4 Application

Trials or dark valleys are intimidating. However, we can move through them without fear because Jesus will shepherd us along and protect us from harm.

Memorize Psalm 23 and recite it the next time you face something unsettling. Life isn’t only full of valleys. Hills and mountains wait on the other side.

Not only will Jesus walk with you, but he will also provide you with rest in green meadows, lead you beside peaceful streams, and guide you along the right paths.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV Context

The apostle Paul reveals much about himself in his letters to the Corinthians—personal experiences of suffering for Christ and a mysterious thorn in his flesh.

His second letter admonishes the church at Corinth to lay aside offense, practice forgiveness, mend division, and be about the work of spreading the gospel.

Paul is setting up a perspective adjustment: We will all one day perish. Our difficulties are temporary, and we are promised an eternal home.

What a way to get the reader’s attention and drive home the facts. We have all sinned and fallen short. We are all saved by his grace.

We have a great promise to live toward. And we are mandated to share about it with others.

2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV Meaning

But we get distracted. We become heavy-laden with the way of this world. Many people— believers and nonbelievers—are worried about the temporariness of our earthly bodies.

Death bothers us—who wants to talk about their body being destroyed?! Some of us fear death itself, while others are anxious about the unknown existence beyond it. Some are troubled by the idea that death might be painful.

Still others of us might be reticent to admit that we secretly welcome death since we unfortunately suffer from ailments and difficulties in this tent of our earthly home.

Our circumstances span a range from temporary discomfort to excruciating pain to chronic, lifelong conditions. Lord, have mercy on us.

2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV Application

But we, Christ’s followers, have the tremendous opportunity to trust Jesus’ own promises about how we will one day live together with him in heaven.

This is the blessed assurance! Paul reminds us of it here in these verses. He is Lord of it all. Lord of our bodies though they be temporary as tents in the desert.

Lord of our hearts as we combat fear, worry, and anxiety over the issues of this life. Lord of our experiences as we navigate pitfalls, injustices, and frustrations.

Our Father asks us to take the long view. He reminds us it’s all temporary, and promises he is building a house for us with him in paradise—heaven, our eternal home.

Something inside us resonates with this certainty, for we are, after all, created for union with God.

May his peace fill us up today as we look on his beautiful provision for us, remembering Christ’s sacrifice that made it just so.

May the promise of an eternal existence with God in heaven replace the discomfort of today’s afflictions.

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’”

Hebrews 13:6 Context

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers in Christ, encouraging them to remain faithful to Jesus rather than return to Judaism.

The book shows that Jesus is greater than Moses, Aaron, angels, prophets, and priests. Chapter 13 is filled with practical advice on hospitality, marriage, and submission to authority.

Hebrews 13:6 Meaning

This verse begins with the word so, which means to understand it, you need to read the previous verse.

The previous verse ends with the promise from God: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” which is a quote from Deuteronomy.

It’s easy to see why this would lead naturally to the confident statement.

That is also a quote from the Old Testament, but this time from Psalm 118. These promises were so important, that God decided to put them in Scripture twice!

God is your helper. Let that sink in for a moment. We all need help at times—whether from our parents, our friends, our colleagues, or even from the government.

But all these other helpers will at times let us down. They’re just not big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to always help us in the ways we need.

But the infinite, omnipotent God will never let you down. Another passage in Scripture says, “The arm of the LORD is not too short,” meaning he’s powerful enough for any task.

Interestingly, if we go back just a little further in Hebrews 13:5, we discover that the context to God’s promise to never leave us is about money and contentment: Don’t love money, and be content with what you have.

Why? Because God promises to never leave you or forsake you. And that leads to fearlessness. How often does money, or the lack thereof, keep us up at night?

Will we have enough to provide for ourselves and our families? What happens if we get another unexpected bill?

But God’s arm is not short. He can always reach into his pockets to provide.

Hebrews 13:6 Application

Is the lack of money a source of fear for you? Pray for contentment, holding on to the promise that God will never leave you or forsake you.

Then trust in God as your helper and let your fear pass away. Pray this Scripture to yourself, claiming these promises from God.

“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”