Anyone else have problems with Jetpack today? I did, so my message is late, but I’m so happy it seems to be working now, and that you’ve decided to join me.

We are still in Colossians, 1 and today verses 24-27.

Last week we talked about:
Love

Security

Righteousness

Hope

We start today’s message talking about having your needs met, replacing worry with prayer, sacrificing and service, and the difference between “First level blessings”, and “Second level blessings.

Do not allow your environment to influence your emotions.

Replace worry with prayer. Think instead about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy. Think about these things instead.

I. Since all our needs are met, we can sacrifice for others and still be content.

This is something I’m learning slowly but surely. Most of us really have everything we need on a daily basis. Yet, we are still anxious, or stressed, or depressed, and sometimes hopeless. But when we put all our faith and trust in God, all these feelings and emotions lessen.

We should go to church having a mind of service and sacrifice. When I was going to my old church, a Methodist church, I tried to be involved and served on the choir, and in a food kitchen. This was a sacrifice of my time that I was happy to give. Yes, it was hard sometimes, and in the end, we started our new lifestyle and had to leave our church.

Since my church now is online, I have not been able to serve or sacrifice much, so these Sunday Messages I feel are an act of service.

Through Service and sacrifice you’ll find your needs are already met. Spending more time in study and prayer also helps your emotional well-being.

II. We have been given a great message to reveal. (1:26-27)

That message is that Jews and Gentiles are brothers in Christ. Paul shared this message with the Colossians through a letter while he was in Rome, in jail!

The last part of the message is to concentrate on “First level blessings” instead of so much on “Second level blessings.” Once you have a more personal relationship with God, all the other blessings come to you.

In my personal study, I’m in Corinthians who Paul also addressed the church through letters. He was upset at the state of the church there and was trying to get them back in shape. He speaks to them about the Jews and Gentiles being brothers in Christ, among other things.