As Summer draws near I am excited for the hours spent outdoors, on the patio, and with family. Summer also means my job shifts a bit from a focus on Wednesday nights and school activities to a summer full of fun activities and church camp. So, I got to thinking about what would I want to tell the kids (and now you) before we sent them off to summer?
The first encouragement was easy, take some time to be in prayer and in the Word. Paul tells the Colossians to “let the word of Christ dwell” in them (Col. 3:16). The words of God are to be in our hearts as we walk with Christ daily. It is easy to get out of routine during the summer, there is no school, there are planned vacations, and plenty of fun all throughout the season; but all excuses to not spend time with the Lord. If you struggle during the summer months, try a new approach, try reading the Word at lunch, pray while you get ready, pick a new Bible reading plan with your kids (who have all the free time), just try something new. Switch up the routine a bit and let the word of Christ dwell richly within you this summer!
Paul then writes to the Colossians that they should do everything in the name of Christ with thankful hearts (Col. 3:17) – to know and understand their blessings from him. In full context of his letter, he is telling them to enjoy the blessings that God has given them, to enjoy life through him. This is my second encouragement to you, enjoy the blessings that God has given you this summer with thanks to him. Enjoy the extra time with family, the outdoors, the sunrises and sunsets, the time to travel, the community, etc. The blessings and good in our lives serve to draw us near to our Savior. Let the good and joy this summer draw you near to Christ rather than distract you away from him!
A slightly tweaked version of this will be my devotional for the kids tomorrow at Youth, I am keeping it short as we enjoy the Lord’s kiddie pools and kickballs. Yet the encouragement will be the same, spend time with the Lord this summer and enjoy the Lord this summer, do not let summer get in the way of Christ!
“16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:16-17
-Slade Knowlton
The first encouragement was easy, take some time to be in prayer and in the Word. Paul tells the Colossians to “let the word of Christ dwell” in them (Col. 3:16). The words of God are to be in our hearts as we walk with Christ daily. It is easy to get out of routine during the summer, there is no school, there are planned vacations, and plenty of fun all throughout the season; but all excuses to not spend time with the Lord. If you struggle during the summer months, try a new approach, try reading the Word at lunch, pray while you get ready, pick a new Bible reading plan with your kids (who have all the free time), just try something new. Switch up the routine a bit and let the word of Christ dwell richly within you this summer!
Paul then writes to the Colossians that they should do everything in the name of Christ with thankful hearts (Col. 3:17) – to know and understand their blessings from him. In full context of his letter, he is telling them to enjoy the blessings that God has given them, to enjoy life through him. This is my second encouragement to you, enjoy the blessings that God has given you this summer with thanks to him. Enjoy the extra time with family, the outdoors, the sunrises and sunsets, the time to travel, the community, etc. The blessings and good in our lives serve to draw us near to our Savior. Let the good and joy this summer draw you near to Christ rather than distract you away from him!
A slightly tweaked version of this will be my devotional for the kids tomorrow at Youth, I am keeping it short as we enjoy the Lord’s kiddie pools and kickballs. Yet the encouragement will be the same, spend time with the Lord this summer and enjoy the Lord this summer, do not let summer get in the way of Christ!
“16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:16-17
-Slade Knowlton
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