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The book of Colossians reveals how God's unearned love provides true freedom in Christ, removing our need to constantly prove ourselves worthy of divine affection. Paul's letter to this ancient church challenges our modern tendency to base our spiritual worth on performance rather than resting in God's unconditional acceptance.

• Paul opens his letter with gratitude, blessing, and acknowledgment of the Colossians' faith and love
• Faith, hope and love mark true believers, with love surpassing all
• The Colossian church demonstrated supernatural love empowered by the Holy Spirit
• Perfect love casts out fear, replacing insecurity with confidence and freedom
• We should live from a place of being loved rather than trying to earn love

Download the free companion guide through the link in the show notes or on my website, betsymarvin.com, under resources. Please subscribe or follow this podcast on your favorite platform and give it a rating or review so others can find this resource.

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The Passion Translation is used for this series.

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We explore Paul's prayer for the Colossian church. As a new community of believers, they are being influenced by false Gnostic teachings that valued secret knowledge over faith in Christ. Paul addresses their confusion by emphasizing God's freely given grace that makes believers worthy through Christ, not through special knowledge or works.

• The Colossians lived in a culturally diverse area with competing religious beliefs, similar to today's spiritual landscape
• Gnosticism taught that salvation required secret knowledge, creating an exclusive spiritual elite
• Paul prays for the believers to receive wisdom and spiritual understanding instead of pursuing worldly knowledge

If you enjoyed this episode, if you learned something today, please consider following the show, subscribing to it on your favorite podcast platform or leaving a five-star review. This helps the podcast more than I can say, allowing me to reach more people with the Word of God.

Download Companion Guide:

The Passion Translation is used for this series.

To find out more about me, or to book a speaking engagement, head to
https://betsymarvin.com/

For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to
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Poetry provides a powerful way to express deeper truths, whether in a sixth-grade classroom or in the theological hymns of Colossians. When put to music, important truths become memorable and take root in our hearts.

• Poetry reveals what is between the lines, expressing feelings and insights in carefully chosen words
• Jesus is described as "the divine portrait of the invisible God" - the perfect image of God
• Christ created and sustains all things - the universe was made through Him and for Him
• This isn't just forgiveness but a complete change of status - becoming a new creation in Christ

If you enjoyed the podcast today, I encourage you to subscribe or follow and continue with us as we go on our journey through Colossians. A companion guide is available at betsymarvin.com under resources or in the show notes to help you explore this chapter in more detail.

Download Companion Guide:

The Passion Translation was used for this series.

To find out more about me, or to book a speaking engagement, head to
https://betsymarvin.com/

For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to
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God reveals the greatest mystery of all—how sinful humans can be reconciled to a perfect God—through Jesus Christ who dwells within us as our hope of glory. What was once hidden throughout the Old Testament has now been fully revealed, with Christ himself being the divine answer that transforms us from within.

• The Old Testament contains puzzle pieces and clues about God's redemptive plan
• God's people expected a warrior king but received a shepherd, rabbi, and savior instead
• Paul celebrates the divine mystery now revealed: Christ dwelling in believers
• This indwelling presence is a "heavenly treasure chest of hope" available to everyone
• Our spiritual growth often happens through difficulties and struggles
• Knowing God's truth helps us recognize lies that seek to derail our faith
• The mystery isn't secret knowledge for a select few but revelation for all believers

Download Companion Guide:

The Passion Translation was used for this series.

To find out more about me, or to book a speaking engagement, head to
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For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to
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We explore the beautiful metaphor of faith as a tree, with visible branches representing our outward lives and invisible roots drawing nutrients from Christ, our soil.

• Trees reveal beauty in all seasons, just as our faith journey encompasses different spiritual seasons
• The deeper our roots in Christ, the stronger our faith tree becomes
• Human logic and endless arguments can distract us from the fullness found in Christ
• Our completeness comes from Jesus alone, not from achievements or relationships
• We are not defined by external factors but by the One who lives within us
• Our spiritual transformation happens from the inside out, as the Holy Spirit works in our spirit, soul, and body

The Passion Translation was used for this series.

Download Companion Guide:

To find out more about me, or to book a speaking engagement, head to
https://betsymarvin.com/

For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to
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Sometimes, the most convincing voices aren’t actually speaking the truth. In this episode of

Moments to Ponder, we look at Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians to hold fast to Christ—the true source of life—when surrounded by rules, rituals, and persuasive opinions. Together, we’ll explore how to recognize false teaching, why grace always outweighs legalism, and how to lean on the Spirit for wisdom that anchors us in truth.0:00

Welcome And Purpose

0:28 The Arrogant Expert Story

2:29 Colossae’s Competing Truth Claims

3:48 Paul’s Charge In Colossians 2:16–19

6:20 Beyond Rules And Rituals

9:10 Legalism Versus License

11:42 What Are Spiritual Disciplines For

12:45 How To Discern Truth

14:34 Prayerful Blessing And Next Steps

14:58 Companion Guide Invitation

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Welcome to Episode 7 of our series through Colossians, today we will focus on Colossians 3:1-11.

We have a new creation life that is continually renewed into the likeness of the One who created us.

I encourage you to get comfy, breathe, and spend a couple minutes in quiet before we begin. Afterwards, take a few moments to ponder.

0:05 Welcome And Habit Stories

0:45 Retraining The Brain With Shoelaces

2:06 New Identity In Christ Introduced

3:00 Seeking Things Above In Colossians 3

4:14 Confronting Idols: Sex And Money

5:16 The Harder List: Speech And Anger

6:42 Renewing The Mind vs Culture

7:33 Compartmentalizing Faith And Behavior

8:40 Heart Change Before Behavior Change

10:26 Continual Renewal And Equal Welcome

12:17 Nothing To Prove, Only To Receive

13:43 Pruning Habits And Walking In Truth

To find out more about me, or to book a speaking engagement, head to
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Welcome to Episode 8 of our series. Colossians 3:12-17 are key verses for me in this book.

You are always and dearly loved by God! As we are loved, our compassion, kindness, patience, and mercy should in turn flow out to others.

I encourage you to get comfy, breathe, and spend a couple minutes in quiet before we begin. Afterwards, take a few moments to ponder.

0:00 Welcome And Purpose

0:31 Setting The Scene: Colossians 3

1:05 Burnout And A Broken Identity

1:48 Retreat To The Winter Cabin

2:13 The Words That Changed Everything

4:14 The Starbucks Phone Call Arrow

6:35 Peace, Pruning, And Release

7:52 Rewriting Identity In Christ

9:25 Let The Word Live Richly

11:11 Birth Of A Teaching Calling

12:19 Questions On Forgiveness And Lies

14:05 Love As True Maturity

To find out more about me, or to book a speaking engagement, head to
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For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to
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You can follow me on Instagram
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