Series: Jesus Manifesto
Message: Getting Word to the Saints and the Faithful
Preacher: Iki Taimi
Reflection: Japhet De Oliveira
Live Wonder: Zan Long
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Beyond: J. Murdock
Live Purpose: Lydia Svoboda
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Colossians 1:1-10 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: What makes something true? What makes one story true and another a lie? Is it my facts or your facts? Is it how you hear it or how I deliver it? Is it a combination of both or does it not matter one way or the other? Think about the way children respond when they hear something from their parents. Is it true for them because the source has the appearance of authority? What makes us believe one news story and reject another? What makes us choose one person and say no to everyone else? How do we decipher what is real and true? We all have rules for processing truth. Some are open and others are hidden. Some are buried in our subconscious and others are overtly obvious to ourselves and others. Yet, we would all like to know the answer to this question: How do we simply know?

Did you fall in love because all the correct neurons fired at the right time, and you released the optimal level of pheromones? A study completed at the University of Chicago showed that men who used topical pheromones had a 52% improvement in their ability to start conversations. Are you in love today because of your pheromones? 

I do not believe that love is a simple chemical formula. It is far more complex. I do not believe that truth is a matter of someone making a statement louder or more clearly. Truth is complex. So is faith, which is not generated simply by compiling enough data. We were created to think. Paul calls us to an intelligent faith that requires both the mind and the heart. That theme is rooted in his letter to the Romans and it comes through in all his letters. That is again another reason that this letter to the Colossians is so special. Imagine this scenario: Epaphras, your church pastor, founder of your local community, has left your congregation for an epic round-the-world trip. He is on his way to see one of the most influential leaders in the early church. Does this mean that you as a church are in trouble? What will Epaphras say about you to Paul? What will Paul’s reply be? Paul hears “the good, the bad, and the ugly,” but his letter is one intended to help faith grow. Instead of reprimanding young church, he simply paints the most beautiful picture of Jesus and calls them to follow Him again. He assures them that their faith will grow. I believe yours will continue to grow as well. 

Recalibrate: Why is genuine faith never just believing things are true—that is, intellectual assent? What else is required to make it real?

Respond: Pray for space to refresh yourself in the story of Jesus. 

Research: Read one of the recommended commentaries on this passage.

Remember: “He also told us about the love you have from the Holy Spirit” (Colossians 1:8, ICB).

Japhet De Oliveira is administrative director for the Center for Mission and Culture at Adventist Health in Roseville, California.

This week we have taught our children to give thumbs up and peace signs. We also made a love heart with our hands. While we know how to make these signs, did we actually use them throughout the week? Did we give our kids or did they give us the thumbs up sign when we did or saw something good? There are so many ways we can say we believe in love without using words. Today think up ways to say “I love you” without using words.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? We did this activity on Tuesday. Today I want you to take another look. Whatever you see, know that God sees the best in you. That is what love does. Love looks for the best in everything. Love cheers you on when you don’t think you can do something. Love helps you finish what you started. Pray today for wisdom to choose love, to look for the good when it is so easy to see what is wrong. Simply live love.

Imagine for a moment that you are on a boat, alone, in the middle of the sea. Would you rather have to fight a bear or two wolves?

I swear I’m not making this up, but this was the question that a conference employee asked me when they were interviewing me to be a pastor. After hearing questions about my faith and my view of the church, the interview ended with this. Would I rather fight a bear or two wolves?

Ultimately, the reason why I chose the answer I did was the reason why they were asking me the question at all. They wanted to see how I dealt with challenging questions. They wanted to see that I was thinking critically. They wanted to see that I could do more than just say what I practiced in school. In the end, it didn’t matter what door I chose, it mattered that I could stand behind what I had chosen.

When you make the choices you do in a day, what goes into your thought processes before you speak? Often we go with what is easier on us. Or maybe the popular decision. Sometimes we resort to good old-fashioned laziness. But when we really stop and think about the choices we make, usually the outcome relies on what we believe. But do we even know what we really believe? And how do we go about figuring it out? 

It’s Friday today and the Sabbath will soon be upon us. We will have the time to stop and rest. I challenge you to spend some time reflecting on what you believe and see if you can’t figure out your faith in a more tangible way. See if you can find out what you really believe and distinguish those beliefs from those that you only say you believe (but really don’t). And then ask yourself why each belief is where it is on your list.

When it comes to the wolves and the bear, how would you answer? And more importantly, what was your reason for giving the answer? Now that you’re clear on that fight, let your next battle be one of faith.

It is the indwelling of His Spirit that must naturally produce the fruits of the Spirit—by no effort on your feeble part. As the song goes, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Look at Jesus, abide in His Spirit, and He will work all things together for your good. By this indwelling will you be enabled to bear His fruit in His good works, “growing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

Zan Long is GRC director for faith development for ages 0-17. She lives in Sydney, Australia, and serves at her local church in nearby Kellyville.
J. Murdock is associate pastor at Boulder Adventist Church in Boulder, Colorado, where he focuses on youth and young adult ministry.
Lydia Svoboda is a junior theology major at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.