We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints (Colossians 1:3-4)

Two small words—always and when—carry a powerful message in these verses. Paul writes that he always thanks God when he prays for the saints. His prayers weren’t limited to requests; they were filled with thanksgiving. He lived what he preached—just as he encouraged the Philippians to pray about everything with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6), he practiced it faithfully. Gratitude was a regular rhythm of his prayer life.

The word “when” points to a habit of prayer, not a random act. Paul was a man of prayer—and not just for his own needs, but for others. That kind of consistent intercession flows from a heart focused on Jesus. When we’re aligned with Him, people naturally come to mind because they’re already on His heart.

Jesus Himself modeled this. In Luke 22:31-32, He prayed for Peter before Peter even failed. And now, as Hebrews 7:25 reminds us, Jesus continually lives to intercede for us. If Jesus does that for us, how much more should we do it for one another?

So when you pray for others, don’t just ask God to move—thank Him for how He already has. Thank Him always, when you remember them. Let your prayers be marked by intercession and overflowing with gratitude. It shapes your heart and honors the heart of God.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

As Paul opens his letter to the Colossians, he doesn’t just introduce himself by name—he includes his role and, more importantly, the authority behind it: “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” That detail might seem small, but imagine how the letter would’ve landed if he had left it out. The early church often faced criticism and skepticism, and Paul knew the weight that spiritual authority carried—especially for those who might question his position.

It’s reminiscent of the Pharisees questioning Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things?” (Matt. 21:23). They couldn’t accept the authority of the very Son of God. Paul may have once been among those asking such questions, which makes his acknowledgment of divine authority all the more significant. He wasn’t self-appointed. He was sent.

And then Paul closes his greeting with a blessing: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” This wasn’t just pleasantry—it was intentional. Perhaps it softened the way for the hard truths that would follow, giving the recipients space to receive correction through the lens of grace. But maybe it also grounded Paul himself—reminding him to write from a place of peace, not pride.

Whether giving or receiving truth, we all need that anchor: grace and peace from God our Father. So today, may we lead in both humility and boldness.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49)

As Jesus stood with His disciples in those final moments before ascending to the Father, He did what only He could do – He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. These were men who had walked closely with Him for three years. They had heard His teachings, seen His miracles, and witnessed His death and resurrection. But they still needed Him to help them truly understand the Scriptures.

We are no different.

The Bible is not a book to be mastered by intellect alone. The Bible is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and it must be spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Without the illuminating work of Christ, the Scriptures remain like a sealed book – factual, perhaps even interesting, but void of power in the life of the reader. We must come to Jesus, accept Him as Lord of our life and Savior of our soul, and then He will open our mind to help us see and know and believe what He has written.

And what’s even more amazing is that Jesus didn’t stop there. He continued by commissioning them as His witnesses when he told them, “You are witnesses of these things.” And then came the promise that He had spoke of earlier when he told them He wouldn’t leave them as orphans: “Behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended with power, filling and equipping the disciples to boldly proclaim the gospel to the nations. And that same Spirit lives in every believer today.

We are now the continuation of this mission – the ones entrusted to carry the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection to the ends of the earth. But just as the first disciples needed the Holy Spirit’s power, so do we. We can’t walk in truth, speak with boldness, or love with sincerity apart from the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper, our Comforter, our Teacher – and He clothes us with power from on high so we can be faithful ambassadors of Jesus.

It’s not about striving in our own strength. **It’s about living surrendered, with open minds and willing hearts, walking daily in the Spirit – truly denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily as we follow Jesus.

After speaking these words, Jesus led them out and ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50–51). Jesus will return one day soon – but until then, we have work to do. Let’s be found faithful, busy with our Father’s business, with minds opened by Christ and hearts empowered by His Spirit.

As we close this journey through the Gospel of Luke, may we hold fast to this calling – to know Him through His Word and in prayer, to walk in the power of His Spirit as we serve with joy and purpose, and to be ready and watching for the return of our King Jesus.

P.S. We’ll be going through the book of Colossians next!