19 April 2026

Being Steadfast in Prayer, Part 2 (TMF:2860)

Friday, April 24, 2026

Peace to Live By: Being Steadfast in Prayer, Part 2 (TMF:2860) - Daniel Litton
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It has been discussed in the past how a good mental state to be in is one of which one is in continual conversation with God. That’s because that kind of mindset can make it more difficult for us to sin. Think about it, It’s harder to sin if you are constantly keeping God in the forefront of the mind. But our verse today doesn’t necessarily mean we always have to be talking with God, every moment of the day. It simply means that we need to keep supplication to God as a priority, and not come to the conclusion that it really doesn’t matter whether we pray or not, that it really doesn’t affect much. Now let’s read the verse in full: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2, ESV). We see in the second part of the verse that there is a watchfulness that is supposed to take place from us. And interestingly enough, if going through various Bible translations, trying to gain further insight wondering what this might mean, we find that the translators are kind of divided.

Being Steadfast in Prayer, Part 1 (TMF:2859)

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Peace to Live By: Being Steadfast in Prayer, Part 1 (TMF:2859) - Daniel Litton
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Colossians chapter 4, starting in verse 2. We pick up today with a study on the privilege of prayer—on the ability to bring things to God and have him hear us. Verse 2 states: “Continue steadfastly in prayer” (ESV). Our sentence begins with the word “Continue.” “Continue.” Paul certainly was aware, and certainly had been expecting, that the Colossian believers were faithful when it came to prayer—the practice of prayer. And so, they are instructed to “Continue steadfastly in prayer.” Coming to mind, as it probably is for many of us, is the scene of the early church at the beginning of Acts, where it says regarding the original Eleven Apostles, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:14, ESV). What we are looking at is a continual, steadfast process, one in which there is devotion. It has been discussed in the past how a good mental state to be in is one of which one is in continual conversation with God.

Earthly Possessions vs. Eternal Rewards (TMF:2858)

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Peace to Live By: Earthly Possessions vs. Eternal Rewards (TMF:2858) - Daniel Litton
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Whatever our earthly condition, all of us “are serving the Lord Christ,” as Paul stated. And he talks about Heavenly rewards in the passage, which is shifting our focus toward the life after this one, to those rewards that all of us will hopefully receive to some degree by our obedience to God here on the earth as we live out our lives. Important stuff. It appears often times we lose sight of this in our modern times. We are often so focused on what we can get in this life. We hear the phrase, “You only live once,” and even the speaker has said it to others at times. While that is true, it can, if we are not careful, imply that all that really matters is what we get out of this world. The implication can be that, “We better get all we can in the here and now because we won’t be coming this way again.” Paul presents us with a different perspective, a different view, the view that the good things that we do now accrue for us eternal rewards which we aren’t going to lose.

Paul & The Issue of Slavery, Part 2 (TMF2857)

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Peace to Live By: Paul & The Issue of Slavery, Part 2 (TMF2857) - Daniel Litton
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The Spirit of God address slaves here since, undoubtedly, there were enslaved people who had believed in the Gospel and thus were part of the body of believers. The Apostle says elsewhere that in the body of Christ there is not distinction on whether one is enslaved in the earthly sense or not when it comes to one’s position in the church (see Galatians 3:28 for example). All were considered equal. Paul would also encourage elsewhere for slaves to become free if given the opportunity (see 1 Corinthians 7:21). Regardless, people in this bondage need also to act in ways which were proper the be a follower of Jesus, and thus Paul lays out his prescription. And the foundation of that is that slaves were to obey those who ruled over them (those who owned them) in everything. This certainly would not have included anything that was against the New Testament, against God, anything that was sin. Peter had said in Acts that man should be obeyed unless it contradicts what God wants, in essence.

Paul & The Issue of Slavery, Part 1 (TMF2856)

Monday, April 20, 2026

Peace to Live By: Paul & The Issue of Slavery, Part 1 (TMF2856) - Daniel Litton
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“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven” (ESV). First, let’s point out the common observation that is made when coming to this passage that Paul did not confront the issue of slavery when talking to the church. That wouldn’t have been conducive for the time, as God didn’t send him to abolish slavery in the physical sense, though, through his message spiritual slavery was abolished in anyone who believed, regardless of earthly conditions. The Spirit of God address slaves here since, undoubtedly, there were enslaved people who had believed in the Gospel.