NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 3

I Thessalonians 3:1-13

3:1 Imagine the plight of Paul and the apostles. Christianity is now well-established in almost all regions of the world but the mission of the apostles was to introduce it to the world. To introduce a philosophy of life to a world full of powerful people already committed to their own interests. This philosophy of life went directly against many and it was Paul and the apostles mission to keep pushing on despite directly confronting adversaries. They had God's direction, of course, and knew how to navigate the tumultuous landscape.

3:2 When Paul's presence began to draw an overwhelming amount of negative and dangerous attention, Timothy was dispatched in his place. Paul was widely known for his pro-activism; enemies knew that to thwart or even kill Paul would be a gigantic blow to the apostles mission and therefore, he in particular was viciously sought after.

Yet as we can see, even when a situation becomes dark and uncertain, God ensures that we have something or someone (symbolized by Timothy's placement) to remain with us as we endure.

3:3 Opposition was muddying the conditions for learning. Ideally, God wishes for us to learn of this philosophy under the conditions is seeks to restore to the world: peace, calm, safety. As happened for the Thessalonians, that is not always possible. Yet to restore at least some safety to this region, Paul departed with the intent of causing his most fierce adversaries to leave with him.

3:4-5 Paul was unafraid of his adversaries and Paul was unafraid of dying. However, it was not time for Paul to leave the earth for he had so much work to do. As Paul could no longer endure the tribulation (and simultaneously maintain his life, preserving his chance to keep working) he worked with the Thessalonians from afar through letter and word from Timothy with them.

Paul reminds us at the end of this verse that our faith requires commitment and maintenance. We are almost constantly tempted away from our values by our own frustrations, by events and people around us. In order to ensure the health of our faith, we spend time with it. Contemplation of our spirituality, thought spent on things bigger than ourselves and immediate surroundings. The blessed irony of it is that although our faith requires us to "work" on it, while we are doing so, it truly feels as though it is working on us while we rest.

3:6-7 What better balm and comfort is there in a difficult time than to know that the people you love are thriving in health and faith? Paul's determination is solidified again and again as he sees that the word of God has healed and helped and held those whom Paul has spoken it to.

3:8 For now we live if you stand fast in the Lord. We are alive in the energy we produce in the earth. Paul expresses that all of the fleeing and danger, adversity and pain was worth the struggle if it produced such faithful and thus happy people. The works that we do while we are here are manifestations of ourselves and they abound, we abound, alive, extensions of each other.

3:9-10 Paul writes of the particular and familiar experience of not knowing how to aptly thank God for His generous work in our lives. Consider this: Paul is fleeing from ferocious enemies... yet he devotes his prayer not to praying for his own life, but praying to be allowed to continue to work on the behalf of others.

3:11 God does direct our way when we trust Him and give Him permission to do so. It then becomes our work to have "Patient Hope" which we spoke of in the last chapter. To have the courage to accept that His way knows better and further than we do... to have the trust to accept that delivery of our blessings will come in perfect time (rather than what we think would be convenient time).

Life is a classroom and this classroom is like a video game. We are constantly experiencing the same level until we use that experience to gain skill and thus reach a new level... which will require the skill we learned. We're going to repeat the same lessons so we might as well get our proverbial notebook out and start listening, studying, analyzing, observing, learning, growing. We want to be ready because when we are ready... the answers to our prayers can be delivered. 

If you pray to be in (for example), Level 7, well that is where the package of blessings is. They've been provided...it's up to you to journey toward them. And "Level 7" can represent anything: a job, a relationship, an opportunity... we require the ability of being able to maintain those things in order to have them. Use the experience around you to grow in character: in responsibility, patience, endurance, wisdom, kindness. God will direct you but you have to take the steps.

3:12-13 And such is Paul's prayer for us: that we grow in compassion. Compassion which is comprised of all the traits we need: love, hope, justice. When this classroom comes to its culmination, Paul prays that we will all qualify for graduation, rejoining with our compassionate God. 

NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 2

I Thessalonians 2:1-20

2:1-3 Paul explains that the motivations propelling him to travel and preach are strictly for the betterment of others. It is with this exact selfless aplomb that we must endeavor in our own lives. Paul was uninfluenced by any selfish motivations for fame or martyrdom, undeterred by trial and tribulation,  and unmarked by clever deceit.

The translation? When we hope and work to do something with eventual success, we must do begin and remain compassionate, courageous and honest. Without those fundamental elements as a foundation, what was meant to be a journeyed path becomes a meandered labyrinth.

2:4 To be on earth is to be appointed by God for the fulfillment of a specific purpose. Although proffered to, we are not forced to accept the opportunity. When we do claim ownership of our own purpose, we are entrusted with it. We are entrusted to make a positive impact on the life around us not for our own benefit but for the benefit of all life. The apostles had not enlisted as fellow-workers of God for personal benefit or fame among humans but because they knew it was a blessed, crucial opportunity given by God in the effort to edify them. In other words, they did not accept the spiritual work because of how good they were but because of how good they wanted to be... not for themselves but for others and God.

2:5-6 Paul highlights the reason why the New Testament constantly impresses upon us the importance of vigilance. The apostles never had ulterior motives, but much of the world does. For one  selfish reason or another it matters to the world how you vote, what you purchase, what you believe... and therefore from many angles you are advertised to, influenced, conditioned, prodded toward things you might not necessarily agree with if  only you were fully aware. It is important that we are observant, objective, and perceptive because otherwise we blinded to truth.

2:7-8 Paul lets his and the apostle's actions speak the truth. They were gentle in presenting this philosophy of life to them. God's intention is for His word to be received by people without force or shame or guilt. Paul interacted with the Thessalonians and all of his students as kin. What mattered to Paul was not that everyone be awed or inspired by him but that they be comforted and shielded by the message he was entrusted to deliver. Look for sincerity and authenticity in people by observing and analyzing their actions and beliefs rather than their outward appearance or eloquence or painted-on charisma.

2:9 Notice, Paul says, that all of the work done by himself and the apostles was tireless, unpaid, patient, and gentle. Discern that there were no selfish motivations behind their passionate work. We each have aspirations in life, tie those passions to compassion for others and you will have created a recipe for achievement. 

2:10 Paul is comfortable and confident in the fact that his work, under the examination of God and human, will identify themselves as honest, humble and selfless. Instead of praising his own work, Paul calls to them (and us) to observe and analyze his work for ourselves.

Three mentioned characteristics of fellow-workers of God: devout, just, blameless. 

• Devotion to this philosophy of life in thought, speech and behavior, 
• Impartial and all-inclusive justice for all
• Blamelessness induced by a lifelong commitment to honesty and good-intention.

2:11 The intention of Paul and the apostles was to give: exhortation, comfort and purpose. In life we should have the same intentions. To encourage those around us, to encourage justice and compassion and sincerity, patience, hope and faith. To comfort those around us; to provide all life with safety and shelter and health. And perhaps the most inspiring element of our mission here: to be catalysts. To be catalysts of joy, happiness, refreshment, rejuvenation, opportunity... we are placed here to promote and improve, defend and sustain a certain quality of life. It's an amazing purpose and yet we were entrusted with it!

Find wonder in how much you were entrusted with and use it propel you forward in the fulfillment of it.

2:12 Our life and love from God is given freely. God believes in our vast potential but expects very little of us (that we behave at least as civilly as we hope to be treated is not much of an expectation). In the midst of so much blessing, the miracle of the earth and breathe in our lungs, it is not unsurprising that Paul calls us to live worthy of this infinite, intricate phenomenon. 

We were created (and are sustained and supported by) the manifestation of life, compassion and love and it seems only fitting that we mirror its image, that we honor its selflessness with respect and emulation. 

2:13 Receive this philosophy of life authentically, humbly. The Thessalonians did not subscribe to this philosophy because they wanted fame or power or fortune. They followed and adopted this philosophy because it felt good, and natural and logical.

So many pretend (or even convince themselves) that they truly believe in this message when all they actually do is use it to promote themselves, their institution or to demean, judge or even punish others. This philosophy is a tool for us but how we wield it, either for good or malice, is entirely the decision of our own hands.

2:14-15 The Thessalonians adopted this philosophy wholeheartedly and then remained with it while under duress. It's precisely important that we not abandon our faith in tribulation for our faith is the force against tribulation. The force through which to endure tribulation... and by faith, defeat it.

2:16 The selfless and compassionate foundation of this faith is obscured in many ways and by many people with corrupt motivations. Unfortunately, people who have no armed themselves with perception, observation and objectivity often become the blinded, bounded base of such motivations. Many things block us from interpreting the truth within these pages of scripture but all it takes to break the seal is to simply open the book and read for ourselves. And now figuratively, that advice applies to all aspects of life: open the book and read for yourself. 

Save yourself not from some fear of eternal condemnation but from the chaotic, selfish and corrupt motivations of the world. From your own discontented, disheartened mind. From your own belief that you have no purpose, no redemption, no chance. Save yourself from the toxic slumber that so many live in, unable to perceive beyond this superficial and temporary life on earth.

2:17-18 Although is it Paul's hope to be rejoined with the Thessalonians, he cannot do so due to entanglements with adversaries. Oh, such can be life, right? But Paul does not lose faith, focus or determination. He retains his compassionate, grateful, humble heart; our mode of spiritual transportation through adversity, unable to be derailed if we insist on gripping onto the tracks.

"Satan" the representation of adversity in all of its forms: greed, injustice, deceit, corruption, selfishness... the corrupted motivations of others often do hinder us from our greatest happiness. But they only do so until we give that power to God, for Him to utilize against the corrupted forces which formerly worked against us. Remember that Paul, even though embroiled in tribulation, was perfectly content because of his faith, Philippians 4:11.

2:19-20 Paul is not proud of himself for his lifelong commitment to, and work in, faith. Paul is proud of, looks forward to, the moment when God, gleaning from whichever divine precipice He exists, can take in the view of an endless host of faithful, compassionate children.

You are our glory and our joy: your goodness, your faithful works are God's joy.

NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 1

I Thessalonians 1:1-10

1:1 In faith, Paul greets the Thessalonians. There is an ebullience in Paul's faith and it follows him, surrounds him, in every interaction; he is constantly conscious of his faith and of God and it guides his actions and words.

1:2 The apostles are "always" thankful because their gratitude to God is infinite. Moreover, the apostles always pray for their fellow-workers (us) of God. Through our channels of faith we enable God to enter our lives. Once we give Him permission, He listens to and then answers our prayers. Trust and faith solidify the channel. The more we trust, the more we live and speak and do with faith, the more solid is His channel for reaching us. Wavering faith and corrupt or selfish works cause blessings to slip right out of the channel, not as a punishment but as a logical consequence of not maintaining a healthy bond. 

The upshot is that prayer is an active force. Paul's prayers for the children of God came through a broad and truly solid channel; thereby allowing us to receive pure, determined, focused, and bold blessings.

1:3-4 In verse one we spoke of Paul surrounding himself with his faith, being constantly conscious of it. Here we are encouraged to do the same, to constantly be aware of:

• Our Work of Faith: to remember that we each, individually, were planted here with purpose. To remember that we have the freedom, opportunity and support to be impactful. In every moment, our lives are speaking a message to the people around us. Our expressions, our reactions, our temperament, our outlook... the elements of our lives are a conglomeration and we present it to the world whether we mean to or not. Mean to. Choose what you are presenting, be meaningful and purposeful. Do not waste time searching for who you are... create who you are in every moment.
• Labor of Love: to remember that love is our current of life. There are different wavelengths of love but each encourages us to be fair, honest, kind, empathetic, helpful, patient, brave on the behalf of another. Love itself breeds within us a tendency to be gentle and generous.
• Patience of Hope in God: to remember that the vexations of life are part of a classroom God has decided we can majorly benefit from. To have patience while requesting blessings and to have the patience to wait for the perfect time to receive them. Patience affords us the space, time and ability to analyze our situation with clarity and objectivity. To cultivate persistent hope; that our eventual destination on the path of faith is love, life and happiness. God supplies us the key to contentment and trust: patient hope. In other words, give Him the time to gather and build your blessings, the course through which they will develop in your life, and have hope that what He chose for you is the best for you.
• Knowing Our Election of God: to remember always that not only were we created by also chosen. God sees the potential within us and if we are willing, works with us to draw that potential out. He sees that impact we are capable of making on the earth and humans around us and for that reason, is proud to offer us membership in His work here.

1:5 Be perceptive, God reaches toward you with powerful love in a myriad of ways. In nature in prayer, in conversations, in books, within your own intuition... in so many circumstances, He is there. Listen, perceive. 

1:6 Remember how this faith established you during your time of tribulation. Paul reminds the Thessalonians to be conscious of the fact that when they were weak, they were made strong. Just as we should never "bite the hand that feeds us" we should never neglect for forget the hand that fed us just because we no longer feel hungry. In both sorrow and joy God is with us; we should never abandon Him.

1:7-8 You are an example. Be proud of that responsibility. Inspire others. Provide an example of courage, compassion, generosity, patience, faith. Whatever it is that we produce on the earth, it reverberates, abounds around the earth.

1:9-10 Sometimes words are not the best conveyor of emotions or explanations. Quite often, behavior speaks louder than words ever could. The Thessalonians had abandoned a former way of life, a life without our creator, and had adopted this philosophy of life. Their example made waves around regions of the world and Paul encouraged them to take responsibility for what message those waves were bringing to the shores of humanity around them.

Your life creates waves which reach the regions of humanity. Take responsibility for what messages those waves are bringing to the shores.

NT: Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 4

Colossians 4:1-18

4:1 A continuation of the previous chapter: whenever we interact with another person, we must hold ourselves responsible for exuding and exhibiting justice. Paul's encouragement is for us to remain humble, continuously aware that creation, divine-universe is a greater manifestation than we are. To bend toward It in awe more than submission, hoping to exemplify its modest ways.

4:2 Paul gives us three directives with which to not only maintain our faith but to utilize its benefits.

• Continue Earnestly in Prayer: Your faith is your channel to God and therefore be steadfast in it. We cannot constantly jam or block our connection with God with wavering acknowledgement of His philosophy. In joy and sorrow we must be present with our faith. Moreover our faith flies only on the wings of earnest: sincerity, commitment.  

• Vigilant in Prayer: We must be faithfully observant and perceptive. Answers to our questions are being spoken to us, but only a keen ear listens. The universe is communicating with you in its subtle ways, prodding you along a path. Therefore be perceptive of your steps.

• Thanks-Giving: With awe and humility discover our miraculous earth. Let wonderment inspire you into gratitude. We are given this opportunity to witness and participate on a meticulously curated planet. Find gratitude for elements within your life for gratitude spawns opportunity. Even when we are not where we want to be or perhaps deserve to be, have gratitude in even the opportunity to redirect our lives. You will find that you have help when you acknowledge the generous and capable company of the universe.

4:3-4 Pray for this philosophy to proliferate for compassion begets compassion and justice begets justice. Pray for the conditions under which portals of faith can spawn. We at times grow frustrated with our world but instead of putting a vexed energy into the world, put out an energy of hope.

4:5 Walk in wisdom no matter who you are among. The wisdom of this philosophy: to express, promote, inspire, and defend impartial justice and humble compassion. Your behavior has an impact on the people around you, what you put out into the earth is, though perhaps invisible to you, quite present and tangible to others (even if it only occurs after a bit of time).

4:6 In addition to walking with wisdom, whenever you vocalize your thoughts, do so with grace and faith. For the frequent moments of life during which right and wrong, good and bad are difficult to discern or choose, allow your foundation of faith to direct you. Our faith gives us the spark of knowing what we must do. Our must what is in accordance with our core values rather than a rash, in-the-moment, reaction or response. We are guided but ultimately, we make the choice of direction. Paul advises us to listen to our must, and then speak. 

4:7-9 Through a network of fellow-workers of God, news of Paul's imprisonment (from which he writes) reaches people like the Colossians, Romans,  Corinthians and Philippians. 

4:10-11 Paul speaks of those around him, helping and enduring his circumstances alongside him.

4:12-15 Paul gives the Colossians hope through his assurance that they are being zealously prayed for. A zealous prayer is a broad channel, a spacious connection with God. Zealous prayers are boldly heard. 

4:16-17 Push this philosophy outward. We are meant through our speech and behavior to teach this philosophy to the earth around us. We are not meant to push this philosophy onto anyone. Let your compassion and your serenity be the speaker, the teacher. This philosophy is based on freedom of choice, always remember that as you humbly interact with others.

4:18 Remember my chains...why does Paul tell us this? There is a double meaning: Paul's physical body is bound by humans. Paul himself bound his soul to Spirit. Remember Ephesians 3:1, 

It is interesting yet not peculiar that Paul would describe himself as being captive to Jesus. After all, learning and absorbing His philosophy of life is a captivating experience. Paul adds "...for you..." and this is similarly intriguing because though not often described in such terms, we actually enlist to do God's work for the benefit of humanity. As there are no spiritual boundaries, within the "prison" of God is a truly freeing place to be. From within boundlessness, we are kept away only from adversity. Locked away from it! Certainly we can be appreciative of those bars.

Remember what chains truly bind you. Do not allow yourself to be bound by the desires and indulgences of this world. This cycle of procuring material, wealth and power and feeding insatiable greed is a prison which mutes and disallows a nourished soul. Paul is imprisoned but through the tethers of his faith he is unafraid, Philippians 4:11. Claps the chains of unbreakable serenity, solemnity, compassion and life around your own wrists... your own soul. 

NT: Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 3

Colossians 3:1-25

3:1-2 Consider yourself accountable for your words and actions; often we excuse ourselves of poor behavior because we feel victimized or wronged. It is a cyclical, selfish and fruitless method of life. We each have freedom here, purpose to claim and fulfill. If ever we are discontented or disenchanted with life it is not life which has failed us, it is ourselves. Take responsibility for your own happiness by understanding that no one can give it to you, you cannot find it, and it does not occur by chance. True, solid, permanent happiness is created when we begin to create the circumstances of our lives. We choose our temperament. We choose our outlook. Do not succumb to lethargy, explore the earth around you passionately. Explore the earth not to find happiness but to find ways and spaces to create it.

Paul is not reprimanding us, he's encouraging us to take responsibility for our lives. Here, written out for us, is the example of an honest, productive and compassionate life. The world presents an alternative option: to consume and procure wealth, power and fame. The pursuit of these however, has no end point. Greed is an insatiable stomach.

We might incorrectly think of wealth, power and fame as a game strictly played by political leaders or celebrities but actually it is not such an exclusive club. There are people who believe they will not be happy until they have a certain thing or person on every societal level. This philosophy of life taught by Paul reveals to us that happiness cannot be obtained, only created within oneself. 

You are the filter through which you see the world. If you are tainted by internal disrupt so will your external worldview be.

3:3-4 Let the slumbering you continue to sleep. Your soul has awakened. Let the you that desired and worried and lamented snooze. Allow this philosophy of compassionate life enlighten you and bring you contentment, soaring joy.

3:5-7 Say an eternal goodnight the emotions, temptations and desires which vexed and suffocated you. It might sound extreme but greed and desire seek so desperately that they will strangle you in the pursuit of an end to their misery. In the pursuit of a contentment their selfishness can never obtain.

3:8-9 Set high standards for yourself: become the embodiment of patience and understanding, truth and clarity. It is unnecessary for you to taint your action and even your speech with that that does not propel your message. Be, say, do necessary things. You are not a hapless, hopeless, helpless person. Live with intention. Speak with intention. Think with intention. 

Consider your contributions... is what you are providing to a room, a conversation, a person, the world good? Necessary? True? Productive? Ensure that it is! You have the great opportunity to have an impact here. Inspire laughter, hope, opportunity, justice, growth. What you do reverberates around your community and from there, around your world. What energy are you sending forth?

3:10 As you walk and work along this journey of development of faith, remember that you are renewed. Toss old, unproductive habits until they become unfamiliar to you.

3:11 Through your faith you have adopted a higher standard of life. A life which is not confounded by intolerance, impatience, discontentment. Bathe in the light that is the opportunity to be inextricably bound to compassion, creation and life.

3:12 The elect of God are those who a recognized as humble, productive, faithful propellants of this philosophy. The elect of God can be trusted to uphold mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, perseverance, comradery,  and forgiveness. 

3:13 Forgiveness is a sensitive topic and it because forgiveness is largely misunderstood. Forgiveness is not a returned gift of trust. Forgiveness is the salve which allows for one to release themselves from festering sorrow and pain. Forgiveness can be a simple and as prominent as a hope for the guilty party to become better. Does that seem too kind? Ask yourself this: what more trying fate is there than to face one's own shame? Our biggest motivation for change and betterment are the eyes through which to see how our actions have harmed others. We forgive because we have purpose here and we cannot journey to fulfill it if we are bound by another person or stagnant circumstance.

Do we trust that person again? Perhaps not. Do we wish to keep company with them? Perhaps not. We were instructed by Jesus on how to handle situations where we are not respected: Matthew 10:14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 

In other words: Move on, unwearied. Do not be harried. As small and seemingly inconsequential as humans may seem in comparison to the whole of the infinite universe... we are here. We are worthy of our place here; we were created and place with love and intricacy. If any person does not acknowledge your worthiness of respect, do no waste your time upset or trying to convince them. The only two entities who you require to acknowledge your worthiness are yourself and God. You might, but God's never going to need reminding that you are loved and worthy of justice.

Keep Him close in order to remember that forgiving someone is not a self-demeaning act. Forgiving someone is cutting that corrupted tether between yourself in them in order that you may shake off the dust from your feet and move on. Seeking revenge or apology only strengthens those harmful bonds. As a child of God, you are meant to be free. 

What does it mean: "Christ forgave you." Well, Jesus was the manifestation of God's love and when He witnesses our... less than stellar behavior, it hurts Him. He personally feels the pain we cause and therefore it is quite extraordinary that He forgives us. He forgives us for hurting Him. As humans, we know how hard that can be to do. Consider it on His scale... billions of fallible humans each taking stabs at His heart.

There are many ways we can hurt Him: by not loving others and by not loving ourselves being chief among them. He forgives us for not taking delicate, precise, care of all that matters to Him. He forgive us because this is a classroom and because through our fallibility we learn and grow.

3:14 Paul has a lot of advice but perhaps the easiest method of living life purposefully is to love. Is to have appreciation and joy for a living things and people around you. When we love a thing or person, we defend its justice. Love is a guide, employ it.

3:15 Find peace and gratitude knowing that solidly encased in deeper meaning, deeper purpose, deeper manifestations of life and creations. Marvel at your smallness: this massive, intelligent universe created and sustains you. Little you to the universe/creation/God are not so little, after all.

3:16-17 Let this philosophy dwell in you richly. Let this saturated compassion saturate you. With humility and gratitude let it remind you constantly that you are loved and led.

3:18-19 Cultivate mutually respectful relationships. Paul's language here is a bit archaic to our times but what he requests is that we love each other and devote each other to another's emotional and physical health.

3:20-21 Cultivate caring and environments for children to grow and develop. In many ways, parents impress onto their children their worldview. Ensure that it is a healthy and inquisitive, objective and compassionate one. Likewise children respect your parents as children themselves, children of life, together with you in this classroom. Your parents are experiencing advanced lessons but they are still students.

3:22-24 Work with purpose, with passion. Do not live half-hardheartedly. We reap what we sow, surely we do not wish to reap only halfhearted attempts on preserving, protecting our lives. Do whatever it is that you do, or speak, with joyful purpose. Be present. Do it because you wish to contribute not because you wish to procure.

Revere, live in awe of creation: the natural environment around us is astonishing. Is itself alone enough to inspire reverence.

3:25 We choose the path and therefore we choose the destination. The only character trait which puts you on the path to life is compassion. Without partiality, God will allow each person to arrive at their chosen destination. No other quality of yours will qualify you for eternal life. No, our compassionate God has not created a "hell" but only a soul with compassion can survive the atmosphere of "heaven," as we have come to call it. It's simple logic...without a tolerance for oxygen, earth could not be survived. God told us, here is what you need to be equip with in order to survive here, and this how to create those things. An evil person cannot exist in Spirit, they are simply not equip.

NT: Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 2

Colossians 2:1-23

2:1 Although Paul is speaking to the Colossians, underlying these next few verses is a message from God sent directly to us, individually and collectively: I cannot be physically with you right now but I see you, I love you, be strong, we are in this together.

2:2-3 Be encouraged, filled with hope and motivation in faith as a crucial member of spiritual kinship and universal wisdom. Trusting, understanding and living in accordance with God's omnipresent, omnipotent will.

2:4-5 While we are here, there are ideas, people, institutions and desires which might attempt to derail our faith, our focus and our beliefs. We may not see a physical God but we can connect with divinity spirituality and thereby solidify our faith and protect our spirit and purpose. Live with order and persistence rather than chaos and surrender. 

2:6 Live as you are taught by your faith. An example in nature thrives around you. You have standards of justice, wisdom and compassion to uphold in every moment of your life.

2:7 Create, develop and foster a strong foundation of faith. Live purposefully, confidently, aware of Spirit, rooted in justice and compassion, tall in wisdom, gratitude and humility.

2:8 Be vigilant. Never let anyone or institution suffocate your individual wisdom. Observe, explore and investigate the world and people around you with objectivity and compassion in order to create your own values and truths. Watch out for hypocrites and deceitful institutions. Do a person's words match their actions? Is there humility within the church which preaches humility? Look. Listen.

2:9-10 Keep this philosophy within yourself and your life because its objective is compassion, justice and wisdom. It constantly, wisely, selflessly works to edify you and improve the quality of your life.

2:11-12 We have been figuratively circumcised. As we develop our faith we shed our less admirable qualities and boost our positive ones.

2:13-14 Through living this philosophy we awaken to life and enlightenment. We are no longer entrapped by mistakes, misunderstandings, poor choices, or the manipulation and control of others. We arise out of darkness and into life.

2:15 Nothing, no person, institution or force in the world has power over our spiritual life, which has been made durable, invulnerable, eternal by God. A strong spirit has all of God's power in its arsenal and is therefore able to persist through any tribulation, even earthly death.

12:16-17 Paul does not want us to become distracted by religious customs. What is essential is that we live and breathe this philosophy. What matters is what we think, say, do, believe... what we contribute to this world is called our works and good works earn us spiritual life (regardless of religious customs). This verse challenges the idea of there being only one correct religion... Paul expresses here that the only organization God recognizes is work done in the name of compassion.

12:18 Do not allow yourself to be derailed by arrogance, deception or hypocrisy. Never feel inferior to anyone, God has gifted you wisdom... reach out and grab it with an observant mind. No one has power over you, a child of God, if you do not let them.

12:19 Be aware of people who pretend to be faithful but actually have no love or awe for creation, from which all life has come and been given to.

12:20-23 Forget about meaningless details. It does not matter what kind of building a person worships in, or even if they worship at all. What matters is what we DO. What we SAY. What we PRODUCE in the world. Humans create rules, customs, and regulations which create exclusive clubs, arrogant institutions, superiority complexes... but God does not. Be able to discern truth from decorated lie.

NT: Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 1

Colossians 1:1-29

1:1-2 With the books of Colossians, we begin the twelfth book of the New Testament to people in present day Asia Minor. Paul and Timothy greet the Colossians, who have established and maintained an honest and hardworking ministry.

1:3 Paul is grateful for their compassionate work. Paul was completely entrenched in establishing and maintaining this philosophy throughout many regions. While introducing, preaching and traveling, he encountered much opposition. Paul even wrote to the workers of budding churches (like the Colossians) from prison, commending their work, promoting growth and redirecting errors.

One of the many examples we can learn from Paul's life is persistence. Even with a myriad of excuses to stop, take breaks, feel sorry for himself, Paul never did any of that. He consistently lived and worked to ensure that he was constantly producing and defending the values he held.

1:4 We have become familiar with Paul's gratitude. Paul has a wholehearted appreciation for workers of justice and compassion. Assuredly, it is no small thing to have kind people in the world; nothing propels justice more than diligent human beings with compassionate objectives.

1:5 Paul is grateful that the fruit of God, the spiritual nutrition and guidance, the freedom and opportunity has reached God's children here on earth. Humanity is here on a sojourn; we are here only temporarily to learn and grow. 

Creation, God (however you conceive of divinity) hoped to reach humanity. Although to us it may seem like there is a disconnect between Spirit and Earth, their kinship is alive and well here to those who work to perceive it.

1:6 The fruit of God produces, inspiring: kindness, justice, wisdom, discernment, opportunity, serenity, peace of mind, courage and endless more. We are given to in order that we may give. God's gifts reverberate around the world. His intention is for kindness and all gifts to proliferate, reach more than only the first beneficiary. 

1:7-8 Paul became familiar with the Colossians work through apostle Epaphras' account of them. We've spent a lot of valuable and blessed time with Paul but remember that God has many workers... it's not an elusive club. We are each fellow workers with God when we determine ourselves to be, accomplishing purposeful work and edification within and around ourselves.

1:9 Paul has learned that the Colossians are faithful and productive in the philosophy of justice and compassion and actively hopes for (prays for) three things for the continuance of their work:

1. Filled with Knowledge of His Will: God's children know His plan (for both the individual and the collective), trust His plan, and can perceive His plan extended throughout the world.

2. Filled with His Wisdom: God's children know the origin and destination, intricate detail and reason for His plan. We are given the tools, materials and opportunity to grow in wisdom and each of its branches: patience, natural justice, logic.

3. Filled with Spiritual Understanding: God's children understand their soul. We understand the difference, rather than the disconnect, between flesh and soul. We understand life on earth as a classroom, a temporary stay, and life in Spirit as eternal, edified. 

1:10 This is the objective of the faithful human-being: "...being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." A non-religious person can fulfill this objective without even realizing. We do the compassionate work, we inevitable arrive at our spiritual home (whether we believed in such a thing or not). What is essential is that one believes in compassion and justice and purposes toward compassion and justice in their thoughts, words, motivations and actions.

The knowledge of God is deeper than simply believing in God. The knowledge of God is an active and purposeful understanding and agreement with His objective for humanity and all life.

1:11 Paul continues to pray for the materials God's children need to be successful in their purpose:

1. Strength: To draw courage and health and life from our Spiritual niche 

2. Patience: To have serenity and stoicism in an erratic world

3. Perseverance: To remain in strength and patience, motivation and production

4. Joy: To receive and give compassion, to laugh and smile and believe and hope and dream

The aforementioned are the recipe for a figuratively nutritious life; an adequately balanced and thriving soul. These things are learned and exemplified in scripture but also in nature. Observe the natural world's strength, patience, perseverance and joy. We learn these things, grow deeper in our understanding and ability to utilize them when we actively work to do so. Life requires our focused participation.

1:12  Finally Paul wishes for them (us) to have gratitude. Not because God requires it but because our ability to be grateful builds are ability to be humble, to perceive our miraculous earth and life for what it is: a beautiful, impossible gift. Humility is a clarified lens through which to accurately perceive the earth and the life within it, therefore breeding understanding inside of our minds and souls.

1:13 Spirit guides us out of darkness: darkness within ourselves and around ourselves. What is darkness? Darkness is hopelessness, confusion, purposelessness, apathy, lethargy, greed, waywardness... Darkness, the parts of our lives we may not even realize are there, but are hindering us from complete, unadulterated contentment and happiness, purpose and wisdom. He guides us away from selfish motivations, desires for wealth, power, fame, property... and directly into selfishness, gifts of expression and creativity, the true wealth of life, the inheritance of all land and space in the universe.

1:14 We are able to redeem ourselves, to give and earn forgiveness from ourselves to ourselves because we learn how to respect ourselves. God loves us; He has ensured that His philosophy is around us, available for us to reach out and grab it, place it directly into our hearts. Why? Because His objective is our happiness, not our reverence. He teaches us how to forgive ourselves for the dark acts, the dark desires, the dark lethargy and to become alive and motivated in works of Light.

1:15 Divinity manifested itself in a way that humans could more readily understand. The "soul" and "spirit" are difficult things to explain... for they are felt, rather than seen. So creation manifested a tangible presence, a life, through which to explain and exemplify core concepts and elements of spirit, soul and this philosophy of compassion.

1:16 These next few verses give us an inkling of divinity's sheer, inconceivable massiveness. No matter what happens on earth or in universe, all has come from the same origin of life force, life wisdom, creation. Every atom and element, voice, building, lung, car, country, star, planet, breath, bark, smile, laugh, hope, dream... has been made possible by this intelligent, wise, compassionate source of creation.

All things were created through Him (or whichever word you choose to describe divinity) and for Him. Meaning that all things are meant to fulfill his objective of compassion. What is pleasing to creation is justice, compassion, truth and wisdom and so all life is meant to produce those things... here's where it gets tricky: creation is generous with us, giving us freedom to contradict its intentions.

1:17 Humans have only been on earth for a minuscule amount of time. Time is irrelevant to creation, as creation has, does and will always exist and supersede that which has come from it (humanity... and all things).

1:18 The word "dead" is used figuratively here: those who are not enlightened to compassionate philosophy, faith and creation are, in darkness, akin to being dead. For the dead have no purpose, do no work, make no contributions, express no joy... God's children are alive. When we spiritual awaken, we begin to discover what that truly means.

1:19-20 The manifestation of the Messiah was an offering, an opportunity to discover and edify our souls. There are many ways through which God has worked to reach His children, Christianity not being the only method through which a person can discover their spirituality. And yet this that we study is one and is wise and encouraging in doing so.

1:21-22 We are saved from ourselves by this philosophy. Much of humanity is spiritual malnourished in that they have no or limited internal happiness, strength and wisdom. Creation provides and prods those things into our souls, giving us new life and motivated purpose.

1:23 Remain humble, and faithfully focused. Spiritual health, like all health, requires persistence and maintenance. Spiritual health requires spiritual contemplation, spiritual works. Never abandon the source which has given you life, never forget that it sustains you.

1:24 Paul endures his tribulation with courage and joy because the work is necessary, effective and healing. Remember from Acts 5:41 "So they departed...rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." It is fulfilling to stand for a just cause, to watch compassionate work make a difference.

1:25 Paul explains to us: I have been given these abilities for your benefit. God is reaching out to us, purposefully with organization. We are loved by Him so deeply and therefore our spiritual health and joy is promoted, protected and inspired by Him when we accept His love. 1 Corinthians 12 explains God's gifts, how well designed and planted they are in each of us.

1:26-27 People have not always understood spirit. Even now, many do not understand. God reveals. Look deeper, perceive, He is within you, you are within Him. You are not your body, you are a soul. Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:19 for further study.

1:28 The apostles preached to warn people of the discontentment that comes from a life devoid of spirituality. Without compassionate purpose we have no productive contributions here, no internal rest or peace, no understanding of ourselves, humanity, earth, universe, life. We are encouraged to learn and grow in wisdom and character as exemplified to us by nature, by the Messiah, by these words and accounts of humans before us.

1:29 A beautiful quote and life objective in faith, gratitude, humility and purpose: To this end I also labor, STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS WORKING WHICH WORKS IN ME MIGHTILY."

We are fellow workers with God. Our God, our creation is always working selflessly to promote our well-being. Work as persistently, humbly and generously as He freely, boldly, passionately does for us.