Today's Verse: Colossians 2:17

Friday, April 11, 1947

These [religious rules about what you eat and drink, keeping festivals and special Sabbath days] are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
— Colossians 2:17
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In the world of mysterious religious ideas, Paul reminded the Colossian Christians that while the shiny religions around them and the particular practices of those religions might feel like a more spiritual lifestyle, these religions are only a shadow of what God offers us in Jesus. In Jesus, we have reality: spiritual reality and human reality. God became one of us in Jesus so we could be one with him and share in his glory. What is real is what we find in Jesus.

My Prayer...

Give me focus, O Lord, to follow your Son with all my heart. I know so many other religious ideas are out there, but I also know that only Jesus showed how much you love me by dying for me and saving me from sin and death. I want to not only trust and follow him, but I also want my character to be conformed to his. I pray in the name of the only true Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Where can I find spiritual reality?
Illustration of Colossians 2:17
Inspirational illustration of Colossians 2:17 -- These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Alive in Christ
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Thank you for redeeming us. You took us out of deadness and gave us life. You made us alive together with Christ. You cancelled the..."
Some Mountains Matter More
Article by Phil Ware
So how do we know our mountains of greatest importance? Phil Ware continues his series on knowing the mountains on which we are willing to die -- both doctrinal and missional mountains of significance.
Why Do I Ignore This Sacred Rhythm?
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus invites us into a time of rest and quiet with him! Phil Ware shares part 2 in his four part series on learning to rest in Jesus and trust in the Lord's power to bless us and give us grace.

Illustration

Illustration of Colossians 2:17 — These [religious rules about what you eat and drink, keeping festivals and special Sabbath days] are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, April 11, 1947

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Father to the Fatherless' (Ps. 68:4-6)
"Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord — rejoice in his presence! Father to..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Displaying God's Wisdom in Heavenly Realms'
"God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Fruit of the Spirit' (Ga. 5:22-26)
"Dear Father, grower of spiritual fruit, Let the fruit of the Spirit blossom, mature, and ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spirit Powered Ministry' (Is. 61:1)
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to....."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse