Podcast
Grow In Faith
Hosted by Christ Church IL · EN
Life giving devotionals in under 5 minutes.
Pastor Mike Woodruff, Christ Church pastors, and others will guide you through the Bible and help provide insights into scripture and practical takeaways for your daily walk with God.
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What Does "Season Your Speech With Salt" Mean?
2d ago00:04:40Tap to summarizeWhat if a single sentence could make someone thirsty for something more? In today's Colossians devotional, we take a close look at Paul's beautiful, practical instruction to let our conversations be full of grace and seasoned with salt — and discover why this ancient wisdom is exactly what our modern conversations need.In this Colossians Bible study and devotional, we explore:→ Paul's charge in Colossians 4:6 — "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." → Why "salty speech" is not about colorful language — Paul means something far more interesting → The three things salt does — preserves, flavors, and makes people thirsty — and which one Paul has in mind here → How to drop small "hints" into everyday conversation that invite spiritual curiosity → Simple, natural conversation openers:"Looks like you're having a hard day. Can I pray for you?""I've been reading the New Testament lately — have you read much of it? What do you think?" → The beautiful balance Paul strikes: speech that is gracious AND salty — respectful yet inviting → A closer look at the famous quote often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel — if necessary, use words" — and why it doesn't quite hold up → Why the gospel isn't just good vibes or good insight — it's good news, and news by its nature has to be shared → Why witnesses use words — and how to articulate the gospel with grace → What Paul means by "so that you may know how to answer everyone" — not a scripted response, but a posture of readiness → How curiosity, listening, and interest in others prepare us for real spiritual conversationsKey takeaway: "When was the last time something you said made someone lean in and want to know more about what you believed? We're invited to that today."Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 4:6, teaching on how to season your speech with salt, help with starting spiritual conversations, or a Bible study on the St. Francis of Assisi gospel quote, this devotional offers a warm, practical, and freeing invitation to speak in ways that make people thirsty for Christ.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 4:6 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Final Week — Chapter 4) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 4Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional as we finish this walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who's been wanting the courage to have more meaningful spiritual conversations.💬 Drop a comment below: What's one small "salty" thing you could say in a conversation this week to make someone curious about Jesus?
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Buy Up Every Opportunity
3d ago00:05:01Tap to summarizeThe Christian life isn't a retreat from the world — it's an invitation into it. In today's Colossians devotional, we look at how Paul urges believers to move through daily life with eyes open, ready to speak, ready to invite, and unafraid to share a story only you can tell. This is a practical, encouraging look at how ordinary conversations can open extraordinary doors.In this Colossians Bible study and devotional, we explore:→ Paul's charge in Colossians 4:5 — "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity." → The striking literal Greek: "buy up every opportunity" — aggressive, active, not passive → Why the Christian life is, by design, aggressively evangelistic → How the early church exploded numerically:Acts 2 — 3,000 added in a single dayActs 4 — 5,000 come to faithActs 5 — multitudes being added daily → Why hiding in Christ never means hiding from other people → The most common excuse for not sharing our faith: "What if they ask a question I can't answer?" — and the freeing response → Why nobody is asking questions that haven't been asked before — and where to find answers when you need them → The power of simply telling your own story — because you are the expert on it → A simple testimony outline: I was here → this happened → now I'm here → The eye-opening statistics:Only 1 in 7 people in your neighborhood attend church on any given SundayBut 70% of those who don't attend would go if someone simply invited them → How your invitation can be catalytic for someone else's spiritual journey → The simple, non-pushy question that opens doors: "Can I pray for you today?"Key takeaway: "Am I living in such a way that would make others curious about who I am and what I believe? And who might God be putting in my path that I could simply invite to take a next step?"Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 4:5, teaching on making the most of every opportunity, help with how to share your testimony, or a Bible study on everyday evangelism, this devotional offers a warm, practical, and freeing call to be ready when God opens the door.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 4:5 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Final Week — Chapter 4) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 4Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional as we finish this walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that their story matters — and their invitation could change a life.💬 Drop a comment below: Who is ONE person you could invite to church, a small group, or even coffee this week? Let's encourage each other in the comments.
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How to Share the Gospel Boldly and Clearly
1w ago00:05:21Tap to summarizeWe often think of gospel proclamation as something pastors do on Sunday mornings — but Paul had something bigger in mind. In this devotional, we look at how every follower of Jesus carries a message that no one else can tell, and how to be ready when God opens a door. From praying for those who teach God's Word, to knowing what to say when a friend is hurting, this devotional walks through Paul's simple but powerful example — and offers practical ways any Christian can grow in courage and clarity when it comes to sharing their faith.In this Colossians Bible study and devotional, we explore:→ Paul's request for prayer that he would "proclaim the mystery of Christ" as clearly as possible → Why pastors need your prayers as they try to exposit God's Word with conviction, Holy Spirit power, and authority → An honest admission: nobody comes to church to hear a pastor's opinions — they come to hear from God's Word → The important distinction between the apostolic authority Paul had and the calling of modern pastors → Why Paul's prayer request is not just for pastors — every Christian carries the gospel message → Your unique story of what God has done that no one else can tell → Practical, non-pushy ways to share the gospel:Being ready with a comment about what you believe when a moment opensOffering to pray with a friend who's going through a hard timePraying right there, right then — a short, sincere prayer without heavy religious language → What boldness actually looks like: not loud or pushy, but willing to speak truth when the moment arrives → Why wisdom means reading the room, listening well, and speaking in a way others can actually hear → The mystery of Christ defined simply: "That God, through Jesus, has made a way for broken people to be forgiven, restored, and brought home" → A practical challenge to pray daily for a few specific people you may have opportunities to share the gospel withKey takeaway: "Paul was in chains, praying for open doors. That posture is worth imitating — not just for pastors, but for all of us. This is a message worth getting right and getting out."Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 4:3-4, teaching on how to share your faith without being pushy, help with praying for your pastor, or a Bible study on evangelism for everyday Christians, this devotional offers a warm, practical, and courageous invitation to be a faithful carrier of the gospel wherever you go.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 4:3-4 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Chapter 4) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 4Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional in this walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who's been wanting the courage to share their faith more openly.💬 Drop a comment below: What's one moment lately when you sensed a "gospel door" opening? Did you walk through it or let it pass? Let's encourage each other in the comments.
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Before You Talk to People About God, Talk to God About People
1w ago00:04:38Tap to summarizePaul is chained to a Roman guard in a prison cell. If you could ask a church anywhere to pray for you, what would you ask for? Release? Comfort? Better conditions? An early hearing with Caesar? Paul asks for something else entirely — and it reveals what really mattered to him. In today's Colossians devotional, we dig into Colossians 4:3-4 and discover the powerful pattern of prayer that fuels every gospel conversation.In this Colossians Bible study and devotional, we explore:→ Paul's surprising prayer request from prison — not for release, comfort, or better conditions → The two specific things Paul asks the church to pray for:That God would open doors to share the gospelThat when those doors open, he would proclaim Christ with clarity and conviction → The military metaphor: Paul on the front lines asking for prayer cover from believers back home → Why the church at Colossae couldn't argue Paul's case before Caesar — but they could pray, and Paul treated that as pivotal work → How prayer arranges circumstances, conversations, and hearts in ways we could never manufacture → Andrew Murray's stirring conviction: "We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the heavenly world and bring its power down to earth" → How the prayers of ordinary people in a small Asia Minor city shaped what was happening in the power center of Rome → Real examples of open doors: conversations that suddenly turn spiritual, questions that unlock deeper discussion, moments where God is clearly at work → A practical challenge: keep a prayer list of people to intercede for — asking God to bring someone into their life who can share the gospel, or to give you the opportunity yourselfKey takeaway: "Before you talk to people about God, talk to God about people. That's the sequence Paul gives us. Prayer isn't just warm-up — prayer is the engine that drives everything else."Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 4:3-4, teaching on praying for open doors to share the gospel, a study on intercessory prayer for evangelism, or how to build a prayer list for lost friends and family, this devotional offers a compelling call to make prayer the front line of your witness.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 4:3-4 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Chapter 4) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 4Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional in this walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who cares about seeing their family and friends come to Christ.💬 Drop a comment below: Who is ONE person you're going to start praying for by name — asking God to open a door? (First names or just initials are perfect.)
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Practical Ways to Build a Prayer Life That Lasts
1w ago00:04:59Tap to summarizePaul doesn't just say pray. He says devote yourselves to prayer. The King James says continue. The ESV says continue earnestly. The Message says pray diligently, stay alert, pray with your eyes open. In today's Colossians devotional, we take a practical look at what it really means to devote ourselves to prayer — and how to build a prayer life that lasts.In this Colossians Bible study and devotional, we explore:→ Why Paul chose the word "devote" in Colossians 4:2 — and what it implies → A brief note on The Message paraphrase — what it is (and isn't), and how to use it well → How the New Testament repeatedly calls believers to prayer:Acts 2 — the early church devoted themselves to prayerActs 6 — the apostles gave themselves to prayer and the ministry of the WordRomans 12 — be devoted to prayerEphesians 6 — pray at all times in the Spirit → Martin Luther's famous line: "I have so much to do today, I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer" — and why that's counterintuitive to how we usually think about busy days → Why prayer is often the first thing we drop when life gets busy — and why Luther understood that's backwards → A pastor's honest, practical rhythms for personal prayer:Beginning the day on knees with the Lord's PrayerSitting in silence with a paper to catch distracting thoughtsReading and praying through the PsalmsDaily, weekly, and monthly prayer listsPrayer walks, written prayers, and prayers from other Christians throughout history → Why changing up your prayer routines can help when things feel staid → The disciples' revealing request in Luke 11: not "teach us how to fish" or "teach us how to lead" — but "Teach us how to pray" → Why prayer sits at the heart of everything Jesus didKey takeaway: "What is it that I'm allowing to crowd prayer out of my life — and do I really think it's worth it?"Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 4:2, teaching on how to devote yourself to prayer, practical help with building a daily prayer routine, or a study on what the Bible says about prayer, this devotional offers real-life, tested rhythms to help your prayer life grow.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 4:2 (with Acts 2, Acts 6, Romans 12, Ephesians 6, Luke 11) 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Chapter 4) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 4Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional in this walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who's been trying to grow in their prayer life.💬 Drop a comment below: What's ONE practical rhythm you'd like to add to your prayer life this week? Let's encourage each other in the comments.
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What Is Prayer?
1w ago00:06:17Tap to summarizeWe've arrived at the final chapter of Paul's letter to the church in Colossae — and it opens with a call that is beautiful, challenging, and (if we're honest) a little bit uncomfortable: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." In today's devotional, we take an honest look at what prayer really is, why it's often harder than we admit, and how it slowly transforms us from the inside out.In this Colossians Bible study and devotional, we explore:→ A brief recap of the journey through Colossians so far — from the towering Christology of chapter 1 to the practical instructions of chapters 2 and 3 → The two hinges of Colossians 4: the private discipline of prayer and the public witness of our words → An honest confession that even seasoned Christians often find prayer hard → Paul's command in Colossians 4:2 — devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful → The story of D.L. Moody speaking to a grade school in Scotland — and the young student who quoted the Westminster Confession from memory → The Westminster Confession's beautiful definition of prayer: "Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of the Spirit, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies" → Why at its core, prayer is asking — and what that asking really means → Proverbs 15:8: "The prayer of the upright is His delight" → How God is not the "unmoved mover" of Greek philosophy, but a personal Father who loves and gives → Why we should ask specifically — and why our desires often change through prayer → Christ's powerful model in the Garden of Gethsemane: honesty about His desires, and ultimate surrender — "Not my will, but your will be done"Key takeaway: "Speak openly and boldly to God, expressing the desires of your heart. It's not like He doesn't know. And then allow Him to sometimes directly answer those requests, but other times to change your heart — so that you are more delighted in Him and in what He gives you."Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 4, a Bible study on the meaning of prayer, teaching on devote yourselves to prayer, or a Christian reflection on the Westminster Confession's definition of prayer, this devotional offers an honest, warm, and biblically grounded look at what prayer really is and why it matters.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 4:2 (with Proverbs 15:8 and Matthew 26:39) 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Now in Chapter 4!) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue exploring Paul's closing instructions in Colossians 4Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional as we finish this powerful walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who's been struggling to devote themselves to prayer.💬 Drop a comment below: What's one specific thing you can bring before God in prayer today? Let's encourage each other by praying for one another.
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The Verse Every Dad Needs to Read
2w ago00:04:28Tap to summarizeIt's short. It's simple. It's a little uncomfortable. And it's directed specifically at fathers. In today's Colossians devotional, we sit with Colossians 3:21 — a verse every dad, stepdad, grandfather, uncle, and any man with influence in a child's life needs to hear."Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."In this devotional, we explore:→ Why Paul writes this verse specifically to fathers — and not mothers → Why moms may tend to err toward too much grace, while dads often err toward harshness → The parallel verse in Ephesians 6:4 about not exasperating your children → Two foundational assumptions underneath this verse:The family — not the state, school, or even the church — is the foundational unit of societyFathers hold extraordinary influence in the family → What it actually looks like to embitter a child — from abuse to the more subtle patterns:NeglectCriticism without affirmationBroken promisesEmotional absence even when physically presentDemanding a lot but expressing little pride → An honest personal confession about pushing too hard — and the value of a spouse who tells you the truth → Why the willingness to apologize to your child ("I'm sorry, I handled that poorly, I'm proud of you") is powerful → Why "feedback is the breakfast of champions" — and why asking your spouse or kids how you can grow is a strong move → The sobering reality: there aren't a lot of great dads in the Bible — the list is remarkably short → The one perfect Father held up throughout Scripture — our Heavenly Father — and how Jesus taught us to call Him "Abba" → Why the best thing any dad can do is point his children to HimKey takeaway: "The child sitting across from you at the dinner table is an eternal being. What you say to them, how you say it, whether you show up, whether you affirm them, whether you ask for forgiveness when you've hurt them — all of that is shaping an eternal soul. Is there something left unsaid between you and your child, or between you and your father? What would prevent you from going and saying it?"Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 3:21, teaching on Christian fatherhood, help with how to be a better dad according to the Bible, or a study on Paul's instructions to fathers, this devotional offers a challenging, tender, and hope-filled call to lead well in the home.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:21 (with Ephesians 6:4) 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Chapter 3) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 3Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional in this walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching challenged or encouraged you, share it with a dad, stepdad, or grandfather who needs to hear it today.💬 Drop a comment below: What's one thing you wish had been said (or not said) between you and your dad? And what step could you take today toward healing or growth?
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Why Don't We Talk About Death?
2w ago00:06:23Tap to summarizeAlfred Nobel — the inventor of dynamite — once had the strange experience of reading his own obituary in the newspaper (after a paper mistakenly ran it when his brother died). What he read shook him so deeply that he changed the entire trajectory of his life and legacy. Today's devotional invites you into that same moment of reflection.In this Colossians Bible study and devotional, we return to Colossians 3:1-2 and consider one of the most avoided topics in modern life — death — and why facing it honestly is one of the most life-giving things a Christian can do.In this devotional, we explore:→ The remarkable story of Alfred Nobel — reading his own obituary and changing his legacy forever → Paul's call in Colossians 3: set your heart AND your mind on things above → Why our culture avoids talking about death — and how this differs from Victorian England, where death was discussed openly but sex was not → The 19th-century book The Art of Dying — which went through 100 editions in 35 years → Why some Christians still have a strong aversion to conversations about death (and why that's worth examining) → Charles Spurgeon's beautiful line: "The best moment of a Christian's life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest to heaven" → The math of the average lifespan: about 30,000 days — some more, some less → Moses's powerful prayer in Psalm 90:12 — "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" → Why death has lost its sting for those in Christ — and how this shapes how we live today → Paul's own testimony: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain"Key takeaway: "When I die — and you will — what will my life have been about? What might I then wish I had done? And what prevents me from doing that with the time I have remaining?"Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 3, a Bible study on eternity and living with purpose, teaching on numbering our days, or a Christian perspective on facing death well, this devotional offers a thoughtful, honest, and hope-filled reflection on how to live in light of eternity.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:1-2 + Psalm 90:12 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Chapter 3) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 3Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional in this powerful walk through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that every day counts.💬 Drop a comment below: If you read your own obituary today, what would you want it to say? And what's one thing you can start doing this week to live toward that?
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How To Take Off the Old, Put On the New
2w ago00:04:58Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually mean to "put to death" the old self and "put on" the new? In this devotional, we dig into Colossians 3:5-11 and unpack Paul's powerful clothing metaphor — including the two lists of sins he refuses to let believers ignore, and the game-changing truth that our identity is now defined by who we belong to, not where we come from.In this Bible study and devotional, we explore:→ Paul's clothing metaphor: taking off the old self and putting on the new → List #1: The "big" sins Paul confronts — sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed (and why greed is called idolatry) → List #2: The "petty" sins we tend to dress up with better names — anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lying → Why "I'm not angry, I'm just passionate" and "That's not gossip, it's concern" don't fool Paul → The sobering reality: Paul is writing to baptized, believing Christians — not pagans → Why right beliefs don't automatically produce right behavior (and what to do about it) → How this passage connects back to Genesis and being made in the image of God → What Colossians 3:11 actually means: "There is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free — but Christ is all and in all" → How our identity in Christ dissolves the walls that divide people → The daily, decision-by-decision work of being renewed in the image of our CreatorKey takeaway: "We don't earn the new clothes — we receive them. But we are expected to put them on. Is there something on Paul's list — anger, slander, impurity, lying — that you've been tolerating and explaining away? What would it look like to actually put that to death?"Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 3, a deeper Bible study on putting off the old self and putting on the new, or teaching on identity in Christ, this devotional offers a clear, honest, and hope-filled walk through one of Paul's most practical passages.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:5-11 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Chapter 3) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 3Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional in this powerful series through the book of Colossians. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who's ready to take off the old and put on the new.💬 Drop a comment below: Which item on Paul's list hit closest to home for you today? What would it look like to actually put that to death?
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Are You Living Like This Life Is All There Is?
2w ago00:05:58Tap to summarizeA charging rhinoceros can run 40 miles an hour — but can only see clearly about 30 feet ahead. That means the rhino is charging faster than it can comprehend, crashing into things it never really saw coming. Sound familiar? In Day 33 of our Colossians devotional series, we open Colossians chapter 3 with a powerful call to lift our eyes above the here-and-now.In this devotional, we explore:→ The unforgettable image of a rhinoceros outrunning its own headlights — and why it describes so many of us → Paul's opening argument in Colossians 3: Given what's true about you (raised with Christ, granted eternal life, hidden with God), how are you living? → The two parallel commands: set your heart (affections, desires, longings) AND set your mind (attention, focus) on things above → How the horizon we run toward shapes the way we run today → Confronting the fair critique: are Christians called to be so "heavenly minded" they're no earthly good? (Spoiler: absolutely not) → How Paul turns immediately to concrete, practical responsibilities — to spouses, parents, employees, neighbors — later in this chapter → C.S. Lewis's brilliant line: "Aim at heaven and you'll get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you'll get neither." → Why eternity-oriented people are actually more loving, generous, patient, and forgiving — not less → The good things that can quietly become the main thing: comfort, reputation, financial security, plansKey takeaway: "The rhino has an excuse — it can't see what's coming. We do not have that excuse. We know exactly what's coming. The question is whether we'll do what we've been commanded to do: set our hearts and our minds on things above, where Christ is."This devotional is a powerful invitation to stop charging blindly forward and lift your eyes to the eternal horizon that changes everything about how you live today.📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:1-4 🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Now Beginning Chapter 3!) ⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us! ⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 3Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a single devotional as we move through this practical, life-shaping chapter. If this teaching encouraged you, share it with someone who's been charging ahead without looking up.💬 Drop a comment below: What "earthly thing" tends to consume most of your mental and emotional energy? How can you set your heart on things above this week?#Colossians #BibleStudy #Devotional #Christian #ApostlePaul #CSLewis #Eternity #HeartAndMind #Jesus #NewTestament #DailyDevotional #Colossians3 #ThingsAbove
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