Three Minute Bible

March 22, 2025March 23, 2025

Colossians 3:21 – The Good Life

Picture of a man sucking on a lemon (with a puckered face!)

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Summary: This passage touches on a sensitive point for many people. Relationships are easy to break and hard to mend. Having a good relationship with God our Father is priceless.

I always find it interesting how the Bible speaks to us in different ways.

Many people have fathers whom they love dearly. They are fathers who invest in their kids, set a good example in life, and are good husbands and role models.

March 21, 2025March 21, 2025

Colossians 3:20 – God’s Children

Picture of a man in white hair, beard and robe depicting God holding the world in his hand and rolling his eyes.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Summary: Speaking of children, how did God deal with his kids?

It is interesting that Paul would include this statement in his section on family values, but not surprising.

Paul is sharing information revealed to him by God (Galatians 1:12). As usual, God’s message is completely consistent over the centuries. It is also a message close to God’s heart.

March 20, 2025March 21, 2025

Colossians 3:19 – True Love

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Summary: Paul is giving advice to married couples, and while it may sound like he is stating the obvious, a closer examination shows us more of what he means.

I feel like all I need to say for this meditation is, “Yeah, husband, lighten up!” But it is more complicated than that, isn’t it?

“Love” is a word that is horribly overused in our society. The Greeks used many different words to describe various kinds of love. All of them were different!

March 19, 2025March 20, 2025

Colossians 3:18 – Finding Happy

Picture of John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Summary: To address this topic we have decided to step back and look at the larger picture. Why does God want an obedient wife for his Son, Jesus?

There are a lot of ways to address this text, and none of them will make everyone happy. This is a challenging topic because it has to do with God’s plan for families.

Since Paul has left very little to the imagination and just blurted out what he knows, I thought it might be helpful to step back and take a look at the larger picture.

March 18, 2025March 18, 2025

Colossians 3:17b – Giving Thanks

Heart shaped cloud floats against a blue sky.

… giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Summary: Giving thanks can be something we do to be polite, but with God, lip service doesn’t count. Thankfulness needs to come from the heart.

When do you give thanks to God? Is it often or just now and then?

Do you know what Paul means by giving thanks to the Father through Jesus?

March 17, 2025March 17, 2025

Colossians 3:17a – Eyes On Jesus

Cartoon picture of a young boy surrounded by eyes looking at him.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus …

Summary: In this passage, Paul lays down a challenge. He reminds us that God is everywhere, and our Lord Jesus is always with us. He suggests that maybe we should act like it.

Here is an interesting thought! What if everything you ever said or did was in the name of the Lord Jesus? Does that change anything?

As children of God and brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus, we actually have a responsibility to acknowledge God in our daily lives.

March 15, 2025March 16, 2025

Colossians 3:16e – Heavenly Music

… singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Summary: Understanding this passage leads us to ponder many things in the Bible that have to do with our five senses.

Have you ever wondered why God created singing?

The Old Testament includes many examples of animal sacrifice. (This may seem like a strange way to begin a meditation on singing, but bear with me!)

March 14, 2025March 14, 2025

Colossians 3:16d – How to Live

Picture of Paul and companions walking along the road singing.

[Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly] … through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,

Summary: When Paul teaches us about Christ, he describes his personal experience with Jesus.

Years ago, I had a key fob with the words, “I sing because I’m happy!” written on it. It made me smile because it was true. Singing and happiness go together.

Of course, you can sing about sad things, too. That is why we have the “blues.”

Actually, both are appropriate for praising God.

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025

Colossians 3:16c – Something to Think About

… as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…

Summary: Paul’s words on teaching and admonishing lead us to reflect on what the Lord’s church was intended to be and to meditate on what it might become in the future.

When was the last time you attended a church where the Statement of Beliefs page included these words, “Members are expected to teach and admonish one another with all wisdom”?

I’m guessing the answer is, “Never.”

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025

Colossians 3:16b – Trust Jesus

A modern interpretation of Saul on the road to Damascus when he is confronted by the Lord

[Let the message of Christ dwell among you] … richly …

Summary: Experiencing Christ involves separating the wheat from the chaff, or as we say these days, the signal from the noise. Paul wants you to succeed and experience Christ richly.

Is it true that salvation is all about who we know rather than what we know?

Putting the burden of faith on what we know is a common misconception. We know this is true because so many people do it!