May 24, 2025

LET PEACE RULE IN YOUR HEART

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

 Colossians 3:15–17 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

These verses give us a beautiful picture of the kind of church we are called to be. Paul outlines three defining marks of a Christ-centered community—peace, the Word, and gratitude.

1. We Should Be a Peace-Filled Church

Paul encourages us to “let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” In other words, let Christ’s peace be the umpire—the guiding force—in all we do and how we relate to one another. He reminds us that we are “called to live in peace.”

In a culture marked by conflict, division, and outrage, the church should feel different. Our relationships, homes, and worship gatherings should be sanctuaries of peace—places where God’s calm presence can be felt. If the Prince of Peace lives in us, that peace should overflow to others.

2. We Should Be a Word-Shaped Church

Paul says, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.” He adds, “Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives.” The Bible isn’t just a book we read on Sundays—it’s the foundation of our lives. When we’re shaped by the Word, we gain wisdom, direction, and purpose.

Ask yourself: What is filling my life?

I have a friend who’s a walking baseball encyclopedia—he can quote stats, player histories, and team records without missing a beat. His life is filled with baseball. And it shows.

As followers of Jesus, do people see the same passion in us for God’s Word? Do we talk about Christ with the same enthusiasm we have for sports, hobbies, or headlines?

Let’s be a church that’s saturated with Scripture—not just in what we teach, but in how we live.

3. We Should Be a Thankful Church

Paul uses the word “thankful” three times in just these three verses.

• “Always be thankful.”

• “Sing…with thankful hearts.”

• “Whatever you do…do it…giving thanks through Him to God.”

Gratitude is meant to be the soundtrack of our lives. It shapes our attitude, our relationships, and our worship. Whether we’re working, resting, parenting, serving, or singing—we do it all with thankfulness to God.

Thankfulness changes everything. It softens the heart, lifts our eyes, and silences the voice of complaint. And when we live that way, the world notices.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to be a person of peace. Let my words and actions reflect Your calming presence. Fill me with a hunger for Your Word—may it shape my thoughts, my choices, and my direction. Give me a thankful heart. Help me to be known not for complaining, but for gratitude, because of all You’ve done for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”