Colossians 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

What happened to 23? It’s here today and was there yesterday. We need to aim to please God, not man.

When we do aim to please God we then get to know how pleased He is with us by what He gives us. No I’m not saying He will give you money if you work for Him – that is the earthly view and task.

When we walk with God we begin to see just how much He gives us deep within our souls. We begin to know the strength, wisdom, peace and life He bestows on us because we believe in Him.

God wants to give us our inheritance, but we need to believe it first!

Colossians 3:22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

When we make a contract with someone we should keep it and we should obey the person in charge with everything they ask of us in a normal manner.

This does not mean we have to go against our beliefs when they tell us to do so – that is spiritual and we need to make sure we stick with God in those matters, not man!

But also to do things because we want to and not just because it’s our job; knowing that this is the will of God!

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Once again we see this has to be taken in context with the previous verses and again it is showing how we need to be able to live in peace together.

From a youth worker perspective there is nothing worse than having to try to piece together a young person after they have had an argument with their parents.

The stability in their relationship is in tatters and has to be moulded back together slowly to show them how things fit together one piece at a time.

God needs workers who are willing to piece together lives one step at a time so they can see The Fathers love.