[Steve Myers] Change is a very difficult thing to do. And yet as God's children we're called to change our lives. There's an encouraging section of scripture that shows this is possible, that we can actually change. And it's found in the book of Colossians. The Apostle Paul writes right at the very beginning of his letter in verse 6 of Colossians 1. He says about the gospel, the truth of God's word, it says, "It has come to you as it has also in all the world is bringing forth fruit as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth" (Colossians 1:6).

So what the Apostle Paul is saying, because we understand the gospel, because we understand the good news of what God is doing. We have a Father in heaven who loves us and cares for us. We have a Savior in Jesus Christ. And that God has a plan for all eternity. And that we can change and we can become more Christ-like in our lives. He says in a way we're supposed to be like a tree. That like a tree that brings forth fruit, we've got our roots that are sunk deep into a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ, if those roots of ours are sunk deep into the truth of His word, we can draw nourishment from God, and we can grow, and we can produce the kind of godly fruit that God wants us to.

The New Living translation puts it a little bit differently. It says it like this in verse 6, it says, "This same good news," that's the gospel, "that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives." Then it goes on, "Just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace." And so through God's grace, through His mercy, by His calling, we can change.

And Paul reminds us that this isn't just a one-time thing, that this is an ongoing process just like a tree that sinks its roots deep into the ground and draws its nourishment from that ground. It grows, and it produces, and it continues to grow and produce through its entire life. That we can do that very same thing, and we shouldn't expect it to just be a one-time thing that it's done and it's over. No, it takes our whole life.

And so Paul encourages us, God encourages us. Sink your roots deep into the word of God, into the gospel of His truth, into the plan of God, into a relationship with God and with Jesus Christ. And when we do that, we can take heart that God is changing our life, and we can become more Christ-like.

That's BT Daily. We'll see you next time.