The Circle of Life with Christ

by John Tilton on June 15, 2026

SCRIPTURE:

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

Colossians 1:9-12

 

OBSERVATION:

Paul speaks to the people of Colossae in a precise process or what I would call the “circle of life” with Christ and beginning with prayer; that God would then fill us with His knowledge and will, resulting in wisdom and understanding. Subsequently, that we may live a worthy life to please Him, doing good works as we grow in Him, and be strengthened when we need to persevere through patience, and always being grateful and giving thanks. If we look at the scripture in this way, the process, or “circle of life” is indeed a concise post salvation plan for us to follow and live by for Christ.

APPLICATION:

As I apply this to my daily life, it would be:

  • Praying through all things
  • That God bestow on me His will with wisdom and understanding from the Spirit
  • That I would live a Godly life, pleasing Him through good works
  • That I would then continue to grow in the knowledge of Him
  • And be strengthened with His power when I need to persevere ad press through
  • But always give thanks in gratefulness for His call on my life in His inheritance

I can be an analytical person at times, and I love and am encouraged that this process is so succinct in terms of God’s plan for me and His call on my life, and how I can approach the things that I confront each day with a plan and process that is His will.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, I thank you for the clarity of your call, will, and plan for my life in walking with you. Thank you for your faithfulness.

About the Author

John Tilton

Senior Pastor John Tilton has served at New Hope Oahu since it’s launch in 1995, and has been on staff in administration and as executive pastor for the past 14 years. The values and heart behind New Hope run deeply through Pastor John’s veins as he has trained, learned, and was mentored closely by Pastor Wayne.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Pastor John holds his Masters in Formational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College & Capital Seminary. He has served in various leadership, mentorship, and advisory roles in ministry and in the marketplace. He currently serves as Vice President of New Hope International and is on the Board of Directors of both Pacific Rim Christian University and New Hope Christian College. 

Pastor John is married to his amazing wife Lanu, is father to his son Ikaika, daughter Malie, son-in-law Noni, is Papa to his grandchildren Justice, Johanna, and Jordynn, all of whom serve in ministry as a family together at New Hope Oahu.

Pastor John’s heart is to love and shepherd the people of New Hope Oahu––both here on Oahu and globally across the world. He will seek to continue to develop leaders, enable people here to dream with vision and purpose for God’s unique call on their lives, and, most importantly, to seek God as He faithfully guides our church so that we can fully become the church, and the people, He has created and called us to be.

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