Blog Post Monday October 8th

A Prayer For Lives Lived Serving Christ By Serving Others (Colossians 3:23-24 {not in today's reading Jeremiah 31:3 & Hebrews 10:24-25})

I pray for each person who reads this Lord.  There are so many of us across the world in different circumstance, with different influences, different opportunities, different paths of life.  No matter where we each find ourselves, Lord, you have called us to live the moments we have today and every day as if we are living them for you.  I take that to mean to love people - both the easy to love and those who are difficult for us to love or perhaps that we may feel don't deserve our love.  It means to serve others - not just in ways we enjoy or that fit comfortably into our schedules but to serve when it might mean sacrifice or doing things we don't enjoy or just don't want to do.  It means to think of others and the ways we can encourage and build them up according to their needs and not our desires.  It means to face the struggles and trials in our day with the knowledge of who you are, Lord, and the grace to face it all so that we may be a light and testimony to who you are so that others around us may see our faith in the trials and be drawn to know more about who you are and the Love you have to give. 

Lord, help each of us to remember that when we give up our rights to be offended, our rights to hold a grudge, our dislikes and irritations, when we surrender our time, our wants and need, when we give up the honor we might feel is due to ourselves and surrender it to you, you will not leave us empty and in want.  No, you will fill us to overflowing.  Lord, we can live our lives working at all things as if we are working for you when we purposefully live for the promises of something more than this life, a reward beyond the boundaries of mortal successes and achievements, when we look to the promises of eternity with you and the hope and security it bring us.  That eternal promise was made not because we deserved it, not because we were faultless, not because it was easy to give or because of a God who was selfish but because you are a selfless God who loves with an everlasting love and has pursued and drawn us to you with a lovingkindness that is unlike any to be found anywhere else.

Prepare our hearts for every step we will take and may your spirit be a reminder of how you did not spare anything for us but you lived wholeheartedly for us, for our good and your glory.  When we remember this, Lord, let it spur us on to do good, to love and to encourage others. In your strength and joy may we truly serve you in all that we do and with all we encounter today.

AMEN

October 6: Of Sunday Christians

Jeremiah 6:16-8:7

Colossians 2:8-23

Psalm 78:1-31

Proverbs 24:26

Jeremiah 7:1: "'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"—safe to do all these detestable things?"

Colossians 2:8: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

For so long I struggled with the idea of Sunday Christians.  I was practically a charter member of my generation - the kind who lived in sin Monday to Saturday, then thought everything was fine when I showed up at church on Sunday.  It certainly wasn't just me - there was a lot of it going around…people like me who mechanically mouthed prayers, chatted outside, even flirted in the choir loft between hymns.  And so many people said it was ok.  

Little surprise, then, my life was little changed for the better. And the habits I developed got me into trouble, and the trouble I got into seemed to multiply.  Sunday church didn't matter, because I wasn't really at church…physical presence alone was insufficient, no matter what the hollow and deceptive philosophy of human tradition preached.  

Someone finally explained it to me.  Church wasn't supposed to be the cure, it was supposed to be the manifestation of the cure.  Coming to church on Sundays was supposed to be the leper's return to Jesus to thank Jesus for healing him.  The deliverance, the change of our hearts - that comes from God, from relationship and communion with Him.  Being close to Him, we are transformed.  You know how people who have been married together long enough start finishing each other's sentences, start anticipating each other's needs?  Their relationship changed them, cleaved them together.  That's the same relationship we should want with God.  

Father, help us to recognize the subtle lies the world and our sinfulness tell us.  Remind us that You aren't a Sunday God, You are God of every day, every moment.  Teach us to hunger to be with You every single day, every single moment.

Oct 5

Colossians 1

What was the goal of the apostle Paul, the passion that got him out of bed in the morning, that caused his heart to beat faster?  Colossians 1:28 states his goal as, "to present everyone perfect in Christ." The word perfect doesn't mean flawless - it means mature or complete. The goal is spiritually maturity through discipleship.

Pastor A.W. Tozar was "spot on" when he diagnosed the problem of the Western church when he said, "the problem is that everything is made of the act of accepting Christ, then there is no more seeking."  Our goal is not to make converts but disciples.

In a nationwide survey, George Barna asked thousands of Americans, 40% of which were Christians, what their goal in life was. Not one ( including pastors and hundreds of people who regularly attended church) said their goal was to make disciples. The result is that Christianity in the West is declining about 2 percent each year.

I would be in despair about this statistic but for the fact that Jesus said He was building His church. Paul was "all in" in his commitment to join Jesus in this mission.

"To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me."   Colossians 1:29. Notice he says, "His energy."  I thought Paul would say "my" energy.  The energy for his great mission is supplied by Jesus Himself. This perfect blending of divine power and human effort is the key to victory. Remember it is called the great Co-Mission; our mission is to make disciples of all nations and to do this in His energy. So, who are you discipling this week?  

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, October 4

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2018


"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13,14)


In his Letter to the Colossians, Paul establishes the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ to a young church that had been presented with competing views of how the Christian faith should look.

While we don't have a complete perspective on what many commentators have termed the "Colossian heresy," we may ascertain from the text, particularly Chapter 2, that there was a very real threat from false teaching. Paul warns the Colossians not to become "captive" -- or "swept away" -- as would have described a pirate's plundering. Paul points out that the heresy had espoused a hollow and deceptive philosophy with the appearance of wisdom (1:23), but lacking in substance. Built on the foundations of human tradition and the world's basic principles, the philosophy endangered these young believers, primarily by weakening their allegiance to Christ. Any philosophy or worldview that seeks to de-esteem the Lord Jesus Christ represents a toxic agent for the Christian and should be avoided at all costs.

In contrast, Paul exalts the Lord Jesus Christ as worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. He does so by highlighting Christ's supremacy over all Creation. While this supremacy makes Him "wholly other," we also understand that He has personally "rescued us from the dominion of darkness," giving us "redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Our placement has switched from the kingdom of evil to Christ's Kingdom, and Jesus has personally brought it about. The love of God the Father for Jesus Christ, His Son, extends to those whom Christ has redeemed. We may participate in and experience the love of God by the completed work of Christ.

I absolutely love the truth of Colossians 1:17: "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Christ is sovereign over all Creation; His stature is unquestionable. Yet, He "holds" all things together by His love, His grace, and His mercy. For me, this verse provides a great promise of God's complete trustworthiness. He is able to work on behalf of His children.

May we embrace the sovereign of our King and experience His love more deeply as we read through Colossians.


Lord God, thank You for establishing Christ as sovereign over all Creation. Help us to become aware of any hollow and deceptive philosophies that the world wishes to espouse. Ground us in the truth of Your Word and the secure hope of Your Kingdom. We love You and honor You today. In Jesus's Name, amen.


The warning of 2:8 is clear and stern. False teaching poses a dangerous threat to the church. Captive is a rare Greek verb that refers to the carrying off of booty. The Colossians have much to lose if they are beguiled by heresy. The false teaching is characterized as a hollow and deceptive philosophy. It has the appearance of wisdom (see 1:23), but lacks substance. It builds on the foundation of human tradition and the basic principles of this world (2:8). Paul disavows that it has any connection with Christ. Thus it is set in opposition to Christian doctrine. Its basis, content, and purpose are not only non-Christian; they are anti-Christian.


"None But Jesus" by Hillsong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9qoqQ75ifs

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Oct. 3

Philippians 4

Back in the 16th century, Ponce de Leon was linked to a myth regarding the Fountain of Youth. In today's world we are bombarded by another myth that the secret to happiness can be found in material things and we are blindsided by the world around us. Contrast all this with today's reading, and although it was written over 2000 years ago, Paul reveals to us the true "Secret of Contentment". Paul knew what it meant to live in prosperity as well as lack.  He also learned that his identity and happiness had nothing to do with his upbringing or what he owned.  Paul reveals in verse 13 what he called "the secret of contentment".  "I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me" (Tree of Life Version) .Circumstance wasn't the foundation of his state of being, Jesus was.  He learned to be content with whatever circumstance he was in because everything he needed was provided by God.  As we learned to pray in the Lord's Prayer, "give us this day our daily bread" now takes on new meaning. Whatever Paul encountered, good or bad, being in Christ and being connected to God daily was all that mattered to him. He totally depended on God and trusted that his life in Christ was sufficient. Think about how that one encounter with Jesus that day in Damascus radically changed him. No matter what he was going through, his spirit rejoiced in the Lord and as a result he lived a life where God's gentleness was known to all people. With prayer, petition and thanksgiving, he made his requests known to God, and his life bore witness to The Messiah. He didn't only pray for himself, he prayed for everyone, confidently knowing that God heard him, and he trusted God would take care of the rest. He encourages us to put into practice everything we learn from him, and the God of shalom (peace) will be with us just as He was with the Apostle Paul.  Indeed, the true secret of contentment.

Randi

Bible Reading - 2 October

Gods Grace

Isaiah 66:1-24

Philippians 3:4-21

Psalm 74:1-23

Proverbs 24:15-16

In Isaiahs writing he relates to what God has told and shown him and makes his point clear. A prophet is nothing at all unless he is an authoritative spokesperson for God. The Lord says he has heaven for a throne and earth as a footstool. He has no need for people to build him a house. The Israelites had gradually lost their love for God, as their worship ceremonies should have inspired the people to keep their hearts and minds focused on the Lord. Instead they continued to pray and sacrifice as minor rituals and their sins became offensive to the Lord. What God desires from us is not thoughtless sacrifice but rather a contrite sprit and humility. 

God points out that the people have lost any sense of distinguishing holy from the unholy. God makes clear distinctions between righteous and wicked. Those who choose their Own ways  and delight in abominations will receive Gods judgement for God has spoken, but they will neither listen nor respond. Judgement is for those who reject God however the obedient will rejoice in the comfort of God and the righteous will have joyful hearts and new life. We can see this in todays society as more people are lost and the modern culture has lost a sense of what sin is. Sin in todays era has become increasingly normal and celebrated. How can we as disciples help change this? 

 We can certainly start by evangelizing and spreading the word of God and not idling through our day to day lives.

The Lord will come with fire and sword in his judgement. When Jerusalem is reestablished Gods grace will extend to all nations. God will fulfill his promise and  establish new heavens and new earth and an enduring kingdom.                      

In Psalm it gives us comfort knowing that in terrible situations and storms God will protect his people and in the midst of our storms we can find rest and comfort in Jesus. The hardships will make our faith grow strong as believers of Christ.

In proverbs 15-16, it warns the wicked and encourages the righteous, it is foolish for the wicked to try and to overpower the righteous  because godly people have the strength and wisdom to  endure difficult times.

There is much to gain when one gains Christ by justification, sanctification and glorification. We must abandon our own efforts and  turn in faith to Jesus. I pray that we as believers don't get lost in all the earthly things and that we stay focused on Christ. As believers we should imitate those who live Godly lives and be aware of those who don't. I pray that we are conscious of our own failings and that we are dependent upon Gods grace to keep going. Lord, I pray we become more Christlike- more and more each day.  Amen. 

bible blog post Monday October 1st

A Prayer For The Need To Be Near God  (Psalm 73:23-28)

When we stumble, when life overwhelms us, when challenges lay before us, or when the darkness seems to envelope us it is you Lord who is there to hold us so we are not alone, it is you who is there to guide us in the way to go. Help us to know this and believe this truth in our lives.  Lord, it is you who is always faithful to be our strength when we have no strength of our own to sustain us or move us forward.  Our hearts needs to draw near to you always but especially during the difficult times when we can feel alone, down, or lost.  We need to always look to you and where you are.  We need to seek you out when it seems our way is unclear because you are never far from us and you will always be there when we call out to you.  May we make you the true and complete desire of our hearts.  May we not let anything take the place of honor in our heart where you should dwell and where you bring peace and true joy during all that life brings. If we have allowed anything to cause distance between us, to push us back so we are not as near to you as we can and need to be then we ask you to make us aware, stir our hearts to put you back in the place of honor in our lives so that we are daily living as near to you as we are able.  Lord, thank you for the comfort of your word and the promises it holds.  Help us to long for your word to fill our hearts as well as our minds and to keep us standing and walking after you always.

AMEN