This week’s message is centered around the Book of Colossians. I hope that this will, perhaps, inspire you to prayerfully invest some time grazing in the depth of this letter written to the Christians in the first century.
Let’s begin in chapter two
Paul begins by stating his deep desire for those who have not been able to meet him face to face. His desire is that these and all Christians will pursue the…
…attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
There is a wealth that comes from knowing the deep, deep mystery of Jesus and all that He has done for us. The things hidden from the beginning of creation and continue hidden from the world and, unfortunately, many Christians are freely opened to those who seek the TRUE knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done.
I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
There are many who teach as well as many who yearn to teach that are deluded because they are empty of the mysteries and the true knowledge of Jesus.
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Walking “in Jesus” is one of the profound mysteries that Jesus has invited us into. Paul says that walking in Jesus is exactly the same as how we received Jesus in the first place. It is by faith and only by faith that we receive Him and it is only by faith that we can “walk in Him”. There is so much more to day about this but, for now, we will go on.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
No one ever intends to substitute the traditions of men for the truth of God. It just creeps in unaware in most cases. It is the easiest course to follow because it is based upon our understanding and logic. The truth of God is foolishness to understanding and logic.
For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
Let’s not skip by this one too fast. Read that part once again….
There is another of the mysteries of Jesus. We have (past tense here) been made COMPLETE!
If there should be any doubt arise concerning this mystery, see the rest of this statement that Jesus is “the head over all rule and authority”.
And that’s not all…
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
We were dead; we have been made alive “together with Him through faith”.
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
We can be “defrauded of our prize” of liberterating life by submitting ourselves to the “requirements” of religion. So many things that sound so right are the very things that rob us of our life. Reason, understanding and logic divert us from the truth that is offered within the realm of faith.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)--in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
Perhaps a simple summation of what this is saying is: “if you have died with Christ why do you insist on dragging that old dead body around with you?” The “appearance of wisdom” is a far, far distance from true wisdom. Once again that which makes sense really doesn’t make sense within the Kingdom of God.
We have been made complete in Jesus and mysteries have been opened up to us. We will not unfold these mysteries until we accept our true position in Jesus and begin to live “in Him”.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Authorship
For several months I have been working on writing a book. As a new author, I have learned much about authorship that I hadn’t even considered before beginning this process. I know that there is yet much for me to learn before this process is complete.
This last week a thought occurred to me. More that a thought perhaps; more like a question:
Who is authoring your story?
A silly question? Perhaps it is for many because we have bought into the lies of the world around us. “Go to school, get a good job and live happily ever-after”.
Day after day we live the life that we have made for ourselves, often times living weekend to weekend or paycheck to paycheck.
As we begin a new year we hear much about, any perhaps many of us make, “new year’s resolutions”. Year after year we prove that the plans we make are of little long-term value.
The next question is a bit more harsh: “How is that working for you?”
If you were to honestly evaluate how you are doing and where you are going, how would you feel about your answers?
So let’s get back to the original question: Who is the author of your story?
From the book of Jeremiah God says:
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'.
So, much like the author of a good book, God has a plan for your life. Much more than just a simple plan, however, in that His plan is for “welfare, future and hope”.
His plan continues: 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
This is a vitally important point. We must get the order right or we simply fall back into our own efforts as a failed plan. God’s plan for us is to first, agree and accept that God has a plan of welfare, future and hope for us and second, knowing that, we will then call upon Him and He will answer.
To assure our understanding of this truth God addresses those of us who are likely to “dip our toe” into His plan.
'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'
So, allow me to change the question to one more important:
Who will be the author of your story from this point on?
This last week a thought occurred to me. More that a thought perhaps; more like a question:
Who is authoring your story?
A silly question? Perhaps it is for many because we have bought into the lies of the world around us. “Go to school, get a good job and live happily ever-after”.
Day after day we live the life that we have made for ourselves, often times living weekend to weekend or paycheck to paycheck.
As we begin a new year we hear much about, any perhaps many of us make, “new year’s resolutions”. Year after year we prove that the plans we make are of little long-term value.
The next question is a bit more harsh: “How is that working for you?”
If you were to honestly evaluate how you are doing and where you are going, how would you feel about your answers?
So let’s get back to the original question: Who is the author of your story?
From the book of Jeremiah God says:
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'.
So, much like the author of a good book, God has a plan for your life. Much more than just a simple plan, however, in that His plan is for “welfare, future and hope”.
His plan continues: 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
This is a vitally important point. We must get the order right or we simply fall back into our own efforts as a failed plan. God’s plan for us is to first, agree and accept that God has a plan of welfare, future and hope for us and second, knowing that, we will then call upon Him and He will answer.
To assure our understanding of this truth God addresses those of us who are likely to “dip our toe” into His plan.
'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'
So, allow me to change the question to one more important:
Who will be the author of your story from this point on?
Monday, December 29, 2008
A Change of Mind is in Order
Do you have any idea how much God loves you? He is crazy about you; what else could He do to show you exactly much He cares about you? A better car? A higher income? A better behaved family? A bigger home? An unexpected windfall?
There was a memorable plaque that I came across a few weeks ago. It said, "Which is easier, for God to bring peace out of the storm or for Him to bring peace within the storm?"
I know that we all want the former; God prefers the latter because that is where faith sits!
The Kingdom of God works on a different system than the domain of this world. The Kingdom of God works entirely on faith; the domain of this world works on success, accomplishment, wealth, health and possessions. There is no greater disparity than that of the two sytems!
Maybe it time that we reposition our minds toward the things that God prefers. It make take some sincere repentance; for sure, it will take some degree of faith!
There was a memorable plaque that I came across a few weeks ago. It said, "Which is easier, for God to bring peace out of the storm or for Him to bring peace within the storm?"
I know that we all want the former; God prefers the latter because that is where faith sits!
The Kingdom of God works on a different system than the domain of this world. The Kingdom of God works entirely on faith; the domain of this world works on success, accomplishment, wealth, health and possessions. There is no greater disparity than that of the two sytems!
Maybe it time that we reposition our minds toward the things that God prefers. It make take some sincere repentance; for sure, it will take some degree of faith!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Hearing From God
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. And Zaharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him.
So opens the communication, once again between the Creator and His creation!
400 years; that’s a long, long time.
400 years had been how long it had been since God had spoken to mankind. No prophets, no angelic appearances, no visions, no dreams; absolutely no communication whatsoever!
Silence, how does that make sense. Mankind left to himself leads only to degradation; nothing good comes from this type of silence.
“Do not be afraid” were the first words from God in over 400 years. “Do not be afraid”; four words that speak volumes.
-God chose to open is communications once again with one single man.
-God did not allow the urgency of the message to be delivered to override His care for the individual. "Do not be afraid" is not an unimportant detail.
-God chose to speak to an individual who was available; just doing his assigned duties.
-God re-opened communications with the physical presence of an angel to confirm the message.
So, how long has it been since you have heard from Him? The good news is that, at least, it couldn’t have been 400 years. Schedule some time to hear from Him soon! He will show up.
So opens the communication, once again between the Creator and His creation!
400 years; that’s a long, long time.
400 years had been how long it had been since God had spoken to mankind. No prophets, no angelic appearances, no visions, no dreams; absolutely no communication whatsoever!
Silence, how does that make sense. Mankind left to himself leads only to degradation; nothing good comes from this type of silence.
“Do not be afraid” were the first words from God in over 400 years. “Do not be afraid”; four words that speak volumes.
-God chose to open is communications once again with one single man.
-God did not allow the urgency of the message to be delivered to override His care for the individual. "Do not be afraid" is not an unimportant detail.
-God chose to speak to an individual who was available; just doing his assigned duties.
-God re-opened communications with the physical presence of an angel to confirm the message.
So, how long has it been since you have heard from Him? The good news is that, at least, it couldn’t have been 400 years. Schedule some time to hear from Him soon! He will show up.
Monday, December 15, 2008
That Name!
Power in the Name
His name is Jesus, not Christ, not Lord, not God. Yes, He is the Messiah (Christ), He is Lord of Lords and He is eternal God but His name is Jesus.
There is something entirely unique about His name. Scripture indicates that it is unique beyond all other names.
There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.. Acts 4:12
And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know. Acts 3:16
Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. Philippians 2:9&10
And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face and His name shall be on their foreheads! Revelation 22:3&4
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Scripture tells us that there will be many Christs and false prophets. Mark 13:22 There, therefore, is no power in the title of Christ.
Lord is a title of royalty. There have been many Lords in many countries and societies. Jesus is called the Lord of Lords for such reason. There is no power in the title of Lord.
Too many to name are the gods of this world. Religions too numerous to mention all have a concept of god. People freely use the term of god in their exclamations, “Oh, my god!”, “god, no or god, yes”. Jesus referred to the god of this world referring to Satan. There is no power in the title of God!
If you are weary of your mundane job, life; if you are powerless over the temptations; if scripture is boring or left on the shelf; if you would like to experience more power in you life, drop the powerless terms and adopt the powerful name of Jesus!
His name is Jesus, not Christ, not Lord, not God. Yes, He is the Messiah (Christ), He is Lord of Lords and He is eternal God but His name is Jesus.
There is something entirely unique about His name. Scripture indicates that it is unique beyond all other names.
There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.. Acts 4:12
And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know. Acts 3:16
Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. Philippians 2:9&10
And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face and His name shall be on their foreheads! Revelation 22:3&4
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Scripture tells us that there will be many Christs and false prophets. Mark 13:22 There, therefore, is no power in the title of Christ.
Lord is a title of royalty. There have been many Lords in many countries and societies. Jesus is called the Lord of Lords for such reason. There is no power in the title of Lord.
Too many to name are the gods of this world. Religions too numerous to mention all have a concept of god. People freely use the term of god in their exclamations, “Oh, my god!”, “god, no or god, yes”. Jesus referred to the god of this world referring to Satan. There is no power in the title of God!
If you are weary of your mundane job, life; if you are powerless over the temptations; if scripture is boring or left on the shelf; if you would like to experience more power in you life, drop the powerless terms and adopt the powerful name of Jesus!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Food For Your Soul
For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Many are very familiar with this scripture. Knowing about this scripture is far different from knowing the scripture. There exists a serious lack, in terms of time invested, in the Bible by Christians today. This lack has brought sever consequences. Fear, stress, relationship troubles, pornography, impatience, debt, mistrust, insomnia are commonplace in the lives of Christians in current times.
Jesus prayed the following words: They (the followers of Jesus) are not of this world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:16&17
We are “sanctified”(set apart for God’s purposes) by God’s word. There is no other method available. Jesus knows that living in this world dilutes even the strongest resolutions. The “truths” of this world begin to take on an air of acceptability over time. The only antidote for the “truths” of this world are the real truths of God’s world and the only place that we experience God’s world is through His word.
Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and active. Clearly then, scripture is not a stagnant document. This is an important distinction because, unlike every other book or document, the Bible reveals its truths in levels.
…the natural man does not accept the things of God; for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. I Corinthians 2:14
The closer we are to our “natural man” the less likely we are to read the scriptures because we do not “understand them”. The amazing resilience of scripture provides that, even if we begin close to our “natural man” state, the “sharp, two-edged sword begins to speak to our spiritual man.
As our spiritual nature feeds on God’s word, our spiritual nature grows stronger and stronger. As our spiritual nature (faith) grows new levels of scriptural truth open up to us.
It is time to begin again. Pick up God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your thoughts and reveal His truth.
Many are very familiar with this scripture. Knowing about this scripture is far different from knowing the scripture. There exists a serious lack, in terms of time invested, in the Bible by Christians today. This lack has brought sever consequences. Fear, stress, relationship troubles, pornography, impatience, debt, mistrust, insomnia are commonplace in the lives of Christians in current times.
Jesus prayed the following words: They (the followers of Jesus) are not of this world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:16&17
We are “sanctified”(set apart for God’s purposes) by God’s word. There is no other method available. Jesus knows that living in this world dilutes even the strongest resolutions. The “truths” of this world begin to take on an air of acceptability over time. The only antidote for the “truths” of this world are the real truths of God’s world and the only place that we experience God’s world is through His word.
Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and active. Clearly then, scripture is not a stagnant document. This is an important distinction because, unlike every other book or document, the Bible reveals its truths in levels.
…the natural man does not accept the things of God; for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. I Corinthians 2:14
The closer we are to our “natural man” the less likely we are to read the scriptures because we do not “understand them”. The amazing resilience of scripture provides that, even if we begin close to our “natural man” state, the “sharp, two-edged sword begins to speak to our spiritual man.
As our spiritual nature feeds on God’s word, our spiritual nature grows stronger and stronger. As our spiritual nature (faith) grows new levels of scriptural truth open up to us.
It is time to begin again. Pick up God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your thoughts and reveal His truth.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Truth Sprouts Worship
Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus answered him, Because you have seen you believe? Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe. John 20:28&29
Believing is a difficult thing to explain isn’t it? Come to think about it, it’s a bit difficult to personally understand as well. It’s kind of like being “all grown up”. Kids can hardly wait for the day when they are grown up until one day they are there and can’t understand where all the time has gone. Likewise, belief is something we can often see in others but, at times, feel woefully inadequate in our own lives.
So how do we go about increasing our faith?
We have all read the books or seen the movies wherein hope is slipping away and despair is growing by the moment. The horizon has been repeatedly scanned for possible escape; any help! Suddenly, miraculously over the distant hill we see the cavalry, the townspeople, the lone stranger, the long lost love… Hope turns to unfettered joy as desperate hopelessness turns to victory!
The Psalmist might have had an initial similar expectation as he begins his thoughts (Psalm 121)I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? He continues: My help comes from the Lord who made the heaven and the earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps [you] will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever!
So how do we increase our faith? Worship is the key! Let me hasten to point out that we too often have the view that worship is music or singing. While music and singing are often present at worship and sometimes vehicles of worship, it can as easily be an escape from true worship!
In a discussion with a woman who attempted to deflect confrontation about her private life Jesus said, “…true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth and truth” John 4:23&24
“Worship in truth”…what, if you were sincerely honest would you really say to God? Until we are willing to deal with truth we will never enter into the truth of worship.
The Psalms are great examples of honesty. (For example, read Psalm 10 looking for the truth and for the turn around.) It is only due to the courage of the psalmist in laying his heart bare before the God who knows him better than he know himself that his perspective begins to change. Once we experience the deep release of truth with God we will be set free to worship!True worshipers shall worship the Father (John 5:23) in spirit and truth!
It is within this type of worship that true faith is discovered!
Isn't it time to be real with your God?
Jesus answered him, Because you have seen you believe? Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe. John 20:28&29
Believing is a difficult thing to explain isn’t it? Come to think about it, it’s a bit difficult to personally understand as well. It’s kind of like being “all grown up”. Kids can hardly wait for the day when they are grown up until one day they are there and can’t understand where all the time has gone. Likewise, belief is something we can often see in others but, at times, feel woefully inadequate in our own lives.
So how do we go about increasing our faith?
We have all read the books or seen the movies wherein hope is slipping away and despair is growing by the moment. The horizon has been repeatedly scanned for possible escape; any help! Suddenly, miraculously over the distant hill we see the cavalry, the townspeople, the lone stranger, the long lost love… Hope turns to unfettered joy as desperate hopelessness turns to victory!
The Psalmist might have had an initial similar expectation as he begins his thoughts (Psalm 121)I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? He continues: My help comes from the Lord who made the heaven and the earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps [you] will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever!
So how do we increase our faith? Worship is the key! Let me hasten to point out that we too often have the view that worship is music or singing. While music and singing are often present at worship and sometimes vehicles of worship, it can as easily be an escape from true worship!
In a discussion with a woman who attempted to deflect confrontation about her private life Jesus said, “…true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth and truth” John 4:23&24
“Worship in truth”…what, if you were sincerely honest would you really say to God? Until we are willing to deal with truth we will never enter into the truth of worship.
The Psalms are great examples of honesty. (For example, read Psalm 10 looking for the truth and for the turn around.) It is only due to the courage of the psalmist in laying his heart bare before the God who knows him better than he know himself that his perspective begins to change. Once we experience the deep release of truth with God we will be set free to worship!True worshipers shall worship the Father (John 5:23) in spirit and truth!
It is within this type of worship that true faith is discovered!
Isn't it time to be real with your God?
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