"You are the light of the world"….Jesus (Matthew 5:14)
Think for a moment about that statement…
What strikes you as you encounter this stark statement of Jesus?
Did you notice that it is a rather certain statement; that He said "we are" not "we might be"?
Light is so very important. Have you noticed that it even jumps out in the darkest night regardless of how far away it might be? The light of one single candle will bring a warm glow and visibility in a dark cold room.
The importance of light was evidenced in the beginning when God selected the time of light creation. The very first act within the account of creation was God’s statement, Let there be light. Genesis 1:3
Fascinating, beyond comprehension is our God. Light was created on the first day of creation but the sun and stars were not created until day four. The power of light is beyond the vehicles that carry it.
1 John 1:5 states, God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.
You, undoubtedly, have taken note of the continual battle between darkness and light. Withdraw the light in any room, or in any society, and the darkness moves in. Contrary, interject light into the dark place and the darkness literally flees; it cannot leave fast enough.
John 1:5 says, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. There is no compromise between light and darkness. They simply cannot exist in the same place at the same time.
You are the light of the world, Jesus said. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.
How secure is your basket? Perhaps we all should invest some one on one time with Jesus seeking His opinion on the size and security of our baskets.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
"Give Me Understanding That I May Live"
Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:129-130
Jesus said, …if My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you John 15:7
Much of the reason why our prayers are so timid or our prayer life is so cold is directly related to our time spent abiding in God’s word.
I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. Pslam 119:131
A longing desire doesn’t come from our absence from the Word. As a matter of fact, our longing only comes from our continued exposure of our spirits to the Bread of Life.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Your manner with those who love Your name. Psalm 119:132
One can only appeal for a personal touch from someone that he knows intimately.
Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:134
Establishing ones footsteps is a bit more than skipping through, running through, or sitting upon.
Footsteps are only established intentionally. The establishment of footsteps indicates that there is a firm direction.
What does established footsteps bring? Victory over sins dominion; the heavy handed oppression of angry people; the deep hunger to follow His lead.
How does a life like that sound? Is it worth the exploration?
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law. Psalm 31:16
Grace upon grace! Up to this point that prayer is saying that if one abides in God’s word good things come about. Here we take the next step to discover that in God’s pleasure with His tender child, He shines upon him and warms within him the deeper desire to know more fully God’s Word.
Such is the deep, unbridled joy of the one who is praying that a grief arises for what he sees in those who don’t know the blessing of abiding.
( Take a few moments with the remaining thought of this wonderful message. As you drip down the thoughts speak to Jesus as if these words were penned by you just for Him)
Righteous are You, O LORD, And upright are Your judgments. You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness. My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words. Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live. Psalm 119:137-144
Jesus said, …if My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you John 15:7
Much of the reason why our prayers are so timid or our prayer life is so cold is directly related to our time spent abiding in God’s word.
I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. Pslam 119:131
A longing desire doesn’t come from our absence from the Word. As a matter of fact, our longing only comes from our continued exposure of our spirits to the Bread of Life.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Your manner with those who love Your name. Psalm 119:132
One can only appeal for a personal touch from someone that he knows intimately.
Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:134
Establishing ones footsteps is a bit more than skipping through, running through, or sitting upon.
Footsteps are only established intentionally. The establishment of footsteps indicates that there is a firm direction.
What does established footsteps bring? Victory over sins dominion; the heavy handed oppression of angry people; the deep hunger to follow His lead.
How does a life like that sound? Is it worth the exploration?
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law. Psalm 31:16
Grace upon grace! Up to this point that prayer is saying that if one abides in God’s word good things come about. Here we take the next step to discover that in God’s pleasure with His tender child, He shines upon him and warms within him the deeper desire to know more fully God’s Word.
Such is the deep, unbridled joy of the one who is praying that a grief arises for what he sees in those who don’t know the blessing of abiding.
( Take a few moments with the remaining thought of this wonderful message. As you drip down the thoughts speak to Jesus as if these words were penned by you just for Him)
Righteous are You, O LORD, And upright are Your judgments. You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness. My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words. Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live. Psalm 119:137-144
Monday, February 2, 2009
What has happened to the Chruch
This is the question that has been on my mind for quite a while. No, I don't particularly mean a specific church. Of course none are exempt. This question plagued me after walking around the baseball's Opening Day festivities one Monday.
As I strolled down the street I was taken away with the excitement and the anticipation of the people. Without a doubt, there were many people there who didn't even have tickets to the game and couldn't have cared less.
So I openly asked God, why isn't the church anywhere this close to fun and exciting?
I am learning fast that if I ask a question I had better prepare to be up all night. If this message seems a bit scattered it is because the writer only got 1 hour of sleep last night.
So what has happened to the Church?
Almost without exception, the Church is in decline as far as numbers and participation. Even the few rare exceptions are pretty short lived!
Here is what I have learned:
Jesus used a couple of word pictures in discussing, so we could easily understand, His relationship with His church. The first is Jesus as the Head of the Body, the church. The second is with Jesus as the Vine and the church being the branches.
Either of these would work to display what I have learned however discussing the following thoughts in terms of the former can be a bit gruesome so I will use the vine/branches picture.
Jesus made the point of what happens to a branch that becomes disconnected from the vine. It dries up and is useful for building fires.
This brings me to what I have learned about what is wrong with the church. We have become detached from the power!
Scripture warns us about"(those who are)...Holding to a form of godliness although they deny its power, avoid such people as these" II Timothy 3:5
Where is the power?
The power risides in the name that is above every name in heaven and on earth!
Jesus said: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18
Therefore also 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...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Phip 2:9-11
Jesus said, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Me John 12:32
There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (See Acts 4:10-12)
The one who confesses the son has the Father also. I John 2:23b
Jesus said, For not even the Father judges anyone but has give all judgment to the Son in order that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. John 5:22&23
By this you know the Spirit of God, every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. I John 4:23
The scriptures go on and on about the power of Jesus's name.
Revelation chapter 5 discusses a dilemma in heaven. There is a book in the strong "right hand" of God which no one can open. Weeping broke out over the problem. Read the chapter and see Who had the power!
As I look back over the last years , I can clearly see that slippage of the church coinciding with the dismissal of the name of Jesus.
Not meant to represent the totality of the issue, nevertheless, the songs we sing are often an indication of what we believe. Consider some to the songs that were once a staple of Christianity and, particularly, their theme.
Jesus, There's Just Something About That Name.
I Must Tell Jesus
Jesus Loves Me This I Know
Jesus Loves the Little Children
I'd Rather Have Jesus
Jesus Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I Know
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Every religion has a "God"
Most religions and several governments have "Lords"
Christ is a title not a name.
Only the true church has Jesus!
Let's hook back into the vine and experience the power!
There is Power in the name and the name is Jesus!
As I strolled down the street I was taken away with the excitement and the anticipation of the people. Without a doubt, there were many people there who didn't even have tickets to the game and couldn't have cared less.
So I openly asked God, why isn't the church anywhere this close to fun and exciting?
I am learning fast that if I ask a question I had better prepare to be up all night. If this message seems a bit scattered it is because the writer only got 1 hour of sleep last night.
So what has happened to the Church?
Almost without exception, the Church is in decline as far as numbers and participation. Even the few rare exceptions are pretty short lived!
Here is what I have learned:
Jesus used a couple of word pictures in discussing, so we could easily understand, His relationship with His church. The first is Jesus as the Head of the Body, the church. The second is with Jesus as the Vine and the church being the branches.
Either of these would work to display what I have learned however discussing the following thoughts in terms of the former can be a bit gruesome so I will use the vine/branches picture.
Jesus made the point of what happens to a branch that becomes disconnected from the vine. It dries up and is useful for building fires.
This brings me to what I have learned about what is wrong with the church. We have become detached from the power!
Scripture warns us about"(those who are)...Holding to a form of godliness although they deny its power, avoid such people as these" II Timothy 3:5
Where is the power?
The power risides in the name that is above every name in heaven and on earth!
Jesus said: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18
Therefore also 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...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Phip 2:9-11
Jesus said, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Me John 12:32
There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (See Acts 4:10-12)
The one who confesses the son has the Father also. I John 2:23b
Jesus said, For not even the Father judges anyone but has give all judgment to the Son in order that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. John 5:22&23
By this you know the Spirit of God, every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. I John 4:23
The scriptures go on and on about the power of Jesus's name.
Revelation chapter 5 discusses a dilemma in heaven. There is a book in the strong "right hand" of God which no one can open. Weeping broke out over the problem. Read the chapter and see Who had the power!
As I look back over the last years , I can clearly see that slippage of the church coinciding with the dismissal of the name of Jesus.
Not meant to represent the totality of the issue, nevertheless, the songs we sing are often an indication of what we believe. Consider some to the songs that were once a staple of Christianity and, particularly, their theme.
Jesus, There's Just Something About That Name.
I Must Tell Jesus
Jesus Loves Me This I Know
Jesus Loves the Little Children
I'd Rather Have Jesus
Jesus Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I Know
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Every religion has a "God"
Most religions and several governments have "Lords"
Christ is a title not a name.
Only the true church has Jesus!
Let's hook back into the vine and experience the power!
There is Power in the name and the name is Jesus!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Getting to Know You
There is an old broadway musical song that begins with the words: "getting to know you, getting to know all about you. Getting to like you, hoping that you like me…"
There is a reason why the phrase is "getting to know you" rather than "got to know you". It seems that knowing someone is more far more complicated that a first look, a few discussions, an appointment or two or even months or years of social interaction.
Many of you know the woman of my dreams and wife, Sheryl. This year we will celebrate our 35th anniversary of our marriage. One amazing thing about 35 years together is that we still draw apart when we have busy weeks and lack of time together. The advantage of 35 years is that we can more quickly diagnose our troubles and move to remove the gap.
You see, we are two very different people.
By nature or by nurture I have become a night person while she is a morning person. She is organized and efficient and I am casual and priority challenged. She is teamwork; I am independent. Thirty five years together hasn’t changed these differences. Instead of change we have adapted to each other.
This is far more information about us than I feel comfortable sharing but the point I wish to make is this: Our time together in terms of years means little when we have limited time together in terms of minutes and hours. It is only by staying in contact that we manage to stay on the same page and maintain the same priorities.
This brings me to today’s scriptural challenge:
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it that it may bear more fruit…Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you"
John 15:1-2,4-7
That word, "abide" is a critical one isn’t it? Without "abiding" there is appears to be little hope for good. As a matter of fact, lack of "abiding" brings pretty dire consequences.
So many times we want to read the last part of that scripture that says, "ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you" and skip over the rest. But it is clear the last part is wholly dependent upon the first part; particularly this concept of "abiding".
We must understand that, as in the need that Sheryl and I have for time together to stay in touch, the differences between Jesus and us are so very great and those differences can only be overcome by time together. It is in "dwelling" with Jesus that we are changed, not in an instant (in these matters), but over a lifetime together
.
Purpose to dwell with Jesus and allow His word to dwell in you!
There is a reason why the phrase is "getting to know you" rather than "got to know you". It seems that knowing someone is more far more complicated that a first look, a few discussions, an appointment or two or even months or years of social interaction.
Many of you know the woman of my dreams and wife, Sheryl. This year we will celebrate our 35th anniversary of our marriage. One amazing thing about 35 years together is that we still draw apart when we have busy weeks and lack of time together. The advantage of 35 years is that we can more quickly diagnose our troubles and move to remove the gap.
You see, we are two very different people.
By nature or by nurture I have become a night person while she is a morning person. She is organized and efficient and I am casual and priority challenged. She is teamwork; I am independent. Thirty five years together hasn’t changed these differences. Instead of change we have adapted to each other.
This is far more information about us than I feel comfortable sharing but the point I wish to make is this: Our time together in terms of years means little when we have limited time together in terms of minutes and hours. It is only by staying in contact that we manage to stay on the same page and maintain the same priorities.
This brings me to today’s scriptural challenge:
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it that it may bear more fruit…Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you"
John 15:1-2,4-7
That word, "abide" is a critical one isn’t it? Without "abiding" there is appears to be little hope for good. As a matter of fact, lack of "abiding" brings pretty dire consequences.
So many times we want to read the last part of that scripture that says, "ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you" and skip over the rest. But it is clear the last part is wholly dependent upon the first part; particularly this concept of "abiding".
We must understand that, as in the need that Sheryl and I have for time together to stay in touch, the differences between Jesus and us are so very great and those differences can only be overcome by time together. It is in "dwelling" with Jesus that we are changed, not in an instant (in these matters), but over a lifetime together
.
Purpose to dwell with Jesus and allow His word to dwell in you!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Psalm 23
The LORD, the Psalmist's Shepherd.
A Psalm of David.
1The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Why is it that it seems that the only time we read or hear these incredible words is at a funeral? I would like to make the case that is, almost more than any other scripture, about life not death.
The Lord is my shepherd is a clear statement about the present need for direction, provision and for protection. Much like the sheep that the Shepherd watches over we tend to stray.
He makes me lie down in green pastures… There is something very important to notice here. The statement is not that He allows me to lie down, but that He makes me lie down in green pastures. Think about how He “makes” you lie down.
If we push ourselves too long or too hard we “break down”. Headaches, colds, flu’s, sleeplessness or other physical issues require that we break the cycle that has created the situation. It is often His mercy that requires that we rest and restore!
Yes, He restores my soul.
This next part it simply beyond understanding:
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake…
It is His name that is on the line. He has a vested interest in our righteousness. Our reputations are well known. Nevertheless, He puts His name on the line! Simply unbelievable but simply true!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me
Read this part carefully, it is not indicating that some day one might have to walk through a terrible place. No, it is saying that “even though I (am walking) through the valley of the shadow of death… The world that we live in is what the psalmist is describing. Consider the world around you. Is there not death, both physical and spiritual, all around you? If you were to look at our situation from afar would it not look like a valley with shadows of death all around?
In spite of our predicament we can fear no evil; why you ask? because He is with us.
He is with us. When you get a few moments re-read the early chapters of Genesis. See how it has always been God’s plan to “be with us”. It only us who wish to go it alone!
His rod and His staff comfort me because they keep me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He guides and rescues with His rod and staff.
He has not only prepared a feasting table in the face of my enemies, He has anointed my head in preparation for the meal as well.
In contemplation of all that our God has done to guide, provide for and to protect; and understanding that the psalmist has done nothing, absolutely nothing, to deserve any of God’s care, he realizes that he is abundantly blessed: My cup overflows!
Once one comes to grips with the truth of these wonderful words, one can only then be fully assured that: Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life. There is nowhere within the valley of the shadow of death that I can go that He is not already there waiting for me to protect, guide and to provide for me for His names sake.
Clearly, we no longer live within the valley of the shadow of death; our address has changed. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. There is a present as well as a continual sense of dwelling in the house of the Lord. It has begun and will continue forever.
We do such a disservice to the Church when we relegate this Psalm of life to the pages of remembrance at memorials and funerals. I hope that you will come back to this Psalm again and again and absorb the life that it presents. And I hope that you will never see it the same again.
Invest enough time within this Psalm to you cup also overflows!
A Psalm of David.
1The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Why is it that it seems that the only time we read or hear these incredible words is at a funeral? I would like to make the case that is, almost more than any other scripture, about life not death.
The Lord is my shepherd is a clear statement about the present need for direction, provision and for protection. Much like the sheep that the Shepherd watches over we tend to stray.
He makes me lie down in green pastures… There is something very important to notice here. The statement is not that He allows me to lie down, but that He makes me lie down in green pastures. Think about how He “makes” you lie down.
If we push ourselves too long or too hard we “break down”. Headaches, colds, flu’s, sleeplessness or other physical issues require that we break the cycle that has created the situation. It is often His mercy that requires that we rest and restore!
Yes, He restores my soul.
This next part it simply beyond understanding:
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake…
It is His name that is on the line. He has a vested interest in our righteousness. Our reputations are well known. Nevertheless, He puts His name on the line! Simply unbelievable but simply true!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me
Read this part carefully, it is not indicating that some day one might have to walk through a terrible place. No, it is saying that “even though I (am walking) through the valley of the shadow of death… The world that we live in is what the psalmist is describing. Consider the world around you. Is there not death, both physical and spiritual, all around you? If you were to look at our situation from afar would it not look like a valley with shadows of death all around?
In spite of our predicament we can fear no evil; why you ask? because He is with us.
He is with us. When you get a few moments re-read the early chapters of Genesis. See how it has always been God’s plan to “be with us”. It only us who wish to go it alone!
His rod and His staff comfort me because they keep me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He guides and rescues with His rod and staff.
He has not only prepared a feasting table in the face of my enemies, He has anointed my head in preparation for the meal as well.
In contemplation of all that our God has done to guide, provide for and to protect; and understanding that the psalmist has done nothing, absolutely nothing, to deserve any of God’s care, he realizes that he is abundantly blessed: My cup overflows!
Once one comes to grips with the truth of these wonderful words, one can only then be fully assured that: Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life. There is nowhere within the valley of the shadow of death that I can go that He is not already there waiting for me to protect, guide and to provide for me for His names sake.
Clearly, we no longer live within the valley of the shadow of death; our address has changed. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. There is a present as well as a continual sense of dwelling in the house of the Lord. It has begun and will continue forever.
We do such a disservice to the Church when we relegate this Psalm of life to the pages of remembrance at memorials and funerals. I hope that you will come back to this Psalm again and again and absorb the life that it presents. And I hope that you will never see it the same again.
Invest enough time within this Psalm to you cup also overflows!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Complete
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”.
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 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?
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