Category: Colossians

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Step by Step

The other morning Dave and I were out on our walk and another couple we see quite frequently were also walking. We stopped long enough to say our “good mornings” and she asked if we keep track of how far we have walked. I told her I knew each days’ walking but I wasn’t sure about so far this year.

This morning I decided to find out. I went to the fit bit app and checked it out. I was surprised by what I found; so far this year we have walked 236 miles. Now, if you’re a runner or a workout enthusiast this is far from extraordinary but to this 67 year old great grandmother it is a goodly distance.

But how did it happen? I never could have accomplished this in a week or even a month but over time it adds up. One step at a time; step by step.

And that’s how it is with our Christian walk. It’s step by step. We don’t start out spending hours each day reading the Bible or praying. We don’t conquer fear in one single situation or learn to control our temper with one confrontation. No, it’s step by step.

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV

We grow in our understanding of God’s grace and love on a daily basis. When we take time to think about just those two amazing characteristics of our heavenly Father it’s mind boggling. Questions arise: How could He love and forgive me the way He does? Does He never get tired of me and the amount of times I fail? Will I ever exhaust His grace?

Our heavenly Father is the Father of all fathers. Does an earthly parent get tired of helping their child learn to walk? Do they ever just throw up their hands and say “forget it, they’ll never learn”? No! They are there to help, to steady, to encourage until walking is mastered and then it’s on to the next skill that needs to be learned.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLT

Follow Him! Step by Step – walk with Jesus through the pages of the Bible. Watch Jesus relate to a dishonest tax collector, a prostitute, a man eaten up with leprosy and the easily distracted disciples. It’s here we gain understanding of the love that Jesus freely gives to all of us and it’s here we grow in grace, receiving blessings from the Lord that we don’t deserve and can’t earn.

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT

Yes, our Christian walk is a growing process. We grow in our understanding of God’s love, His grace and so our faith grows too. Day by day and step by step.

Enjoy the journey!

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Spilling Over

My mother always enjoys telling my adult children stories of their childhood. Mom was with us for two weeks in February and our son came to visit one weekend. One of the stories she told was about him pouring milk into a bowl of rice crispies. He added the milk too quickly and of course, the cereal came up over the edge of the bowl and out on to the table.

We had a good laugh. Memories are good!

That image and one of a coffee cup being filled to overflowing is what I imagine each time I read a verse in Psalm 23. Yes, there are still lessons to learn or be reminded of from that short Psalm.

“You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life…” Psalm 23:5-6 CEV

Yesterday, I hope you were able to get an understanding of the elegant banqueting table the Lord has set for us, right in the presence of our enemies. And today, I want you to see how the Lord lavishes us with His love and protection. While we sit, feasting at this table, the Lord comes and fills our cups to overflowing.

He isn’t the least bit bothered by what we would consider a mess that is being made on the table top. To Him, it is an overflowing expression of His provision of goodness and mercy.

Run the cup over, let it flood and even spill to the floor. Let those sitting at the table be awash in His love!

“For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; And abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5 AMP

God has a surplus of everything we need but He’s never wasteful. God, is a God of overflow.

We should follow His example. Our lives should be abundantly overflowing with love, understanding, forgiveness, mercy, grace and joy. Those around us are drowning in fear, panic, worry and turmoil. Let’s share with them from our abounding, cup-running-over supply.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLT

I hope we “spill over” with God’s goodness today. Those around us need to be flooded with good.

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Life’s Programming Updates

Have you ever felt that your “programming” was going through an update? Things are changing and you have to wait for them to be completed.

Yesterday was that kind of day. My friend, Tom, who set up my blog website worked with me on some behind-the-scenes changes that I felt needed to be made. We worked to have my morning blog post automatically to the Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn sites at the same time the emails are generated and sent to your email addresses.

This might sound like a simple step but it was not without its challenges. I am so thankful for Tom’s knowledge and patience. We ran into a few roadblocks. Tom was able to track them down and successfully maneuver past them. We did a test post but this morning will be a full scale effort.

To make this change I had to set up a Facebook page, different from my personal News Feed page. I will be sending each of you who are my “friends” on Facebook an invitation to like and follow Kristi’s Morning Devotional. If you do you will be able to read the blog each morning as usual.

Why this change? I really don’t like change but Dave and I are going to be spending more time traveling this year and sometimes we are in areas that don’t have very good wifi. If I can write my blogs ahead of time and schedule the publication for a few days later it will prevent interruption of posting to social media. I want to make every effort to avoid any days of not posting.

The next few days may have some hiccups but we’ll work them through. Please be patient.

Isn’t that the way it is in life? We know that we are being changed on the inside; things are going on behind-the-scenes but those we love and work with aren’t always aware of the updates.

When the Lord begins to show us things about ourselves, things that need to be deleted, updated and reprogrammed, we begin to change. Sometimes the change is external but most often it is a change of attitude, action, purpose and functionality. The New Testament instructs us to put off the old man and take on the new. Our new life is in Christ and He has a way of changing us for the better.

“Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better…Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.” Colossians 3:10-13 CEV

Let’s be patient with one another – we are all going through changes. Updating is in Progress!

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Love Doesn’t Keep Track

Have you ever had one of those people in your life that think it’s their job to point out all the things you’ve done wrong or if it isn’t wrong they tell you how you could have done it better? They just have a way of letting the wind out of our sails, don’t they?

They not only have endless “good advice” but they are generally the people that have very long memories and often remind us of past failures and embarrassing moments.

Our God doesn’t do that!

“Love does not give up. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not put itself up as being important. Love has no pride. 5 Love does not do the wrong thing. Love never thinks of itself. Love does not get angry. Love does not remember the suffering that comes from being hurt by someone. 6 Love is not happy with sin. Love is happy with the truth. 7 Love takes everything that comes without giving up. Love believes all things. Love hopes for all things. Love keeps on in all things. 8 Love never comes to an end. ” I Corinthians 13:4-8a NLV

Our God, our loving heavenly Father, looks past our faults and sees our need. Our need for redemption, our need for renewal, our need for hope, our need for mercy, our need for victory, our need for love and He meets those needs, physical, spiritual and emotional. His grace, marvelous grace, placed us in right standing with Him and in Him our needs are met.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful…9 God lives fully in Christ. 10 And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority. 13 You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross.” Colossians 2:6-14 CEV

Have you ever been to the beach and written something in the sand? How long does that message last? It only lasts until the next wave comes in and washes it away. I imagine God’s love and forgiveness to be like that wave – He wipes out our sins and He doesn’t keep track of our failings.

Thank you Father for giving me new life in Christ. Thank you for not keeping track. Help me to be more like you and love without limit.

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O What A Beautiful Morning

The title words are from one of the main songs in the musical Oklahoma. O, what a beautiful morning, O, what a beautiful day. I’ve got a beautiful feeling everything’s going my way…

What decision have you made about today? Where I am, it’s still dark. The sun has yet to come up. There is the glow of the moon but with my natural eye I can’t tell what kind of day it will be.

However, in my heart I know that today will be a good great day. Yes, a great day! My heart is filled with song for no other reason than I know that Jesus loves me and He is planning my day and ordering my steps.

The lyrics of another song were the first words I heard flowing from my heart when I woke.

“Give Me Jesus”

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone,
When I am alone,
When I am alone,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

We make the determination of what we focus on – we can imagine the beauty before it’s ever seen with the natural eye and we can set our hearts on heavenly things that we’ll not see until we depart this earth.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 NLT

Oh, what a beautiful morning – Lord, there’s nothing I desire more, just Jesus!

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We All Need A Good Umpire

I can hear you asking, “what’s an umpire got to do with Christmas?”. It isn’t even baseball season. The rush of the holidays may have you feeling exhausted and/or disappointed. I read several posts on twitter where this was being discussed. One husband said he went into the kitchen, took a look around and told his wife “we’ll just sell the house, come sit down”. I chuckled at that but it’s a very real reaction after days of having company, preparing meals and all the baking that goes into the holiday festivities.

So, why an umpire? Scripture tells us that peace should rule in our hearts like an umpire. The word “rule” used in Colossians means to act as an umpire. I don’t know a lot about sports but I know the duties of an umpire in baseball – he calls balls and strikes, he says who’s safe and who’s out.

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state” Colossians 3:15 Amplified

Peace will do that for us. It will call “out” those bad attitudes and unwanted stress factors as they run across our home plate. The book of Colossians identifies the things that try to “steal home”; things like unforgiveness, lack of understanding, impatience and anger.

“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful…17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:12-17 ERV

When we let peace control our thinking it will lead us to be thankful, kind, humble, gentle, patient and forgiving. It will fill us with joy and we will be able to carry the love of this Christmas season in our hearts.

What a great way to end the Christmas season and to start the New Year!

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No Time! No Time!!

I’m late, I’m late for a very important date…no time, no time, I must rush, rush, rush!

Is that how you are feeling this morning? Did you wake up with the realization that we are now at December 2 and the activities of this month are quickly rushing us to the end of the year and into a new decade?

Stop! Breathe! Rest!

Regain your peace. You might think that’s easy for you to say…you’re retired. Retired, it is true, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t fall into the same trap of over committing and placing myself in stressful situations.

The holidays can be so hectic – planning for friends and family to visit; making those favorite treats, decorating, parties, finding the perfect gift – all good things – all things that come from a heart of love but all things that can stress us out and can test our temper.

A good way to keep our day on track is to start it with a short prayer thanking God for “The reason for the season, Jesus” and having an afternoon coffee break to focus once again on blessings from the Father. Bedtime is one more opportunity to be thankful for the wonderful people in our life and for His life. It’s a sure fire way to keep our life on track.

When I was in Junior High choir there was a song we sang in our Christmas concert, the lyrics of the song came floating through my mind again this morning.

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be

With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.

With ev’ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me

Jesus preached blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. We may never be called to the peace keeping tables of world conflict but we can be peace keepers and peace makers in our homes and offices. We can let God’s peace rule in our hearts.

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:14-17

Let peace begin with you and then share it with others.

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Whatever!

Yesterday was one of those days that I just had to sit down at my desk and get some work done. Things had been piling up and there was no getting around it, I had to give it my full attention.

This morning I took out my journal and was going to write down what I was thankful for from yesterday and I had to stop, pen in hand and think. There didn’t seem to be anything significant to record on the page. However, I knew that I had a good day. I was happy and content when I went to bed but how did I put that into words. Then the word came…whatever.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ” Colossians 3:23 NLT

Whatever. The large and the small, the mundane and the important, whatever we do should be done with diligence and devotion.  I was able to write on the gratitude list “a job well done”.

Sometimes we struggle thinking that what we do isn’t important because we aren’t as skilled or trained as others around us. We aren’t a teacher, scientist, doctor or engineer. Yet, if we do all our tasks with a grateful heart we can represent the Lord and there is no higher calling than that.

I was reminded of some servants who were at a wedding. Mary, the mother of Jesus, gave them a simple instruction. “whatever He tells you to do, do it.” Jesus told the servants to fill some jars with water and take a dipper of water to the wedding co-ordinator. Simple, non-skilled labor but the “whatever” became a miracle of Jesus turning the water to wine.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 NLT

What’s before you today? Do you have a long  “to-do” list? May I encourage you to write WHATEVER at the top of the page and then do it all to the glory of God.

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Given Not Earned!

There’s an old song that we sang when I was a girl, Calvary Covers It All.

I was thinking about that song this morning. How thankful I am for Calvary!!

Thankful that the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, blotted out my sin!

In the Old Testament the priest would offer a lamb once a year for the forgiveness of sin. The priest would lay his hands on the head of the lamb, signifying a transfer of the sins of the people to the perfect lamb of sacrifice. When this transfer was complete the Israelites could experience freedom and cleansing for another year. The blood of the lamb “covered” their sins but never completely blotted it out. Each year they would have to come again, offering another sacrifice, to receive their forgiveness.

“The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn’t the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices. 3-4 But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next.” Hebrews 10:1-4 CEV

But Jesus Christ, as our lamb of sacrifice, only had to be offered once for the forgiveness of sin! We, who have accepted that sacrifice don’t just have our sins covered but we can rest knowing those sins are completely blotted out.

“You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. 14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:13-15 CEV

This is significant. If something is just covered, we can lift the covering and find what was being hidden. However, if it’s blotted out or wiped clean, there is nothing to be found.

Remember when we were in school and the teacher erased the blackboard. Sometimes you could still see the shadow of the writing on the board but when she wiped it clean with that chamois eraser, all the words were gone – completely gone. That’s a crude illustration because the blood of Jesus is so much greater than a chamois eraser but I think you get the point.

“The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God’s right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God. 15 The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said, 16 “When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts. 17 Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds. 18 When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.” Hebrews 10:11-18 CEV

Forgiven! Forgiveness is not something that is earned. There is nothing we could do to earn the forgiveness that God has FREELY GIVEN. By the very nature of the word it is given. We can’t rationalize or justify or make enough excuses for our actions to “earn” forgiveness. It is an act of pure love that leads to restoration. Restored in perfect relationship with the Father.

We have been wiped clean by the blood of Jesus. The next time the devil, or some well meaning person, tries to remind us of the things we’ve done wrong, we should stand up and remind them that the precious blood of Jesus has wiped us clean. And because we are forgiven we should be willing to give that same forgiveness to those around us.

It’s given not earned!

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Words of Kindness

I was reminded recently of the “Words of Kindness” jar that I use each December. Throughout the month leading up to Christmas I encourage others to fast words that are critical, sarcastic, hurtful and unkind. Each time I find myself saying something unkind I put some money in my Words of Kindness jar. Then right before Christmas that money is donated to some charity or worthy cause that is kind to others. I have found that when our words COST us something we are more conscience of how we spend them.

No, it’s not December yet and I’m not asking you to start your jar now, but you could.

I want to share with you some of the verses I have been reading lately on kindness.

“There are some who ask, “Who will be good to us?”  Let your kindness, Lord, shine brightly on us. 7 You brought me more happiness than a rich harvest of grain and grapes.” Psalm 4:6-7 CEV

“Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23:6 CEV

“Don’t let them do to me what they want. People tell lies about me and make terrible threats, 13     but I know I will live to see how kind you are. 14 Trust the Lord!
Be brave and strong  and trust the Lord.” Psalm 27:12-14 CEV

“I celebrate and shout because you are kind. You saw all my suffering, and you cared for me.” Psalm 31:7 CEV

“The Lord is truthful; he can be trusted. 5 He loves justice and fairness, and he is kind to everyone everywhere on earth.” Psalm 33:4-5 CEV

“If you feel you must brag, then have enough sense to brag about worshiping me, the Lord. What I like best is showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone on earth.” Jeremiah 9:24 CEV

“The good news is spreading all over the world with great success. It has spread in that same way among you, ever since the first day you learned the truth about God’s wonderful kindness” Colossians 1:6 CEV

“What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels. Because of God’s wonderful kindness, Jesus died for everyone. And now that Jesus has suffered and died, he is crowned with glory and honor!” Hebrews 2:9 CEV

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Our Father has set an example for us to follow. The nature of His character is kindness. When we are kind we bring honor to our Father.

I think I will begin a word study on kind or kindness for the next few weeks. What a great way to lead into the Thanksgiving season – focusing on kindness. When I did my word search on Biblegateway.com I found 479 different verses where the word kind or kindness is used in the CEV version of the Bible. Just reading 10 verses a day, in context, will be a great boost to my kindness meter. Will you join me?

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or…” I Corinthians 13:4 CEV

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