Category: Colossians

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The Day Was Silent

If you had been a follower of Christ at the time of the crucifixion this day would have been silent.

There was no familiar greeting of friends, no smiles, possibly hugs and sobs and the questions – those haunting questions.

Could I have done something to stop the terrible beating and crucifixion? Are they coming for me next? I’ve spent the last three years following a man who is dead and gone? Where do I go, what do I do?

We know they weren’t prepared for the possibly of a resurrection. In fact, the women were preparing the spices which were a part of a proper burial. They had plans of going to the tomb the next morning.

These were apostles, disciples, family and friends in mourning. The day was silent!

But not so for the religious leaders who had been responsible for Jesus’ arrest, beating and crucifixion.

“The next day, the day after Jesus was killed, the head religious leaders and the proud religious law-keepers gathered together in front of Pilate. 63 They said, “Sir, we remember what that Man Who fooled people said when He was living, ‘After three days I am to rise from the dead.’ 64 Speak the word to have the grave watched for three days. Then His followers cannot come at night and take Him away and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ The last mistake would be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:62-64 NLV

In their fear, they sent soldiers to the tomb to seal it and guard it. At the tomb there was silence.

In hell there was a battle raging.

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Christ fought to free us from the power of sin. He fought for our redemption. He defeated the powers of hell!

“The Law could not make me free from the power of sin and death. It was weak because it had to work with weak human beings. But God sent His own Son. He came to earth in a body of flesh which could be tempted to sin as we in our bodies can be. He gave Himself to take away sin. By doing that, He took away the power sin had over us.” Romans 8:3 NLV

In the silence of that day all hope seemed lost but in reality hope for the salvation of all the world was birthed.

The angels had heralded His birth. The silence reverenced His death.

Let’s take time today to be silent, not in fear, but in gratitude for our great gift of salvation.

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The Right Way

“The Right Way to Live” are the words that are written as a heading on the verses that I was reading this morning. When something is that plain, I feel the need to take notice and see how it applies to me.

“The Right Way to Live

3 Remind your people that they should always be under the authority of rulers and government leaders. They should obey these leaders and be ready to do good. 2 Tell them not to speak evil of anyone but to live in peace with others. They should be gentle and polite to everyone.

3 In the past we were foolish too. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to the many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We lived doing evil and being jealous. People hated us and we hated each other. 4 But then the kindness and love of God our Savior was made known. 5 He saved us because of his mercy, not because of any good things we did. He saved us through the washing that made us new people. He saved us by making us new through the Holy Spirit. 6 God poured out to us that Holy Spirit fully through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 We were made right with God by his grace. God saved us so that we could be his children and look forward to receiving life that never ends. 8 This is a true statement.

And I want you to be sure that the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.” Titus 3:1-7 ERV

These things are good and will help everyone.

Boy, so much is packed into just a few verses. Then the Apostle Paul ends it with “These things are good and will help everyone.”

Everyone – yes, everyone.

Go back and read those verses again. What in those phrases speaks to your heart?

For me it’s a couple of things. I should be gentle and polite to everyone, not just to those who are deserving of my kindness or gentleness but everyone. I should also use my life for doing good.

My prayer time this morning consisted of me repenting for some unkind and critical words that I spoke yesterday. Words that weren’t needed. And then a request that I have my eyes and my heart open to be gentle and kind to all I have association with today. Now that’s a big goal. However, if I take it one person at a time, starting with my family and reaching out from there I know the Lord will give me the wherewithal to accomplish what He’s asking me to do.

“ 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 3:17 ERV

I pray that we all have our hearts set to live the right way today.

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Worth The Wait

Years ago, my daughter shared with me this picture which was taken by her friend, Sarah Alston of Federal Way, Washington. I don’t think I have ever seen a wedding gown displayed in such a beautiful setting.

As I looked at this picture and the others in that wedding album, I thought of the preparation, months and months of preparation that goes into planning a wedding. Dave and I had a small home wedding but there was still so much to do. Each day had one more arrangement to be checked off the list of preparations.

Everything had to be done just right to make the day perfect. It was worth the wait!

As Christians we are in a time of preparation. We live each day as an example of God’s love to those around us but we are also waiting the return of our bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

“The LORD makes me very happy. I am completely happy with my God. He dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He put the victory coat on me. I look like a man dressed for his wedding, like a bride covered with jewels.” Isaiah 61:10

A bride covered with jewels. A bride without spot or wrinkle.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish…32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25-27, 32

Preparing for His return ties in with the seeds of God’s word we have been planting in our hearts. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility and self-control, these are adornments that will make us a beautiful bride.

Staying focused on our destination, our heavenly home, is also a part of our preparation.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, keep looking for the good things of heaven. This is where Christ is seated on the right side of God. 2 Keep your minds thinking about things in heaven. Do not think about things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 NLV

Our excitement should be building as we await the bridegroom’s coming. The preparation will be well worth the wait!

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Crystal Clear Clarity

Allow me one more teaching on focus.

When I was ten or eleven my mom realized I was having trouble seeing clearly. I had to sit close to the tv, my nose was almost always on the page of my piano lesson and my grades were falling in school. She took me to the optometrist and sure enough, I was near-sighted. Glasses became my closest friend.

Although I was an embarrassed six grader, I could see clearly. Things were in focus. I hope you are beginning to understand that God’s word brings focus and clarity to our lives.

“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

These verses make me think of the eye exams where the optician says “tell me when this object is in focus”. Then they flip the lens one way or the other until the image before my eyes is clear.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, like the verse says, we gain a clarity of spiritual vision that we previously lacked.

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:1-3 MSG

Are you looking up today? Are you looking beyond yourself and finding God’s directive on how you should function today? It’s easy to get discouraged and even depressed with all the world’s happenings and Jesus knew that these days and times we are living in would be taxing to our mental peace at the very least, so He gave us this command.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28

Looking “around” at all that’s occurring on the earth causes heart failure and fear. Looking up makes things crystal clear – our redemption is near!

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Clean Slate

Several years ago I was preparing for a message on the love of God. Cowboy Church was just a couple of weeks before Valentine’s Day and it only seemed appropriate to make “God’s Love” my center focus.

If you have been reading my morning devotional thoughts for any length of time, you know that Colossians is one of my favorite books and Colossians 2 is my favorite chapter. It’s here that the Apostle Paul writes about what Jesus did on the cross for us and how his death set us free from our sin and made us acceptable to God.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2:14 KJV

“Blotting out the handwriting of the ordinances against us” holds my attention every time I read it.

Writing a document in Jesus’ day required extreme patience. No erasers or delete buttons – every word had to be carefully written because if there was a mistake, the document had to be wadded up and thrown away. Some corrections would be acceptable, but the parchment would have to be saturated with ink so that the word or the mistake was completely blotted out and no longer legible.

This is the picture Paul is painting for us here. There was a document with a long list of sins we have committed, God’s laws we have broken and Jesus “blotted” out the list and then He took and nailed it to His cross. His blood, His shed blood, was more than enough to blot out the evidence of our sin. Amen!!

I have to tell you the image that comes to mind are those little writing tablets we had as kids. We would write on the slate and then lift the vinyl and the words would disappear. The evidence of our sin disappeared when Jesus nailed it to His cross.

Jesus completely defeated His enemy and ours and led him away captive and powerless for all the spiritual world to see! We are free to live for Christ, through God’s amazing love.

“You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life together with Christ. He forgave all our sins. 14 Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross. 15 He defeated the rulers and powers of the spiritual world. With the cross he won the victory over them and led them away, as defeated and powerless prisoners for the whole world to see.” Colossians 2:13-15 ERV

God the Father chooses to hit the delete button; crash the hard drive; wipe the slate clean; He blots out our sin.

The Father’s love is so great! He gives us all the opportunity to start fresh with a clean slate.

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Spring Is Almost Here!

Last fall I purchased three mums at the home store. They bloomed nicely until we got our first cold snap and their growth was thwarted. Yesterday I noticed that the tops were spindly and dry. They need to be pruned, that will be one of today’s little chores.

That old dry growth needs to be trimmed away so the new leaves will thrive and the buds and blooms will return.

Much of the country is still experiencing cold and formidable weather. Crops are dormant, no evidence of growth. But don’t be fooled, the plants aren’t dead – they are resting. Some stock like grape vines and berry bushes are just waiting for the earth to warm and the sap begin to flow and new growth to appear. The tulip, crocus, daffodils and hyacinth are doing the same – waiting for the cold, frozen ground to give way to sunshine and they will blossom and color the landscape.

The vineyard stock has been cut back, pruned well so that the new fruit will be plentiful and rich.

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-5 NLT

Does it seem you have been through winter? Things have gone dormant and life hasn’t been as productive and full of growth as you had hoped? Take heart – spring is on the way.

We go through these seasons of pruning so that those things that are detrimental can be pruned and we can grow stronger. There are emotions that are unhealthy and ambitions that can sap our strength. The time of pruning isn’t meant for our destruction, quite the opposite. It is meant for our growth.

“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

When we are rooted in Christ we have the strength to weather the storms of winter and produce a new crop of peace, joy, kindness, gentleness, mercy, love and grace. The world needs the fruit that God has placed within us. They need to experience the harvest of His character that we embody.

“Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. ” John 15:5b NLT

Get ready – it’s almost Spring and time for your fruit to grow!

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Home

Last night Dave and I sat outside and talked about our Arizona life. For years we used to travel to Arizona in January. Part of our trip was for business and part was for visiting family and friends.

Life in Montana was so cold in January, it felt good to soak in some Arizona sunshine. We had a longing in our hearts to return home. You see, I was born and raised in the State and Dave spent a good deal of his time growing up here too. We were seven years trying to sell our house so we could move back.

Some things require patience. When the Lord puts a dream in your heart it doesn’t always come to fruition immediately. It can take time to develop, the waiting can be hard but certainly worth it. That’s what we were talking about last night. The journey of getting from there to here.

We’re all on a journey of getting home. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. 2 While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home.” II Corinthians 5:1-2 CEV

Paul was always looking forward to the promise God gave of life in heaven. He continued diligently in what God had called him to do – ministering to the Gentile world. He faced many hardships but never gave up his calling. As long as he was on earth he was going to be productively spreading the gospel of Christ. However, he wanted us all to keep a longing for home.

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. 3 You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4 Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 CEV

My heart and my mind need to be set on things above.

Just as my physical body and thoughts desired to be back “home” in AZ, my spirit needs to be centered on heaven where Christ is. My desire to be with Christ should, and does, outweigh all other desires. Life down here is just preparation for the trip.

The old song we used to sing said, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through”. May we live each day longing for our heavenly home while we enjoy where God has placed us on earth.

We are all on a journey towards home.

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The Rich Life

A friend of mine told me that they went to the theater over the weekend and saw “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

A Christmas classic with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. George was looking for a better life, a richer life. He nearly lost it all until he realized that the life he was living was filled with unappreciated wealth.

Rich. Interesting Word. King Solomon talks about riches in the book of Proverbs.

“The lips of those who are right with God feed many, but fools die for want of understanding. 22 The good that comes from the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.” Proverbs 10:21-22 NLV

I think it’s interesting that these verses compare speaking life-giving words and the goodness we receive from the Lord as things that make us rich. Jesus said His words brought truth and life. The word of God reveals His goodness and fills our life with richness.

“The light of the eyes makes the heart glad. Good news puts fat on the bones. 31 He whose ear listens to careful words spoken will live among the wise.” Proverbs 15:30-31 NLV

Our conversation can be rich with laughter. The presence of family and friends fills our homes with rich conversations.

What things in life make you feel rich?

“Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God.” Colossians 3:16 NLV

Let the word dwell in you richly or let’s put it this way. When Christ, who is the word, dwells in us we become rich in wisdom. Now there’s a novel concept, rich in wisdom. Wisdom is a commodity that money can’t buy but dwelling in the Word makes wisdom available.

“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 3:15-17 ERV

Like George Bailey in A Wonderful Life let the true richest of this season fill our hearts.

A relationship with Christ, the Word, brings richness to our lives.

Merry Christ – mas!

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Don’t Miss the Small Things

I wonder how many small, life affirming moments I missed yesterday because I was busy. I realize I used to do that with my morning Bible reading, I’d skip over the little things looking for some great spiritual revelation.

“We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.” Colossians 1:2 NLT

We read or see things so often that they lose their impact.

This verse is like many others that are the opening salutation in Paul’s writings to each of the churches he was instructing. Often those opening remarks are skipped to get to the heart of his teaching. But this is the heart of his teaching.

Our heavenly Father gives us grace and peace. He wants us to know that right from the beginning.

Grace and Peace.

Those two words are the summary of the Gospel. The Gospel is good news. What better news can we focus on than that of grace and peace.

Grace: unmerited favor. God giving us something wonderful that we are unable to earn. That something is a relationship with Him – being welcomed in His presence no matter the time day or night. Twenty-four hour access to the throne room of God.

“ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Our Father doesn’t want us struggling on our own. His message of “Peace on earth, good will to all men” proclaimed by the angels to the shepherds was His message of grace and peace.

Peace: soul rest. When everything is tumultuous and chaotic, we have the Father’s promise of peace.

Paul and Silas had been beaten and were imprisoned but they had such a sense of peace they were able to sing at midnight. Paul knew God’s promise of peace. Jesus was beaten and hung on a cross but in that moment, He had the peace of mind to say “Father, forgive them – they don’t realize what they are doing”.

This is the kind of peace God has promised us.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT

The Prince of Peace, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, tells us that our peace in every situation is found in Him. The world will have trouble, but He promises peace.

“Now may the God of peace…— 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT

Our Father, the God of peace, will equip us with everything we need, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.

Don’t miss the small things – grace and peace aren’t just words that start every letter like “hello, how are you”. No, they start and end those letters with the same proclamation issued by heaven’s chorus.

Those words are a declaration of independence from worry. They are a mandate from God’s heart to ours!

Don’t miss the message.

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Nothing Missing

One thing that I missed this Thanksgiving was a good jig saw puzzle. My daughters and I always have a puzzle to work on over the holidays.

We can sit for hours, hunting for the right pieces and visiting as we do. There have been evenings that we have been tired and needing to go to bed but only 50 or so pieces would remain so we would stay up “just a little bit longer” to finish our labor of love.

The frustration comes when we are down to just a few more pieces and realize there is one missing. The hunt is one. Did it fall on the floor, is it on a chair, did the dog eat it? Where did it go? One missing piece will ruin the whole work.

Life is like that.

We have all the pieces and begin putting them in place. The right spouse, the career, the home, or perfect 2.3 children. The car, the clothing, the financial plan, the prestige. All the pieces are coming together.

Yet something is missing. What?

“The angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.’” Luke 2:10-11 ERV

The missing piece of a fulfilling life is wrapped in pieces of cloth.

As we look forward to Christmas there will be many distractions and even some frustrations. These can leave us searching for the missing piece, the peace that only comes through relationship with Christ.

“ Be sure you are not led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world. 9 I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:8-10 ERV

The world tries to imitate and counterfeit what can only be found in Christ. In Christ we are complete having everything that we need. He is the missing piece.

“God put everything under Christ’s power and made him head over everything for the church. 23 The church is Christ’s body. It is filled with him. He makes everything complete in every way.” Ephesians 1:22-23 ERV

In Christ our joy is complete, our peace is certain, love is unconditional, and forgiveness is everlasting. In Christ, we have all we need for a full and abundant life.

He completes the puzzle and there is nothing missing!

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