Heaven

Today’s reading is Col 3

I need to start this post with a little window into my world today as I borrow my daughter’s laptop to write. My family was on a 10 day trip out of the country last week. It was a fabulous trip, but about halfway through the trip, my mom texted that my almost 97 year old grandma had gone to heaven early that morning. While I had been asking God to take her for over a month  because her mind and body were failing so much that she was unable to enjoy any of the things that she had loved in her life, the news that that she was gone was so hard to hear. My gram was one of the most faithful prayers I have ever known and she was one of the most interested visitors you could ever have a conversation with. She loved to find out about you, what you were interested in and what your hopes and dreams were. Then she would trap that information and pray faithfully accordingly. I will miss that faithful prayer coverage in my and my families lives.

Before we left on our trip, we learned that my dad’s only sister in law, had gotten the news that she was full of an aggressive lung cancer and maybe had weeks to live. We were back and forth trying to decide whether we make the 7 hour trip up to see her before we go or if there would be time to see her when we got back. We are currently in the car heading up to Michigan to spend a few days with my Aunt, and say goodbye.

My heart is heavy and feels broken as I try to tackle this post. I’m having a hard time thinking about anything besides my pain. I open my Bible to Col 3 and the first 4 verses are:

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. Think about things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

While I know there is a much broader meaning in these verses for all of us, this few sentences feels deeply personal to me. It seems as though God is speaking directly to me and my situation. “Tracy, instead of dwelling on your losses and pain, set your sights on the realities of heaven. Think about the things of heaven, not this earth.” I have been comforted since Gram died knowing that she is whole today in heaven. Her mind is back to full function and her body is able to work, run, laugh and visit again. All the things she loved to do on this earth but lost the capacity to do, she is able to do now. The part that is  even more beautiful than being whole after a long time of decline on this earth, is that she is with Jesus. She doesn’t have to bow her head and pray to connect with God, she is WITH Him! She is able to lift her lovely soprano voice in praise to Him right in front of Him. Really, can you imagine? When I think through these things, my heart turns from pain and loss to joy and hope.

I am so thankful for this beautiful gift of scripture today. While these first few verses fill my heart and redirect my thoughts, there is so much more to consider in the rest of this passage. Paul directs us to consider how we continue to live on this earth with our hearts and minds set on heaven. What does that look like? Paul gives us a few direct lists of what we should be doing and what we shouldn’t be doing to help keep our hearts focused on heaven. He says to put to death the earthly things that are lurking within us. If I am serious about changing the way I think and the things that motivate me, what will I do to help myself? Would it be worth taking 10 minutes today to get out a piece of paper and write out the two lists of instructions that Paul gives us? Make a list of the Do’s and Don’ts. Sometimes writing  things on paper, helps embed them in my mind. Tuck the list somewhere  in your house where it will surface again. I know that by the time my list shows up again, I will need the reminder of this list to continue reorienting my mind to heaven instead of the stuff of this earth.  

Colossians 2

Last night, I was cleaning out some old books and journals, and I came across a prayer journal that I had purchased but never really used. I had thought it would “work” for me – I even filled out a few pages – but it just didn’t. Nonetheless, I saved it, thinking that of course I would use it “someday”. Well, someday came and went, and I haven’t used it. But as I flipped through the pages last evening, I noticed a section I had missed before. For each month, the author had put together a list of daily prayer points. And for one month, the list was based on the book of Colossians. The list is titled “Seeing the Lord: Personal Prayers From Colossians”.* Several of the prayers are based on Colossians 2, our text for today.

I read through those prayers quietly, and I remembered all over again why Colossians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. I love how the Lord led me to hose prayers last night, as He knew that I would be writing this devotion today. The prayer that resonated with me the most on this list is based on Colossians 2:7. The prayer reads, “Cause me to be firmly established in You, with a heart of gratitude.” This seems to be a central verse in this chapter. Paul begins by stating that he desperately desires that the followers of Christ would be strengthened in their faith. He says “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you…” (Colossians 2:1). Paul continues, explaining why he wants their faith to be strong. He knows that when our faith is strong, our “hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love” with the “full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.” (Colossians 2:2-3) With the strengthening of faith comes encouragement, love, understanding and knowledge. What an amazing gift!

Paul also knows that our strengthened faith enables us to stand firm when we are faced with the temptations of the world. Clearly, worldly temptations existed when Paul lived, just as they do today, and Paul knew how difficult it can be to discern truth from falsehood. Paul says, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition…and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) When our faith is rooted firmly in Christ, we can discern God’s voice from among the other voices clamoring for our attention. When we are strong in our faith, we can stand strong in our world. We will stand firm for what Christ stands for.

My prayer for us this week is this: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

May we be both rooted and thankful today.

* “Personal Prayers From Colossians” by Terry Gooding

Good Report

Good Report

Today’ Reading:  Colossians 1

Daily we receive reports from everyone that we encounter. We receive morning reports at work. We receive updates and memorandums from co-workers. We receive traffic reports on the road. We receive and give daily reports to our spouses. Our kids report their school or camp activities. Reports are an essential part of our life and one way to understand our surroundings.

I can recall many reports that had been given on my account from growing up. I was raised in a small community in Dallas, TX. In this community everybody knew everybody else and their entire family. All of the children of the community of approximately 200 families went to the same elementary school. The school was in the center of the neighborhood, which was approximately a mile from the farthest house in the neighborhood. On one particular day in the third grade, I had to go to a friend’s house afterschool that was about half a mile away, which was off a busy street. As with most third grade boys, I had to test the boundaries and play too close to the edge of the curb. I didn’t notice the cars that were too close to my friends and me. I continued to finish my journey proceed to my friends house. As I walked inside the house I was greeted with some consequences to my previous actions. Unbeknownst to me (this is the era of pre-cellular communication), one of the cars that past by me, made a U-turn and went to my friend’s house and informed the parents of my behavior and that I was acting in an unsafe manner. Even though it has been almost 30 years, since this incident, I have not forgotten the impact of my actions and I know that there is always someone reporting on our behalf.

This brings us to Colossians, and the introduction that we receive in this first chapter. This is amazing book, this is a church that Paul has never visited, and he has only been given a report by Epaphras.   Wow, this is epistle of the apostle Paul that is part of our canon the Bible and it is a reflection of how important the REPORT of our interactions have profound affects on, not only our lives, but to those that are impacted. Can we image the impact of the report that would be given on our account? How would Epaphras report our dealings with each other? How would the report be on our households? Our worships and hardships? Our comings and goings? Then how would the report be received and responded to? Paul writes a beautiful introduction here to the church as though he had established the church and stayed in Colossae for years.  When I read the first verses I am overcome with a sense of connection and reverence:

Colossian 1:3-6, 9-12

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

 Being on the receiving side of this letter, I can only image the connection and communion the Colossians experienced. It is letter from someone that has never met you, but has so much love and affection for you. It is almost like receiving a letter from a distant relative that has the affection of a supportive parent. I pray that we are able to present ourselves in a manner that the REPORT of our lives is pleasing the our Heavenly Father.

The Book of Colossians

Welcome to the Book of Colossians!  Here is a little background as to who wrote this book and why was it written…

Most commentators agree that this book was written by Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome.

Several hundred years before Paul was born, Colossae had been a leading city. But, by the first century a.d. Colossae had become a second-rate market town, and the surrounding towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis had gained power and importance.

The Church of Colassae gained New Testament importance during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus. Epaphras, a distinguished leader and probably the founder of the Colossians church, came to Paul in Rome with good news and bad news about the church. The good news was that the gospel had flourished among the Colossians who were continuing in their faith in Christ and in love for their fellow believers. The bad news was the Colossians were being troubled by a new teaching that was contrary to the gospel which Epaphras had been preaching to them. This young church became the target of heretical attack (heretical = of, relating to, or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards (Merriam-Webster)).

Paul never directly states the heresy that is happening in Colossae, but, according to Bible Study Tools, the heresy was diverse in nature.

There were 6 areas of heresy happening in Colossae:

1. Ceremonialism – strict rules about the kinds of permissible food and drink, religious festivals (2:16-17) and circumcision (2:11;3:11)
2.  Asceticim – “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” (2:21;2:23)
3.  Angel Worship (2:18)
4.  Depreciation of Christ. This is implied in Paul’s emphasis on the supremacy of Christ (1:15-20; 2:2-3,9).
5.  Secret knowledge. The Gnostics boasted of this (2:18, 2:2-3)
6.  Reliance on human wisdom and tradition (2:4,8).

Paul’s purpose of this book is to refute the heresies stated above.

Paul refutes this heresy by exalting Christ as:

*the very image of God (1:15),

*the Creator (1:16),

*the preexistent sustainer of all things (1:17),

*the head of the church (1:18),

*the first to be resurrected (1:18),

*the fullness of deity in bodily form (1:19, 2:9) and

*the reconciler (1:20-22).

These are all proof that Christ is completely adequate. Chapter 2 verse 10 states that we “have been given fullness in christ”.

These verses prove that the Colossian heresy was altogether inadequate. It was inadequate and deceptive philosophy (2:8).

How does the book of Colossians apply to our life? Just like this Church, we are easily misled to depart from our beliefs.   Bottom line – Colossians is all about who we are in Christ! When we find our security and significance in Him we find that He is really all we need. When we know that He is ALL we need, we want others to have what He’s given us – a personal relationship with Him through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Feeling Anxious?

Today’s reading:  Philippians 4

If you’ve ever thought the Bible was dated and not overly applicable to the 21st century, I hope you walked away after reading the forth chapter of Philippians today with a different opinion.  I found Paul’s closing words to the church in Philippi powerful and very pertinent.  Let’s start with the first half of verse 6:

… do not be anxious about anything…

The Oxford English Dictionary defines anxiety as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. Sound vaguely familiar to feelings you’ve experienced before?  Let’s take it a step further, anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness because they involve excessive fear or anxiety.  Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common of type of mental disorders and affect nearly 30 percent of adults at some point in their lives (www.Psychiatry.org)?  As adapted from the Harvard Law School urban legend, think about it this way – look to the person sitting on your left, now look to the person sitting on your right, one of you will struggle with an anxiety disorder some time in your adult life.  Oh boy, I’m not sure I like those odds.  Fortunately, Paul follows this statement with some really practical advice for us.

…but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

What is the opposite of anxiety, fear, nervousness or uneasiness?  Peace.  Not the absence of conflict, positive thinking, or simply feeling calm.  The peace Paul is talking about in verse 7 is the confident assurance that God works all things together according to his divine plan, a comfort that he has every situation under control.

Do you remember our study of John 14 last Christmas?  In this chapter, Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for life without him.  These men had left EVERYTHING to follow Jesus.  To say they had anxiety about him taking off and leaving them on their own was probably an understatement.  I find Jesus’ words every bit as comforting today as they were to his disciples in the first century.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Rise, let us go from here (John 14:27-31).

Do you see Jesus’ words of peace? – “…for the prince of this world is coming…he has no hold over me…”  Knowing that Jesus has power over Satan, the root of all evil, is how we can be confident he has every situation under control.  Turning our cares over to Jesus is the antidote for anxiety.  He is our peace.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever (Philippians 4:19-20).

Worthy of imitation?

After a quick transition to a new job in a new state with a new company along with plans to eventually move overseas, this last month has given me a lot to look forward to, and it has also inspired me to pause and reflect. Today’s reading is on Philippians 3 and this verse stood out in particular in reflection of the spiritual mentors/influencers in my life:

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Philippians 3:17)

Since I was a kid, my mom prayed for me to have friends, mentors, guides and role models influencing my spiritual journey in a positive way. As a result, whenever this prayer is answered, I praise God for what he’s done and thank him for my mom and her countless prayers and dedication.

Many of us have people we look up to or consider heroes in this life. I’m a sports fan, not a fanatic, so while I respect and admire those at the top – I don’t really follow these people and I’d never consider purchasing a jersey with someone else’s name on it. Famous actors/actresses, and even musicians are not that exciting to me… I’ll enjoy the contributions to the arts, but I won’t seek to imitate or follow these folks closely, if at all.

Those who do inspire me are the strong, bold, influential, successful, yet humble and self-aware leaders who live out their faith both outside and inside the workplace. The ones whose priorities are in the right order and encourage/support others to prioritize the same; loving God and loving people. My friend Duane exemplifies all of these attributes and is worthy of imitation through his imitation and submission to Jesus Christ. While I’ve tried to verbally share with him the impact he’s had on my life, he certainly doesn’t know the depth. Thank you Duane!

I challenge our readers to consider the following by thinking of those who have influenced your spiritual journey for the better:

  1. There are people observing our behavior and we likely have far more influence than we realize. What can or should we do about this? Are we living a life worthy of our calling?
  2. Who are the most spiritually influential people in your life? Have you thanked them properly? Do they have any idea how much they mean to you or of the fruitful results of their actions?
  3. What are the behaviors (known or unknown to others) that should not be imitated and are we seeking repentance? Can we, like Paul suggest that people imitate us?

Father God, thank you for putting people in our lives who pray for us, who lead by example and who boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation through your son Jesus. May our eyes be opened and affixed firmly on you to recognize your work, your plans, your will, and your ways. We repent for acting as though our ways are better. Give us the courage like Paul states (in Philippians 3:14) to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Amen.

Onesimus Has To Face The Music

Philemon 2 is a story about forgiveness. I think we can all relate and think of a time where we did something before we knew Christ, only to be saved and now have to face the problem you created. Onesimus had to do that very thing in this story.

 

The chapter starts off with Paul writing to someone named Philemon. We learned in Chapter 1 that Philemon was a guy that Paul brought to know the faith and it changed his life. Philemon went back to where he lived to tell others about the gospel and he grew to be a major part of the church. Now chapter 2 we find out that Philemon had a bondservant named Onesimus. Onesimus did something to Philemon, the passage hints toward him stealing something because Paul offers to put Onesimus’s debt on his “tab.”

 

Onesimus, after stealing from Philemon, runs off to Rome and happens to meet Paul. Paul teaches him the gospel and he becomes a Christ Follower. Now the story could have ended right there. Paul could have used Onesimus to help him out with ministry in Rome, but check out what he does!

 

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

 

Do you see the maturity in this passage? Paul is good friends with Philemon and as he got to know Onesimus he found out that he was one of Philemon’s bondservants. He could have just sent him a letter and kept Onesimus, or not even have written a letter to him BUT he didn’t. He chose to get his friend’s consent. Have you ever done something behind someone’s back thinking they would never find out…. and they did? Paul is so mature in his faith that he wants to make things right with Philemon and Onesimus rather than selfishly keeping him for his own intentions. Even though his intentions were good.

 

I think the moral of the story is think about the decisions you make and how they affect not only yourself but others. Also be willing to forgive someone who has wronged you, especially if they didn’t know Christ at the time that they wronged you. Have a great Thursday everyone!

5 Essentials for Christian Growth

Have you ever seen a W.W.J.D. bracelet?  If you’re wondering, it stands for ‘what would Jesus do?’  When I was growing up my friends and I all wore them.  We had them in all different colors.  We wore them inside out and upside down.  We were all about our W.W.J.D. bracelets.  

I always thought W.W.J.D.  was a great reminder to do the right thing.  Growing up there are so many choices that we are faced with.  Finding the right answer was not always easy but this bracelet seemed to at least start us looking in the right direction.

As a Christian grows up they hope to mature in Christ.  They hope to have the right answers and make the right choices more than they did when they were young.  This is what happens when a Christian matures.  Scripture is clear that Christ followers will grow (2Peter 3:18, 1Peter 2:2, 1Timothy 4:15, Ephesians 4:15, 1Corinthians 13:11, Colossians 2:6-7, 2Corinthians 3:18) From our reading today, Philippians 1:9-11 reveals to us the 5 essentials for Christian growth. That is, the 5 ways the Spirit works in us as we follow Christ.

  1. Love

We love because He first loved us. (1John 4:19)  It is no surprise that the first essential to Christian growth is love.  After all, love is the greatest attribute of a follower of Christ. (John 13:35)  In a world that tosses around this word seeking to destroy its meaning, it is always a good idea to return to the truth to test our definition of this defining characteristic of our faith in Jesus.

Agape is the word here translated as love. It is a self-sacrificing love.  Later in Philippians 2:1-8, Paul gives one of the fullest descriptions of agape love in the Bible. One statement from this scripture stood out to me, “…but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”  What would our lives look like if everyone’s interest were always placed above our own?

Love is not blind.  Quite the opposite love is very perceptive, very discerning.  True love produces obedience that requires knowledge of the truth.  (John 14:15, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:10, 1John 3:24)  Here is a list of 1236 commands from the New Testament.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Philippians 1:9

  1. Excellence

Verse 10a begins, ‘that ye’ or ‘so that’ in the ESV, indicating that the first point is foundational to the second.  The word here ‘approve’ is ‘dokimazo’, meaning to allow, examine, prove, and discern.  The love of God, with its foundation in the Word (commands), not only helps us discern right from wrong but helps us discern what is best from what is only good.  God’s will is not good, it is perfect. (Romans 12:2)  Love and the Word help us find what is excellent.

When John Wesley went away to Oxford his mother wrote the following in a letter to him: “Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the delight for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin.”

That ye may approve things that are excellent;
Philippians 1:10a

  1. Integrity

Verse 10b also begins with ‘that ye’ or ‘in order to be’ in the ESV, again making clear the continued progression of the text.  The word ‘sincere’ is ‘eilikrines’ and carries with it ideas of cohesiveness, oneness and unity.  What would our lives look like if everything touched everything else and ‘gelled’ as it were with no offences?  Does Christ touch every part of your life?  Is there any part of your life that you are keeping for you?  

that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:10b

  1. Good works

Verse 11a begins with ‘being’ or ‘having been filled’ in the ESV, a perfect passive participle in the Greek indicating something that happened in the past and is continuing here and now.  It is essential that we understand the progression of this Scripture.  The fruit’s appeal is instant gratification but trying to skip ahead or jump right to the fruit is a lie.  The fruit itself is not something to strive for in a direct sense.  The fruit is the byproduct of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)  Forced fruit without the leaven of love is legalism.  

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ
Philippians 1:11a

  1. Glory of God

Verse 11b begins with ‘unto’ or ‘to’ in the ESV, this is the purpose clause, it answers the question ‘why?’.  The most important essential is the glory of God.  Indeed it is the reason for the others.  

For a time I thought of reversing this list so that it would begin with God’s glory and end with love.  Though I decided against it, the reason was that it all actually starts here, with the end in mind.  

Our heart attitude is what sets all growth in motion, through the grace of Christ and the power of the Spirit.  Glory to God.  Glory to God is on the believer’s heart.  If God’s glory is our focus the Spirit will be at work in us, helping love abound in us, producing in us spiritual excellence, personal integrity, and genuine good works all to God’s glory.

As I made my way through this study I realised that there was one simple answer to that question ‘What would Jesus do?’ Jesus brings glory to the Father.

unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:11b

God, may our eyes be single for You. Amen.

 

Study sources:

Intro to Philippians

Happy Fourth of July!

Taking the 50,000 foot approach to starting our devotional and reflections on Philippians is as Paul would say, “pure joy!” This letter is one of Paul’s prison epistles . It was a positive letter by Paul written to thank the Christians living in Philippi for their gift they had sent him for his missionary work.  It was also to strengthen fellow believers by showing them (us) that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone. Amen!

As we look back in Acts 16 we read how Paul had a divine dream that told him to go to Macedonia to spread the good news.  (Acts 16:8-10)  God always has amazing perfect plans for all of our lives. This dream was perfectly planned. In Psalm 37:23, the psalmist writes, “the Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him“. God not only orders our steps but also orders our stops, especially in this case.  This vision lead to Philippi where they would be the first European City to receive the Gospel of Christ from Paul.

As I reviewed the various reflections on Philippians and read the intro’s in my study bibles I continue to land on the theme about the contrast between happiness and joy.  Knowing people want to feel happy and look for this in different material things, experiences, people, statuses, or even places like Happy Gilmore.  Yet all of this is just worldly happiness, that can often be related to our temporary current circumstances. What is your current circumstance? What is mine? The weather has been great, the pool is the perfect temp, camps have gone well, the pictures or final details are being finalized for all summer trips?  But what happens when the temperature changes, that 4th of July party ends, the children need to get back on a schedule…?  Or on a more serious side, a job has been lost, you lose a loved one, a bill comes in that leaves you strapped, your child faces addiction? Our happiness that is based on happenings can wither as each new trial prevails.  Going through Philippians will help remind us that in contrast to this earthly happiness or sadness true joy depends on our relationship with God. According to the Tyndale Study Bible it says,  “In contrast to happiness stands joy. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confidence assurance of God’s love and work in our lives, that He will be there for us no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, Joy depends on Christ!”

So rejoice and enjoy these four chapters and look for the themes that include; finding joy in suffering, serving, believing, and giving.  I know my wife Jennifer will enjoy me referencing once again “Consider it all joy… verse from James 1:2-3 that I use often in our household of two young boys that love to follow a fallen, broken, bigger boy in myself.  I pray for Jennifer and I, our boys, and all of you to not seek the happiness of the world, but know the true joy in our relationship with the Lord!

Dear God ,

We are blessed by these letters of encouragement by Paul. Please fill our hearts when we have the feeling of being overwhelmed or in despair. Help us to pray for others that need to know your promises. Help us to stay positive and trust in you no matter our circumstances. Lord, help us to follow Paul’s example and know you more so we will rejoice in you always. Amen

Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

 

The Power of God

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6

Today we hear from Paul about abuse of power and battling against evil. He begins with a gentle reminder to parents and children:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

 As a parent, this is a practical reminder for me at the end of a long weekend. Now that summer is in full swing, my children are constantly testing me on bedtimes, food choices and screen time. I work so hard to provide measured, consistent boundaries but at times I just lose it! I find myself using my power as a parent to inflict judgement and sometimes punishment on my children when really, I’m upset about someone else using their power against me. Often, when we feel belittled, demeaned or shamed in our adult life we respond by wielding that same power over someone else. Who among us hasn’t struggled with feelings of anger or resentment and turned that into revenge? We feel justified in counting another’s failures when we find ourselves in a position of power. Paul shows us in today’s reading that this is a common theme the enemy has been using against us for centuries. He addresses this in verse 5 in regards to the Ephesians and their slaves:

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” Ephesians 6:5-9

 Paul reminds us not to abuse the positions of power we are blessed with. He cautions us to do our work here on earth with honesty and integrity. To work as if He is our boss and remember that we are all equal before God. Whether we work in an office, parent children, or simply live as an example of Christian values, we are called to reject Satan’s false promises. Leading a Christian life requires us to battle against authorities that do not put Jesus at the center. Lord, help us to see that you are the Master, you are the potter and that our power is through obedience to you. Guide us gently as Paul led the Ephesians to a life that’s closer to you.

Have a great holiday week!