Colossians 1:15-18
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the
beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that
in everything He might have the supremacy.
~ Colossians 1:17-18
This is Christ. He was from the beginning, and He is now. Everything that was and is, He created, and He holds it all together. Did you catch that? He holds the universe together. John 1 also shows God made nothing without Christ and that Christ was from the beginning. He was the Word; He was with God, and He was God.
The Word is important because God spoke the universe into being (words). And His Son was there with Him (Col 1:16). Jesus is the very Word and power that created everything. God tells us the same thing in the Old Testament (God created everything by his word – Psalm 33:6). A few verses later comes that part that is really exciting for us:
“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever/ the purposes of His heart through all generations.”
Psalm 33:11
Is that not wonderful? God’s plan will be. He is supreme (Col 1:18). One of the amazing things about His plan is that it stands firm forever, showing us that God has had the same plan since the very beginning of time. And his plan has always worked and will always work. From the beginning of time God has known everything about you and your life. Even more than that, His very words have power and will “achieve the purpose for which” He speaks them (Isaiah 55:10-11). What God says to be true is true. What He says is, is. From the beginning, up to now, and in the future.
So why is that important? What does it mean to us? God is supreme. He created everything and rules everything. His plan has been set from the beginning. It is unchanging and unmoving. Even so, God, in His infinite wisdom, knew everything in order to create a plan before time began that would, until the end of time, “work all things for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).
Wow.
I know He is my God. Do you know that He is your God, too? Do you personally know our God? If not, now is the perfect time for you to go before the Lord:
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in
your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For
it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with
your mouth that you confess and are saved.
~ Romans 10:9-10
Here is my prayer:
God, what You says is, is. What you say isn’t, isn’t. I will embrace the things You tell me to do, but reject the things You tell me to not do. Thank You, God.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Isaiah 1:10-17
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
~ Isaiah 10:16
Sin or simple religious acts are lifeless. Have nothing to do with them. All of your outward show means nothing if your heart doesn’t lead. If your heart is far from God, you are far from God. In life, you have two choices on how to act – evil or good. If you are far from God, you’re probably doing evil. When you set aside your sin and those evil actions, what you have left is to do what is right.
Doing what is right should then need no further justification beyond the knowledge that evil acts go hand in hand with separation from God, while closeness with God goes together with right acts. As Paul says in Romans 6:16, you are either “slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness.” More simply, if you’re not doing good, you’re doing evil. If you’re not building God’s Kingdom, you’re trying to tear it down. That may seem harsh, but God doesn’t have a middle ground. I have areas and times in my life where I know I’m not building God’s Kingdom, but I never thought I was working against Him. But I am, and God makes very clear that I must stop and turn the other way.
Have you rationalized anything you do because it was “harmless” or neutral? I’m telling you now, it’s not.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
~ Isaiah 10:16
Sin or simple religious acts are lifeless. Have nothing to do with them. All of your outward show means nothing if your heart doesn’t lead. If your heart is far from God, you are far from God. In life, you have two choices on how to act – evil or good. If you are far from God, you’re probably doing evil. When you set aside your sin and those evil actions, what you have left is to do what is right.
Doing what is right should then need no further justification beyond the knowledge that evil acts go hand in hand with separation from God, while closeness with God goes together with right acts. As Paul says in Romans 6:16, you are either “slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness.” More simply, if you’re not doing good, you’re doing evil. If you’re not building God’s Kingdom, you’re trying to tear it down. That may seem harsh, but God doesn’t have a middle ground. I have areas and times in my life where I know I’m not building God’s Kingdom, but I never thought I was working against Him. But I am, and God makes very clear that I must stop and turn the other way.
Have you rationalized anything you do because it was “harmless” or neutral? I’m telling you now, it’s not.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Listen
Much dreaming and many words are meaningless.
Therefore stand in awe of God.
~ Ecclesiastes 5:7
Do you talk too much? Not just to other people. Do you talk at God too much? Something that could indicate that you’re talking too much is that you never hear God speak. When you pray, do you say your piece and not wait for a response? What person would go to his good friend, talk for five minutes – share feelings, ask some questions, make some requests – then walk away?
Don’t do that with God.
When Elijah met with the prophets of Baal on top of Mount Carmel, the prophets of Baal thought more words and more volume would get their god’s attention (1 Kings 18:26-29). But God answered Elijah’s prayer, and Elijah humbly knelt in the presence of God (1 Kings 18:42). God doesn’t want many words; He wants a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). That’s the kind of heart Elijah had, and God listened to him.
In Matthew 6:5-7, Jesus described two kinds of talking a lot. Hypocrites do it loudly to earn the praise of men. Pagans do it because they think that’s how they will be heard by their god. Jesus said to instead go privately, humbly before God. You don’t need pomp and frills to talk to God, nor do you need to read Him a novel. Have an honest heart and pure intentions.
In this verse, Solomon was talking about more than just praying. Paul expanded on this when he told Timothy to “turn away from godless chatter” (1 Tim 6:20, 2 Tim 2:1). Paul says this ‘godless chatter’ separates you from God. He mentioned this in both letters to Timothy, so it’s probably pretty common and probably very important. Instead of always talking, God wants you to listen – stand in awe of God. He does amazing things with time spent in quiet with Him.
If you’re just going to babble or daydream, you’re doing nothing of value. You would do much better to simply stand in awe of God. Sometimes we need to just… stop. and listen to God (Ecc 5:2-3). Go humbly before Him with honest prayers and listen to what He has to say. The point of prayer is not to change God; it’s to change you.
When you pray, are you talking with God or at God?
Are you willing to spend time before God simply to hear Him speak?
Therefore stand in awe of God.
~ Ecclesiastes 5:7
Do you talk too much? Not just to other people. Do you talk at God too much? Something that could indicate that you’re talking too much is that you never hear God speak. When you pray, do you say your piece and not wait for a response? What person would go to his good friend, talk for five minutes – share feelings, ask some questions, make some requests – then walk away?
Don’t do that with God.
When Elijah met with the prophets of Baal on top of Mount Carmel, the prophets of Baal thought more words and more volume would get their god’s attention (1 Kings 18:26-29). But God answered Elijah’s prayer, and Elijah humbly knelt in the presence of God (1 Kings 18:42). God doesn’t want many words; He wants a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). That’s the kind of heart Elijah had, and God listened to him.
In Matthew 6:5-7, Jesus described two kinds of talking a lot. Hypocrites do it loudly to earn the praise of men. Pagans do it because they think that’s how they will be heard by their god. Jesus said to instead go privately, humbly before God. You don’t need pomp and frills to talk to God, nor do you need to read Him a novel. Have an honest heart and pure intentions.
In this verse, Solomon was talking about more than just praying. Paul expanded on this when he told Timothy to “turn away from godless chatter” (1 Tim 6:20, 2 Tim 2:1). Paul says this ‘godless chatter’ separates you from God. He mentioned this in both letters to Timothy, so it’s probably pretty common and probably very important. Instead of always talking, God wants you to listen – stand in awe of God. He does amazing things with time spent in quiet with Him.
If you’re just going to babble or daydream, you’re doing nothing of value. You would do much better to simply stand in awe of God. Sometimes we need to just… stop. and listen to God (Ecc 5:2-3). Go humbly before Him with honest prayers and listen to what He has to say. The point of prayer is not to change God; it’s to change you.
When you pray, are you talking with God or at God?
Are you willing to spend time before God simply to hear Him speak?
Friday, June 10, 2011
Perimeters
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
~ Proverbs 4:23-27
Walking with God is a narrow road. If you step off, you’ll fall into the pit. But when you follow exactly where God leads, you’ll stay on the path. Where else would you go? This passage talks about several perimeters that help keep you away from sin and on God’s path.
At the center is your heart. It’s the “wellspring of life” (v23). Protect it at all costs. It’s vulnerable on its own. That’s why you need the defensive perimeters.
The first perimeter is the mouth. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Mt 12:34). Your heart affects what comes out of your mouth, but what you communicate can also have an effect on your heart. Make the conscious decision to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth” (Eph 4:29). Control what you communicate by both your words and your actions.
The next perimeter is the eyes. Look straight ahead. This reminds me of a stretch of highway in Dallas with a lot of billboards for strip clubs. Whenever I drive through there, I look straight ahead so there’s not even a chance of me looking at something I know I shouldn’t. Similarly, Satan throws up distractions in your life trying to lead you astray, even if only in your heart. Don’t be distracted. I’ve heard guys say “it’s okay if I look, I just won’t touch.” I say don’t even look. That goes for any sin. Don’t look longingly at the sewage and filth that is sin.
The final perimeter is the feet. Don’t go near sin. When you’re trying to save money, you don’t go to your favorite store to “just look”; you’ll probably end up buying something. “Be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left” (Deut 5:32). An alcoholic shouldn’t go to a bar and expect not to be tempted to drink. Don’t go near sin – physically or mentally – especially whatever particularly tempts you.
I don’t like writing a list of things not to do and certainly not without telling what to do. So here are your actions, your takeaway:
“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” so that you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:9,3).
Read further:
Proverbs 4:23-27; Matthew 12:34-35; Ephesians 4:29; Deuteronomy 5:32; Romans 12:3, 9
for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
~ Proverbs 4:23-27
Walking with God is a narrow road. If you step off, you’ll fall into the pit. But when you follow exactly where God leads, you’ll stay on the path. Where else would you go? This passage talks about several perimeters that help keep you away from sin and on God’s path.
At the center is your heart. It’s the “wellspring of life” (v23). Protect it at all costs. It’s vulnerable on its own. That’s why you need the defensive perimeters.
The first perimeter is the mouth. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Mt 12:34). Your heart affects what comes out of your mouth, but what you communicate can also have an effect on your heart. Make the conscious decision to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth” (Eph 4:29). Control what you communicate by both your words and your actions.
The next perimeter is the eyes. Look straight ahead. This reminds me of a stretch of highway in Dallas with a lot of billboards for strip clubs. Whenever I drive through there, I look straight ahead so there’s not even a chance of me looking at something I know I shouldn’t. Similarly, Satan throws up distractions in your life trying to lead you astray, even if only in your heart. Don’t be distracted. I’ve heard guys say “it’s okay if I look, I just won’t touch.” I say don’t even look. That goes for any sin. Don’t look longingly at the sewage and filth that is sin.
The final perimeter is the feet. Don’t go near sin. When you’re trying to save money, you don’t go to your favorite store to “just look”; you’ll probably end up buying something. “Be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left” (Deut 5:32). An alcoholic shouldn’t go to a bar and expect not to be tempted to drink. Don’t go near sin – physically or mentally – especially whatever particularly tempts you.
I don’t like writing a list of things not to do and certainly not without telling what to do. So here are your actions, your takeaway:
- Stay away from sin with your body and your mind.
- Keep your eyes from looking at sinful things so you won’t desire them.
- Keep your lips pure from anything unwholesome.
“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” so that you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:9,3).
Read further:
Proverbs 4:23-27; Matthew 12:34-35; Ephesians 4:29; Deuteronomy 5:32; Romans 12:3, 9
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Armor of God: Shield of Faith
In addition to all this, take up the shield of
faith, with which you can extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one.
~ Ephesians 6:14
The enemy is real. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Believe it. Satan is trying to snatch away the good God has planted in your heart. Don’t think you are immune from attack or that you are strong enough to stand on your own. But do believe that you can stand.
When the enemy comes, “resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Pet 5:9). Take action and take up the shield of faith. Faith is an action. Lay down your defense and trust God to defend you. We overcome the world and its sins, pleasures, and pitfalls in victory through faith. God gives us the victory, so stand firm; be immoveable.
When you are tempted, where do you turn? Are you dragged away by the temptation and the sin, or do you stand firm in your faith in God?
Read further
Ephesians 6; Matthew 13:9; 1 John 5:4; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58; James 1:13-15
faith, with which you can extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one.
~ Ephesians 6:14
The enemy is real. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Believe it. Satan is trying to snatch away the good God has planted in your heart. Don’t think you are immune from attack or that you are strong enough to stand on your own. But do believe that you can stand.
When the enemy comes, “resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Pet 5:9). Take action and take up the shield of faith. Faith is an action. Lay down your defense and trust God to defend you. We overcome the world and its sins, pleasures, and pitfalls in victory through faith. God gives us the victory, so stand firm; be immoveable.
When you are tempted, where do you turn? Are you dragged away by the temptation and the sin, or do you stand firm in your faith in God?
Read further
Ephesians 6; Matthew 13:9; 1 John 5:4; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58; James 1:13-15
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
God and you
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord will hear when I call to him.
~ Psalm 4:3
You’re not just another tool in God’s workshop or another crate in His warehouse. Everyone of you is special to God. He loves you and hears you. He won’t just ignore you or leave you. He knows and wants what’s best for you, and He’s in a position to do something about it! Talk to God, knowing He will hear you, then listen and apply what He says in response.
Read Psalm 4
the Lord will hear when I call to him.
~ Psalm 4:3
You’re not just another tool in God’s workshop or another crate in His warehouse. Everyone of you is special to God. He loves you and hears you. He won’t just ignore you or leave you. He knows and wants what’s best for you, and He’s in a position to do something about it! Talk to God, knowing He will hear you, then listen and apply what He says in response.
Read Psalm 4
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Do you want to get well?
One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight
years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that
he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked
him, "Do you want to get well?"
~ John 5:5-6
Jesus asked a man who had been an invalid for 38 years if he wanted to be well. He asks you the same thing:
Do you want to be well? Do you want to be free of sin? Do you want to be well in your soul?
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me
into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am
trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and
walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat
and walked.
~ John 5:7-9
The invalid wanted to be well, but he thought he needed someone to help him. The man thought his sick condition defined him. Jesus told him the truth: he could leave his sickness behind and be cured.
You don't need someone to make you well; Jesus already has! You are not defined by your sinful condition. Leave it behind and be free!
Read John 5
years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that
he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked
him, "Do you want to get well?"
~ John 5:5-6
Jesus asked a man who had been an invalid for 38 years if he wanted to be well. He asks you the same thing:
Do you want to be well? Do you want to be free of sin? Do you want to be well in your soul?
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me
into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am
trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and
walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat
and walked.
~ John 5:7-9
The invalid wanted to be well, but he thought he needed someone to help him. The man thought his sick condition defined him. Jesus told him the truth: he could leave his sickness behind and be cured.
You don't need someone to make you well; Jesus already has! You are not defined by your sinful condition. Leave it behind and be free!
Read John 5
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Do Work
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
~ Philippians 2:12
You need to work not to earn your salvation, but to work out your salvation. When God saved you, He didn't make you a perfect Christian, but He gave you the tools to follow Him and the promise that He would always be with you.
~ Philippians 2:12
You need to work not to earn your salvation, but to work out your salvation. When God saved you, He didn't make you a perfect Christian, but He gave you the tools to follow Him and the promise that He would always be with you.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Hard Questions
"In the dark, men break into houses,
but by day they shut themselves in;
they want nothing to do with the light.
For all of them, deep darkness is their morning;
they make friends with the terrors of darkness."
~ Job 24:16-17
Bringing wickedness and sin to light is not comfortable. Asking yourself and other people hard questions about where you are spiritually is not easy. Fear, shame, and guilt may cause you to shut the sin away, but it will come out in the dark times. Ask yourself and your friends where your heart is, and have them ask you, too. If you are uncomfortable talking about your heart and your spiritual state with the people close to you, you need to do it all the more! It is just like shining a light into the darkness: the light reveals the hidden things
but by day they shut themselves in;
they want nothing to do with the light.
For all of them, deep darkness is their morning;
they make friends with the terrors of darkness."
~ Job 24:16-17
Bringing wickedness and sin to light is not comfortable. Asking yourself and other people hard questions about where you are spiritually is not easy. Fear, shame, and guilt may cause you to shut the sin away, but it will come out in the dark times. Ask yourself and your friends where your heart is, and have them ask you, too. If you are uncomfortable talking about your heart and your spiritual state with the people close to you, you need to do it all the more! It is just like shining a light into the darkness: the light reveals the hidden things
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Supernatural
"Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."
~ Luke 24:25
You can't naturally understand the Bible because it is supernatural wisdom. Pray that God will open your mind so you can understand His wisdom.
~ Luke 24:25
You can't naturally understand the Bible because it is supernatural wisdom. Pray that God will open your mind so you can understand His wisdom.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Supreme
"To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.
What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released.
If He holds back the waters, there is drought; if He lets them loose, they devastate the land.
To Him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are His."
~ Job 12:13-16
God is Supreme. He is bigger than any of your problems. When trouble comes, run to God even when you don't know why everything is happening. You have no hope of success outside of God. If He wants you to fail, you will fail; if He wants you to succeed, you will succeed. God is more powerful than anything, and He always has the victory.
What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released.
If He holds back the waters, there is drought; if He lets them loose, they devastate the land.
To Him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are His."
~ Job 12:13-16
God is Supreme. He is bigger than any of your problems. When trouble comes, run to God even when you don't know why everything is happening. You have no hope of success outside of God. If He wants you to fail, you will fail; if He wants you to succeed, you will succeed. God is more powerful than anything, and He always has the victory.
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