Category: Colossians

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Be Ready

Dave and I are away this weekend. A few days in the mountains with friends is so special. We rented an Airbnb. The fresh pine air and cool mountain breezes have been so relaxing. Believe it or not, I even took a short nap yesterday afternoon.

From the kitchen window, I saw the neighbor’s firewood supply. It runs the length of his fence and it reminded me of the firewood we had stacked by the door of our walk-out basement in Montana.

When you live in the colder climates it’s never too early to be prepared for a change in weather.

And when you’re a Christian it’s important to be ready for life’s opportunities. 

” Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.” Colossians 4:6 CEV

This was Paul’s instruction to the Christians living in Colossae and it is just as applicable today.

When we live for Christ, there are changes in our way of living that others will notice. Compassion, acts of kindness, forgiveness and peace just to name a few. We need to be ready to answer questions.

“God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

“Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. They must always be ready to do something helpful 2 and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone… 

4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy,
and not because of any good things we have done…7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.

8 This message is certainly true. These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds.” Titus 3:1-8 CEV

There are so many around us who experience a coldness, a harshness more bitter than winter. We should “always be ready to do something helpful”.

Let’s be ready to share the warmth of God’s love.

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A New Way of Living

God knows that my life has been varied.

As a child, I grew up in a construction worker’s home. We moved frequently because my dad was a heavy equipment operator and primarily worked on road construction projects. We never had any formal vacations but instead spent our time camping, fishing, hunting and exploring the outdoors. I loved it!

Once Dave and I were married we lived in a beach community for a while, after leaving a more rural life of farming alfalfa and living among working cowboys and ranchers. That was an adjustment.

We have lived in big cities and also so far out in the farmland and country that we said only people who were really close friends or completely lost could find us. All of these experiences changed my life; most of them for the better.

After we retired, we became fulltime Rvers for a few years and now we live in a tiny home. New experiences and adventures have been the course our lives have traveled. But the one thing that has changed our lives most completely was finding out who we are in Christ.

He has designed a life for all of us. And although the location, the people and the day-to-day experiences may vary, the lifestyle is the same for all of us who have a relationship with Him.

“Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. 11 It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. 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. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16  Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:10-17 CEV

There will never be a greater adventure than following Christ. Will it always be easy? No! Will there be challenges and problems to overcome? Yes!

Following Christ will take us to new heights as we faithfully obey – greater joys, giant-slaying victories and a peace that controls our thoughts and keeps us worry fear. This new way of living works for rich and poor, highly educated or not, male or female, those who are free and enslaved.

No matter our occupation or profession. Whatever we say or do, our new way of living has us living in Christ.

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Listen Up!

This morning, I found myself reading parts of the Bible that I have read repeatedly for the last 30+ years. And believe it or not, those verses are as exciting to me now as they were then.

I never get tired of reading the Bible because it is the living word of God. The Apostle Paul said this: “ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV

And Jesus said this: “15 You people who hear me, listen!… 28 “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30 Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.” Matthew 11:15-30 ERV

In verses 16-27 of Matthew 11 Jesus was pointing out the hypocrisy and criticism of the religious leaders. They were critical of one another, of John the Baptist, and of Jesus and His miracles.

Jesus’ message was “Listen up! My teaching will give you rest from all your striving. It will give you peace and freedom from worry. My teaching is easy to accept”.

When I first began to really study God’s word I had a lot of misinformation to unlearn. Mine was a works based mentality. If I did enough good things, the Lord would be pleased with me. If I didn’t, watch out, “you never know what God will do”.

So, the first thing I had to do was saturate my thinking with the Father’s unconditional love.

As I said I spent months reading and re-reading the same portions of Scripture every day. Faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing the word of God. My faith in God’s love grew until I became CONVINCED that nothing could separate me from the love of God!

Time does not permit for me to print out these verses so I will trust you to look them up for yourselves. Read them and let the Holy Spirit make them real to your heart.

Numbers 23:19, Psalms 91, Psalms 103, Psalms 143, Psalm 145, Romans 8, Ephesians 1:16-23, Ephesians 3:14-21 and Colossians 2:5-20.

Let me close with this from Romans 8.

“ What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36  It is exactly as the Scriptures say,

‘For you, we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered.’

37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:31-39 CEV

So listen up! Learn from the teaching of God’s word and find rest!

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Closer to Home

Dave and I have really spent most of our lives together as nomads. It’s been an exciting adventure as we have moved from place to place, making new friends and seeing new areas of the country.

The modern conveniences of Google Maps, Hotels.com, and Gas Buddy have made it easier than it used to be.

But how did Moses do it?

He couldn’t call ahead and request a double-king with the continental breakfast. What about camel refueling? He had to dig his own wells.

Abraham didn’t even have a map, he just had to follow the leading of God’s voice and stop when the Lord said to stop.

“ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God…16 Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:8-16 NJKV

This morning I ask myself a question. “Am I anticipating my heavenly home – my eternal city with the same excitement and anticipation as the one in Arizona?” The answer is yes! There isn’t one thing here on this earth that I wouldn’t give up for living in the city whose builder and maker is God!

And the things I hold most dear I don’t have to give up, I get to take them with me; my husband, my brothers and sisters, my children and my friends. How wonderful is that!

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NJKV

Father, my prayer today is that all whom I hold dear have a personal relationship with you. I desire that their friendship with You is deeper than it is with me. I can make them dinners and baked goods; I can share my home with them but You, You gave the life of Your Son so that they will live eternally. Thank you for touching their hearts today – thank you for providing new life, a life that never ends – thank you for giving us a place in You where we will never die but will live eternally. And thank you for caring about the everyday, small and minute details of our lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen!

“You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. ” Colossians 3:1-2 ERV

We’re just one day closer to home!

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“When I Was Little”

We have been blessed to have most of the weekend with our three youngest grandchildren. Such a fun time – hearing their stories and jokes, reading new books, making new things (crepes and blueberry muffins), having new adventures. Each event is a memory making moment.

Yesterday we took a trip to the local winery. No, not for a wine tasting but to see the birds and animals they have there. It was a great time, one that interested everyone. On the way home, our eight-year-old granddaughter was telling her siblings a story, and it started like this “when I was little”…In the front seat, Dave and I couldn’t help but laugh.

I said to myself, “that will preach”.

“ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. 12 It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me.” I Corinthians 13:11-12 ERV

So much of what we understand in this life comes from a limited viewpoint. We are influenced by what we can directly see around us. But there’s a much bigger picture that our heavenly Father desires us to see.

Yes, we are to have “child-like faith” and trust in Him; believing that He has a wonderful plan that He wants to bring about in our lives, but He also wants us to increase in our understanding of His greatness and His attributes.

“Jesus called a little child to come to him. He stood the child in front of the followers. 3 Then he said, ‘The truth is, you must change your thinking and become like little children. If you don’t do this, you will never enter God’s kingdom. 4 The greatest person in God’s kingdom is the one who makes himself humble like this child.” Matthew 18:2-4 ERV

The thinking of a child is simplistic, honest, faith filled, living in a realm of expectation. Those qualities are ones we should continue to nurture in our relationship with our heavenly Father.

“You accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live following him. 7 You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” Colossians 2:6-7 ERV

“When I was little…I trust the Lord and now that I am grown, I continue to trust in Him and deeper in my understanding of His unconditional love and His faithfulness.

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A Pattern for Living II

This morning Dave and I were out the door early with Kim and Austin as we headed for the NASCAR racetrack in Avondale. All the kids and grandkids blessed Dave with a “Ride-A-Long” in a racecar at the track.

So, I missed the morning post. 🙁 As I was reviewing posts for years past, I came across ths one and it seemed so appropriate for the study of the last few days.

When I was a girl my mother sewed most of my clothes. I remember countless times that we headed to the department store or to the fabric store to pour over pages and pages of pattern books. Once we found the perfect pattern, we would go through bolts and bolts of fabric until we found just the perfect material for the project.

What I didn’t realize is that many times the “perfect fabric” was the one that was on sale and would fit into the budget.

Success!

Did you know we have been given a pattern for life? It’s just right and will fit perfectly! There will be no bargain shopping for the right fabric, only the best will do. It has been custom design, no one-size-fits-all type of apparell.

“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. 9 They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.” Psalm 112 NLT

This is the pattern that the Lord has designed for those who are righteous. Don’t let that word scare you into thinking that this is for someone else and not you. To be righteous is to be in right standing with God. Jesus has made that possible for all of us by His sacrifice on our behalf.

Our pattern has been cut to include a heart that loves God’s word. We are designed to be generous, compassionate and fair in our dealings with others. We trust God and don’t fear bad news. We are confident in God’s provision and protection in every area of life.

We help those in need and are victorious when we face those who would like to do evil to us. We will not be overcome by those seeking to do us harm. God’s word promises that we will be overcomers in this life.

This is God’s pattern for our life. It’s tailor made, only the best will do for a child of Almighty God! Our garment has been sewn and pressed.

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 …Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:10-14 NLT

It’s laid out before us all we have to do is pick it up and put it on.

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Do You Remember

trading stamps?

When I was a girl I spent many a Saturday morning pasting Gold Bond, Blue Chip and S&H Green stamps into redemption books.

Each time we went to the gas station, the attendant would give my folks green stamps and they would bring them home and put them in a book. We had a green stamp catalog and we would save our books until we had enough to go to the redemption center and get what we had been saving for. That was so much fun, we walked out with something we really wanted and also had an new item that we would start saving for next.

Do you know that we have been “redeemed”? The word redeemed means to rescue or to ransom. Our lives have been redeemed; not by collecting our good works and sticking them in a book for all to see but by the precious blood of Jesus.

“You were rescued (redeemed) from the useless way of life that you learned from your ancestors. But you know that you were not rescued by such things as silver or gold that don’t last forever. 19 You were rescued by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb.” I Peter 1:18-19

All our good deeds cannot begin to measure up to the price Jesus paid for our redemption. Can’t you see it now, Jesus walking into the redemption center and God the Father asking “what would you like to take home today”?

Jesus says, “I would like Kristi for my own”.

And the Father says, “Well, are you sure you wouldn’t like something better? She has done some pretty foolish things.”

“No,” Jesus says, “I would like her.”

“And what will you give for her redemption? It has to be something very valuable.” says the Father. And he shows Jesus all the charges of my shortcomings and sins.

Jesus stretches forth His hands revealing the nail prints and says, “I think this should cover it.”

“Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.” Colossians 2:14 Amplified Version

Hallelujah! I have been redeemed. I have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus.

He’s done the same for you. Be blessed today.

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Get In Touch with God

turn the radio on!

I hope I’m not the only one who grew up listening to Gospel Quartets. If I am, I’m sorry you missed it. It was a regular part of our Sunday evening services at the church my family attended.

Those memories tie in with yesterday’s blog on experiencing the presence of God. Tuesday, I happened to be in town, Dave was at the dentist. As I was driving from one location to the next, I turned the radio on. This is not the norm when Dave and I go somewhere together because we always seem to have so much to talk about.

Anyway, a song came on the radio that was so powerful that it filled the car with the presence of the Lord. I wanted to pull over and just let the words penetrate my soul without the distraction of traffic. I couldn’t do that, so I looked up the lyrics once I got home. (song by Chris Brown, Elevation Music and Brandon Lake, I Know A Name)

I know a name that can silence the roaring waves
I know a name that can empty out a grave
I know a name, it’s the only name that saves
And it’s worthy of all praise

I call You, Jesus
I call You, I call You Healer
Risen and reigning in power
Something comes out of the grave
Every time I call You, Jesus
I call You, I call You Savior
Worthy of glory forever
Something comes out of the grave
Every time I call Your name

When we speak the name of Jesus, dead things come to life. We receive new life – old things pass away and everything becomes new! The grave is no match for the power in the name of Jesus.

“ Peter said, ‘I have no money, but what I have I will give you! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!’…16 You see and know this man here. He has been made strong through faith in Jesus’ name. Yes, it is faith in Christ that has made this man well and strong. This man is standing here in front of you all.” Acts 3:6-16 NLV

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:16-17 CEV

There is power in the name of Jesus. Power to change lives, heal the sick and even raise the dead.

“‘ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name [[a]as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.'” John 14:11-14 AMP

The miracles that Jesus did gave honor to His Father and Jesus wants our lives to glorify the Father as well.

There’s a gospel song that says, “Get in touch with God, turn your radio on”. I tell you it was sure true for me. We can experience God’s presence anywhere we go.

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The Importance of Being “In”

Have you ever thought about the difference between “with” and “in”?

If you have water in a glass and you take it to the table it is “with” you. But you can leave that room and leave the water behind. However, if you drink the water it is “in” you. It gives life to your cells and nourishes your body.

All through the Old Testament we find that God was “with” them. When Jesus came one of his names was Emmanuel, God “with” us and wherever Jesus went He took God with Him.

Once we accept Jesus as our Saviour the Scriptures says that we are “in” Him.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10 KJV

His fullness fills us with His life, His love, His character. Wherever we go we take Christ in us. We bring His nature, His life to every circumstance and person we come in contact with.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves.” Ephesians 1:3-6 ERV

There is no need to beg God for be “with us”. We need to be aware, vitally aware, He is always “in us”.

“This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. 27 God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory. 28 So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:26-28 ERV

He lives “in” us so that we can take Him to the world! Let the Lord shine through you today.

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And the Winner Is…

We all like to win. I was never very athletic so I would cheer from the sidelines, encouraging those who were competing.

But I know now that I am a winner and I’m cheering for you.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. 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.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Those who have gone before us in this life of faith are cheering us on. Their lives are examples of encouragement of what God will do in the lives of common, ordinary people.

Do you realize Jesus considered Himself a winner when He endured the cross?

“In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:15 NLT

He did this for all of us.

“ My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” I John 2:1-2 NLT

When our lives are committed to Christ we participate in His victory.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:1-5 NLT

We are destined to be winners – victorious – overcomers.

“ We thank God for the power Christ has given us. He leads us and makes us win in everything. He speaks through us wherever we go. The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it.” II Corinthians 2:14 NLV

God uses us to be a voice for Christ in the world telling the Good News of His love, forgiveness and victory.

“ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57 NKJV

“ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 NKJV

Better than winning the lotto or anything else is the victory we have in Christ. And the winner is…US!

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