Col 1:28 He is the One we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
I am not the same person I was in my youth. Physically, I have grown and matured. Mentally, I have as well. I learned, often through trial and error—mine and others—what I will accept, what I feel is the right thing to do. That’s how you mature—you end up in a situation, you figure out how to move forward, you evaluate the outcome, the positives and negatives, decide if you would do things the same way again. There is no exact formula. It is entirely an individual experience, often a process of trial and error.
Col 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him….
Spiritual maturity is a process as well, uniquely individual, full of trial and error, lots of opportunities for growth. Those situations where I feel utterly powerless to act in my circumstances are usually the ones that lead to much growth because I learn, again and again through my weakness, that God is the source of my strength, that I can lean on Him, that I can trust Him completely. Thank You, Jesus.
Col 2:7 …rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the fact that I am not the same person—physically, mentally, spiritually—that I was. Help me continue to grow in my faith, no matter my circumstances. Help me to trust You and to lean into You always. Draw me closer. Amen.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Have a blessed day.
Constant sustaining power…. (devo reflection)
Col 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
In the commentary for Col 1:17 this morning, I came across the following gem: “In this clause is attributed to our Lord, not only the creative act, but also the constant sustaining power….” This truth, that God is my center, that He holds me together, is not new, but it has me absolutely captivated this morning. I will not fall apart, no matter the situation, because He is holding me together. Thank You, Jesus!
Psalm 139:13 You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
When I reach out to people who are struggling, I always tell them that God is holding them in the palm of His hand. I mean it sincerely. But not only does He hold us, protect us, shelter and nurture us in the palm of His hand, He also holds our very being together. We won’t fall apart because He is sustaining us, holding us together. Thank You, Jesus!
Psalm 139:14 I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your love, which holds our very core together. I am a worrier, Lord, prone to fretting and anxious thoughts. Thank You for the surety that You are at my center, that You hold me together. Always. Thank You for Your constant sustaining power and for Your fierce and abiding love. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 139:15 My frame was not hidden from You….
Have a blessed day.
The how and not the what…. (devo reflection)
1 Cor 10:30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life. They love and encourage me in more ways than they understand. Their thoughts and questions help me dig deeper into God’s word. This morning, on the subject of being vs doing, which I’ve been wrestling with of late, a dear friend shared this gem: “Maybe living wisely is in the how and not the what.”
1 Cor 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
She referenced dear Martha and Mary to illustrate this idea. The WHAT of both women was the same. They were both preparing to spend time with Jesus. The HOW was incredibly different. Martha, so much like me in so many ways, was caught up in physical preparation—preparing the house, preparing the food. She was frustrated that help was available, Mary, but not forthcoming. This scene describes nearly every gathering I’ve ever hosted. I get so caught up in the physical preparation that I lose sight of the point—to spend time with those I love and care about. Help me, Jesus.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for beautiful friendships that draw me closer to You. Thank You for the idea that “Maybe living wisely is in the how and not the what.” I think You can teach me much about the life You wish for me by pondering that idea. Help me, in all that I do, to focus on loving You, praising You, drawing closer to You. Amen.
Eph 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed day.