Category Archives: Colossians

Ever have a hard time finding God’s will?

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Onward through the fog!

Sometimes I feel like that summarizes my spiritual walk – moving forward toward a foggy, uncertain destination.

Like me, do you ever have a hard time receiving specific direction from the Lord?

Obviously, there are many things we are clearly directed to do in Scripture – summed up in, “love and serve others.” But do I go here, do this, do that, when do I move, when do I stay, when do I wait, when do I act? All those specifics are often hard for me to discern.

If you have the same problem, it might encourage you to know, we are in good company. Continue reading →

He found what he’d been looking for

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A rancher decided he was tired of always fixing and mending things on his property, It was finally time to sell the old place and move to the ranch he had always dreamed about. After he gave a real estate agent the grand tour she wrote up a description and suggest a price. But, after reading her description of the ranch the old fellow announced he wasn’t going to sell it after all. “I can’t sell it.” he explained. “I’ve been looking for a place like this all my life.”

Most of us live in a place – location, home, situation – that most of the world would be envious of. We routinely enjoy comforts and privileges that even the richest could only dream of just a few generations ago. Yet, it is easy, far too easy, to be discontent. Instead of seeing what we do have, it’s natural to focus on what we don’t have, what we don’t like, how we wish things were different.

It’s great to aim for a better tomorrow. It’s good to want to accomplish more, make a bigger difference in our world, see our influence reach even further and do more good for others. But, while aiming for the “stars,” don’t forget to be grateful for the “planet” where you are now.

Don’t forget to be grateful for the people in your life, for the opportunities you do have, for the blessings that are so easily overlooked as we look down the road toward a bigger dream. And, don’t forget to express that gratitude because love unexpressed is powerless.

Gratitude, like love, like forgiveness, is a choice we make. We can choose to be grateful even if we don’t feel grateful. And, often, once we set gratitude as our course, our feelings jump on board the train and come along for the ride.
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Colossians 3:15
….always be thankful.

Here is some of the SCIENCE OF GRATITUDE from Harvard Health.

I wonder ….

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I wonderIn 1 Kings 2, Solomon takes vengeance on his father’s enemies. God does not condone or condemn it, He just tells us what happened.  I wonder if the Lord might be giving us a prophetic picture of what is to come when the Lord Jesus ascends to the throne and takes out all the enemies of the kingdom. For example …

1. Abiathar, the priest.

David said he wanted Solomon to be king but that wasn’t the proper protocol. The law of succession said David’s oldest son should be king. Solomon was not the oldest and, in fact, wasn’t even a legitimate son. Abiathar tried to follow the law and keep Solomon from the throne. He only wanted to obey the law but by doing so he was putting it above the expressed will of the king. Abiathar’s life was spared but he lost his priesthood – ability to minister before the Lord.

Will there be those who inherit eternal life but are not permitted to minister to the Lord because they insisted on clinging to the law refusing to embrace grace?  Hmmm … I wonder. Continue reading →

God, you’re killing me.

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Death to Self

Joshua 11:23
So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war.
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When I read of the merciless slaughter in Joshua 11, and much of the OT for that matter, I feel conflicted. A loving God clearly commanded, approved and even participated in all this gore, violence and bloodshed. How is that consistent with His nature revealed through Jesus in the NT? A passage in Joshua 11 gives insight.

Continue reading →

Hallelujah! and pass the pork chops

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Pass the pork chopsMark 7:19
…Jesus declared all foods clean.
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I know people who insist on keeping the OT dietary laws, which is fine if you are doing it for health reasons. No doubt we would all be healthier avoiding the stuff God told the Jews to abstain from eating. Unfortunately, some of these do it for religious reasons thinking somehow it is more spiritual or God-pleasing.

Some celebrate the feasts, love to worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) rather than the “first day of the week” when the NT church met (Acts 20:7). Nothing wrong with that, every day belongs to the Lord. And it is especially appropriate for a Jewish believer as a way to celebrate their heritage. But here is where the problem comes in. Continue reading →

Is it a reward or an inheritance?

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Colossians 3:23, 24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
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So whatever I do, in my marriage, in my work, in my relationships, gassing up the car, taking out the garbage, changing a diaper, mowing the lawn – whatsoever I do I am to do it for the Lord. I am to do it enthusiastically, with a joyful heart because I am working for Jesus. If I do this I can be assured I will receive the “reward of the inheritance.”

Do you ever wonder why Biblical writers use so many words? “The reward of the inheritance”? Which is it, a reward or an inheritance? I work for a reward but an inheritance comes my way because of a relationship. Continue reading →

What fool wouldn’t want this job?

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Colossians 3:23, 24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
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If you work in a grocery store, you don’t get paid by the hospital down the street. It is the guy you work for who pays you. Most of us see ourselves working for an individual, maybe even ourselves, or for a company. That individual pays us.

But this passage says that as a believer whatever I do I should do it as though the Lord is my employer. It also promises that if I do that I can be assured He will “reward” me. My paycheck will not just come from the earthly boss but I will also be compensated by the Heavenly boss whom, in my heart, I am truly serving. Continue reading →

How to get into ministry

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Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
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“Whatsoever you do.” What sort of things would be included in that “whatsoever”? In the previous five verses Paul references four areas of our lives where we are to work “heartily as to the Lord and not unto men” – in our role as a wife or husband (vs 18,19), children and parents (vs 20, 21) and in our role as employees (vs 22).

How would my marriage be different if “whatsoever I did” I did for the Lord and not for my spouse? Would I respond differently if I were doing it for the Lord, not for my wife or not just to keep peace? Would I be more loving, understanding, go the extra mile, if I were doing it “heartily” – with all my heart? Continue reading →

Is sex before marriage a sin?

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I was asked this question via a FaceBook chat.  I anticipated after my answer they would sign-off with a quick “thanks” or try to justify why my answer did not apply.  I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out they were sincerely desiring to know what God had to say about the issue and were willing to follow His instructions.  Here is what I told them.

The Bible is very clear on that issue.  In fact, it is probably one of the most clearly answered questions in all of Scripture.  Typically “fornication” is the term used to refer to sex before marriage whereas “adultery” refers to sex after marriage with anyone other than your spouse.  The Greek word the King James Version translates “fornication” actually includes many forms of sexual immorality (incest, prostitution, harlotry, etc) and so is often simply translated “sexual immorality”, so as not to limit its meaning to fornication.  The Bible is clear that sex before marriage, and all sexual immorality, is a sin and warns of harsh penalties for those involved in it.

Here are just a few Scriptures – and there are many, many more – that address the issue:
(Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9, 13, 18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7; Revelation 21:8).

The Bible teaches self-control and complete abstinence before marriage and a one-man, one-woman relationship after marriage both physically and in the area of the thought life.

Don’t get mad … get even?

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Proverbs 19:11
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
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Overlook an offense? That can be hard to do – especially if you have a strong sense of justice, of right and wrong, of fairness and equity. When we overlook an offense the offender gets off easy, they don’t have to “pay” for their offense, rather the offended one takes the brunt, absorbs the loss, pain or hurt.

But Scripture makes it clear that believers are to be people of forgiveness. “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (James 2:13)

A little girl was being berated unjustly by an adult. He was wagging his big finger in her face, falsely accusing her and telling her what a bad child she was. After his tirade, she looked at him and gently said, “You must be having a bad day.”

Wow! When I heard that story, I thought, “I hope someday I can be as mature as that little girl.” She didn’t let the injustice infect her. Rather than turning inward or becoming defensive or going on the attack, this young lady saw the need of the other person. Even while being abused she could consider others, their needs, their hurts, their pain. How so perfectly like Jesus. “Father forgive them” – not because they have asked for it or earned it or even deserve it. In the midst of His pain He reached out to others.

It is to our glory to overlook an offense because it makes us look so much like our Heavenly Father. Some day I want to be like that little girl, like my Lord. Today is the day I can start.
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Psalm 119:165-166
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.