Only Jesus...

As I was preparing to write this post on Christ Alone, I noticed one word kept coming up on the book, and in the scripture I read - joy.  Actually, that pretty much sums it up for me. As a famous song goes: Once I was lost and now I am found.

When I consider my life before Christ, before reading His Word regularly, there was little joy. Even though I knew who He was, it didn't matter to me. But, once my eyes and my heart were open, there was and is such joy. Not a happy, happy thing. Nor even a life is good thing, but a joy that reaches deep down.

Psalm 51:12 really captures it all for me. "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation," yes, that sums it up nicely. Then I turned to 1 John1:4 to catch a glimpse of an idea for this Bible Blast today and verse 4 struck me: "We write this to make our joy complete."  

I came upon 2 John 12, "I have much to write to you, but I don't want to use paper and ink. Instead I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete." Do you think God is trying to tell me something and maybe you too?

I rounded out my preparation time in Philippians 2:2 "...then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."

Only Jesus can fill our hearts with this type of joy. Only Jesus would put this word in front of me numerous times as I prepared to share this morning's devotion with you. Only Jesus. Could you use a healthy dose of joy this morning?  Consider it done!

Colossians 1:15-23

A Special Gift

Colossians 1:21-23 (MSG)
At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.  But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. 

There have been just a few times in my life that I was given a gift, and while appreciative to some extent, I really had no idea how valuable that present was. I smiled and said thanks and then thrust it to the side while moving on to something else. I can't imagine how disappointed the giver must have felt. We joke sometimes, at the child who plays with the box instead of the special toy the box housed.

When God sent His Son to us, the world did much the same thing. Not recognizing, Jesus as God, the people cast Him aside. Now, more than 2000 years later we still do that. For years, I went my own way, living life however I pleased, not giving a second thought to the precious gift of salvation. Not considering my future, only obsessed with myself, with my back turned to God.

But, the day came when my rebellious thoughts and actions were taken captive. My new attitude came once I had lived through more pain than necessary. My heart turned to the One who could help, when I was at my lowest; when I cried out, "Is this all there is?" Then God revealed His Son to my wandering spirit. Nothing has ever been the same.

Because of Jesus our lives are changed, our future is bright and beautiful.  Our today is hope-filled and stuffed with joy.


Colossians 1:15-23

Purpose Given Life

Colossians 1:21 (MSG)  You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. 

Many of us have moments when we wonder why God created us. We cry out for God to define the reason for our existence; we struggle with our purpose in life. These times of questioning and self-doubt come and go, but we can be confident there is a grand design for our lives.

There is a reason we are in this world and this reason is so much bigger than any insecurities we may be experiencing. The passage today speaks of Christ's greatness, His supremacy. The fact He assumed human form, walked among us and then suffered physically for us assures me of His love. He doesn't need me or you, but He wants us.  His indescribable love desires our love and companionship forever.

But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. (Colossians 1:22 MSG) 

Once we come to terms with our sinfulness and reach out to God to help make us right with Him, our lives change. We aren't perfect, but we are made perfect through Christ. Attitudes change, purposes change and thinking changes. One of these changes is our desire to share Christ's love with those we love.  We even want to share it with people we don't have such strong feelings for.

As Believers we recognize the difference Christ has made for our hearts and we want to tell the world. How are you we going to do this today?  With whom are we going to share the reason for our hope? (1 Peter 3:15)

Colossians 1:15-23

Colossians 1:15-23

I generally begin my journal entry with Dear Jesus, Dear God, or Good Morning Father, and I feel uncomfortable not knowing just how to address my God and my Savior.  That will not be an issue from now on.  When I cry out to one, I am heard by all.  When I worship and praise my Lord, I am honoring and loving the entire Trinity.  I don't have to understand, I just have to believe.

Early believers struggled with the truth of Jesus being God.  Many of us have the same questions.  It isn't easy to understand, and that is where the Holy Spirit comes into play.  Praying for wisdom and understanding He will help us to grasp the meaning of the Colossian text. Paul points out that Jesus' death on the cross, the death that bought salvation for us, is proof of Jesus' deity.

"We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body." (Colossians 1:15-18 MSG)

The bold line above helps me to understand this better. Jesus is the head of the Church and the Church is living.  The Body of Believers is joined to each other and is the way Christ carries out His work.  This is a most intimate relationship and very real.  Having been on the receiving end of this 'work', I understand better.  When God's people care for God's people, hearts are opened and lives are changed.

Read Colossians 1:15-23 here

Listen to Colossians 1:15-23 here