Col 2:16-19
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Paul writes here of the importance of Christ as the head, and not letting these distractions drive us to lose focus on Him.
In the first part of this passage, it state to not let anyone judge you. This is merely stating to not let other opinion sway you in your focus of God. Continue to focus on the Lord, for He is the head of the church, the body of Christ.
Father God, blessed is Your name. I honor you and give you glory. Let me not lose focus on You and the plans that You have for me. I pray for the people that I will encounter, and to be used to connect with others and connect others to You. Let your will be done, Lord. I pray this in Your Holy and Mighty name.
Amen.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Gospel Is Powerful In And Of Itself
Col 1:3-6
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
Paul is revealing the glory of the gospel, and how simple, yet amazing it is to receive it in faith.
The gospel is so great. What Jesus did and the receiving of that through faith is a miracle. So wonderful. It needs no introduction, it needs no help in declaring its glory, it is truth and perfect as is. It will continue growing and bearing fruit. I don't need to stress over it.
Father God, You are so awesome. You deserve all the glory. Your words that are spoken through your gospel is so extraordinary. It is in and of itself glorified through all things. This passage just reveals the glory that you have spoken, and to declare it as grace in all its truth. I thank you for your words, for your good news, for the gospel that grows through the world and that it may be fruitful. Allow it to be fruitful through me, not that it needs me, but that I may do you the honor through grace. Holy be your name, Lord. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
Paul is revealing the glory of the gospel, and how simple, yet amazing it is to receive it in faith.
The gospel is so great. What Jesus did and the receiving of that through faith is a miracle. So wonderful. It needs no introduction, it needs no help in declaring its glory, it is truth and perfect as is. It will continue growing and bearing fruit. I don't need to stress over it.
Father God, You are so awesome. You deserve all the glory. Your words that are spoken through your gospel is so extraordinary. It is in and of itself glorified through all things. This passage just reveals the glory that you have spoken, and to declare it as grace in all its truth. I thank you for your words, for your good news, for the gospel that grows through the world and that it may be fruitful. Allow it to be fruitful through me, not that it needs me, but that I may do you the honor through grace. Holy be your name, Lord. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
God Opens Up So We Can Have Relationship
Exodus 40:34-35
34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
The people of Israel had finished building the tabernacle that the Lord and Moses had instructed them. They put it all together and suddenly the Lord came as a cloud and filled it.
Imagine this awe struck scene, as everything is put into place, and the thickness of God's glory as seen as a cloud, comes and covers everything. I would think that God's presence is so dense, that you can't enter it. This God scene is related to the Old Testament and that of the hidden curtain. As Jesus came and died and rose again, we are open up to our relationship to God through Christ Jesus, and now he does not need to come as a think cloud that we can't see through, but as the Holy Spirit as something we can relate to and communicate to.
Father God, Abba Father, You are the Holy and anointed one. You blessed and are blessed and be blessed. I pray that Your glory be known and be shown through all the people. I pray that You be lifted up High. Let your glory not be so dense like the cloud that can't be seen through, but through the glory of Christ Jesus that is so magnificent and glorious, that we are able to commune with You. Thank you so much for how much you love me. I give you all the glory in Your mighty name.
Amen.
34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
The people of Israel had finished building the tabernacle that the Lord and Moses had instructed them. They put it all together and suddenly the Lord came as a cloud and filled it.
Imagine this awe struck scene, as everything is put into place, and the thickness of God's glory as seen as a cloud, comes and covers everything. I would think that God's presence is so dense, that you can't enter it. This God scene is related to the Old Testament and that of the hidden curtain. As Jesus came and died and rose again, we are open up to our relationship to God through Christ Jesus, and now he does not need to come as a think cloud that we can't see through, but as the Holy Spirit as something we can relate to and communicate to.
Father God, Abba Father, You are the Holy and anointed one. You blessed and are blessed and be blessed. I pray that Your glory be known and be shown through all the people. I pray that You be lifted up High. Let your glory not be so dense like the cloud that can't be seen through, but through the glory of Christ Jesus that is so magnificent and glorious, that we are able to commune with You. Thank you so much for how much you love me. I give you all the glory in Your mighty name.
Amen.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Be Blessed And Work For The Lord
Exodus 39:42-43
42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
Here, the Israelites finished building the Tent of Meeting and everything that God had told them to build. Everything was done, down to the very task.
The people must be very proud to have completed all these things that God had instructed them to build. God gave them all very specific instructions, and they had completed all of it. Moses in the end blessed them. It is a blessing to do the work of the Lord.
Sometimes it is hard to appreciate the work that God has presented to us. It may feel difficult during the task and burdensome going through it, but in the end, God will bless us. There will be a feeling of accomplishment and of joy.
Father God, I thank you for this passage that you have spoken to me about. I know that these words are words of encouragement. I praise your name for all that You have blessed me with, even the work that you set before me. I ask that I may work with a joyful heart and a healthy spirit. I give you all the glory in Jesus name.
Amen.
42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
Here, the Israelites finished building the Tent of Meeting and everything that God had told them to build. Everything was done, down to the very task.
The people must be very proud to have completed all these things that God had instructed them to build. God gave them all very specific instructions, and they had completed all of it. Moses in the end blessed them. It is a blessing to do the work of the Lord.
Sometimes it is hard to appreciate the work that God has presented to us. It may feel difficult during the task and burdensome going through it, but in the end, God will bless us. There will be a feeling of accomplishment and of joy.
Father God, I thank you for this passage that you have spoken to me about. I know that these words are words of encouragement. I praise your name for all that You have blessed me with, even the work that you set before me. I ask that I may work with a joyful heart and a healthy spirit. I give you all the glory in Jesus name.
Amen.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Wanting Nothing More Than God
Exodus 38:24
24 The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.
Wow, the amount of gold recorded here weighs more than one ton used in the making of the sanctuary.
Imagine all that gold in one place. Something like this would likely make someone want to covet it and steal it. I know if all that gold was in front of me, I would have a hard time wanting some of it. God provides so abundantly, that people didn't really want to steal from God. They feared and revered the Lord, and gave abundantly.
Father, I pray that you be so glorified just like how You were when You had your sanctuary made. I pray that nothing in the world would make me want to steal from You, but to give you all that you deserve. You are some awesome and I thank you so much. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.
24 The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.
Wow, the amount of gold recorded here weighs more than one ton used in the making of the sanctuary.
Imagine all that gold in one place. Something like this would likely make someone want to covet it and steal it. I know if all that gold was in front of me, I would have a hard time wanting some of it. God provides so abundantly, that people didn't really want to steal from God. They feared and revered the Lord, and gave abundantly.
Father, I pray that you be so glorified just like how You were when You had your sanctuary made. I pray that nothing in the world would make me want to steal from You, but to give you all that you deserve. You are some awesome and I thank you so much. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
The Best Of All These Things
Exodus 37:1-9
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.
It is recorded here how they made the ark of the covenant. It was lavished with fine gold and created with very nice wood. It was decorated and created with splendor.
God spent nothing less than the best to create all these different items. They had pure gold, fine cloths, nice wood, all of the best. All the best for the Lord. Is our lives all the best for the Lord as well?
Father God, I thank you for who You are. You are the God of this Universe and You love me. I want to give You the best in my life. You have given me all things and I want to show my appreciation by giving You my best. I want to give you the best in my talents, my time, my energy, my finances, my works. Lord, You deserve it. I want to thank You for all these things in Jesus Mighty name.
Amen.
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.
It is recorded here how they made the ark of the covenant. It was lavished with fine gold and created with very nice wood. It was decorated and created with splendor.
God spent nothing less than the best to create all these different items. They had pure gold, fine cloths, nice wood, all of the best. All the best for the Lord. Is our lives all the best for the Lord as well?
Father God, I thank you for who You are. You are the God of this Universe and You love me. I want to give You the best in my life. You have given me all things and I want to show my appreciation by giving You my best. I want to give you the best in my talents, my time, my energy, my finances, my works. Lord, You deserve it. I want to thank You for all these things in Jesus Mighty name.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Giving With A Grateful Heart
Exodus 36:6-7
6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
God had blessed the people and inspired the people to give to build the sanctuary that Moses and the Israelite were building. They were giving so much to God, that it was more than enough.
Imagine the mentality that the people had when giving to God. What if I had that same mentality and gave without thinking of self needs, but trusting and knowing that God will provide every need that I have.
Lord, I want to thank you so much for blessing me and providing more than enough for me. You are such an awesome God, more abundant, more Salvation, more than enough. Change my mentality to be less self needing, but to allow You to speak into my life and give with a grateful heart. I thank you so much for favor. I give you all the honor and glory in Jesus name.
Amen.
6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
God had blessed the people and inspired the people to give to build the sanctuary that Moses and the Israelite were building. They were giving so much to God, that it was more than enough.
Imagine the mentality that the people had when giving to God. What if I had that same mentality and gave without thinking of self needs, but trusting and knowing that God will provide every need that I have.
Lord, I want to thank you so much for blessing me and providing more than enough for me. You are such an awesome God, more abundant, more Salvation, more than enough. Change my mentality to be less self needing, but to allow You to speak into my life and give with a grateful heart. I thank you so much for favor. I give you all the honor and glory in Jesus name.
Amen.
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