All Peoples

 

All Peoples

Colossians 1: ²⁷ God's plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God. ²⁸ So we preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature individual in union with Christ. ²⁹ To get this done I toil and struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me.

 

============

 

Growing up in a neighborhood that was not diverse, I heard about GOD loving the entire world. But I could not imagine HE meant those who did not look like me or those who chased me out of their neighborhood because I did not look like them.

 

• I started thinking it would be easier to speak about GOD to those who looked like me.
• I made up excuses in my mind with reasons for not going to other races with GOD’s message of hope and love.
• I said to myself “one group of people have struggled so doesn’t that count for me to focus on that one group?”

 

Paul explains that GOD’s secret has been revealed through the resurrection of JESUS who now lives in all who believe. The Good news doesn’t stop there. It also means sharing in the glory of GOD!. So, he used all of his time and best thinking to reach any and every one he could reach.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s message of love is not for exclusion rather to reach all peoples.
• Since the HOLY SPIRIT lives “inside” me, HE is not looking at the external rather what is in my heart.
• Whatever is important to GOD should be important to me.

 

Reaching “all peoples” is important to GOD. I mean, even though humans find many ways to show just how different we all are, GOD wants us to unite. But how? It seems like politically, socially and religiously humans are doomed to separation. Fortunately GOD took care of that too.

 

When JESUS died, HE said “It is finished” meaning nothing else is left to be done. All who seek salvation can be saved. The ability is now available for all peoples. It is now up to us to tell “everyone” about JESUS without hinderance. I am glad GOD cares about all races and wants “everyone” to know about HIS SON.

 

Challenge

• What valuable message is the writer speaking of?
• How much do you value the message of salvation?
• Will you examine what you say every day and check to see if you can add the Good News about JESUS to more of your conversations?
• Will you also drop any barriers to speaking to other races about JESUS today?

Important Task

Important Task

Colossians 1: ²⁵ And I have been made a servant of the church by God, who gave me this task to perform for your good. It is the task of fully proclaiming his message, ²⁶ which is the secret he hid through all past ages from all human beings but has now revealed to his people.

 

============

 

When given a project to do, I accepted it, not knowing others were available. But when I found out there were more glamorous projects that were higher visibility to those in power, I questioned my menial project.

 

• I wanted something “I” could be known for.
• I wanted those in power to desire “my” expertise.
• I wanted to eventually move “up” so I needed to work on important

 

Paul speaks of GOD’s highly important task of spreading the Gospel. This message was hidden for a long time and has been revealed to HIS people. Paul accepted this task to perform.

 

My Observations

• Spreading the Gospel is not glamorous, but is the most important thing I can do for GOD.
• Telling people that our sins have been forgiven by JESUS who loves us, may seem less important, but is the utmost importance to GOD.
• Providing eternal hope to people may seem like a waste of time, But GOD wants every one of HIS creation’s to believe in JESUS as the Savior.

 

Let’s face it, serving GOD is not glamorous. I mean, if it were, then you would have more celebrities doing it. Instead, the world tries to determine what messages are “important.” GOD sees when HIS message has been spread and rewards those who do so.

 

HE and all of heaven cheer when one person gives his or her heart to GOD. Eternity with GOD through the belief in JESUS is the most important message I could ever proclaim. I gladly accept this task.

 

Challenge

• What task is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever felt your gift or talent was mundane or not so glamorous?
• Will you speak about JESUS and know you are extremely important to GOD today?

Purpose for Pain

Purpose for Pain

Colossians 1: ²⁴ And now I am happy about my sufferings for you, for by means of my physical sufferings I am helping to complete what still remains of Christ's sufferings on behalf of his body, the church.

 

============

 

Stepping down off the porch, my foot landed in a peculiar way. I immediately looked at it and nothing seemed wrong. I walked around as normal the rest of that day. When I wanted to go to bed, I noticed pain. I looked at my foot again, this time it was swollen. I writhed in pain.

 

• I wanted the pain to be over!
• I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.
• I questioned the purpose of pain.

 

Paul definitely suffered for JESUS. When he gave up his luxurious, status filled position as a Pharisee of Pharisees, followers of JESUS did not believe him, and he was outcast from the leaders. The Pharisees imparted great suffering on Paul, but life did not add any comfort as he was bit by a venomous snake and shipwrecked. One thing kept him going, namely JESUS.

 

My Observations

• CHRIST suffered in anguish over my sins.
• CHRIST suffered for me and HE is GOD.
• CHRIST was slandered, blamed, chased, beaten and murdered for me.

 

Pain has purpose. I mean, when I feel pain in my body it could be alerting me that something is wrong or something is on its way to healing. Many people who question GOD ask “Why does GOD allow pain?” That’s a question I have hit HIM with. But as I see what JESUS did I ask a new question. “Why did YOU love me so much that YOU took my punishment?”

 

Avoiding pain is impossible in this life. Suffering seems to surface daily. BUT GOD is fighting battles we can’t imagine. The enemy places painful traps we fall in. I am glad GOD’s purpose of spreading JESUS to all supersedes the pain I go through.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer “happy” about?
• Have you ever sacrificed your time, talent or treasure for someone who was really in need so him or her could hear the message of JESUS clearly?
• It may not be easy, but will you look beyond your pain for a moment and know you are important to GOD and your suffering is there to help others see HIM today?

Firm and Sure Foundation

 

Firm and Sure Foundation

Colossians 1: ²³ You must, of course, continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation, and must not allow yourselves to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel. It is of this gospel that I, Paul, became a servant—this gospel which has been preached to everybody in the world.

 

============

 

Things were finally going well at the time. After rededicating myself back to the LORD, it seemed like many of my worries and fears were drying up. I felt that I could speak about GOD freely in praise and pay bills at the same time! But as more and more money came in, I ran into some people who were wealthy. “Let’s go to a strip club” one of the rich and powerful married men said.

 

• I wondered If I was going to become an outcast if I did not go.
• I immediately tried to think of excuses versus saying “no.”
• I wanted to remain on the foundation of “wealth” and was almost willing to compromise.

 

Paul tells everyone that the Gospel is the only firm and sure foundation. All other philosophies, learnings, accomplishments or desires outside of CHRIST can present the possibility of discouragement. This would lead to having the “hope” shaken away.

 

My Observations

• JESUS wants me to remember HIM each and every day so I will not forget the hope HE provides.
• GOD wants me to let go of the thing that is causing me to feel discouraged and be willing to go HIS path.
• GOD wants me to stand on HIS firm and sure foundation which is CHRIST’s salvation.

 

“Complicated” is an understated word these days. I mean, anyone with a computer or smartphone can immediately become a philosopher who obtains a great following. BUT GOD  wants the following. HE sees those who dwell in the land of pride and cannot pull him or herself from the philosophy of the day.

 

These wanderers drift from thing to thing with no rest and no peace. GOD wants to provide rest, not more work. HE gives peace through the Gospel of JESUS and wants everyone who is willing to experience HIS love. I gladly give up the philosophies of the world to speak about JESUS and I will not be embarrassed. By GOD.

 

Challenge

• What “must” you do according to the writer?
• Have you ever been excited about GOD and later been discouraged?
• Will you “continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation” of JESUS, so you will not waiver when difficult or plentiful times come your way?

Friend for Purpose

Friend for Purpose

Colossians 1: ²¹ At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought. ²² But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.

 

============

 

Desiring to move up in the company, I asked a bold statement. “What is wrong with how I do things?” Fortunately I asked the right person and soon I was surrounded by a few mentors who could nudge my decision making from a “doer” role into a “leader.” The transition was difficult.

 

• I wasn’t even thinking like a leader.
• I thought I was supposed to tell people what to do and they would do it.
• I was far from a “leader” because my thoughts were not on the same track as theirs.

 

Paul makes it clear that everyone’s thoughts and actions were far from GOD. Constant thought of evil and actions that were not of GOD, made everyone HIS enemy. BUT GOD had a remedy. HE made up with HIS creation through HIS SON.

 

My Observations

• My thoughts and actions were far away from GOD.
• By believing in JESUS’ death, burial and resurrection, I can learn a new way of thinking that is not on self.
• My past, present and future sins are all forgiven only because of what GOD did.

 

GOD made up with HIS creation on purpose. If HE did not do what HE did, we would all be lost. HE made a way for us to be holy, pure and faultless so we can be in HIS presence. HE cannot stand even the slightest sin, and needed a way to make us clean. JESUS is that way.

 

When JESUS volunteered to die for the sins of humanity, I can’t imagine the pain of GOD. But somehow, it was accepted and the deed was done. We became friends on purpose so was could have a relationship with GOD that is everlasting. I am glad GOD made me HIS friend.

 

Challenge

• Do you see yourself in the writer’s words?
• Have you ever thought that your sin is too large or repetitious for GOD to forgive?
• Will you praise GOD for what HE has done so HE can be your friend, guiding you into holiness, purity and faultlessness today?

Unstuck

Unstuck

Colossians 1: ¹⁹ For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. ²⁰ Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

 

============

 

After years of dedication and hard work, I was told “the position is being eliminated.” Handing me an award for the best team added insult to injury. I could not concentrate during the final days. So much of my identity was tied up in work.

 

• I was stuck on “my” accomplishments.
• I was stuck on trying to make sense out of something that made no sense.
• I was stuck trying to see if I made mistakes, so I spent hours replaying words, actions and thoughts.

 

GOD the FATHER gives the ultimate example of moving forward, according to Paul’s letter. HE showed unmatched restraint by allowing the creation to senselessly murder and blame the creator. HE decided to reconcile versus destroy everyone and everything.

 

My Observations

• GOD provides me with a way to become unstuck when I get stuck in the past.
• GOD’s example of forgiveness is something I can obtain when I ask for it.
• GOD can help me to let go, especially when I relapse into pitying my circumstance.

 

“Forgive and forget” seems impossible when I am stuck. I mean, when I replay past hurts over and over and over again, I get stuck in a loop where there is no room for forgiveness. BUT GOD wants me out of the loop.

 

HE picks me up out of the hole of unforgiveness and moves me forward. HE gives me words of peace and reconciliation through the SON and enables me to serve those who threw poison darts at me. I am glad I can let go of seeing “punishment” and turn to GOD’s example of hoping everyone knows JESUS in a saving way.

 

Challenge

• What human intervention does the writer mention, if any?
• Have you ever been stuck in hurt or cannot see a way out of your situation?
• Will you follow GOD’s example and decide to move forward regardless of past or current circumstances?

Chaos Contained

 

Chaos Contained

Colossians 1: ¹⁷ Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place. ¹⁸ He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things.

 

============

 

Running late, I hurried to get myself out the door. I grabbed whatever things I could remember for work and hastily jumped in the car. When I got to work, I reached for the computer and it wasn’t there.

 

• I had a chaotic morning that day.
• I hurried through my decisions and caused more chaos.
• I caused my own chaos and had to deal with the consequences of my actions.

 

In a world filled with chaos, Paul gives an assuring message. He spoke about JESUS existing before all things. Everything has its proper place in JESUS. HE is the source of life.

 

My Observations

• When the world gets chaotic, I can always turn to JESUS who brings all things into order.
• Knowing that JESUS existed before all things helps me put my current thing under HIM.
• Since JESUS overcame death, I can know that there is nothing too hard for HIM.

 

Chaos is scared of order. I mean, chaos wants randomness to create fear in my heart. The unknown gets bigger and bigger, causing me to move faster and faster into possible bad decisions. BUT GOD has a remedy for chaos.

 

JESUS is the head of the church, which is the group of those who believe in HIS resurrection. HE is the source of life for all who believe. All chaos can be brough to HIM in prayer and HE in turn will order our steps. I am glad HE is willing to take first place to bring peace to me.

 

Challenge

• What “things” does the writer speak of?
• Have you ever felt your life is out of control?
• Do you have a place to give your chaos?
• Will you bring your life into order by giving it to the one who existed before all things, namely JESUS today?