Colossians 1 - 3.4.26

Scripture

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Col 1:15-20)

Observation

Some Bible scholars say that Colossians talk about the “Christ of the Church” just as Ephesians talk about the “Church of the Christ”. In the previous verses Paul reminds the readers that God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who forgives our sins and sets us free (Col 1:13,14).

Paraphrasing the same verses from the CEV translation - Jesus is the image of God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation (v 15). Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by Him, and everything was made for Him (v16). And  by Him, everything is held together. (v17)

He is the head of his body, which is the church. He is the very beginning, and the first to be raised from death, so that He would be above all others (v18).  God himself was pleased to live fully in Him. (v 19) And God was pleased for Him to make peace by sacrificing His blood on the cross so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God (v20)

Application

We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus to live for Him. Our lives are not our own. It cost God everything to redeem us. It cost every drop of the blood of Jesus. As the Bible says in 1Cor 6:19-20, Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in us, we are not your own; we were bought at a price. Therefore we need to honor God with your bodies. We are redeemed to fulfil His purpose and to glorify Him.

“What kind of people do we ought to be?” asks Peter in 2 Peter 3:11, after talking about the end-time judgement. He continues to say that we ought to live holy and Godly lives.

Let us examine our lives. We were created for Him. Are we living for Him? Are we seeking His kingdom and His righteousness above all (Matt 6:33)? Are we denying ourselves and taking up our cross and following Him everyday (Matt 16:24)? If not, let us repent and correct our lives.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for redeeming me. Thank you for buying me with the price of the blood of Jesus. I understand that you created everything seen and unseen for your Son. Jesus, you are above all things, and all things are created for you and you hold everything together. All things were created through you and for you. Lord, I bring my life to you one more time and I pray that you will show me anything in my life that does not glorify you. If there is any part of my life that I have not surrendered to you, please show me. I repent of anything that I have valued more than you. I am yours. You are my Lord. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Joel 1 - 3.3.26

SCRIPTURE:  Joel 1:14

“Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly.  Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.”

OBSERVATION:  In the year 835 B.C, Joel became a prophet.  God used him to prophesy to the nation of Judah, which was the Southern kingdom that consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. They were 2 out of the 12 tribes who stayed loyal to David’s line after King Solomon’s death. In time, after becoming prosperous, the tribe of Judah grew complacent towards God, which led to them turning to idol worship and sinful lifestyles.  Joel called them to awaken from their complacency. He prophesied that a plague of devastating locusts, like an invading army, would be coming to devour everything in their path if they didn’t acknowledge their sins, and turn from them. 

APPLICATION:  God has been known to send plagues, famines, and enemy armies for the purpose of calling people back to Him.  He is much more interested in the redeemed lives of those who will live in eternity with Him than the temporary events that it often takes to bring about redemption. 

The plague of locusts He sent was used to discipline them, call them to repentance and turn them back to Him. 

God, in His love, has been known to cause the wayward to hunger in order to show them that He is the Bread of Life, Who nourishes and sustains them. 

God, in His love, has been known to bring warning signals and red flags to His people in order to protect them from impending danger.

God, in His love, has promised that if we repent and turn from our sins, and follow after Him that abundant blessings will follow. 

PRAYER:  We have been called by God to be a house of prayer.  We have been promised by God that when His people, who are called by His name, humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, THEN He will hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land.  I pray I will examine my heart and have true repentance that is revealed by my changed attitude and actions. Thank You God for loving me, forgiving me, guiding me and for saving me!  No one is too far gone or too evil to repent, and there is such joy in heaven over each repentant sinner! I pray I will be faithful in praying for the lost, and leading them to You.  Amen

- Robin Orefice

Philippians 3 - 3.2.26

Scripture

Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Observation

In his letter to the Philippian Church, Paul is encouraging them to press onward, to continue to grow in their faith, and walk with Jesus. Paul is telling them to leave all their past failures and accomplishments behind. Their goal should be primarily focused on knowing Jesus more and making Him known. They should not be content in their faith, but instead yearn to grow in their faith each and every day. Don’t stop! Keep going until the day the Lord calls you home.

Application

Job’s Not Finished.

It’s a quote made famous by Kobe Bryant. When his team was just 2 wins away from winning the championship, a reporter asked Kobe why he wasn’t smiling or happier. Kobe replied, “Job’s not finished.” You see, Kobe understood that to win the championship series, (which was a best of 7 game series), his team needed to be the first to win 4 games, not just 2. So why should he be happy? He or his team have not yet accomplished their goal.

I believe that is the exact message Paul was trying to get across here as well. We as Christians shouldn’t be content with just having our salvation in Jesus. If that were the case and if that was the endgame, God would have snatched us up into Heaven the moment we put our faith and trust in Jesus. But, life goes on. The job’s not finished. We as Christians should aim to be more like Jesus each and every day. We are to love God wholeheartedly, love people, and make disciples. Sounds familiar right? It should. It’s our church’s Mission Statement and we as a Church should continue to press forward. Let’s use those gifts, talents, time, and finances that God has blessed us with to continue to build God’s Kingdom. Let’s continue to grow in our faith and walk with Jesus until the day He calls us home. Then, we will all get to celebrate a job well done once we are there. 😊

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” -Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ 

“This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”-Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I pray that we may never be content in our walk with You. May we strive each day to grow spiritually and be perfect the way You are. And although we will fall short, may we not look back, but instead press forward. May You pick us up during those times. May You please forgive us when we do fall short and may You set us back on the right course. Help us to fight the good fight and finish this race well until we see You in Heaven. In Your Holy and Precious Name I pray, Amen.🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi