Filled with the entire fullness of Christ

 Colossians 2:9-10

9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,

 10 and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

What a thought, that the ENTIRE fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ - and that we have now been filled by Him. In other words, the entire fullness of God's nature then also, through the Holy Spirit, now indwells us.  Remarkable.  Far too big a thought for me that the God who created the universe, who rules and reigns over every ruler and authority, has thought it good to indwell us with all of Who He is.  

A friend and I had a profound discussion last night after we returned from a weekend camp.  We were talking about God's faithfulness and our own unfaithfulness to God.  She said something to this effect: "When we are unfaithful it reflects on our character, but when we do not believe God - it speaks to His essence - then we reflect our own unfaithfulness onto Him, portraying Him as unfaithful.  He, however, cannot deny Himself and He is never unfaithful"

So the point to ponder for this week is:  Do you and I believe God when He says the entire fullness of God's nature dwells in Christ with Whom we have been filled through His Holy Spirit? 

Psalm  63

Rooted and built up in Him - Established in faith

Colossians 2:4-8

4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.  6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.  8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.

It is hard to think that Paul wrote this approximately 2000 years ago. He could have just written it this morning - it would have been equally relevant.  In our day and time, it is of the utmost importance to be rooted and built up in our faith in Jesus Christ and on no other persuasive arguments or deceitful human traditions.  We are so easily taken captive by all kinds of philosophies based on the world's thinking and certainly not based on what we received from Christ.  How do we 'walk in Christ' in a time like this?  I believe that we need to get to know Who God is intimately and experientially, and we need to stay with the truth of Who He is - we need to stay with the truth that we have been taught, overflowing with gratitude for that truth that we have received but also overflowing with gratitude for what He has done for us, for Who He is and for who He has come to be for us, in us and through us.  

Point to ponder:  Who do you say Jesus is? Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and to shine His light on any false philosophies based on human traditions.

His Name is Jesus -Jeremy Riddle 

Joined together in love

 Colossians 2:1-3

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. HCSB

In verse 2 and 3 Paul shares with us his passion that even those that are as yet unknown to him, will get to know the riches, treasures, understanding and the knowledge that is hidden in Christ.  Secondly, he also has a desire that the people will be encouraged and joined together in love.  If I read and understand that sentence correctly, I think that Paul is saying that we will struggle to have the fullness of the knowledge of God's mystery in Christ that is hidden in Him - unless we are encouraged and joined together in love to other believers.  Paul is making the point that those in the body of Christ are meant to be encouraged by each other and JOINED together in love so that we can discover the full treasure God has in store for us.  

I know that I have the privilege to have people in my life to whom I am joined together in love that encourage my heart greatly.  People that keep me on the straight and narrow.  People that walk with me in accountability but also in the excitement of discovering God's truth in His Word and so ultimately and above all we get to KNOW HIM together.  Deeper together.  

Point to ponder:  Are you and I willing to risk that our hearts be joined together in love to othrs in the body of Christ?  Are we willing to push through the difficult times in relationships, to forgive when we get hurt, to let go, to have space for another who loves Christ but thinks about life differently?  Are we willing to allow others to speak into our lives when we are straying from God's truth?  Are we willing to lay down pride and acknowledge that we have strayed and come back to His truth and walk joined together in love with each other?  It takes guts, it takes forgiveness, it takes maturity, above all it takes the love of Christ in us for each other.  Where is your heart encouraged and joined in love?  Treasure it and be intentional in walking with others in love.  

For King and Country:  We are one in the Lord

Christ in you the hope of glory

Colossians 1:24 - 29

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Point to ponder:  

So what is the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations?  Well, it is no longer a mystery since it is now revealed.  And what a revelation!  God willed to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery AMONG the GENTILES.  Imagine that!  God reveals this precious treasure not only to Jews, but among the Gentiles! And what is this mystery?  Christ in YOU the hope of glory!  

And this is what Paul says they are preaching in all wisdom for one reason only, and that is to present every man perfect IN Christ Jesus.  What an amazing thought!  And to think we are the heirs of the wisdom that brings the understanding of this mystery, that was once hidden but is now revealed!  What a privilege!  Speechless humbling privilege.  What a treasure to receive and hold on to!  May we all grow in a continuous revelation of what exactly this means in our every day journey on this earth.  

Hope Darst - Never walk alone