Col 1: 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
Col 1:22-23 “But now He has reconciled you by his physical body through His death to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him — IF indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” (Emphasis mine) … I needed the reminder that while faith is important I need to be sure to re.ain strong in that faith – it’s so easy for me to say I believe but not always “show” it.
I love being reminded of God’s power. To be in awe of Him. Reminds me of how small I am and how great He is.
Obedience is our response to Him – to his grace and mercy poured out on the cross.
The readings today have captured my heart again! The Elijah story is one my mum spoke over me a couple of months back when I was really struggling. Everywhere he turned there was a new struggle. Initially there was a drought but God guided him to a river and sent him ravens with food. Each time his situation seemed to run dry God was there with his next step. Elijah had to learn to follow one step at a time. God has since sent me ravens (people who insert and pour blessings into my life even though the going is tough)
Not only this but the Colossians reading is beautiful. God in his majesty actually promoted a woman in my church to call this out during worship and so I was shocked to now later see that this is what my reading is today! God is good and he holds all things together. He is the perfect image of an invisible God- and he loves me! He loves us !
Reading about Elijah today has brought comfort that God always has a plan in place for us. He will provide for our daily needs. All he asks of us is faith and obedience. Am I relying upon Him each day as did Elijah or am I doing it alone on my own supposed power?
Colossians 1 is one of the most beautiful chapters to read! I sometimes have such a hard time fathoming how on earth God loves us the way He does and the song “Oh how He loves” just rings in my ears whenever I think of His love for us. His grace is truly the deepest ocean–especially after reading in the Old Testament how His people continually turn from Him and yet He continually shows grace. In awe this morning.
I read Col 1 in The Message for added insight & highly recommend it! ~vs10-12…His strength allows us to endure the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough… Amen!
Wow I love the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The question he poses to ahab (?) is one we can pose to many people right now: “how long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal (sex, money, power, physical bodies, my wants/desires, selfishness) is God, follow him.” But “the God who answers by fire- he is Lord.” Although it is tempting to say that the gods of the world are satisfying, the power of God can and does quickly quench that thought when he realize true satisfaction in him.
Amen. All of that is satisfying only on one level but will leave us feeling EMPTY if we put our hope in anyone but God. Surely He is God, He deserves our whole heart and all our attention, not our wavering between two opinions!
I love the end of Colossians 1 from The Message: “The mystery in a nutshell is this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our message…Christ, no more, no less.
“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven..”
Ahhh! Colossians is soo rich! And there’s the gospel, right there!
Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. This stood out to me this morning. I read 3 different studies on SRT and this verse fits in all of them and in my life. The only priority thought is this “.. In Him all things hold together.” Once we give ourselves to Him, including all concerns, we are held together through every storm. We are truly blessed!
Seeing the context and timeline of Elijah’s experiences in relation to the long line of horrible, sinful kings makes me wonder how alone this poor man of God felt as he went against the culture of his day to declare the Word of the Lord. Incredible strength of character!
This is so true. It’s nice to have this example of strength in and the Lord and faith in the Lord to draw upon when sometimes we feel alone in our faith!
I agree, Elijah’s boldness in his trust in God is such a wonderful example! Also, I find Obadiah’s trust quite incredible, to be in service to an evil king, yet still faithful to God.
Even though it would have cost his life, he hid a hundred men from his own boss, for the sake of preserving God’s servants.
He recognized that unlike many others, he could help provide safety and food in for them, because of his position, and despite the risk, he did. What an awesome example of trusting God!
The story of Elijah and the prophets was very much needed for me today. Just as he was mostly alone in his faith, I also was feeling alone and I didn’t know what to do next. His strength and belief in our God is just what I need to read today:)
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10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
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1 Kings 18:37 “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”
I love this prayer Elijah prays – esp. for the knowledge that the Lord can, and has, turned their hearts back to himself.
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So many good stories in this passage. That all reflect on being faithful to god and trusting him even when things seem impossible
Col 1:28-29 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
24And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.” -ellie
Col 1: 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
Col 1:22-23 “But now He has reconciled you by his physical body through His death to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him — IF indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” (Emphasis mine) … I needed the reminder that while faith is important I need to be sure to re.ain strong in that faith – it’s so easy for me to say I believe but not always “show” it.
22he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
I love being reminded of God’s power. To be in awe of Him. Reminds me of how small I am and how great He is.
Obedience is our response to Him – to his grace and mercy poured out on the cross.
*prompted
The readings today have captured my heart again! The Elijah story is one my mum spoke over me a couple of months back when I was really struggling. Everywhere he turned there was a new struggle. Initially there was a drought but God guided him to a river and sent him ravens with food. Each time his situation seemed to run dry God was there with his next step. Elijah had to learn to follow one step at a time. God has since sent me ravens (people who insert and pour blessings into my life even though the going is tough)
Not only this but the Colossians reading is beautiful. God in his majesty actually promoted a woman in my church to call this out during worship and so I was shocked to now later see that this is what my reading is today! God is good and he holds all things together. He is the perfect image of an invisible God- and he loves me! He loves us !
Reading about Elijah today has brought comfort that God always has a plan in place for us. He will provide for our daily needs. All he asks of us is faith and obedience. Am I relying upon Him each day as did Elijah or am I doing it alone on my own supposed power?
Colossians 1 is one of the most beautiful chapters to read! I sometimes have such a hard time fathoming how on earth God loves us the way He does and the song “Oh how He loves” just rings in my ears whenever I think of His love for us. His grace is truly the deepest ocean–especially after reading in the Old Testament how His people continually turn from Him and yet He continually shows grace. In awe this morning.
I read Col 1 in The Message for added insight & highly recommend it! ~vs10-12…His strength allows us to endure the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough… Amen!
Wow I love the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The question he poses to ahab (?) is one we can pose to many people right now: “how long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal (sex, money, power, physical bodies, my wants/desires, selfishness) is God, follow him.” But “the God who answers by fire- he is Lord.” Although it is tempting to say that the gods of the world are satisfying, the power of God can and does quickly quench that thought when he realize true satisfaction in him.
Amen. All of that is satisfying only on one level but will leave us feeling EMPTY if we put our hope in anyone but God. Surely He is God, He deserves our whole heart and all our attention, not our wavering between two opinions!
His energy so powerfully works in me!
I love the end of Colossians 1 from The Message: “The mystery in a nutshell is this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our message…Christ, no more, no less.
“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven..”
Ahhh! Colossians is soo rich! And there’s the gospel, right there!
amen Debbie
Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. This stood out to me this morning. I read 3 different studies on SRT and this verse fits in all of them and in my life. The only priority thought is this “.. In Him all things hold together.” Once we give ourselves to Him, including all concerns, we are held together through every storm. We are truly blessed!
That story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal never gets old!!
I so agree, Amy! Would have been insane to witness! And terrifying, especially if you were a Baal prophet.
My prayer to you: 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy
Seeing the context and timeline of Elijah’s experiences in relation to the long line of horrible, sinful kings makes me wonder how alone this poor man of God felt as he went against the culture of his day to declare the Word of the Lord. Incredible strength of character!
This is so true. It’s nice to have this example of strength in and the Lord and faith in the Lord to draw upon when sometimes we feel alone in our faith!
I agree, Elijah’s boldness in his trust in God is such a wonderful example! Also, I find Obadiah’s trust quite incredible, to be in service to an evil king, yet still faithful to God.
Even though it would have cost his life, he hid a hundred men from his own boss, for the sake of preserving God’s servants.
He recognized that unlike many others, he could help provide safety and food in for them, because of his position, and despite the risk, he did. What an awesome example of trusting God!
So true!
The story of Elijah and the prophets was very much needed for me today. Just as he was mostly alone in his faith, I also was feeling alone and I didn’t know what to do next. His strength and belief in our God is just what I need to read today:)