As we look unto Jesus understand that at one point He was looking unto you...
"looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrew 12:2
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the writer of our lives as we walk out our lives with Him. Notice here in scripture Jesus endured the cross, but why? '... for the joy set before Him.' Well, what was that joy? What was it that got him though the suffering? What compelled him to remain on a cross fastened by nails? What drove Him to endure the sneers and the jeers of the soldiers who laughed at Him and gambled for His clothes? What was it that made the God of the universe endure such humility?
The answer is YOU!
YOU were the joy set before Him!
study: Hebrews 12:1-2
apply: remember when times get tough or weary, He thought of you on the cross, you were and are His Joy
These three things remain faith, hope and love. Which is the greatest? LOVE!
This is what we learn form I Corinthians 13:13... "and now abide faith hope and love, these three: but the greatest of these is love."
Interestingly enough we find these three, this triplet of grace, in Colossians 1:3-5...
"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel..."
The Colossians were known for being champions of the triplet of grace...
First, they were known for their faith in Christ Jesus. Matter of fact they heard about their faith, therefore they must have been truly living it to the extent that others were talking baout it! Know that is the kind of faith we all need to have, a contagious faith!
Secondly, they heard of their love for all the saints. Their must have been actions of love in order for the people to talk about it! People don't just talk about the love of other people unless they truly see it! Is the love of God being manifested through you?
Finally, we learn the hope that they have is in heaven, not on earth! They did not live the way they lived for any other reason but to win the prize of being with Jesus in heaven!
study: Colossians 1:1-8, Matthew 7:7-12
apply: Ask God to display the triplet of grace in your life today... seek Him in how He may use you in these things and knock till He opens the door of direction for you!
Paul ends his letter to the Philippians with a prayer extending grace! Is grace with you?
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Philippians 4:23
When we read Peter's 2nd letter at the very end he writes, " grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (II Peter 3:18)
Grace is yours for the taking! Matter of fact I suggest that you look at God's grace as a never ending pool that you swim in! As you continue in God's Grace you realize how deep and vast it is! Not only is it unfathomable but it is yours for the taking and the growing! Know you have been saved by grace and that you can grow in the grace of Jesus! Grace is given for your growth in Him not for a license to not be like Him! So grow Grow GROW! Become more like your Savior by Grace!
He loves you so much and has such plans for you out of the pool of grace!
So dive in and get to know the grace of God that is ever with you, embrace God's grace!
As you grow in grace, you will grow in your relationship with Him and reflect His character!
study: Ephesians 2:8-10, II Corinthians 12
apply: acknowledge God's grace today as you walk with Him!
You can do it! Yes You Can! With God's help you can do all things!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
This is such a great promise in scripture! Our lives count to God, God would like for us to be productive lights in this dark world. God did not save you to place you on the shelf, He saved you to get you off the shelf and into the action!
God's Holy Word reveals to us here that we can do ALL THINGS! But HOW you might ask? 'Through Christ who strengthens you.' That is the HOW! Christ will do it through you!
"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13
Isn't that wonderful!
It is His good pleasure to work in us and through us!
So get off the shelf and into the mix of God's great plan for you!
study: Matthew 28:16-20, Philippians 2:12-18
apply: step out in faith with the Lord today, He will strengthen you to do all things with/for Him!
p.s. please email me your testimony of how God used you!!!! to mark@calvaryofcolumbus.com
Everyone has struggles, worries, dilemmas which can explode to anxiety. What is the best way to deal with these things...
Paul writes this in Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
We learn here from Paul we do not have to be anxious! BUT HOW? He answers by saying, "in everything by prayer..." The Lord wants us to simply come to Him with all of our issues, questions, decisions etc. Come to Him in prayer, and be thankful! Let God know your requests! This is the number one stress reliever! He then teaches us that as we pray and seek Him in all things He will give us an unfathomable peace that comes from Him!
Next, Paul instructs us to think on certain things, they are listed here in the next verse, take a look at this in several versions to give you a better idea of what He desires for us to be focussing on rather than getting anxious!
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8 NKJV
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." KJV
"Finally, brethren, (A)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." NASB
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." NLT
Therefore, don't be anxious, pray about it and change your focus from your worry to these things! You truly will be blessed!
Know that God hears your prayers and desires to answer them, as you wait for Him to answer think on these things!
study: read Philippians 4:2-9 and Matthew 7:7-12, I Peter 5:7
apply: when worry arises, pray, trust God and think about Godly things rather than your worry!
