Camping in Colossians

 

     Camping in Colossians has been good for me this week. If you remember, we started on Monday by setting our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things. Not easy. How do we move our minds and hearts above and beyond what we deal with, what our bodies are feeling, what the next crisis might be and focus on God?

     Let’s move to a temporary camp site in another of my favorite books and chapters for just a minute to answer the question above.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving make your needs known to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

     Two of my, as well as my daughter’s, go-to verses when anxiety creeps in yet again. Notice the formula Paul sets out for us. Don’t worry. Give everything to God. Thank Him in advance for the work He will do to meet your needs. Having done that, His peace will wash over us. Our hearts and minds?  God will guard them with His mighty power. Let’s aim to give it all to Him. Everything.

     Let’s end with one last verse from our camping trip.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

     Yes, give it all to Him with thanksgiving! 

Lord,

We love You and thank You for Your word that sustains us and answers all of our needs. Guard our hearts and our minds as we give it all to You.

Amen

 

I will be off the next two weeks!  Happy 4^th of July.  You will be in my prayers.  See you on July 8^th.

Camping in Colossians

 

Bear with each other and forgive one another. If any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  Colossians 3:13-16

     Whew! We certainly need to camp here for a time. That’s a lot to take in. Yesterday we were clothed in kindness, humility, compassion and patience. Today we add forgiveness and peace. Did you notice what the Bible says to put on over all of these virtues? Yep, there it is again…love. Love binds them all together.

     And be thankful. I am thankful to God for so many things. I have been richly blessed in my life. Wrap yourself first in God’s great love and then go share it with someone else. Share it with compassion and kindness, with humility and patience. And be thankful.

Dear Lord,

Every good and perfect gift is from above. We are thankful for Jesus and His ability to treat us with His great love and compassion.  We are dearly loved.

Amen

Camping in Colossians

 

     We have been gazing up and peeking through the stars right into the presence of Jesus. Our heavenly home is secure. What do we wear and how do we act as we continue to represent our Lord? Paul gives us an idea.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

     I don’t know about you, but all of these attributes are often the opposite of mine, especially the patience. How do we clothe ourselves with kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness and patience? Look back to our verse for today.

“…dearly loved.”  That’s you. That’s me. We are chosen and dearly loved by our Creator. Accepting His love and forgiveness means everything. You are dearly loved. Clothe yourself with that thought today. Wrap up in the warmth of the love of God and clothe yourself with all He has freely given.

Dear Father,

The full meaning of these beautiful words doesn’t always sink in. Your kind of love is beyond our capacity to understand, but with it we can move mountains.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Camping in Colossians

 

     Still looking up and focusing on things above? I hope so. Spiritually speaking, we will be alive forever. These old bodies will waste away, but our eternal bodies never will. Because we are united with Christ in His death, so too, are we alive with Him in His resurrection. Our earth-bound bodies and minds find this so hard to comprehend.

     God, the Father, sees only the righteousness of Christ when He sees us. As believers, the image of Christ stands in place of our sin and unrighteousness. Our names are written in heaven. We are seated with Christ forever. Feel the confidence of what this means. This puts our short lives into perspective, doesn’t it? Pitch your tent and camp there for a while.

For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4

Jesus,

We have the kingdom of heaven available to us. You have given us great treasure. It is hard to accept all of these heavenly riches. Since we have been given the kingdom, we need to share it with others. There is more than enough to go around.

Amen

Camping in Colossians

 

     We all have a favorite verse, a favorite chapter or Psalm, or a favorite book within the Bible. I want us to camp out in one of mine; the 3^rd chapter of Colossians this week. Paul’s letters to the churches are full of wisdom and guidance through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on how to live our lives.

     Pull up a chair next to the fire. Smell the woodsy, crisp air. Savor the melded flavors of the chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker combination. Listen to the sounds of the evening and as your senses begin to take in the atmosphere around you, tilt your head and look up. Appreciate the stars and the one that spoke them into being.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is; seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:1-2

     Notice the first verse says to “set” our hearts and the 2^nd verse says to “set” our minds on things above. As you gaze up at the stars, look beyond to the right hand of God. That’s where we are spiritually seated through Jesus. It doesn’t mean we are no earthly good. We just have a heavenly perspective from setting our hearts and minds on Him. He invites us right into the throne room where He resides. Looking up keeps us in our place, in humble service to and in awe of our magnificent God.

Father,

Teach us to fix our gaze on You, to determinedly set our hearts and minds on things above each and every day, understanding Your sovereignty over all things. Things above. Where Christ dwells beyond all we see, hear, touch, smell, taste and experience on earth.

Amen

 

Here I Am, Lord

 

     Have you heard this before? “God does not call qualified people. He qualifies the people He calls?” Just like Moses and so many others in the Bible, we can believe we are not enough, not gifted, have too many weaknesses to be used by God. Moses had a speech impediment and he had to go into exile for 40 years because of killing an Egyptian before God called him to lead all of Israel.

     Gideon was the weakest man from the smallest group of men and God called him a “mighty warrior.” Peter spoke and acted before thinking. (I can relate) Paul wanted to arrest and kill Christians before God transformed his heart and turned him into the greatest evangelist of all time.

     Give your life to Christ and He will give you exactly what you need, in exactly the right way, at exactly the perfect time to witness for Him. Scary? Yup. But He gives us His strength, His power, His word, His very Spirit. Now that gives us confidence in Him!He uses the ordinary and the foolish like you and me!

But God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27

     He needs you. He will qualify you with His mighty hand.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen Hebrews 13:20-21

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16

Father,

It is amazing to us how You can use us to do Your work. You are sovereign. You are Creator. You are omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent and yet you have designed us to be a part of Your almighty plan. Give us the strength, power and qualities to do Your bidding.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Grateful Hearts

 

     What are you grateful for today? Good health? A roof over your head? Enough food to nourish your body? A loving, spouse, friend, child,  or neighbor? Grandchildren to love? God’s creation? Look around and appreciate what you have. Look for the blessings as you go through your day and offer blessings to those around you.

     A simple compliment, a smile, a hug, a phone call, a card or a pat on the back. Blessings can come in small packages and kind words. They can be offered easily when we look for opportunities. How can you and I brighten the life of another?

Do to others what you would have them do to you. Luke 6:21

     The verse above had been labeled the “golden rule.” Look for the best in others and give them the benefit of the doubt. We don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life or in their heart. Encourage, appreciate, be kind and gentle, and we will fulfill the wishes of God.

Be kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

     Be grateful and pass it on. Most of all, be grateful for Jesus.

Lord,

We come to You with praise and a grateful heart. Help us to appreciate all we have, to look for the best in others, to humble ourselves, to look for opportunities. Show us how, where and when.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Home

 

     I still miss my childhood home. I was one of the lucky ones to have a safe home with loving parents. After my dad died when I was fourteen, my mom and I become best friends. Even as an adult out on my own, I often ran back home to mom, for words of wisdom, for loving arms, and a listening ear, not to mention enjoying my favorite comfort foods.

     Home is where our hearts reside. My mom was in the hospital dying on my wedding day. It was the best and most difficult day of my life. God provided a safe home with my husband at just the right time. Mom died the following day and I still miss her after more than 37 years.

     I relish these days as a mom and nana. I am blessed. My parents did not live to meet our daughters.I pray that our daughters, their husbands and children will consider our home as “home” to them as well.

     And one day soon, we will go to our final home in heaven. I long for the day when I will see my mom and dad, my grandparents, my in-laws and my friends who have gone home before me. How about you? I pray you have safe and loving places on earth. Our forever home is with Jesus.

     He is here with us now and He provides what we may be missing.  He offers comfort, protection, nourishment for the soul and unconditional love. If you didn’t experience the safe, loving arms of your earthly parents, or are grieving a lost sense of “home,” run to Jesus, our eternal best friend, parent and Savior forevermore.

Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:6

For we know that if the earthly tent in which we live is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1

But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

Jesus,

Thank You for the promise of our heavenly home. You gave up so much to give us a way to be with You forever. Thank You for the love You place around us as we live our lives on earth. We are grateful.

Amen

Do Not Grow Weary

 

     Grief, loneliness, too much or too little time or money or responsibility can bring about a state of weariness to our bodies, minds and spirits. As we consider God’s voice and His heart, we can find quiet times and learn to listen to what is most important, and we can make wise decisions on where and how to move to the next step.

     When weariness sets in, ask God to give you His peace. Run back to Jesus time and time again for refreshing. A relationship with Jesus is number one. He wants us to know Him intimately, to serve cheerfully, to find peace in our daily lives. Come to Him when you are weary and remember, the good we do in His name glorifies Him and brings joy to our weary souls.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

     Come to Jesus each day. Let Him comfort you and give you peace as you set out to do His work. The good we do in His name will reap a harvest of blessings for others and for us. Don’t give up.

Lord,

You do bless us as we serve. Remind us to stay focused on what You want, not to overdo or become overwhelmed, but to do Your work in the ways You choose. Comfort us today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Cheerful Giver

 

     I believe our service and our love in the name of Jesus will follow us into heaven. And many of our good works, maybe the ones we are most proud of, may not count. A tough lesson to learn. God loves a cheerful giver.

     The giving we do grudgingly or out of guilt, or so that others will notice, rather than to bring glory to Jesus, God will not use. Allowing the Spirit to move us into serving with our time, our talents and our treasures will bless us and shine the true light of Christ.

     Over the years I have given to others with a sigh, with a weariness, with a bad attitude. You, too? Keep a cheerful heart as you give to His causes. He wants our hearts to be so full of His love, we can’t help giving it away, even when it comes with sacrifice.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly, or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

     This doesn’t mean we won’t grow frustrated or feel burnt out. God wants us to take care of ourselves as well as others. He will lead the way

Jesus,

Continue to teach us Your ways. We love you and want to give with a cheerful heart in the ways You desire. Change our hearts and attitudes to serve You without tiring.

Amen

Abide

 

     What will you do with today? With this moment? With the next hour? We all have choices throughout our days. Many of the hours are planned for us, with work and schedules, with laundry and meals, with friends and family. Maybe the best choices we make will come from within; our attitudes, our reactions, our ability to stay in step with the Holy Spirit throughout each moment, each hour, each day, each season.

     Abiding in Christ does not come naturally to us. It is a work of the Holy Spirit and it is a work in progress.  How do we allow the spirit within us to grow into the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus? Make it a habit to go to the word of God during times of frustration, of loneliness, of grief, and of joy and blessings and comfort. In other words, go to Him each day. Pray, read, meditate, love.

Jesus says,

“I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

     Nothing? Well, I do stuff. That is our reaction to the statement of Jesus that we can do nothing without Him. Our purpose as believers is to glorify God with all we do.

     Sounds opposite of the world around us where we are valued for our education, for our money-making abilities, for our busyness and our business, for the success of our children, for our prowess in sports, for our looks. With Jesus, we need to abide. Aaaah, sounds wonderful. Abide in Him today. He looks at the heart. Go to Him for everything.

Jesus,

Help us with our human frailties. And there are so many!  Remind us to forgive ourselves as well as others as we move through life. It is difficult to move away from what our flesh wants and to listen to the Sprit. Give us Your wisdom today as we abide in You through each moment, each hour, each day.

Amen

Child-like Faith

 

     Today is a day to celebrate!  Our sweet Brooklyn is two years old. This girl continues to brighten our days with her delightful personality, her giggles, her bossiness, her energy, her great hugs and her excitement over the simplest joys in life.

     Today is also a bitter-sweet day for us. Today marks the last day of our six years of helping with daily care for our grandkids. We began with Gavin when he was three months old, adding his brother, Grayson, two years later, followed by these last two years with Brooklyn. What amazing blessings we have shared and we hope the deep bond we have created lasts through our lifetimes.

     One of our daughters said now we can just be normal grandparents and we look forward days together and sleep overs.  Such joy. Such love!  My parents did not live to meet our daughters, so each day to me is a spectacular gift just knowing we are a part of their lives.

     Brooklyn thank you for bringing us so much light, even though “bapa” is your favorite. I try not to be too jealous and if he isn’t around, you find me satisfactory. You have us  wrapped around your little finger.

     Take in the joys of childlike faith today like Brooklyn and smile at the little things. They mean the most.

But Jesus called the children to Him, and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged…Proverbs 17:6a

Father,

We give you thanks for Brooklyn. Watch over her life and keep her centered on You as she grows. Protect her, love her and keep her.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

All Things

 

     God provides what we need. All He asks as we accept Jesus as Savior is to love one another and to follow Him. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation points to Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior. All things are His now and forever. The earth was made for His glory.

Through Him all things were made. Without Him, nothing was made that has been made.  John 1:3

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen Romans 11:36

For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones for 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.  Colossians 1:16-17

     The Father, through Jesus, offers us blessings from the throne room of grace.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

     In all things, God is good all the time. He is enough.

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Lord,

As we move through our days, remind us You are everywhere, in all things and all things will be done ultimately for Your purpose. Provide for us today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Above All

 

     Jesus fulfills our needs as we journey through our lives. He saves us for eternity with His sacrificial love. What does He ask of us? Jesus commands us to love one another. He sums up all of the commandments in this way:

Above all else, guard your hearts, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

The message you heard from the very beginning is this, we must love one another. 1 John 3:11

Do all your work in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

     Jesus teaches us how to love, how to look deeper, how to forgive, how to have patience, how to be gentle and kind. After all, He first taught us.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the  comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Father,

You teach us comfort and compassion and love through, Your Son Jesus. Show us the way as we comfort those around us. Above all, let us love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

All In All

 

     Marriage has been a gift to me and I love reading back through the laughter, tears, the ups and downs of our now 39 years together. At the same time, close friends have been through painful loss, both in divorce and death. Life is so precious and so very difficult at times.

     For me, Jesus is the answer. He is our truest, most loyal companion, the one who will be there to give us just what we need at any given moment, to sustain us through each day of life. Others will let you down. Loved ones will move to heaven before us. Our sorrows and our joys are felt by our heavenly Father.

     He is there when we are broken hearted.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

     He is there with open arms when we are weary.

Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

     He will rejoice with you and is delighted with you.

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you. In His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

     My prayer for you is to trust Jesus wherever you find yourself in life. If you are lonely, He will be your constant companion. If you are filled with joy, He rejoices with you. If you are tired, give Him your hand. Open your heart to Him, believe in His death and resurrection to save you, and give Him your entire heart. Pour it all out to Him and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Jesus,

Take hold of us wherever we are today. We are grateful for those you give us along the way to share our lives. We praise You for them and we thank You for being everything we need. You are the all in all. (! Corinthians 15:28)

In Jesus name,

Amen