Devotion 12/3, Word of God

Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

Paul is encouraging the Colossians to go on in the same way they had begun, by faith. They had already received Jesus as LORD, acknowledging that in Him there was complete sufficiency, not only for salvation but for the whole of their Christian life. By Paul saying “continue to live in Him”, he is confirming that they have been living in a godly manner, and urges them to continue to do so. They should not be taken in by false teachings of men, however convincing they may sound. They are to stick to Christ and His teachings, going forward in their Christian walk.
Satan is crafty and will use whatever he can to try and lure us away from the true, good, solid, foundational teaching of God’s Word!

“Overflowing with thankfulness”, many, many times in Scripture we are told to be thankful. Here we are told to overflow with thankfulness. God knows that when we are thankful, we are humble and contrite before Him. By thanking Him for all that we are and have we are acknowledging that we had nothing to do with it, it is all because of and from Him. He is in control, not us! When we start to have the mind-set that we did something to deserve His goodness we are becoming prideful and that is not of Christ but of satan. Lord help us to be in a thankful mindset before our wonderful Savior who bled and died to redeem us to God!

Some things you don’t change, swap, or update. In an age when computer processors make major leaps every few months and software companies release new upgrades every year, we get programmed into looking for the new and improved version of everything. The simple but profound truth is that Jesus is Lord. No update needed. No rival worthy. No change necessary. In fact, if we stray from this as the basis of our life, we put all we hold dear at risk. But if we continue, if we grow, if we root ourselves in this truth and make it the Rock, the foundation of our lives, then our future is secure and our victory assured!

God, I thank you for the simple, challenging and enduring truth of Jesus’ Lordship. Through your Holy Spirit, I pray that you will conform my life to more closely reflect his lordship in my work, my family, and in those relationships you put in my path today. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

Lord, thank you for your Word, for you are with us always, to catch me when I stumble and to lift me up when I fall. For You will never fail us. I truly understand little of this world, but I stand firm on my understanding of your Word, your love letter for all seeking a personal relationship with you. Through your Holy Spirit fill me with all I need to share You with all you might put in my path today and all of my tomorrows. All praise and glory are Yours. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.