"And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. "
Colossians 1:27b
Colossians 1:27b
When I was a young girl, OK, even when I was an older young girl, OK even now as an older "girl' I find it very difficult not to tell a secret, I feel like I just have to tell someone, usually it BFF.
My daddy tells the story of a particular Father's Day. I'm not sure of my age but we (Momma, my brother, and me) had bought daddy a radio as a Father's Day gift. I watched for Him to come home, peeking through the sheer curtians every few minutes. Finally, I saw his Blue Ford truck pull in the driveway. I ran down the zig-zagged wood-paneled hallway through the back door and down the brick steps. Continuing the pace I lunged forward toward my daddy and said, "Daddy, Daddy, guess what we got you? A radio." I remember a smile and hug. What I can't remember is if he told my mother. Hmm? I will have to ask.
Paul revealed a secret today that must be told. It is our hope. When times are tough, things are rough, and we don't think we can take it another day-Christ is in us! Also according to Paul (2:3), in Him all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. We have Christ, His treasures of wisdom and knowledge within us. Oh, why are settling for defeated lives? (I'll save that for another day's message.)
This is hope I need for today. This is the hope I need for tomorrow. This is the hope my friend needs for today. This is the hope the bank clerk, the cashier at Walmart, the bagger at the grocery store, and the homeless person on the street needs. Let's go tell somebody the secret of Jesus Christ revealing His secret to all who will listen.
This is hope I need for today. This is the hope I need for tomorrow. This is the hope my friend needs for today. This is the hope the bank clerk, the cashier at Walmart, the bagger at the grocery store, and the homeless person on the street needs. Let's go tell somebody the secret of Jesus Christ revealing His secret to all who will listen.
17 Comments:
I am telling the secret this morning! Christ is what everyone needs, the only thing that will ever satisfy. Thanks for your prayers ladies, I will check back in with you later today to further comment on our reading and let you know how MOPS goes this morning :) The reading just gets better and better!
Love,
Brandee, TN
Good Morning, and what a morning it is, to wake up and be assured that we each have Christ living in us! Brandee, I'm with you~the readings, they do just keep getting better, or "gooder and gooder, as Jan says! :)"
Jan, loved what you gave us from Dr. Stanley (I love his teaching, too!) and the Warrior's Prayer-thank you Grace and Peace. (I love Dr. Jeremiah's teaching!) As we say this each morning, we will become so much more aware to spot out the enemy as he tries to sneak in our activities!
I just have to agree with dear Liz, "I am so excited so many more sisters are joining us each morning-how rich you make our tapestry!" Thank you for your comments! Liz, hope you feel better soon!
I love what you wrote Wendy. What a secret we have, a secret that needs to be told! Because Christ is in us, "This gives [us] assurance of sharing his glory," col 1:27).
As we seek to know Him more through reading His Word and listening to what He has to say to us, we are continually renewed and we learn to know our Creator, (Col 3:10)- bit by bit we become more like Him. This is a continual rejuvenation process that we can enjoy day-after day. His Word never gets old. Each day we read some more, and each day we get to know Him better. We are truly blessed to enjoy a personal relationship with Him.
I loved this:
"And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory, (Col. 3:4). Can't you hardly wait! Until that moment, we need to "open our lids," and let Him come out. Daily, we need to wake up and anticipate opportunities to further His Kingdom. We are His representatives, 3:17, and we need to make the most of every opportunity, 4:5.
"May God's grace be with [each one of] you, [today!]4:18.
Hugs & prayer's coming your way,
Lori - AZ
Wow so many nuggets and scriptures I would like to expand on. Col 4:12 "He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God".
As I daily pray for my family and loved ones to have a closer walk with God, this is a great reminder that I need to be "fully confident" that God answering my prayers.
Col 2:23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self denial and severe bodily discipline, BUT they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires.
Because we work with a local chapter of a rehab mission, we often mentor and talk with people about their addictions. This was what I was trying to get across to someone just last week, that you can't just deny yourself of the drug you have to turn it over to God so that you can lose the desire to even do it. By just denying yourself you will fail, but by loosing the desire to ever do it you will succeed.
Col 3:3 "For you died to this life, and you REAL life is hidden with Christ in God". (emph mine)
Isn't that wonderful to know - God has a wonderful special life for us tucked away and as we follow Him and Obey Him, He reveals each new step to us. AMEN!
And adding to Wendy's Scripture Col 3:11b Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Oh what Peace I feel knowing that I have such an awesome God - that washes me clean and hands me my new life, every morning! That knowledge gives me the desire and will to obey, it makes me want to please Him.
Have a wonder - Filled day.
Lynn - OR
Oh wow...such a richness in the reading today. So much I underlined....let's see....which should I choose?
A great reminder to me was Colossians 3:13-15. "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive ANYONE who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you so you MUST forgive others. Clothe yourself in love which binds us together.. and always be thankful"....Love it!
Forgiveness is a great concept in our human minds, until it comes time to actually do it. Boy, it is a hard one, and sometimes it has to be repeated daily if the offender is in your face everyday and continuing to offend. It sure feels right and good when you do it.
Making allowance for each other's faults; a great thing to remind myself of daily also. When those nasty judgemental thoughts creep into my head I need to have Jesus wash them out! Everyone has a story and everyone has things that have happened to them to cause them to act or be a certain way.
And always be thankful. This is a big one in today's world, when we look around and see things we think we're missing out from. Trying to instill this in my kids is soooo important. The immediate gratification disease we have in America is spreading and causing lots of sickiness. Stop, look up, and thank God you can even breathe/walk/have a home/a family/a job/friends/good health right now/etc....wow...so very much to bow to Him and thank Him for.
Peace and love to you all. Your blogs are so very inspiring.
Morgen
My nugget today was "devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." Col 4:2
I signed up for the 5am - 5:30 am slot for the prayer vigil going on today centered at my church in the interior. It was a powerful half hour. In addition the the people on the prayer list, God laid others on my heart during that time, too. As I closed my prayer, it was an amazing feeling to feel the comfort of the knowledge that someone else was beginning their slotted time to pray, and keeping our brothers and sisters covered in prayer. It truly did produce in me a thankful heart!
As I go through my day today I intend to stop and pray as often as I am able. I will be praying for those being prayed for, but also that those who have committed to praying today will not be distracted or kept from the vigil. I pray a wall of protection around all of them, so that the heavens will be flooded with prayers of intercession for all of these wonderful people who are in need of extra grace and healing.
I was also reminded of all of you with this verse "Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives." Col 3:16
We see that every day here, and it just grows and grows!
Thanks for the healing wishes, Lori! A box of tissue under my arm and I am ready to face the day!
Praying for you all today with an alert mind and a thankful heart,
Liz
AK
Greetings from So Cal!
Wendy, God blessed me with the gift to keep secrets. I am the keeper of many from family and friends. :)
Brandee, praying for you! Go tell 'em, sister!
I have often wondered how Paul was able to bear the things he listed in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 - the beatings, stoning, the various perils, etc. In Col. 1:27b, he reveals his secret: Christ lives in him. And the good news is Christ lives in us, too. That gives me great, great comfort.
Paul also tells us that "in Christ lies hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." If that is the case, should not our number 1 priority be to know Him and follow Him? How do we do that? By being in His word - reading, studying and meditating on it. Just like we're doing, this is how our "roots grown down into Him."
I was quite taken aback by Col 3:18because it was identical to what I read yesterday. I guess now I'm discovering the uniqueness of the chronological bible. Was that a misprint? Nope, there it was again for the second day in a row: Wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. I suppose I should really pay heed to this. As if to answer my question of "how?" to do so, my eyes fell to the next portion I highlighted: "...as though you were working for the Lord." I can just substitute: "as if submitting to the Lord."
We are also called "to make the most of every opportunity" Col 4:5. My heart is so heavy for a family at my son's parochial school. Single mom, 4 kids. Her oldest went to school with my DS1. They are now in college. A few years ago son #2 had a stroke in 2nd grade. Second grade! He survived but has special needs. I found out yesterday that son #3 who is in 8th grade was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. God put it in my heart to give her the Treasure Box filled with personalized verses that Tracie Miles shared in her blog a few weeks back. The mom is a devout Catholic so I don't think she will take offense to personalized bible verses. Speaking from experience, it could be the first time she hears God speaking her name. Please keep them in your prayers. Mom's name is Alicia and the son's name is Benjamin.
Dear Grace and Peace,
Thank you for sharing that family's need! I prayed for them right now! Brandee, I hope your day went better than you hoped!
Love,
Karen, Basel
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to backup one day to reflect on what has become my anthem for me and my prayer for the Body of Christ. These few verses sum of my whole life as a Christian.
10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,[c] 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom[d] and forgave our sins.
Blessings!
Debbie - North Carolina
Secrets were always something that I thought needed to be kept to myself. Then when they got out it became more of tale of secret/gossip depending on the secret and age I was at.
I loved the reading this morning and what Wendy wrote. It made me think about that burning feeling I get when I have a precious secret in my heart that I need to tell.
When was the last time I felt that "burning desire" to tell the secret of His love and what was done for us at the cross.
I can just picture a young girl waiting to tell her dad about his radio. Oh,my desire is to have that same passion each and every day to share the love of Christ.
I love that no matter what I am facing in life good or bad, when I pick up the word of God there is always something that applies to me in that moment.
Diane
It was so wonderful to meet you yesterday, Wendy! I am glad to have found your blog!!! I will be checking back in. I love what you have going on here. And you are just delightful in person. It was fun visiting with you as we stuffed envelopes. Blessings!!!
Brandee, I pray that God's peace and strength covered you completely today as you spoke at the MOPS meeting.. you never know who might be in a place of need and how your words of truth impacted their life.
Morgen, I completely agree with your observation: "The immediate gratification disease we have in America is spreading and causing lots of sickness. Stop, look up, and thank God you can even breathe/walk/have a home/a family/a job/friends/good health right now/etc."
To be thankful for the simple things that bring joy to our lives is so underrated.. the truth is that nothing can satisfy us in this world, only He holds the key to taking away our desire to keep trying to fill the "God void" with anything but Him. I pray that spending more time with Him in His word becomes my instant gratification:) This world just doesn't get it, so many are blinded.. in today's reading, Paul event talked about "spiritualism", or "worship of angels" being idolatry. I have met people that are like this, and while they are really nice people that want peace and love to rule, it's so strange (in my opinion) to not have Christ involved with their "spiritualism". Only One, our King Jesus, reigns!
Blessings and peace to all of you sisters,
Krista
Finally got home ladies :) I did some errands after the meeting and having lunch with a friend so I need to attend to my family stuff this afternoon. Just wanted to share that today went great! God changed my introduction ON THE WAY THERE, lol. Don't you love when He does things like that? I used the missing baby Jesus like you ladies suggested and how so many times Christ is missing from Christmas. Will did find Him this morning in the car though :) My heart immediately went to those that don't know Him finding Him this Christmas. It was a great meeting and I was able to speak without my notes, from my heart to these women. I had several talk to me afterwards so I know God has worked and when His Word went out it accomplished what He desired. Love you sisters, thanks so much for your prayers and support!
Will comment tomorrow on this reading and tomorrows in the morning after I get Will to school or when I get up. I have skimmed what you all wrote today and good stuff!!!
Love,
Brandee, TN
Yay, God! Yay, Brandee! Way to be a vessel.
I love that He gave you a new intro. So often the little inconveniences turn out to be great beginnings. So like God. :)
There were so many God whispers today! The "secret worth telling" just jumped out! As I read it I giggled....just the way a little girl would....so precious, so pure, so true....and as others stated today....much to underline, much to seek, much to share....Our Living God so worthy! It seems he loves to reveal himself through coincidence....Blessings...:)
Karen,
I forgot to thank you for praying for Alicia and her family. Thank you so much. I have the verses ready and cut into strips. I made a set for Benjamin, too. Don't know how a 13 year old would like it but I'll let God take care of that. He put it in my heart to do a set for him so I did.
Goodnight, dear sisters. Off to do dishes & I'm hoping to get to the readings tonight.
Brandee, I was eagerly waiting to read how you made out today. Rejoicing with you. So thankful for the way the Lord is using you and for your enthusiasm and willingness to be His vessel.
Wendy, these verses were impressed on my heart as well. I'm actually a fairly good secret keeper. I'm thankful for a secret that is meant to be shared. So, why do we most often keep this one to ourselves?
Like Morgen I was drawn to the forgiveness theme. How fitting that after two days of struggle, sin, Satan and self, the Lord speaks to my heart concerning forgiveness.
“Make allowance”. Don’t be too sensitive. Cut some slack. Lighten up. Don’t take things so personally. Many times the incident isn’t intentional.
Forgive freely. No marionette forgiveness. Remove the strings. Drop the grudge. Remember, Paul is talking to the church. These are brothers and sisters in the Lord. Yes, they can be guilty and the grievance can be real, but our response should still be grace.
Whether the incident was intentional or not, our forgiveness can be on purpose. It is a choice, not of words, but of heart. It is not excusing the behaviour or denying the hurt, but letting go of resentment. Brennan Manning writes, “Our resentments reveal that the signature of Jesus is still not written on my life.” Christ’s signature involves transformation.
Lord, mark my life with Your signature. May I be signed, sealed and delivered.
Thanks to all of you for your comments today. Each one spoke to my heart.
Hugs,
Joy
Brandee,
So glad the day went well.
Amen
Diane
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