SEEKING EMPLOYMENT..?

Today's thoughts come from over 25 years ago when I realized how the first chapter of Colossians sounds like a recitation of Christ's resume.. Think of it this way... If you were 'in the market' for the LORD of your life, do you think you just might consider JESUS? COLOSSIANS 1:15-20 and 2:9 provide a great list of reasons to do so! 'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on Earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.'…'For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity (Godhead) lives in bodily form.'  As an author, I  want to highlight, or otherwise draw attention to certain key words or phrases in these passages ,but I choose to let you readers take a second or third look at each phrase as you consider its levity on our souls! Praise the LORD for all He allows us to 'know,' in spite of the limitations of our human minds.. He speaks 'volumes' to us by the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit as we open the 'eyes of our heart,' to HIM!   OH! Before I forget it.. EPHESIANS 1:18-23 adds to the Colossians, resume-like passage.. We read how, as the eyes of our heart are being enlightened, we are to know 'that incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him form the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.' I will close by simply asking all of us, "Do we welcome Him as He desires to so capably 'fill us in every way?' I love to sing, "When I fall down, You pick me up.. When I am dry, You fill my cup.. You ARE my ALL-IN-ALL!"                                                                                                                                      

CAN HE STEAL MY JOY?

No way! Although the Enemy CERTAINLY tries to, I have become quite adept at recoginizing his 'antics,' then refusing to let my joy be stolen! This is especially true regarding the 'circumstances' of the daily doings of life.. I do, though, need to learn to be more diligent at not letting him deprive me of the joy of honoring our Lord by eating more wisely consistently.(UGH!) But, back to the 'daily doings!'          Today is the first day of my 7th decade of life on this planet.. So, 'that old devil' thought he'd 'gift' me with some opportunities to not be full of the Joy of the Lord... (along with the Peace and Hope of our Lord!) The great thing about being the Lord's is I know WE WIN! "The joy of the Lord is my strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Also, I love one of the Apostle Paul's 'benediction-type' sections in his letter to the Romans. In Chapter 15, verse 13, he says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." "I learned a long time ago that the JOY of the LORD does not depend on 'happiness!'  So, this morning when I was locked out of my bedroom by accident, and when another very irritating thing was happening (after my husband had gone to coffee with a friend so he couldn't handle the 'situation' for me..) I got to stop and realize I had a choice... To rejoice, or to be in a 'funk!' Of course, it was inconvenient and the other thing was very irksome, but... Hey! I didn't need to lose my joy over them!  The verse in Romans always reminds me to think of my life as a cup of tea, coffee, or whatever.. As I do, I picture it as full so when I (it) gets bumped, I need to be concerned about what spills out! Will it be the pleasantness of Christ in me, or evidence of that Enemy of ours having been allowed to steal my peace, hope, and joy I love so much as his child?!  Well, dear readers.. May you each 'stand guard' over all our Lord intends for and through you this day and always! Remember, 'The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.. But our Perfect Shepherd came so we might have life in full abundance!' (my paraphrase of JOHN 10:10 which happens to be my "Life-verse".. the second part of it, of course!)

Just a Few Thoughts..

 I have "just a few" thoughts on my mind today that are aching to 'get out!'  The first one is about the fact of often hearing the work 'risk' attached to matters of faith!? I am totally confused by this... How CAN it be 'risky' to know, and trust in God's promises, principles, and character in/for/through our lives? I don't have much to say except I'd like for all of you to realize we do NOT live lives of  'risk,' when we allow the Lord to walk with, support, and nourish us daily!  Just as an 'aside,'..It's sort of funny as I consider that word, RISK, because I picture a game board with a map of the world and a whole bunch of brightly colored, small cubes spread across it in strategic positions.. ( I NEVER was very good at that game!)

Three other 'terms' which bother me are: 'Successful' Christian living; the term 'proud' of you; and, I 'disagree' with certain hot topics in our nation's social/political/spiritual climate.  I will do posts about each of these during my available time this summer... Until then, consider living your life with Christ within to be one of SIGNIFICANCE, as opposed to 'successful,' which implies a potential for that ugly word, 'Failure!' Also think of how you felt when your folks said, 'I am proud of you..'' Didn't you sometimes feel the pressure to uphold their reputation through you? Our daughter pointed this our to us in 1993. As a result, I try to always say, "I'm pleased or tickled by you/your...."   Finally, for now, examine your souls for how you really think about those who are not of our 'persuasions' which come from our LORD'S transforming, and delivering presence within us. Do we really 'disagree' with them, or... do we really, truly ACHE due to how their distorted 'persuasions' deter them from life the way our Lord intends for them to know it.. HE is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE LIFE! They, dear readers, are truly missing out on LIFE Himself!