Colossians 3:13

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Observations: I love this slow paced study, gives me a little time to plug some of these words into the Strongs to see what the Lord is speaking to us. These definitions from STRONGS CONCORDANCE

 Forbearing:

1) to hold up

2) to hold one's self erect and firm

3) to sustain, to bear, to endure

Forgiving:

1) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify

a) to show one's self gracious, kind, benevolent

b) to grant forgiveness, to pardon

c) to give graciously, give freely, bestow

1) to forgive

2) graciously to restore one to another

3) to preserve for one a person in peril

Wow...forgiveness is packed with meaning here isn't it? Not just a simple ok Ill let you slide this time but it includes grace, restoration, complete pardon, protection and benevolence. To agree adn be pleasing. Is that how I forgive? Um no. Sounds alot like how Jesus Christ forgives. He doesn't just give us a pass. He determines to restore and give too doesn't He? Even as Christ forgave thats how we are to forgive. How did Christ forgive? Notice the past tense? Forgave. Hes already forgiven. Forgave. He is the reason for the long packed with meaning definition of Forgiveness. He forgives extravagantly. He abundantly pardons. He forgives when we dont deserve it. Over and over again. He never holds a grudge or brings up past sins, when He forgives He means it. His forgiveness includes restoration and pardon.

 

The word forgive.......includes a give in it. See that? For*give*. We are to give something to the offender. Grace, restoration, gifts, help.

Application: I love this reminder to suffer long, put up with and then ultimately forgive after we forbeared. Doesn't a forbearance, suffering long and putting up with usually then lead to someone needing to be forgiven? Think about it. The ones who stretch us and make us extend grace also tend to be the very ones who need forgiveness, and not just typical worldly conditional forgiveness but a Biblical, spiritual loving forgiveness that restores. Even as Christ forgave us so we are to forgive. This is a command. No option here. He forgave so should we.
Pray:
God let this beautiful deep truth sink deep into my heart. Thank you for forgiving me and restoring me, help me to extend that kind of grace to those who need it.

Colossians 3:12

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Observations: Anytime there is a *therefore* there is a whyfore that preceded, a reason for the therefore. The reason for this therefore is because there arent races or classes in Christ but Christ is all and in all. Christ is significant so we are too. Its not our last name or how much money we have its Who our Father is that makes us of use. We are Gods chosen so put on/be:

• holy
• beloved
• bowels of mercies
• kindness
• humbleness of mind
• meekness
• longsuffering

Application: Humblesness of Mind stuck out to me. I like this little flip here....usually we think to pray against pride, work to not be so proud, but this is a different approach. Put on humbleness of mind, and isnt the mind part right on? Doesnt it all take palce in our minds? If we can just take every thought captive. Every proud thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Put on humbleness of mind. Or that list could read. Be selfless. Be selfless. Be selfless. Be selfless......

Pray:
Humbleness in my mind God. Please help me to not think of myself more highly than I ought. To be swift to hear. Everyone. Even my children. Help me to listen to my 3 year old. Swift to hear. Slow to speak. Humbleness of mind.

Colossians 3:9-11

Scripture: kjvColossians 3:9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Observations: There is that phrase *put off* again. Lie not to one another because you've put off the old man. Be honest. Share your heart and be real with each other. Paul is talking to the church at Colossae, telling them to lie not, dont lie because you've been converted there is no need to hide anymore. Isnt that something? Paul tells us to be honest with each other. There is freedom in living a life that is pleasing to God, we dont have to put on fronts and fake things when we've put off the old man. Confess your faults take down the facade and be real. Why? Because you've put off the old man, and put on the new which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of God. Renewed in the image of God. I could meditate on that for about a lifetime. In the image of our Creator there isnt pedigrees, or races, one class against another. Neither

• Greek
• Jew
• circumcision
• uncircumcision
• Barbarian
• Scythian
• bond
• free

Love this part Christ is all and in all, doesnt matter where you came from or who you are. Christ who is our life. Hes our life. We can share hearts and lives honestly because we are made new in Christ. There is freedom to share with other Christians when we truly surrender our lives to Christ. Holiness is liberating.

Application: I not only need to extend grace to everyone despite appearances I need to extend it to myself. God loves me in spite of my lowliness, my insignificance. His image has renewed me therefore Im not useless.

Pray:
Lord help me put off and on, so that I can live a renewed life that reflects your image. A life that doesnt need to hide from my Christian friends.

Colossians 3:7-8

Scripture: kjvColossians 3:7-8

7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.Observations: 7In the which ye also walked some time....reminds me of such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified.

We used to walk in sin, in our past lives. Before Christ. But now.....Love the But now part... But now put off all these

• anger
• wrath
• malice
• blasphemy
• filthy communication out of your mouth

Again it seems we are to put off. Do something...and here I am working so hard to rest...striving to rest.

Application: Interesting that anger wrath and malice is followed by blasphemy and filthy talk. Wonder if there is significance in the order there. Perhaps anger leads to a foul mouth? I can probably testify personally to that. The first 3 in the list are feeling that perhaps manifest themselves in our words. Blasphemy and filthy communications. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth doth speak. The list does seem to gradually get worse and worse until the anger manifests itself in our speech with filthy talk.

Pray:

Let my heart be free from anger Lord. Search me and rid me of wrath and malice, then my words will be sweet.

Colossians 3:5-6

 

Scripture: kjvColossians 3:5-6
⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

⁶ For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.

Observations:

Going to be perfectly honest here. I dont understand this concept of killing myself. The whole book of Colossians is about yielding and surrendering everything to Christ. He does the work, has already done the work. It is finished. We are told 20 times in 6 different ways to let go of our efforts, our abilities, our desires. Everything. Then here Paul tells us to kill ourselves. Put to death our sin. Sounds like he is saying we have to actively work to die to sin and self yet we know we cant do anything. Christ has to do the work....hmmm.*scratches head*. Okay so maybe we allow ourselves to be crucified with Christ? We allow ourselves to go the cross, we say nevertheless? Is that our part? Is that what Paul means/God is trying to teach me? I know He wants me to understand this....Im praying I will, but for now.....this concept it still developing in my mind. This yield/surrender yet kill your own self concept. lol

These are the things Paul tells us to put to death, things that are

• upon the earth... carnal, fleshly, sinful,
• fornication....any kind of sexual sin
• uncleanness....impurity
• inordinate affection :pathos. Rendered in Romans 1:26, "vile affections;" In 1 Thessalonians 4:5, the word is rendered "lust" - which is its meaning here.
• evil concupiscence...Evil desires; licentious passions;
• covetousness which is idolatry...significant that Paul lists all these base sins and includes covetousness with it. We rarely consider how very covetous we are and in how many areas of our lives this is manifest. We tend to think of material goods but it can also apply to others gifts, talents and abilities....anything that God hasnt given to us.

Seems Paul is telling us to deprive the members of our bodies that are sinful. He list mostly sexual sins, perhaps because they are some of the lowest? Maybe because we all have these base tendencies within us so we can all receive this Word? I guess there isnt a person anywhere in any generation who hasnt been touched by these sins in one way or another. Who doesnt struggle with carnality in their homes and families?  If you dont currently struggle with the kinds of carnality listed can you attest to the fact that these sins have damaged your home somehow at sometime? Have your parent fallen prey to this list? Your children? Yourself? Paul knew just where to put his finger when instructing us to purge the sin from ourselves. What an incredibly relevant and needful Word for our day and age.

Application: I know this Word instructs us to mortify/deprive our sinful natures, yet I cant. I have rely solely on Christ to do it for me. Im quite sure that freedom from these base carnal sins is found in complete surrender to Christ. Abiding. Dwelling. Surrender.

Pray:

Im so glad for the P part of my SOAP because Lord, I dont understand how I can kill myself yet that is what this verse seems to say. I pray for understanding. Again I gotta say I dont think I can mortify my members....reconcile these things in my heart and mind Lord. Kill myself, yet Im already dead because Christ said *It is finished*. 

Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3:1-4

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Observations: *If ye be* .......seek those things above. No questions asked....just *If ye be*....then seek. Period. Actively pursue and look for the things of God. Things that are found at the right hand of the throne of God.

The things we are to seek are:

• above
• where Christ sitteth
• on the right hand of God

Set your affections on things above, thats twice in the same sentence Paul tells us to look *above*, not on earthly sensual, carnal, fleshly desires. We are dead. Again this is a statement not a question or a maybe you are or maybe you arent...its not a process time.....Ye are dead, present tense, and our lives are hid with Christ in God. Praise the Lord we *are* dead and hidden in Christ!

 

When Christ who is our life....is such a beautiful statement. Christ is our life. Our breath, our sustenance, our very reason and ability to live....Christ is our life...our whole life, every aspect of it. Reminds me of some of the ALL scriptures in Colossians. Colossians 2:10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power Colossians 3:11 ...Christ is all, and in all.

Christ who is our life! When He appears we will appear with Him in glory....Notice how we'll appear? Again it is with Christ. Whew that is alot of Christ isnt it? Every way you look at it, any way you turn.....its Christ. He did, is doing, and will do all of it. Everything. ALL. Christ alone will be the reason we appear in glory.

Application: *If ye be* risen with Christ stuck out to me...am I risen with Christ? Before the resurrection there has to be a death and burial, a cross. A complete surrender of my own will. A nevertheless. Im not as concerned about my ability to rise as much as I am learning how to die daily and hide myself in Him.

This passage says we are dead, risen and hid....where did and does every one of these things take place??? IN CHRIST! We die with Him, Rise with Him and are Hid in Him. Which is why this verse says...Christ who is our life. ALL.

PRAY: Thank you Lord that I am dead, risen and hid....all in Christ! You really are my life. My ALL. Please teach me how to more fully yield and surrender my will. I need help Lord, with the death burial and hidden part. Crazy that I fully expect you can raise me but struggle to believe I am dead in Christ. Yet you said it. So glad I am not alone in my struggle. Paul too struggled and wrote about this *wretched man* battle.

 

Christ who is our life.

Colossians 2:22-23

Colossians 2:22-23

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:²² Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?²³ Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Observations: Paul is telling the Colossians why Dont touch, Dont taste, Dont handle doesnt work to save. Reasons:

• perish with the using:....these things are temporal and deteriorate with use. Sounds like the more you use rules the more they perish. *Perish with use*. Rules are carnal and dont have super natural power. Rules and religious standards come and go, they perish when used.
• after the commandments and doctrines of men:....reminds me of Mathew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Pharisee.
• indeed a shew of wisdom:Adhering to rules certainly appears to show off mans wisdom. *Shew of Wisdom*.
• will worship: one version calls this self imposed religion. Willing yourself to be holy. Doesnt work.
• humility: false humility. Man made humility. Paul talked about this a few verses up....he mentions those who take delight in false humility.
• neglecting of the body: asceticism, denying the flesh pleasure, or even basic comforts in order to gains Gods favor and mans admiration. Fasting, doing without. May seem spiritual but only the Spirit of Gods is Spirit-ual.
• not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.: I like the way the ESV renders this verse, (because I sure dont understand it in the KJV.) but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. That is very clear to me, hard for my flesh to submit to sometimes but the Word is clear. Rules like dont touch taste or handle have *NO VALUE* in stopping our sin. Denying ourselves doesnt work. Paul made that clear when he mentioned that our circumcision is *made without hands*. And again when he tells us Christ nailed the rules to the cross and made a public spectacle of them....blotted them out, because they are against us, contrary to us. Rules have NO VALUE in stopping the desires of the flesh.

 

Application: When the Bible screams something we should listen...Paul is screaming here...over and over he is saying the same things in several different ways. Rules are futile, they work against us. Religion is contrary to Christ. Christ alone, not only saves but HE is the substance that helps us to cease from sin. Hes enough.

PRAY: After years of trying to adhere to the rules and failing miserably I am so thankful for these verses Lord. They comfort me. My efforts are futile. Rules have *NO VALUE*. Christ has ALL value, ALL power. ALL. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around these concepts....teach me God to yield. Show me how to surrender my every human effort. To let you live fully in my life. Please.

Colossians 2:18-21

Colossians 2:18-21

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Observations: Paul is adding yet more things to the list for the Christians at Colossae to be aware of. Yesterdays verses Paul warned against letting others judge us because we dont put our faith in traditions like meat, drink, new moons, religious holy days, and the sabbath. Today he warns us against letting others beguile us of our reward with voluntary humility. The words beguile, and voluntary humility elude to the fact that these kinds of people are subtle and modest. They come with kindness and a meek approach....reminds me of how innocent Satan seemed in the garden. *Did God say?* *Whats wrong with being wise Eve?* These men dont come in with guns blaring about spiritual things, but are more subtle and seemingly humble. I have often thought that these kinds are of the most dangerous because their tactics arent obvious. I would almost rather my children mix with blatant sinners than kids *who seem kind enough* in the Sunday School, or homeschool co-op. Which is more subtle and believable? The ones who are voluntarily humble, right? Yet Paul tells us to beware and not let these types rob us of our faith in Christ alone.

Worshiping of angels: these men are perhaps super spiritual, they come professing great revelations and deep truths.....intruding into things they havent seen. Proud and carnal.

And here is why all this false teaching abounds....they do not *hold to the Head*. Christ. When we hold to Christ we have/are:

• nourishment ministered
• knit together
• increaseth with God

We are dead with Christ and dead to the rules of the world, why do we think we need to adhere to the rules in the world? Rules about abstaining from this and that.

• touch not
• taste not
• handle not

Paul already let us know that Christ nailed the handwritten ordinances to the Cross, blotted them out because they are against us, contrary to us. Rules are against us!

Application: Paul wants to make sure we dont let these people cheat us out of our reward. What is that reward? Christ! Dont let people cheat you out of Christ. They will try it many different ways. Humility, spirituality, holiness standards, visions of angels. You name it they will try it. My old Pastor used to say if the devil couldnt get you to be a rank sinner he will try to make you go overboard into spiritual realms that are of the enemy...overboard.

PRAY: Balance, Jesus. Please give us balance that pleases and approaches you with true humility. Grant me the ability to bow my heart to Your throne.

 

Colossians 2:16-17

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:¹⁶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holiday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: ¹⁷ Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Observations: Paul is not only telling these Colossians that they shouldn't impose rules on themselves but he wants them to be sure and not be moved by those from the outside who would like to impose rules upon them or make them feel guilt because of the liberty they have in Christ. Let no man judge you.....implies that we shouldnt even go there. Dont put yourselves in situations where you will be judged. Avoid arguments and confrontations. Unity first. Others first. Let no man judge you. Paul knows that there are groups of proud puffed up religious types who like to go on and on about how many standards, rules and convictions they abide by.....Paul says dont let them judge you. Pride is a poor substitute for the power and peace of Christ yet many people opt for it. Then he goes on to list the types of things these people judge for.

• meat
• drink
• holidays
• new moon
• Sabbath

These things are a shadow, a mere shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ. Ill take Christ rather than the shadows that represent Him, thank you very much. Its like this.....would I like my husband to hug and hold me or would I rather try to squeeze and cuddle with his shadow? That is the illustration the Bible is making between rules and Jesus Christ Himself. Not much comparison is it?

 

 I think about Halloween coming up, we dont celebrate but the Word is clear here we are not to judge one another or allow others to judge us concerning these things. Unity first.

Application: I want all of Christ and none of the man made rules and judgements from others. What a wonderful, applicable reminder to us Christians to put our faith in Jesus alone, to not only *not judge* but to refuse along with Paul to *be judged*. Let no man therefore....whyfor? Because Jesus spoiled powers and principalities, He nailed the rules to the cross. Blotted them out because they are against us, contrary to us. Its what the Word says and I believe it!

PRAY: Your clear here Lord, and Im thankful for that. We are not supposed to judge each other for external standards, nor are we to allow ourselves to be judges. The self righteous religious types squirm under this Word here, yet its true. Every word of it. Its so true and important you had Paul write a whole book with this ongoing theme it. Paul says it over and over again....Christ saves. Rules are against us. Dont judge or be judged. Jesus is enough! Amen

Colossians 2:13-15

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;¹⁴ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Observations: We were dead but Christ made us alive! Quickened!

There it is again, the *with Him* phrase.

• buried with Him
• risen with Him
• quickened with Him

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances, makes me think of a long list of legalistic rules written by man. Handwritten Rules. Christ nailed those rules to the cross! I know many churches still preach and practice methods, formulas, checklists of do and donts, but Paul is quite clear here that those things were *against us*, *contrary to us*. Rule-keeping has no value in Christs economy. Christ took rules out of the way and nailed those ordinances to His cross! I like the way this passage says  nailing it to  HIS cross. It was His cross. Personal. He personally nailed those rules to His cross. It is all about Christ any way you look at it!

This is the second time in Colossians Paul talks about powers and principalities. Christ shamed them publicly triumphing over them!

Application: I need nothing but Christ. Christ isnt impressed when we impose rules and regulations on ourselves and each other. I cant get holy enough for Him. God doesnt scrutinize me or my sacrifice. God is for God.The ordinances have been nailed to the Cross. When Christ died on the Cross I died with Him, I rose with Him and I am quickened, alive with Him. Its what the Words says, and I believe it!

PRAY: Thank you Lord for loving me and delivering me from thinking I could sacrifice enough to win you. You won me. You died. You rose. You live. I am *with* You. Its all about You, every step of the way. We are made without hands, kept by You. The rules are against us, contrary to us. Its clear Lord, this Word. You took the ordinances and nailed them to the Cross. Please open the eyes of those who think rule keeping has any power.

 

Colossians 2:11-12

Week 4 Day 4 GMG Colossians Study!

Scripture: kjv Colossians 2¹¹ In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:¹² Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Observations: These subjects of circumcision, holy days, food rules, came up alot in Pauls teachings. He was a Jew preaching to Jews who were living under Jewish Law beginning to walk in faith in Christ. Obviously this was a difficult transition for many Jews. This word is so relevant and applicable even today. We still think we need to do something to be saved. We need to go through a ritual, adhere to a tradition, observe some ordinance. Some more extreme than other, Ive heard of everything from not being allowed to wear open toed shoes, to women not shaving their arm pits because their hair was given to them as their glory!!!

Circumcision *made without hands*.  Thats a good phrase to meditate on, this life, this work in progress, my spiritual growth and progress....is *made without hands*. If its going to get done it will be without my hands in it.

This is also a good word for modern day law keepers, there seems to be a growing number of *Christians* who think it necessary to add a little legalism in with their faith!?!? What an insult to Christs complete work.

We are still like the ol time Jews who have a hard time grasping the simplicity and complete power of the Gospel. Paul talks about the *circumcision of Christ*. THAT is how we put off the body of sins! Christ! We cant get holy or observant enough to impress Christ. Our efforts are filthy rags.

• Buried *with* Him.
• Risen *with* Him

Application: I love this books complete focus on Christ and His ability to do it all. I fail miserably. He doesn't. What a load that takes off of us to perform or follow a method.

PRAY:Lord hide this word deep in my heart. Allow me to be changed and forever transformed by the knowledge of your completed work. Lord help me to take my carnal fleshly hands off of my own salvation. Teach me God.

Colossians 2:9-10

Scripture: kjv Colossians 2:⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Observations: Talk about belabouring a point. Paul is absolutely determined to convey this principle of Christs complete and utter supremacy isn't he? Paul has said many different ways over and over again that Christ plus nothing equals everything. There is nothing to add. No mixture. Not even a little help in any way. No mysticism, aestheticism, legalism, intellectualism, philosophy can be added or mixed in with Christ. He is supreme. He is preeminent. Christ alone is God.

I looked up Godhead in the Strongs and it simply means God. Christ is fully and completely God in bodily form. Hard to fathom, I don't think we can ever fully grasp this concept that God became a man and that's OK, some concepts are just too big to master aren't they?

We are complete in Him. Period. What else is there to say? Complete in the Strongs: to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally

He is the Head of all principality and power. There is that word ALL again. The word ALL is in the book of Colossians a whopping 28 times. All wisdom, all pleasing, all might, all patience, all fullness, all wisdom, all riches, all fullness, all treasures, all principality and power

 

6 times Paul uses the phrase all things to describe Christ preeminence!

All things

All things

All things

All things

All things

All things

Apparently we need to get this. The Bible is screaming something here!! Christ is ALL! This is why Paul in jail under the threat of death, was single minded, completely focused on proclaiming this message of Christs supremacy.

 

Application: My mind is trying to grasp such a grand concept. Christ is everything, He is all. The Bible isn't evasive or apologetic about proclaiming the absolute utter preeminence of Jesus Christ.

PRAY: Lord help me to fathom this truth By You and for You all things consist. You are the head, there is none beside You. Jesus Christ you are God, and I could never make too much of You. Give me boldness that disregards myself, my reputation, my life, health and interest. Give me One thing. You.

Week 4 Day 2 GMG Colossians Study

Week 4 Day 2 GMG Colossians Study!

Today's reading:

Scripture: kjv Colossians 2:⁸ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Observations: Paul is warning us to beware of those who would like to trick us and take us captive. Beware lest ANY MAN, doesnt matter who they are what position they hold, how much clout or influence a person has, Paul said dont let ANY MAN spoil or take you captive through......

• philosophy...I find this admonition to beware of philosophy very interesting because earlier in Colossians Paul prayed that the church at Colossae would have wisdom 3 or 4 different times. We are told throughout our Bibles to seek wisdom. Proverbs is a whole book dedicated to instilling wisdom in our hearts.....but this PHILOSIPHY here that Paul is warning against is MENS wisdom. Philosophy means literally *love of wisdom*. Doesn't that sound just like how the world approaches and seeks wisdom? For the sake and love of wisdom itself? We love and prize intellectual wisdom, academic knowledge is esteemed and built up. Eve fell and caused Adam to fall into sin because she was seeking worldly knowledge. Mens wisdom has absolutely NO value in Gods economy. Beware of wisdom/philosophy Paul warns.
• vain deceit....proud lies
• traditions of men....I gather Paul was warning them to beware of Jewish laws and rituals. Most religions are built on traditions of men.
• rudiments of the world....I looked up rudiment in the Strongs:any first thing, from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise, an element, first principal....so again Paul is warning them to not follow the traditions that they first learned, perhaps their religious teachings.
• NOT after Christ: Beware of anything that is not Christ.

Application: Christ plus nothing equals everything. Mens wisdom, religious traditions, legalism, mysticism, academic education, intellectualism. Wisdom and knowledge of man has NO value. Christ is the answer. Period. Simply.

PRAY: Dear Jesus forgive me for being impressed by anything other than the simplicity of your Gospel. Forgive me for seeking intellectual knowledge while neglecting your simple will. I am proud, I want to seem a certain way, to know things. Forgive me. Help me to rely completely on your wisdom alone.

Modesty

I dont practice modesty because it makes *me* holy. God knows the condition of my heart despite my long skirt. I practice modesty to glorify God and make *others* holy. I dont want to tempt my brothers, dont want to defraud them. I dont want to deceptively advertise something I m not willing to sell or give away.

 

If God thought it important to distinguish male and female so do I. God is wise, he decided to place us in certain roles, to make a distinction in the genders. I worship my creator by studying, considering and happily conforming to the role God thought best for me. Modesty and femininity is to make much of God first then others. It is the fruit of my submission to God. Doesnt make me Holy. It celebrates HIS holiness and promotes holiness in others.

Generation RX

Fascinating documentary about the over medication of our children. A Dr in this film calls the use of psychiatric prescription drugs the equivalent of administering *Chemical Lobotomies*.

You cant be prescribed a psychotropic drug until you are diagnosed with a mental disorder. There is a book called the DSM that list all the mental disorders Drs can use to label their patients. There are over 300 labels and the list grows every year. Pharmaceutical reps write research and publish the disorders in this book. Talk about a conflict of interest!!!

Very sick scary system, run by money money money.

There is no blood test or xray that can be used to determine a childs need for drugs. Drs are guessing. Here is a supposed expert Dr Mark Vonnegut trying to explain how to diagnose a child with ADHD.



I wonder how many of the 10 million children on these powerful drugs really need to be? How much bad behavior is due to sin, bad parenting, negative peer pressure, just boys that need to run around. Could our childrens depression be a result of a lack of love training and attention? The film doesnt mention the parents responsibility or role in helping train or mold these children, but I know when my children are restless, and disobedient it can almost always be remedied by a shift in my own parenting

Is God Emotional?

How does God want to be worshiped? He has an opinion you know. How would He like me to interact with Him/others? Does He like tears of joy, shouts of praise? When does our sincere praise become carnal emotionalism? Just a few questions I have been considering.

The greatest commandment is to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Is it significant that God wants our hearts first, because if He has our hearts our souls and minds will follow?

I think God is indeed emotional, never out of control but never neutral or apathetic. He is a mighty God who is both good and severe. His thoughts are deep and He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. He is grieved and rejoices. He is at times angry. Jesus wept. If we dont praise Him, rocks will. Angels cry Holy Holy Holy day and night. Paul said if he *got beside himself* it was unto the Lord. The longest book of the Bible is full of emotion, Psalms. We are to worship Him how? In spirit and in truth, forget intellectual theories. He clearly wants our emotions to be alive and well, shouting His praises and declaring His glory.

I think He appreciates when we praise Him with our whole hearts. I cant imagine that He made us feel and experience emotions for any other reason than to give Him glory. Is He jealous when we shout and dance at the ball game but stand still and rigid during church? My tear ducts were made for His glory, that we might cry when we repent and weep when we worship. I have the ability to smile, laugh, and frown all to the glory of God. The Apostles talked about their hearts burning within them when they walked with Jesus.

I understand that there are many people and even whole churches that have turned emotionalism into a selfish act of carnality. Charles Spurgeon said....Ah! dear friends, one half of the emotions excited in our places of worship are of no more value than those excited at the theatre. I love CHS.

I think there may be a fine line between carnal emotionalism and God Glorifying emotionalism, I am looking for that balance. I understand that our emotions will lie to us and out of our hearts come every evil. I also know that our hearts must be subject to His word, but isn't it true that the more we immerse ourselves in His Word the more emotional we become? Doesn't His word fill our hearts with hope and love? I want every tear, shout, frown, laugh, prick of guilt, fear, joy, every emotion I have to glorify God. Hes not impressed with our intellect but a heart that is full of joyful adoration, now that He can work with!

Modest Teens

“We wouldn’t dream of dropping our daughters off at college and saying: ‘Study hard and floss every night, honey—and for heaven’s sake, get laid!’ But that’s essentially what we’re saying by allowing them to dress the way they do while they’re still living under our own roofs.”—Jennifer Moses.

Entertainment #2

Pastor preached a message about reining in our obsession with entertainment. Here are the questions he laid out that we should use to determine if our entertainment glorifies God.

#1Does it celebrate or glorify sin? Romans 1:32 Not only do we need to abstain from sin we dont need to approve of or celebrate those who are sinning.
#2 Does it Help or hurt in your walk with God? 1 Cor 10:23 1 Cor 6:12
#3 Does it build up: edify or tear down? Not just myself but others, those I am watching and those in my life that are affected by my use of time, and those I influence by my entertainment choices? 1Cor 10:2
#4 Does it control you? Do you control it? Are you brought *under its power*?
#5 Does it redeem the time or waste it? Ephesians 5:16 Col 4:5

Entertainment

Hope John Piper doesnt mind if I use some of his wisdom here.....

#1 Recognize if you are consumed/obsessed with entertainment. This could be videos, sport, internet, Facebook, card games....anything that is frivolous and doesnt redeem the time.

#2 Seek the Lord about your obsession. Confess, repent and pray earnestly for deliverance. We have no real self control without the Spirit of God. Self control is a fruit of HIS Spirit not something we can muster up.

#3 Immerse yourself in the Word, ask the Lord to make His word come alive and thrill us in a more genuine way than any worldly entertainment. Read it when you would rather be entertained.

#4 Hang out with Godly people who love God and His ways and Word. Avoid carnal people who just want to be entertained by the sludge of this world.

#5 Think about your death. How do you want to spend you few precious days here. Redeem your fleeting days on earth for HIS GLORY!

God awakened in me a fear and a passion not to waste my life. The thought of coming to my old age and saying through tears,"I've wasted it! I've wasted it!" was a fearful and horrible thought to me.~J Piper

Parenting Myths

#1 You can immerse a foolish child in a room full of foolish children and expect something wise to come out of it.

#2 There are 2 Bibles one for adults and one for children.

#3 Children need to be segregated with other same aged children in church, and school.

#4 Children are too dumb, carnal, hyper (insert any excuse) to understand Biblical principals, the things of God need to be presented in an entertaining way as to compete with the world.

#5 Children are best taught about Jesus by the church and arithmetic by the government schools. All training should be outsourced by experts and professionals.

#6 If my child is not responding to Godly training then I should let that dictate how I train. I should cater my methods to how my child responds, and not the Bible.

#7 If I home school, spank, shelter and listen to Voddie Bauchman my children will turn out well and live for God. Wrong. I am starting to think smiling at them is more important than all the above combined.

#8 If children aren't socialized with worldly peers they wont know how to relate to them when they leave home.

#9 My children are called to be soul winners and they cant be light and salt unless they are immersed in public school and other age segregated cattle programs.

#10 All children go through stages of tantrum throwing , rebellion, hyper activity, (insert any sinful behavior) so I'm justified to ignore it and chalk it up as *just a stage*.

Word Search

The Bible talks about people who strain at gnats and swallow camels, they obsess and fuss over small issues while neglecting the weightier issues like faith, justice and mercy.

I did a quick word search to try to find out what God thinks important enough to mention over and over again in His word. I pray these ongoing themes would be the ongoing themes of my heart. God let my actions words and deeds scream where your Words screams and let my life whisper where your Word whispers.

These are the most common nouns in the Bible.

Lord 7970 times

God 4094 times

Man 3323 times

King 2504 times

Sin 1016 times

New Testament

Jesus-1310
Say-442

Glory-338
Faith-287
Brother-275
Law-275
Love-261
Good-238
Kingdom-155
Grace-114
Sin-104
One Another-100
Pharisee-99
Poor-41
Trinity-0

Single Purpose

This passage seems like a bit of a contradiction.

The Bible tells us to look at this example, this perfect example, Jesus, who was able to find joy, in the midst of the shame He endured on the cross. Naked, isolated, tortured, yet He was able to find joy because to give God glory is why Christ was created. His single purpose was being fulfilled. Joy. Something about obedience, obeying His commands, giving Him glory brings JOY, and isn't it true that so much of our joy is indeed found in the midst of suffering he has orchestrated for His glory?

Hebrews 12:2

2Looking 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Lacking ANY value in restraining sensual indulgence

Colossians 2:18-23
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.