Spiritual Fullness in Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. -Colossians 2:6-7

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither; whatever they do prospers. -Psalm 1:3

Scripture compares believers to trees. If a tree has shallow roots, it won’t be able to withstand a windstorm, but will be uprooted. In times of drought, it will wither and die. On the other hand, if that tree has deep roots, it will withstand the strong winds. In arid times, it will find refreshment in the moist soil deep beneath the surface.

Similarly, if we want to withstand storms and dry times, we need to make sure we are deeply rooted in God. To continue bearing fruit, we must develop our root system by spending time alone with God in prayer and the scriptures.

No one who sees a tree says, “Those are some good-looking roots.” No, they see the leaves, branches, and the fruit. In the same way, people won’t see you deepening your relationship with Christ through time alone with Him, but they will see the results. They will see you standing strong through stormy times. They will see your love, joy, and peace. They will see your good works and glorify God because they know you are rooted in Christ.

The phrase, “whatever they do prospers”, does not mean immunity from failure or difficulties. It doesn’t guarantee health, wealth, and happiness. What the Bible means by prosperity is this; when we apply God’s wisdom, the fruit we bear will be good and will receive God’s approval. How will you deepen your roots in Jesus today? What storms have you faced, or might you be facing soon?

Prayer for today: God, thank you for nourishing me every day. Help me to be rooted and built up in you and established in the faith. Amen.

Protecting Yourself Against the Lion

Not everybody in life wants the best for us. As a matter of fact, there are some who work to see our demise. This is true both of the physical and spiritual realm. There are real spiritual forces at work that do not have our best interests at heart. The Apostle Peter describes it this way,

“Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (-1 Peter 5:8b).”

How is it that we protect ourselves from this lion who would like to devour us?

1. Stay Humble.
The devil has taken out many people who were too proud to ask for help. We need help and the Lord is our Helper. Don’t go at it alone.

2. Trust that God is Going to Work It Out.
We all will have troubles, suffer, and experience downtimes in life. In these times the devil tempts us not to trust God and offers up alternative solutions that only end in regret and self-destruction. Trust that God will strengthen, exalt, and restore you at the proper time.

3. Know You’re Not Alone.
Those who wander off by themselves are easy prey. The devil will try to isolate you and make you think you are the only one facing struggles, but you are not alone. Don’t keep your burdens and heartaches to yourself. Cast them on God. Let Him lighten the load you carry. Also, know that others are facing similar things and encourage one another in the faith.

4. Be on Guard.
If we knew someone was laying a trap, the wise choice would be to lookout for that trap. Keep your mind clear. Stay focused. Know what is at stake and act accordingly.

5. Have Some Grit to Your Faith.
When you are tempted, or your faith is tested, stand firm. Resist the devil. Faith is more than an intellectual belief. It is also, heartfelt conviction and active obedience. Have some grit and hold up that shield of faith.

6. Be Intimately Acquainted with God’s Character.
God is love. He is mighty, glorious, and has dominion over all creation. He is full of grace and mercy. So much of overcoming the devil’s tactics has to do with holding onto God. Don’t let the devil paint a false narrative about God and cause you to loosen your grip.

Spend some time today prayerfully reflecting on 1 Peter 5:6-11 (ESV),

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Knock, Knock

I was alone at my aunt's house with my knees bent at the living room couch and I was praying Ephesians 3:14-21. Two times I prayed this prayer, each with more passion than the last. Then I said to the Lord, "I think I am ready to witness to someone about your grace. If you bring someone across my path I will do it." Only two weeks before had the Lord saved my soul and set me free from a drug addiction. I was scared to witness about Him because I thought, “What if I messed up in the future?” He reminded me I was not called because of my giftedness but because of His giftedness. So, I prayed for His strength to overcome my fear by using Ephesians 3:14-21.

I will never forget what happened next. I decided, "Ok let's pray this verse a third time then the Spirit will be upon me to witness.” So, with all my heart I prayed it the third time with my knees bent and eyes closed and as I said "Amen"….KNOCK, KNOCK. I heard someone at my front door!

It made me jump and goose bumps ran all over my body. I knew God was telling me, "This is who I brought you". I answered the door and it was an old friend. I invited him in and immediately he rolled out a bag of drugs. I was nervous but with firm conviction I told Him, "I don't do that anymore. Jesus has given me a new life. Would You like to meet him?" We talked for a while but to shorten the story he threw his bag away and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior!

I am no one special. I simply was obedient, and Jesus did Jesus things! I would encourage you to pray Ephesians 3:14-21 with your whole being. Where is the Spirit leading you to pray? It may be courage to face a struggle in your life, or perhaps to take step of faith and do something He has been wanting you to do. Whatever it is, I promise you He can equip you for it!

NOTE: I have taken this verse and made it personal for me by simply changing the "you" statements to "me." Ephesians 3:14-21 says,

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of your glorious riches you may strengthen me with power through your Spirit in my inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that, being rooted and established in love, I may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

Knock, knock, His power is at hand!

More Than a Servant

At times we need to pause and remind ourselves of who we are in Christ. After receiving forgiveness through repentance and faith in Jesus what does the Bible say about who we are? What is our identity? What are we called to do? I’ll share a few that I think are important for us to remember.

In Christ We are Called Friends

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. -John 15:15, ESV

In Christ We are Called Sons (and Daughters)

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. -Galatians 3:26, ESV

In Christ We are Called to Serve

26 “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20:26-28, ESV

Our identity in Christ is quite peculiar. Consider this. Jesus no longer calls us servants because we know His business, and yet the nature of His business is to serve. We have been given the identity and privilege of sons, daughters, and friends while retaining the attitude and mission of a servant. It is the identity that Jesus himself embodied. It is the identity of a servant-son.

This idea of the servant-son is the very remedy God uses to bridge the gap between the heights of His own holiness and the depths our human depravity. It is the remedy of reconciliation that was carried out by the servant-son, Jesus Christ. It was Jesus Christ, God the Father's only begotten Son, who chose the role of a servant in order that many might be redeemed.

Now as followers of Jesus Christ we share His identity. We carry on the ministry He paid for and perfected. We bridge the gap. It is this divine understanding of who we are that empowers what we are called to do.

With great intention, Jesus has made us into something more in order that we might have more to give. He has brought us high in order to send us low. We are not servants that serve. We are sons that serve. We are daughters that serve. We are friends that serve. We know who we are, and the riches of grace we possess as God's family. Then we give it all away, just like a servant. That's the business of Jesus. That’s our identity in Christ.