Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2021 16:21:10 GMT -5
It’s Jesus! By: Lisa M. Samra
Click here for the audio message
God has chosen to make known . . . the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Colossians 1:27–29; 2:6–10
During an episode of the popular US television talent competition America’s Got Talent, a five-year-old girl sang with such exuberance that a judge compared her to a famous child singer and dancer in the 1930s. He remarked, “I think Shirley Temple is living somewhere inside of you.” Her unexpected response: “Not Shirley Temple. Jesus!”
I marveled at the young girl’s deep awareness that her joy came from Jesus living in her. Scripture assures us of the amazing reality that all who trust in Him not only receive the promise of eternal life with God but also Jesus’ presence living in them through His Spirit—our hearts become Jesus’ home (Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 3:17).
Jesus’ presence in our hearts fills us with countless reasons for gratitude (Colossians 2:6–7). He brings the ability to live with purpose and energy (1:28–29). He cultivates joy in our hearts in the midst of all circumstances, in both times of celebration and times of struggle (Philippians 4:12–13). Christ’s Spirit provides hope to our hearts that God is working all things together for good, even when we can’t see it (Romans 8:28). And the Spirit gives a peace that persists regardless of the chaos swirling around us (Colossians 3:15).
With the confidence that comes from Jesus living in our hearts, we can allow His presence to shine through so that others can’t help but notice.
Reflect & Pray
What blessing of Jesus’ presence in your life encourages you today? How might you share Him as the reason for your hope and joy?
Jesus, thank You for making my heart Your home. Please help my life to reflect Your presence.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul’s letter to the Colossians describes the supremacy of Christ. One interesting phrase Paul uses is that Jesus is “the firstborn from among the dead” (Colossians 1:18). In other words, Jesus was the first to die and rise again in a body that wouldn’t die. For this reason, He has supremacy over all things (v. 18). Additionally, He’s the head of the church (vv. 18-20). Some scholars see the word head as a metaphor for leader. Verse 15 tells us He’s “the image of the invisible God.” The word for image is eikon, which explains something that represents the original, such as a picture. These passages proclaim the deity of Jesus as fully God (see also v. 19; 2:9). Because Jesus is both fully God and fully man, He was the only one able to “reconcile” all things to God through His death on the cross (1:20). Julie Schwab
Colossians 1:27-29
King James Version
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians 2:6-10
King James Version
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
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.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Click here for the audio message
God has chosen to make known . . . the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Colossians 1:27–29; 2:6–10
During an episode of the popular US television talent competition America’s Got Talent, a five-year-old girl sang with such exuberance that a judge compared her to a famous child singer and dancer in the 1930s. He remarked, “I think Shirley Temple is living somewhere inside of you.” Her unexpected response: “Not Shirley Temple. Jesus!”
I marveled at the young girl’s deep awareness that her joy came from Jesus living in her. Scripture assures us of the amazing reality that all who trust in Him not only receive the promise of eternal life with God but also Jesus’ presence living in them through His Spirit—our hearts become Jesus’ home (Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 3:17).
Jesus’ presence in our hearts fills us with countless reasons for gratitude (Colossians 2:6–7). He brings the ability to live with purpose and energy (1:28–29). He cultivates joy in our hearts in the midst of all circumstances, in both times of celebration and times of struggle (Philippians 4:12–13). Christ’s Spirit provides hope to our hearts that God is working all things together for good, even when we can’t see it (Romans 8:28). And the Spirit gives a peace that persists regardless of the chaos swirling around us (Colossians 3:15).
With the confidence that comes from Jesus living in our hearts, we can allow His presence to shine through so that others can’t help but notice.
Reflect & Pray
What blessing of Jesus’ presence in your life encourages you today? How might you share Him as the reason for your hope and joy?
Jesus, thank You for making my heart Your home. Please help my life to reflect Your presence.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul’s letter to the Colossians describes the supremacy of Christ. One interesting phrase Paul uses is that Jesus is “the firstborn from among the dead” (Colossians 1:18). In other words, Jesus was the first to die and rise again in a body that wouldn’t die. For this reason, He has supremacy over all things (v. 18). Additionally, He’s the head of the church (vv. 18-20). Some scholars see the word head as a metaphor for leader. Verse 15 tells us He’s “the image of the invisible God.” The word for image is eikon, which explains something that represents the original, such as a picture. These passages proclaim the deity of Jesus as fully God (see also v. 19; 2:9). Because Jesus is both fully God and fully man, He was the only one able to “reconcile” all things to God through His death on the cross (1:20). Julie Schwab
Colossians 1:27-29
King James Version
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians 2:6-10
King James Version
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
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.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: