From the darkness to the kingdom...

Week 9:

Colossians 1:13-14  13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Before salvation, we were living in darkness. I believe until we meet Jesus, we really do not realize that we were in darkness. I knew in that time for me that something was not right but I had not realized I was in darkness. How could I? It is what I knew, how I lived.

To be rescued from darkness, we must first realize we are in the darkness. For me, it came by being influenced by children of the kingdom of light (vs. 12). The people in my life who were Christ-followers were living a life of hope, peace, and joy that I realized I did not have. Now, their lives were and are not perfect. However, amidst any turmoil or darkness, these people would still have peace, hope, and a sense of joy in their lives.



Since moving, through Jesus, into the kingdom of light, I now have a different life. First of all, I have the same hope, peace and joy in my life. No matter how dark the storm has gotten, in the recesses of my heart and soul I have always known that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit was there and God’s greater purpose would prevail. I did not have that before my rescue.

Secondly, having the light of Jesus shine into my darkness allows me to discern better between darkness and light. I am assisted in this through the Law or the Word of God. To those living in darkness, the Bible has little to no meaning. There is no reference point for them to anchor their life. In fact, for some in the darkness, the Bible and its principles seem oppressive. I am also able to discern between darkness and light through the Holy Spirit living in me. My conscience and spirit that God weaved into my soul is now connected with His divine Holy Spirit. His Spirit nudges and prompts me when needed.

Thirdly, I have an audience with the king of the Kingdom of light…Jesus himself. Not only did he as king rescue me, I have access to him, his power, his love, and his forgiveness. In our world today, many of the CEOs and others who are in the position of authority and power are quite unapproachable and inaccessible. Many of these people in the powerful positions do not remember what it was like to be the regular employee or follower. Not so with Jesus. He is there, and he remembers being human before becoming king.  

Remember then, that you now are a child of the light. You are a subject in the kingdom of light and you have access to the king of that kingdom…Jesus. Now, show that light to others so that they too can have that access and can be rescued from their darkness.

Questions/challenges:

1. How does this passage land with you? Explain
2. Before Jesus, what were some of the clues for you that you were in the darkness?
3. How were you shown Jesus and by whom?
4. At what point in your life did you know or realize you were in darkness? What was the situation?
5. This week, reflect back on when you were in darkness and were rescued and brought into the kingdom of light. Notice how far you have come. Spend time in thankfulness for this rescue.

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Love and commands...

Week 8:

I John 5:1-5 1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.  2This is how we know that we love the children of God:  by loving God and carrying out his commands.  3This is love for God:  to obey his commands.  And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God has overcome the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  5 Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 
 2John 6And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

John 14:15, 21, 23-24 15”If you love me, you will obey what I command”.  21”Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.  He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him” 23…”If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.  These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.



For the devotional thought this week, work through the following questions about this set of passages. 

1. Summarizing, what do these passages mean?

2. Based on the passages, is Jesus' love based upon merit? Why or why not?

3. Explain in your words how obedience ties to love.

4. Based on your observations of Christ-like people you know, what commands do you see these people obeying regularly?

5. What other passages come to mind as you read through these? List them.

6. How do those passages relate to this set of passages?

7. What is the relationship between loving Jesus and loving the Father?

8. How do we overcome the world?

9. How does this overcoming the world relate to love and obedience?

10. What does it mean that God and Jesus “will come to him and make our home with him?”  

11. In what ways will you tie love and commands together in your daily life this week?


I would love to hear your comments on how this passage struck you this week. Please comment and create some discussion around this devotional thought.

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Now or later...

Week 7:

Philippians 2:9-11 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

These verses end a passage that emphasizes Christ’s humility. Paul writes about Christ giving up his place in heaven in order to become the servant he was…a servant who died for our sins. These verses however, point out that through that humility, Christ has been exalted again.

The last three verses pointing out Jesus’ sovereignty has often prompted me to think in terms of “now or later”. We can either declare Jesus as Lord of all now, by choice, or later (in the end) because it will be obvious. As I have read this over and over through the years, the language has had such an edge for me.  



First, Jesus is given the name above all names. There is no one placed in a higher position than Jesus. He is king. Second, every knee should bow. All of the universe will bow to Him. Third, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. To me this means we can choose now to believe and follow or we can find out the hard way in the end.



Right now, God gives us a choice. He reveals himself to us through the Bible, His Son, the Holy Spirit, through prayer, speaking through others, and circumstances. Humankind has drifted away from God and Jesus is the redemption needed to bring us back. If we choose not to believe that now, there will come a time when Jesus returns and all eyes will be open and all will see Jesus’ sovereignty. And we know by other scripture that those who have not believed will have a rude awakening.

There has always just been something that is powerful to me about how Jesus will come again. And in this passage he is giving us a peek into how some of that might look. Jesus will be exalted over all. So, we have a choice to believe…either now or later.

I think I will choose now.

1. In what ways has this passage challenged you?
2. In what ways has this passage given you comfort?
3. In what ways has this passage given you a hope?
4. In what ways has this passage given you a since of victory?
5. This week, really think about these last three verses. Who in your life needs to know that following Jesus requires urgency? Have a talk with him/her/them this week.

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No hiding place...

Week 6:

I Timothy 5:24-25 24The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.  25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.


We as Christians (and many times as a church) tend to talk a lot about the theme of verse 24. So many times it is easy to lean on the negative and focus on the sins of others and the “just consequence” for those sins; or our wish on those “sinners” that “they will get theirs”. There is truth in the fact that “your sins will find you out eventually”. It is also comforting to know that God will administer justice. However, I want to focus less on the judgment/consequences for sins and look more at the reward for good deeds. As I do this, I do not want to take lightly the fact that all believers need to be called into account for their actions. Living in truth creates such freedom that being called into account (though painful at times) is such a gift as it releases us from the bondage of being out of integrity.  

What I really like in this passage is verse 25. Our world is so focused on the negative. Satan continually suggests the negative. It is hard to look past sin to see the light. Verse 25 encourages us to see that there is a reward for good deeds as well. I love how it points out that good deeds are “obvious”. Good deeds make all involved feel happier. This includes the giver, the receiver, and the observer. There is just something about a good deed that makes light shine brighter.





I also love that those deeds not so obvious are also noticed somewhere. The verse says that these deeds “cannot be hidden”. Even if the person you or I intended to notice does not, the deeds are not hidden. If nothing else, both you/I and God notice. Just the knowledge of God alone noticing should be enough for me. This verse reminds me of that notion. Why should my mindset be that I should do my deeds so not to draw attention to myself? Maybe it is to live in such a way that my motivation is based on the knowledge that all goodness comes from God; even that goodness that was created in me as God knit me together in my mother’s womb. Furthermore, when I do good deeds just to gain glory for myself, I find that the good feelings are short-lived and shallow. The need for affirmation becomes addictive and hard to keep up. When I do my good deeds to satisfy only God and the goodness within me, I find truer satisfaction and deeper, meaningful reward.  

Accountability has its place. It should be practiced with good intention…the betterment of the receiver. Good deeds and the recognizing of such should be practiced all the more. Let’s swing the balance more toward the positive starting today!

Questions/challenges:

1. What are the areas of your life where you need to be called into account?
2. The challenge here is to reveal those areas somewhere to someone in order to be free to do good deeds.
3. List some of your good deeds from this past week.
4. What gifts from God did you receive from these good deeds?
5. This week, challenge yourself to do something good in secret where only you can give yourself a “high five” and God can reward. Pay attention to your heart and the blessing that come from this act.

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Through Him...

Week 5:

John 1:3-4 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

The idea that God would come down to earth in flesh as Jesus has been such an intricate mystery. There are so many different considerations surrounding God coming in the flesh that volumes have been written about Jesus’ both human and God presence. Jesus was so fully human and fully God that he understands both realms. This week, let’s briefly look at how he can relate to us according to this verse.

When I read this verse, I am reminded of day six of creation where God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26) Jesus was a part of creation. Jesus knows how we were made. He knows the intention God has for us. And as in the John passage, verse 4 reads, he is the life and light of humankind.  



When we look at the life of Jesus and how he related to people, we see how he always had the right answer. He had compassion and love. He was able to meet people where they were. His truth was always right. It is so easy to fall back into a trap of thinking, “Of course he knew all of this. He was the Son of God.” Yes he was, and he was there in the beginning. He knows what we should be. Not only that, but he also came down and became one of us that he had a hand in creating.

Imagine this: I create things on occasion. Particularly when I was younger, I would draw pictures. What if I had the ability to become a drawn picture like I had made? This idea sounds somewhat “out there” doesn’t it? Yet, that is what Jesus did. Not only can Jesus relate to us because he became us, he became what he had a part in creating.  

This verse and the Genesis verse together for me play a huge role in helping me see the magnitude of what Jesus did for me. When I am stuck in a place where I see Jesus as a historical or “far off” figure, the reality of him becoming something he had a part in creating helps me to see Jesus as one who understands me. Jesus is my biggest fan. He knows the good in me. That good is from him, created in me. Just like my picture has a piece of my soul drawn into it, my being has a piece of Jesus’ soul placed within me. This makes Jesus so much more real for me. Not only through my savior am I created, he became like me to save me. WOW!

Questions/challenges:

1. In what ways has it been difficult for you to connect with Jesus?
2. How did this verse impact you when it comes to the idea that Jesus was there when God made humans?
3. Describe in your words how Jesus can be fully God and fully human.
4. This week, make note of those parts of you that you can see Jesus’ character written into your character.
5. Spend some time in silence this week and listen for Jesus’ to speak into your life. Write down what you hear.

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In keeping...

Week 4:

This week is a form of the exercise called Lectio Divina.  Through the years, Monks would practice this form of Scripture meditation.

 

 
Psalm 19:7-11
 

7The law of the lord is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure

and altogether righteous.

10They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

11By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

 

Each day this week, read through this passage slowly 5 times.  Take pauses between each reading and work through the reflections for each as listed below. 
 

The first time through, meditate on each subject related to the “of the Lord” statements (Ex. ‘law’, ‘statutes’, etc.).  Pay attention to what comes to mind and heart. 
 

The second time reading through, meditate on each adjective (Ex. ‘perfect’, ‘trustworthy’, etc.).  What do these say about God’s Word?
 

On the third reading, meditate on the active result tied to the “of the Lord” statement (Ex. ‘reviving the Soul’).  Think about ways these results have applied to you.
 

On the fourth reading, make a connection between verse 11 and the prior verses.  Where have you seen these results in your life?  Reflect on some specific examples. 
 

After the fifth and final reading ask yourself the following:  “What is the word you have for me in this passage, God?  Is there anything you want to say to me today?”  Listen.  Write down anything you sense God might be saying to you.  Finally, ask yourself and God, “What am I being called to do as a result of the word I have been given?”  Perhaps you are feeling challenged to love God more, or to accept some aspect of who you are, or to serve someone you know or to begin changing some aspect of your character.  Whatever it is, write it out.  “Today God is calling me to be a more ______ person.  Be with me God and teach me how.”   Thank God for the word and the calling you have been given.

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Stand back up...

Week 3:

Proverbs 24:16 For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

This Proverb can apply to so many aspects of life. The theme of perseverance for the righteous stands out. Another theme can be what happens for the wicked. Yet another theme could be a righteous person’s life and sin vs. a wicked person’s life and sin. For this devotional thought, let’s look at the righteous and their sin.

As Christians, it is difficult to put the righteous and sin in the same proximity of each other. When I think of righteousness, I picture someone without sin. Yet, as we read through the Bible, we see the righteous wrestle with sin. I know a lot of righteous people. Though I do not witness their sin, they will refer to their sin. 



One of Satan’s most powerful lies is the deception that we can never be redeemed by God. Our sin and shame is just too much for God to handle. Satan plants these messages and we continue to replay them that we cannot ever leave our sin. Repeat sin especially weighs us down. Taking the deception further, I struggle to believe I am righteous because of sin in my life.

If I take a step back and look at the whole of my life, I realize that the whole of my life is not defined by my sin. However, I tend to focus on my past and the shame I carry from my sin. It is difficult to rest in the fact that Jesus died for all of those sins. Instead of focusing on what I am, a forgiven follower, I focus on my shame. As I listen to others’ stories, I hear the same theme in their lives as well.

We cannot be reminded enough that Jesus covers those sins. Obviously, we do not live without self-discipline and sin all we want so that grace may abound (as the Apostle Paul states in the book of Romans). When I took Christ as my savior, I became a new creation. That does not mean that I have stopped sinning instantly. I have the remnant of sin that as I grow in Christ becomes smaller and smaller. God is transforming me daily through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  

Therefore, as a whole I am a righteous person who falls down (and so are you). However, because of the righteousness that has been manifested in my life in Christ, I get back up over and over again (and so do you). We are not defined by our sin; we are defined by our life in Christ, which is a righteous life. Praise God!
“For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.”

Questions/challenges:

1. In what ways has Satan’s lies kept you from believing this verse to be true about you?
2. As you reflect on your character, list some righteous characteristics you have. If you are having trouble with this list, then ask a friend to help you see those characteristics about you.
3. What are some verses that come to mind for you that point you toward your righteousness in Christ?
4. This week journal around your righteousness in Christ. Make note of the whole of your life and focus on the goodness that you carry as a gift of being created in the image of God.

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