Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, “For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

I am generally not a very patient person. I hate to wait for anything. If I don’t see quick results, I feel like a failure. But Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, talks about the most important event for Christians to wait for and is the first of many references to Jesus’ second coming which is the theme of the Thessalonian letters. When we “wait” for something, we generally get things in place to prepare for an event. In the Greek language, the word is used to describe a pregnant woman preparing for her baby’s birth—getting the bedroom ready, getting the crib, changing table, baby clothes, and boxes of diapers all in place for his or her arrival. This describes what Paul meant when he said: “to wait for his Son from heaven . . .” The Rapture is sooner than it has ever been before, as we see the birth pangs happening rapidly before our eyes (1 Thess. 5:9-10 and 2 Thess. 1:5-10), and then the remaining prophetic events to occur.

How has the Lord changed your life? How has He given you perfect peace and joy? Share that story with others – start there. Then wait in anticipation, be ready, for Jesus’ return for as 1 Corinthians 15:52 states will take place, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” Yes, this world is a mess and unraveling at lightning speed, but it is not, as sons and daughters of Christ, our permanent address. As David declared in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy: at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Look how the Message version of 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 is said: “Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore – your’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true god. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.” Now put in the city “Los Angeles,” rather than Macedonia and Achaia, as you re-read these verses (or the community where you live). It brings it home and is a challenge to me in living what I believe more passionately before the people I work with and those I interact with regularly. Think about that today – what message are you delivering? Think about the fact that God has rescued and delivered you from eternal punishment if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior (Revelation 20:15). My prayer is, “God, may my life be an echo of Your Word, as I continue to desert any dead idols in my life – abandoning them for they are wasting my time. Establish my work you have purposed and positioned me to do today (Prov. 16:10), bless it, make me of benefit, as I am anticipating Your return, which I know will be soon!” I take comfort that I have been rescued and delivered by Jesus Christ and that changes my perspective.

Max Lucado has said in his book Unshakable HOPE. Building Our Lives On The Promises Of God: “It is through the great and precious promises that we participate in the divine nature of God. They lead us into a new reality, a holy environment. They are direction signs intended to guide us away from the toxic swampland and into the clean air of heaven.” Amen!

Listen to Natalie Grant Face To Face (Official Lyric Video), 7/10/2020.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

When you follow someone’s example, you become an imitator of that person. The believers in Thessalonica mimicked Christ’s example and Paul’s, Timothy, and Silas’s example of living for Christ out of their hope, love, and faith by continuing in learning all they could from the Word of God, despite being persecuted by the unbelieving Gentiles. Paul led these believers in personal discipleship in their spiritual lives. Paul admonished these believers to follow their examples as he also said in Philippians 3:17, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Then in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

Who do you look up to as a prime example of being someone you would want to imitate for their faith in Christ? I have to ask myself if I am being a good example each day of what a Christian is, despite conflicts and challenges I encounter? That is a serious thought to ponder. I am reminded of the saying, “Do what I say and not what I do.” Sound familiar? Why is it that irritations and stress clouds and influences our wrong reactions so often, and then Satan’s weapons of guilt, shame, frustration, and feelings of failure slide right in – and whamo! Are you able to say to those you influence to be an imitator of your life? I fail many times.

Who had the most significant influence or impact on your life when you were growing up? Was it your grandmother, a parent, teacher, cousin, or a friend that made a significant impression on how you viewed life and your dreams? Was this person older than you were, the same age, or younger? This all makes up who you have become.

The word “affliction” in verse six, I think we all can relate to and have experienced, and involves handling pressure. We all need examples of how to follow Jesus Christ, beyond the need of hearing how to follow Him. How do we handle disagreements? How do we make hard decisions correctly without regrets? How do we be imitators of Christlikeness during this pandemic?

The Message puts it this way, “And determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! – taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.” 1 Thess. 1:6. That pretty much sums it up, how we are to live. Looking ahead to heaven is still the bigger picture. When I start to see the provision, protection, and presence of the Lord amidst a problem, I then want to be a better imitator of Jesus Christ.

We need to take the troubles and daily crises with the Holy Spirit’s joy from the verses we read in the Bible and let it soothe, comfort, and give us wisdom and knowledge of God’s promises and power in order to be a magnetic influence. Jesus said in John 13:15,“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” Who do you want to imitate this week, and who can you be an example to as Christ has humbly served you? That comprises a dynamic, magnetic influence, being of benefit and enabling leaving a mark on others, due to focusing on Christ’s presence, protection, and provision in your life. Godly shepherding involves stability, bringing order to chaos, being a magnetic influence.

Listen to the Newsboys new song Magnetic.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, “For we know, brothers, loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

Hearing the Word of God, the gospel, produced changes in the Thessalonians’ lives as it does today. God’s Word has power. It transforms and changes lives while molding us into holiness and godliness. It penetrates our hearts and lives and teaches us how to live like Christ in a culture that is foreign to Christian values and ideals. It is how God’s voice comes and speaks to us. Then we have the Holy Spirit, a living Person who convicts, comforts, and instructs us when we read the Word and completes a great spiritual work within us.

Dear reader, if you are a born-again Christian, then you are chosen and loved by God. That is a fact. When you read a verse that gives you comfort, write it down. When you read a verse that teaches you about something or instructs you, write it down. When you read a verse that makes you want to shout it out loud in praising God, write it down. This will become your story, and God’s story together, of God’s promises of hope to rely upon and cling to with convictions of steel given to you by the Holy Spirit.

The Phillips version of 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 states it this way, “We know that God not only loves you but has selected you for a special purpose. For we remember how our gospel came to you not as mere words, but as a message with power behind it – the effectual power, in fact, of the Holy Spirit.” Did you realize God not only loves you but has selected you for a special purpose? “Before any decision, ask: Is this consistent with God’s will for my life?” Charles Stanley. Actions speak louder than words.

We all make mistakes and get in over our heads in circumstances and situations, but God says He will be there with us. Look at these promises from Isaiah 43:2-3 MSG:

            “When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

                        When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

            When you’re between a rock and a hard place,

                        It won’t be a dead end –

            Because I am God, your personal God,

                        The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

            I paid a huge price for you.”

A.W. Tozer has said, “What comes into your minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Faith, hope, and love are evidences of a Christian. These Christ-like qualities can come only from God. Seek to encourage others seeking truth, to strengthen their faith in God’s abundant mercy, love, and grace, while increasing their hope. That is part of our particular elected purpose on this earth. Meanwhile, our living hope, our place of refuge, is focused on waiting for Christ’s soon return.

Listen to Phil Wickham Living Hope (Official Music Video), March 29, 2018.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father, your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Is there someone that comes to your mind automatically that you thank God for continually? Someone who has had significant influence in your walk with the Lord because of their strong faith, actively showing love, and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ? These are essential marks of a mature Christian. I thank God for those who have modeled their steadfast faith, love, and unshakable hope in God’s power, that have had significant influence in helping to further ground me in my Christian faith.

Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus worked as a team. Paul planted the church in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey but had to leave quickly (Acts 17:1-10) because his life was threatened. Paul is now writing a letter to the church he had founded. Paul’s enemies were falsely attacking his character. He assured his readers of his honesty in ministering to them, and was excited to hear of their excellent report from Timothy. Paul expressed his gratitude, answered their questions that had arisen, confronted where needed, demanded a biblical work ethic, and encouraged them to focus on the big picture, the hope of Heaven.

Thessalonica was much like cities in California that are located along our thriving seaports, such as Long Beach. It was a melting pot of various international cultures, and therefore had many pagan religions and cultural influences that these new Christians had their faith challenged by day by day. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

I want my sphere of influence to be said of me, as the Phillips version of 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 puts it this way, “We are always thankful as we pray for you all, for we never forget that your faith has meant solid achievement, your love has meant hard work, and the hope that you have in our Lord Jesus Christ means sheer dogged endurance in the life that you live before God, the Father of us all.”

• Faith – indicated by solid achievements for the glory of God
• Love – hard work yet performed successfully and recognized
• Hope – in Jesus – sheer dogged endurance before God

When hard struggles and circumstances occur in our lives, it takes work to maintain our faith, love for others because of all God has done for us (for me), and unwavering hope in the assurance that God will provide the solution.

When we went through a past series of extreme and dire problems, a friend of ours asked me, “So, what is it that you are afraid of?” That question was a pivotal point at that particular moment. I then recognized my root problem involved my lack of faith and hope, and the battle was God’s and not mine, and that He would provide what was needed. I did not have a love or concern for the person’s well-being who was guilty of causing our grief. Saying I was dismayed was an understatement. The end finally occurred, and all the things we were afraid would happen didn’t. But I had to live out what I believed in my faith, love, and hope, plead for God’s mercy, and hold fast to the fact that God was Jehovah Jireh, the great provider. It took patience, fortitude, and significant physical stamina. Max Luccato has said, regarding an episode in his life, “The promises of God were a fire extinguisher on his (Satan’s) flame.” Psalm 119:92 was my fire extinguisher and was my testimony when I emerged from that place and time in my life.

What promises of God are your arsenal that addresses your needs? Perhaps you have a specific burden right now? Search out God’s Word for a verse or verses that will comfort and calm your soul, then write them down. Doubt and fear will move towards having composure. God’s promises will address your necessity needed, and you will gain in employing sheer dogged endurance. You will develop having more robust faith, love, and hope in remembering the bigger picture – the hope of Heaven. A better day is coming soon!

Listen to Danny Gokey’s new song, Peace (Official Lyric Video), August 20,2021.

Colossians 4:7-12, “Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother, and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have perceived instructions – if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been of comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

Remember when you used to write and receive letters in the mail? Now everything gets abbreviated in emails and text messages, in communication efforts. Paul concludes his letter to the church at Colossae by publicly acknowledging faithful members of his team. Paul explicitly acknowledges these men that he had a Christian bond with and valued and helped benefit Paul’s ministry to the Colossians and states their names at the end of his letter.

• Tychicus: Was a personal representative of Paul and deliverer of the letters to the Colossians and Ephesians. He experienced danger himself and shared in having intense devotion to God and bravery. He was a loyal friend to Paul and was gifted in bringing encouragement where needed.
• Onesimus had been a slave and had robbed his master Philemon and fled to Rome to hide. However, he encountered Paul in prison in Rome and became a Christian. He became beneficial to Paul so much that Paul pleaded with Philemon to accept Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.
• Aristarchus traveled with Paul on his initial voyage to Rome, but little is known of him except Paul refers to him as a faithful worker and a fellow prisoner during his first Roman imprisonment. Nothing is said of his position or any title. This is a reminder that someone may not mention our name in a meeting about the good things we have done, but we are still regarded as having value by the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Mark, also called John Mark, was the author of the gospel of Mark. He was also Barnabas’ cousin.  Mark was a helper in the beginning to Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Paul and Mark’s relationship was not always united, and Paul initially looked at Mark as a quitter. But Barnabas chose to give John Mark a second chance. Paul saw Mark as a risk in not having endurance. Yet, more people came to accept Christ out of the two groups of missionaries in the end. Years later, Paul recognizes his growth and progress and considered him “my fellow worker for the kingdom of God.” Mark’s beginning was not the end of his story for serving Christ. What a great lesson for us to remember regarding forgive and forget.
• Epaphras was a genuine and earnest prayer warrior for these believers. He was only mentioned three times in the New Testament. Another example to follow of one man with an outstanding legacy of faith.
• Jesus, who is called Justus only named by Paul here as a true fellow-worker. Nothing more is known of Justus. Paul gave him a one-line mention. Yet Paul did not overlook him from the list included of those that assisted Paul in preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

When you feel lonely, maybe you see yourself as merely a one-liner spoken of person; if you pray for someone’s burden, you are a worthy Christian friend, just as Epaphras was for Paul and mentioned only briefly. These men that Paul gives tribute to at the end of his letter, were designated as faithful and fellow servants of Christ Jesus. Paul recognized their value and influence upon his own life and others. So continue in being a loyal Christian friend and servant of Christ Jesus right where you are. You have more influence than you may ever realize. Stay faithful. Your beginning is not the end of your story for serving Christ. You don’t have to be famous to be an influence and used by God.

Listen to Casting Crowns Lyric Video, Thrive, 5/8/2020

Colossians 4:5-6, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Beliefnet.com listed several outstanding testimonies of Christians that set new Olympic records and used the platform to glorify God at the Tokyo Olympics. I loved how Allyson Felix, from our local area, who won the Bronze medal for the 400-meter dash for the US at the Tokyo Olympics, was noted for thanking God for His “grace” that enabled her to be in the Olympics. She repeatedly attributed God’s grace,” which is something she is grateful for. Several names and testimonies were proclaimed here, but British rower Debbie Flood especially caught my eye. She was quoted as saying, “Jesus is more important than a gold medal because a gold medal is temporary. Gold medals will be forgotten about, and I won’t be taking [my medal] with me when I pass away.” These most decorated Christian athletes made the best use of the opportunity to attractively point others to Christ and give God the glory for their success at our recent Tokyo Olympics. It was refreshing to read some good news for a change of professional athletes living out Colossians 4:5-6.

What does walking in wisdom look like to you? Proverbs 17:27 states, “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” Having a “cool spirit” refers to restraining your words with caution and avoiding those with angry attitudes. When one is angry they do not have a “cool spirit.” Solomon also talked about one who thinks before he speaks, never answering in haste, “is a man of understanding.” There is always that delicate balance to achieve. I see many of us are facing this dilemma in our work roles and current political climate.

Jesus said to His disciples in Mark 4:11a, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God.” I think I sometimes forget that fact. Do you? 

Did you know that salt is not meant to alter the flavor of food but to enhance it? Salt also plays a prominent role in creating texture in food. When making homemade bread, the amount of salt affects the rate of yeast fermentation, which will affect the bread’s texture. When salt is put on at just the right time on a steak, it will release more liquid, resulting in a juicy and rich flavored steak. When salt is used in small amounts, it will intensify sweetness. Try adding salt to fresh fruit and see how the flavor changes in your mouth. Did you know that adding salt to broccoli will de-bitter it? Paul used the phrase “seasoned with salt” to clarify and give a picture from using one’s senses about speaking in a stimulating, compassionate, but gracious and wise way to draw people to God and warn them of the danger of them running from God. “Grace and salt (wit, sense) make an ideal combination.” Robertson.

“Barkley translates Colossians 4:6 this way: Let your speech always be with gracious charm, seasoned with the salt of wit, so that you will know the right answer to give in every case . . . The Christian must commend his message with the charm and the wit which were in Jesus himself.” David Guzik Commentary. This is a principle I need to live by and better apply.

Listen to Phil Wickham – Where I’m Standing Now (Official Lyric Video) ft. Brandan Lake. June 25 ,2021.

Colossians 4:2, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Did you ever notice that you pray more often when you have a problem than when you don’t? Why is that? When you pray, do you pray more about concerns and situations or thanking God for various blessings? My husband and I are doing together a forty days of gratitude challenge, and writing down three things for each day that we are thankful for on paper. We share them in the evening with each other. It has been much to our surprise that we find we have often written down one or two of the same things that praises a gratitude of thankfulness for that day.

The Greek word proskartereo’ (pros-kar-ter-eh’-o) translated continue, in Colossians 4:2, definition is to attend constantly. To “persist, persevere in, continue steadfast in; I wait upon. To continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible implication of despite difficulty (Strong’s concordance).” Next, the word steadfastly takes persistence, and requires great effort steadily applied. It implies zeal. I am thankful for my mother’s earnest prayers for me that were persistent and repeated daily. Then when she saw answers taking place, she continued faithfully thanking the Lord for working in my life. She was an example to me of this verse.

Here are a few other Bible versions of Colossians 4:2 besides the ESV:

• Philipps: Always maintain the habit of prayer: be both alert and thankful as you pray. Include us in your prayers, please, that God may open for us a door for the entrance of the Gospel. Pray that we may talk freely of the mystery of Christ (for which I am at present in chains), and that I may make that mystery plain to men, which I know is my duty.
• NKJV: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
• MSG: Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
• HCSB: Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

Do you have someone heavy on your heart? Don’t give up in intercessory prayer for them, despite seeing all the many difficulties and impossibilities going on. Pray earnestly and diligently for them and for God to use you in opening your mouth at the correct times, in making Christ plain as day to them (saying taken from the 1800s shortening of plain as the sun at midday) and plain as the nose on your face (saying from the 1600s). Pray for clarity in obvious word choices regarding their need for Christ, and easy to understand. It takes persistence, and yes, great effort steadily applied. Then thank God for His presence, persistence in your own life, and with zeal let not your faith waver, as you wait and are watchful for results. You have more influence than you realize. If the answers come slowly like a red light that is stuck, and you are already at the green light, remember, God sees and He is there.

Listen to Word Of God Speak – Mercy Me.

Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”

Thomas Edison said, “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” It requires effort. Solomon said in Proverbs 14:23, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Paul just said in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Paul said we need to honor Christ in our work, hearts, and behavior, by having a faithful and conscientious performance in our role of duty, therefore, pleasing Christ, our true Master.

Mark Batterson, in his book “Double Blessing. Don’t Settle for Less Than You’re Called to Bless, states on page 97, “We’ve explored the habits of highly blessed people – humility, integrity, generosity, creativity, and praising God for partial miracles. We’ve discussed ways of positioning ourselves for blessing, not the least of which involves praying like it depends on God and working like it depends on us. God won’t bless a lack of effort any more than a lack of gratitude.” That reminds me of Colossians 3:23-24. We don’t have to pray in a King James version. Unique words used repeatedly are unnecessary. We just have to talk earnestly to God from our heart because He is in control of our circumstances.

Here are three other Bible versions on Colossians 3:23-24:

• Weymouth New Testament states: “Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men.”
• HCSB: Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.
• Amplified Bible, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.

There is no guarantee on earth of fairness of treatment in our modern-day work environment. By the way, David, in the Old Testament, his boss Saul, did not treat him right. Did you ever think about that? Yet David behaved more wisely than all the servants Saul had because he believed Saul was in God’s hands, that his life was precious, had value, and waited upon God to take matters into His own hands. God did take Saul out in the end in a battle against the Philistines. David ended up ruling as king for 40 years who served as the Lord’s anointed and was called a man after God’s own heart. David is an example of someone who always connected to God and others by his heart and his head. He was a man of influence. David proved himself to be reliable due to his faith and trust in God.

Paul assured the church in Colossae and us today that there is a final rewarding and punishment day coming “and there is no partiality.” God is not influenced by social position and status. He requires humility, integrity, and unselfishness enthusiastically and passionately shown in our daily walks of life before others. We are to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we must pray hard and work hard, giving sincere thanks to God for each day He has given us to live here on this earth. There is a better day coming!

Listen to Casting Crowns Here’s My Heart (Live) November 20, 2015 YouTube

Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Every morning I write out my list of plans for that day on a notepad. I have Proverbs 16:3 in the heading  of my list of tasks for the day, which says, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” I commit my intended plans for each day to God each morning, as He will establish what lies ahead of me for that day. But this verse has made me reflect throughout my day in questioning myself, am I doing this in the name of the Lord Jesus? Would He be pleased? That played a part of myself needing verbal restraints in my frustration over resolving an error this week, on my Verizon bill. It ended up taking slightly over two hours over the phone to get corrected. That was very unexpected and I gave a yelp and holler out loud of “thank you Jesus!” when it finally was accomplished! It took three different employees in getting the needed correction!

There are 100 Bible verses related to what is called “Good Deeds” that Paul is teaching about in Colossians 3:17. Four of them are the following, and give food for thought:

• 1 Peter 2:12, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” We need to maintain our integrity against Satan’s attacks in his strategy against our personality, emotions, and our will power.
• 2 Timothy 4:14, “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.” Ah yes, holy justice! All of us will have an Alexander in our life. Wearing a deep shade of bitter is never attractive. God is our overseer and balances the scales in the end.
• Matthew 5:15, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Jesus worked in such a way that He did not draw attention or glory to Himself, but only to His Father.
• Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” You may feel you are not very impressive but God does not need duplicates. You are a living example and picture of His workmanship.

Good deeds, showing acts of kindness, give evidence of our salvation. The Amplified Bible states Colossians 3:17 this way, “Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Due to the pandemic, most of my workday involves verbal communication, either over the phone or via text messages and emails, rather than seeing people in person. Nonverbal communication, such as body language, posture, hand gestures, facial expressions, is not visible. So my words are significant and essential in communicating the intended action I expect to happen. My written comments have to be concise, not too lengthy, and precise in my communication. There have been times when misinterpretations have resulted which I had not intended. We all have not so great days. But if my attitude was responding in full obedience to Christ, as Colossians 3:17 teaches, how would that look differently? It requires learning the art of listening intently to what the other person is saying and having what is called emotional intelligence. Then pausing to quickly pray for the right words of wisdom the Holy Spirit has for the right response, in the precisely fitting word or deed to say or do in the situation. I need to quickly pause and pray and ask to be given those apple of gold words and deeds more consistently.

Doing things in the name of the Lord Jesus requires all words, deeds of action, all undertakings, needing to have this mindset. This will then give perseverance in life’s demanding situations because I (you) are doing them in the name of the Lord Jesus. As a Christ follower, a born again Christian, we are His representative to others. That is where true contentment in life is found – because of Jesus and nothing less. That intention is the solution.

Listen to Natalie Grant – In The End (Official Music Video). February 21, 2020.

Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Webster’s American Dictionary of the KJV dictionary definition for dwell states: “Dwell imports a residence of some continuance. We use abide for the resting of a night or an hour; but we never say, he dwelt in a place a day or a night. Dwell may signify a residence for life or for a much shorter period, but not for a day. In Scripture, it denotes a residence of seven days during the feast of tabernacles.” Therefore, Paul was teaching that the word of Christ should continue in our thoughts, hearts, and minds continually. Christ’s words need to inhabit us in molding our lives to be more like Him, not just for a day, and become a statement upon our life. God’s Word needs to abide, inhabit, and remain in my thoughts and in my worship in song, as I go about my day and even while I sleep at night, in order to give me guidance, wisdom, and instruction. As Proverbs 15:21 states, “Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.”

Two words that Jesus said to His disciples that have been “abiding in my mind” are when Jesus said, “Follow me.” Peter thought he was ready for anything, but wasn’t, when Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him? Jesus told Peter simply to “Follow me.” Later, Peter asked Jesus how John would die (John 21:18-23)? Jesus replied, “What is that to you? You must follow me.” Peter was comparing himself to John. Peter had just heard he was going to die painfully. Jesus’s response was blunt and to the point; oh how I can relate to Peter as I compare myself to other writers, wives, mothers, grandmothers, and businesswomen. Jesus would say to me, just as he said to Peter, “What is that to you? Follow me.”

 I do not know what the future has for me. But I do know that Jesus has told me to follow Him. Two simple words that Jesus said, “Follow me.” That gives me courage and strength, despite challenges and difficulties, because God knows what is ahead. I must simply follow Him, letting the words of Scripture take residence in my mind and heart – to dwell there. Songs of thanksgiving and praises will then spill forth to Jehovah Jireh, my provider, as He meets me in my difficult circumstances, struggles, frustrations, mistakes, and successes, finding that melody of a song that I lift up to Him with thankfulness in my heart to God.

Listen to Mercy Me (Official Lyric Video) Say I Won’t. 12/18/2020