Category: Thought For The Day

Colossians 3:15

” Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

I notice the reminder to let God’s peace dominate our lives.

I also notice there’s no condition of “if things are nice.”

This peace doesn’t come from sending I DO. This peace is FROM HIM.

I like that His peace is intended to be the rule, not the exception. Even if there’s a mess around me, or if there are looming deadlines at work.

Working to let myself LET GO… so I can LET GOD.

Ephesians 6:12
” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

A stark reminder:

• Evil is real
• The battle is personal.

The good news is that the next verse says ‘STAND’ and tells you how to do it… But it starts with knowing this is a BATTLEGROUND, not a playground.

Some folks know that better than others.

The REALLY good news is that “The battle belongs to the Lord.” But we have to “Armor Up,” because the Evil one has barbs and snares…. tricks to ensnare us, and lies to convince us that we are in some other sort of battle, and be caught unawares.

Why worry about our flesh and blood… it is the spiritual part of us that is eternal.

Working on being vigilant.

Isaiah 44:2
Thus says the LORD who MADE you And FORMED you from the womb, who will HELP you, ‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; And you JESHURUN whom I have chosen.

That’s quite the list of God’s involvement.
He

• made us
• developed us
• helps us

It’s quite amazing.

But more amazing still… He gives us a NICKNAME (JESHURUN is Gods pet name for Israel)

Now that’s intimacy.

I’m reminded of the “Sons of Thunder” name Jesus gave the Zebedee brothers.

I wonder what God’s nickname is for me… for you.
Sleepy?
Rocky?
Punchy?
Slim?
Joy?

Listening for His call.

Matthew 5:11,12
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When you are in the middle of a mess… this verse is a great promise.

When things are relatively good… this verse is a stern warning.

This last beatitude seems like He’s doubling down on the last point(and maybe He is)

The point is, you have become part of a long line of misfits and whackos who, because of their walk with Him, have turned the world on its head…

Not a bad place to be.

Isaiah 51:12
I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies and of the son of man who is made like grass,

This is a great verse!

God is literally saying:
How DARE you be afraid?.
Are you not paying attention?
What part of ALMIGHTY do you not grasp?

I love it.

Trying to tamp down my fears.
Trying not to insult The Almighty.
Trying to live boldly.

Philippians 4:2-3
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle … and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

I’m intrigued by this verse.

We have no idea of whom these ladies are let alone what they’re fighting about. That’s not the point. I’m fascinated by the TRUE COMPANION.

I love that this guy:

• is a peacemaker.
• makes ministry happen in others.
• is faceless/nameless.

EVERY church has folks like this guy… anonymous folks who are catalysts, folks whose very presence makes ministry happen in others and through others.

They are God’s YOKEFELLOWS.

Folks whom

• nobody knows, but
• God knows

I want to be one of these guys… Striving to put myself to the side, and be a tool of the Kingdom.

God bless the yokefellows.

1 Chronicles 4:10
… “Oh, that you would bless me indeed and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

“The Prayer of Jabez”. It is such a precious gem.

The poor guy’s name means PAIN.

There have been times when I could relate to that very well!

In spite of that (or maybe because of it) he prays this elegantly simple but surprisingly profound prayer.
PROTECT me
CHALLENGE me
BLESS me

Working to make this a regular prayer to start my day!

Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart
is good medicine,
But a broken spirit
dries up the bones.

Peterson’s “The Message” uses the phrase “… leaves you bone-tired.” I like that image.

This verse creates a great word image.
It also presents an important choice.

We can focus on the Joy that following God’s guidance brings.
Or we can focus on the broken mess that if often strewn around us.

I’m striving to choose to focus on things above.

Ezekiel 37:5
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.

The scene is the Valley of the Dry Bones. If you’re not familiar with the story, it is worth checking out!

I loved this narrative when I was a kid, especially around Halloween, but as I got older, I increasingly realized that I was the valley, and my heart was as dry as a bone

The question was:
Can these bones live?

The answer was:
I will make flesh to grow back…
I will put breath in them…
You will know I am the Lord

He put his breath in US… In Hebrew, the word for “Sprit” also means “Breath”.

Without his spirit, WE are those dry bones.

Some days feel like that valley of bones.

Those are the days:

• I need to hear the word of the Lord.
• I need to know that He IS the Lord.

Listening for the rattling.
Feeling the breeze.
Looking for the Army of God.
Looking to BE the Army of God.

James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

This passage is often called “James’ Challenge.”

You don’t hear so much about WISDOM these days.

We talk about:

• Information
• or Intelligence
• even Artificial intelligence.

But none of those things equates to WISDOM.

WISDOM is not mental. It is not information so much as it is what we should DO with that information.

So James’ challenge is NOT asking for new information, but for knowledge of how to rightly USE the information we have.

It is moral… and we need it.

Taking the challenge.

Asking God for WISDOM, not data.