Day 3 - Week 74 - Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Do you consider yourself a calm person?  As people of Christ, allowing the peace of Christ to rule within us, we should exhibit a calm demeanor...not easily ruffled, not overcome with anxiety, and certainly not given to outbursts of anger or the very worst behavior that I can think of, an adult "temper tantrum". 

Listen to this quote from Frederick W. Robertson, "The real strength and majesty of the soul of man is calmness, the manifestation of strength, the peace of God ruling."

When you ponder that quote, doesn't it make calmness a much desired attribute?  Sometimes we equate calmness with blandness...to be an intriguing person you have to have some outbursts of emotion.  But when you think of the most intriguing people you know, if you're like me, you will probably think of those who aren't the ones who are demanding the attention, but the ones who sit back and calmly insert the most profound statement of the night, or the dry wit that throws just the perfect sentence in at the precisely right time that completely cracks the room up.

Or, on a much more serious note, you think about Jesus, who maintained such a perfect sense of calm through His life.  No matter what the circumstance, Jesus was in control.  Now I can hear someone saying, "What about that time in the temple when He overturned the tables?"  I think we've had a picture in our heads of Jesus "losing it", but when you actually read the story, it seems to me that Jesus went into the temple with a purpose, which He accomplished.  He definitely wanted to make a point, which He accomplished.  There is a time and a place for a planned moment and to accomplish what needs to be accomplished.  Jesus wanted the people to see that His Father's house was to be a place of prayer - and definitely not a place where people were able to take advantage of others.  (Read text in Matthew 21:12-16, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-47,  or John 2:13-16.)

But read this scenario of the perfect calm of Jesus as written by Robert J. Morgan:

In Luke 4, Jesus was asked to preach in His hometown of Nazareth.  After reading his text in Isaiah 61, He closed the book and announced that He Himself was the one of whom Isaiah was speaking.  Isaiah's majestic words, written seven hundred years before, amounted to a specific prediction about the hometown boy who stood before them now.  The Nazarenes, Jesus implied, were seeing the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy before their very eyes.

It triggered a riot. Thinking Jesus was speaking blasphemously, the worshippers exploded in fury and indignation.  The crowd was on its feet, and angry hands grabbed Jesus and shoved Him out of the synagogue, pushing Him, pulling Him toward a nearby cliff.  They intended to kill Him on the spot.

But as Luke laconically puts it, 'He passed right through and went on His way' (Luke 4:30).  We don't know if this was a miracle or not.  But we have the distinct impression that Jesus was unruffled, steady, composed and self-possessed.  I've often visualized Jesus passing calmly through these walls of liquid indignation like the Israelites through the Red Sea.  There was about Him an authoritative calmness.
 

I think that's the same thing that could be said about Jesus in the temple with the crooked merchants, He had an authoritative calmness, even as He was turning their tables upside down and driving them out with a whip! 

The Biblical definition of "peace" as used in our verse is "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."  That's what we are called to...knowing who we belong to, where we are going, with nothing to fear.  That's the peace and calm that Jesus possessed and exhibited. 

That's the peace that we are to allow to rule in us.
 

Day 2 - Week 74 - Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

We, as Christians, are called to peace.  And we, as Christians, are to allow Christ's peace to govern our hearts.  And we, as Christians, are to be thankful.

We are to be a peace-driven people.  Why?  Because Christ, and His Spirit living with us, is our driver.  And when you look at the life of Christ you see peace.

Robert J. Morgan states, "Peace can be defined as God-given tranquility.  It's the ability to be patient instead of panicky, to be mature instead of impulsive, to keep our cool when others are losing theirs.  It's a quality that few of us come by naturally, but it came perfectly to Jesus."

Jesus was at peace with His Father because He knew Him so well and was completely submissive to His authority.  He never wavered in His desire to fulfill the mission that His Father had sent Him on.  He prayed for deliverance from the agony of the cross, but He knew that wherever His Father took Him, He would be ultimately delivered and once again home.  Peace comes through faith.

When you read the preceding verses in Colossians, you see that Paul is telling us that as Christians, we are to "clothe" ourselves in a particular fashion...and it's not what you'll be seeing on the runways this fall!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. - Colossians 3:12-14

When I read this, I see someone getting dressed and putting on all of these pieces of attire: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience...and then putting in their pocket a handful of forgiveness, a gift that they have already been given and that they have ready to hand out to anyone who might need it.  And right before they walk out the door, they put on their coat of love, covering all.

As I dress today, that's what I'm going to think about.  And I think I might just put some kind of token in my purse or my pocket to remind me to be very ready to forgive as I've been forgiven. 

Following on those verses, Paul then tells us to let Christ's peace rule over us, and to be thankful.  It's hard to be unthankful when you are allowing Christ's peace to have control, isn't it?  After all, when you submit to His peace in your life, you remember that you have been given the greatest gift of all...salvation.  When looking through eyes that have been reborn, and that are filled with the peace of God, all that can be said is, "Thank You!"

Day 1 - Week 74 - Where are we??

Sometimes as you are traveling along, you just get to going and become oblivious to exactly where you are.  You've been making good progress and get caught up in the accomplishment rather than taking in your surroundings, and if someone stopped and asked you where you were, you'd have no idea.

Where are we?  We've covered a lot of territory, but where are we in our journey?  Have you committed many of our previous 73 verses to memory?  Do you know that we've gone through the Four Corners, down the Romans Road, across the Word of God, into Prayer, found Assurance, presented Praise & Thanksgiving, stood strong on Promises, marched to Obedience, experienced the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, enjoyed a picnic of God's Kind of Happiness, and are now climbing the mountain of Faith.  Yes, right now, if we look around, we're in the middle of the mountain of Faith.  And it is a good place to be!

Now if you're wondering where we might be along the journey of the Appalachian Trail, well we're just about 3/4 of the way through our trip...and we're in the beautiful state of Vermont.  In 1995, Robert & I traveled through Vermont in early October.  We had always heard of the beauty of the fall colors, we had seen pictures, but we were not prepared for the breathtaking display of God's artistic wonder of leaves of such vibrancy and brilliancy.  One afternoon it rained as we drove through the countryside, and the moisture on the leaves just added a richness to their color.  It really was one of those times that we said, "We never imagined it would be this beautiful!"  I'm including a picture, but I'm telling you, pictures do not do it justice.  If you ever have a chance to go to New England in the fall, don't miss it!  We would love to go again. 
Let's imagine sitting at this point, realizing that we still have 1/4 of our journey ahead of us, but taking some time to think back on the miles that we have most recently traveled, and then, after we've reflected on where we've been, just really soaking up the beauty of where we are!

The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."

Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."


Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Yes, our most recent verses are worth sitting back and soaking up...they are verses on this mountain of faith that we are on, and they are verses of beauty.  And now we add to these four verses, the next three which are a series of verses starting with Colossians 3:15 and going through Colossians 3:17. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:15

Our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior brings with it some wonderful benefits.  Faith brings peace, and faith brings with it a fellowship of other believers...I have seen that fellowship in action today as Christian friends offered support and love to one who needed just that.  I thank my God for the peace that He brings to us...through our faith, and through our family of faith.
 

Day 4 - Week 73 - Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

It's amazing sometimes how when you are focusing an aspect of faith, you get messages from multiple sources on the same subject.  Not long ago, we had some sessions in our Bible study group on Hebrews.  At the same time, our Sunday morning adult Bible class started studying Hebrews.  More than one of the e-mail daily devotionals that I received during that time focused on...Hebrews.  It became obvious to me that God wanted me looking into His Word as conveyed in the book of Hebrews.

This week we're focusing on the giving up of self in exchange for the taking on of Christ's attributes in our lives.  This morning I received a wonderful devotional from David Jeremiah, one of my favorite Bible teachers of our time.  Listen to what he says...

Historians have marveled how an uneducated, rugged boy like Dwight Moody could sway great crowds and lead thousands to Christ. Responding to these questions, Dr. R. A. Torrey wrote a tract after Moody's death in 1899, entitled, Why God Used D. L. Moody. He said, in part, "The first thing that accounts for God's using D. L. Moody so mightily was that he was a fully-surrendered man. Every ounce of that 280-pound body of his belonged to God; everything he was and everything he had belonged wholly to God. Now, I am not saying that Mr. Moody was perfect; he was not... nevertheless I know that he was a man who belonged wholly to God."

Torrey went on to say that Moody was greatly moved by this statement by Henry Varley: "It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him." Moody replied, "Well, I will be that man."

We can all be that man or woman. God wants to use us, but we must give ourselves wholly to Him.

"If you and I are to be used in our sphere as D. L. Moody was used in his, we must put all that we have and all that we are in the hands of God, for Him to use as He will." ~ R. A. Torrey

Mr. Jeremiah titled today's devotional, "Wholly and Holy" and used 2 Chronicles 16:9 as his text.  That verse in the NIV reads, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

I may never be wholly holy, but I would sure like to be wholly committed...no "fence riding", nothing lukewarm...100% God-seeking. That's a goal that I believe is God's desire for us.  Wholly committed to allowing His Spirit to have complete dominion within this fleshly body of ours, crucifying our earthly desires and selfish motivations to allow His life to reign.  I want God's eyes, when they are ranging through this earth, to see the heart within me as one that is turned toward Him, a soft heart, waiting for His hand to shape.  A heart like Dwight Moody's that was ready to do whatever God led Him to.

This week's verse also brings to my mind the words of John the Baptist.  What wisdom he revealed as he saw Jesus' ministry coming forward, replacing his.  He knew his purpose had nearly been accomplished, as he announced to his followers, "He must increase, but I must decrease." 

When we take on the life of faith in Christ as our Savior, the same statement applies to us.  He must increase, we must decrease.  His life, in us...by faith.

Day 3 - Week 73 - Galatians 2:20 ""I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

You know, this verse encapsulates the whole concept of Christian faith...memorize this verse and you don't have to worry about delivering your testimony...you can recite this verse and explain the transformation that occurs when you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

When that happens, when a person understands the powerful love of God that allowed His Son to come to earth, to explain God's love to us, to die for us and show us the power that God has over death through the resurrection...then that person is able to state that they have shared in Jesus of Nazareth's crucifixion.  That they have been willing to give their earthly life away in order to share in the eternal life that is now available to them through Christ.  They have been "reborn" as Jesus told Nicodemus.  They see that they are not only flesh and blood, but eternal spirit, created for eternity.  With the realization of eternal life, mortal life is no longer so necessary to hold on to, temporal existence and the momentary joys that come through material gain are now seen through eyes that can visualize the briefness of the things that we now touch and see, in comparison to the eternal, glorious life that awaits us as children of the Most High.

The reborn person sees that while we are still alive in the fleshly bodies that we have been given, we are so much more than that fleshly body.  We have Christ living within us...prompting us toward His good works...works that have been prepared for us in advance.  We know that this fleshly body can do things that will make eternal differences, and we know that those works are what we are called to accomplish. 

So, when someone asks us as Christians, "What are you living for?", what should our response be?

"I have given my life to Christ, the One who died for me.  The rest of my life here on earth is dedicated to doing what He calls me to do...every day. He died for me, I will live for Him."

That's pretty much it - Galatians 2:20 - our life, in Christ, for Him, who died for us.

Day 2 - Week 73 - Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Do you ever have one of those days that you just feel sorry for yourself?  For whatever reason?  Sometimes it's justified, isn't it?  Tonight, I'm feeling a little less than wonderful...upset stomach, chills, tired, just that vague "yukky" feeling you sometimes get.  And I'm feeling a little sorry for myself. 

But then I read this verse and I'm reminded...nothing is really about me anyway.  If I don't feel good for an evening, so be it.  One little night in my little earth story is pretty inconsequential, for I have already "been crucified."  My life is invisible...or it should be.  My life has been replaced with that of Jesus living within me, and if I'm not allowing Him to do so by pridefully overriding His presence by demanding my own, then I have not yet been completely crucified, and I have some additional dying to do.

Wow - I just wrote that and I am fully convicted that it's true about me...I often do not allow Christ to fully live within me and I know that there is still much of me to be crucified.  I cannot make this statement as convincingly as Paul did for I often demand my presence, my way, my truth, stifling His presence, His way, His absolute truth.  But I pray that I am in the process of being crucified, that I am in the process of allowing my selfish desires to be replaced with the desires of the Spirit of Christ dwelling within me. 

And I am reminded (as my momentary "not feeling so well" pity party wanes) that crucifixion is painful...that letting go of self is not necessarily enjoyable or pleasant, especially when I am focusing on self.  But just as Jesus endured the pain of the cross, which pain I cannot even begin to comprehend, by focusing on His mission of obedience to His Father, when I focus on what God desires for me and from me, I am given the ability to endure my crucifixion...a crucifixion of much less magnitude, but nonetheless, the crucifixion that I am called to.

Day 1 - Week 73 - Continuing on in Faith!

This week we'll add our fourth verse in the series of "Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word"...do you have the first three down?

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is God's gift.
Ephesians 2:9 "Not from works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Do you see a pattern? What is grace "for"?  To save us.  What is the miracle of our transformation through our new lives in Christ Jesus "for"?  To accomplish God's good works here on earth.  But what is the catalyst for these wonderful actions to start taking place?  FAITH.  And with the response of faith, the reactions to faith start occurring:  our salvation immediately...and then good works to be accomplished all throughout our saved lives.

What kind of transformation takes place when we place our faith in God and in His Son as our Savior?  Well our next verse talks about that miraculous transformation:

"I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."  Galatians 2:20

This is a powerful verse of faith.  When we can recite this verse with true commitment and conviction, we can expect true transformation.  For this verse express a complete surrender of self in order to allow our lives to take on all the attributes of Jesus...to be a humble servant, ready to do whatever it is that our Father asks of us.  We give up all "rights" to our earthly plans...we completely put our lives in His hands.  And we do so because of the acceptance of a love so amazing, so unnatural, so utterly undeserved, that we know we will never fully understand, but in which we completely trust. 

Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King should die for me?

Amazing love, I know it's true, It's my joy to honor You, in all I do, I'll honor You. ~ Chris Tomlin

Let's review our past verses so they stay close to us...

The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."

Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."


Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
and now
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." 

Dwell on this verse this week, and remember that you are now living, even though you are still living in a fleshly body, the life of Christ in you.  Because of your faith in Him, He lives in you. 

Faith.