Thursday Morning, 07 Nov 2019 – Colossians 2:16-23 ~ The reality of Christ.

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Colossians 2:16-23(NLT)

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
__________

Morning Reflection:

The reality of Christ.

“Christ, the head of the body,
holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments,
and it grows as God nourishes it.”
– Colossians 2:19 –

In today’s reading, Paul continues his theme of the supremacy and all-sufficiency of Christ. He is head over all things, including His body, the church.

Paul reminds his readers of the reality of Christ in response to false teachers who were attempting to add something to the finished work of Christ on.

In general, their false teaching took three forms –

Legalism – relying on keeping rules and regulations, over union with God in Christ.
Mysticism – emphasizing personal visionary experiences, over revelation from God in Christ.
Asceticism – relying on self-denial to tame the flesh, over the power of God in Christ.

Paul’s point is that believers already have everything we ever will need in the person and work of Jesus Christ. There’s nothing we can add to that reality. We grow in faith as God nourishes our relationship with Christ.

Questions for consideration: It’s easy for believers to fall into the traps of false teachers.

The trap of legalism – have you found yourself trying to obey certain rules and regulations in order please God? Please explain.
The trap of mysticism – have you found yourself seeking visions or spiritual revelations to discover hidden truths about God? Please explain.
the trap of asceticism – have you tried exercising self-denial as a way of taming the flesh? Please explain.
Do you believe that you have everything you need in Jesus Christ in order to grow in faith? How does that affect how you live? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer – For Satisfaction in Christ (Julian of Norwich)

O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me.
I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor,
and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want.
Only in you I have all. Amen.

__________

Still You Satisfy | Forever Be Sure

Longing, my soul was longing for a drink from some cool spring,
Hoping to quench the burning of the thirst I felt within.

Seeking, my soul was seeking till my strength was almost gone.
Feeding, on pleasure feeding, only still to hunger on.

Hallelujah, hallelujah; I have found the One my soul has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longing and through His blood I now am saved!

Calling, still the world is calling with a tempting glow and frill.
Yearning, still I’m often yearning with desire unfulfilled.

Thirsting, Lord, when I am thirsting lead me to the Fount from which at first I drew.
Gently, take what’s dry and empty; fill my craving, Lord, with You!

Hallelujah, hallelujah; precious promise that is mine to own:
Jesus satisfies the thirsty and overflows the hungry soul!
__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 06 Nov 2019 – Colossians 2:1-14 ~ You are alive with Christ.

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Colossians 2:1-14 (NLT)

I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

Freedom from Rules and New Life in Christ

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
__________

Morning Reflection:

You are alive with Christ.

God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.
– Colossians 2:13 –

How did we go from being dead in our sins to being alive with Christ? The answer is that Jesus took the damning indictment of our sins that hung over us and nailed it to His cross. On the cross – Christ reigned supreme – cancelling our sins and giving us victory over the forces of evil.

So what does it mean for you to be alive with Christ?

You have been made complete through your union with Christ
Your guilty sinful life has been buried with Christ
You share in Christ’s victory over spiritual rulers and authorities

How then shall we live?

Let your roots grow down into Christ.
Let your lives be built on Christ.

Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught,
and you will overflow with thankfulness.
– Colossians 2:7 –

Questions for consideration

Do you view yourself as being made complete through union with Christ? Please explain.
How does being rooted in Christ affect how you live? Please explain.
How can you deepen your roots in Christ and strengthen your faith in Him? Please explain.
Does guilt play a role in your life, even though Christ has nailed your sin to the cross? Please explain.
Do you struggle with spiritual powers or authorities, even though Christ has disarmed them on the cross? Please explain.
For what are you thankful? – make a list. Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer: – For Union with Christ (Anima Christi)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated from thee. From the wicked foe defend me. In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come to thee, that with thy saints I may praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.

________

“Alive In You” – Jesus Culture

__________

Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning, 05 Nov 2019 – Colossians 1:15-29 ~ “Christ lives in you.”

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Colossians 1:15-29 (NLT)

Christ Is Supreme

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.
He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,
and through him God reconciled everything to himself.

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body.

As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

Paul’s Work for the Church

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
__________

Morning Reflection:

“Christ lives in you.”

God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too.
And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
– Colossians 1:27 –

In today’s reading, Paul begins by declaring the supremacy of Christ (v 1:15) and concludes by proclaiming that Christ lives in us (v 1:27). Let’s take a moment to reflect on what that means for believers.

The visible image of the invisible God lives in you
The predecessor and first-born of creation lives in you.
The originator and agent of creation lives in you.
The object and sustainer of creation lives in you.
The head of the church and first to be resurrected lives in you.
The preeminent one and fullness of God lives in you.
The reconciler of all things to Himself and maker of peace lives in you.

Paul says that God wants us to know that because Christ lives in us all the riches and glory of Christ are for us as well. Why? So that we can be assured of sharing in His glory and not drift away.

Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.
– Colossians 1:23 –

Questions for consideration:

How does knowing that Christ lives in you affect how you live? Please explain.
How does knowing that Christ is supreme over all creation affect how you live? Please explain.
When you think of sharing in the riches and glory of Christ, what comes to mind? Please explain.
Do you think of yourself as holy and blameless, without fault, because of Christ’s death on the cross? Please explain.
How does knowing that Christ lives in you keep you from drifting away from God? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer: For Grace to Seek God in Every Way (Benedict of Nursia)

Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.

__________

“Driven to Our Knees” – Forever Be Sure

__________

Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning, 04 Nov 2019, Colossians 1:1-14 ~ to God’s holy people

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening – A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

Morning Reading -Colossians 1:1-14 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.

We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

May God our Father give you grace and peace.

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Introduction: The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Christians living in the small city of Colossae. It was probably written c. a.d. 62, while Paul was in prison in Rome. This was about the same time he wrote Ephesians and Philemon. All three letters were sent with Tychicus and Onesimus.

Theme: Christ is Lord over all of creation, including the invisible realm. He has redeemed his people, enabling them to participate in his death, resurrection, and fullness.
Purpose, Paul wrote to warn against false teaching that lessened Christ’s role, undermining the new identity of believers “in Christ, ” and to encourage the believers in their growth toward Christian maturity. He emphasized Christ’s authority over all evil powers. Christians are united with the risen Christ, and therefore they share in his power and authority. Paul also encouraged these believers to fight against sin, pursue holiness, and live as distinctively Christian households.

to God’s holy people

We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse,
who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
– Colossians 1:2 –

Paul’s Thanksgiving:

For their witness to faith in Christ
For their continuing trust in Christ
For their self-sacrificing love for other Christians
For their hope of future blessings in Christ

Paul’s Prayer:

For perception and understanding of God’s will for them in Christ
For the working of God’s Spirit in them to change lives and produce good works
For practical wisdom and clear discernment in leading their daily lives
For growth in grace and devotion to Christ

Questions for consideration:

How does your faith community witness to its faith in Christ? What role do you play in that witness? Please explain.
Can you think of ways in which your trust in Christ has grown? Please explain.
How have you expressed self-sacrificing love for other Christians? Please explain.
How are you growing in your perception and understanding of God’s will for your life? Please explain.
How has your growing understanding changed how you live your life? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer: – Declaration of Faith

Lord, I will trust You, help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.

Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh new ground with You.

Christ of the mysteries, can I trust You to be stronger than each storm in me?

I determine amidst all uncertainty always to trust.

I choose to live beyond regret, and let You recreate my life.

I believe You will always make a way for me and provide for me, if only I trust You.

I will trust in the darkness and know that my times are still in Your hand.

I will believe You for my future, chapter by chapter, until all the story is written.

__________

“In Jesus Christ We Marvel” – ForeverBeSure

__________

Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 02 Nov2019 – Matthew 28:1-20 ~ He is risen! Go and make disciples of all the nations.

Saturday Morning

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening: (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading: Matthew Matthew 28:1-20 (NLT)

The Resurrection

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

The Report of the Guard

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
__________

Morning Reflection:

He is risen! Go and make disciples of all the nations.

“Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations….”

– Matthew 28:5-6,18-19 –

The resurrection is central to Christian theology. However the Gospel writers did not deal with the theological implications of the resurrection but simply recorded the facts. The Letters of the Apostle Paul help us appreciate the significance of this world-changing event.

If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
– 1 Corinthians 15:17(NLT) –

Following His resurrection, Jesus became the One through whom God now mediates all authority. And consistent with His universal authority, Jesus sent His disciples into the whole world with the mandate to make disciples. Jesus’ commandment involved –

reaching out to unreached people
baptizing people into a covenant relationship with Jesus
changing lives by teaching people to live and love like Jesus

The disciples were charged with going out in Jesus’ name, and reproducing “Christ in them” in the lives of others.

Questions for consideration:

Can you remember the first Easter you celebrated as a believer? How did it differ from other Easters? Please explain.
Can you remember your baptism? What were the circumstances? Please explain.
When did you first become aware that you were part of the family of God? What were the circumstances? Please explain.
Can you think of people who were instrumental in helping you grow up in Christ? Please explain.
Have you shared the Gospel with another person? What was the result? Please explain.
In your sphere of influence who needs to hear that God loves them and Christ died for them? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer: For the Mission of the Church

O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church, that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Go and make disciples”