03.27.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 7:29 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 4:18 Theme: Reasons to remember Paul’s chains Key verses: “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you” (v. 18) What God said to me: Good morning, Dwayne. I’ve missed meeting with you the past several mornings. I want to show you something here in my Word today. I love talking with you and renewing your spirit and perspective before me. Like your pastor shared Sunday, the first small hole that allows you to “leak” and ultimately lose all passion and anointing is to ignore my voice of truth by not reading and studying my Word. Consider Paul: According to this final verse of his letter here, he wrote this letter with his own hand. Often Luke and others would help him with the actual dictation. But Paul took special care to write this one himself. This further underscores his passion and determination to communicate my supremacy to this local church at Colosse. Why did Paul urge them to remember his chains? Certainly it wasn’t to gain their sympathy. Paul was far past needing someone to feel depressed and sorry for him. He was in me. For him to live was Christ and to die was gain. However, Paul did dote on people’s prayers for him. He understood the power in prayer and intercession. Dwayne, always take the time to pray on others’ behalf. Remember those in other ministries and on foreign and difficult fields serving me. Remember your brothers and sisters in bondage. Another reason to remember others’ chains is that they remind you of your own blessings and freedoms. Everything good in your life, every moment you can walk into the daylight free from pain and shackles is a gift from me. There is one more reason to remember chains that I want you to realize and embrace: Chains aren’t necessarily bad. Perhaps Paul wanted his readers to keep his chains in mind because those metal links pointed toward a greater and far more weighty and wonderful enslavery. Paul was completely yeilded and bonded to me. He only did what I bided. Perhaps the chains he really had in mind weren’t physical but spiritual. Of course, the ”chains” I give you, like my yoke, are easy and my burden is light. In fact my chains are worn willingly not forcefully. And my chains actually bring you the greatest freedom and joy. Remember others’ chains, and appreciate your own chains. What I said to God: Holy God, I praise You for speaking to me today. I will make time this day to remember my fellow Christians around the world who suffer persecution and trial for Your name’s sake. I will remember their chains and I will be reminded and thankful for my lack of bondage and imprisonment. We are incredibly blessed with freedom to share your love with others. I choose today to take up my cross, my “chains,” and follow You closely and only.
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03.21.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 9:15 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 4:17 Theme: Paul wanted others in the Kingdom to finish their work as well. Key verses: “Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.’” What God said to me: My servant, Paul, recognized that his work wasn’t the only work in my Kingdom. He knew other believers had their assignments as well. And because Paul was Kingdom-minded he wanted their work to be completed as much as he wanted his own. Paul wasn’t focused on himself and his own ministry as though that was the only one that mattered. In these last words of this letter, he took time to challenge a fellow laborer to stay the course and complete his part of the bigger vision - my vision that none would perish, but that all would come to repentance. Dwayne, Paul was willing to die for that vision. It consumed him, and he embraced it as his mission on earth. Yet, he always kept his own ministry in proper perspective. His was simply one among many that I will use to reach this world. Always keep your own life and work in proper relation to other’s around you. Never think too highly of yourself or the ministry to which I have called you. Yes, your mission is great and important and must be completed. In fact, I will hold you personally accountable if you do not disciple your family and equip worship leaders and encourage and challenge believers and illumine the lost with my Light. However, never lose sight of the thousands of other viable and important ministries out there. Furthermore, encourage and challenge and pray for them as I give you opportunity. What I said to God: Thank you, Father, for speaking to me today. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for revealing this truth to my heart. Please burn into my conscious an awareness and love for the ministries of others. May I never think only of my own work. Mine is only one piece of the puzzle, one part of the bigger plan. Thank you for Paul who had a sober and clear view of his work and his life and his accomplishments in the Kingdom. Such a view can only come from hours invested alone with You. Such a view produces a minister You can use to the fullest to also encourage others to be used to their fullest potential. Wow, I am so glad You have called me into this thing called ministry and into this thing called abundant life! Thank You, my Lord and my God!
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03.20.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 4:07 pm by Administrator
Text: Colossians 4:10-17 Theme: Even the great missionary and writer Paul made space for the concerns of his fellow workers. Key verses: “My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark…(v. 10a) “These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.” (v. 11b) Epaphras…sends greetings.” (v. 12) “Our dear friend Luke…and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house.” (v. 14-15) “…see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans…” (v. 16) “Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the work you have received from the Lord.” (v. 17) What God said to me: Dwayne, I want you to grasp this so listen carefully. As important as it is to share with others what I am doing with you and your ministry, it is even more important to consider your fellow brothers and sisters and their needs and concerns. If fact, people are your ministry. Never overlook the people I have placed in your path for looking at your “bigger vision.” You will never have a bigger vision than ministering and esteeming those very ones - my little ones - standing right in front of you. I love you, Dwayne. I have a tremendous ministry assigned to you, one you have “received from the Lord.” But it is not bigger than Paul’s. If Paul could and did always take time to write what about what concerned and helped others, so must you. Paul sent these greetings to encourage his fellow workers and prisoners and to encourage and comfort his readers. Yet, beyond that season of struggle, those greetings would be dated and passe. Had Paul only looked at the bigger picture of those of us who would read his writings hundreds of years later, he might not have thought it appropriate to include such “menial” and temporary words. Dwayne, my child, that is just the point: Thinking of others is never menial and ultimately not at all temporary. Be a blessing to those you encounter today. Be where you are and be all you can be to those you meet and to those you love. What I said to God: Holy Lord and eternal Father, I am amazed at the insights in Your Word. I am humbled that You would speak to me in such clear and simple words that convict and cleanse and change. Forgive me for thinking so loftily at times about this great ministry You have shown us that I look right over the heads of the very ones You want me to help and witness to from day to day. I embrace the truth that I have no greater ministry than focusing on my ministry for today. I look forward to an opportunity to share Your love with someone this very day.
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03.16.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 4:29 pm by Administrator
Text: Colossians 4:7-9 Theme: Keeping people informed about ourselves can be a good thing. Key verses: “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me.” (v. 7) “I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.” (v. 8) “They will tell you everything that is happening here.” (v. 9b) What God said to me: Dwayne, people want and need to know what you are doing. They are encouraged when they see my hand working in your life. Never be reluctant to talk about your ministry, your family, and your joy and difficulties in life. I am not saying you should praise yourself, mind you. “Let another praise you” is still the rule of thumb. Rather, everytime you open your mouth to speak about yourself, do it in tones of praise and thanksgiving to the God (me) who blessed you and has chosen to use you. By bringing attention to yourself you are actually bringing glory to me. Why? Because everything you have and everything you are comes from me. I made you, Dwayne. Be a trophy of my grace, both now and for eternity. One word of caution: Notice Paul sent his representatives to people who loved and supported him and who were fellow believers. What you should share and even if you should share about yourself depends on your audience. Also, only share as much as is needed for the occasion. What I said to God: Thank you, precious, precious Lord, for loving and saving me. Praise you for giving me such a wonderful and supportive wife. I could not have hand -picked someone more perfect to be my companion. Thank You for our two boys. Thank You for saving them both early in their lives. And, Lord, I still can hardly believe I am getting to do this ministry at our church and through our writing. Why would You bless me to allow me to do what I love the most? Why would give me such incredible and wise friends and supporters? Why would you protect our health and give me such amazing visions and ideas and open doors? Why? I know why: to show forth Your praises. Everything about my life is straight from Your hand of grace and mercy. May I never hesitate to tell anyone who asks how and what I am doing. Help me use wisdom on what and when and how I share about myself to others. And most importantly, help me only lift You up above myself.
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03.13.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 10:03 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 4:5-6 Theme: Our lives are to impact others constantly and wisely. Key verses: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” What God said to me: Dwayne, I know you “had a word from me” last week about this passage and that you typed it all out then lost it in the internet transfer. I understand that you got the wind knocked out of your sails just a bit and haven’t wanted to return to this passage for a second, “warmed-over” word. However, you must keep in mind that my Word is alive and active and never warmed-over. Your reluctance to return was little more than an excuse not to dive deeper into my written Word. My Holy Spirit can reveal the same thing to you that He did last week, or He might want to show you something now that you were unable to see last week. Life happens; things get changed; but I never change, and I demand your attention and daily time with me in my Word - no matter how much your “sails” droop. Now on to today’s focus: Paul was in prison when he wrote this. Yet, he was still thinking of others. He understood that our lives exist not for ourselves, but for those around us. “Every opportunity” for Paul at that moment meant witnessing to the prison guards and writting letters of teaching and admonishing to the saints. Dwayne, even when you are down, even when your life is bound up in chains of sickness or tragedy, you are still to think of others more than yourself. You are still to make the most of that moment and see it as yet another opportunity to praise me in front of those around you. Be wise about it. That means to allow my Holy Spirit to fill and direct you through those “opportunities.” Think before you speak and act. Think three times if you need to. And when you do open your mouth, let it project words worth listening to, words that impact the listener and can point their focus toward me as well. Have something interesting to say. It doesn’t have to all “spiritual” all the time, but it does have to be salty, flavored, healthy, thoughtful and purposefully helpful. No more excuses, Dwayne. Come before me again and again and get the words you are to say, the words of life that can change your listeners lives forever. What I said to God: Holy Father, please forgive me for my childish reaction to last week’s little set-back. I admit I did use that as an excuse to put off revisiting this passage before You. Make my life a prayer to You. I want to do what You want me to. I want others to always see You in me. And I want and must not only hope they see You in me. I must verbalize my faith out loud and live to the praise of the glory of Your grace for all to see. May my family and my church live for You today as well. I love You and adore You!
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03.02.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 7:22 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 4:2-4 Theme: Paul never ceased to look for more ways to proclaim the Gospel. Key verses: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” What God said to me: When Paul wrote the letter to Colosse he had been in the ministry as a missionary for over 20 years. He was well-known to Christians everywhere. By that time, he had appeared before key government rulers and was infamously hated and feared among many Pharisees and church leaders. As your standards go today, Paul was “successful.” He had “made it.” He would be the equivilent of your most well-known and passionate evangelists and best-selling authors today. He would be greatly sought after for TV interviews and book endorsements. Yet, Paul was still asking others for prayer. Notice it wasn’t your typical Wednesday night church prayer request. Paul wasn’t seeking relief from his thorn in the flesh. He wasn’t asking them to intercede that his chains fall off and he walk out of his prison cell a free man. He didn’t ask for wisdom in planning his comfortable retirement package. Paul had one thing on his mind and heart, one thing that drove him. He wanted souls in the Kingdom. He was not content with his level of accomplishment in winning the lost. He so desired to make the mystery of my Son known that he asked twice in the same breath that he might proclaim it. Dwayne, he never stopped praying for a new and larger door to open. Word to the wise: Don’t be driven by “building your platform or name.” Never be duped by worldly success. Rather, work tirelessly and pray fervantly for more doors, specifically a key door, to be opened by me to allow you to impact thousands for my glory. That prayer I will answer. What I said to God: Wow, Lord, You have once again revealed an amazing truth to me and nailed me to the wall with Your dead-on conviction and direction. I needed to be reminded that the opportunities that have come along for us, as amazing as they are, represent merely the tip of the iceberg. I cannot/will not be content with these initial doors. I now realize they are but entries to other, much larger doors to allow us to proclaim Your Gospel to this world. It’s not about me, but it’s for Your glory!
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02.28.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 9:23 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 3:18-25 Theme: Our love for Christ will motivate our love for our families, thus serving Christ by serving them. Key verses: “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children…” (v. 18-21) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving.” (v. 23-24) What God said to me: Dwayne, these are simple, straight-forward rules for families and servants. There are no hidden meanings behind these words. And there are no exceptions, no exemptions. These verses can’t be explained away or ignored (though many have tried). They are not passe or out-dated. And they certainly don’t need updating or upgrading. Wives have their job in me. Husbands have their job like me. Children have their role toward me. And slaves have their place for me. The key for all of them is to understand the direction of their service, not to serve each other first of all, but to first and ultimately serve, love and honor me. So, next time you feel the need to lecture your children about obedience, don’t have as your first words that they should show respect toward you (although they should). Make sure they first understand that their first consideration must be of me and the effect their disobedience to you has on me. Again, it comes down to the heart. If the primary motive of your heart is to love and honor your family, that is noble and good - but yet faulty at the same time. Many a “good man” has fallen prey to such shallow motivations and good intentions. What happens on days he doesn’t feel so loving and honoring toward his family? How will he react when his wife and children don’t show love and appreciation back to him? You see, any love built on another human is by its very nature prone to fail because humans are prone and proven to fail. Point your love and your family’s love toward me. Get your inspiration to love and cherish each other from my determination to love and cherish you. Engulf yourself in rapturous love for me, your God who never leaves or forsakes you. Then even when your family doesn’t seem to remember they are your family, you will still want to show love to them even as I continue to show love toward you. What I said to God: Lord, this is certainly not what I was expecting from these verses today. Yet, it seems clear and plain to me now. I must want first of all to please and serve You. I must encourage my family to first of all seek to love and serve You. The way we treat each other will quite super-naturally flow out of that deep and lasting agape love. That is the love that motivates human phileo love for each other. I dare not trust my wicked heart to love my kids and my wife. I must be filled with your love that is “shed abroad in my heart.” I claim Your Holy Spirit’s filling, thus claiming Your love’s filling me through and through. Help me show that love toward my family and those I meet today.
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02.26.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 11:36 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 3:17 Theme: Everything we do should properly represent who Jesus is and what he wants. Key verses: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” What God said to me: Wake up, Dwayne. Why do you come before me and act bored and distracted? Would you do that with a famous sports star or music artist? Would you be non-chalant with the president of your country? Who do you think I am, your pal? I am the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Act like you know that little piece of insight. Acknowledge me above all and respect my Name above all names. I am not pleased with your actions. Why do you live for me and do what pleases me 99% of the time, only to pull yourself off the altar of living sacrifice for a moment of personal gratification? You cannot be content with your actions until 100% of them properly represent me. Everything you do should be dilberately done in me, toward me, for me, and because of me. Everything should be initiated by me, your supposed Master (meaning you are merely the servant needing instructions). Everything you say and do should bring honor and point praise back to me, your Maker and Savior. Don’t do them in order to please me. Want to do them because you please me, because you are my precious child and my willing servant. Fall in love with me on the inside, then show your love for me on the outside. That’s the key. That is how you will do all in the name of King Jesus. What I said to God: Holy Lord, I love and adore You, lay my life before You; how I need You. May what comes from this body of mine only illustrate and validate the fervant passion and dedication I have for You in my heart. I decide this week to live only for You, in front of You, and through You. I pray for an opportunity to witness about You to the people You have burdened me for and for those I “casually” come across today and all this week. Protect my family; may they too represent You well.
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02.23.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 7:13 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 3:15-16 Theme: There are certain prerequisites before we open our mouths to sing. Key verses: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish…and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (v. 15-16) What God said to me: Dwayne, you should never open your mouth to sing to me or for me without first meeting these criteria. Look closely at them. First of all, you are to let Christ’s peace rule in you. Check your heart. What is ruling you? Do you maintain my peace at all cost to your fleshly wants and actions? Are you determined to “keep the peace” you have with me? It is a fragile peace that requires death to your self and obedience to me. The peace I give you is the calm assurance I am in charge of your life and that will prompt you to sing. Then Paul says to be thankful. Not only must you be at peace through holy living, you must also be grateful through humble living. Never allow yourself to think for a moment that you deserve anything I have given you. Yes, you are my precious child and yes, I love to lavish you with blessings. But not because you have earned them. All you have that’s good has come from my gracious and merciful hand. Make sure you are truly thankful before you open your mouth to make melodies for me. Finally, be sure my Word abides in you, envelopes you, consumes your thinking at all times. Meditate on it day and night. Paul uses the word “richly” to describe the level of quality and worth my written Word should have to you. I am not interested in hearing the words of your songs if you are not interested in hearing and obeying the words in my Bible. It’s that simple. As you sing, as you teach, as you admonish, as you praise me with your lips, be sure it flows from a heart filled with peace, gratitude and meditation on my precepts. What I said to God: After the way I threw Your name in the dirt and trampled your blood yesterday, I am even more amazed at your mercy and love to speak to me so clearly today. Truly Your mercies are new every morning! Thank you for forgiving me for allowing my thoughts to run astray if even for the few moments they did yesterday. I sit here forgiven and filled once again with Your awesome and powerful Holy Spirit. Praise You, my Lord! I sing because there is an empty grave. I sing because there is a power to save. I sing because your grace and love is real to me!
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02.21.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 9:29 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 3:12-14 Theme: Loving God and others is our greatest virtue and responsibility. Key verses: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever…Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (v. 12-14) What God said to me: Son, once again Paul’s message boils down to a simple idea, a small word that makes it easy for anyone to grasp and apply. First, Paul appeals to your love for me when he says, “…as God’s chosen…” If you do not love and appreciate me as your Father, you will not be motivated to truly love anyone else. Notice that once again you have a responsibility in this thing called the Christian life. Not only are you to put your sinful ways to death (v. 5), but you are also supposed to put your own spiritual clothes on, starting with compassion, then kindness, humility, gentleness and finally patience. Here is how those clothes will appear to others. They will see that you bear with them and forgive anything they throw at you. In fact, truly holy garments allow us to forgive at the level of Christ’s forgiving us. (Of course, only Christ in you, moving and motivating your “garments,” can allow you to forgive like that.) All those were actually undergarments that are incomplete and need a covering. Love is that outer, most prominent and unifying quality you must have. All other virtues flow from a heart of love - your heart filled with my love. Question, Dwayne: Is your heart captivated by my love? Is my love through you evident to all who look at the “clothes” you are wearing everyday? What I said to God: Holy, awesome and loving God, thank You for again making it so very simple, yet still profound. The message today is clear and convicting. Did I show love toward my family yesterday? Did I look upon the opposite sex with only the desire to help them and serve them, rather than to selfishly lust after them? Did I seek opportunities to share Your salvation plan with another? Did I fervantly pray for those I supposedly love and am responsible to intercede for? In a word, did I get up yesterday and put on Your love? This morning the more important question is have I dressed in Your clothes today? I desire to, O Lord. Please help me love You and those You died for through out this day. I thank and praise You for speaking to me and forgiving me!
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