02.20.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 10:26 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 3:5-11 Theme: Because we have His Life, we are to put to death anything of our old nature. Key verses: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…” (v. 5a) “You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as…” (v. 7 - 8a) “Do not lie…since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge…” (v. 9-10a) “Here there is no Greek or Jew…slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all.” (v. 11) What God said to me: Dwayne, the message here is simple. Simple principles and thoughts are often derided as less significant and less worthy of the “serious” Christian student’s attention - as though such things are primarily for those who have not quite “arrived” to higher maturity. Yet, these deliberately simple principles are for the truly mature. These precepts summarize a life that is growing and glowing for me. This represents the very essence of your life, your serious Christian life, here on this earth. Look closer at this “simple” passage: You, Dwayne, are to put to death certain things. Don’t wait on me to do it. That is your responsibility. Yes, I am committed to forming you into the image of my dear Son. But do you really want to wait on my methods and chastening to accomplish it? And look at how specific Paul was. He named no less than twelve individual sins. Wouldn’t the “serious student” already be able to figure these out? Isn’t it sufficient to lump them all together and just say all earthly things? No. You think too highly of your thinking skills. Paul knew you would need certain items spelled out for you and all those who really are serious about glorifying me with their lives. Notice, also, that he begins with sexual immorality and ends with lying to one another. These are two of the most dangerous and common sins among my flock. They both destroy fellowship with me and with others. And the first almost always leads to the latter. Finally, I want you to see the reason Paul gives not to do all these abomidable things against me and others. He says Christ is all and is in you all. It’s that simple yet incredibly, most basically profound: Christ is Lord over everything, and what’s more, He lives and rules inside of you. My son, that should motivate you, by both fear and appreciation, to love me and serve me and praise me with your entire (hidden) life. See you to it… What I said to God: Holy and precious Lord, my God and Father, I worship You and adore You this morning. I choose to praise You all day long today. And should You call me home today, I will see You face to face and praise You even better! Forgive me when I don’t keep my covenant with my eyes, when my mind wonders onto things and places I shouldn’t do and go. Cleanse me and please fill me with Your Spirit right now. I love You and thank You for loving and living in me and my family!
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02.14.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 8:28 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 3:1-4 Theme: Because our lives are hidden in Christ, we should stay hidden. Key verses: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above…” (v. 1) “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God…Christ…is your life…” (v. 2-4) What God said to me: Dwayne, why do you fret and concern yourself with things you should not control? Why do you focus on issues and interests in your life more than you focus on me? Do you not understand that your life is now my life? I am living my life through you. Your life is engulfed in mine. You are literally hidden away, and I am in your stead. Now, this is not a place many ever dare to go - this secret hiding place. Most would read this and not understand or relate to it. Some would even react in revolt to such an idea. They don’t understand that losing their own life and surrendering to mine is in their best interest. Your every breath, your every move, your every decision is controlled by me. Why is that so good and healthy and desirable for you? It is because I made the heavens and the earth. I am all-sovereign, all-knowing, all-powerful God. What I say goes. And I assure you I won’t walk through this life in anything but perfection. And when you are in me, you too can walk in confidence, righteousness, wisdom, godliness and peace. Dwayne, be careful that you do not become too focused on your next opportunity ahead and on all your goals for your ministry and your family. Goals are good and planning and dreaming ahead are important. However, I am your life. And nothing in my - formerly your - life happens unless I say so, and nothing falls by the wayside if I want it to come to pass. Accept that fact by faith. Rest in it - rest in me. Even the good and wholesome endeavors on this earth are still of this earth; they are “earthly things.” Don’t seek after them; seek after me. The best in life comes when you die to this life and hide away in me. What I said to God: Holy Lord and protecting Father, I gladly accept my hidden status! I am incredibly humbled and marveled that You would hide me away and become my life. How freeing! How exciting! How comforting… Praise You, precious Jesus, my life, my all. Forgive me when I lose sight of your control and total absorbtion of my earthly being. I do see how I have been placing more focus on upcoming events and goals and rewards than on simply resting and waiting on You everyday. I acknowledge my helplessness to control my future. Where we live, where I go, who I meet and what I accomplish - all these earthly things I commit to You, my complete and total and wonderful Life.
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02.05.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 10:45 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 2:20-23 Theme: Worship that is not initiated and directed by God is worldly and powerless. Key verses: “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules?” (v. 20) These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” (v. 23) What God said to me: Far too many people, even many of my own people, wallow in self-motivated, self-initiated, self-imposed worship. They completely miss the point of worship. Worship is about me and what I want and who I am. The focus is in no way on them and on you. Dwayne, you can’t kill your flesh and render it of no power and pull. You can’t put yourself on a cross and it have any spiritual affect whatsoever on your sinful nature. You must reckon yourself to be dead in Christ. His death is the only one of any consequence. You literally died in him, not for and in yourself. Furthermore, you can’t give away something that is not yours to start with. You were bought with a price; you are not your own. Who are you, who is anyone, to think you know how to dice up the pieces of your bodily sacrifice to me? Who are you to know how I intend to use you and get glory from you? The sacrifice doesn’t tell the priest what to do with its carcass. All you can do is lay yourself on my altar, acknowledge you are dead to your own wants and abilities, and allow my Spirit to use you and live through you. That is the kind of worship I seek from my people - worship initiated by my Spirit and directed by Biblical truth. What I said to God: Holy Lord, what do You want me to do today? Where do You want me to go? How can I serve others and serve You? Help me keep those all-important questions in the forefront throughout my day and my life. O Lord, you open my mouth and my lips will praise You. O Lord, You well up inside me, Holy Spirit, and pray and praise through me. You initiate and determine my worship. Reasonably, if You create my worship, You will, in turn, be pleased with my worship. Thank You for such calm assurance and simple instructions! I want to love, adore, and praise You with all that is within me.
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02.02.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 8:38 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 2:9-19 Theme: Christ is our head to whom we must always stay connected. Key verses: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” (v.10) “…having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God…” (v. 12) “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival…These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puff him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body…grows as God causes it to grow.” (v. 16-19) What God said to me: Dwayne, my son, you have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. You have been given fullness, completeness in Christ. You need nothing and noone else to complete and perfect you. You need no other power but mine through my Son who lives in you. Your old self and your old thinking is dead and buried. Now live and act like the new creation you are. There will always be those who want to drag you back into legalism and discourage your joy and freedom in me. There will always be some who will criticize your apparent lack of concern for individual and specific sins as though one is more important than another. These same people will tell you you must conform to certain rituals and standards that have little or nothing to do with my Word and your relationship with me. Sin is sin, and you are to keep yourself clean and separated from anything foreign to my teaching and my will. Let my holiness determine what is appropriate for you from day to day, not somebody’s mere opinion. They’ve lost their Head. They have disconnected from Jesus, the Christ, the Head of the Church. They have, therefore, disqualified themselves. Dwayne, don’t you lose your Head… What I said to God: Father, thank You for reminding me Who my standard and my controller is. Jesus, my Savior, is also Jesus, my Lord. He determines where I walk and what I say and do. He is the Head of the family of God. May your people look only to Him for guidance and for sanctification. We are clean through the Word You have spoken to us! Praise You, Lord! You are good and holy and right! And You live in me!
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01.29.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 10:23 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 2:6-8 Theme: Key instructions on how to move beyond starting with Christ to continuing in Christ. Key verses: “…just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy…” (v. 6-8a) What God said to me: I have many children who started with my Son, who have trusted Jesus as their Savior at some point in their past. But they have not continued with Christ. They have stopped growing in Him. They no longer thrill to worship Him, to pray and talk to Him, to read my Word and learn about Him. Dwayne, you can relate because there was a time when you, too, struggled to get off the starting line and around the track more than once. You came in for a premature pit stop and liked it so much you didn’t want to get back in the race. Remember those days? Don’t ever forget them, and for sure, don’t ever relive them. For my people to continue to grow and flourish in their faith, there are four key deliberate actions they must do: 1) Get established. They must dig their roots deep into their fellowship with Jesus. They must see him as their source of all hope, joy and peace. They must determine he and only he directs their future and builds them up. 2) Pump up. Those who would name the name of my Son should exercise and strengthen their faith. And that’s not some new, unknown and mystical belief system they develop. They must avoid chasing after new and strange doctrines. They should go back to the tested and true foundation of their faith, my Holy Bible. 3) Be extremely thankful. Dwayne, this one is particularly important. The most well-indoctinated and knowledgable Christian can become stale and useless and apathetically pathetic. Often, the first step in that sour direction is allowing their hearts to become ungrateful for what I have done for them and for what they have and who they are in Christ. 4) Don’t get duped. Despite growing and strenthening themselves, and even in spite of their thankful hearts, sometimes Satan’s forces can still manage to lead my little ones astray. This is most distressing and painful to watch. As their Shepherd I want so much to warn them of such ditches and deep ravines. But you see, Dwayne, spiritual knowledge and heart-felt gratitude aren’t enough against such a strong enemy as you have. You must be on your guard at all times. You must expect the dark powers to seek to destroy you, to deceive, discourage and discredit you. You must avoid certain places, certain books and magazines and websites. You have to deliberately say no and close your mind to particularly foul-smelling thoughts and ideas. Like an animal sniffs out a substance before taking it into his mouth, you must sniff out deceptive and harmful teachings and run far away from them. What I said to God: Thank You, my precious Shepherd. These are powerful and practical instructions to help me and all Your children stay vitally growing and flourishing in You for a lifetime. Praise You for Your awesome and ever-relavant Word! I love and adore You and lay my life before You today.
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01.27.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 12:26 pm by Administrator
Text: Colossians 2:1-5 Theme: Paul’s purpose was to help people truly know Christ. Key verses: “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (v. 2-3) What God said to me: Son, here again, we see Paul’s clear and confident understanding of his purpose in life. He knew what was most important and he passionately struggled toward that goal. Paul wanted others to know my Son. Not just to have met him, Paul desparately desired that people get to know Christ’s qualities - to embrace him, pursue his character, enjoy his friendship, employ his power and wisdom, and ultimately become more like him. Look at some of the words Paul used involving his purpose in these verses. He said he was “struggling;” he wanted them to be “encouraged” and “united” and have “full riches” of “complete understanding.” He was full of “delight” to see their faith in Christ. Dwayne, consider your own heart and mind on any given, average day. Could you use words like these to describe your thoughts and prayers for those I have entrusted you to encourage and help? How often do you even have thoughts and prayers for others, rather than just for yourself and your concerns? You know your purpose. It is to proclaim me to others and help them grow into mature believers who will influence even more to follow me. Yet, how passionately do you pursue that purpose? Look for ways to share me with those around you today. Watch closely. Be ready. I will give you the opportunity to witness and encourage someone if you will but open your spiritual eyes to see. What I said to God: Father, please forgive me. You have read my mail and written my ticket on this one. I didn’t realize how focused I am everyday on my own agenda. No wonder I’m not getting more opportunities to share my faith. I’m not even aware of people’s needs much of the time. Oh Lord, what does all this other stuff matter - my writing, my websites, my so-called ministry - if I’m not actively and daily investing my life in others and being available to personally help someone? May I see a stranger as my neighbor and as my responsibility today. But first of all on this day, may I simply see…
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01.26.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 10:30 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 1:28-29 Theme: Paul knew his job and how to accomplish it Key verses: We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. What God said to me: Know your job, Dwayne, and how to accomplish it. This is your theme passage for the remainder of your days on this earth. This is your personal and professional mission statement. Let’s dissect it and see what it is I expect of you and the ministry I’ve now called you to.
- First, make sure what you do proclaims - and that you do proclaim - me and only me. Never proclaim yourself and draw more attention to your name than you do to mine. Purposefully and continuously seek ways to make me known among the lost around you. Your calling to worship leaders is secondary to your mandate to witness to those who could go to hell separated from me.
- Secondly, I have gifted you to teach. I have given you unique insights regarding worship and praise. Be a student of my Word for life. Never stop growing. Then passionately and joyfully pass your knowledge and wisdom on to anyone who will listen. Let me decide who those people are. You just be faithful to teach and admonish.
- Third, know your goal, which is “to present everyone perfect in Christ.” In other words, you should feel the responsibility to help bring my people into maturity in my Son. That weight comes in the form of a cross for you - dying to yourself and allowing me to work through you to impact my little ones.
- Fourth, once you clearly comprehend and accept your mission or “end,” then labor, work, even struggle at times to accomplish it. Plowing is back-breaking. Planting can be tough work. Breaking up fallow ground in men’s hearts is my doing, but I will do it in part through your labors. Dwayne, I love to see you rejoice. I enjoy the thrill that all my blessings are bringing to you and your family right now. However, understand and know this: What I have called you to will be some of the most challenging and difficult work you have ever done.
- Fifth and most important, as you labor, as you stuggle, be sure to always do it in my energy. Never try to do it your own feeble weakness. You have all the power in and out of the world living inside you. That power is my Holy Spirit, and he is powerfully working in you to help you finish the tasks, the mission to which I have graciously and clearly called you.
What I said to God: Oh my Lord and my God, I hear and see this mission, this calling. I know this will be the theme verse of our ministry and our life for the remainder of our time here. Thank you for making it so abundantly clear. I submit to it. I claim your power. And by your grace I and my family will finish well!
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01.24.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 9:39 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 1:26-27 Theme: Jesus in me is still a mystery to me Key verses: “the mystery that has been kept through the ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” What God said to me: Dwayne, welcome to the most profound thought of the New Testament. It climaxes and encapsulates all other sin-shattering statements such as “Jesus loves you” and “Before Abraham was, I am.” All that Jesus Christ came to say and do is brought to bear in those 6 simple words, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Why is it so rich? Why is it so glorious? It is because the King of all ages has taken residence inside of you. His indwelling power and presence assures your place in heaven. You now have hope that your life has purpose. You will change and become more like my Son. Because He lives in you, you are righteous in my sight. Absorb that, Dwayne, if you possibly can. The Great I Am is right now living in you. And all his wisdom, all his power, all his righteousness is available to you. He is in you, thus he has become for you all this and much more. The prophets could never see it. They never quite understood how my Spirit would move inside of hearts, rather than only fill temples and guide like pillars of clouds or fire. The Jews certainly never saw the day coming when all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, would have the opportunity for hope of glory and salvation, when anyone could be called my child. This mystery has now been revealed. It is now within your grasp to comprehend the what of this incredible truth. The part you will never understand is the why… What I said to God: Holy and loving Father, my All in All, my Defender, Counselor and best Friend, I appreciate a little better now this “mystery” I’ve heard about for so long from Your Word. I think I get what the mystery is. I acknowledge that the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace has moved inside of me forever. I even somewhat grasp the incredible and glorious hope that fact brings to me and to all those in whom You dwell. But even as You said, I cannot for the life of me comprehend why You would come and live then die for the likes of me. I do not understand why You would move inside a vessel that is so much less than perfect. I cannot fathom why You would demonstrate Your love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, even then You died for us - You died for me. I suppose that part of this mystery, the whole undeserved favor and love part, will forever remain a mystery to me. I may not ever fully understand it, that is true; but I can forever accept it and be indebted to You for it! That part I know I can and I must do…
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01.19.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 9:21 am by Administrator
Text: Colossians 1:23b-25 Theme: Servanthood isn’t exactly automatic Key verses: “…I, Paul, have become a servant.” (v. 23b) “…for the sake of the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness.” (v. 24b-25) What God said to me: Dwayne, good morning. I’m glad you rose early and decided to meet with me. I enjoy my time with you and miss it when you don’t come. Notice how Paul worded his calling in this passage. Twice he said he had “become” a servant. Now, of course that happened as a result of my commissioning him to present the Gospel to the Gentiles. Nonetheless, he didn’t say he was made a servant or that he was commissioned to be a servant. He was commissioned to preach to others. And that necessitated him becoming a servant. The becoming a servant part was his choice. Jesus “took upon himself the form of a servant.” I didn’t make him be one. It was Jesus’ choice to come down to humanity and serve you on a cross. I told Paul to go and preach, and he willingly submitted, understanding that would require a servant’s heart and humility to be truly effective. Dwayne, my son, I have commissioned you to mentor many worship leaders, teach many worshipers and share my Gospel with your neighbors and friends. How you go about that is your choice. Will you do it to honor me? Will you first of all serve others with your gifts and anointing, or will you choose to serve your own interests first? If you truly want to be like my Son, you will take it upon yourself to become a servant. What I said to God: Thank you, my Lord and Savior, my El Shaddai, I humble myself before You and before others today. I choose by Your grace and power to become a servant in my dealings with others. You have already shown me this year that my first and foremost priority is seeking ways to help and serve others. You are already opening doors and giving me creative thoughts as to how to connect people and encourage other ministers. Praise You for allowing me such an opportunity! This whole servant thing is actually quite what it is cracked up to be! But even when it’s not fun and rewarding, I want to still be the servant I am becoming in You - for the sake of Your church…
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01.18.07
Posted in Thoughts on Colossians at 9:37 pm by Administrator
Text: Colossians 1:22-23 Theme: We have a responsibility in our sanctification Key phrases: “…to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel…of which I…have been become a servant.” What God said to me: Dwayne, for the rest of your life you will hear debate on both sides as to how much is my work and destiny in you and how much is your free choice. There will be seasons when one side gains momentum over the other, and then the pendulum will swing again in time. It is healthly to consider such things and form strong, well-researched opinions. However, you must never explain away the “if” in this passage. Paul wasn’t confused and he didn’t mince words. You will be holy and without blame before me one day if you do something on your end. Sure, my grace allows for it, draws you to it in fact. But the if remains. On the other hand, certainly you have your responsibilities as well, but the if remains to point you toward the hope of the Gospel of my Son. You cannot make yourself holy period. Yet, I will not force holiness upon you. Debate all you will. But never rest on your mere human intellect and self-gratifying speculations. Yes, I am the Finisher of your faith. Yes, I am able to present you faultless in my dear presence with exceeding joy. Yes, you’ve been predestined to be conformed into the image of my dear Son. And yes, my Son’s blood makes you righteous. Yes, yes, yes. But the if remains - “if you continue…” If not, some blemishes will remain… What I said to God: Whoa, this doesn’t quite jive with my theology, Lord. I don’t really understand what’s being said here. I know You’re not saying work for my salvation. Yet, I’m getting the hint that I am supposed to stay faithful, stay the course, keep my eyes on the prize of your high calling in Christ. I have a clear responsibility. I’m not off the hook and holiness isn’t automatic. Is that what Paul means? Please help me grasp and then apply this profoundly important warning. Help us to continue in our faith and set our focus steadfastly on the hope we have in You! Thank you for speaking - even if I don’t always comprehend it all!
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