Colossians - A letter recieved from Apostle Paul
History of Colossae:
Colossae, the named city, was one of 3 cites located about 100 miles inland from Ephesis. The other two cities were Laodica and Therapolos. This area was a meeting point of the east and the west, which made it an important trade route point.
At one time, all three cities were growing and prosperous. Gradually Colassse slipped in to what we now would call a small town. Even though it became this small town, the church there was still important enough to recieve a letter from Apostle Paul.
Religion in Colossae:
All kinds of religous philosophies were present, there was a large Jewish colony. But there being a point of a trade route, there were always new ideas and doctrines introduced.
The reason that Paul wrote the letter to this church, he never actually visited there nor did he establish the church there. By looking at Colossians 1:4,9, he personally had never even visited, it shows that he heard of their faith.
A church of unknown people.
In a small town.
Recieving a personal letter from Apostle Paul.
Paul had a 3 year ministry in Ephesus (acts 19;20:17-38)
It was such an effective ministry that ‘all they, which lived in Asia heard the word of THE LORD Jesus, Both Greeks and Jews. (acts 19:10)
This included people in all 3 of the cities we have talked about.
Therefore, the church was started. It was an outgrowth of Pauls mission there to Ephesus.
During Pauls ministry in Ephesus w men from Colassae were saved Epaphras and Philemon (this can be found in Phil 19)
Epephres was a founder in Colassae (1:7)
He also had a ministry in Hierapolis and Laodica (4:12-13)
Philemon had church, a meeting , in his home (phile 2)
In Phil 2, Apphia and Archippus were the wife and son of Philemon was the pastor of the church (col 4:17)
Here were 2 laymen – Regular people. Used of God to start ministries in at least 3 cities.
---a lesson for us from this
God doesn’t always need an apostle of full time Christian worker to establish meetings nor does HE need buildings and extensive organizations.
Its Gods plan that Christians in large urban areas like Ephesus reach out into smaller towns and share the gospel.
After reading this part and establishing the importance of outreach, to smaller areas It brought to mind how our church has reached out to a smaller church, Glenwood.
Colossians church primarily consisted of Gentiles in ins membership. The church was probably about 5 years old when this letter was written.
WHY PAUL WROTE THE LETTER
A crisis occurred that was about to destroy the church there
At the time this letter was written- Paul was a prisoner in Rome.
He met a runaway slave, Onesinumus who belong to Philemon. Philemon was one of the leaders of the church in Colossae.
Paul led Onesinumus to The Lord. Then he wrote a letter to Philemon, asking his friend to forgive Onesimus and receive him back as his brother in Christ.
About the same time Epaphras showed up in Rome because he needed Pauls help.
New doctrines were being taught in Colossae and were creating problems. So paul wrote the letter to establish the truth of the gospel and get rid of any wrong or false teachings.
FALSE TEACHINGS THAT WERE WRONG
Eastern philosophy and Jewish legalism is the proper wording for the problems occurring Scholars refer to this as nosticism. Which is from the Greek word ‘gnosis’ meaning ‘to know’
(agnostic is one who doesn’t know)
Gnostics were peple ‘in the know’ when it came to the deep things of God
They were promising people such a close union with God that they would achieve spiritual perfection. The only way they would, supposably, attain this spiritual fullness was by entering into these teachings and ceremonies they told them to.
Supposably these teaching would releasze them from earthly things and put them in touch with heavenly things.
All of these teachings were man made philosophies based on traditions and not Divine truth.
They speculated and pondered on speculations such as Why is there evil in the world if creation was made by Holy God. And came to the false conclusion that ‘matter’ was evil. Matter, any physical substance. They came to another false conclusion that God couldn’t come into contact with evil matter so there had to be a series of ‘emanations’ from God to His creation. They were so believing in a ‘powerful spirit world’ that used material things to attack mankind. And they also held a form of astrology…believing that angelic beings ruled heavenly bodies and influenced heavenly affairs. (col 1:16;2:10,15)
Added to these was that form of Jewish legalism, The teahers believed that the rate of Jewish circumsicion was helpful in spiritual development.
As I reviewed this and studied it really bring a lot to my mind that is like this in our world today. I am not talking about fortune tellers, and card readers, horascopes I am talking about in churchs all around us.
Can you think of anything that would be a sort of false teaching, belief, or emanations used in other churches???
----my examples:
Churches requiring snake handling, church where you are required to speak in tongues as it is considered part of your salvation, requiring of certain meats not to be eaten, your saved only if you have had a water baptism, requirement of 2 year servanthood or ceremonies of affirmation.
The church there was teaching the Old Testament Law especially dietary laws which was useful in attaining spiritual perfection. (col 2:14-17)
Definate rules and regulations told them what was good and what was evil (2:21)
Matter—I mentioned before was evil to them. So they had to find some way to control their own human natures to pursue their perfection. Therefore, 2 pracitces resulted The predominiant one thought that the only way to conquer evil matter was by rigid discipline and Ascentistism (2:23) (ascentisism means abstienance from worldly pleasure to an extreme)
The second thought it was permissible to engage in all kinds of sin once matter was evil anyway.
Pauls letter to the Colossians is to tell them that the person and work of Jesus Christ, alone, is able to offer salvation.
Jesus intended to fully redeem those who are captice to sin by dying of the crossand paying the price for their freedom.
Jesus Christ settled the sin question in His work on the cross. HE completely defeated all satanic force (2:15)
He put en to the legal demands of the law (2:14+-17)
Colossions belief began to drift in their understanding of the perons and work of Jesus Christ. Paul needed to stop the drift and reestablish proper :CHRISTOLOGY
Christology has 2 essential parts: the person of Jesus Christ includes his/or her character and nature
And
The work of Jeus Christ is all about redemption.
Jesus Christ is the image of invisible God.
- If you want to know what God looks like, Look at Jesus. He is the visible image of God (( see also John 14:9))
- Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jeus is the the exact reproduction of GOD>
There is no difference in essence or nature.
**Paul goes on to tell us in the letter ‘for in Christ all the fullness of the Diety lives in bodily form. (colossians 2:9)
How in life are we effected by traditions? IS your faith and believing strong enough that you know Jesus is the only way? Is your faith big enough to know what you believe?
As we study Colossians, Paul give clear cut points about false belief and how if it don’t come back to The Cross…its false. We will dig deeper into the letter and look each individually.
Colossians 1:1 Paul calls himself ‘apostle’
Greek root word for this means ‘to send’
The new testament employs this word to signify approved spokesman sent as a personal representative.
Although every chrisitan is not called by God to minister like paul or the 12 apostles/ Every Christian is called by God to represent Him before the people who we come in contact with.
1:2 saints… greek term meaning ‘holy people’ the essence of the word ‘holiness’ is being set apart to God.
All believer are saints not because were perfect but because we belong to God.
‘in Christ’ Paul uses this reference 80 times, in his letters. Paul saw all of chrisitan experience a growing act of the Christian believers position ‘in christ’
Basically, everything a Christian does should reflect Christ
Grace and peace… greek word grace with standard Hebrew word ‘peace’
Reminding in his letter that wholeness is in God our father who is the ultimate source of wholeness and favor
3a Praying always for you.. intercessory prayer and thanksgiving – he interceded for the Colossions and offered praise for them.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
time..
time... everyone these days seems to want more of it, but why?
Overscheduled, overworked, not enough time to... go to church, Sunday School, spend time with your family, time for your spouse, time for yourself, time for God... The list is endless.
As I blogged before about Strongholds, did you know that overscheduling is can be a stronghold. Its something that holds many back from experiencing the joy of God. Right?
In todays society, we find ourself in a technological age where every gadget and gizmo is readily available for us to do things faster. Thats basically the gist of most technology. Our employers want us to work harder, faster, better, be more productive. Our children have to do more, more, more, more too.
Time has become our obsession, and it has came at a high cost. We physically suffer because of our lack of time, STRESS. Lack of time can be the root of Stress. Stress- Causes many physical problems sleep disorders, memory problems, anxiety, depression.
As parents, our children suffer. They are consumed with so many activites they are sleep deprived, overwhelmed, missing their parents, no down time. Our children, are most influenced in their childhood, and guess who the most influencial person in their lives might be? Mom and Dad.
Though we may not realize we are teaching our children to be busy, and then they fall right into our shortcomings. We are already molding their minds to sense that free time is wasted time.
Proverbs 22:6 "teach your children the way they should go, when they grow old they will not depart from it"
What if our influence, our training, is wrong? Will they depart from that wrong training?
God is a giver of time, and we are too busy even for Him. Our children are too busy for Him.
IF I am driving up the road at 120mph its harder for me to stop than, say if I am driving only 60 mph, therefore if I hit something the impact is greater if I am going faster. As we increase the activities in our lives we find it harder to break away from the things that we are involved in.
I am deeply saddened to see all the kids I know so run down chaffeared from here to there and everywhere in between, hoping to spare a few minutes to hit the Mc'y D's drive thru and eat on the road. Then getting home to hurridly complete homework, shower and finally collapse into a bed.
If we reflect on a typical day, we find that you just dont have time. TIme for you and your kids, time for God, time for.. time. What does your day reveal about your priorities in life? In what areas do you spend most of your 'time'? What defines your day?
MOst peoples priorities arent where they would like them to be. If your heart yearns for your day to be differently, what dont you do it? That yearning is your desire to live your life as you were meant to live it, to have your life reflect your priorites.
What deserves the most attention in your day?
God, Family, Health, Friends, Work?
What in your day can you rearrange so that your daily life reflects your priorities.. those of your heart.
Of course, this is easier said than done.
Simplifying time, is adjusting the way you do life. Its understanding what is most important to you then allowing ourselves to do it. We have to remind ourselves that other people dont share your feelings, maybe not even your values. We simply cannot compare ourselves to someoneelse.
Once we realize where our heart wants our priorities, then we have seen the big picture and we can work to attain it. One day, one task at a time. Pray for God to reveal things to you that maybe could be cut down on, ways that you can utilize the time you have.. for His glory!
Our children, well the grow up so fast, its just unbelievable they are born one day, start school the next, then they graduate, and poof off to college... dont be so jumbled up and overscheduled that you miss these precious moments, the precious days God gives us with our blessings.
Overscheduled, overworked, not enough time to... go to church, Sunday School, spend time with your family, time for your spouse, time for yourself, time for God... The list is endless.
As I blogged before about Strongholds, did you know that overscheduling is can be a stronghold. Its something that holds many back from experiencing the joy of God. Right?
In todays society, we find ourself in a technological age where every gadget and gizmo is readily available for us to do things faster. Thats basically the gist of most technology. Our employers want us to work harder, faster, better, be more productive. Our children have to do more, more, more, more too.
Time has become our obsession, and it has came at a high cost. We physically suffer because of our lack of time, STRESS. Lack of time can be the root of Stress. Stress- Causes many physical problems sleep disorders, memory problems, anxiety, depression.
As parents, our children suffer. They are consumed with so many activites they are sleep deprived, overwhelmed, missing their parents, no down time. Our children, are most influenced in their childhood, and guess who the most influencial person in their lives might be? Mom and Dad.
Though we may not realize we are teaching our children to be busy, and then they fall right into our shortcomings. We are already molding their minds to sense that free time is wasted time.
Proverbs 22:6 "teach your children the way they should go, when they grow old they will not depart from it"
What if our influence, our training, is wrong? Will they depart from that wrong training?
God is a giver of time, and we are too busy even for Him. Our children are too busy for Him.
IF I am driving up the road at 120mph its harder for me to stop than, say if I am driving only 60 mph, therefore if I hit something the impact is greater if I am going faster. As we increase the activities in our lives we find it harder to break away from the things that we are involved in.
I am deeply saddened to see all the kids I know so run down chaffeared from here to there and everywhere in between, hoping to spare a few minutes to hit the Mc'y D's drive thru and eat on the road. Then getting home to hurridly complete homework, shower and finally collapse into a bed.
If we reflect on a typical day, we find that you just dont have time. TIme for you and your kids, time for God, time for.. time. What does your day reveal about your priorities in life? In what areas do you spend most of your 'time'? What defines your day?
MOst peoples priorities arent where they would like them to be. If your heart yearns for your day to be differently, what dont you do it? That yearning is your desire to live your life as you were meant to live it, to have your life reflect your priorites.
What deserves the most attention in your day?
God, Family, Health, Friends, Work?
What in your day can you rearrange so that your daily life reflects your priorities.. those of your heart.
Of course, this is easier said than done.
Simplifying time, is adjusting the way you do life. Its understanding what is most important to you then allowing ourselves to do it. We have to remind ourselves that other people dont share your feelings, maybe not even your values. We simply cannot compare ourselves to someoneelse.
Once we realize where our heart wants our priorities, then we have seen the big picture and we can work to attain it. One day, one task at a time. Pray for God to reveal things to you that maybe could be cut down on, ways that you can utilize the time you have.. for His glory!
Our children, well the grow up so fast, its just unbelievable they are born one day, start school the next, then they graduate, and poof off to college... dont be so jumbled up and overscheduled that you miss these precious moments, the precious days God gives us with our blessings.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
strongholds...those things in life that make us feel like we have failed
Strong holds
All too often as Christians we feel like we have failed, and are guilt ridden. It strips us of faith, strength, and causes us to feel hopeless and worthless.
Which is exactly the opposite of what we should feel as a child of God.
We are going to journey back a little to Exodus 17
Looking at verses – 1-7 first I am going to read all of them then we are going to go back through them.
Where we are in the Bible, God is using Moses freeing the Isrealites from Egyptians
Vs. 1 – NKJV, KJV,NASV uses the words ‘wilderness of sin’
NIV uses ‘desert of sin’
Wilderness- what comes to mind when you think about that word?
- Desolate, alone,
Desert – as used in the NIV I think of dry
The Isrealites were told to get out of it, leave. The scripture is not specific about what sin they were to leave they were just told to leave.
• Keep that written in your mind as we go on with this lesson
Verse 2- the people contended with moses, they were thirsty.
It must have been an immense thirst they had been traveling out for sometime at this point – in this sense they were literally thirsty. There was no water to drink.
Now the problem was not asking for water but the ISrealites contending with Moses was the problem.
-the word contended is a verb often used to describe a judicial dispute.
Here they were grumpily complaining,
Moses ‘judged’ this to be a challenge to Gods faithful mercy telling them to leave the wilderness of sin. It shows evidence of unbelief in His, as in Gods provision.
For them to be contending with moses about their thirst basically they had a bad attitude they didn’t know that they were right square in the middle of a blessing all they think of was their physical needs.
Vs. 3-5
God was going to give them their needs, in His time he certainly wasn’t going to remove them from a wilderness of sin and not provide. But what could have been a joyful blessing turned into a bittersweet blessing.
In verse 7 that very last statement ‘is the lord amoung us or not?”
-These people have already seen Gods power in the plagues, the Exodus, the crossing of the Red Sea and the provision of manna Every day they saw the pillar of His prescense yet they were impatient and questioning.
Have you ever find yourself in this predicament, question if God is with you?
Now turn to Deut 6:
This is still the same people they have still been traveling, from when God told them to leave the wilderness of sin
(read these verses)
6: 10:11-12 – he was taking them to the promised land, the place He promised freeing them from bondage that they didn’t even know. And they even questioned God being there.
Yes they didn’t know where God was sending them but we cant see the future in our lives. We cant see Gods great plan. That’s why we have to trust in The Lord and not lean on our own understanding.
Still in chapter 6:This what we were just talking about in Exodus.
It says tempt Him. How do we tempt God?? Rebelliousness and sin
It also says do what is right and good telling us to be faithful To God, as He moves out our enemies.
Now skim down to verse 23.
Deut. 6:23 (NKJV) ‘ Then HE brought us out from here, that He might bring us in”
God brought them out of defeat – into victory. Just as He had promised.
In this verse its telling you that God will bring you out of defeat and into victory”
Defeat to victory.
I don’t know how many of you are feeling defeated today, but The Word Of God Speaks and The Lord is telling you today that There will be victory. He will deliver you from defeat.
Thinking back to that wilderness of sin..maybe some of you are trapped there in that wilderness and Gods telling you to get out! Leave! And there is just something there that you just cannot part with.
Back in Deut. Lets look at Deut. 10 verse 11 can someone read
He says ‘arise begin your journey GO GET WHATS YOURS..its there and waiting for you. This was told to them we just spoke of from Exodus to Deut.
--in order to go on and get what is ours we have to make the first step of faith but getting out of that wilderness of sin we are in we cant inherit what God has promised if we are stuck with our own understanding in the wilderness.
Maybe you know that whatever it is, is getting you nowhere,that your in the wilderness, in the desert where its just so dry desolate empty and lonely.
Just as the Isrealites were so caught up in their own desires, yes which at the time appeared a need, but God was going to provide. They cant even think of what God has already done for them and got them through thus far they couldn’t even fathom what God is perfectly capable of doing.
These things these desires that keep us in that wilderness of sin, my sister.. it’s a strong hold.
What Is A Stronghold? Anything that masters you has a potential stronghold on you. Let’s look at two places in the Bible that helps us understand “strongholds”
Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We are incapable of determining God’s thoughts through human reasoning; therefore we are dependent on divine revelation to understand God’s thoughts, and way of thinking.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Strongholds can be anything any form of comfort you feel or find that you cannot depart from, even when the Lord tells you to do it. You struggle leaving your own thing, your own sanctuary, your own comfort. But why?
Strong holds can be people,
it can be sin,
it can be old sin that you don’t feel like God has forgiven you of. ( 1 john 1:9 says ‘if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness’ There is only one sin God cannot forgive, it’s the one that you wont take to Him.
Strongholds are anything that stands between you and God.
Anything preventing you from being in Gods will instead of your own wilderness of sin.
Anything that is holding you back from experiencing the joy of Gods grace.
Is God speaking to you about something today, is he stirring your heart.
Break free from it! Rebuke it! Don’t be afraid.
Phillipians 3:13-14 “Brethern I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead”
There is only one way to put things behind you.
Let go of it, and go on, go on and leave it laying and do not stop.
Strong holds are a lot like laundry, you seem to get caught up and there is yet more to do.. We always are having to fight against sin so we constantly have to ‘be cleansed’
As I sit around thinking about this past weeks lesson, and my was it a lesson for me. God spoke to me more about Strongholds.
YOu know, your first thought in the morning..your last worry at night.Those 'enemies' that dominate your day and take away joy. Giving us that feeling of failure.
Our 'enemies' if you will, they are not just people that inhibit our lives. THey are situations. Unemployment, abandonment, depression, bills you cant pay, people you cant please, a past we cant shake or even a future you cant face.
We have to face our 'enemies' but we dont have to do it alone. All we have to do is call on King Jesus, He will hold our hand face our enemies for us.. Maybe our enemy is something a loved one is doing that is wrong. And you find yourself thinking he/she is never going to stop this. They are never going to get over their 'stronghold'. They are just running from God... First my friend. You have a friend. And unbias, all powerful, slow to talk but fast to listen friend, who is always available. Its never to late to call this friend, never to early, Call on Jesus. You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. Are you in the wilderness? Find refuge in the presense of God. Find comfort in his people.
We have to see our enemies not as Gods failures but as Gods work in progress projects. When we see projects that are halfway done its hard to imagine the finish product. Forgiveness is choosing to see your offender with different eyes. How we handle our tough times, stays with us for a Long time. Are you willing to ask Jesus to help you with your 'enemy' your stronghold? He cant help...if you dont ask.
All too often as Christians we feel like we have failed, and are guilt ridden. It strips us of faith, strength, and causes us to feel hopeless and worthless.
Which is exactly the opposite of what we should feel as a child of God.
We are going to journey back a little to Exodus 17
Looking at verses – 1-7 first I am going to read all of them then we are going to go back through them.
Where we are in the Bible, God is using Moses freeing the Isrealites from Egyptians
Vs. 1 – NKJV, KJV,NASV uses the words ‘wilderness of sin’
NIV uses ‘desert of sin’
Wilderness- what comes to mind when you think about that word?
- Desolate, alone,
Desert – as used in the NIV I think of dry
The Isrealites were told to get out of it, leave. The scripture is not specific about what sin they were to leave they were just told to leave.
• Keep that written in your mind as we go on with this lesson
Verse 2- the people contended with moses, they were thirsty.
It must have been an immense thirst they had been traveling out for sometime at this point – in this sense they were literally thirsty. There was no water to drink.
Now the problem was not asking for water but the ISrealites contending with Moses was the problem.
-the word contended is a verb often used to describe a judicial dispute.
Here they were grumpily complaining,
Moses ‘judged’ this to be a challenge to Gods faithful mercy telling them to leave the wilderness of sin. It shows evidence of unbelief in His, as in Gods provision.
For them to be contending with moses about their thirst basically they had a bad attitude they didn’t know that they were right square in the middle of a blessing all they think of was their physical needs.
Vs. 3-5
God was going to give them their needs, in His time he certainly wasn’t going to remove them from a wilderness of sin and not provide. But what could have been a joyful blessing turned into a bittersweet blessing.
In verse 7 that very last statement ‘is the lord amoung us or not?”
-These people have already seen Gods power in the plagues, the Exodus, the crossing of the Red Sea and the provision of manna Every day they saw the pillar of His prescense yet they were impatient and questioning.
Have you ever find yourself in this predicament, question if God is with you?
Now turn to Deut 6:
This is still the same people they have still been traveling, from when God told them to leave the wilderness of sin
(read these verses)
6: 10:11-12 – he was taking them to the promised land, the place He promised freeing them from bondage that they didn’t even know. And they even questioned God being there.
Yes they didn’t know where God was sending them but we cant see the future in our lives. We cant see Gods great plan. That’s why we have to trust in The Lord and not lean on our own understanding.
Still in chapter 6:This what we were just talking about in Exodus.
It says tempt Him. How do we tempt God?? Rebelliousness and sin
It also says do what is right and good telling us to be faithful To God, as He moves out our enemies.
Now skim down to verse 23.
Deut. 6:23 (NKJV) ‘ Then HE brought us out from here, that He might bring us in”
God brought them out of defeat – into victory. Just as He had promised.
In this verse its telling you that God will bring you out of defeat and into victory”
Defeat to victory.
I don’t know how many of you are feeling defeated today, but The Word Of God Speaks and The Lord is telling you today that There will be victory. He will deliver you from defeat.
Thinking back to that wilderness of sin..maybe some of you are trapped there in that wilderness and Gods telling you to get out! Leave! And there is just something there that you just cannot part with.
Back in Deut. Lets look at Deut. 10 verse 11 can someone read
He says ‘arise begin your journey GO GET WHATS YOURS..its there and waiting for you. This was told to them we just spoke of from Exodus to Deut.
--in order to go on and get what is ours we have to make the first step of faith but getting out of that wilderness of sin we are in we cant inherit what God has promised if we are stuck with our own understanding in the wilderness.
Maybe you know that whatever it is, is getting you nowhere,that your in the wilderness, in the desert where its just so dry desolate empty and lonely.
Just as the Isrealites were so caught up in their own desires, yes which at the time appeared a need, but God was going to provide. They cant even think of what God has already done for them and got them through thus far they couldn’t even fathom what God is perfectly capable of doing.
These things these desires that keep us in that wilderness of sin, my sister.. it’s a strong hold.
What Is A Stronghold? Anything that masters you has a potential stronghold on you. Let’s look at two places in the Bible that helps us understand “strongholds”
Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We are incapable of determining God’s thoughts through human reasoning; therefore we are dependent on divine revelation to understand God’s thoughts, and way of thinking.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Strongholds can be anything any form of comfort you feel or find that you cannot depart from, even when the Lord tells you to do it. You struggle leaving your own thing, your own sanctuary, your own comfort. But why?
Strong holds can be people,
it can be sin,
it can be old sin that you don’t feel like God has forgiven you of. ( 1 john 1:9 says ‘if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness’ There is only one sin God cannot forgive, it’s the one that you wont take to Him.
Strongholds are anything that stands between you and God.
Anything preventing you from being in Gods will instead of your own wilderness of sin.
Anything that is holding you back from experiencing the joy of Gods grace.
Is God speaking to you about something today, is he stirring your heart.
Break free from it! Rebuke it! Don’t be afraid.
Phillipians 3:13-14 “Brethern I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead”
There is only one way to put things behind you.
Let go of it, and go on, go on and leave it laying and do not stop.
Strong holds are a lot like laundry, you seem to get caught up and there is yet more to do.. We always are having to fight against sin so we constantly have to ‘be cleansed’
As I sit around thinking about this past weeks lesson, and my was it a lesson for me. God spoke to me more about Strongholds.
YOu know, your first thought in the morning..your last worry at night.Those 'enemies' that dominate your day and take away joy. Giving us that feeling of failure.
Our 'enemies' if you will, they are not just people that inhibit our lives. THey are situations. Unemployment, abandonment, depression, bills you cant pay, people you cant please, a past we cant shake or even a future you cant face.
We have to face our 'enemies' but we dont have to do it alone. All we have to do is call on King Jesus, He will hold our hand face our enemies for us.. Maybe our enemy is something a loved one is doing that is wrong. And you find yourself thinking he/she is never going to stop this. They are never going to get over their 'stronghold'. They are just running from God... First my friend. You have a friend. And unbias, all powerful, slow to talk but fast to listen friend, who is always available. Its never to late to call this friend, never to early, Call on Jesus. You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. Are you in the wilderness? Find refuge in the presense of God. Find comfort in his people.
We have to see our enemies not as Gods failures but as Gods work in progress projects. When we see projects that are halfway done its hard to imagine the finish product. Forgiveness is choosing to see your offender with different eyes. How we handle our tough times, stays with us for a Long time. Are you willing to ask Jesus to help you with your 'enemy' your stronghold? He cant help...if you dont ask.
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