Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
On the morning that I read this passage, throughout the day the Spirit kept asking me, what does it means to set my “mind on things above, not earthly things?” As I tried to process what it meant when I proclaimed to have died and raised to a new life in Christ and I am hidden with Christ in God, I became overwhelmed. During my evening prayer walk, I prayed the same prayer repeatedly asking God to help me learn how to set my mind on things above not earthly things and teaching me how to live a life hidden in him. Since we have a new life and we are hidden in Christ, why do I/we often let earthly things affect our walk in Christ as a yoyo? This question led me to another question, if I/we believe that Christ is seated somewhere that is worth fighting for, why do some of us allow trials and tribulations to dictate our mood and decision to trust God? If I/we believe Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us, why do I/we let earthly things in this world steal our joy, peace, character, values, integrity and so on? Even worst, why do we easily fall for Satan’s scheme that he can give us “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor to make us happy? “All this I will give you” he said, “if you bow down and worship me” (Mathew 4:8-9). Satan is continuing to use the same manipulative methods he attempted to lure Jesus against God’s will to draw mankind as his pawn to hurt God. Jesus warns us that wickedness will increase, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:12-14).
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
This passage brought me to the story in Luke 16:19-31 about the Rich Man and Lazarus. As we are cruising in this world, living our lives, which side of the Chasm or in simple terms the great void is your permanent home? You can avoid the fact that there is an end for each of us on this earth, but that does not erase the fact that your soul has a destination according to the personal choices that you make while living on this earth. Jesus says the day will come, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36). You see, even the demons know there is an appointed time that will involve torture (Matthew 8:28-29). When that day comes, which road will you be entering? Right now, you are traveling along a road in your life. You still have time today to pause and reflect, if it’s worth it to gain the things in this world and lose your soul to eternal fire (Mark 8:36; 2, Peter 2:6)? It’s not too late for you to turn around from the road of destruction and join Jesus on the road to eternal life (Mathew 7:13-14). If you have already decided to join Jesus on the road to eternal life, do not become proud and allow the enemy to knock you off your path (Galatians 5:7). Let us allow Jesus to be our Shepherd as we walk toward the new Jerusalem where He will be amongst us, forever and ever! (Revelation 21:22-27).
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
While I was driving, a thought came to my mind. God rescued me while I deserved to be cast out to hell. I said aloud, “I know!” I then said, “why would God rescue me or any of us yet to throw us away?” Then the voice inside of me said exactly, that is what the enemy wants you to believe. The verse above was written as part of a song David sung to praise God from saving him from his enemies. Do you believe that God is delighted in you? Do not look at the trials in your life to answer this question. Believing in someone takes faith. It is also to have the confidence no matter what the outcome of your circumstances might be, knowing without any doubt, our God, through the blood of Jesus Christ loves us and will complete what he has promised (Hebrews 11:1).
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
What do your eyes see? When there is a lot going on in your family, community, and the world. It is very easy to focus on what we can see with our human eyes. When we do, that is when we start losing hope, becoming critical of ourselves or others, giving up and sometimes question our faith and leaving God’s protection. In my personal study of Colossians 3:12-14, I have learned I can’t attain the spiritual clothes that Apostle Paul speaks of unless love they are held together or secure by love. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:14). Most of us are familiar with John 3:16 and we often quote it.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Jesus ended his lesson teaching his disciples how to pray by saying, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15). There was a time in my life where I could not embrace forgiveness. I was very adamant that before I could forgive those who have caused me harm, they had to admit their fault against me or apologize. I recall convincing myself that God understands my reason for resenting the individuals and refusing to forgive them.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Apostle Paul charged the Colossae church what they must clothe themselves with as dearly Loved children of God (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, Verse-12). After he charged them to apply these attributes in their lives, he reminded them to “Bear with each other and forgive one another.” Think about the sequence of Apostle Paul charge to the church! How can we bear and forgive each other if we don’t emulate these virtues in our lives? Jesus was the perfect example of all these virtues that I believe carried him through the crucifixion for a sinner like me (Romans 5:6-8).
