Rooted, Strengthened and Overflowing

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

There's more to being a Christian than just receiving Christ Jesus as Lord of our lives. For if He truly is LORD of our lives, we will go on to do what the rest of these two scriptures say.

We will root ourselves in him. A tree, planted in the soil sends down deep roots to receive nutrients and water - life sustaining necessities. As it's roots grow deeper, it grows strong enough to withstand the storms of life.  So, shall we be if we root ourselves firmly in Christ - fed, nourished and strengthened so that we might grow and lift our branches to the Son in praise and worship.

As we continue to live our lives in Him, that is live according to His word and His will, we become more deeply rooted and built up in Him. We are strengthened in our faith, which makes us overflow with thankfulness as we consider all that Christ has done for us.

Today, my friends, let's send our roots deeper in Christ Jesus by reading His word and praying. Let's develop relationships that nourish our spirits so that we experience spiritual growth. Let's avail ourselves of solid biblical teaching. And let's cultivate a heart of gratitude that overflows with thanksgiving to Christ.

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Just Walk With Me Every day

I'm the kind of person who feels like they always have to be doing something to please God. I must be productive or I feel like I'm not measuring up. I know that's not right. I know that God is pleased with me because I chose Jesus as my Savior long ago and have done my best to live the kind of life He would want me to live at all times. My heart knows that, but my mind doesn't get it.

I'm an over-thinker. Always have been. Too much in my head all the time, trying to figure things out. I don't know if you can relate, but you're probably going to get a laugh out of the conversation between God and I this morning...

My Question: Lord, how can I please you?
His Answer: Just walk with me every day.
My Response: But, that's so simple, Lord.
His Response: Yes, it is. You make it hard with all your striving. Just walk with me every day.

Immediately an image of Jesus walking the dusty roads of Jerusalem with his disciples. Not just the 12, but those who chose to follow Jesus wherever he went. I saw myself walking beside Jesus. Following in his footsteps wherever he led, listening to his teachings, observing how he responded to people both with love and with correction. I saw his compassion. I saw him praying. I saw his love for humanity.

"Just walk with me."

I felt a heavy burden lift from my shoulders. All he wants me to do is to walk with him every day. As long as I am close by his side, my life will automatically please him. My over-active mind said, "There must be more to it than that." Jesus turned and said, "No, that's all I ask, that you walk with me every day."

"Yes, Lord, yes."

Micah 6:8 answer the question my mind struggled with for so long...

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you. But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8


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How Was Your Day?

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Psalm 139:23-24

"How was your day?"

"Fine."

That was the usual conversation between me and my daughter at the end of each school day.  If I wanted any further information, I'd have to ask several more question to drill down to what I really wanted to know; 

What excited you?

What troubled you?

How did you feel about it all?

I asked because I cared. I wanted her to share her day with me. I wanted to know she was okay.

Our Heavenly Father wants the same thing. What if we imagined Him asking us that same question each evening; "How was your day?"

What might He really be asking? As I thought about that, many things came to mind. Things I would have liked to ask my own daughter. Things I'd like to ask myself and share with my Heavenly Father at the end of the day. I put together some end-of-the-day questions to help me review my day. I jot the answers down in my journal and them use them to start a conversation with God. My evening talks with the Lord have been richer and more fun as we go over the events of the day together.

I'd like to share my How Was Your Day Journaling Questions with you...

Click the image above to download a full-sized PDF

I hope you will enjoy this way of connecting with the Lord and pray that God will bless your time with Him each evening.

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Crucified with Christ

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

Tomorrow is Good Friday, the day when we remember the cross and the sacrifice of Christ, who gave himself to rescue us from a life of sin and an eternity in hell. That's an act of love that's almost too much to fathom!

Because of His crucifixion, we no longer have the sentence of death hanging over our heads. The instant we choose to believe, to follow Christ, to make Him Lord of our lives, we receive new life - abundant and ever-lasting life. Our eternity begins in that moment. When we eventually leave this earth and this body, we will step into life in Heaven with a new body, free from the cares of this world.

Until that time, we undergo a crucifixion of our own. Not the agony of the cross, but a voluntary process of putting to death our old sinful nature and desires of the past. We let go of those behaviors and attitudes that do not line up with the life of Christ and we begin to live by faith in Him. We seek Him and His will for our lives. We release our former dreams and plans to receive the grander dreams and greater plans He has for us - dreams and plans that are infinitely more fulfilling than anything we could have come up with on our own.

We step into His plan - the purposes for which we were created. Our life takes on meaning and the world around us is changed because we allow Jesus Christ to live and act through us. For that to happen, we need his perspective, his wisdom and the boldness to step out in faith.

Are you ready to believe? Are you ready to step into the life you were meant to live? If so, pray...

God, I believe. I receive You, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. I am ready to crucify my fleshly desires and step into the future you have for me. May I see what You see and hear what You hear and speak the words You want me to speak from this point forward. Give me a holy boldness to accomplish your will. Use me to reach others and point the way to You. Amen

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