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WRB- Walk, Rooted and Built in Christ

Posted on Sep 2, 2022 by Leka in Devotions, Family in the Bible, Love in the Bible, Reading the Bible |

COLOSSIANS 2: 6-7

SCRIPTURE

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (NKJV)

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.” (AMP)

OBSERVATION

Paul warns the believers in Colossians about the dangers of false teachers and doctrine. Seeing that exposure to worldly based philosophy can threaten their faith, Paul reminds the believers how to continue growing in Christ. He agonizes for them to truly understand that Jesus is superior to false alternatives.

APPLICATION

Working in the construction industry with my family, our roofers always use a special material called felt underpayment to protect our customers’ new roofs from leaks and damages. This material is also known as a WRB – Weather Resistant Barrier.

Paul gives us three ways to live; WRB – Walk, Rooted, and Built in Christ! We must establish our faith and continue to grow. Doing these three things protects us from the distractions and lies we face today while following Jesus. No matter how good or harmless worldly philosophies seem, without Jesus, it will eventually destroy our faith and leave us exposed to elements that causes leaks, damages or even drought in our life.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: Out of the WRB – Walk, Rooted and Built in Christ, which is the hardest one for you to do? How can our Sistahgurl group support you in that area of your faith?

Walking with Christ requires us to follow Him. We have to let Him lead, not us leading the way and Christ is behind following us. We can trust and let Him guide us today. We cannot be built up in Christ, unless we first be rooted in Him. The most important part of the tree is not what you see above, but underground. Our devotional time in the secret place, in prayer and in His word, cultivates the stability we need to withstand the storms of life. Once our foundation is established, we can build our life from the same material found in the Word. We need to know what the Word says so that can continually be strengthened in the faith we were taught.

The result of walking, being rooted and built up in Christ is a heart that is filled and overflowing with thankfulness. We can be thankful that Jesus is more than enough for us. We can be thankful that we are made whole and complete because of His love and sacrifice.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for reminding us that above everything we have ever learned in life, the single most important thing is that YOU LOVE US. No other teaching or world view will ever change that truth. As your daughters, we let that truly sink into our hearts. Today, we commit to Walk, Rooted and Built in you Jesus!

No more will we allow or justify the lies of the world. We can be confident and stand firm on Your Word as our truth, guide and foundation. We no longer will be influenced by the world, but be influencers of your Word! Holy Spirit, help us to never get too comfortable, that we forget or neglect the basic foundations of our faith in Jesus. Help us to remain firm and steadfast; to be disciplined, unshakable and without wavering in our faith.

Lord, thank you for our renewed mind and for real transformation. Thank you for making us strong, complete, and beautifully redeemed. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen!

Sep '22

Fruit Bearing Branches

Posted on Sep 2, 2022 by admin in Devotions, Family in the Bible, Love in the Bible, Reading the Bible |

Sep '22

Colossians 1:10 (TPT)

S: (v.10) We pray that you would walk in the ways of true righteousness, pleasing God in every good thing you do. Then you’ll become fruit-bearing branches, yielding to His life, and maturing in the rich experience of knowing God in his fullness.”

O: The Apostle Paul develops inspired writings while imprisoned in Colossae. He partners with other believers in the ministry to encourage the Colossians in the hope of knowing God, pleasing God in all that they do so that they may become fruit-bearing.

A: I so love all of the prayers which Paul prayed in Colossians Chapter 1. He prayed that the Colossians would grow, understand their right standing in Christ, and desire to please God in everything that they do. He further explains that they will become fruit-bearing branches. Great imagery! It reminds me of my motherhood where I teach my children core values for life so that they can become productive citizens in the world. We understand who Christ is and who we are through reading scripture. Our union with Him will develop a fruitful character and fruitful conduct evident for the world to see. That is when we become productive and fruitful citizens empowered to make a difference in our world.

P: Heavenly Father, thank you for this study. I pray that I and my sistahgurl friends will learn of your ways daily. We pray to please you in everything we do. We also pray that our connectedness to you will produce fruit in our lives, so that we are enabled to share your sweet fruit with others. Making us fruitful as well as productive believers in this world. Amen.

Sep '22

Does it Really Matter?

Posted on Sep 1, 2022 by Pastor Arlene in Family in the Bible, Love in the Bible, Reading the Bible | Tags: church

Sep '22

Colossians 2: 21 (Msg)

Don’t’ touch this! Don’t taste that! Don’t go near this! Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention?

Without reading the Scripture in context, one would think that Paul is telling the Believers how to live a life pleasing to God. However, Paul is actually condemning the teaching of some who claim that abstinence from particular dietary food and drinks, not touching dead bodies, graves, or unclean people, and adhering to specific Jewish laws such as circumcision would make one more spiritual. Paul is writing this letter to remind the Believers at Colosse and you and I that our holiness/righteousness comes not from what we do or do not do but from God’s grace alone.

As a young teenage Christian, I remember being taught that wearing pants, makeup (especially lipstick), listening to anything but Gospel music, or dancing was sinful. Therefore, I reframed from all the above to maintain a holy walk with God. Over time though, instead of me developing a closer walk with God, my heart became judgmental towards those who didn’t practice such spiritual disciplines, thus inhibiting my relational fellowship with God. As I grew more spiritually mature, I realized that our relationship with Him must be a personal walk. What I mean is that what you may feel comfortable doing, I may not; vice versa. God does not call me to judge your heart, nor you mine; judgment is done by God for those who do not believe; you and I have been made free in Christ.

Yet, on the other hand, you and I are responsible for lovingly confronting the explicit sinful behavior of my brothers and sisters in Christ through exhortation and encouragement with the Word. The Bible tells us in Hebrew 3: 12-14a to spiritually watch out for one another. It says, “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Father, I pray for myself and my SistahGurls; please give us loving and discerning hearts. Help us to love those You have placed in our lives and properly discern right from wrong, unnecessary spiritual rituals from necessary spiritual disciplines. Help us to know what really matters to You.

Sep '22

You Have a New Wardrobe

Posted on Sep 1, 2022 by Pastor Arlene in Devotions, Family in the Bible, Love in the Bible, Reading the Bible | Tags: church

Sep '22

S. (scripture) Colossians 3:9-11 (MSG)9-11

Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

O.(observation) In these verses of Scripture, Paul is not only telling the Believers in Colossae how not to live but why they should live a certain way. Using the analogy of a new custom-fitted wardrobe, Paul parallels it with their new humanity in Jesus Christ. He reminds the Christians in Colossae and you and I today that since God has given us a new custom-fitted wardrobe (so to speak), we have a responsibility to strip off and get rid of the old stuff, for it no longer befits us. The new wardrobe ironically isn’t about what we wear but refers to the condition of our heart which dictates our thoughts and actions. In other words, Paul is letting us know that because God has made our hearts anew, what we think, say, and do should reflect our new humanity (new wardrobe) in Christ, as we are clothed in His image.

A.(application) Not too long ago, I gave a dress of mine to my granddaughter that I had held for 20+ years with hopes of one day fitting into again! Though I could have possibly lost the weight to fit the dress, the dress no longer fitted me. What I mean is that the dress was designed for a much younger person more than someone my age. As I reflect on the day, I gave the dress to my granddaughter (who happened to love it, thinkin it was retro), I can better hear what Paul is telling us. As we grow in Christ, we should desire to let go of some habits, practices, or behaviors that no longer resemble who we are. I realize that letting go may be challenging for us (remember, I held my dress a long time), yet, when we let go of things for God’s glory, He empowers us to do so.

P.(prayer) Father, I pray that my Sistahgurl will be empowered today to let go of the old wardrobe and put on the new wardrobe you have custom-designed for her.

Jul '22

Words that KILL

Posted on Jul 4, 2022 by Pastor Arlene in Family in the Bible, Love in the Bible, Prayers, Reading the Bible, Sermons | Tags: church

Jul '22

I had a dream last night. I dreamed that the words in which I had spoken to someone, actually killed them. I stood motionlessly in that dream watching the fallen dead body being carried away. I awoke feeling anxious, sorrowfully and introspectively searching my own heart for any possible hidden anger over past or current hurts. I got out of bed, found a quiet place, then knelt quietly on the floor surrendering my heart to God anew. My prayer was simple: Cleanse me Oh God, from the inside out… please reveal all things that I’ve hidden in my heart… I want to please you. I stayed awake for some time, then returned to bed.. this time hugging my husband tighter. The dream immediately brought to my reminder the psalm that King David wrote in chapter 19:14, he said: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (KJV)” David had penned these words after reflecting upon God’s majesty seen in the creation. He writes after turning his attention to God’s law, and praises Him for such perfection. With understanding and praise of both, His creation and law, he surrenders himself – all of himself- to the Creator of all. He desires to hide nothing; for nothing can be hidden. Simplistically, he was asking God to forgive his hidden thoughts and heart meditations .. anything and everything within him… that would be displeasing to our Creator. I’m thankful for the dream that I had. It jolted me BIG TIME to ever be so cognizant of the words that I speak and to be aware of the meditations of my heart; for I know that I at times can be careless. However, today I stand on guard. You see, the truth of the matter is that – CRUEL /UNTRUTHFUL/ MALICIOUS WORDS DON’T JUST HURT, THEY KILL! My continuous prayer today since that dream has been: “May my words, deeds and actions refresh many.” I pray that this will be your prayer too.

Jun '22

Steward not Owner

Posted on Jun 18, 2022 by Pastor Arlene in Family in the Bible, Love in the Bible, Prayers, Reading the Bible, Sermons | Tags: god, religion

Jun '22

As a Pastor, I am called to be His spiritual supervisor “so to speak.” In other words, I am entrusted with the hearts of others to nurture, encourage, equip, correct, rebuke to love with His Truth, and to lead them into the Truth of who He is; then, I am to empower them to do the same for someone else. I am not a dictator, sin sniffer nor owner of my gift(s) or any position that He has given me. I am a spiritual steward. Therefore I must be careful not to lord my position over anyone as if they were to lift me higher. I am not to be as the world’s “celebrity.” NO, His great love is equally given to me as it is to you; our calling may just be different. The Floor Church is not my church, it is His. Empowering Women, WorshipFest- Hawaii or any other ministries that I’ve been privileged to lead are not my ministries; they too are my Master’s; I am simply a steward of. Therefore, it is not my responsibility to grow His church – to change a person’s life – to be fruitful in numbers or abundant resources, it is my Master’s responsibility – the One who has called me. I am a steward; He will grant all increase and bring forth the fruit of my labor. I am simply called to do and to be obedient to what He tells me to do always; the results of what I do are His; for His glory and fame always – never mine. I take delight in this, for as a steward, there is not pressure for me to produce or to perform; I can rest – Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) says: 28 “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly i heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burdent is light.” As a steward, I simply TRUST & OBEY; period. My prayer today is that all those called by God and gifted with a certain talent, would shift the paradigm from ownership to stewards. That we would break down the wall that separates us as the Body of Christ or from those who have less and help each other out. I pray that we would knock over the pedal stool that attempts to lift us higher, and simply do the works of ministry by loving those around us; encouraging, equipping and empowering others to do likewise. That we would allow the One who has called us to do what only He can do in us and through us. When we surrender to the calling of stewardship, He will use our lives to impact the communities around us with His gospel preached and seen – to bring glory to His name. This is the only thing that should really matter-right?

Jun '22

WAIT not WEIGHT

Posted on Jun 11, 2022 by Pastor Arlene in Family in the Bible, Love in the Bible, Prayers, Reading the Bible, Sermons | Tags: chirstian, god

Jun '22

Most often, when we use the term “wait,” it’s in the context of having to surrender our time or space to some unforeseen event or circumstance. For instance, having to wait at the doctor’s office or in the grocery store line. Perhaps you may often have to wait for your husband, wife, or child to get dressed. Waiting is rarely a planned event, it just happens! When I was growing up, myself and my friends often said “WEIGHT” broke the wagon down whenever we were frustrated and had to WAIT for something. This simply meant that someone or something was taking way too long! Now as an adult, in a fast-moving, non-waiting society, I believe in a sense that waiting is good, especially if it’s waiting on God! I’ve learned that WAITING ON GOD brings healing to our mind and soul. Therefore, waiting should be deliberate, purposeful, and planned whenever we desire to know Him and His will for us! For it is in our waiting; then we are strengthened! Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” So what are you waiting for? START WAITING TODAY!

NEW WARDROBE

YOU HAVE A NEW WARDROBE

August 26, 2022(scripture) Colossians 3:9-11 (MSG)

9-11 Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

P.(prayer) Father, I pray that my Sistahgurl will be empowered today to let go of the old wardrobe and put on the new wardrobe you have custom-designed for her.