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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.

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.

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.

Tag: church

Does it Really Matter?

You Have a New Wardrobe

Words that KILL