My Daily Pause

I have spent a lot of time trying to grow grass in my yard. I eventually discovered that the top soil was very thin and under that soil, was solid red clay. Since the roots couldn’t get deep in the ground, they were suspect to the sun, cold and harmful bugs. The answer was to support the grass in a way that it could break through the clay and establish a solid base.

Paul wanted his fellow Christians to put down deep roots of study and practice of God’s word. Those that haven’t fully matured are suspect to being drawn away by smart sounding or persuasive people. Human traditions might have the ring of authority. Sometimes simple lies do the dirty work. (Colossians 2:8)

The world has always been a tough place for God’s people to live. With Christ’s help, the way has been made easier. A routine of study, a habit of solid worship and gathering frequently with those who have the same heavenly goals will establish those deep roots we need to survive what the world brings.

See also The Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:3-9

Daily Bible reading for May 11

Psalm 130
Numbers 10:11-36
Isaiah 48-49
Colossians 2:6-23

I like being reminded of the gift Gad gave us through his son.

He made sure we can be properly prepared to stand before his throne in perfection. Colossians 1 may just be the best and most important reminder of that in the Bible.

Christ was always here – he is the image of God and all things were made through him. (Colossians 1:15-20) He was a perfect example and his perfection lives on in his kingdom (the church).

If the version of the Bible you are using says we are anything except “perfect” (mature, completeness, etc.) in Colossians 1:28, I urge you to make an annotation there that the word means perfect (The NKJV has the proper treatment of this verse). The whole goal of Christianity is to make all men perfect before God (Ephesians 1:4) and it was one of the first things Jesus told us he wanted. (Matthew 5:48)

Daily Bible reading for May 10

Psalm 129
Numbers 9:15-10:10
Isaiah 46-47
Colossians 1:21-2:5

I mention Paul’s lists a lot. They are a great way to break his writing down to get the gist of what he is trying to say.

My favorites are usually at the end of his letters in the form of exhortations. They were meant to encourage and command the basics of Christian living. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, Ephesians 6:10-18, Galatians 5:22-23, etc.)

The list in Philippians 4:4-8 is a favorite with many probably because it punctuates the theme “Rejoice!” The Christian that can develop the traits and habits listed here will be one who will stand above his peers.

They will help us develop peace.

They will give us security and a stress free lifestyle.

Bonus

Here are some previous posts on this passage. These posts are broken out of a sermon I once did on this passage.

Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – Rejoice
Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – Kindness
Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – Just Ask
Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – God’s Peace
Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – The Good and Spiritual
Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – Godly People
Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – Forget Possessions
Paul’s Recipe for Reducing Stress – Christ

The moral to Aesop’s The Tortoise and the Hare is often given as “Slow and steady wins the race” or compared to Solomon’s idea that “the race is not to the swift”. (Ecclesiastes 9.11)

I see a call to finish the race. Tortoise won because he stayed on track and crossed the finish line. The hare on the other hand, napped and frolicked because knew he had plenty of time to take care of business.

Paul compared our heavenly journey to a race. (1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Timothy 4:7, Philippians 3:12) We are to run it in a way that keeps us on course and allows us to finish, and qualifies us for the prize,

Like the tortoise, the mature Christian has this attitude. He forgets what is behind him and focuses on what lies ahead. He examines what is left to do to prepare for the call of God in Christ. (Philippians 3:14-16)

So continue on and fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith.

Daily Bible reading for May 7

The offerings are listed  at the tabernacle’s consecration. The Lord is Israel’s only Savior. Paul says to press on and don’t look back.

Psalm 126
Numbers 7
Isaiah 43:1-44:5
Philippians 3:1-4:1

I heard a sermon yesterday that was full of error. The speaker talked about the Kingdom of God like it was to come in the future.

If one is a Christian, that is to say, he is “in Christ” then he is a member of the Kingdom of God. Today.

The Kingdom arrived on the day recorded in Acts 2.

In Mark 9:1 Jesus told the group that was with him “there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” In Acts 2:1-4, we have the account of that prophecy coming true. We can also see upon Jesus’ arrival in Mark 1:14-15 that the prophecies of the Kingdom were fulfilled and it was “at hand.”

If the Kingdom is not here and complete, either there are some really old guys running around or Jesus is a liar.

Here are some other references to God’s kingdom to help reinforce my point:

• The church and the kingdom of heaven are used interchangeably in Matthew 16:18-19.
• Paul spoke of him and the Colossians being in the kingdom (Col. 1:13)
• Jesus said the Lord’s Supper was given to be observed in the kingdom (Matt. 26:29), Paul said it was given to be observed in the church (1 Cor. 11:23-30)
• We can also read the parable of the tares (or weeds) in Matthew 16:24-30. Jesus’ explanation in Matthew 16:36-43 is his placing the “sons of the kingdom” into the world (v38). At the end, all causes of sin will be removed “from the kingdom” (v41)

This is a quick listing of proof presented for your personal study. We are in the last days serving in God’s kingdom right now. The next event is the judgment.

Daily Bible reading for May 6

Psalm 125
Numbers 6
Isaiah 42
Philippians 2:12-30