Daily Reading February 6 2010 from Colossians 1:15-23 NIV

Day 27

Colossians 1:15-23 NIV
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation– 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

The Supremacy of Christ!
Verse 15 begins "He is the image of hte invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" this is of course speaking of Christ who became flesh and lived among humanity. This passage is split into 2 sections, section 1 verses 15-20 which deals with the supremacy and qualification of Christ and section 2 verses 21-23 which reveal the completed work of Christ at Calvary. Paul begins with a glorious account of the person of Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the creator of all things, he is before everything, and He holds everything together, He is the head of the body (the church), the beginning and firstborn from the dead (resurrected), He is supreme. What a Savior He is, worthy to be praised! Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the author and finisher of our faith. Majestic, mighty, glorious, powerful, Savior, etc... We could use superlatives like these all day and never truly sufficiently describe who He is. My definition and yours might not be identical but all who believe understand that without Him and the love He brought to planet earth we would still be living without hope. Our words will never do Him justice. The next section beginning in verse 21 Paul begins to describe the state we were in and still would be in if not for the Love of our Savior. We were alienated from God and enemies of God, hopeless because of the sin that separated us from the Father. Verse 22 tells of the hope we now have "but now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Now we know that satan is the accuser but once we are covered by the blood of Jesus we are no longer subject to these accusations. In fact, the accusations that were once true of us instantly become false when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. "Continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope" If we stand on the promise of the gospel we accepted when we confessed our sin and repented of our old ways, we are sealed in Christ Jesus and because we are blood bought we are not subject to the hopelessness we once had to endure. We are free in Christ!!! What precious promise these verses give, these are the Words that bring life! Glory in Christ Jesus, take time today to give Him praise for who He is and for what He has done. Though words cannot describe Him give Him praise today, worship Him in spirit and in truth!

Blessings,

Pastor Larry

All is Forgiven

I thought I should share a little about God's grace and how He has changed my life. I was raised in church by parents who knew and loved God. During my childhood I saw the hand of God at many different times. I had an early childhood experience and came to know Jesus as my personal Savior. But as it so often happens during my teen years I slipped from a life devoted to Christ and sought for my independence. I went through the next 20 years of my lift lost looking for what I once had in Jesus Christ. It wouldn't benefit anyone for me to go into detail but I was lost and kept searching for answers. It wasn't until I was 24 years old that I would again try church. I had been constantly invited over the years but was afraid of having to make a change in my life. I guess I knew all along that God had a plan for my life and I was afraid to walk in it. Finally at the insistence of my wife we decided to attend the church I grew up in The Church of God of Prophecy in Coweta, Oklahoma. It was there that I met a loving church and Pastor D. Frank Hughes. Pastor Hughes was not satisfied with half hearted Christianity with him it was all or nothing. When Gena and I would miss a service he would call, send a bulletin or even come to the house. The more I went to church the more I realized the thing I had been searching for was a relationship with my Creator. I did not return to Him right away I didn't want to make major changes in my life. I saw christianity as bondage and I thought I was free. One day while driving down the road heading to work I had a real encounter with God. I was listening to Christian Radio and there was worship music playing at that moment I decided to make Jesus Christ Lord of my life. Almost instantly on the same drive home he called me into the ministry.

If I were to name the list of things I have done in my past you would wonder how can God love such a person? I have found that God doesn't remember even one of those sins because Jesus paid the price for all of my past failures. God's grace is sufficient for anything you may have done wrong. Guilt isn't from God! God wants all people saved! Regardless of who you are or what you have done you are a prime candidate for the love of God. If you don't know Him today you can change that. I encourage you to pray a simple prayer "Jesus be Lord of my life I admit I'm a sinner and I know that I need you, I believe you came to the earth and died on a cross so I could be saved and I now accept this salvation. In Jesus Christ's name Amen.

If you have just accepted Jesus as your Savior I would like to know about it please email me and let me know. If you have doubts or questions and would like to have someone to talk to please email me as well. info@porterchurch.com