“It’s a good morning!
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I’m stepping, I’m stepping, stepping on my way…”
I know a few of you were singing along, toe-tapping to “Good Morning” by Mandisa (shout out to my fellow Jesus lovin’ blogger Brenda!!) Mandisa’s music is so uplifting, inspiring, and real! I encourage you to check her out, you won’t be disappointed! 🙂
My Labor Day morning started with coffee and prayer. I felt led to begin my church’s new Fall small group bible study, “Raised Together: A Study of Colossians” by Gloria Furman. We don’t actually begin the study until September 12, but we never know what a day may bring forth, and I know my Spirit led me to read today for a special blessing. 🙂
I have to say, that I love, love the apostle Paul and I delight in reading his letters and books very much. Every time and through every season, something new and refreshing is revealed to me. Today was not any different.
The first session of our bible study begins with us getting acquainted with the letter Paul wrote to the Colossian church while he was imprisoned and, in chains, in a Roman prison. The letter focuses on the dangerous false teaching at Colosse, in southwest Asian Minor, and to “stress the true nature, characteristics, and necessary standards of new life with Christ” (Fire Bible: Global Study Edition, NIV).
While I was reading, this scripture was highlighted and burned with love into my heart:
“For you died, and your life is now hidden in Christ” Colossians 3:3 (NIV).
I know I’ve read over this scripture before, but today the Holy Spirit has breathed new life and meaning into it. Don’t you just love that?! I love that the precious Word of God is living. Ready to fill us, encourage us, and bring life to our parched souls. Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst” (John 4:13-14, NIV, emphasis mine).
Because that scripture spoke to me, I really felt the need to dive into it point by point using my bible’s concordance and study notes. Shall we start at the beginning of the verse?
“For you died…” This is a direct reference to my being born again through Jesus Christ, my Savior, and being dead to sin through His saving grace. Apostle Paul explains this in great detail through two verses in the book of Romans.
“By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:2, NIV, emphasis mine).
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11,NIV, emphasis mine).
We also died to the law.
Apostle Paul, “So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to one another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God” (Romans 7:4, NIV).
“God has freed us from the guilt and consequences of not being able to live up to the requirements of his old covenant law. Christ himself fulfilled the law (Mt. 5:17) and made a new covenant based on his life, death, and resurrection (Study notes, Fire Bible). My heart is so full of love and gratitude for my Savior, Jesus. There are no words that can express my heartfelt gratitude, only my obedience to Him and placing Him first in my life.
“…and your life is now hidden in Christ.”
One of the first words that stood out to me in this scripture is the word hidden. My first thought was, “being concealed or protected by Christ.” Like a Father would protect a child. While that idea is very loving and comforting, it didn’t seem “deep” enough to me based on the scripture.
And then I stumble upon a true gem…”Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament.” A.T. Robertson was a renowned scholar of the Greek New Testament who in his book paints, “word pictures from the Greek to bring light to the words and actions of Jesus Christ and the early Christians” (BibleStudyTools). Take a look at “is hid” through the lens of the Greek New Testament:
Is hid (κεκρυπται — kekruptai). Perfect passive indicative of κρυπτω — kruptō old verb, to hide, remains concealed, locked “together with” (συν — sun) Christ, “in” (εν — en) God. No hellish burglar can break that combination.
We are, locked “together with” Christ “in” God!! Wow!! I am (and You, dear brothers and sisters) are characterized by, intricately placed together with, and interwoven by Christ, our Savior in God.
Praise God! Thank you, Jesus, that I am YOURS!
All Glory to God!
~Shanon
Fire Bible: Global Study Edition. New International Version. Life Publishers International. Print. 2009.
Furman, Gloria. “Raised Together: A Story of Colossians.” Lifeway Press Publishers. Print. 2008.
Image of “Good Morning…” by Good Morning Wishes.
Image of “Jesus Greatest Commandment” by Lord Jesus Saves WordPress.com
Mandisa. “Good Morning.” Lyrics provided by http://www.azllyrics.com
Robertson, A.T. “Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament.” Colossians 3:3. Web. http://www.StudyLight.org.
I pray you didn’t. I don’t want you to miss anything our Heavenly Father has for you! I get it though, it can be hard to stop what you are doing and heed the call.
I don’t know about you, but I have read the Beatitudes several times and have been inspired and encouraged by the blessings listed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ message, to a large group of potential followers, is what it really means to follow Him and be a part of God’s kingdom. Of course, living up to these standards is possible only through faith in Jesus, the son of God, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, take the wheel
Laying prone on the carpet of my bedroom floor, I could not contain the overflow of tears drenching my face and racking my body with sobs. I had just begun my Advanced Creative Writing class and submitted the first half of my twenty-five-page non-fiction memoir. My professor’s comments were devastating. Here is my journal entry for the following day:
Today I start on a journey of obedience. Trust me, if the step I was about to take was only about me, I would stay safely on the shore. My feet solidly planted in the sand, several feet away from the unknown waters I am CALLED to jump in.
Heaven Sent Sentiments 