“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.
Several people I know have had challenging, fearful situations lately. Job loss, health problems, disabilities, and family emergencies are some of the difficulties they have faced. Fear can easily take root when we are dealing with a case of the “unknowns”. “What if I can’t find another job?” “What if I need surgery?” “What if…?” One of the things fear forces us to do is to decide to either put our faith in action according to God’s promises or regard the scripture as simply words on paper, “simply repeating what God says” (Chambers, June 4th).
hen the spirit moves me! So, if you ever see me bopping around my house, singing loudly to Casting Crowns, you know the Holy Spirit is coming alive in me to conquer the fear that the enemy is trying to have taken root in me.
Jesus, take the wheel
time to grow as a couple, travel, grow roots in a solid neighborhood…guess what?! God had His own plan for us.
mentioned in a previous blog, God slowly watered the seed of writing He had placed in my heart. Over the course of a few years, He encouraged me to keep a journal, write, and read. I devoured the Word, devotionals, and Christian books. I also applied and got accepted into SNHU’s English and Creative Writing Bachelor’s degree program. Through hard work, perseverance, and a whole lot of Jesus’ I graduated in the class of 2017.
Shout out to Grandma Marji, Happy Birthday!! May 1st was her birthday and I sure do miss her wisdom and our very long phone conversations! I imagine her sitting on the golden steps of her mansion, healed from all the world’s afflictions, with the saints gathered all around her as she shares her story. “When I wake up in the Land of Glory, With the saints I will tell my story, There will be one name that I proclaim…” (Big Daddy Weave). Love you Grandma and we cherish your sweet memory. 🙂
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 