All of those things... that mind-blowing confusion, your mind is so engulfed in thought that when you stop for just a second you realize how exhausted you are from this thinking that has you bemused. This has happened numerous times as I have witnessed my brother in his ministry, and now as Reson and I are in ministry. When the wave hits prepare for the monsoon the reversal of winds from rain to drought, phases that catch you off guard.
There have been some verses that have been in my train of thought. I have my Colossians' verses on mind, and then there are a few more that have been in constant repeat. There are many that would have added the word "lost" to the list above, but I am not lost. I have scripture that is reinforcing my mind. The situations that my mind has been reeling about is what I find myself befuddled about. Our world is desensitized to divorce, morality, modesty... the list could go on. In one day I had at least four Facebook statuses from friends showing this vulgarity; I was fuming. I would usually just delete my Facebook page, but then again these are people that I care about, Christians. It's almost like a FB page is their escape. So... to see what is going on outside of church/youth group, I find it pivotal to keep.
Now, to the scripture that keeps me from being lost in this grotesque world. Focus verses for this week are Colossians 1:3-8 (mainly 3-4)
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Since they heard the love of God and understood His grace they have been bearing fruit and been faithful. Paul and Timothy are thankful for them and pray for their continued faithfulness. The verses from last week show what the gift is for faithfulness:
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
God was giving His people grace and peace for their fruitful and faithful living. What a gift! However, with those verses comes the hard stuff that I have had to read and those that aren't faithful through the example of the church and divorce. Malachi 2
10Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant brings an offering to the LORD of hosts! of the man who does this, who
13And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, "Why does he not?" Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom15Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16"For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers do not be faithless." you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."
Marriage is like that of Christ and His Church. He detests divorce, which comes from those that are faithless and show profanity to what God has put together. Which is really the way we should look at our relationship with Him, a covenant. Guarding our hearts around His teachings and staying faithful to Him. He is our Bridegroom. As for the other things that I have been dealing with Aaron Shust has a verse of the day widget on his blog, and it was fitting:
1 Corinthians 10
13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
I think that many misread this; it is NOT your way of escape, but HIS way of escape. Seek faithfulness to God, our Father. He will give us grace and peace. If you seek your will for your situation you will surely fail. In all things in life. I have to look to this and reflect this attitude in my life. No matter the situation divorce, bad family situations, disappointments stay faithful to God, and He will direct your path. Our God is so good, but so many times we don't stay faithful...
That is detestable... Praise God for His grace, mercy, salvation without it I would be doomed to an eternity in hell.
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