Colossians is a book that is focused on the supremacy of Jesus in all things.  Chapter 1 sets the tone with verses 15-20 about how all things in life were created by Christ and for Christ.  Let’s look at the passage together today. 

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through 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.

The fact that we were created by Christ and for Christ has a great importance for us.  The fact that He made us means that we are important to Him.  Things that we make tend to hold great value for us.  I remember building a back deck on the first house that I bought.  I loved sitting on the back deck a little bit more because I made it.  There is something special about that.  We are special to Jesus in the very same way.  He knit us together in the womb and therefore we hold a special place in His heart.  The second half of the equation is that we were created for Him.  This is also very important.  It means our lives are not our own but have a purpose.  Our lives are to be lived for Christ that is our purpose for existing.  We all get caught up in our own agenda, our own goals and passions and forget that we have a greater purpose in our lives.  We were made by Him and for Him.  Our lives should demonstrate that. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

I have always loved the prayers that Paul includes in his letters to the churches.  They all have a slightly different take based upon his relationship with that church and how that particular church is doing.  I have often wondered what kind of letter and greeting we might get from him today.  Let’s look at this pray together today found in Colossians 1. 

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

When I first began to prepare to be a Pastor I remember a mentor of mine stressing this particular passage and just how important it is to pray every day for your people.  Prayer not only is a powerful tool but it sets your mind on what you hope God will do in and through the people of the church.  Paul prays for knowledge and wisdom and understanding.  He prays that they might live a life worthy of the Lord and bear fruit.  He prays that they might be strengthened in power and have great endurance and patience.  To me the natural tendency might be for him to address each of these things in the remainder of his letter but instead he immediately just goes into talking about Jesus.  The supremacy of Jesus is the central theme of the book.  It is a good reminder of our priority to simply point people to Jesus.  When we show people Jesus the rest of those things seem to fall into place.  So today my prayer for you all is that we might be a people who look to Jesus and point others to Him as well.  I think that’s a pretty good thing to pray for.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Philippians is a book about joy and finding our joy in Jesus.  It has also been called the mental health book.  Chapter 4 offers us some insights into both of these things.  Let’s look at it together today. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul uses the common literary tool of repetition to stress the importance of rejoicing in the Lord.  No matter our current circumstances we always have reason to rejoice because of the goodness of God.  Paul reminds us that whatever we are walking through God is near to us.  He is with us throughout the ups and downs of life.  When we face situations and circumstances that are making us anxious we are reminded to go to Him in prayer. When we rely upon God we are given a peace that actually guards our hearts and minds against further attacks of anxiety.  Paul gives us a further tip to help with worry and anxiety by fixing our thoughts on the good things of God.  I have found this reset or switch of thinking to be extremely helpful in my life. Sometimes even listening to some favorite worship songs or reading Scripture will do the trick.  I suspect that Paul may have had his own struggles in this area which is why he concludes by saying whatever we have seen him do we should put into practice.  May the God of peace be with us all and grant us His peace that passes understanding. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Here at Advent when we walk in it says above our heads – Expect great things from God.  The beauty is that He already has done great things in and through our lives but He also continues to do so.  When we leave the emphasis changes.  As we walk out it says – Attempt great things for God.  God never lets us down on His half but how are we doing? Paul has a slightly different take on this concept found in Philippians 3.  Let’s look at it together today. 

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Paul reminds us that Jesus has done His part and we are called to press on toward our part.  The work of Jesus to make us right with God is done.  Now what can we do to further build up the kingdom of God here on earth? We are called to press on to work hard to attempt great things in order to do this.  I pray that God would give us all the strength to press on, to attempt great things for God.  You might just be surprised at the amazing things He wants to do in and through your life.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Have you ever gone through a shift in priorities in your life?  Maybe something changed and what you once considered so very important takes a backseat to your new priority.  This is Paul’s story.  He addresses the Philippian church because he sees them beginning to prioritize the wrong things.  Let’s look at his words in chapter 3 together today.  

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Like Paul we can all get caught up in the trap of trusting in our own abilities at times.  We can prioritize our gifts, our obedience, our faithfulness.  The reality is that the priority should never change it should always be Jesus.  Paul said everything else is rubbish compared to knowing Jesus.  If knowing and loving and following and living like Jesus are the things that are of most importance to us then we are on the right track.  I pray that for all of us this would be the priority to know Jesus more and more and to each day be a little bit more like Him.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave 

I have always loved the adventures of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh.  I think we can all find ourselves somewhere in that story.  Do you have any Eeyore’s in your life?  You know the type everything is always negative, constantly complaining.  They could win the lottery and complain that it didn’t come on a giant check.  Paul reminds us that as followers of Christ we shouldn’t be grumblers or complainers because of all Christ has done for us.  Let’s look at his words from Philippians 2.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Do you ever walk through life wishing that people would just get along better?  A little less honking and shouting bad words on the road.  Perhaps less fighting and arguing over political issues.  Of course we all wish there was less violence and war.  Philippians 2 spells out the solution to all of this and we can’t fix the world only God can but we can certainly start with our own relationships.  The key is humility and thinking of others before we think of ourselves.  Let’s look at Paul’s words together today. 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Our natural tendency is always to look to our own needs and interests.  This is why we argue and fight.  We want our way.  If we flip the script in our attitude then our perspective changes.  Maybe it’s not that big of a deal if someone cuts in front of us in line or cuts us off on the road.  Putting others before ourselves is not an easy or simple thing to do but it certainly is a more peaceful way to live.  Find a person who is always calm and peaceful and you will find someone who has figured this out.  It takes a lot to get rattled when you humbly consider others before yourself.  Give it a try.  You just may find it’s the best way to live.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

We all have walked through some difficult challenges in life.  Sometimes during the difficult times everything seems bleak and you can even feel hopeless.  Other times God gives us a glimpse of the rainbow through the rain.  We are blessed to be able to see the good that is happening through the difficulty we are walking through.  The reality is that God always uses our life, through good times and bad to bring about His ultimate good.  Paul went through lots of challenging times throughout his life but God gave him the gift to be able to see the beauty on the other side.  Let’s look at one such instance found in Philippians 1. 

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul is in prison and facing possible execution.  He doesn’t know what will happen but no matter what he sees the good that God can use the situation to do.  If he remains in prison others are emboldened to share the gospel more.  If he is put to death, he gets to be with Jesus in heaven for eternity.  If he gets out of prison he believes that God has more important work for him to do during his time on earth.  I would pray that we might have this type of vision and attitude when life inevitably throws us difficult times as well.  Paul’s attitude makes all the difference.  He sees the work of God as more important than his individual circumstances.  If you are walking through a challenging time today ask God to show you the rainbow through the rain.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Do you ever have trouble making decisions? How do you weigh the pros and cons of a difficult choice?  Many of our decisions are not that significant in the big scheme of things like where should I go to lunch.  Other decisions have more lasting impact for us.  For awhile it was very popular to wear WWJD bracelets and shirts which was a good process to think about what Jesus might do in a particular situation.  Paul prays that we might have discernment so that we know what is best when we are faced with difficult choices in life.  Let’s look at this prayer one more time today. 

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

The thing about this type of discernment is that it comes from knowing God’s word and His will.  The only way we can accomplish that is to spend time with Him regularly.  When you spend lots of time with someone you get an idea what they might do in a given situation.  The only way for us to understand what Jesus would do is to spend lots of time with Him.  When we do that we don’t need a bracelet to remind us WWJD it just comes naturally to us.  I pray that we all would have the type of discernment that Paul is asking for and it would come naturally from the time we spend with Jesus. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

When you were growing up did you do the thing where you have a wall or a doorframe where you teach how tall you are and see how much you have grown?  That was always a thing in the Franklin household both when I was a kid and for my children as well.  It is fun to mark growth over the years and to see what has happened over time.  Paul prays in this prayer for our spiritual growth and in particular that our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.  Let’s look at this prayer once again together today. 

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

The thing about growth is that there are things we can do to help it along.  With our physical growth we can eat healthy, get enough sleep, and even seek the care of a doctor if things are not progressing.  For our spiritual growth it is the very same.  I grew up singing a song that said, “read your Bible, pray every day and you will grow, grow, grow”.  There are other factors as well like surrounding ourselves with the right relationships that encourage our faith.  Regularly worshipping, and serving by using our spiritual gifts.  These things all contribute to our spiritual growth.  Perhaps we should have “marks” that chart our growth so that we can go back and see the work that God has done in our lives.  I pray that we would all continue to grow up spiritually and never stop growing. 

In His Grip,
APastor Dave