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He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17 ESV.) How do you remember your Driv...
Keep ReadingFor 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. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1: 16-17). Pivot is a word that gets thrown around a lot at work. When we pivot away from something, it m...
Keep ReadingHe is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 We're starting a new series this week called, Hope of Glory, and the first sermon in the series will focus on the "supremacy of Christ." In thinking about what to write this week, the word "supreme" kept coming back to me. That led to me thinking about taco supremes from Taco Bell and supreme pi...
Keep Reading"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. (Colossians 1:16) When I read through Colossians 1:15-18, I was reminded of how different God is from me. He is the great creator (v16). He is supreme over all things (v17). He ...
Keep ReadingThe Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15). The Son - Jesus - is the image of the invisible God. Wait. Stoprightthere. This is an awe-inspiring Truth that we ought to sit and ponder. How could God, the Creator of all things, the One who spoke the Universe into existence, be seen with our imperfect vision? How could the ...
Keep ReadingThe Spirit of the Lord will rest on himthe Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11: 2-3) I had this problem I've been dealing with for a while. I've kept it to myself, trying to work through it. As I've tried, and failed, the pain cau...
Keep ReadingA shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit (Isaiah 11:1). My mom has a wonderful "green thumb." She has beautiful plants inside and landscaped gardens outside. Me - not so much. (Apparently, this gift skipped a generation.) So when we purchased our home here in Chapel Hill that came with rose bushes, I had to call in my local "ho...
Keep Reading"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra's den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper's nest. T...
Keep ReadingIn that day, the Root of Jesse [Jesus] will stand as a banner for the peoples;the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10) Think of a time when you were in a dark place, circumstances grim, "enemies" ready to pounce. Nothing seemed hopeful, and you were almost worn out praying. You knew God would act; you'd seen Him act before. You...
Keep ReadingThe earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the seas (Isaiah 11:9). The Old Testament is many things: long and sometimes hard to understand; divinely inspired and deeply human. It contains some of the world's most soaring writing, and some of the most searing. It feels in many ways like a story in search of its completion. It is. And that ...
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