Favorites?

People ask, "what's your favorite scripture?"  I've even heard people talk about a "life verse."  A verse that goes beyond being a favorite to be one that guides your life, impacts your decisions, and in a way defines you.

 

I read Colossians the 3rd chapter this morning.  As I was reading and underlining and thinking about key words I found myself thinking about the "favorite verse" issue.  Here's my conclusion on the best verses in the Bible.

 

The one God is teaching me about right now is my new favorite and is the best.

 

I just finished Ezra a few days ago.  That was my favorite last week.  I will finish Colossians tomorrow and then go to John.  Next week John will be my favorite.

 

Right now, it's Colossians 3.  It tells me what to seek (verse 1), where to set my mind (2), what to put to death (5), what to get rid of (8), not to lie (9), what the new life is doing (10), how to "clothe" my soul (12), bear with others (13), forgive (13), and to wear love (14).

 

But he wasn't done.

 

There are a multitude of things that I "let happen"  through the day.  Listen to the two things Paul told to church to let happen: "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" and "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."

 

After a list of things that I must actively do Paul tells me that there are a couple of things to let Someone else do. I need to let the peace of Christ and the word of Christ invade me.  Let it happen.

 

Based on that I must assume that the peace of Christ and word of Christ are waiting to do that.  Today.

 

Letting Christ be Christ in my life is how I am able to be what I am called to be.

 

"Lord, I will live the new life you call me to and I will surrender, letting you do what you long to do."

 

Today Colossians 3 is my favorite - can't wait until tomorrow.

 

Pastor Dave

 

4 Thoughts for Friday

Thought #1.

About the time we think we are in control and have built a life that cannot be shaken a river and a tornado remind us of how vulnerable we are.  The elements are different, the result the same - devastation.

 

Thought #2.

I'm am constantly amazed how impossible it is to disagree in a civil way.  For some reason disagreement must include personal attacks.

 

Culture. If someone doesn't like the new "American Idol" they say, "they stink, they can't sing, - the whole thing is rigged."  Why can't I just say, "it wasn't my favorite" and move on?

 

Politics.  It's not enough to disagree and let content carry the argument.  There must be distortions and personal attacks.  Rather than engage in a discussion they shut down the opposing view.  The result is warfare between the political and non-political.  The political spend their time trying to convince the non-political that they are representing them while they make a career of discrediting each other.  Meanwhile the non-political ignore them and try to pay their bills.

 

Faith.  In my own life I have probably crossed lines with the recent end of the world predictions.  Rather than attack an 89 year old man I don't know why can't I just say, "I don't agree and would recommend you weigh carefully what is said?"  Why does disagreement have to include insult?

 

Thought #3

Saturday, the 28th of May, will be the 273rd anniversary of a key experience of Methodism.  It was on that day that John Wesley was at a meeting when he felt his heart "strangely warmed" because he realized that he did trust Christ and Christ alone for his salvation.  It was an event that personalized a faith that was institutionalized in his life.

 

What started a warming was kindled into a flame and became part of the fires of revival across England.  As I think about that 273 years later I wonder whose heart God is warming now?  Who is the person that will realize that they can't earn salvation?  Who is the person that will embrace victory over sin?  Who is the person who will answer the call to live a transformed life that is the beacon of unity for the body of Christ and the draw for those who don't know?

 

I wonder, who is God getting ready for a new move of His Spirit? (Note: see Isaiah 6:8)

 

Thought #4

"Jesus, thank-you for people who have given their lives for my freedom.  Today I remember them.  This weekend I am filled with gratitude for young people whose lives were cut short so that I could be free.  This weekend I think of families who are in need of the grace of Your presence because of an empty chair at the table.

 

Not all war is just.  Not all warriors have good motives.  But, somehow I can't help but think that we have learned from you that some things are worth giving your life for."

 

Freedom.

 

Have an Anointed Memorial Weekend,

 

Pastor Dave