Fill’r Up
Colossians 3:1
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
I like how Paul starts this passage with a verification – IF. That’s a big one because IF you’re not a believer, then everything else he has to say here won’t be of much help to you. It is the necessary foundation, the pre-requisite for spiritual training. Next, Paul uses the phrase “risen with Christ,” which would also assume that you have been dead and buried (See Galatians 2:20) with Christ as well. You have put yourself aside, and now allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide through life. Third he makes a direct statement; your life and heart should be filled with the heavenly things of God.” How do I seek the things above?” you ask. The answer is as simple as keeping gas in your car – you fill it up when your tank is low or empty. In our case, you “fill-up” spiritually with the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. These are the fuel that keep us (em)powered. Paul ends this verse with the reason why we want to stay full; our Lord Jesus Christ is supreme in the universe as He should be in our lives. There is no other “thing” which can sustain us in this life. So, to put it simply, fill your mind and heart with the wonderful Word of God because everything else will fall short and leave you unsatisfied. Stay in close contact with God because no one else will direct you with such care. To add joy to your life, surround yourself with other believers who can pray with you and encourage you as needed.
No Ugly Bettys
Isaiah 53:2
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
It’s truly a sad statistic; 19 out of 20 teens don’t like the way they look. I really struggle with explaining why the younger generations have come to place so much emphasis on appearance. Is it the endless exposure to television and magazine ads aimed directly at teens telling them how they should look, dress, speak, smell, interact, love, and so on? The sad truth is that many parents haven’t helped out either, heaping unneccessary high-priced, name-brand clothing on their kids so they can stay up with the latest fad. How much is enough? When will a person arrive at the “I’m totally in fashion” state? There are real problems that teens face in their world. Peer pressure is enormous to do everything – without restriction. Add to this an alarming growth rate of self-doubt and low self-esteem, and you have the volatile mixture for disaster. If you have a teen (or know one), take a few precious moments to sit down with them and encourage them. It’s never too corny to embed that old adage, “Beauty is only skin deep,” and “It’s not wise to judge a book by it’s cover.”Explain to them how loving and serving God, caring for others, and making a difference in their schools and communities far outweigh looks and appearance, which are fleeting. Share with them the passage above from Isaiah showing them that Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things, when He came to this earth did not want to be beautiful or have His appearance be what drew people to Him. Finally, be an example to them and others, demonstrating God’s love to all, regardless of how they look or dress.
