Colossians 1

Paul knows that in our own strength, we cannot walk worthy of the Lord. He knows that as belivers, we are not called to live in our own strength. If we choose to live in our own strength, we are asking for depletion, exhaustion and burn out. This can lead to a division in our hearts toward God. This might cause us to be hard-hearted in the presence of God.

What God desires for us, He provides for us.

The gospel has the power to transform us in salvation. It has the power to moment by moment transform us into God's image. This has nothing to do with our own strength and power, aside from God.

The power of God that is in us, does not mean that suffering will never come. The power of God in us means that God is with us when suffering comes. His sufficiency is enough to get us through the waves. He provides and allows, so that we might rest assured in the assurance of his arms.

The Christian life is not a life free from suffering, but the suffering that comes is never a surprise to God. He knows, allows and understands.

Our song is not dependent on our situation. Our song is dependent on our Savior. We are dependent, He is independent. We need Him, He doesn't need us. He wants us. When we choose to sing independently, we will most likely be singing far off-key.

We are qualified because we have the love of Jesus. Nothing we do outwardly can cause us to be qualified or more significantly qualifed than another. There is no works toward heaven, nor is their a hierarchy.

Our deliverance is not dependent upon anything we have done, or could possibly do, but it is dependent on what Christ has done.

He enables us to walk worthy in a manner, pleasing to him. This pleasing manner not only reminds our hearts of the truth, but it also points others to the truth. Our lives then become an example to the world of who Christ is.

No circumstances of life can shake our identity. No false teaching can change this position, not even our sin and struggles could change this reality. This is no way means we should knowingly pursue the things outside of God's good purposes. Yet this does mean that our sin does not keep us from receiving God's grace.

The gospel reorients our minds and changes our hearts at the moment of our salvation, and every day of the journey.

- Quotes from The Daily Grace Co - Bible Study: Colossians

When we read about the healings of Jesus, it's more about WHO He is then WHAT He is doing.

There is nothing about the darkness of people that's off putting to Jesus. He meets us where we are, and comes to us with open hands.

God is not repulsed by us.

Jesus took her by the hand, and stretched out his hand to the sick. He raised her up, and touched him. The fever and the disease left them immediately. She began to serve, and he went out proclaiming the good news.

Jesus took the place of the leper as he went into the city. Jesus stayed on the outskirts of the city. People came to him. Jesus takes our place.

Somtimes I feel the sting of what I ought to be when I come to Jesus. This is not the promptings of the Holy Spirit, this is the pride of the enemy creeping into our hearts.

What if Jesus knows the truest version of us? What if it was this version, that causes him to move toward us?

He sees us as we are, and wants every piece of us.

- Quotes from Chad Kincer, Frontline

How might I live?

That I might be filled with the knowledge of His Will.

What am I to pray?

For His hope to fill every crevice.

Where shall I hide?

That His wisdom floods the tides.

Who shall I see?

For Spiritual understanding to reside.

What am I to do?

That I may walk worthy of Him.

How am I to sit?

Knowing I am not perfect.

How can I breathe?

To be fully pleasing to Him.

Where do I go?

Bearing His fruit in every good work.

How do I walk?

To grow in His knowledge.

When will I go?

As He extends His will to me.

When I take the wings of the morning, I see the outline of the moon. The stars see my face, as they ignite my stride. I take the roads by storm, and the minutes by night. My hope is on the horizon, the rising of the sun. It’s the hope that is to come, the rising of the day. My assurance is in full, my Savior is here to stay. I take the wings of the morning, while challenging my lungs, heart and mind. It’s a blissful length of time, taking minutes as a dime.

I’ve readied my heart for war, but now it’s weary in the night. My soul craves for more, for purpose and no spite. I miss the days of old, when my fight had a reason. Where does my path and mission reside? I have somehow lost my stride. I’ve lost sight of the outline of the moon. The ache to run drives me to another lump sum. I have an addiction to the flesh, like some.

When I awake, I know not where I’ll end. Here or there? Goal or spare? None or fair? My reasons are seamless. I ask you Lord Jesus, to ignite the fire within me. Take every piece of my broken spirit, and renew my soul within your love. I need your purification process. It is the sanctification that makes me whole, it is you that only know.

It’s my sin,

It wrecks me deep within.

It calls my name,

It proclaims “You’ll find a fame.”

This sensation will cure the boredom,

It give you a hope for your starving freedom.

Assurance has no place,

In that secret hiding space.

Daily I fight the battle,

Weekly I fall off the saddle.

Savior, I need your resurrection.

Where is your protection?

The enemy is proweling.

His ugly head is growling.

I hear him whisper my name!

Take him out, isn’t he already slain?

My heart is beating within me,

I can clearly see the enemy.

I know not how to run,

This destroys all that you’ve begun.

I need your self-control,

Please abide and your toll.

You restore and bring life.

Take my heart, all my strife.

"Have you found honey?

Eat only as much as you need,

Lest you be filled with it and vomit."Proverbs 25:16

a. Eat only as much as you need: If someone has found honey—something good and wonderful to find—the honey should be enjoyed, but one should eat only as much as you need.

b. Lest you be filled with it and vomit: If something good (honey) is eaten beyond what one needs, if we fill ourselves with it, then it may cause an unpleasant reaction (vomit) and we lose the good thing we thought we gained. Overindulgence in good things is harmful and counter productive.

i. “Since Eden, man has wanted the last ounce out of life, as though beyond God’s ‘enough’ lay ecstasy, not nausea.” (Kidner)

ii. “By honey he understands, not only all delicious meats, but all present and worldly delights, which we are here taught to use with moderation. Honey excessively taken disposeth a man to vomiting.” (Poole)

Everybody wants a King, as long as they are the one's who gets the crown. But if we were the one's to save ourselves, we would have already done it by now!

Here we are, broken, decieved, thirsty and hungry.

It was Jesus that put his toes in the water of our waiting, to meet us where we are. He joins us, He came after us and is chasing after us. He comes into the waters with us to not simply observe our stance, but rather to stand with us.

Jesus was baptized to reveal to us that we are being made new, in and through Him alone.

Jesus was immediately sent into the wilderness after his baptism, dripping with the remnants of water, wet hair and all. He did not pause when it came to God's commands. He did not allow his flesh to take control of his desires.

Stepping into the waters of chaos, he then ran into the wilderness to be with God, be tempted to prepare for ministry. He starved his flesh to be more moldable to the commands of God.

Our repentance is not intellectual beleif, it's saying and knowing "I am not Him." Repentance is dethroning ourselves, and giving the King his crown.

(Chad Kincer) - The Gospel of Mark - Frontline Downton

Humbly I asked, "Where is your heart?"

"My sweet friend, I dont know where to start!"

"I was lost, surrounded by trees,

Eventually I found water and fell to my knees.

I was sore and needed refreshment,

My burdens ached, loneliness beckoned.

I had none to say 'Where should we go?'

But only the birds, as they saw me grow.

Though as I picked myself up off the ground,

A washing breeze came as a sound.

A presence of peace washed over my face,

A knowing of hope took place.

I knew not who had sent the message,

But it was then, that I saw my wreckage.

In control, I saw the hole,

Repentant and sorrowful.

'Oh Lord is this you?

Please take me back, I thought I knew!'

In a moment of despair,

All was attoned with repair.

The gaping hole was filled,

My Savior came, His love was spilled.

My eyes then opened in awe.

The light, I then saw.

As I sprinted down the path He said,

'I am always with you, It is you who fled.'"

How am I to know?

I desire to grow.

More like His face.

Resembling His grace.

Growing to stand,

Rather than slipping on sand.

Rejected by man,

Finding joy in His hand.

No worries to see,

I desire the hope within me.

Called out of the dark,

My Jesus spoke with a spark.

Nothing could stop the light,

My Savior won over the night.

Now I abstain,

From every fleshly desire & chain.

They have no hold on me,

I am called to see.

My soul has been awakened,

My heart beats for the forsaken.

I am called to this.

This breath is but a bliss.

In the wilderness I wait, Dear Lord.

Dear Lord, I am waiting in the wilderness.

Do you see?

I am waiting!

My heart is racing.

My palms are sweating.

I cannot take deep breaths.

I need your love, I need your depth.

How long will you forget me, Dear Lord?

Every crumb is provision in the morn.

The drink you provide quenches my scorn.

But I am tempted and despaired.

I cannot stand to lose more hair.

These days have worn my soul.

My heart has taken a toll.

Forgive my sins.

I know not the breath within.

I'm wretched, I'm a sinner.

Yet you come and say, "Let's dine, let's have dinner."

I am ready to be realeased.

This pain has not ceased.

I will wait in anticipation.

Please come and make your new nation.

My heart needs your face.

I will worship in the midst of your grace.