Colossians 2 - 12.9.24

Scripture

Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

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Observation

In this passage, Paul is writing the church in Colossae and warns them not to be taken in by deceptive teachings. These teachings may seem attractive, but are merely tricks. They sound true, but they are not. Teachings of self-denial, legalism, visions, and other practices looks good on the outside, but none of them are true sources of spiritual growth. Paul emphasizes the way Jesus accomplished everything; we need to be justified before God. As a result, there is no reason for believers to pursue these false teachings. We have the real thing in Jesus…and we need to follow Him.

Application

Jesus is our firm foundation. He is the source to our true spiritual growth.

“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.” -‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ 

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”-John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”-Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Staying rooted in Jesus by following His teachings, reading His Word, and connecting with Him (through prayer) daily, are practical ways we can all grow in our faith and be better prepared for when the storms of life hit.

Prayer

Thank You Jesus for being the foundation in my life, and in my family’s life. We would be lost without You. You are my tower of strength, The Rock that I can lean on when I am weak, and my hope in times of trouble. It’s because of You I can find joy in all circumstances in life. I give You all the glory, honor, and praise. May others around me see where my hope rests, and be encouraged to seek You too. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Philippians 3 - 12.6.24

Scripture: Philippians 3:7 - 8

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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.

Observation

This verse acts as a reminder to us that nothing of this world measures up to that of KNOWING our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Leading up to this verse, Paul lists his impressive Jewish credentials, highlighting his status as a Pharisee, Hebrew of Hebrews, and zealous follower of the law. The original audience was the Christian church in Philippi, which Paul wrote during his time in prison. Paul is conveying that in comparison to knowing Christ, all his accomplishments are worthless and mere rubbish. His true value now comes from his intimate fellowship with Christ who surpasses all things of this world. He is urging the church to not rely on the world for righteousness, but rather communion with Christ Jesus. This is similar to what Paul discusses in Galatians 5:6 that the law has no value-the only thing of worth is faith expressed through love in Christ.

Application

The world tells us that success is being well educated, having a successful career, owning a home, nice cars and much more. We cannot live our life trying to do everything perfect in our own strength and have the Abundant Life God has promised us. Through Faith in Christ Jesus and surrendering our lives to Him, we will experience the amazing life that Jesus has for us. All the world’s success is garbage in comparison to KNOWING Christ Jesus. To KNOW the depth of His love for us. To KNOW that He gave His life so we may live. To KNOW the suffering that we endure in life makes us into the person God made us to be. There is nothing in the world that is better than KNOWING Christ Jesus and walking in step with the Holy Spirit. To live the Abundant Life that He has given us.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, help us to live our lives looking to you for everything. Pressing into KNOWING YOU intimately and have a deep understanding of your love for us. Help us to deny our fleshly desires and press forward to the Prize of KNOWING YOU. Thank You Jesus for loving us, dying for us, rising and living in us, so that we may live our lives Victoriously in You. I am forever Grateful!

- Michelle Craig

Philippians 2 - 12.5.24

S - 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.” Philippians 2:3-5

O – Paul writes this personal letter to the Philippians to thank the believers for helping him when he had needs, to encourage them to be content, and to find joy in Christ through ALL circumstances. In chapter 2 he is telling us to find joy in serving others by imitating Christ’s humility. Christ who came to serve us and not to be served.

A – This verse goes so far against the worldly view that says always look out for number one; protect yourself, take care of yourself, acquire all the toys, go on all the vacations, eat, drink, and be merry. THEN if you have some time, or some extra, maybe donate some to a worthy cause and feel good about yourself. Many people, even Christians, live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves. Selfish ambition brings discord. When we live to please ourselves, we are not following God’s Greatest Commandment which clearly states to put others first. He tells us many times throughout His Word. Here are just a few:

Matthew 22:37-39  37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.

Leviticus 19:18 18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Mark 12:31 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

NO greater commandment then to love God and your neighbor. Then WHY aren’t we doing that?! My heart cringes every time I watch someone put a higher value on their time than on my life when they run a red light out here (which seems to be the norm now).  Or why isn’t the entire Church serving in some capacity?  How many of us say I don’t have time to help my neighbor because I have things to do, yet we cry out to God when we are in need of help. Or how many of us don’t show up to church on a Sunday because maybe we were up too late and needed to sleep? We need to prioritize showing God and others that we truly love Him/them. God came to earth to humbly SERVE us, THEN he gave His life for us by dying a horrible death on a cross. Showing up for others should be seen as a privilege to be used by God…..to show them HE cares for their well-being and all of their concerns.  Can’t we simply be kind to one another? What if we ALL let that person squeezing their way in, cut in front of us in traffic, or we ALL held that door open for someone even though we ourselves are running late, or we ALL bought that homeless man on the corner a meal, or we ALL made that phone call to someone we know is hurting right in the middle of our hectic day? Can you picture what a different world we would see? What a ripple effect it could have on mankind!  What if that one act of generosity or kindness changed the trajectory of that one person’s life for the better? What if God revealed Himself to them in that moment because of your kindness? That’s a lot of what ifs, but they are good, and they are Godly.

When we work together, caring for the problems and needs of others as if they were our own problems and needs, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first and we experience unity. Selfish ambition can ruin a church, but selflessness can bring a multitude of others in the doors and on their way to becoming Disciples of Christ!

I love that our church has an annual tradition to tangibly love others during our Crazy Generous, Christmas at Desert Streams Church. This year we have two families we have adopted through Family Promise, as well as an option to give to Global Missions. We have a team going to India at the end of the month and our $1 goes a LONG way there! We can ALL participate on some level, even if we need to buy one less gift for someone in our own family this year. If you haven’t done so, please pray and take a moment to be Crazy Generous!

Crazy Generous — Desert Streams Church

 P -  God, I humbly come to you and ask for forgiveness for myself, and for any of my brothers and sisters who are living only for ourselves and not putting the needs of others FIRST. Help us to first SEE the needs of others by moving away from our own selfish thoughts and desires. Help us to not turn away from the needs we see and to seek ways to love your people as you have called us to do. In Jesus’ name I pray! Amen!

- Crystal Flory