Colossians 2

I'm going to start opening up the post the night before in case I sleep in and you guys want to have early morning devotional. Remember to give God the first fruits of your lives.

I know the following verse is talking specifically about tithes, but I think that each day, each breath that we take... is something that is given to us and we need to offer our Lord the first fruits of the day!

29 "You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me."

God wants our first-fruits. Now I'm not trying to make this challenge harder...and I know many times we have so much to do...but think about what God deserves...does he really deserve for us to come to him when we are half asleep..giving him, the last fruits of the energy he has given us to get through another day? Check yourselves brothers and seek Him! I love you guys! Thanks for being part of this challenge...I'm really proud of you guys!

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Now for today's Blog!!

16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.

This one was just awesome...I love how he hits legalism in the face in this chapter and really shows us what really matters in our lives! Legalism is a hard life to live...it describes that it brings self-denial and pain to the body...and I am so glad that the Lord has freed us from that. The main thing that stood out though, is the fact that it mentions the Sabbath...and I've been praying to God lately to show me why we don't keep the Sabbath holy anymore...I've been reading in Isaiah about the sabbath and how it should be kept holy...why is it the only commandment we don't follow anymore? This is a question I have been trying to find the answer for.

Colossians 1

Welcome New Guys!! Challenge #3 Here we go!

28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfectt in their relationship to Christ.29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

This verse screams accountability and discipleship! We hold such a responsibility to others and to God. We want to present others to God perfect in their relationship to Christ...what does this mean for us, the believers? It also means that we too have to present ourselves perfect in our relationship to Christ! This chapter is incredible! So Gospel and Eternity focused! Let us work hard and struggle hard in order to do God's will...which is spread the great news about his deliverance and live lives worthy of the call!

Philippians 4

Wohoo! We made it! Another challenge.. Good job yesterday guys! I didn't even really have to remind anyone. The next challenge will start tomorrow and we are going straight into Colossians! It's gonna be awesome. Another short challenge...now on top of that, I need you guys to get one broski to commit to doing this. Tell them to let me know who that person is, so I can get in touch with them! Please do this and begin challenging your brothers! It's awesome!

vs 3 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.

Okay...so how many people have we held a grudge against..or are currently holding a grudge against...or maybe they are just holding a grudge against us, but we are not stepping out and seeking to settle our disagreements with those people...This is sooo challenging as it says...because we belong to the Lord, we are to settle our differences...ask yourself, "how does this apply to me right now?"

also... I love the verse 13- For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength...love it cuz he is specifically talking about when he had nothing! He was going hungry... and he still relied on God! This should be our anthem when times get rough! Trust in Jesus!

Philipians 3

Okay! So I had to cheat for today...this was just too good.

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of Godt are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort...

This really spoke to me today! Sometimes we get distracted by our "doings" or what we want to do for the Lord that we lose sight of what really matters. We must rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us and put our confidence in Him rather than what we do. I think that when we focus on what we do so much, it just brings worry to our lives rather than peace. It's the opposite of what Jesus provides.

18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

Okay guys! Wake up with this one! Enemies of the cross?! That's really strong...but what are we living for in this world? Are we living to brag about worthless things and have our minds, hearts, and souls focused on earthly things that are here today and gone tomorrow? This can be applied to many things in our lives. If Paul is in tears about this situation...how do you think our Lord and Savior feels about it?

--God let us be focused on you. Give us an eternal mindset...that we may pursue you above everything else in this life!

Philippians 2

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

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Andy and I were talking about the name of Jesus and the name of God the other day. I feel that we've come to a time when the name of God is not revered anymore...and the very name of Jesus is disrespected left and right. Here it says that God gave Jesus the name above all names and that even at the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Do we really revere the name of Jesus and hold it above all other names. And more importantly do we revere Jesus himself with our lives? This is all for the glory of God our Father!

Philippians 1

Here we go guys! Challenge #2!

18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

This verse has stood out to me in past because it really shows the power of God's word! Here, he is talking about those who preach Jesus out of selfish ambition and I would say, are the "hypocrites" of the church. I love Paul's attitude about the situation--"what does it matter? Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice." Sometimes seeing hypocrites in the church is something that tries to take your joy away...but we need to have the heart of Paul and rejoice, regardless of the situation...because it is Jesus that we put our trust in, not "mere" people.

Ephesians 6

12 For wet are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

This is powerful. Guys...we the world we cannot see is the world that is more real than the world that we can see. We need to put on the full armor of God and prepare for the attacks of the enemy...this means we have to be in the Word of God..this means we have to be careful what we allow to enter our minds and our hearts! Be on your guard at all times because we are dealing with the mighty powers in this dark world and the evil spirits...this is real stuff and we don't want to let it have a foothold in our lives! Cover yourselves with what God has to offer and don't miss out, because it is dangerous without him!

Good job guys! You have completed the first challenge! Look out for the new challenge! Starting tomorrow. I will email you!