Jesus + Nothing = Jesus
This past year Jason and I made a big decision, based on several different concerns, to leave the church we had been committed to for the last 3 1/2 years. It was not an easy decision and one made knowing we might not make everyone happy but we knew, without a doubt, that a change was needed even though we did not know what that change would entail. The Plan, we knew included Jesus walking before us, ahead of us and for us, even though it eluded our understanding.
We visited several churches close to home and knew, within one visit at each church, that it was not where the Lord wanted us. Upon visiting Sanctuary we knew, pretty much right away, that this is where we were to set our family.
Where we were to sit and drink.
Sit and learn.
Sit and worship.
Our hearts were yearning for the discipleship that we found in this church and I can honestly say that it has brought about a life-changing time for Jason and I and, hence, our family.
It is still new and things are coming together, but we are seeing each and every step that this church takes to be made with one thing in mind. Jesus + Nothing = Jesus
Do you ever feel like the things you've learned, all your life, become just that....the things you've learned? Maybe there is a longing, without you realizing what it is, to learn the freshness of those same truths? To be taught their relevance and their importance in your life? Do you yearn for a discipleship that teaches you these truths....speaking them into your heart and mind and teaches you how to discover them for yourself?
I do.
Over the last three weeks we have been studying Colossians, Paul's letter to the church at Colosse, as he sits in prison with the worst of circumstances. Here is my attempt at a small synopsis of what we are learning each week.
Paul begins his letter with thankfulness and describes the preeminence of Jesus Christ - His supremacy.
Jason and I are blown away as we are learning just what that supremacy means in our lives as we look to Jesus as our All in All, our Everything.
I in Christ and Christ in me.
That's it.
That is what defines me.
If all were taken away and all I had was Jesus...it would be enough. My heart tears at the thought of truly giving my all to this truth. But truly, in the beginning and the end, Jesus is enough for me.
Jesus has QUALIFIED me to live in the light.
He has said "She is mine."
I accept, I give my all as I accept my inheritance, my position, my place with Christ.
I am His and He is mine.
I in Christ and Christ in me.
Is Jesus enough for me?
My Jesus is the IMAGE of GOD,
Col 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.
He is my CREATOR - THE CREATOR,
Col 1:16 Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made all things we can see and the things we can't see - kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him.
He is my SUSTAINER,
Col 1:17 He existed before everything else began, and He HOLDS (sustains) all creation together.
He is my AUTHORITY,
Col 1:18 Christ is the head of the church, which is His body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so He is FIRST in everything.
He is my DEATH DEFEATER,
He is my RECONCILER,
my SIN SACRIFICER.
Col 1: 19-20 For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ and by Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of His blood on the cross.
Jesus is enough. Jesus + Nothing = Enough
Our counter culture suggests and urges us to fill that 'nothing' with a lot of 'somethings' but we are learning that while we have much to enjoy in the gifts Jesus has given us....we have enough with HIM alone.
What is your only comfort in life and death?
That I with body and soul, both in life and death am not my own but long unto my father Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with His precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins and delivered me from all the power of the devil and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely will and ready to live unto Him.
~Heidelberg Catechism
I daresay, we will never be the same.
We visited several churches close to home and knew, within one visit at each church, that it was not where the Lord wanted us. Upon visiting Sanctuary we knew, pretty much right away, that this is where we were to set our family.
Where we were to sit and drink.
Sit and learn.
Sit and worship.
Our hearts were yearning for the discipleship that we found in this church and I can honestly say that it has brought about a life-changing time for Jason and I and, hence, our family.
It is still new and things are coming together, but we are seeing each and every step that this church takes to be made with one thing in mind. Jesus + Nothing = Jesus
Do you ever feel like the things you've learned, all your life, become just that....the things you've learned? Maybe there is a longing, without you realizing what it is, to learn the freshness of those same truths? To be taught their relevance and their importance in your life? Do you yearn for a discipleship that teaches you these truths....speaking them into your heart and mind and teaches you how to discover them for yourself?
I do.
Over the last three weeks we have been studying Colossians, Paul's letter to the church at Colosse, as he sits in prison with the worst of circumstances. Here is my attempt at a small synopsis of what we are learning each week.
Paul begins his letter with thankfulness and describes the preeminence of Jesus Christ - His supremacy.
Jason and I are blown away as we are learning just what that supremacy means in our lives as we look to Jesus as our All in All, our Everything.
I in Christ and Christ in me.
That's it.
That is what defines me.
If all were taken away and all I had was Jesus...it would be enough. My heart tears at the thought of truly giving my all to this truth. But truly, in the beginning and the end, Jesus is enough for me.
Jesus has QUALIFIED me to live in the light.
He has said "She is mine."
I accept, I give my all as I accept my inheritance, my position, my place with Christ.
I am His and He is mine.
I in Christ and Christ in me.
Is Jesus enough for me?
My Jesus is the IMAGE of GOD,
Col 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.
He is my CREATOR - THE CREATOR,
Col 1:16 Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made all things we can see and the things we can't see - kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him.
He is my SUSTAINER,
Col 1:17 He existed before everything else began, and He HOLDS (sustains) all creation together.
He is my AUTHORITY,
Col 1:18 Christ is the head of the church, which is His body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so He is FIRST in everything.
He is my DEATH DEFEATER,
He is my RECONCILER,
my SIN SACRIFICER.
Col 1: 19-20 For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ and by Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of His blood on the cross.
Jesus is enough. Jesus + Nothing = Enough
Our counter culture suggests and urges us to fill that 'nothing' with a lot of 'somethings' but we are learning that while we have much to enjoy in the gifts Jesus has given us....we have enough with HIM alone.
What is your only comfort in life and death?
That I with body and soul, both in life and death am not my own but long unto my father Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with His precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins and delivered me from all the power of the devil and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely will and ready to live unto Him.
~Heidelberg Catechism
I daresay, we will never be the same.
SO happy for you guys!!!!!
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