- Friday, July 13, 2012
- Melissa Maudlin
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One of the most blessed gifts the Lord has ever given us as his children is that life comes only one minute at a time.
Yesterday morning in our weekly devotions at Ambassador our beloved Peggy Campbell shared the gospel of Colossians with us from memory. I put my iPhone down (where my digital version of the Bible is kept) and just listened to the words of the Scripture being spoken to me as they would have been all those years ago when the letter first arrived in Colossae. It was wonderful hearing Paul's personal exhortations to his fellow believers and really feeling the love he carried for the body of Christ.
While there is MUCH in Colossians I think it is important to note that each individual command, if you will, from Paul to the Colossians is very simple in nature.
"Since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray...so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord..." (Col. 1:9, 10)
"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him..." (Col. 2:6)
Walking is a step-by-step process. You can only ever put one foot in front of the other. To ask the believers to walk in the Lord is a promise that with each step forward we will be provided the tools we need in order to make that stride.
"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Col. 3:2)
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Col. 3:17)
"Devote yourselves to prayer..." (Col. 4:2)
These are changes and adjustments to our lives we can start making now. In this moment chose to focus on heavenly things. In this moment give thanks to the Lord. In this moment lift up those around you in prayer. But only with one moment at a time.
This is a concept that Max Lucado is always exhorting us to remember. "Give the day a chance" he said in a recent UpWords® program. I was so encouraged to be reminded that each day, each moment, is a gift MADE by the Lord so we should not burden today with yesterday's troubles or tomorrow's concerns but chose to "fill today with God".
May you too be blessed by this message and if you'd like more encouragement from Max, check out him out on Facebook and Twitter!
Blessings,
Melissa Maudlin
P.S. - I am personally very excited as Max will be here with us at Ambassador preparing recordings for a national simulcast later in the year as well as speaking at a church in my neighborhood! Please keep Max in your prayers for safety during these travels and that the Lord would speak through him.