How to tell that Jesus has first place in a life

Last night I read the text of this morning’s Sunday School lessons in the upper classes in our congregation: Colossians 1:9-29. The title of the lesson is “The Preeminence of Christ.”

I had two basic questions:

  • How do I know — show, if you will — that Christ truly is preeminent in me?
  • How is Christ preeminent in my church? (What does that look like, as “they” say?)

Those give the same fundamental question different phrasing. I leave the question and its answers hanging here. Continue reading

But will I turn to Him? Will I listen to Him?

In my dark moments.
In my confused moments.
In my hopeless moments.
In my defeats.
In my tribulations.
In my need.

God knows all and understands all. He always has. And He is here. With me.

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

(Psalm 139:1-3,6,17)

But I forget. And my focus gets all askew.

And I suffer alone when I do not need to. He is ready to comfort. He is ready to listen. He is ready to help me bear it all. And bear me through it all. And not just ready. Able to. Anxious to.

Today I listened to the second part of Charles Stanley’s message on the omniscience of God, based in part on Psalm 139. These are some of the concepts he brings out in the message. I was so touched and blessed by these things. Continue reading

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