Daily Devotional for October 9, 2015
Scripture:
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Observation:
As we have received Christ Jesus as Lord and continue to live in Him (verse 6), we allow ourselves to experience the fullness of Jesus Christ (verse 10). Think about that. As we empty ourselves and surrender to the Lord, we have been given fullness in Christ. I know many men are walking around today wanting to experience the fullness of Christ. Too often, we look to acquire fullness in our lives through some other means than the Lord. In Rob Ketterling’s Book Thrill Sequence, he says:
“If what everyone else is doing works, why are there so many dissatisfied people? The world’s plan doesn’t work. Living for the next big thing leads to emptiness, yet we keep trying to find fulfillment in and empty promise.”
He later states:
“You will never experience the abundant life God intends for you until you respond in obedience to the instructions and principles He has given in the Bible. Many believers today are spiritually stalled because they act as if they own everything and God gets part of what’s left over. Their spiritual lives aren’t thrilling because they aren’t letting God guide their lives.”
Fullness of life is available to you; it’s only found in Christ.
Application:
- Personal Application: Open your hands and empty your life to Christ. In other words, fully devote your life to Christ. As we are set apart (verses 11-12), we will experience the fullness that is in Christ.
- Family Devotional: Read this passage to your family. Explain to them how our fullness in life can only come from a relationship with Christ. Ask them if anything in their life is taking away from their relationship with the Lord. Pray with them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you remove distractions and those things you are holding onto in your life. Ask Him to help you fully depend on the Him.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will experience God’s fullness as they seek Him. Pray that the Lord will help them identify distractions in their relationship with Him.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, October 4 – Sunday, October 11:
- Sunday, October 4: Psalm 62-63
- Monday, October 5: Psalm 64-65
- Tuesday, October 6: Proverbs 28
- Wednesday, October 7: Proverbs 29
- Thursday, October 8: Colossians 1
- Friday, October 9: Colossians 2
- Saturday, October 10: Colossians 3
- Sunday, October 11: Colossians 4
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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