Colossians 1:15-20 Christian Standard Bible
The Centrality of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
16 For everything was created by him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together.
18 He is also the head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that he might come to have
first place in everything.
19 For God was pleased to have
all his fullness dwell in him,
20 and through him to reconcile
everything to himself,
whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace
through his blood, shed on the cross.[a]
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Imagine a universe in which everything is completely random.
There is no order; there is no consistency; there is no purpose.
What a horrible place that would be!
Yet those who believe in a purely naturalistic explanation for the origin of the universe find themselves in precisely such a place.
I’m thankful that we can know that there is purpose, there is direction, and that there is order in the universe.
This universe was designed, laid out, and is maintained by the Creator, the God of the universe, Himself.
The laws of physics are such a beautiful picture of the great order that God gives to His creation. Not only has God created this world, but He is 100% intimately involved in keeping everything orderly, running according to His perfect plan.
This truth actually brings us great comfort.
I don’t know if you’ve figured this out, but I have noticed many times over the many years that I’ve been alive that life does not actually turn out the way that I thought it would when I was much younger. As a matter of fact, life regularly takes twists and turns that I never would have ever imagined in my early years.
Unexpected tragedies come.
We experience loss.
We experience pain, heartache, sorrow, failure, and despair.
But knowing that God reigns on His throne on high is an incredible comfort.
We can be assured that nothing takes place that is outside of His control.
Take a moment to think about God’s perspective on this universe.
Consider God’s perspective on your problems.
God is not stressed out.
God is not sitting on His throne wringing his hands in worry about how things are going to turn out.
As you go throughout this day, take time to ponder God’s sovereignty.
Meditate on the reality that He is in control of everything.
Take time to ponder His sovereignty and how it makes a difference in your life.
Consider how big of a deal that is.
TODAY’S BIG IDEA: “God is in control, and you can relax and trust in Him.”
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying …
Psalm 24
A psalm by David.
1 The earth and everything it contains are Yahweh’s.
The world and all who live in it are his.
2 He laid its foundation on the seas
and set it firmly on the rivers.
3 Who may go up Yahweh’s mountain?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart
and does not long for what is false[a]
or lie when he is under oath.
5 This person will receive a blessing from Yahweh
and righteousness from Elohim, his savior.
6 This is the person who seeks him,
who searches for the face of the El of Jacob.[b] Selah
7 Lift your heads, you gates.
Be lifted, you ancient doors,
so that the Melek of glory may come in.
8 Who is this Melek of glory?
Yahweh, strong and mighty!
Yahweh, heroic in battle!
9 Lift your heads, you gates.
Be lifted, you ancient doors,
so that the Melek of glory may come in.
10 Who, then, is this Melek of glory?
Yahweh Tsebaoth is the Melek of glory! Selah
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 