13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and 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 in Him all things hold together.
18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach–
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I read your selection from Colossians this morning as I got ready for our traditional Easter day get-together at my home. A lot of young people always come, who vary widely in their spiritual life from agnosticism to being on fire for the Lord. They come with their parents, who are all believers. There was about 25 people today.
I always read a passage before the main meal blessing. I used the one you posted today for our reading, which I thought was just perfect. Apparently, so did everyone else. It led to a few words on the core of the gospel according to 1 Corinthians 15 and the importance of the resurrection for all mankind.
All the young people, regardless of their spiritual state, say uniformly that our holiday dinners here are their favorite times of the year. We have them on Easter and Thanksgiving.
I always hope that young people can connect wholesome activities to their best times. I believe that such things go a long way to keep them from chasing artificial pleasures such as drugs.
So, IC, it seems you were led not just for your own edification, but for ours as well.
I hope your day went well today. And, the same to all the readers too.
IndependentConservative reply on March 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 pm :
Praise the Lord.
Yes we had a wonderful time in worship and fellowship here today. The message was from Mark 15:37-39 and noted how we Gentiles through Christ now have access previously not available to us. Not just from the standpoint of once not being allowed into the temple, but now through Christ allowed beyond the veil. All having access to what once was only accessed by one man once a year. And as scripture says:
Hebrews 4:16 (New American Standard Bible)
It’s a glorious thing.
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Isn’t is a shame that so many Americans professing Christianity cast off this astounding accomplishment of our Lord for the fleeting interests of this life? What is wrong with the offer of eternal life that God makes to us? Can’t we see that we must all leave this life no matter how blessed and long it can get?
I guess I have to shake my head at my own self, for I once did not appreciate the Gospel’s real truths either.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Praise God. He is Risen. He Is Risen Indeed!!!!