On Purpose
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3, NIV) This verse literally begins […]
The Great Struggle
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person (Colossians 2:1, HCSB). One of Paul’s favorite analogies for the spiritual life is in the realm of athletics. The word “struggle” here is used elsewhere in the […]
Perfection
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:28-29, NIV) As this first chapter of the letter of Colossians comes to a close, Paul is about to […]
Chasing the Mystery
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of […]
Modern-Day Apostle
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”https://newlifedenton.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Fb-Cover.png” image_width=”800″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” svg=”false” lightbox=”false” group=”_general” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Colossians 1:24 (HCSB) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church. I’m reading a book right now I can’t […]
Confoundedly Simple
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the […]
“More Beyond” in 2015
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”https://newlifedenton.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/MoreBeyondFB.png” image_width=”800″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, maps contained the warning “Non Plus Ultra” – nothing more beyond. It was a warning that going beyond those points into unknown territory would end in certain disaster. Then came Columbus…and after him Magellan. In 2015 I believe […]
Immanuel – God with Us
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth […]
Divine Prepositions
…because by Him everything was created, 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. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17, HCSB).” If you were ever looking for […]
A Hidden God and His Icon
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation; (Colossians 1:15, HCSB) In Paul’s letter to the church of Colossae, we come to what most scholars consider a hymn of the early church. There are two stanzas which basically repeat the same idea in 1:15-17 and 1:18-20. The hymn is steeped […]
Veterans Day
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13, NIV) Today is Veterans Day and I’m reminded of these famous words from the Lord. He shared this with his disciples shortly before his own […]
The Simple Christian Life
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and […]
