Passage of the Day:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[b] was put off when you were circumcised by[c] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead, Colossians 2:6-12.
Reflection:
As I have been introduced to, interacted with, and spent time with Christian brothers and sisters, it doesn’t take long to recognize individuals deeply rooted in Christ from those content with a casual faith. Whether I was serving as a youth director, overseeing leadership teams or casting vision as a church elder, this decision comes down to the lordship of Christ. When Christians don’t make meeting with God daily a priority like Jesus in Mark 1:35, faith can fade and grow cold. Bible study, prayer and worship regularly fuels my faith. However, if I miss just one day with God, this opens the door for other substitutes to take God’s place in my life. As the apostle Paul received news of first century churches reverting back to their former way of life prior to entering into a personal relationship with Jesus, becoming built up spiritually be being rooted in Christ is a call to action.
Prayerful Action:
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers, Psalm 1:1-3.
Learning to Love this December as God Forgives You:
The Psalmist selects a conifer tree as a symbol for yielding fruit all year long. There are 20 types of coniferous trees that exist ranging from evergreens, pines and spruces. Roughly 1000 years ago in Northern Europe, conifer trees became synonymous with Christmas. This tradition continues today with nearly 30 million American families choosing real trees over artificial ones. As grasses become dormant every winter, green trees stand out among wilting bushes, plants and shrubs. When Christians follow the advice of the apostle Paul in Colossians 2:6-7, the love of Jesus will begin naturally overflowing out of your heart in the form of charitable acts. However, this process starts by learning to become rooted in prayer and the teachings of Jesus.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
I have seen powerful drama presentations using Everything by Lifehouse. May the lyrics of Everything ignite a fire deep inside your soul to become built up and rooted in Christ for 2025.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 