Some of people of Colossae had some beliefs that we would consider pretty strange.
They seemed to believe that the god who created the material world was an evil god, not the one true god, but something called an emanence. They believed Jesus was an emanence too, and just one of many.
In a crude way, their belief about getting to heaven was sort of a spiritual version of Mario Brothers video game.
There were ladders to various levels and along the way you had to avoid or battle emanences who would derail or block your progress. They believe in rank upon rank of angels and spiritual beings.
The whole thing was so complicated, that it really became a kind of first century version of dungeons and dragons, for the elite.
It was way too complicated for ordinary folk.
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"?Give it one more chance?"
Luke 13:8 (NLT)
The brilliant red, yellow, and orange leaves that make fall so beautiful did not materialize at the normal time where I live this year. Sighs of disappointment could be heard as we watched some of the leaves simply turn brown and fall to the ground. We were resigned to wait until next time to feast our eyes on that part of God's beautiful world.
And then when we were ready to accept that winter was about to happen, we woke up one morning to find, to our wonderful surprise, there was fall color all around us. The trees that still had leaves on them had seemingly overnight turned to their bright fall colors. They were absolutely stunningly displayed so late in the season.
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Thursday is Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks for all those blessings we have received throughout the year. But, I digress. Remember all the things you (and I) have complained about during the year? Did we once stop to think that God may have allowed those things to come our way to see how we would react? What did we do? Complain! And, scripture says for us to 'in every thing give thanks'.
Oh, I know it's almost humanly impossible to give thanks in every thing. I know I haven't. But, when we become humble, God can bless us. When we become humble before the Lord, then he's able to act on our behalf.
Friday night our grandchildren's school football team had a very humbling experience, or so . . .
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"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us,
He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Sunday was Dedication Day for our new building at the church where my family has been a member for many years. Over seven years ago the church voted to relocate from their downtown location they had occupied for more than half a century.
"This has truly been a miracle of God," chairman of the Building Committee shared with an overflow congregation the first Sunday. Eighty-six year-old Mavrick Cook, a member. . .
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When my husband and I moved to Saskatchewan, we thought we'd moved into a hair dryer. The wind that blew off the prairie that August was incessant, hot and dry. I remember standing on the back step of our tiny trailer, looking out at the flat stubble-covered land and thinking it was the ugliest, most desolate piece of country I'd ever seen. We lived there for three years and over that time I saw the land transformed as the seasons followed one after the other and my eyes grew accustomed to subtle changes. Then one day I stood on that same back step . . .
Subcategories
The Spur Article Count: 92
Wonders of Creation Article Count: 37
Harris Dvores Article Count: 1
Rev. Spence Laycock Article Count: 49
Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis Article Count: 2
Diane Davis Article Count: 1
Melva's Devotions Article Count: 48
Blog Writings by Melva Cooper.
Melva Cooper is a wife, mother and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. God has given her, in her retirement years, the ministry of writing for HIM. "Even in old age, you will still produce fruit" is a verse He has given her (Psalm 92:14). And it is her desire to serve Him all the days of her life.
Barb's Mantle Article Count: 59
Barbara, a Christian homemaker, began her Web Site through encouragement from her son, and a dream. It quickly became a ministry for the Lord. She began writing devotionals to encourage, inspire, and build up spiritually those coming to her site. Barbara is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sandra Boyte Article Count: 10
Dr. Harold McNabb Article Count: 98
Dr. Harold McNabb pastors at Westshore Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Peggie's Den Article Count: 77
"Ever feel as though life is a lions' den and like Daniel, you're right in the middle of it all? Enjoy these "Devotions from the Den" (Lions 'n Life at Peggie's Place) and delight in God's promises of love, joy and peace for whatever is happening in YOUR den today!"