Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM STABLE IN CHRIST
“For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”
Talk to anyone who has experienced an earthquake and they will tell you how frightening it is. No one likes to feel shaken. One of God’s gifts to us is a firm foundation in Christ. Jesus spoke of the importance of building our lives on Him in Luke 6:47-49. “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, …is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been built well.” What a blessing Christians have in the gift of a firm foundation in Christ and God’s Word.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Christ, the firm foundation on Whom I can build my life and not be shaken.
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I HAVE CHRIST, IN WHOM ARE HIDDEN ALL the TREASURES of WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE
“Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Are you a seeker of hidden treasures? Hidden means “secret, stored up.” Treasures is the place in which good and precious thing are collected and laid up. Colossians 2:1-3 awakens us to understand that good and precious things are laid up, hidden, and stored in Christ. Bible commentator Wuest notes the following. “The force of this passage then is this: all, and not merely some of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are contained in Christ; therefore the search for them outside of Him is doomed to failure. But not only are they in Christ, but they are contained in a hidden way. Therefore they do not lie on the surface, but must be sought for earnestly, as men seek for hidden treasure. They are not matters of external observances, such as false teachers enjoined, but to be apprehended by deep and serious meditation.”
Heavenly Father, thank You for my salvation and for the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. Help me increasingly seek His wisdom and knowledge through deep and serious meditation on Your Word.
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I am COMPLETE in CHRIST
“We proclaim Him (Jesus), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”
Have you ever thought about how exciting it is that you are “complete in Christ”? So often, we feel anything but complete. There’s always another “step” for how to do something better or faster. Few people would say they complete their daily “to do” list. Personally, we may at times feel incomplete; that there’s something missing. However, the Bible teaches that we are positionally complete “in Christ.” In other words, there’s nothing more we can add to the completed work Christ did in securing our salvation. When He said from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He meant it. The price for our redemption was paid in full. In Christ, we have everything we need for “life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3) What a joy it is to say with the apostle Paul, “we proclaim Him” as we grow in our knowledge of all we have in Christ.
Heavenly Father, I rejoice when I meditate on the gift of being complete in Christ. Help me increasingly grow in the knowledge of Christ and walk by His wisdom.
I CARRY the HOPE of GLORY
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Several weeks ago my husband called me with the sad news that a friend had committed suicide. Unfortunately, his state of “hopelessness” is felt by many today. But what is the Christian’s message? It is that we have hope! It is a hope anchored in Christ. It is grounded in the reality that Christ is in us, and that in Him we have the hope of glory. It is not an illusive glory. Rather, we are to fix our eyes on the glory that awaits us, but also pray daily for Christ’s glorious presence to fill us. We are not as those who have no hope. Rather, every believer can lay hold of their identity; that they carry Christ within them, the hope of glory.
Heavenly Father, Thank you that my hope does not rest in how “good” I am today. Rather, my hope is in Christ, who resides in me and is the HOPE OF GLORY.
POSSESSOR of a GLORIOUS MYSTERY
“God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
When Paul referred to his message as a “mystery manifested,” it was a direct confrontation to false teachers who wooed people from the simplicity of the gospel. False teachers urged people to add to their faith “fullness of knowledge.” They claimed only a select few could experience fullness of knowledge, and it was only available through the mystical experience they offered. However, rather than secretive, Paul explains that God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of the mystery. What is the glorious mystery once hidden but now revealed? The mystery is the birth of the church. The mystery is God unitying Jews and Gentiles into one body in Christ. The mystery is Christ in the believer. Now that’s a mystery to rejoice in and share!
Heavenly Father, what a glorious mystery You have give me by which to live and share!
From “If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?”
Holy, Blameless, & Beyond Reproach
“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 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—”
Picture it. You’re in heaven. Myriads of angels surround God’s throne. You’re overwhelmed by God’s glory and majesty. You fall prostrate before Him. Then, suddenly, Christ presents you to His Father. “This is _(insert your name)___.” Jesus continues, “She/he is holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.” Gulp! Me, holy? Me, blameless? My mind is whirling with sins I’ve committed.” But neither God the Father or Son seem concerned. Their faces show only love. Their eyes welcome me. Jesus extends His nail scared hand. “You are holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. I took care of things in your past for you.” There is no way to describe the relief, the weight lifted from my chest. “Christ is going to present me holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.” Say it to yourself. Say it often. Then in gratitude, bow and worship.
Lord God, no words can describe what it feels like as I contemplate that Jesus will present me to You as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. Thank You for the great sacrifice You both made! Thank You for the gift of forgiving my sin and the guilt of my sin.
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I Am at PEACE with God
“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 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.”
There are few things for which people seek more than to be at peace; and especially at peace with God. When we were reconciled to God, which means, “bring back a former state of harmony,” our lives changed. No longer were we at war with God. Rather, harmony was established. I don’t know about you, but I love knowing that God and I are in harmony. “I am at peace with my Maker.” Say it aloud. Say it often. It’s who you are because of Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You that because of Christ, I am at peace with You!
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM HELD TOGETHER by CHRIST
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
“I can’t hold it together another day!” I once heard someone say. What did they mean? Life was “falling apart.” Hopes, dreams, aspirations were not “falling into place.” Sometimes we say, “Hold on. It will get better.” But the fact is, sometimes one person’s definition of “better” isn’t another person’s. In the midst of the chaos of life, what can “hold us together?” I’ve found no one better or more faithful than Jesus. He has literally “held me together” when it seemed things were crumbling apart. Author and pastor Warren Wiersbe, in The Bible Expositon Commentary, tells the story of a guide who “took a group of people through an atomic laboratory…The tourists studied models of molecules and were amazed to learn that matter is made up primarily of space…One visitor asked, ‘If this is the way matter works, what holds it all together?’ For that, the guide had no answer.” Not only is Jesus the agent of creation and one for whom the world was created, He is also the one who holds it together. As Christ holds all things together, He holds you together. You are a wonderful creation of Christ – held together by Him.
Heavenly Father, thank You that in the midst of the chaos of life, You remind me that I’m not alone; and I don’t have to carry my responsibilities alone. At the center of each day is Christ – loving me and holding me and holding me together.
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
CREATED by & FOR CHRIST
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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.”
Just when we might think, “I know what the Bible says. I don’t need to read it every day,” God refreshes and convicts us with the profound reminder of who He is and who we are in relation to Him. And, if you’re familiar with the old Burt Bacharach song, “What’s It All About, Alfie?”, it answers his question.
What’s it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What’s it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
The lyrics continue….
As sure as I believe there’s a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there’s something much more.
What is the MORE? Colossians 1:15-16 tells us. We have been created FOR CHRIST. Does that blow you away? It certainly negates modern culture that tells us we are to live for ourselves; and to be successful we must be beautiful, handsome, rich, famous, at the “top” of our competitors. Could the answer to why there is so much discouragement, doubt, greed, and self-centeredness be found in Colossians 1:15-16? We don’t “get it”? We were made by Christ for Christ. We are not self-made. We are not made to live for ourselves. I pray it gives you pleasure to know Christ created you for Himself. Knowing that, we can direct our minds and hearts to live for Him today…and everyday.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I don’t have to wander aimlessly or anxiously through my day – wondering, “Who am I?” and “What’s life all about?” You have given me the answer. Christ created me for Him.
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
You’re FORGIVEN
“Jesus… in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Have you ever done something for which you feel terrible? Something that causes you to hang your head in shame and that weighs heavy on your heart? Something that you can’t get out of your mind? Take a deep breath, friend. The word “forgiven” wasn’t just for the adulterous woman or thief on the cross. Jesus speaks those words to you and me. “Forgiveness” means “release from bondage or imprisonment, pardon for sins.” What a beautiful word. Would you say the definition aloud and personalize it? “I’m released from the bondage and imprisonment of my sins. I’m pardoned. Totally.” Once and for all, when we turn to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He forgives us of our sin for eternity. Daily, moment by moment, when we fail to live to live according to His Word and we turn to Him in repentance, He washes and restores us to Himself. FORGIVEN. Wear the word proudly across your chest. FORGIVEN. Wear the word humbly through your day.
Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me; for releasing me from the bondage and imprisonment of my sin. Thank You for pardoning me. I love You and praise You!
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
