Stirred By The Scriptures

I just returned from a short trip to Costa Rica, meeting with some partners and friends who we are working with. It happens almost every trip i take to one of our focus countries and this trip was no exception - I come home humbled. The believers I met amazed me with their simple and deep faith, their willingness to pursue Christ and the joy they share with each other. “Lord, help me to live more faithfully for you.”

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” - Hebrew 1:3

This verse is a magnificent picture of the majesty of Jesus. It points to the great truth that Christ is the central point of all the Father’s revelation to us. He not only reflects and completely represents the Father - his word is life giving and final. What if today we spent time reflecting on Jesus, who is our savior.

This coming weekend we are in the meat of chapter two from Colossians. I was reading the passage from the Living Bible and found my heart resonating with the way it phrased verses 6 and 7. I hope this will stir your heart to rejoice in all that Jesus has done.

“And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.”

On this Friday morning I want to share a source of hope with you. It is found in an unlikely place, the Book of Micah:

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

The truth of Micah rings true not only then but today, not only on a Friday but everyday. Hope emerges when God becomes the focus of my attention. It many times rises in antitheses of my current circumstances and it stands alone. I want to say with the hymn writer - my hope is in the Lord.