Ministry

In Christ: I Have His Fullness
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In Christ: I Have His Fullness

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 9 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-four with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can have His fullness.

I Have His Fullness

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.“
Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV)

What are some family traits that you have inherited from your parents?  Do people typically say you take after your dad, your mom, or a combination of the two?  In what ways are you different from your parents?  Would you want your children to be fully like you?  Why or why not?

Some time ago I posted a picture of my dad online and the social media site suggested that I tag myself in the picture.  To the casual observer, and to some facial recognition algorithms, the fullness of my dad lives in me!  While I consider that a great compliment, an even greater compliment would be for the people around me to recognize the fullness of Christ in me!  As you pray, ask God to help you express the fullness of Christ in your everyday life.  Pray that you would daily live as one carrying the fullness of Christ in you.  Pray that all traces of the old you would continue to melt away as the fullness of Christ becomes evident in your life.  Pray that the people around you would be drawn to Christ as they see His fullness in you.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Am Built Up
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In Christ: I Am Built Up

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 10 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-three with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can be built up in faith.

I Am Built Up

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.“
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Have you ever thought about building up your physical body?  Have you taken steps to do so?  Why or why not?  Do you wish you were in better physical shape or condition?  What would it take to get there?  Is it likely to happen overnight or simply by wishing it were so?  Are there other areas of your life that you wish you were stronger in?  How much work will you invest to improve?

I often get asked about what drew me to a focus on prayer and the writing of prayer resources.  From my perspective, the writing and ministry of prayer that I do are not all that special — they are simply the result of keeping at the work God has called me to do and allowing Him to build me up in Christ!  As you pray, ask God to help you be faithful in living out the faith that He has put within you.  Pray for the endurance to keep putting in the work that He has for you.  Pray that you would always allow Christ to do His work of building you up.  Pray that the people around you would notice Christ as you are being built up in Him.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Have His Presence With Me
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In Christ: I Have His Presence With Me

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 11 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-two with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can live with the presence of Christ in you.

I Have His Presence With Me

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.“
Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

Are you good at keeping a secret?  Are you good at hiding the fact that you even know a secret?  Other than your relationship with Jesus, what is the best thing that has ever happened to you?  How eager were you to make that known to the people around you?  Did everyone understand why you were excited or did it seem to be a mystery to some?

I have titled my blog where I initially post most of my writings “Tom’s Treasure”, based on the scripture that talks about us having the treasure of Christ held in these jars of clay — our body.  I write because God has put His treasure within me and it is my responsibility to share it!  As you pray, ask God to help you recognize the great treasure that is yours as one who has Christ in you.  Pray that you would make the most of every opportunity that you have to share that treasure with the people around you.  Pray that you would always live your life in such a way that the world can see the mystery of Christ in you and be drawn to Him.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Am Forgiven
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In Christ: I Am Forgiven

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 12 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty-one with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can be forgiven.

I Am Forgiven

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“
Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

Is it easy or difficult for you to forgive others?  How about forgiving yourself?  Are there things that you expect from someone before you are willing to forgive them?  What role does repentance play in our forgiveness of others?  In our forgiveness from God?  Is our willingness to forgive others related to our forgiveness from God?  Should it be?

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I hate to be the one to let the cat out of the bag, but people can be mean and cruel, making it difficult to forgive them.  When that happens, it is important to remember where we were in relationship with God before we received forgiveness in Christ.  As you pray, ask God to help you to turn away from all sin in your life and seek forgiveness from Him.  Pray for the courage to forgive yourself and others with the same complete forgiveness that you have in Christ.  Pray that you would accept the repentance of others, even when it seems incomplete, with the same eagerness God accepts your repentance.  Pray that the people around you would know forgiveness.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Am Rescued
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In Christ: I Am Rescued

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 13 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day twenty with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, have been rescued.

I Am Rescued

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“
Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

Have you ever found yourself in need of being rescued?  What were the circumstances?  Who would you call if you needed rescued?  Why?  Does that answer change depending on what you need rescued from?  How bad do things have to get before you ask for help?

Some years ago I found myself sitting in my car alongside the interstate late one night with steam billowing from under the hood.  I had just finished up several days of teaching and was eager to get home but here I was, stranded in an unfamiliar area and going nowhere.  Fortunately, I wasn’t far from where I had been teaching so I called the friend I had been staying with and he came to my rescue!  As you pray, consider how far from home sin has taken you in your life and thank God for His willingness to come to your rescue in Christ.  Pray that you would daily live as one who has been rescued from the dominion of darkness.  Pray that the people around you would realize their need for genuine rescue from the dominion of darkness and that they would find that rescue in Jesus.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Can Approach God With Confidence
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In Christ: I Can Approach God With Confidence

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 14 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day nineteen with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can have confidence in approaching God.

I Can Approach God With Confidence

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.“
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

How comfortable are you in going to a boss or supervisor with a request or suggestion?  What types of things would make doing so easier? . . . More difficult?  What role do relationships have in your confidence to approach someone?  How about if you take someone with you that you know is always listened to?

When you want to talk to someone in authority, it is always nice to know someone with an inside connection.  It is also good to know that the one you are approaching will actually take the time to listen.  In Christ we have One who goes with us and gives us confidence to approach a listening God!  As you pray, ask God to fill you with faith in Jesus.  Pray that your faith in Jesus would give you the confidence to approach God as you offer yourself fully to Him.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would help you to trust in a loving God that longs for you to come to Him with all of your praise, requests, and needs.  Pray that those around you would look to Jesus for a confidence in approaching God.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Have Access To the Father
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In Christ: I Have Access To the Father

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 15 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day eighteen with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, have access to the Father.

I Have Access To the Father

“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.“
Ephesians 2:17-18 (NIV)

Have you ever tried to reach the top of a company’s chain of command in order to resolve a problem?  How easy has that been?  Did you wish you had an inside connection that would give you access to the top?  In your life, how accessible has your father been to you?  If you’re a parent, how accessible are you to your children?  Would they agree?

When things don’t go exactly as we had hoped or planned, most of us long for direct access to the person who can make things right.  In my life there are many times when things don’t go as I planned so it is comforting to know that in Christ I have access to the Father!  As you pray, thank God for the access you have to Him and ask that He would help you to maintain your side of that communication.  Pray that you would always value the access you have to God through Christ and never forget that the same access is available in Christ for all who would accept it.  Pray that you would always trust the counsel of the Father as you go to Him about everything.

In prayer,

Tom  

In Christ: I Am Seated With Him
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In Christ: I Am Seated With Him

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 16 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day seventeen with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, have been seated with Christ.

I Am Seated With Christ

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.“
Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)

Where do you like to sit when you attend a concert, movie, or performance?  Are you more concerned about where you are seated or about who you are seated with?  Who is the most important person that you have ever been seated near?  How did that make you feel?  How would it make you feel to be invited to a seat of honor at an event?

There have been many times in my prayer ministry travels that I have longed to be seated with the first class passengers as I walk through on my way to coach seating.  While that has not yet happened, in Christ I have something better — I have been seated with Christ in the heavenly realms!  As you pray, ask God to help you remember that you have been invited and placed in a seat far above any first class accommodations.  Pray that you would never lose sight of the eternal reward that belongs to all who are in Christ.  Pray for a spirit of humility that would remind you that it is by God’s love, not by your goodness, that you have been seated with Christ.  Pray that others would also be seated with Christ.

In prayer,

Tom