A Word from Kathy: Empty or Full
02/04/12 09:54 AM Filed in: Devotional | Word From Kathy
Empty or Full
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Col.2:8-10 NKJV
In verse 8, Scripture says, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit.” No one likes to be cheated. It goes against the grain. But Paul says that’s exactly what happens when we settle for the traditions of men and basic worldly principles. Human logic, when relied on completely, leaves one feeling hollow and empty. When I have exercised faith in my own thoughts, God responds to faith and does a complete work, bringing joy. The NIV says, “See to it that no one takes you captive.” It’s easier to be on our guard with obvious evils, but how about philosophical ideas that come over time and, little by little, chisel away at our faith. It leaves us in bondage and captive to a hollow way of life.
When writing to the Colossians, Paul compared empty and hollow, to fullness in Christ. I don’t think any of us would initially choose to be deceived, so that’s why we’re admonished to be “on our guard”.
So, here is what God offers: the fullness of Christ. In the Greek, “you are complete in Him” (vs. 10), means: “Christians are those who are pervaded (i.e. richly furnished) with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit: rooted as it were in Christ, i.e. by virtue of the intimate relationship entered into with Him.” (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament #4137)
The fullness of all the Godhead in Christ is waiting to fill any individual. He lives and dwells in those that have a personal relationship with Him. All of heaven is readily available to anyone that allows Christ to flow through him. 2 Pet.1:3 states, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him.” God doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves in this life. On the contrary, everything we need has already been provided. Faith accepts Jesus’ finished work and allows His power to work in us and through us. So, don’t settle for LESS, but allow Jesus to fill you with His FULLNESS!
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Col.2:8-10 NKJV
In verse 8, Scripture says, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit.” No one likes to be cheated. It goes against the grain. But Paul says that’s exactly what happens when we settle for the traditions of men and basic worldly principles. Human logic, when relied on completely, leaves one feeling hollow and empty. When I have exercised faith in my own thoughts, God responds to faith and does a complete work, bringing joy. The NIV says, “See to it that no one takes you captive.” It’s easier to be on our guard with obvious evils, but how about philosophical ideas that come over time and, little by little, chisel away at our faith. It leaves us in bondage and captive to a hollow way of life.
When writing to the Colossians, Paul compared empty and hollow, to fullness in Christ. I don’t think any of us would initially choose to be deceived, so that’s why we’re admonished to be “on our guard”.
So, here is what God offers: the fullness of Christ. In the Greek, “you are complete in Him” (vs. 10), means: “Christians are those who are pervaded (i.e. richly furnished) with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit: rooted as it were in Christ, i.e. by virtue of the intimate relationship entered into with Him.” (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament #4137)
The fullness of all the Godhead in Christ is waiting to fill any individual. He lives and dwells in those that have a personal relationship with Him. All of heaven is readily available to anyone that allows Christ to flow through him. 2 Pet.1:3 states, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him.” God doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves in this life. On the contrary, everything we need has already been provided. Faith accepts Jesus’ finished work and allows His power to work in us and through us. So, don’t settle for LESS, but allow Jesus to fill you with His FULLNESS!
From Steve's Journal
07/21/10 03:44 PM Filed in: Devotional
How much harder will it get? What helps me?
I wished I could say it will be easier, but I can’t. I can tell you that you can mature in faith and move in His rest! Hebrews 4:9-11 and 6:1. Worship helps me! The secret place time with God helps me! The Word of God helps me!
We can’t seem to go more than a week or two in this world before the next catastrophic event. You must know who is in control! Hebrews 1:3
What’s missing? There is the absence of the sacred and holy. There is the lack of the fear of God in the land. Nothing is respected. Humanity glorifies the wrong things. You are here on this earth to glorify God! Ephesians 1:4, 12; Jeremiah 9:24
What changes your level of maturity in Christ? The depth of the cross laid to your self life! Romans: 6, 7, and 8, Galatians 2:20
If Jesus is the answer what are the questions? Will you die one day ? YES. Are you a sinner? YES. Is there a judgment day? YES. Do you need a Savior to enter heaven? YES. Whoever calls on the name of Jesus Christ shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Is your reward here or is it stored and waiting in eternity? Some things I willingly lay down or give up here in this life in order to lay up riches in Heaven. God sees your pursuit of Him in place of pursuing and coveting things. I believe He gives it back to me in areas like the anointing, in fruit, in people, in doors, in good works & in souls. Matthew 6:19-20, Rev 22:12
I wished I could say it will be easier, but I can’t. I can tell you that you can mature in faith and move in His rest! Hebrews 4:9-11 and 6:1. Worship helps me! The secret place time with God helps me! The Word of God helps me!
We can’t seem to go more than a week or two in this world before the next catastrophic event. You must know who is in control! Hebrews 1:3
What’s missing? There is the absence of the sacred and holy. There is the lack of the fear of God in the land. Nothing is respected. Humanity glorifies the wrong things. You are here on this earth to glorify God! Ephesians 1:4, 12; Jeremiah 9:24
What changes your level of maturity in Christ? The depth of the cross laid to your self life! Romans: 6, 7, and 8, Galatians 2:20
If Jesus is the answer what are the questions? Will you die one day ? YES. Are you a sinner? YES. Is there a judgment day? YES. Do you need a Savior to enter heaven? YES. Whoever calls on the name of Jesus Christ shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Is your reward here or is it stored and waiting in eternity? Some things I willingly lay down or give up here in this life in order to lay up riches in Heaven. God sees your pursuit of Him in place of pursuing and coveting things. I believe He gives it back to me in areas like the anointing, in fruit, in people, in doors, in good works & in souls. Matthew 6:19-20, Rev 22:12
Growing in Christ
07/21/10 03:39 PM Filed in: Discipleship
By Steve Manning
The Holy Spirit is calling the people of God to maturity in Christ.
The New Testament tells us our inheritance in 3 words:
Look again at His shed blood. See the intense work of the Cross. The sacrifice of Christ was not given for a shallow salvation! The Cross surely beckons us on to maturity of faith. You can see the fruits of maturity in a person’s life when they reflect the spiritual REST of faith. Hebrews 4:1,3A says, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Now we who have believed enter that rest just as God said,” Maturity is reflected in a life established in truth and grounded in Scripture. It is seen in one that is walking in a progressive revelation of Jesus Christ, with faith and vision are at work. In short, “It’s loving God & loving people for a lifetime”. The Scripture teaches us to press on to maturity. (Hebrews 4:9-12) Our faith that began at salvation cries out for completion in Christ. “…He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Col 4:12
I’ve gathered some New Testament terms that show where our relationship with Jesus is headed. If you are away from Christ, if you feel lukewarm or cold, just remind yourself – “Wasn’t what Christ did at the Cross enough for you!” Please don’t stay in the wilderness & don’t go back to Egypt. The work of the cross was so much more than just Heaven. “Let us go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1)
The Holy Spirit is calling the people of God to maturity in Christ.
The New Testament tells us our inheritance in 3 words:
- “Likeness” – we are being made into the image of Christ by His New Nature in us!
• “Wholeness” – redeemed & restored in spirit, in soul & in body by a work of grace.
• “Fullness” – to live a victorious, fruitful, and fulfilled life in Jesus.
Look again at His shed blood. See the intense work of the Cross. The sacrifice of Christ was not given for a shallow salvation! The Cross surely beckons us on to maturity of faith. You can see the fruits of maturity in a person’s life when they reflect the spiritual REST of faith. Hebrews 4:1,3A says, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Now we who have believed enter that rest just as God said,” Maturity is reflected in a life established in truth and grounded in Scripture. It is seen in one that is walking in a progressive revelation of Jesus Christ, with faith and vision are at work. In short, “It’s loving God & loving people for a lifetime”. The Scripture teaches us to press on to maturity. (Hebrews 4:9-12) Our faith that began at salvation cries out for completion in Christ. “…He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Col 4:12
I’ve gathered some New Testament terms that show where our relationship with Jesus is headed. If you are away from Christ, if you feel lukewarm or cold, just remind yourself – “Wasn’t what Christ did at the Cross enough for you!” Please don’t stay in the wilderness & don’t go back to Egypt. The work of the cross was so much more than just Heaven. “Let us go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1)
Prophetic Word from the Prophets
07/21/10 03:33 PM Filed in: Prophetic
This prophetic word is taken from a collection of Old Testament scriptures found in the Major and Minor Prophets.
The word of the Lord came to me. Sons of man stand on your feet and I will speak to you. Give ear, oh earth for the Heavens have spoken. Sound the trumpet! Come & return to the Lord. Leave your own glory and glorify MY Name in the Earth. The burden of the Lord will come upon you for I will birth something in you for this final hour. I want to seal and mark you to carry this for me to the nations. Behold, the Day of the Lord is upon us. Remember My Word for I am watching over My Word to fulfill it. So speak, and be my mouth piece in the earth.Take heed to what I say and find yourself ministering often to me. Woe to those who are complacent and comfortable in Zion. Awaken and arise or you will miss what I have for you! Do not forget Me in this hour of crisis which is upon the earth. You are mine. Make me known in the earth. I have no other people in the earth. Forsake me not , I have given you authority to prophesy against the enemies of the Lord. Separate your life to things that glorify your God. These are days to please Me. Make it your aim to love & fear My name. The fear of man will lay a snare but instead ,I say, be captured by My love. You will say,” we waited for Him and He came. We waited for You Lord and God did not disappoint us. Lo, the winter is past …the season has changed & the time of singing has come. We stood by night in the House of our God holding to Your promises. We were like men who dreamed when You turned the captivity of Zion. We were Your people even in the season of the wilderness, but we are now coming up out of the wilderness, leaning on the arm of our Beloved”. Behold ,the Lord says to His Bride, It shall come to pass & as I live say’s the Lord, I will be hallowed in the sight of the nations. They will know that I am Lord and there is no other.
The word of the Lord came to me. Sons of man stand on your feet and I will speak to you. Give ear, oh earth for the Heavens have spoken. Sound the trumpet! Come & return to the Lord. Leave your own glory and glorify MY Name in the Earth. The burden of the Lord will come upon you for I will birth something in you for this final hour. I want to seal and mark you to carry this for me to the nations. Behold, the Day of the Lord is upon us. Remember My Word for I am watching over My Word to fulfill it. So speak, and be my mouth piece in the earth.Take heed to what I say and find yourself ministering often to me. Woe to those who are complacent and comfortable in Zion. Awaken and arise or you will miss what I have for you! Do not forget Me in this hour of crisis which is upon the earth. You are mine. Make me known in the earth. I have no other people in the earth. Forsake me not , I have given you authority to prophesy against the enemies of the Lord. Separate your life to things that glorify your God. These are days to please Me. Make it your aim to love & fear My name. The fear of man will lay a snare but instead ,I say, be captured by My love. You will say,” we waited for Him and He came. We waited for You Lord and God did not disappoint us. Lo, the winter is past …the season has changed & the time of singing has come. We stood by night in the House of our God holding to Your promises. We were like men who dreamed when You turned the captivity of Zion. We were Your people even in the season of the wilderness, but we are now coming up out of the wilderness, leaning on the arm of our Beloved”. Behold ,the Lord says to His Bride, It shall come to pass & as I live say’s the Lord, I will be hallowed in the sight of the nations. They will know that I am Lord and there is no other.
Prophetic Word to the Church
07/21/10 03:28 PM Filed in: Prophetic
By Steve Manning
Oh, church where are you? Do I recognize you? Can I find you? “He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit of God says to the church!” What should my church look like, sound like, be like? Do you look like the book of Acts? Are you there? Are you preaching a clear Gospel message? Do I hear the sound of the Cross, the Blood, and the name of Jesus Christ? Why do I find some of those who are called by my name standing where they shouldn’t stand? Should those who call it my church be standing and embracing a liberal & leftist position? I hear a message that is not mine. Remember I spoke to the church of Laodicea. Remember I'm standing at the door and knocking. This means I’m now on the outside knocking to return to the inside of My church. Some have lost the life flow and pushed Me out with the vain traditions of men. My sheep stand at the right hand, embracing the truth of My Word. My people give a clear sound. The sound of prayer is in them. So be the sound of grace, truth and praise. (Continued) If you are sleeping, arise & awaken! If you are carnal & worldly –repent and return to your first love. If you are powerless, be filled again with My Spirit. I rejoice in my people that I find faithfully serving me. I see them. I hear them. I know them. They love My Will. They are praying and interceding. They are surrendered and separated unto Me. They are faithful even in little things. They are worshippers of the Living God. They embrace My death, burial and resurrection .Oh church arise, shine, stand & SPEAK! The time has come. Thy light has come. Be the Body of Christ. Be the Bride. Be the family of God. Be the flock at my right hand. Be the habitation of God. Be the house hold of faith. Be the pillar and foundation of truth. Be the stewards of grace. Be the teachers of truth. Be the soldiers of the Cross. Love your brothers and sisters. Beloved be the redeemed of the Lord. Be the sheep of His pasture. Be the salt of the earth. Be the light of the world. Be the righteous in the earth! Be fishers of men. Be the watchmen on the wall. Be My witness! Be My servants..Remember You are the family of God in the earth
Oh, church where are you? Do I recognize you? Can I find you? “He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit of God says to the church!” What should my church look like, sound like, be like? Do you look like the book of Acts? Are you there? Are you preaching a clear Gospel message? Do I hear the sound of the Cross, the Blood, and the name of Jesus Christ? Why do I find some of those who are called by my name standing where they shouldn’t stand? Should those who call it my church be standing and embracing a liberal & leftist position? I hear a message that is not mine. Remember I spoke to the church of Laodicea. Remember I'm standing at the door and knocking. This means I’m now on the outside knocking to return to the inside of My church. Some have lost the life flow and pushed Me out with the vain traditions of men. My sheep stand at the right hand, embracing the truth of My Word. My people give a clear sound. The sound of prayer is in them. So be the sound of grace, truth and praise. (Continued) If you are sleeping, arise & awaken! If you are carnal & worldly –repent and return to your first love. If you are powerless, be filled again with My Spirit. I rejoice in my people that I find faithfully serving me. I see them. I hear them. I know them. They love My Will. They are praying and interceding. They are surrendered and separated unto Me. They are faithful even in little things. They are worshippers of the Living God. They embrace My death, burial and resurrection .Oh church arise, shine, stand & SPEAK! The time has come. Thy light has come. Be the Body of Christ. Be the Bride. Be the family of God. Be the flock at my right hand. Be the habitation of God. Be the house hold of faith. Be the pillar and foundation of truth. Be the stewards of grace. Be the teachers of truth. Be the soldiers of the Cross. Love your brothers and sisters. Beloved be the redeemed of the Lord. Be the sheep of His pasture. Be the salt of the earth. Be the light of the world. Be the righteous in the earth! Be fishers of men. Be the watchmen on the wall. Be My witness! Be My servants..Remember You are the family of God in the earth