Rooted In Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

(Colossians 2:6-7)

Meditation

Do you remember the moment you accepted Christ’s offer of salvation? Do you remember how you felt? Has that memory faded over time? Have you forgotten how the love of Jesus made you feel in the beginning? It has happened to me in the past, and when I realized how badly I was feeling, I realized I had slipped in my prayer time, my scripture reading, or church attendance. There was one time in particular where, all three were going on at the same time. I was like a car stuck in the mud, just spinning the tires, but not going anywhere. I hadn’t reverted to my old pagan ways, but I wasn’t growing as a believer like I should have been. I had left one of the denominational churches (I won’t say which one) because the sermons never even mentioned Jesus Christ. I was adrift and disillusioned with church, not knowing which way to turn.

In those times, when I’ve become stagnant in my faith, I think back to the days after I was saved. Those days were filled with prayer and study giving me such an unspeakable joy, it refreshes me to this day. However, maybe the most important thing was finding a church family. One that encouraged me and built me up in the faith. Sure, I listened to sermons on the radio or television that taught me, but I was missing the fellowship of other believers. Now, my brothers and sisters in Christ are just like the most loving family I’ve ever had. I don’t go to church just to hear a great sermon, although I do every week, I go to encourage others and be encouraged by them. If you don’t regularly attend a Bible preaching church, getting your “church experience” from a TV preacher, you’re missing out on much more than fellowship.

Every time I walk through the doors of my church, I can feel the love. It’s the love and light of Christ beaming through the people that greet me and everyone who enters. I’m usually greeted with a hug, or a handshake, even a smile that will lift me up. I actually have two church homes, one in FL and the other in NY. I am doubly thankful for the blessings of the kinship I feel from these two churches. They are the best example of showing and doing the love of Christ to a world that desperately needs him. They inspire me to serve the Lord by being his hands and feet wherever I can.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are the Master and we are your servants. That was your plan from the beginning of time. It’s always been your plan for as many as who will, to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus. The instant we rise from the symbolic burial in the waters of baptism, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We have died to ourselves and been born again, a new creation. Just as we submitted our lives to Christ, help us to continue to abide in him. When we become discouraged, please put people in our path who will build us up in Christ. Lead us to a church with a loving body that will lift us to be your servants. If we keep our focus on Jesus and your Word, we will be strengthened, both in our spiritual lives and in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. With that, how could we be anything but bursting at the seams from gratitude for everything you do for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!