Colossians 3

Eleven Years

/ The Pastor

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
[Colossians 3:16-17]

Eleven years ago today I made some promises. Nope, I’m not talking about my marriage promises; that is eleven years ago tomorrow. I am talking about eleven years ago TODAY when I was ordained into the ministry of Word and sacrament. It was a wild weekend to say the least, but one filled with promises that are important, and even more so today, as I have grown in my call as a pastor and a husband.

Eleven years ago I promised to assume the office of pastor as God’s call in my life. I promised to hold scripture as the sole authority of faith and life; holding it high and never to water it down. I promised to preach and teach the Word of God in all faithfulness and truth. I promise to care for those under my charge. I promised to be diligent in my study of scripture and the use of the means of grace. I promised to pray for my congregation and the world. I promised to be an example of faithful and holy living. I promised to serve God in this vocation.

I will, and ask God to help and guide me.

Eleven years ago I made these promises.
Eleven years ago I began this journey.
Eleven year ago God began to shape and mold this pastor,
And now eleven years later, God continues to shape and mold this pastor, as I continue to serve in the congregation who first called me.

Wow, eleven years. Where has the time gone?

I have indeed grown in so many ways and I look forward to seeing how God will continue to shape and mold me for the world that is today and into tomorrow. In the mean time I will continue to dwell richly in the Word and proclaim Christ in everything I do. I know I will fail and fall short (as I have may times before) but may God help and guide me; forgiving and restoring me, for to God belongs all glory and honor and praise and worship

Eleven years and counting.
Praise be to God!

Holy God, I give you thanks for these past eleven years. I thank You for shaping and molding me; for using me; for sending me. Continue to grant me Your Spirit that I may be faithful with all you have made me to be and with all You have blessed me with. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Pastor -|—

Richly (Colossians 3:16)

/ The Pastor

image

Let the Word of God dwell in you,

RICHLY

not poorly
not so-so
not half-heartedly
but,

RICHLY

Let the Word of God be abundant in you.
Let the Word of God be of utmost value to you.
Let the Word of God be something you would die for.
Let the Word of God dwell in you,

RICHLY

For if the Word of God is not richly in you then it will be of no value to you when teaching and admonishing others. You will not take it seriously and you won’t handle it with respect. If the Word of God is poor in you or just something that gets a passing notice in you, then there will be no incentive to use it and go to it and proclaim it in such a way that God is glorified. If the Word of God dwells half-heartedly in you then you will only be interested in finding glory for yourself.

But when the Word of God is rich in you then others are built up in the wisdom of God, and not put down in your superiority. And when the Word of God is rich in you then praise and worship comes flowing out of you in thanksgiving to the King of all creation.

And how does the Word of God dwell in your richly, by submitting to God through prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you. It dwells in you richly through faithful and humble study. It dwells in your richly through constant communion with it.

Let the Word of God dwell in you,

RICHLY

to the praise and glory of God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Holy Father, may your Word dwell in me richly and may it be of utmost value to me as it is Your holy word. May I not use it for my own gain but use it for training in righteousness and leading others to You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

The Pastor -|—

Pure and holy ways

/ The Pastor

Holy God…

You are an awesome, amazing, powerful, compassionate God. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You put all other gods and other ways to shame.

You demand holiness for you are holy.
You demand righteousness for you are righteous.
You demand perfection for you are perfect.

And if that were not enough, the prophet Isaiah says:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

Holy God, this is awesome and somewhat scary, and how can I attain to this?
How can I be holy as you are holy since I am so sinful?
How can I keep my way pure since I walk in other ways?
How can I keep my mind and eyes and thoughts on the things that are above since I am so easily distracted by the worries of this world?

By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9 ESV)

Help me to run to your Word.
Open my heart to hear.
Open my eyes to see.

May I find joy in your Word and may I see your holiness in your Word.
May you guard my ways and protect me from Satan’s power.
May I find joy in your presence.

May I always seek you that I may strive to be holy as you are holy.

Holy God…I thank you and praise your holy name.

Amen!

 

The Pastor -|—