“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10   “Jesus Christ is made to me, All I need, all I need, He alone is all my plea, He is all I need. Wisdom, right­eous­ness and pow’r, Holiness for­ev­er­more, My re­demp­tion full and sure, He is all I need.” The words of this song have been on my mind as I prepared to write this devotional. I have not heard it in a long time, but it is as relevant to us today as when it was written in 1865 by Charles P. Jones. From Paul’s writing in this and other epistles, we know that the Gentiles who were accepting the message of Jesus, were told by Jewish believers that they needed to keep some of the old law, such as circumcision. Paul was advising them in this letter to the Colossian church, to not let anyone turn them away from their simple faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus had fulfilled all the requirements of the law on their behalf, and they had at their disposal all the wisdom and knowledge that…

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23                     “Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”            Morning by morning new mercies I see;            All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—           “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me! The above words written over one hundred and fifty years ago, still contain a message that resonates within our hearts today. We serve a faithful God, one who has never changed. His mercy and compassion will never fail. He will always keep His promise to supply our every need. When God led His people out of Egypt to the land that He had promised they would inherit, their every need was supplied. We are told that even in the forty years that they traveled, their clothing and shoes never wore out. When they were hungry, God sent them manna every day, just enough to feed their family one day at a time. When they were thirsty, He supplied water. Many times, they rebelled against Him,…

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit… and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Psalm 51:12-13 Today, when you go to church or the to the store, reach out to someone and be kind. If there is a first-time guest who walks in through the doors of your church, put yourself in their shoes; they don’t know anyone, they feel out-of-place, and they are hungry enough for God to get themselves out of bed and get ready to go to a place with strangers. Your smile, your kindness, and your love can affect them in the most wonderful way. One conversation can change a person’s life. If you don’t believe me, think back to the conversation someone had with you about the love of God. Well, friend, it is time to reach out and share your experience with others, it cannot wait another day. Think of at least one person who needs to hear about the love of God. Can you hear the cry of your family? Can you hear the cry of your city? One lost soul is too many. Joel 3:14 soberly states, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day…

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways. Psalm 51:12-13 Restoration is one of the most beautiful things we can experience in God. Sometimes there are those among us who have worshiped among us, but they fall away from God. We often use the term ‘backslider,’ but the word of God says they are a transgressor; someone who has walked in the ways of righteousness but transgress from His law. I was once a transgressor. Yes, I was that person you saw with her hands raised one week and then slowly fade into a distant memory. I was that girl who was lost, then saved, then lost again. What I needed, and what every transgressor needs, is love. Love that surpasses judgment. Love that overwhelms disappointment. And, love that abounds. The Bible clearly states that all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. If you have been in the place of a transgressor, then you know that people deal with bitterness, condemnation, and the fear of judgment. We need to revisit God’s mercies often.  After God reignites the joy of His salvation in…