“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” Colossians 2:2-4

This week one of my heroes in the faith announced some pretty startling news. He made public claims that the idea of Hell exists only in the temporal; that it’s not an eternal destination. He questions in a new book he’s written how a “loving” God could send people to eternity in Hell. He makes vague statements that Jesus may not be the “only way” to salvation.

I was so disappointed to hear this once progressive, truth-telling leader’s new shift on Biblical principles. I’ve applauded his cutting-edge ways of asking the tough “faith” questions and spurring me on to find truth for myself. Now the headlines on major news media define this man as a “Controversial Pastor,” a pastor that speaks “Outright Blasphemy.”

It’s divine that our study in Colossians this week has brought us to the very point in scripture where Paul warns the early churches about false teachings that could deceive them from the truth. Sometimes lies can be wrapped in beautiful, bright, packages. Sometimes lies can be delivered by great communicators using fancy words that sound so good they must be true. All we have to do is go back to the first lie ever told—to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Fancy words and thought provoking questions from our great enemy disguised as a serpent, and what’s the result? Sin enters the world.

I’m greatly saddened when I look around and see the truth being watered down today. When I see Christian leaders buy into the lies of this world, and proclaim them as truth. What’s happening? Is the truth so hard to hear?

To me, it’s simple. The truth wrapped up in a beautiful gift to us:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

I am praying for this fallen hero of mine. I want him to know “that in Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” I want him to look upward, not inward for the Truth. I want for him and for others what Paul wanted for the early churches, “to be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Last year Chris Tomlin and some other artists wrote a song called, “All To Us.” Take some time to meditate on the words of the chorus.

“Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the church. Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns. Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. We believe You’re all to us.”

**words and music by Christ Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Matt Redman and Matt Maher, 2010**

I will admit that has happened a time or two to me, but for the most part I have wonderful friends and family who make the two celebrations very distinct. Among the very nice birthday gifts I received last week, there is one that stands out in my mind. A girlfriend of mine gave me a very nice ice bucket. You might be thinking practicality. My seven-year-old daughter certainly thought that. She looked at it and said, “Oh good Mom, now we have something to take with us when we stay at hotels.”

All joking aside though, I LOVE my new ice bucket! It’s something I have needed for a long time. If you have ever been to my house for dinner, you know this, as I have to send my guests to the freezer to get their own ice. Not quite my idea of being a good hostess. It just so happens that my girlfriend picked up on the “ice situation” when she visited, and made note of it. We had a good laugh when I opened the gift. But I know whenever I serve ice in my new ice bucket, I will be reminded of her and her beautiful friendship.

We are almost to the end of our study on Philippians. As Paul winds down his letter to the church in Philippi he discusses this very topic of gifts in regards to the financial support of his ministry.

“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Philippians 4:14-16”

Do you see how Paul’s focus is on the giving and receiving, not on the specific need or the specific gift? Think about that. All we know is that Paul was in need and this church provided for him. In our consumer-minded society how often do we focus on the gift? Or the amount someone spent? Whether it was on our wish list? Or do we immediately look for a gift receipt to exchange it?

We have all received unique gifts. They trigger a memory and bring a smile to our face, but most of all they remind us of the one who gave the gift. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry, a spray of perfume, or a much needed item for entertaining guests; gifts are all about the relationship between the giver and the receiver.

“They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Philippians 4:18b”

Merry Christmas to all our readers! We are truly honored to write for you each week!

In Love and Prayers,

Krista, Michele and Stacy

If you didn’t know better you might think Isabelle (my youngest daughter) has two mothers. That’s right—two. I am one of them—the mom her birthed her, and then there is her nine-year-old older sister Maddie, who often takes on a motherly role with Isabelle too. This mother line is often crossed on weekday mornings as we are rushing around to get out of the house for school. It goes something like this:

Me: “Izzy, did you fill your water bottle and pack up your homework?”

Izzy: No answer….

Maddie: “You better get your stuff packed up, Izzy. I don’t want to be late for school. And get your socks on too. It’s time to go.”

Izzy: “I am HURRYING and YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER, MADDIE!!!!!”

And on that happy note, we are out the door ready to start a glorious day.

I had to chuckle a little bit as I read the following passage in Philippians:

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15”

Especially the part about shining like stars in the universe. I have to say that we are far from shining stars in the morning. Perhaps a better description would be “dark clouds in the universe.” Can you relate?

Throughout Paul’s ministry he weaves in the instruction to be set apart from the rest of the world. This passage of scripture is no different. He is instructing the believers in Philippi to be blameless and pure and without fault in a generation that is crooked and sinful.

Funny how not much has changed from centuries ago when these scriptures were penned. The same holds true about the world we live in, and that same timeless instruction is relevant for us today. Notice how Paul says so that you may become blameless and pure. It’s not something that happens over night. It’s a process. And I’m convinced that it’s a process we will work on refining our entire earthly lives.

Are we alone in the process? No! Has God begun a good work in us? Yes! Will He complete the good work in us? Absolutely! (Philippians 1:6)

Then let’s cover ourselves with the mindset of being shining stars. Let’s tap into the strength that only God can give us, and make a way through the dark clouds.

Recently, God taught me a very important lesson in quite a humorous way. Among the many toys in our backyard is a tetherball pole, however, through much weathering over the winter, the ball deflated and eventually fell off, so all that’s left is a pole. A few weeks ago I was doing dishes and glanced out the window to find my youngest daughter dressed in her fancy dress up clothes, an old pair of my sling back, high-healed shoes, and, well, she was dancing around the pole.

My mind raced forward 10 years as visions of nightclubs came to mind. I vaguely remember yelling, “How does my seven-year-old know how to pole dance?” I threw down my dishtowel and ran to the backyard as fast as I could. I could feel the horrified look on my face start to melt away as shock turned to laughter. What I failed to see from the kitchen window was that my daughter was listening to an iPod and belting out the song “Come to Jesus,” as she twirled around the pole.

A HUGE sigh of relief came over me. What looked like a very inappropriate situation was really very innocent. She was having her own quiet time with God that happened to involve dress-up clothes and a pole. No worries, right? “I’m still a good mom, I’m still a good mom…..”

I think the church in Philippi experienced similar situations as they grew in their faith. I’m sure on many occasions they looked around at other saints and felt feelings of inadequacy. Though they knew in their heads that they were a new creation in Christ, and that their former lives had passed away, they still wondered if they were good people.

In steps Paul with his words of affirmation. “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.

It is often difficult, if not impossible, to see a good work when all we notice is our inadequacies, but today I want you to personally grasp the encouraging truth Paul states. Whether you are seven or seventy-seven; whether you are a mom trying to teach your children righteousness, or you are a child learning to find truth in a world that often tells lies; you who are Christ-followers are a work in progress—a good work in progress.

The walls felt as though they were closing in.  I climbed under the covers to get warm, but nothing would warm the chill in my body.  I felt my eyes grow heavy.

I must have slept for several hours because when I woke the hunger was unbearable.  I reached for my purse only to find a dollar and some change.  But there was a granola bar that I had managed to slip in my purse unnoticed at the neighboring convenience store.  I ate that and drank some water from the tap.   I can’t say a steak dinner with all the fixings would have cured the pain of emptiness inside me.

I slowly pulled on the grey sweatpants and baggy black sweatshirt.  They had certainly seen better days.  I glanced in the bathroom mirror and splashed some cold water on my face.  How hideous, I thought.  To think I used to not leave the house without make-up.  Now make-up seemed like a luxury, but certainly not the cure for the broken face staring back at me.

I don’t know what caused me to do it, but I suddenly felt drawn to the small night table by the bed.  I opened the drawer and there it was—a Bible.  I chuckled at the thought of the last time I’d picked up one of those books.  It must have been over a year.

A year ago I was happily married, working the job of my dreams, and you couldn’t have kept me away from church.  I sang in the choir, organized church events, and sat in the front row every Sunday, pouring over the pastor’s sermons.  The tears started to fall again.  This time sobs followed—heavy sobs.

I curled up on the bed again and started reading through one of the Gospels.  It talked about repentance and how the lost are found.  It spoke of heaven rejoicing at one sinner’s repentance.  Was this me the scriptures were describing?

Pulling the covers off, I slowly climbed out of bed.  I knelt down, folded my hands and dropped my head to the floor.  I felt shame—so much shame.  I cried out to God, “I’m sorry Lord.  I’m sorry for all the horrible things I’ve done and the people that I’ve hurt.  I’m sorry I was so selfish and sought the pleasures of this sinful world rather than seeking you.  Show me what to do, Lord.  Show me.”

A loud truck horn broke through my thoughts.  I went and peered through the window and found one massive traffic jam.  And then I saw it, right in front of the motel was a semi-truck with the words, “Come Home” plastered in red ink on the dirty white background.  I couldn’t tell you what company was advertising, but I knew those words were for me.  Was this the answer the Lord was giving me?  Would God really take me back?

“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your (daughter); So (she) got up and went to (her) father. ”But while (she) was still a long way off, (her) father saw (her) and was filled with compassion for (her); he ran to his (daughter), threw his arms around (her) and kissed (her).” Luke 15: 18-20

When God ran.

What does that even mean? What are the parameters for determining such a thing? In my mind you are either a smoker or you are not. You are either trying to quit or you’re not trying. My mind wandered even further. I would never say I’m 95% married. One is either married or not married. Right?

The same principle applies to our confession of faith in Christ. We either believe He is the Christ the Son of the Living God, or we don’t. In Luke 9, a conversation unfolds between Jesus and the 12 disciples He was teaching and training.

“Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’

They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’

‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’

Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.”

Can you picture it? There was no hesitation. Peter, speaking for the disciples, believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Peter didn’t say, “We disciples discussed it and we are about 95% sure you are the Son of God.” No, they were certain.

This leads me to another question. Does confessing our faith always mean we’ll live out our faith when we are tested? I want you to see something in Luke 22:31-32.

”Simon, Simon (which was Peter), Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus knows the battle we face in this fallen world. The Enemy wants nothing more than to destroy us and turn us from our Savior. Peter is a great example of this. He boldly denied the very one he confessed to believing (Luke 22). Christ knew this would happen. He knew that in a moment of weakness, Peter would fall into the trap of the Enemy. Did this make Peter’s confession any less? Not at all. I believe it made his faith even stronger. Jesus even told him that once he had turned back from his sin of denial he was to strengthen his brothers.

You may be in a situation where your faith is being tested from all sides. Satan may be sifting you like wheat. You know the truth and you believe it whole-heartedly, but living it out is a whole different story. I want to encourage you to NOT listen to the lies of the Enemy. He wants your faith to be non-existent, and he would probably settle for it to be a small percentage. But your faith cannot be measured by a percentage. It either is or it isn’t.

Let us one day be able to say these words of Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have KEPT THE FAITH.” 2 Timothy 4:7