Colossians 2 - Completeness IN Him

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

Join us as we continue to look at the Apostle Paul's words to the Colossian church.

Just like today, there was much false teaching in the first century church that tarnished the pure Gospel of Grace given by the Lord Jesus Christ to Paul. As a result, he was vigilant in encouraging the believers to hold fast to the sound doctrine and truth that they had originally heard and come to believe. Most of us Christians know that this takes diligence and discipline, especially when surrounded by negative circumstances and negative people!

Paul tells us that Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily AND that we are complete IN Him! Just meditate on that a while and let it change you from the inside out! This takes spiritual eyes and ears to fathom!

There are so many more wonderful truths shared in this magnificent letter. Read it and be blessed!

Colossians 1 - Translated into the Kingdom of Light

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:12-14.

The letter to the church at Colossae is such an uplifting word to the body of Christ. It is one of my favorite letters written by the Apostle Paul, because it has given me so much encouragement over the years. In particular, it is interesting to note how he begins this letter (as he does all of his letters except for Galatians) praising God, giving thanks, expressing his joy in knowing the Lord, and then reminding his hearers/readers of who they are IN Christ and what the Lord Jesus has done for them by taking sins away on the cross. This is a good pattern to follow when teaching the Word of God. Most Christians need to be reminded of who they really are, not what they have failed to do or not do. The enemy does a pretty good job of that without our help!

Chapter 1 is full of wonderful truths, particularly the truth that we have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, which is the kingdom ruled by Jesus. And not only that, we are partakers in the inheritance that comes with being a part of this new kingdom. None of us truly has any idea of how glorious this inheritance is! It certainly exceeds anything we could think or imagine with our human minds!

Also, we are told in Chapter 1 that we can pray for the knowledge of God's will and to expect wisdom, revelation, and understanding to be given to us. How many of us actually stop to consider what an awesome gift this is? I have to remind myself many times, and still I find it hard to fully fathom.

We serve such a wonderful, marvelous, awesome God!

Healing Scriptures

Here's just a quick introduction to my reading of the healing scriptures found in the Old and New Testament. I had someone ask for a list of the Scriptures regarding healing, so I thought I would read them out loud on video for people (including myself) to listen, mediate and feed upon as they focus on the Lord's goodness.

Keep feeding on God's Word and you will find your faith strengthening and your body changing. Sometimes healing is quick and other times it takes longer. Don't question God, but just keep believing. Do what the Holy Spirit tells you!

This is not a substitution for doctors, medicine, and medical treatment! Again, do what the Holy Spirit is telling you to do. Listen to Him and obey!

Email me at carolinefriday@aol.com and I'll send you my free ebook, God Wants You Healed! and/or the accompanying bible study, Jesus, the Healer. I'll also send a list of scriptures in PDF.

Listen and be blessed!

Old Testament Scriptures:

New Testament Scriptures - part 1:

New Testament Scriptures - part 2:

The Book of Ruth - Part 7

And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. Ruth 4:11-12

We finish up with Chapter 4 where Boaz redeems Naomi and the Moabitess, Ruth, in a public, formal, legal setting before the elders of Israel. Great rejoicing ensues and a blessing is declared over Boaz's house and Ruth's womb. She is compared to Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob who bore the sons of Israel, and Tamar, another righteous woman mentioned in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ruth is a picture of the Gentile Church who has been redeemed by the heavenly Boaz, Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful time of spiritual rejoicing in that the sinful, heathen man can now be grafted into the family of God.

Read this amazing book in the Old Testament and be blessed!

The Book of Ruth - Part 6

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Ruth 4:5-6

Starting in Chapter 4 of Ruth, we see that Boaz makes a formal, legal request of the unnamed kinsman redeemer (representing the Law) who has first place to redeem Naomi and Ruth.

It is important that this procedure be made in a public setting, at the city gates, in front of the elders of the community. Interestingly enough, there are 10 elders invited to sit with the potential kinsman redeemers to witness what will transpire (10 Commandments)!

The same is true for what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross. What happened in the spiritual realm while He took on sin, the curse, and death is not dissimilar to what happened with Boaz when he formally redeemed Ruth, the Moabitess widow. Only He could do what the Law could not do. He formally and legally fulfilled the Law, set it aside, and rendered God's courtroom closed! Sin, the Law, and the Old Covenant requirements are obsolete!

Listen and learn more about what was done for you on the day of Crucifixion and Resurrection by the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Book of Ruth - Part 5

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth 3:18

We are continuing in Chapter 3 where Boaz assures Ruth that he will do exactly as she asks by redeeming her as a close kinsman under the Jewish Law. And yet, there is a closer kinsman who must first be given the opportunity to do the task.

This closer kinsman represents the Law, which is good and holy, but which cannot redeem sinful man. Jesus, our heavenly Boaz, satisfied the Law by taking away sin, the curse, and death, thereby setting us free from guilt and condemnation, among many other things!

Like Boaz's promise to Ruth to provide her a place of rest and protection, our savior has done the same for us by going to the cross, dying for our sins, and then being resurrected from the dead.  IN HIM, we have rest, protection, and peace.

That's the message of the empty tomb. No more law, no more curse, no more death. We have been delivered, indeed!

The Book of Ruth - Part 4

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: forthou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou arta virtuous woman. Ruth, Chapter 3:10-11

Here in Chapter 3, we see Ruth's relationship with Boaz transition from servant to an intimate relationship with her kinsman redeemer. Forsaking all worldly options of having a young husband and children, Ruth follows the advice and direction of her mother-in-law, Naomi, and agrees to claim her right of being redeemed by the older, Boaz.

Many of us in the body of Christ have been faced with the decision of foregoing the worldly options in life for something better (yet seemingly harder) offered by the heavenly father. Unlike Ruth, we sometimes shrink back, because what is asked by the Lord seems to be too hard. But the father strengthens us, and we are many times given a second opportunity to accept what is being offered.

Don't let the first opportunity pass! Be like Ruth and accept the invitation now!