The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "CHRIST IS THE CENTER" for Wednesday, 2 August 2017 - Read Colossians 1:9-24

The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "CHRIST IS THE CENTER" for Wednesday, 2 August 2017 - Read Colossians 1:9-24
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Colossians 1:9 Therefore, from the day we heard of it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all the wisdom and understanding which the Spirit gives; 10 so that you may live lives worthy of the Lord and entirely pleasing to him, being fruitful in every good work and multiplying in the full knowledge of God. 11 We pray that you will be continually strengthened with all the power that comes from his glorious might; so that you will be able to persevere and be patient in any situation, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father for having made you fit to share in the inheritance of his people in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
14 It is through his Son that we have redemption — that is, our sins have been forgiven. 15 He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, 16 because in connection with him were created all things — in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities — they have all been created through him and for him. 17 He existed before all things, and he holds everything together.
18 Also he is head of the Body, the Messianic Community — he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might hold first place in everything. 19 For it pleased God to have his full being live in his Son 20 and through his Son to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through him, through having his Son shed his blood by being executed on a stake.
21 In other words, you, who at one time were separated from God and had a hostile attitude towards him because of your wicked deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in the Son’s physical body through his death; in order to present you holy and without defect or reproach before himself — 23 provided, of course, that you continue in your trusting, grounded and steady, and don’t let yourselves be moved away from the hope offered in the Good News you heard.
This is the Good News that has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven; and I, Sha’ul, have become a servant of it. 24 I rejoice in my present sufferings on your behalf! Yes, I am completing in my own flesh what has been lacking of the Messiah’s afflictions, on behalf of his Body, the Messianic Community.
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Through [his son] God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. [Colossians 1:20 (NRSV)]
Years ago, my husband and I were called to help reconcile a father and son who had undergone years of bitter feuding and separation. A round table in the center of the room separated the two sides of the conflict during the entire discussion. It also kept them from throwing fists at each other.
When they both confessed to being servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, the mediation became centered on the element that united them: Christ. With Christ at the center of their lives, they reached what seemed to be impossible — the reconciliation of two men and their families.
When we are reconciled with Christ, we can also be reconciled with one another because we are all members of the Body of Christ.
The Author: Charlotte Mande Ilunga (Cape Town, South Africa)
Thought for the Day: I can forgive because, through Christ, I am forgiven.
Prayer: Dear God, our great mediator, thank you for reconciling us with yourself and with one another through Jesus Christ. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13, KJV).
Prayer focus: FAMILIES FACING CONFLICT
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