Verse of the Day weekend 7/24

Through the Bible -  Psalms 47-52, Acts 27:27-28:10   Today's devotional was provided by my friend Larry Rogers.   One goal my wife and I had in common upon getting married was to strive to make our future home a place where the Spirit of God through Christ would be felt by all that came through the door. That it would become a dwelling place where people would sense peacefulness, comfort, safety, warmth, love etc. Over the years many of our friends, both believers and unbelievers, have commented how much they enjoy being in our home. Many can't really describe why they like it in our home especially  the friends of our kids that visit, which gives my wife and I an opening to share that they are sensing Christ's presence dwelling amongst us.   My questions for the weekend are; who is dwelling in you? And can people see or sense what is dwelling in you?   The verses for the weekend are found in Colossians 3:15-17:                 15" Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body and be thankful. 16 Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom      teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17  Whatever you do in word and deed,          do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." NASB   MacArthur points out that are there three priorities of a new man (anyone that is truly redeemed), they are like outer garments that cover all others. A new man is now concerned with: 1.       the peace of Christ 2.       the word of Christ 3.       the name of Christ All three of these areas should be dwelling inside each believer. 1.       The peace of Christ starts with the incredible news that we have been justified by faith thereby giving us peace about our future with God through Christ's work on the cross. (Rom. 5:1) As we grow in faith in Christ our peace should become deeper and dwell deep in our soul. In fact, it should rule over our hearts. The Greek word for rule is only used here in all of the N.T. and is meant to describe the activity of an umpire in deciding the outcome of an athletic contest. The outcome of peace dwelling in us will be as Warren Wiersbe shares, we will have less conflict in our lives especially with others and we will speak with praise on our lips. MacArthur reminds us that peace and thankfulness  go hand in hand; each one is supported by the other.   2.       The word of Christ refers the Scriptures He brought into the world. "Peace and thankfulness as well as, unity, love and all the required virtues flow from a mind controlled by Scripture." says MacArthur. My study bibles say that the word Dwell means, to live in, or to be at home. When you add the word, richly, (abundantly or extravagantly) Macarthur reasons that the Word of God should permeate every aspect of the believer. To let the Word richly dwell in us is very similar to being filled with the Holy Spirit. And again we read that we are to be thankful in our hearts.     3.       The name of Christ Wiersbe says, " means identification: we belong to Jesus Christ….All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ. By our words and our works we should glorify His name." N.T. Wright says we should be asking ourselves that if we are representing Christ in everything we do than this should serve as a benchmark in our decision making, "Can I really do this if I'm representing Jesus Christ?" We need to be consistent in our lives to the one we have our identity in. And again we see we are to be thankful; thankfulness is mentioned 6x's in Colossians so it is important..   Use this weekend to evaluate what you are allowing to dwell inside you compared to who it is we represent. I pray all of you will have a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ this weekend! We have so much to be thankful for even in these challenging days. Blessings, Larry  Col 3:12-18 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  NLT