How to tell that Jesus has first place in a life

Last night I read the text of this morning’s Sunday School lessons in the upper classes in our congregation: Colossians 1:9-29. The title of the lesson is “The Preeminence of Christ.”

I had two basic questions:

  • How do I know — show, if you will — that Christ truly is preeminent in me?
  • How is Christ preeminent in my church? (What does that look like, as “they” say?)

Those give the same fundamental question different phrasing. I leave the question and its answers hanging here. Continue reading

The Lord's Prayer -- my kingdom or the Father's kingdom?
Thy kingdom come

“Thy kingdom come” is such a short request. But so much is packaged into it! Praying that God’s kingdom would come is good and necessary. But what kind of life effort will we put forth to contribute toward the realization of this request? As citizens of the kingdom, let us make life decisions that advance His kingdom.

God’s kingdom suffers
while my kingdom is built.
(Wayne Miller, John Day, OR)

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