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October 4

Scripture for today: Jeremiah 2:31-4:18; Colossians 1:1-17; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 24:21-22

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“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15 NLT).

From: October 4, 2018

CHRIST, THE TRUE SHEPHERD AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART
The Lord gave Jeremiah this prophecy concerning Judah and Israel, that after a time of being scattered, God would bring them back and give them “shepherds” after His own heart. Perhaps the first fulfillment of this prophecy may be seen in Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, who were godly shepherds that led the people back to the land. Yet, the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Christ and the apostles. For Christ identified himself as the “Good Shepherd [who] gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Christ is the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4) of God’s flock and He gave His apostles the responsibility of being shepherds under His authority. Didn’t Jesus tell Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep.”?
 
When Jesus saw the multitudes coming to Him, all weary and scattered, He was moved with compassion and saw that they were like “sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).
 
Have you yet brought your cares and troubles to the Good Shepherd? He is the fulfillment of all the prophets and the True Shepherd of God’s flock. Let the Lord Jesus be your Shepherd and you shall no longer be in want.

“A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the Lord their God.” (Jeremiah 3:21 NKJV).

From: October 4, 2017

In the heights where Israel had once committed idolatry, she now wept with prayers of supplication for God’s help. She had awareness of her own crooked ways and her failure to remember God first. Yet, God was still waiting for her to repent.
 
There is a difference between being sorry for our sins and repenting of our sins. Often we are more sorry for the consequences of sin, than the sin itself. We weep over the brokenness of our world and cry out to God, but we don’t repent. Repentance is more than sorrow. It is more than regret. In repentance we simultaneously turn from sin and turn towards God through faith in Christ. It is the prayer of repentance that God answers.
 
There is much weeping in our country these days, but little repentance.

“…walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 ESV)

From: October 4, 2016

This was Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, that they might “walk worthy of the Lord” who had saved them. The Christian life is not a leap nor a sprint, but a “walk.” It is a daily spiritual discipline of denying oneself and following Jesus. With each step we learn to walk in the Spirit in order to bear the fruit of good works and we grow in our study of God’s Word, knowing Him better and better. Putting away the former things and putting on Christ, we walk with a desire to “fully please” the Lord in all things.

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13 NKJV)

From: October 4, 2015

Paul wrote to the church at Colossae describing their change of spiritual citizenship. Because they had confessed their faith in Christ, the Father transferred them from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. God is still accepting new kingdom citizens today. His Son has already paid the price for our redemption. Yet, just as a new American citizen must take an oath of allegiance to the US constitution, so the one desiring kingdom citizenship must confess faith in Christ.

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15a NLT)

From: October 4, 2014

Creation itself is a general revelation of God to those who would acknowledge it. Yet, the ultimate revelation is Christ. No one has seen the invisible God, but Christ is His “visible image.” If you want to know what God is like, then gaze upon the face of Jesus. Read the gospels and see God’s nature revealed. Through Christ, God has created all, offers redemption and sustains all. Everything was made by Christ and for Christ. You were made for Him. So, turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15)

From: October 4, 2013

This is one of the four Christological pillars found in the New Testament (Others are John 1:1-18, Phil. 2:5-11, Heb. 1:1-4). Do you want to catch a glimpse of the invisible God? Then, look at Jesus. Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father and Jesus replied, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Do you know this song?
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, … Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

From: October 4, 2012

If you want to know what God is like, then gaze upon the face of Jesus. Read the gospels and see God’s nature revealed. Through Christ, God has created all, offers redemption and sustains all. Everything was made by Christ and for Christ. You were made for Him.