It Is Jesus Who Builds The Bridge

"We pray that you will have have great wisdom

and understanding in spiritual things

so that you will live the kind of life that

honors and please the Lord in every way.

You will produce fruit in every good work

and grow in the knowledge of God.

God will strengthen you with HIS own great POWER

so you will not give up when TROUBLE comes,

but you will be PATIENT."

Col 1:9-11

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It Is Jesus Who Builds The Bridge

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READ Colossians 1:1-2:5

SITUATION Paul's letter gave tribute to the power and glory of Christ. While commending the Colossians for their actions, he reminded them that Christ's power comes not from what we know, but who we know--Jesus Christ!

OBSERVATION God provides salvation for anyone who will take it. God doesn't require that we know hidden secrets or certain inside information to accept Christ's message and enjoy eternal life.

INSPIRATION When God chose to reveal himself, he did so (surprise of surprises) through a human body. The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under its nails. The feet upon which the woman wept were calloused and dusty.

And his tears . . . oh, don't miss the tears . . . they came from a heart as broken as yours or mine ever has been.

So people came to him. My, how they came to him! They came at night; they touched him as he walked down the street; they followed him around the sea; they invited him into their homes and placed their children at his feet. Why? Because he refused to be a statue in a cathedral or a priest in an elevated pulpit. He choose to be Jesus.

. . . There were those who revered him. But there was not one person who was reluctant to approach him for fear of being rejected.

Remember it is man who creates the distance It is Jesus who builds the bridge. (From God Came Near by Max Lucad0)

APPLICATION Pray this week that God will spark new love for him in your heart. Don't let this next week pass without finding a way of telling someone else about the good news of God's love.

EXPLORATION Love -- John 3;16; 13:34; Ephesians 3:15-18; 1 John 4:9-10.

The Devotional Bible - Experiencing The Heart of Jesus, Max Lucado General Editor, Thomas Nelson Publishers, New Century Version.