Hide and Seek

Scripture: Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever you do (no matter what it is) in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in (dependence upon) His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

This scripture makes it clear that we should rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in everything  that we put our hands to, as well as the words that we speak.

If we rely on ourselves to perform or to complete a specific task, then we will most likely always come up short. But, if we rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in full dependence upon Him, to help us keep our word and to fulfill our commitments; He will give us the strength and the wherewithal to stay faithful to our commitments. He will also give us the ability to do what He has called us to do.

Many of us find reasons not to commit to something because we do not feel that we can be faithful to the renewed responsibility. But the Word of God states that God is the One that has given us the ability to do what we in ourselves cannot do. Relying on God is the answer to the thoughts in our minds that try to overwhelm us and derail us from our purpose.  One thing we cannot change is the call of God on our lives, no matter how we try to run and hide. Abilities, wisdom, strength and power, all come from God; and without Him, we can do nothing. But with Him, all things are possible to him that believes.

The element of change within us is revealed when we release our hearts to completely rely on the Lord Jesus Christ in everything; with the purposed intention of giving Him the praise.  Letting go of the reins is not always easy when we've always been in control, or think we are in control of a situation, even though we know that we are not. We like to know what's going to happen next, or at least try to plan what's going to happen next.

But God's plan is not our plan, according to: Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

• Is God speaking to your heart about His call on your life?
• Is God speaking to you about making a commitment?
• Do you believe that God wants the BEST for you?

Reflection: God is a good God, and relying on Him is the BEST thing that we can do in life, because He knows what's best for us. He also knows the end from the beginning, and He already sees us as complete in Him.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I thank you that you loved me enough to call me by name, to fulfill the purpose that you put inside of me. In my weakness, my doubts and my fears; you release me, and create in me a purposed intention of being complete in you. I praise you Oh God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made in your image, to do what you have called me to do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions: Colossians 3:17

Whatsoever: 3956

1) individually

a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

2) collectively

a) some of all types

You do: 4160

1) to make

a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.

b) to be the authors of, the cause

c) to make ready, to prepare

d) to produce, bear, shoot forth

e) to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self

f) to make a thing out of something

g) to (make i.e.) render one anything

1) to (make i.e.) constitute or appoint one anything, to appoint or ordain one that

2) to (make i.e.) declare one anything

h) to put one forth, to lead him out

i) to make one do something

1) cause one to

j) to be the authors of a thing (to cause, bring about)

2) to do

a) to act rightly, do well

1) to carry out, to execute

b) to do a thing unto one

1) to do to one

c) with designation of time: to pass, spend

d) to celebrate, keep

1) to make ready, and so at the same time to institute, the celebration of the passover

e) to perform: to a promise

In word: 3056

1) of speech

a) a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea

b) what someone has said

1) a word

2) the sayings of God

3) decree, mandate or order

4) of the moral precepts given by God

5) Old Testament prophecy given by the prophets

6) what is declared, a thought, declaration, aphorism, a weighty saying, a dictum, a maxim

c) discourse

1) the act of speaking, speech

2) the faculty of speech, skill and practice in speaking

3) a kind or style of speaking

4) a continuous speaking discourse - instruction

d) doctrine, teaching

e) anything reported in speech; a narration, narrative

f) matter under discussion, thing spoken of, affair, a matter in dispute, case, suit at law

g) the thing spoken of or talked about; event, deed

2) its use as respect to the MIND alone

a) reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating

b) account, i.e. regard, consideration

c) account, i.e. reckoning, score

d) account, i.e. answer or explanation in reference to judgment

e) relation, i.e. with whom as judge we stand in relation

1) reason would

f) reason, cause, ground

In deed - 2041

1) business, employment, that which any one is occupied

a) that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking

2) any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind

3) an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work

In the name - 3686

1) name: univ. of proper names

2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.

3) persons reckoned up by name

4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason

Of the Lord - 2962

1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord

a) the possessor and disposer of a thing

1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master

2) in the state: the sovereign, prince, chief, the Roman emperor

b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master

c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah

Through - 1223

) through

a) of place

1) with

2) in

b) of time

1) throughout

2) during

c) of means

1) by

2) by the means of

2) through

a) the ground or reason by which something is or is not done

1) by reason of

2) on account of

3) because of for this reason

4) therefore

5) on this account

Giving thanks - 2168

1) to be grateful, feel thankful

2) give thanks

Him to God - 2316

1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities

2) the Godhead, trinity

a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity

b) Christ, the second person of the trinity

c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity

3) spoken of the only and true God

a) refers to the things of God

b) his counsels, interests, things due to him

4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way

a) God's representative or viceregent

1) of magistrates and judge

The Father - 3962

1) generator or male ancestor

a) either the nearest ancestor: father of the corporeal nature, natural fathers, both parents

b) a more remote ancestor, the founder of a family or tribe, progenitor of a people, forefather: so Abraham is called, Jacob and David

1) fathers i.e. ancestors, forefathers, founders of a nation

c) one advanced in years, a senior

2) metaph.

a) the originator and transmitter of anything

1) the authors of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself

2) one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds

b) one who stands in a father's place and looks after another in a paternal way

c) a title of honour

1) teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received

2) the members of the Sanhedrin, whose prerogative it was by virtue of the wisdom and experience in which they excelled, to take charge of the interests of others

3) God is called the Father

a) of the stars, the heavenly luminaries, because he is their creator, upholder, ruler

b) of all rational and intelligent beings, whether angels or men, because he is their creator, preserver, guardian and protector

1) of spiritual beings and of all men

c) of Christians, as those who through Christ have been exalted to a specially close and intimate relationship with God, and who no longer dread him as a stern judge of sinners, but revere him as their reconciled and loving Father

d) the Father of Jesus Christ, as one whom God has united to himself in the closest bond of love and intimacy, made acquainted with his purposes, appointed to explain and carry out among men the plan of salvation, and made to share also in his own divine nature

1) by Jesus Christ himself

2) by the apostles

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Paul's Epistle - Colossians 3 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 7 Dec 2009. 

Higgins, S. (2009). Hide and Seek. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com.