Dad, Here's a Video!

Daily Reading: Colossians 1

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)

Devotional Thought: "Dad, here's a video!"  Those are words spoken often by my wife, Lana.  Usually, one of the grandchildren are the subject of the video.  How pleased we are to get one of those "first steps" videos and see them walking.  But as they have grown, we have found even greater joy in seeing them "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord."

What are the ingredients of a walk that is worthy of the Lord?  I thought of several:

·       Faith in Christ for salvation.  If we put our faith in anything else – whether it is our Christian nation or family, our superior wisdom or spirituality, our good works or good name – then we do disservice to the work of Christ on the cross. 

·       Living a holy life.  Here it is easy to think about avoiding immorality.  But there is more involved in honoring Christ than what we don’t do.  We bring honor to the name of Christ by what we do: feed the hungry, seek justice, love the unlovable, forgive the offender...

·       Dwelling close to Christ.  Christ came to live among us and to give his life for us.  If we close him out of our lives, except for the hours we are at church, are we living a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing to him?  I wonder what Lana would feel like if I never went home and never took her anywhere with me.  That certainly would not bring her honor.  In the same way, am I honoring the Lord by walking in his company?

Imagine Jesus turning to the Father: "Dad, here's a video!"  Would a video from my life be worthy of the Lord?

Prayer: Father in heaven, I want to please you, to bear fruit in every good work, and to grow in my knowledge of you.  Help me to walk in a manner worthy of your Son, so that he can say with excitement, "Dad!  Here's a video!"  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 16.7-11

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.