Complete In Christ
December 2012
And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and powers." Colossians 2:10
Many believers and unbelievers at times feel as though they are incomplete. They’ll say things like, “If only I had ___________ my life would be complete.” Even if you have never felt this way; you know someone who does and/or has said this very same statement. The word complete means to have all the necessary parts; to be fully carried out and absolute; some synonyms include:
· Full
· Perfect
· Intact
· Total
· Whole
· All Together
and my favorite…..ENOUGH. Let that definition and those descriptive words sink in and then get a pen and paper. Friend, today we are going to deal with the “if-only” strongholds that the enemy tries to place on us. It is through this devotion that we will once and for all be delivered from “if-only” strongholds and be set free by the truth of God’s Word.
Common “If Only” Strongholds:
1. If only I had a man/woman/friend I would be complete.
2. If only I had a particular level of education or income I would be complete.
3. If only I looked a certain way I would be complete.
Do any of these “if only” strongholds sound like you? I’m sure you can add to this list, but let’s delve into these particular strongholds and be once and for all delivered from them.
1. If only I had a man/woman/friend I would be complete. Friend, I have a question for you, “Is Jesus one of many or is He your one and only?” Don’t take this “if only,” the wrong way; it’s great to have a man/woman/friend that God has ordained to be in your life. A relationship/friendship/marriage is a beautiful thing when it’s one of three: you, them, and Jesus. But this “if only” becomes a stronghold when we depend on it to complete, satisfy, validate and make us whole. It becomes a stronghold when without it we don’t have joy, peace, or any of the fruits of the spirit operating in our lives. Kyle Idleman suggested that we picture a race. Jesus not only wants to be in first place in your life, but He also wants to be the only one on the track. You see Jesus isn’t just saying, “I want to be first place in your life.” He is saying, “I don’t even want there to be a second place.” When we compare our relationship with Him to anyone else there should be NO COMPETITION. Christ can’t be one of many if you want to be complete. He can’t even be first of many if you want to be complete. Christ must be your one and only. He wants to be your satisfaction and complete you, but He makes it clear that He will not share your affection. He does not just want you in the "dark" (when no one can see), on facebook/twitter/etc., or just on Sunday Mornings.....but He wants all of you all day; everyday. Remember, being complete in Him requires your whole heart. No more half-hearted Christianity. To be complete we must follow Christ alone. We must put Him on the throne of our hearts. Being complete = giving Christ our whole hearts.
2. If only I had a particular level of education or income I would be complete. Some people feel that money solves all problems and that it makes people complete and happy. Friend, check-out Hollywood! If money was the answer the world would not be in the predicament that it’s in. Thank God that as believers we have the privilege to live independently of the world’s system. Just because there is an issue in the world does not mean that it has to affect us as believers. Don’t believe me? Then check out Psalm 91:7. As believers we have Christ and because of Him we have all that we need. He is more than enough.....Praise God! Because we are in the Kingdom of God we lack no good thing. Psalm 84:11 says, "...No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Because we are in Christ....there is no shortage. Not only does God have enough to meet your needs, but He has enough to meet the needs of others through you! Every provision needed by you has already been provided by God. Nothing takes God by surprise! Rest. Trust. Have Faith. Believe. Money can’t complete you, a degree behind your name can’t satisfy, validate, or make you truly happy or whole, BUT JESUS……HE CAN DO ALL THAT AND MORE.
3. If only I looked a certain way I would be complete. Going to an all-girl school I have heard this so many times and my heart aches for these young women that feel this way. We all have our insecurities and moments when we feel like we just don’t quite measure up, but the devil is a liar! We were made in God’s image; we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Friend, YOU ARE ENOUGH.....in Christ!! I would much rather be a woman who is accepted and appoved by Christ than to be a woman who this world applauds. A moment in the presence of God beats a lifetime in the spotlight of worldly fame. At the end of the day no amount of beauty, body, fineness, handsomeness or worldly acceptance, approval, or applause can complete or satisfy you….ONLY CHRIST CAN!
Friend, the truth is nothing that this world has to offer, no man/woman/friend, no degree/income, and no amount of physical beauty or worldly approval will ever complete or satisfy you. God wants you to find your satisfaction and completion in Him rather than waste your time and effort on things that cannot and will not satisfy. Whatever your “if only” is that you are gripping to bring you satisfaction or to complete you is a lie-----unless it is Christ. Christ knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. He approved and accepted you. You were made in His image and have His ability on the inside of you to get done what He called you to do. He can and will make you whole. He died and rose again for you to be whole. So take that pen and paper and write down Colossians 2:10. Then use the definition and synonyms above and replace the word ‘complete’ with those definitions and words. For example, "I have all the necessary parts in Christ," "I am whole in Christ," "I am ENOUGH in Christ." From here on out whenever the enemy tries to make you feel that you are incomplete confess this scripture and the other phrases that you have created over your life and pray this prayer below:
Many believers and unbelievers at times feel as though they are incomplete. They’ll say things like, “If only I had ___________ my life would be complete.” Even if you have never felt this way; you know someone who does and/or has said this very same statement. The word complete means to have all the necessary parts; to be fully carried out and absolute; some synonyms include:
· Full
· Perfect
· Intact
· Total
· Whole
· All Together
and my favorite…..ENOUGH. Let that definition and those descriptive words sink in and then get a pen and paper. Friend, today we are going to deal with the “if-only” strongholds that the enemy tries to place on us. It is through this devotion that we will once and for all be delivered from “if-only” strongholds and be set free by the truth of God’s Word.
Common “If Only” Strongholds:
1. If only I had a man/woman/friend I would be complete.
2. If only I had a particular level of education or income I would be complete.
3. If only I looked a certain way I would be complete.
Do any of these “if only” strongholds sound like you? I’m sure you can add to this list, but let’s delve into these particular strongholds and be once and for all delivered from them.
1. If only I had a man/woman/friend I would be complete. Friend, I have a question for you, “Is Jesus one of many or is He your one and only?” Don’t take this “if only,” the wrong way; it’s great to have a man/woman/friend that God has ordained to be in your life. A relationship/friendship/marriage is a beautiful thing when it’s one of three: you, them, and Jesus. But this “if only” becomes a stronghold when we depend on it to complete, satisfy, validate and make us whole. It becomes a stronghold when without it we don’t have joy, peace, or any of the fruits of the spirit operating in our lives. Kyle Idleman suggested that we picture a race. Jesus not only wants to be in first place in your life, but He also wants to be the only one on the track. You see Jesus isn’t just saying, “I want to be first place in your life.” He is saying, “I don’t even want there to be a second place.” When we compare our relationship with Him to anyone else there should be NO COMPETITION. Christ can’t be one of many if you want to be complete. He can’t even be first of many if you want to be complete. Christ must be your one and only. He wants to be your satisfaction and complete you, but He makes it clear that He will not share your affection. He does not just want you in the "dark" (when no one can see), on facebook/twitter/etc., or just on Sunday Mornings.....but He wants all of you all day; everyday. Remember, being complete in Him requires your whole heart. No more half-hearted Christianity. To be complete we must follow Christ alone. We must put Him on the throne of our hearts. Being complete = giving Christ our whole hearts.
2. If only I had a particular level of education or income I would be complete. Some people feel that money solves all problems and that it makes people complete and happy. Friend, check-out Hollywood! If money was the answer the world would not be in the predicament that it’s in. Thank God that as believers we have the privilege to live independently of the world’s system. Just because there is an issue in the world does not mean that it has to affect us as believers. Don’t believe me? Then check out Psalm 91:7. As believers we have Christ and because of Him we have all that we need. He is more than enough.....Praise God! Because we are in the Kingdom of God we lack no good thing. Psalm 84:11 says, "...No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Because we are in Christ....there is no shortage. Not only does God have enough to meet your needs, but He has enough to meet the needs of others through you! Every provision needed by you has already been provided by God. Nothing takes God by surprise! Rest. Trust. Have Faith. Believe. Money can’t complete you, a degree behind your name can’t satisfy, validate, or make you truly happy or whole, BUT JESUS……HE CAN DO ALL THAT AND MORE.
3. If only I looked a certain way I would be complete. Going to an all-girl school I have heard this so many times and my heart aches for these young women that feel this way. We all have our insecurities and moments when we feel like we just don’t quite measure up, but the devil is a liar! We were made in God’s image; we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Friend, YOU ARE ENOUGH.....in Christ!! I would much rather be a woman who is accepted and appoved by Christ than to be a woman who this world applauds. A moment in the presence of God beats a lifetime in the spotlight of worldly fame. At the end of the day no amount of beauty, body, fineness, handsomeness or worldly acceptance, approval, or applause can complete or satisfy you….ONLY CHRIST CAN!
Friend, the truth is nothing that this world has to offer, no man/woman/friend, no degree/income, and no amount of physical beauty or worldly approval will ever complete or satisfy you. God wants you to find your satisfaction and completion in Him rather than waste your time and effort on things that cannot and will not satisfy. Whatever your “if only” is that you are gripping to bring you satisfaction or to complete you is a lie-----unless it is Christ. Christ knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. He approved and accepted you. You were made in His image and have His ability on the inside of you to get done what He called you to do. He can and will make you whole. He died and rose again for you to be whole. So take that pen and paper and write down Colossians 2:10. Then use the definition and synonyms above and replace the word ‘complete’ with those definitions and words. For example, "I have all the necessary parts in Christ," "I am whole in Christ," "I am ENOUGH in Christ." From here on out whenever the enemy tries to make you feel that you are incomplete confess this scripture and the other phrases that you have created over your life and pray this prayer below:
You are complete in Christ! Be encouraged!
|