Song Connection: “Welcome to Our World” by Michael W. Smith (Link for Video Here)

Theological Talking Point Four

Christ transforms the lives of all his people into his image. (The Lord and Master of all became the servant of all to show us how he would have us live (by the Spirit’s enlivening power) in service to him and others)

  • Christ’s kingdom is an upside-down kingdom, where the first are the last and the last first. (Col 2:6)
  • Raised with Christ through baptism, we are enlivened by the Spirit’s power to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:12-14).
  • “Whatever you do, in word or deed”—whatever your calling, vocation, situation—”do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17).
  • Remember: God chooses to speak to people through people who speak and live out His Word graciously, faithfully, and wisely. (Col. 4:5-6: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders…Let your speech always be gracious.”)

Devotion

Do you remember when you were a kid, your mom may have yelled at you, “How many times do I have to tell you, don’t play in the street!”

A smart aleck child (not me of course) might respond, “Mother, I am not in the street, I am on the street.  If I was in the street the asphalt would be encompassing and enveloping my entire body, from head to toe, filling all my pores and totally covering me, but no mother, I am not IN the street, but rather ON the street.” – Then we’d have to go and pick ourselves up from where mom may have knocked us.

But do you notice that preposition in our theme that has been used throughout this week and these devotions:  “IN”

The object of that preposition is “things”, specifically “all things.” Something is encompassing and enveloping our entire body from head to toe, filling all our pores and totaling covering us.

What is “In All Things?” Well the answer is in the logo itself.  Right at the center, the cross of Christ.

In Philippians 2, Paul shares: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

The creator “set aside His Glory”, to enter into His Creation, to be with us, but more than that, so we could be with Him.

When we think about how “glory” is misplaced in our world today. Only our God could gain all glory through the simple act of humility, and we are blessed to experience it as we give ourselves over to trust in Him.  As we listen to our student’s “stories” and we share our “stories” and grow in God’s story. We remember from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians: “Whatever you do… do it all to the Glory of God!”  

So, as we start to prepare for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering, may we continue to grow in our faith, to trust in our Lord, and reach out to others, sharing His Glory…

To our Lord, Be ALL Glory and Praise!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, What a God You are!! Thank You for Your Son! And the love He has shared with us!   Thank You for allowing us to be a vessel of that love to our families, our students, their families, our congregations and communities.   We pray today for our home community and church (specific needs) Fill us with the wisdom to share Your love every opportunity we have presented to us!  In that great love we pray! Amen

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –  John 1:14