First Baptist Family of Asheboro, NC

  In Psalm 22:3 the KJV reads, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel .” Other translations translate the word inhabitest as enthroned.   In practice, that’s not necessarily what we mean.   If I’m praising my child, I’m giving an affirmation to them.   It means god is present in moments when we are lifting ourselves up to Him.   God inhabits this space when we meet together.   God is always available.   God gives His presence to us.   We are no longer strangers to God.  Have you ever been in a group and someone introduced you to someone you already know?  It’s a good feeling when we already know someone.  Paul says you are no longer a stranger to God.  You know God.  This is a good reminder for us that we come to God not as a stranger.  In Colossians 1 God is the Creator of everything. Jesus takes first place.  What does it mean for God to be first in our lives? Follow Jesus. Who a...

  Psalm 84 is an image of people going to worship together and as they go it’s raining.   As they approach Jerusalem the rain reminds them of God’s strength.   May the rain remind us of God’s peace and strength today. A couple of weeks ago I ordered lunch and it came.   Everything was in order but there were 2 milkshakes we didn’t order!   We didn’t pay for those.   We got more than we deserved.   That’s grace!   God has given us so much more than a couple of milkshakes. In Colossians 1:1-14 Paul is writing from prison.   As he writes to the people of Colossae he reminds them of the grace and power of God. Paul was in prison for several years, quite a long time. God spoke to him and he wrote these letters.   If Paul wasn’t in prison we wouldn’t have these letters today.   In our imprisonments, in our times when we aren’t doing what we think we should be doing, God uses these times. Growth begins when we embrace grace.  ...