Friday, August 22, 2008

My Coveralls Need a Better Name on the Pocket

What a great minute I have right now! My mom stole my girls to take them swimming for an hour so I'm going to type, type, type! Baby is asleep, house is quiet, and I'm up for some Bible Study!

I want to direct your attention to the last few verses of Chapter Uno. We left off yesterday settled into the fantastic idea that God has given us His power! The same power that raised Christ from the dead.

I purposefully stopped at that part of verse 20 and didn't finish it because I wanted to use it to catapult us into today's finish.

Here is the verse in it's entirety.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead...

STOP

That's where we ended, gazing at that wonder all by itself. He used His POWER to raise Jesus from the dead. Not because it was hard, but because it was a display of His glory! Same for us. He uses His power in us to display His glory in us.

CONTINUE

...which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at this right hand in the heavenly realms...

STOP

Picture that in your mind. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God. That is a position of authority, finality, power, and strength. Paul is setting us up for what he is about to point out concerning the authority of Christ.

God raised him up and seated Him

...far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

I want you to see that line that I made bold because it's THE one we're going to bring home and let soak down into the fabric of our beings.

Every title that can be given.

Think about how many titles there are. From President to Janitor. From Teacher to Mom. Pastor. Governor. Professor. Technician. Journalist. Nurse. Manager. Teller. Consultant.

We could list and list and list all sorts of titles. Christ is over every one of those. He has rule and authority, power and dominion. He is FAR above them and untouchable when it comes to the ability to rule others.

What about other titles. Titles that aren't found on documents and plaques. Titles that are hidden in hearts and souls. Here's a few I've had on the pocket of my coveralls from time to time.
Liar
Cheater
Procrastinator
Lazy
Worrier
Busybody
Angry
Shameful
Unimportant

Each one of these titles is under His authority and rule as well. If that's the case, then He has the right to take away that title and give me a different one. If He is the ultimate Boss Man, then He has the right, the rule, the authority to strip me of either my self-imposed title or one given me by man or the enemy, and give me a new one.

Here are a few of the new names on my pockets!

Free
Beautiful
Fun
Talented
Giver
Teacher
Mentor
Gracious
Strong
Redeemed
Chosen
Forgiven
Renewed
Blessed
Joyful
Loving
Peaceful
Bold
Real
Truthful
Loved
Favorite

This is no joke. I feel every one of these from the Lord. He has the ability to, not only be Lord and ruler of all Titles in the physical world, but every unseen title and name I have ever had over myself that is not from Him.

He rules. He says we are His and He means it. He died to ensure that we would know it. And now, He sits in heaven as the Ultimate Authority of all of it.

There is one more thing He will do when we finally see Him face to face. One more title exchange

To him who overcomes, I will ...give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. Revelation 2:17

One more title. One NEW name. That is a title worth waiting for!

8 comments:

Mary Jo said...

I think we could stay on Chapter 1 forever! (Okay - that's a slight exaggeration).

Can't wait for Chapter 2!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this.
He is truly limitless in His abilities. How many more titles does He have to give? And they are of Him, not made by us to honor us. They honor our Lord.

Kim Heinecke said...

roll call. I was here.

Natalie Witcher said...

Thanks for being here ladies! I LU-HUV this book!

Tammy said...

I have never thought about God giving us titles..oh that puts a whole new light on the whole thing... Iam gonna have to reread chapter one and I can't wait for chapter two.

Unknown said...

This is, and has always been, my favorite book. Thanks for giving me more depth and insight into it.

Unknown said...

And one of the most beautiful things too is He FILLS us with those characteristics--they aren't just titles in name only.

Shane said...

For the record... I did read this the other night before bed! Thank you for the reflections today!