LIFE..... LIKE A MUSICAL

{I'M CHALLENGED}
I have been challenged today.
I've been challenged by the Word of God, and encouraged all at the same time.
By a verse that I've read hundreds of times.
That is 1. Why I am so thankful for the Bible. 2. How I know that it is living!

It was the verse of the day. An app on my phone. The simplest thing. Yet I find that somehow it always has to do with what I am going through or with what God is really trying to teach me at the moment.

{WHAT GOD SAYS}
Here is the verse:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16

{BREAK IT DOWN}
Let's break this down simply. What a great encouragement.

Let the WORD --- (That is The Bible--- also Christ is also known as "The Word"- they are one in the same; but that is for another blog) -- we are to let it DWELL {to live or stay as a PERMANENT resident: to settle or inhabit} in us RICHLY {using valuable materials or characterized by  elaborate workmanship-- lavishly, completely, properly}

. . . teaching and ADMONISHING --- now this word is fully loaded... apparently there are a lot of ways to admonish... the main definition is as follows- {to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner- to urge to a duty} But here are some synonyms:{ to rebuke, reprove, reprimand, condemn, let one have it, point the finger, strongly criticize etc---then there is; encourage, counsel, exhort, guide, instruct, prepare, recommend etc}

I would consider that Paul was probably meaning the latter. Rebuke and reprove is very important, but I think the way we apply this is very crucial- which is why this scripture exists! Let's see as we look into the next part of the verse.

So we are to- let God's Word dwell in us, using wisdom, teach and encourage one another (now this gets interesting to me because it is so anti- our culture)
in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs....

{REALLY?}
Woah... So instead of arguing and disputing (which Paul clearly also says not to do)- life should be like a musical?!?

I love God! This would be hilarious! But I bet, it would change our culture, if we'd just listen... let's see what these things mean...

a psalm...  a song of praise, a hymn, a verse, a melody, singing, worship song, -- or a poem of a similar nature.

a hymn... a song in honor of God, to praise or celebrate.

and spiritual songs.... haha- you can't get much more out of that! And we are to do it ALL with GRACE in our hearts!

{AGAINST OUR FEELINGS}
WHOOO! SOOOO not our flesh or our culture!

I'd like for us to seriously just take this as a challenge. The next time we have a quarrel with someone- TRY what GOD says to do... I don't know about you, but I'd say God's wisdom far surpasses our own.

Our flesh wants to blame, point the finger, defend ourselves, let other people know just how wrong they are... but what if we tried it God's way?

{WHAT IF?}
Seriously!

What if, I was hurt or upset with something my husband did? And instead of saying "Why didn't you put the laundry away like I asked?!?"

I began reading a psalm. Or I began singing a song about God's GRACE (because I'd probably really need it right about that time!)...

I wonder if, instead of remaining upset, fueling my anger or frustration, and letting something small or big, ruin my day.... I might be released from those negative feelings? I might gain a softer heart? I might come across as loving, gentle, kind, and full of GRACE and WISDOM? I might also come across as silly- so maybe we'd even end up laughing about it... but I just wonder...

{WALK IT OUT}
I know people like this. They walk in such peace. Every word from their lips is God's word, love, and grace. A spirit of Peace, and love, and joy, and wisdom completely RADIATE from them.

I aspire to be like this, and I think this verse is a secret key that God desires to give us, if we would only apply it to our daily lives.

Some people would think that is crazy, or would overlook the verse, like I did; hundreds of times.
But you see, I believe that things are far more spiritual than we realize. There is an invisible battle going on, and there is nothing the spiritual enemy of our soul loves more than to cause havoc between people who SHOULD be getting along.

I don't know about you, but any time I'm feeling down, frustrated, lost, or lonely.... I sing. I sing songs to God. And the negativity melts away. I regain my peace. I allow that Word of Christ- that dwells in me, to regain it's ground in my heart- and the lies of the enemy no longer have any place.

I have also written a lot of poetry in my life. Many people do, and mostly to express emotion! Why? It is a healthy way of expressing emotion and releasing your feelings.

God is smart!

I'm challenged to give this a try. Before I react to a stressful situation with Lincoln, James or anyone else... I will TRY what God says here...

Why not? What do you really have to lose?

Let's try it God's way!