It is difficult to step away for the day, at least for me. To walk out the door leaving a pile of laundry, dishes in the sink, and a rug in need of a vacuum. Or leaving Sunday School lessons that must be copied before church the next day and distributed to teachers or unfinished manuscripts with deadlines.
Yet, I walked away Saturday, Sept. 9, to attend the Calvary Chapel Women’s Conference in Redding and listen to the teaching of Mindi Love, Women’s Ministry leader at Calvary Castle Rock, Colorado. There is something to be said about sitting at the feet of Jesus. That is what we do when we listen to in-depth teaching with undivided attention. Mindi taught verse-by-verse through the book of Colossians.
Here are a few of my take-aways:
1-Know God’s Word
Paul exhorted the Colossians to be on guard against false teachers. We need to know God’s Word so well we will detect even the slightest error. False teaching today includes the prosperity gospel, progressive Christianity, and the doctrine of self-love.1
2-Jesus is Preeminent
The word preeminent means first and foremost. It is important to examine our lives. Is Jesus first and foremost in your life? Truthfully, my first response is “yes!” But Mindi explained this means Jesus is our priority and the true meaning of this word is ONE. We don’t have a list ranking what is first, second, third. We don’t get our priorities straight, we simply “get our priority.”
3-Many Biblical Verses Reveal God’s Will
In Colossians 1:9-10 Paul prays for these Christians asking that they may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in order that they may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. From this verse we know that it is God’s will that we walk in a worthy manner, please God, are fruitful in every good work, and increase in our knowledge of God.
It’s good to create lists of the “will” verses.
4-Don’t do it!
Mindi said, “Sometimes the most notable thing about our Christian walk is what we don’t do.” Why? Because if we begin to veer ever so slightly from God’s Word, we have begun the unworthy walk. Proverbs 8:8 states: “You’ll only hear true and right words from my mouth; not one syllable will be twisted or skewed.” (The Message Bible Version)
If we begin walking in the ways of the unrighteous, we soon may be standing with them and finally we sit down with them, entrenched in their ways. This is the lesson found in Psalm 1. What should we do instead? According to this Psalm we should delight in God’s Word, meditating on it day and night.
Mindi asked us, “What brings you pleasure? What do you long for?”
Meditate is to chew the cud, which brings out the sweet and nutritious aspects of God’s Word. Josh 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” ESV
I am a good notetaker. But it is difficult to capture every point you want to remember as someone is lecturing. Therefore, I will listen to the recordings of each session and soon my list of takeaways will expand. Set aside a few hours and join me at the feet of Jesus. The teaching will soon be posted.2
©2023 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved
Let’s Talk:
1-When do you sit at the feet of Jesus?
2-Share something you have learned by spending time in the Word of God?
Resources:
1-To learn more about the false teaching prevalent in our time visit these websites: biblestudytools.com, “5 Counterfeit Truths of Progressive Christianity” by Alisa Childers Aug. 16, 2023; gotquestions.org, “What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?” gotquestions.org, “What does the Bible say about self-love, loving self?”
2-Teachings from the Calvary Chapel Women’s Conferences can be found at lccredding.org. They are posted under ministries/women/women’s conference. The 2023 conference theme is: “Set your Mind on Things Above, not on things on the Earth.” Colossians 3:2”