What if I were able to walk into a car dealership and exchange my old, beat-up car for a 2025 model? What if the only requirement was that I would have to leave my old car behind and forsake it?

2 Corinthians 5:17 When one begins to drive a new car, there is a realization of how many things were missing in the old car. There's usually more power to do what the old car couldn't do.

Isaiah 61:3 God is a fair dealership. There are no hidden fees or agendas. He is more than fair; the transaction is in my best interest.

Trade in a life with little value and allow God to give you a life with meaning and value.

Rooted and Grounded

John 3:3,4,5,6 Have I had a spiritual birth? Giving physical birth isn’t protracted. It is an event. Jesus was speaking with the same sense of urgency as a natural birth. There is a dramatic change, not just an education.

Others should be able to see the fruit of the type of tree I am claiming to be. What fruit have I been exhibiting in the last week?

Colossians 1:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,28,20,21,22,23

Colosse was close to two major cities (Laodiciea). Paul likely had never met the people in these cities. He was writing letters to the congregations about doctrine, encouraging them to stay rooted in what they understood, and to not be easily moved. Paul exorts them to remember that the wisdom of God is superior to all others.

Matthew 4:23,24

Jesus is the head of the church. This means the church is important. It has a purpose. It’s an assembly of parts of the body of Christ.

Paul is giving an argument in favor of God. Later in the chapter, Paul argues against the wisdom of the world or attempting a mix of the two.

I can rightfully make the claim that Heaven transfers power to make individuals holy and give wisdom. Do I have respect for Jesus, but am yet not a follower? I will know in myself if Jesus is my Lord or if He is not.

Colossians 1:15,16,17,18,19,20 This passage is called the “Hymn of Colossae.”

In all things God has preeminence. My thoughts and opinions are lower.

If I am in a place where I know God isn’t pleased with me, I can be reconciled.

Colossians 2:7 The people were subject to a large variety of religious ideas in the community. It was important to be established in the faith and abounding in thanksgiving.

“My way or the highway” is a cult-like concept. I need to spend time in the faith to be rooted and grounded.

Bound roots don’t go very deep. When the storm comes, the tree doesn’t survive. Are my ideas and viewpoint containing or restraining the roots from reaching deeper depths?