Our Daily Bread -- Jesus Over Everything February 10, 2016

Read: Colossians 1:15-20 Bible in a Year: Leviticus 8-10; Matthew 25:31-46 He is before all things. —Colossians 1:17 My friend’s son decided to wear a sports jersey over his school clothing one day. He wanted to show support for his favorite team that would be playing an important game later that night. Before leaving home, he put something on over his sports jersey—it was a chain with a pendant that read, “Jesus.” His simple action illustrated a deeper truth: Jesus deserves first place over everything in our lives. Jesus is above and over all. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). Jesus is supreme over all creation (vv. 15-16). He is “the head of the body, the church” (v. 18). Because of this, He should have first place in all things. When we give Jesus the highest place of honor in each area of our lives, this truth becomes visible to those around us. At work, are we laboring first for God or only to please our employer? (3:23). How do God’s standards show up in the way we treat others? (vv. 12-14). Do we put Him first as we live our lives and pursue our favorite pastimes? When Jesus is our greatest influence in all of life, He will have His rightful place in our hearts. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt Dear Jesus, You deserve the best of my time, energy, and affection. I crown You King of my heart and Lord over everything I do. How can you put God first in your life today? Share with us at odb.org. Put Jesus first. INSIGHT: In today’s passage—packed with significant theological morsels—the word [em]all[/em] stands out. In these six short verses Paul uses it seven times, and he uses a similar word in verse 18—everything. Paul underscores Jesus’s supremacy. He is the Source (v. 16) and Sustainer (v. 17) of everything. Share your thoughts on today’s devotional on Facebook or odb.org.

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Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all. Our vision is to see people of all nations experiencing a personal relationship with Christ, growing to be more like Him, and serving in a local body of His family. To read today's Our Daily Bread online visit www.odb.org. Copyright © 2016, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from Our Daily Bread Ministries for any further posting or distribution. Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved.   Our Daily Bread Ministries | 3000 Kraft Ave | Grand Rapids, MI 49512 Manage Your Subscription