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Thursday, August 18, 2005

"Christ Preeminent"

"And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent" (Colossians 1:18).

Thirty-two years ago this month I began my formal training for Christian ministry at a small Bible college in southern Missouri. Just a couple of months later I met Brooksyne, a farm girl from Oklahoma who also was attending.  After our junior year we married and God has greatly blessed us as we've served the Lord together. We've had various trials and disappointments and life has not always worked out the way we had hoped or planned for. But we can sure declare that God's been faithful. Foundationally we have sought in our marriage and ministry to keep Christ preeminent.

Christ Preeminent. What a glorious truth! This phrase from Colossians is translated differently in various translations. The NIV states, "In everything He might have the supremacy." In the NASV it reads, "He Himself will come to have first place in everything."  The Greek word (proteuon) means "to be first, to have the first place, to hold the chief place." He is reigning as the preeminent Being in the universe. He always has been and always will be.

I examine my life today and I encourage you to do the same. Is Christ preeminent in my life? Is He the reigning King over my heart? Indeed may Christ reign and be preeminent in each of our lives today! This song comes to mind as I conclude today's message and I am sure many of you have heard and sung it.

Over all the earth You reign on high
Every mountain stream every sunset sky
But my one request Lord my only aim
Is that You reign in me again

Lord reign in me, reign in Your power
Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour
You are the Lord of all I am
So won't You reign in me again

Over every thought, over every word
May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord
'Cause You mean more to me than any earthly thing
So won't You reign in me again. *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: "Jesus, would You be at the center of my thoughts, my attitudes and my conversations today. Would You keep me spiritually sensitive to opportunities for Christian witness. As You reign in my life You are my Master and I choose to be obedient to You, my Lord. Grant me the strength to trust You in the dark trials I may face today as I release my worries and fears to You. Help me to remember that I walk by faith and not by sight. I desire to follow You, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Personal note: For the next several weeks (through September) we have a ministry opportunity we are excited about. Our church is in transition between pastors and I have the opportunity to provide pastoral care during the transition period through early October. Yesterday I made my first call in this role to an elderly lady who had recently lost her husband and her aged mother had fallen and was hospitalized. I went to an area medical center to visit her and her mother, but had a snafu in the details concerning her mother's name and was unable to see her. (Due to all the privacy issues the reception desk was rather unhelpful to say the least.) Anyway I had an opportunity to share with her this morning and it's such a blessing when people are understanding!

Brooksyne and I continue to have a longer term vision for the continued development of this web and email ministry (I presently put about 4 hours a day into it). We already have had numerous bumps and curves moving to this goal and realistically expect more, but we sense this is the direction that God has for us now and are pressing on! We've had opportunities that look promising and thought the door was opening but experienced the "closed door".

A reminder: This Friday night our Amish neighbors are having a hymn sing in their barn and have asked for Brooksyne and me to help lead.  Most of you reading this are at a distance, but if you're in our area we welcome you to join us!  Just contact me for further information and directions. 


* "Lord reign in me" Brenton Brown © 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/EIRE) Administered in North America by Mercy/Vineyard Publishing/ASCAP. CCLI License No. 2005306   Here's an audio version of this song on the web.

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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