Thursday, 5th January, 2023
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell" (Colossians 1:19 KJV)
Though Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew God as El Shaddai, God introduced Himself to Moses as Jehovah (Exodus 6). On this was based the hope of the Old Testament, revealed in the name Emmanuel—“God, with us!” (Matthew 1:23).
But God wasn’t satisfied with “Emmanuel”; His plan was different as revealed to us in Colossians 1:26-27: “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Blessed be God!
God's plan from the beginning wasn’t to be with us or amongst us but to be in us in His fullness. You may dance, scream and rejoice that God is with you; but until the reality and realization of His indwelling dawns on your spirit, your life will be empty. Your life of glory begins with the realization that Christ literally lives in you.
We see this in Paul’s beautiful prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19. It says, “…That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith…that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” That’s God’s plan right there: that you might be filled (replete) with all the fullness of God, as Jesus was filled with the fullness of God.
You have a role in this; otherwise, the Spirit’s prayer through Paul in Ephesians 3:14-18 wouldn’t have been necessary. That's why He told you to be filled with the Spirit always, and Ephesians 5:18-20 shows you how: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Hallelujah!
PRAYER/CONFESSION
"Christ in me is the hope of glory! I'm eternally grateful for the privilege to be filled with the Spirit always for an all-day, all-time life of victory and dominion through the Holy Ghost! I'm led by the Spirit; synchronized with Him to fulfil God’s plan and purpose for my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen."
FURTHER STUDY:
John 1:16; Ephesians 3:14-19; Colossians 2:10
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 5:1-20 & Genesis 12-14
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 3:1-9 & Genesis 5