Encouragement

Last week at work was a struggle. My poor officemates had to listen to me whine all week. I'm pretty sure they are just as glad as I am that I'm off this week for Thanksgiving. I thought I could turn my depression around by doing some physical labor and give my mind a rest. I worked most of the afternoon, but I was still down in the dumps. Sunday morning arrived and I contemplated skipping church because we were having a visiting preacher, but I pushed on and I'm so glad I did.

Dr. Bob Pitman was there to give us Encouragement, and he did. He spoke from Colossians 2:13-15 these three truths: 1. Jesus met my greatest need; 2. Jesus paid my greatest debt; and 3. Jesus defeated my greatest enemy. 

1. (v. 13) And you, being dead in your trespasses..., He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (I was once spiritually dead. How did Jesus make me alive? By speaking forgiveness into my life.)

2. (v. 14) Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us,...And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (It was like having your name at the top of a page and  all of your sins listed below it, then having Jesus write the Greek word tetelestai across the page. It meant the debt was paid in full, as well as 'It is finished'. He nailed what was against me to the cross.)

3. (v. 15) Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them. (Jesus disarmed, defeated, dishonored and de-fanged demonic spirits, including Satan, i.e., He knocked out their teeth and took a way their bite.)

1. Jesus met my greatest need.

2. Jesus paid my greatest debt.

3. Jesus defeated my greatest enemy. 

I hope this gives you as much encouragement as it gave me. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!