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God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

In Colossians 1:18 we are commanded to give Jesus Christ “first place in everything.” First place “among” everything is bad theology. In other words, Jesus Christ is above everything else that I love. Women, it’s great to love your husband more than other men, but Jesus must not be embraced from that perspective. Right theology is first place “in” everything. Jesus is above all things and is honored in the heart of everything we do. In other words, we do all things through Him and for Him (ride a bike, talk to a friend, serve at work, watch a movie, listen to music, play golf, sweep the floor, etc.). With Christ, there is absolutely no division between the sacred and the secular. If there is, we fall into the category of idolatry.
Randy Smith

There is no question God has authorized government to exercise capital punishment. The principle is established in Genesis 9:6, implicitly upheld by Christ in Matthew 26:52 (where Peter is warned of the consequences of murder), and reiterated by the apostle Paul in Romans 13:4 (cf. Ac. 25:11, where Paul indicates he understands some crimes are worthy of death) (Grace Community Church Position Paper).
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    • Bible Reading: OCT20: Mark 15-16

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    Chapter 15 begins with Jesus being sent before
    Pilate. The story is a familiar one. The people preferred
    Barnabas being released, rather than Jesus. One week before
    they had welcomed Jesus into the city with palm branches
    and loud hosannas, but now they cried, “Crucify Him!”

    In verses 16-23 Jesus is led away. A crown of
    thorns was placed upon His brow. He was mocked, spit upon,
    and beaten beyond recognition. Why did He allow this?
    Because He loved a lost and dying, sinful, hell-deserving
    world. Jesus Christ, Son of God, God’s only Son, suffered
    as no man has suffered–the just for the unjust. He made
    the way for this sin-laden world to be forgiven. He is the
    only way to forgiveness of sin. He said, “I am the way, the
    truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
    me.” A little saying that I may have told you before is
    appropriate here: “Life is short, death is certain; sin is
    the cause, Christ is the cure.” Christ is the cure for all
    sin to all men who will simply believe.

    Jesus tells His disciples what they are to do in
    chapter 16:15. He commands us to “go.” He tells us where–
    “into all the world.” He tells us what we are to do–
    “preach the gospel.” We have many preachers today who are
    involved in everything except preaching the Gospel. What is
    the Gospel? It is the death, burial, and resurrection of
    Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15). Jesus also tells us to
    whom we should preach this Gospel–“to every creature.” We
    need to see this lost world with a burdened heart. It is my
    prayer that God will give us the grace to do what we should
    do, for His honor and glory.

    Chapter 16 tells us we serve a risen Saviour.
    Though chapter 15 recorded the saddest day in history,
    chapter 16 tells us that Jesus did not remain dead–He
    arose! His resurrection made the hope of eternal life with
    Him possible for everyone!

    Yes, He lives! Christ lives today! You ask me how I
    know He lives? He lives within my heart.

    MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY:
    Man now can be:
    Forgiven.
    Acts 13:38
    Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is
    preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

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