Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created,
in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—
all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things,
and in all things hold together.
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.
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of his cross.

IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS

A precious young heart—ALL ABOUT JESUS

In my heart and in my soul
and in my mind and in my strength
there is no other name
than Jesus
who works His resurrection
power and His brand new birth, His
gift, the Holy Spirit
alive in me,
reconciling me to my own
Father in Heaven who welcomes
me home in His glory and
for my joy.

What does this statement mean: “It’s all about Jesus?” That is a very good question. Now, that I have shared some stories about people and events which have exemplified that bold statement, let’s discuss what I mean when I use it in describing a person, a group or an experience. To understand how I view this powerful truth, let’s break it down word for word.

IT

Ayuba and Victoria joyfully continue to teach Pastors and their wives, and it is ALL ABOUT JESUS.

First, let’s examine the pronoun IT. A pronoun always refers us as readers to someone or something. Here the “IT” refers to LIFE. We are talking about LIFE in all of its glory, but also in all its struggles. In LIFE we all have those “too good to be true” days. “Praise the Lord!” Yet, we also have those “no good, very bad” days. “Help me, Lord!” We enjoy those days when everyone wants to be your friend. Still, we also have those days when “you couldn’t buy a friend, even if you had the money.” There are those days when you feel like you are “on the top of the world.” But there are also those days when you are struggling alone “stuck on the bottom.” Most importantly, though, you experience days when Jesus has your heart; but you also endure those days when you hold your heart for your very own, not for Jesus. So, “IT” is the precious gift of LIFE God gives you everyday. How we use “IT” makes all the difference. We choose a LIFE for Jesus or a LIFE for ourselves  I have been writing about those who both faithfully and powerfully live lLIFE for Jesus. They give their “IT” (their entire LIFE) wholeheartedly to Jesus.

’S’ (Apostrophe S)

That (apostrophe) S is actually the word IS. You know, in the midst of experiencing

Becky’s parents exemplify God’s people at their best—
humbly living out in service to others their faith ALL ABOUT Jesus.

God’s Call Moses had the courage to ask God His Name. And surprisingly (because we understand so little of the wonderfulness of God), He answers. He says, “I Am that I Am.” In a way, God said to Moses, “You cannot know me on your own, but I choose to reveal who I Am. I exist, I alway have, and I always will. Because I exist, you and every person exists—never by your own choice, but by My Will, My Power. Every living breath your lungs inhale; every beautiful flower your eyes see; every bird’s delicate song or noisy call your ears hear; every gentle touch or strong embrace your body feels; every delight you feel when all is right; or every fear or doubt you sense when all goes wrong; you have all of these because I Am. You are because I Am. Because God is, we are. That’s the ‘S in IT’S.

ALL

Pastor Haggai accomplished much in the Lord’s Kingdom ALL FOR JESUS.

This use of the word, ALL, is as a pronoun and not as an adjective. If it were an adjective, the statement would read, “It’s all Jesus;” meaning everything in life is Jesus or is like Jesus. We cannot say that, based on the Bible, which proclaims clearly that Jesus is unique; there is no one, there is no thing, there is no event like Jesus. We ARE saying Jesus and His redemptive presence is the very best that can happen for every person, for every thing and for every event. When He is on the Throne with the Father, on earth as it is in Heaven; then all is well. So is ALL the story of life, ALL the story of this world, and ALL the story of the coming New Heaven and New Earth are ALL about Jesus. Each story I tell in these posts is about people, groups and events who make the best decision to make ALL their lives, ALL their thoughts and ALL their actions, ALL ABOUT JESUS. This is why their stories are beautiful and enjoyable and blessed.

ABOUT

Now, there could be two ways of looking at the preposition, ABOUT.  We could use the word to say things are approximately near or something like Jesus. This is NOT the ABOUT we are talking about. Rather we are proclaiming that when you take all there is in life; when you take all the things, good and bad, in life; when you see all the beauty, all the power, all the glory; but also the horror, the pain and mystery; in all of that we come to recognize as the purpose behind it all (to glorify God and to redeem every circumstance, and indeed, all of history); then, every bit of it all is ABOUT Jesus and His Life, His Death and His Resurrection. Jesus underpins it all. He holds it all together. He alone victoriously withstands

John and Louise lived incredible lives of love for others—ALL FOR JESUS.

all the doubts, all the questions, all of the Enemy’s attacks; and in the end through His absolute obedience and His perfect day-by-day living—all of history is indeed His Story—all glory to God and all everlasting joy for His Children—all ABOUT Jesus.

JESUS

You know, in a way, none of the other words matter. It all comes down to the One Name, the One Person, the One Savior, the One Lamb, the One Shepherd. JESUS is the one Hand reaching out and calling us, each of us, to Himself where we find forgiveness for going our own foolish way. JESUS is the One who is not only His own Resurrection and Life, but our own as He lovingly bids us to join Him at the foot of the Cross, where we can lay down all of our burdens, and be raised up, embraced by His loving arms to carry us ultimately Home to our Father. And as JESUS leads us always heavenward, He gives us the indescribable privilege of praising His Name, glorifying God, using every breath, every gift, every moment, every day to proclaim salvation in no other name than JESUS.

So, these stories I write are the testimonies of lives and actions and words which claim this incredible privilege. They proclaim with all  they have, and  with all they are,  for all the world to see and to hear and to know;  JESUS is Lord. So, I invite you to keep reading in the weeks ahead. IT’’S ALL ABOUT JESUS!