test pdf

weekend > 7/12
Do you
know him?
He is the image of
the invisible God, the
firstborn over all creation.
—Colossians 1:15
Read Colossians 1:15-17.
when you hear someone
mention the name “Jesus,”
what comes to mind? A baby in a
manger? Or maybe just a religious
feeling? Regardless of who you are, it
is crucial that you figure out who this
Jesus is. Your forgiveness, joy, and
eternity are at stake. The good news
is that God’s Word gives us a clear
answer.
In Colossians 1:15 we learn that
Jesus Christ is the very image of God,
showing us exactly what God is like.
In fact, He is the divine Son of God
who came in the flesh. It may surprise
you to learn that everything in the
universe was created through Him
and for Him. Even now, the world
holds together because of the living
Lord Jesus. Mountains, oceans, and
all people were created for the glory
of Jesus Christ.
Some people claim to know God
and love Him while rejecting Jesus.
Our passage makes it clear that
this is not possible because God has
revealed Himself perfectly in the
person of His Son. The Father not
only created and sustains the world
through Jesus, but He also saves
sinners through Him. The Son of
God became a Man in order to save
people like us who deserve God’s
punishment.
Amazingly, Jesus Christ, the
Creator and Lord of the universe, died
for our sins on a cruel cross and rose
from the dead that we might have life.
This is the Jesus of the Bible. Do you
know Him?
You have to let
Jesus be Lord
of your life.
It’s a decision
YOU have to
make.
1
monday > 7/13
Is He at the center of your life?
whom do you look up to in our culture? Do you often wish that others
thought more highly of you? What do you think that says about your heart?
Read Colossians 1:18-23 and look closely at verse 18.
He is also the head of the
body, the church; He is the
beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, so that
He might come to have
first place in everything.
—Colossians 1:18
What does it mean that Jesus is to
have the “first place in everything”
(Col. 1:18)?
What does it mean that all of God’s
fullness dwells in Jesus?
What does it say about the
greatness and worth of Jesus’
sacrifice in light of the fact that He
is fully God?
Does He have first place in everything in your life? Why or why not?
Our culture tells us constantly that the way to happiness and meaning in life is
to have better self-esteem. After all, they say, you need to learn to love yourself
because it is all about you. This may sound appealing, but it completely goes
against God’s design. No wonder it leaves us so empty in the end.
God has designed creation so that His Son, Jesus Christ, would have first
place in all things. This makes sense, for Jesus is fully God. The simple truth:
God never intended for us to be the center of the universe. When we get a
glimpse of His glory, we begin to realize how unworthy and sinful we are. Yet, in
His grace, God has provided the way for us to be forgiven of our sins because of
Jesus’ great sacrifice on the cross. Everything we need in life is found in Him, for
He is Lord of all.
So what does that mean for your daily life? If Jesus is Lord of everything in
this world, He is Lord of your life—all the drama, decisions, dreams, fears, and
doubts. But you have to let Him be Lord of your life. Have you submitted to
Jesus as Lord?
2
tuesday > 7/14
Here’s how to get a life.
why do you think some students live to get a “rush” from things like
drugs, adventure, and relationships with the opposite sex? Do you think
these things will bring true and lasting pleasure? Where do you look in life for
true enjoyment and fulfillment?
Life was in Him, and that
life was the light of men.
—John 1:4
Read John 1:1-5. What does verse 4
mean to you?
Who is the Word in these verses?
How was He involved in creation
according to verse 3?
According to these verses, what is life? From where does it come?
Who gives it?
Does it surprise you that physical and spiritual life come from the Word
of God? Why or why not?
Where have you found yourself searching for life other than from Christ?
Do you love the latest thing in technology? You will soon discover that you are
fighting a losing battle. Just when you think an iPod ® could not possibly hold any
more songs, they come out with a new one that holds twice as many. Your iPod
then becomes an ancient artifact. Many people take this same approach to life.
Because of our sinful nature, we are always looking for something or
someone other than God to satisfy us. You’ve seen it in yourself and your
friends, in that constant search for meaning through money, sex, popularity,
whatever. But the One who created us offers true life.
Jesus is referred to as the Word of God in today’s passage, and it is through
Him that God created the world. Both our physical and spiritual lives depend on
Him. Other things may offer us a short-lived sense of security and excitement,
but eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ. Only He truly satisfies us
forever.
3
Personal Space
wednesday > 7/15
He’s Got
power.
when was the last time
you went to the doctor? Have
you ever felt like you needed more
than physical healing? Does it ever
seem like no one can handle all the
problems that overwhelm your life?
So that what was spoken
through the prophet
Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“He Himself took our
weaknesses and carried our
diseases.” —Matthew 8:17
Read Matthew 8:14-17. Reflect on
verse 17.
What does this passage teach you
about Jesus’ attitude toward those
who are physically sick? Toward
those who are spiritually sick?
What does this episode in Jesus’
ministry tell us about His mercy and
His power?
Is there a sin in your life that seems
too great for Jesus to overcome?
How does this passage speak to that?
It is rare that we see someone who is
both powerful and merciful. But this
is exactly what we see in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 8:17 refers to Isaiah 53:4, an
Old Testament prophecy about a man
to come who would take upon Himself
the sickness and sin of His people. This
prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 8:14-17, the situation
surely seemed grim. However, Jesus’
healing touch was more than just a
“hang-in-there” pat on the back. It was
a touch of divine mercy and power.
In fact, the woman was completely
and instantly healed! Jesus Christ
has power and authority over all of
creation, but His greatness does not
mean that we are insignificant to Him.
He cares for the weak and sinful. He
has the power to deal with sickness—
physical and spiritual. He can free us
from the spiritual effects of our sin.
True satisfaction is in Christ alone.
22 | jul 2009 ec magazine ec magazine jul 2009 | 23