Today's eDevotional

for Friday July 30, 2010

Text for the Day -- Colossians 2:20-23
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’? All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.

Devotional
Paul admonishes us to let Christ be sufficient for all of our fears and anxieties. We can be tempted to turn to lesser powers to ease our concerns, especially if they are intriguing and play around at the edges of spirituality. In Christ we have the love, grace and strength of God for our lives. Do not give up the life you have in Christ for a set of rules or an incantation that will not save you.

Prayer
Help me to look to you, O Christ, to fulfill my spiritual needs. Amen

Richard Beckmen, executive editor of eDevotionals and Announcements is a Lutheran pastor and writes about prayer and spirituality. He is author of A Beginners Guide to Prayer, Praying for Wholeness and Healing, and has developed a daily devotional program for married couples.

Scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.