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"We exist to train God-hungry people in the disciplines of prayer."

40-Day Devotional Guide & Study of
The Wonderful Names of Jesus
by Richard W. LaFountain

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Listen to Sermons on The Name


All, and In All -
pas (pas), en (en), pas (pas)

There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. - Colossians 3:11

Paul's letter to the Colossians is filled with references to the supremacy and preeminence of Christ, not only in the believer's life but in the universe. The terms "All in all" and "All and in all" are continual themes in Paul's writings. Paul was obsessed by Jesus. His stated purpose in life was to know him in the power of his resurrection. Now he wants believers everywhere to have this same fixation with Jesus Christ that he be everything to them, in life and in death

I remember watching Popeye cartoons. It seems we were too often in front of the old black and white dimly lit TV watching silly cartoons, and the Three Stooges. There is not much of redemptive value in those comedic routines, but once in a while a glimmer of truth seeped through. Popeye was my favorite. I remember several quotes from that spinach satrap. One was this, "I am what I am, and that's all that I am."

The idea was you are whatever you are, so deal with it. You have to get up in the morning, every morning, and look in the mirror, so you'd better get used to it. You are what you are, and there is no changing that. We just need to deal with the fact that we are flawed and weak.

Paul reiterates for God's people that we are what we are and there is no changing that. One recurring theme in Colossians is that in Christ dwelt all the fullness of the godhead bodily. (Col. 1:15-17, 2:3, 2:9-10, 2:19, and 3:10)

Paul exhorts and encourages us, who might be feeling that we were given a raw deal, or dealt a bad hand. He reiterates Christ is in everything, including your lot in life.

We were created by him and for him. He knows our name and our frame (Ps 139). Therefore, whatever our lot, like it or not, whether Greek, Jew, circumcised, uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, bond or free, male or female, smart or no so smart, pretty or homely, tall or short, fat or skinny, lucky or unlucky. God is in it all of it. Christ is ALL and IN ALL. He planned it that way for his glory and your good.

Fundamentally, it means He is everything I need. He is my All and in All. He is EVERYTHING to me. There is nothing, and no one, more important than Jesus Christ. Is that true for you today?


Song: You Are My All In All

You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all.
Seeking you as a precious jewel,
Lord, to give up, I'd be a fool,
You are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is your Name.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is your Name.

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,
Rising again - I bless your Name.
You are my all in all.
When I fall down, you pick me up,
When I am dry, you fill my cup.
You are my all in all.

Dennis Jernigan, © 1991 Shepherd's Heart Music .

See Also;
Song: He Is My Everything, He is my All
Song: He's Everything to Me
Song: God is the Strength of my Heart by Don Moen


Questions for Discussion:
  1. Who is the alpha male in your life? Who's the boss? Who is the dominant person? Who rules your roost?
  2. Can other persons or things be so dominant in our hearts and lives that it robs Jesus of his rightful place as Alpha and Omega? What kinds of things compete with the Lordship of Christ in your life?
  3. What do you know about the preexistence of Christ? Can you show us that Christ was Alpha, that is, first created before the world began? Where? Is that an important issue to our faith?

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