Dwell
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
My word for 2023 is DWELL. I sensed this word in my spirit as 2022 drew to a close while I was pondering and prayerfully considering a focus for the new year.
The renovation on our new building was completed in late December of 2022! I am grateful that my husband could move his Veterinary Clinic to our new location and begin practicing there just days before Christmas. We are grateful to God and give him all the glory for allowing this dream to become a reality. It is still a bit surreal to me that my husband and his staff are conducting business at this beautiful facility!
It had taken two years from the time we considered buying the building to the time we moved into it and it became the dwelling of South End Veterinary Clinic. The plans that went into designing the perfect space to run a veterinary clinic had been followed and equipment was installed. Many trips occurred from the old place of business to the new place so that my husband and his staff could move necessary items and finally open up business. They have unpacked and are settling in to the new building and best of all, clients love it!
Isn’t it crazy to think that in the midst of all the excitement in December, I’d be side swiped with some words that hurt me? The words from another person tried to take root in my mind and cause hurt to hinder me. I had the thought one afternoon that God’s Word heals, helps and holds me while the other person’s words hurt. What a contrast! I had a choice to let go of the hurt and allow the life giving words of truth from God’s Holy Word to encourage me or continue to let the hurt grow deeper.
After going to bed one night after Christmas I suddenly had the following Scripture from Colossians 3:16a replay in my mind: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”. I had not been reading this Bible verse recently but had definitely read it in the past. Somehow, it seemed, God wanted to download the message of that Scripture as I laid my head on my pillow.
My Thoughts on Colossians 3:16a
The verb “dwell” from Colossians 3:16a became my focus for 2023. From the moment God reminded me of the truth in Colossians 3:16 I have wanted to let God’s Word take up residence and dwell in my heart by welcoming the Holy Spirit on the daily. The Bible provides me with necessary wisdom and instruction on how to live an effective life. I can memorize it. I can reflect on it after hearing it read to me in the You Version Bible app. I can let it enrich every part of my day. But I have to let it happen and not be distracted by all of the other things that I let happen to me.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae that they should let the Word dwell in them richly which means that other things which could take up mind space have to go. Paul wanted them and us to make room for the Word, to let it abide and not just occasionally visit. When I think of God’s Word as his actual words to me, I realize that he is speaking to me through the words that He had others write down thousands of years ago.
The Holy Spirit causes the Word of God to encourage me and bless me throughout the day. He illuminates the meaning of passages in the Bible. When he gives light, then damage from hurtful words has no place. We can’t control what may spew from another person’s mouth to us, but we can take the hurt and the sadness to God in prayer. We can recite his goodness and pray the Scriptures. His Word is truth so it is clear that he wants us to let nothing else take up residence in our minds and hearts. He pours peace into my heart and mind when I keep my mind focused on him. (Isaiah 26:3)
While the Word occupies my mind, it does what it is designed to do. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” His Word gives me an understanding of how to live and will redirect the thoughts that could try to hurt and harm.
I love that the Word of God is living. It accomplishes what he wants it to do. Isaiah 55:11 says “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
An Author’s Commentary on Colossians 3:16a
Here’s how author Rick Renner interprets Colossians 3:16a: "Let the Word of God dwell in you richly! Throw open the doors, roll out the red carpet, and give it a grand reception! If you'll let the Word dwell in you in this way, it will produce an amazing amount of spiritual wealth in your life… " You may ask, "How can the Word make us spiritually rich?" Paul continues to tell us what the Word can produce in us if we allow it to do so. He says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). These words describe people so full of the Word of God that their entire being is affected. Their hearts are full of joy; their minds are flooded with wisdom and understanding; and their mouths are singing songs to the Lord. This describes people who have struck it rich spiritually! It is a fact that when the Word of God really comes to feel at home in you, dwelling lavishly inside your heart, it enriches you with the wisdom, the gifts, and the power you need for today. You become so filled with the riches of God that you automatically find yourself admonishing and encouraging other people in their faith. When the Word dwells in you richly, there's always a song of rejoicing in your heart! When you are filled with the Word to this extent, those inward spiritual riches will easily flow out of you to bring life to everyone around you. By using the word "richly" in this verse, Paul is painting a picture of what the Word of God will produce for you if you allow it to take up residency in you and become a vital part of your life. So if you're tired of striving with no results—if you're tired of feeling spiritually weak and worn out with nothing to offer—stop right where you are today. Don't take another step without making the decision to let God's Word play a more important role in your life. As you do, the Word of God will enrich you with spiritual wisdom and insight. It will put victory in your heart and a song in your mouth! It will turn you into a spiritual billionaire! It will enrich your life so much that you'll always have something spiritually to donate, to bequeath or to freely share with someone else!…
1. How can you roll out the red carpet and give God's Word a grand reception today?
2. Do you want the wisdom, gifts, and power of God to be more active in your life so you can minister more effectively to those around you?
3. What can you do differently in your private times with the Lord to "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly"?”
(This text is from Sparkling Gems From The Greek- 365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day Of The Year To Sharpen Your Understanding Of God's Word)
A Product I Like related to Colossians 3:16
I met Sarah Westfall at the Hope Writers’ Conference last November. She shares great encouragement in her Human Together Substack newsletter, on Facebook and Instagram. I noticed that she suggested putting our Word of the Year on a special Mug from Mud Love. I ordered my mug from Mud Love which provides 1 week of clean water to someone in the Central African Republic from every item that is purchased at their online store. I look forward to the mug being delivered soon!
When I dwell in God’s Word as I sip on a cup of tea or coffee each morning, it gives me the chance to linger a little longer and absorb the richness of the Bible. I become spiritually rich as I make time to read or hear the Word. The Word is my portion to daily survive and thrive. I hope you can see why I am focusing on the word Dwell as my reminder to let the Word fill every part of my life, my mind and my heart. I want God’s Word to be at home in me and to instruct me on how to live a life that is pleasing to him.
Parting Words
I want to share more Scriptures that focus on dwelling with God to encourage you to let his Word dwell in you richly. Ask the Holy Spirit to settle one of these Scriptures in you and do a special work in your heart.
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
John 15:4 AMPC Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me.
Psalm 23:6 ESV Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 90:1 NIV Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
What will you let happen in your mind today? I invite you to join me in letting God’s Word dwell in us richly. One way I do this is by listening to the Word read aloud to me since faith comes by hearing according to Romans 10:17. In the You Version app, you can choose to have the Bible read to you. I enjoy Dave Adamason’s daily Devotions found in the You Version app under “Follow the Rabbi” for 30 Days and like to listen to portions of Scripture that he suggests in his devotions.
How and when do you like to fill your mind with the truth from the Holy Bible? I have set up a chat feature in the Substack app. Chats are sent via the app, not email, so turn on push notifications so you don’t miss conversation as it happens on the app. I look forward to hear how you fill your mind with God’s Word.
Thanks for your time. I hope you will let the Word move into your heart more than ever before. I pray you will know the riches of God’s grace and mercy.
