From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Feb 6, 2024 at 6:15 AM

Subject: 2-6-24 THOUGHTS

2-6-24   THOUGHTS

The Church at Laodicea is best known for the Spirit’s lukewarm comments in Revelation 3.  Paul gives a desire for them in verse s 2-3 below... “2  I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. 3  All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery!” [Message Bible]   Encouraged hearts, knit together in love to get ALL THE WEALTH of a full understanding of God in Christ! This is called “all the treasures of wisdom and true knowledge!”   In beautiful and simple words, there it all is!  Paul wants them (and us) to attain this marvelous wealth of TRUTH!  He wants u s to WALK in CHRIST!  The words ROOTED, and BUILT UP, and ESTABLISHED are most powerful.  Maybe we should  rein in our spread out lives and focus on these simple ideas?  The history in Revelation 3, tells us that much of this congregation eventually preferred the “good life of the world” over the “attaining” described  here.

Col 2:1-7     For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,  2  that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  4   I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.  5  For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. 6  Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  7  having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

My Prayer:
Please O God, when we see truth, may we follow it, and submit to it.  Keep our hearts pure as we seek Your true knowledge with all our hearts.  May we find Your true wealth.  May our discipline and stability give You rejoicing, Father God.  Establish and grow our faith.  Help us to overflow with gratitude, as we see Christ in all of Your design.   In the name of Jesus,   Amen