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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 5:03 AM

Subject: 7-26-23 THOUGHTS

7-26-23   THOUGHTS      

There is great WEALTH in knowing God and Christ!  Paul says it comes from the full assurance of understanding resulting in a true knowledge.  All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ!  We are to walk as we know!  ROOTED, BUILT UP and ESTABLISHED are connected to an OVERFLOWING GRATITUDE!  Paul concludes  that  “in Him [Christ]  all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,  10  and in Him you have been made complete”!  Paul’s struggle for these souls at Colossae seems to be that someone might delude them, or take them captive in the heart and mind.  The removal of the body of the flesh, came from their being buried in baptism.  Paul says it was “THE WORKING OF GOD”!  What a powerful reading!  Be encouraged this morning!  Strive with all your being to fully KNOW THIS CHRIST!  

Col 2:1-12    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.  8  See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.  9  For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,  10  and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  11  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  12  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  

My Prayer:
Father God, lead us to a full understanding of You through Christ Jesus.  May we desire this totally so it will happen.  Please, O God, give us the “wants” in this pursuit!  Help me to say “I want to know You, O God”, and mean it, seriously and long term.  Bless us with overflowing gratitude as we progress.  Help us to desire a closer fellowship and a purer love amongst ourselves.  We know this is Your intention for us.  Remove our complacency, O God.  Make us alive in our longing to be with You eternally.  In the name of our Savior,      Amen.