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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Sep 13, 2024 at 6:01 AM

Subject: 9-13-24 THOUGHTS

9-13-24    THOUGHTS

In our reading this morning, the Church at Laodicea seems included in this letter to the Church at Colossae.  The words in verse 5 “ rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ” are surely complimentary.  Times change though, for in the Revelation letter at  3:16 (to Laodicea) “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My  mouth.”  The encouragement for hearts here is love and the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding of Christ Himself.   We can’t help remembering Heb 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”  As our reading closes, we have  “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...”   Oh to be  “overflowing with gratitude”!   We consider some good things here, and we see some that are dangerously not good!  We pray for the good in our lives and eternity.  

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:
Help us, O God, to take hold of the eternal life You have called us to.  Give us a powerful and unquenchable desire to grasp a true knowledge of your mystery in Christ.  Light a fire within us, and keep us from any notion of a casual Christianity.  Drive us into the serious zones of life and love.  Sober us Lord, as a blessing from Yourself.  Help us to be fruit bearing servants.  May the living hope within us be realized in the end.  We praise You, and thank You and love You,   in Jesus’ name,    Amen.