SCRIPTURE
Colossians 2:1-5 (NRSV)
Christ, the mystery of God
For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
DEVOTION
I love today’s scripture reading because it reminds us that we can only possess true riches when we are in right relationship with God, through Jesus Christ!
So often in contemporary society we are taught—and media affirms—that if we just acquire more money and more stuff we will solve the mystery of how to be truly happy.
When we look at our computer screens, televisions, newspapers and magazines, our materialistic culture assures us that if we just had the right car, house, boat, shoes, clothes, jewelry, and toys, we would be truly happy!
Unfortunately, a lot of people spend their whole lives chasing money and stuff and are never truly satisfied, much less happy.
See, stuff and money do not make the heart truly joyful! If we want to be full of joy, we must be assured of God’s great love for us! If we want our hearts to be encouraged and united in love with our brothers and sisters we must know--and believe--in the mystery that Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!
It is in Jesus, the Christ, that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. It is in Jesus that we experience all of the love, joy, peace, hope for the future and an attitude of gratitude that are so elusive for so many people! It is in Jesus that we come to understand that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. And it is in Jesus that we find the real meaning of life as we share God’s love with others!
Oh….Hallelujah!
Isn’t God amazing; the mystery of life is that it is not so mysterious at all; life is simple. God loves, gave, and saves and we are invited to share God’s love with others!
Wherever we are, we are standing smack in the center of God’s heart and God’s love. We are never off of God’s mind. We are never away from God’s presence. God decided a long time ago that we were worth dying for; now, that’s real love!
Friend, stop chasing after stuff and money! These things have never—and will never—make you truly happy! Instead, put all of your hope in Jesus. I can tell you with absolute certainty that it is the best decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to put all of your hope in Jesus? If so, please pray with me.
Oh God! I am amazed by Your great love for me! It is so wonderful for me to imagine! Today, I am putting all of my hope in Jesus. I believe that You love me, gave Jesus to die for me, and that Your raised Jesus to new life for me, all in order to forgive me of my sin and gift me with eternal life! Indeed, this is GOOD NEWS! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to share Your love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
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Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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