Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Hold Tight to the Pure and Simple Message of the Cross

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 3 - Day 5
Colossians 2; Psalm 61

Colossians 2:20-23
You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, "Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!" Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-control, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires.

Lord, the Colossians were battling "Gnosticism" which combined bits of Judaism, Greek philosophies, and paganism with Christian truth. Your word teaches that we can't combine the truth with ANYTHING. Anytime we attempt to do that the result is a lie. 

Lord, there are many false teachings floating around in our time too, including legalism which is the one that I am most prone to.

Only in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). The only way to combat these false teachings and conquer our own evil desires is by living out Colossians 2:6-7: And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Dear Lord, help me to hold tight to the pure and simple message of the cross! That is the only path to salvation!

John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES
Romans 12:2
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
Romans 12:2

Lamentations 3:37
Can anything happen without the Lord's permission?
Lamentations 3:37

MEMORY VERSES
James 1:1-4
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the "twelve tribes" - Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it and opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:1-4

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