TREASURE
Suggested Reading: Colossians 2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Jeremiah's Grotto is where tradition says the Prophet Jeremiah penned his "Lamentations." His cave is just to the right of what is believed by some to be the Jewish and Roman place of execution. Nowhere does the Bible say that Jesus was crucified on a hill. Executions took place in the most public places. This public place today is a bus station. On top of the hill is a Muslim graveyard. Just to the left is a garden with a rock-hewn tomb (check John 19:38-42).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Colossians 2:8-10
Beware lest anyone cheat you (take spoil, rob, steal) through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
WARNING! The treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ (verse 3). There are those who are intent on stealing your TREASURE! They use “persuasive words” to accomplish this heist. Paul lists ways they try to break into our lives and rob us: (1) “Philosophy” (it may sound reasonable); (2) “Deceit” (they lie); (3) “Tradition” (Jesus is our focus, not centuries of tradition); (4) “Principles of the world” (materialism, prosperity, etc.); (5) Verse 16 – Requirements for certain foods; (6) Insisting on keeping appointed festivals and holy days as essential for God’s favour; (7) Verse 18 – The deceivers will put on a show of humility and claim to have superior knowledge, claiming to have heard from angels or being deceived themselves, even worshipping the fallen angel who is called in Scripture “The god of this world” (read 2 Cor 11:13-14); (8) Verses 21-23 – Self-imposed regulations or a “self-imposed religion.” Therefore, watch out for thieves!
Galatians 5:1 teaches us to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” AMEN!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, there are forces out to cheat me of Your ultimate truth in Jesus alone. Thank You that I am “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10). I pray for grace to live constantly in that “Blessed Assurance” (click here for the hymn by that name). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Dr. Ben Carson, the world’s most famous children’s neurosurgeon, has a song he sings when he is under great pressure. The chorus goes, “You are my everything; You are my all. You are my everything both great and small” (click here for the full song and scroll down for the lyrics).
I was 18 when I came to realize my full freedom in Christ. I had been struggling to live according to certain rules and regulations when I came to the end of myself and said to God, “I can’t do this. I quit!” Then I’m sure I heard the Lord say, “Good, now perhaps you will let Me live My life in and through you.” He did this! It became a joy instead of a duty to rise in the morning to read the Scriptures and pray. It became a joy to share my faith in Jesus, and so many other blessings followed that I can’t begin to mention them all. Like Grand Chief Billy Diamond shouted at the gathering in Ottawa (when thousands of First Nations People gathered to formally accept the apology given by the Prime Minister of Canada to all native peoples) …..”FREEDOM!!!!!!!”
Yours for the true freedom found only in Christ,
David
P.S. In Colossians we are focusing on Jesus. Click here for another instalment of Bruce Marchiano in the Matthew movie.
Good morning David,
What a blessing you & this blog are to so many of us! Praying for you, your loved ones & your ministry. Enjoying your book ‘This far by Faith’. I’m always amazed at how beautiful Norma-Jean is. She looks the same as in your wedding photo. Of course, her inner beauty shines through too. May the Lord continue to bless you both in your journey.
From one of your early-morning readers,
Marg
Thank you David for your words of insight and wisdom. Yes, we all need to keep close to Jesus for guidance and protection from the evil one. It’s when we fail to focus solely on Him and place the focus elsewhere that we begin to fall on the slippery slope. None of us are beyond being deceived, but through prayer, worship, fellowship and study of the scripture, we can keep on the right track, avoid the pitfalls and maintain a secure and lasting relationship with Jesus through His grace.
Heavenly Father, Your warriors prepare for
battle. Today we claim victory over Satan
by putting on the whole armor of God.
We are prepared to live this day in spiritual
victory! Praise the Lord for His provision
for all our needs.
Lifting our prayers in observance of our Lord on such days as, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost and Christmas, serve to give glory, meaning and remembrance, as we celebrate together His glory and honour. Spiritual observance brings awareness to younger generations, the important milestones in Christ Jesus’ life. As you have warned David, it is sad how many cling to other forms of spiritual worship, which deny Christ’s authority and His relationship with us personally. May we be a light to those seeking light, through His Holy Spirit, I pray in Jesus’s name! Amen!!
Such a needed reminder that we need to stay connected to Him as the world can easily draw us in. True peace comes to me only when I put Him first. Thank you daily bloggers and David for your comments and blog. We are all members of God’s family and for that I am truly grateful.
Reading “100 Words” is my daily fellowship. I hate Satan’s workers and I show it everyday. I also warn people who Satan is trying to lead deeper into his hole as he tried to lead me. I know I am not the gentle and patient ideal Jesus said we should be but I am speaking to people who would put snot in a person’s coffee for their gods and who flaunt paedophilia. “100 Words” is a few minutes for me that is not fighting or worldliness.
Satan presents a destructive and ugly side to this world. Remember, there is victory in the cross! Keep your focus on Christ, keep reading “100 Words” and you will continue grow in strength, peace and wisdom.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will go strangely dim
In the Light of HIS GLORY and Grace.
Thanking you once again Pastor David and fellow bloggers for helping me stand steadfast in HIS Strength. He is my refuge and strength.
Enjoy and rejoice in this day He has given us.
“Jesus’ Blood never failed me yet, ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? never failed me yet.
Jesus
Sorry, having problems sending, trying again.
“Jesus’ Blood never failed me yet,
never failed me yet.
Jesus’ Blood never failed me yet,
This one thing I know
For He loves me so
Moving words sung by a homeless “tramp” walking the streets of London. Instrumentation added by Gavin Bryers in 1971. Clink on the link and be blessed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv21fXVCGRA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Beautiful hymn!!
So enjoyed it this morning!!
Blessings!!
Nancy
Thank you Pastor David for your teaching blog, also for your book – am looking forward to your next one! Jesus truly is the answer to all our problems. He is so loving and forgiving – we can always pray “Call on me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you shall glorify me” (Psalm 50 :15).
Dear David M.
What a joy your 100 words and a blog provides us today .Yes the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in CHRIST. So very grateful for 100 Huntley each morning and will be sharing and encouraging all my family and everyone I come in contact with especially the younger generation to tune in to crossroads 360.ca the future of it is so uplifting as a tool to bring all christian families united in Christ and actually I picture it as a beautiful virus For many families all around the world needing desperately to know Jesus. So Thank you so much David and all you family and ministry for shining that Light in this dark world all for His Glory .
Have a blessed day to all the blog buddies
xxxx Carole.
Thank you for including the song “He is My Everything” in your blog today. I had forgotten about this song we sang so often years ago! What a blessing to hear it again and worship the Lord through it. God Bless You!
Your summary of how we can be deceived and away from our relationship with Christ is so helpful, David. I was reading Colossians at my doctor’s appointment today. He remarked about how well I came through the surgery and I give our Lord all the Glory and for using all of you. Your book is easy read, David and inspiring. See some evidences of God moving in my family. Praise Him!
Oh yea I love the Gaithers and including the Isaacs . I am starting to read your 100 words devotions I love to read words of wisdom that will help me grow spiritually. When you said You liked the song weve come this far by faith I wondered if you weant hearing Hazel and Henry slaughter from the Gaithers which God has used when I feel stuck. God bless you and your ministry! pS I have been enjoying Gods Witness to amazing Grace TV program. Susan Hamill
🙂