“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:19, KJV
Oh that this text would take root in every heart and rid us of the scourge of prosperity theology. Many people are suffering under the delusion that they are not good enough or God does not love them because they do not have all they “want.” They have been told by far too many preachers that God will give them ALL they ask for and desire if they will just be faithful enough.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13, NKJV
As I begin this post I want to give a special greeting to those reading from the Georgia-Cumblerand Academy Church. I was informed today that I need to be more prompt with these as my friend and GCA Pastor Greg Hudson is linking to them in his weekly church newsletter. So greetings GCA family, miss y’all there in Georgia, cannot believe it was over ten years ago I served in the wonderful Calhoun community.
Now to the text. I would dare say if you are reading this and you grew-up around a church this text is familiar to you. In fact there are probably a great number of you that already have it memorized. If that is you I am so glad you have it memorized, but I want you to un-memorize what has likely been the misapplication of this text you have been taught.
I hate to break it to anyone, this text is not about taking a test and doing well on it.
***Late last night it suddenly dawned on me that I had not written my scripture memorization blog for this week. I do apologize for the three day delay!***
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” -Luke 12:34 ESV
The application of this text is very straight forward but easily forgotten so this week let us check in with ourselves and see where our treasure is.
Seven questions to ask yourself to know where your treasure is?
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
-Colossians 3:23
If you don’t have a life text, which is a text you set as your standard to live life by, then may I recommend this one.
Quick side note my life text is Acts 20:24: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
But back to today’s memorization text Colossians 3:23. Many of us, maybe even most of us operate segmented lives. What do I mean by that?
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
-1 Corinthians 16:13
I apologize for the late arrival of this weeks memory verse blog. Christina flew to Ohio for a quick trip and I was on Daddy duty all day and this is the first opportunity I’ve had to sit and write at my computer.
In this passage there are four imperatives or what we would call in our modern day vernacular “commands”: Be on your guard” “stand firm” “be courageous” “be strong”
These four commands could be perceived by just a reading of the one text to indicate encouragement to a group that is being persecuted or encouragement to remain strong ’till the end times.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
-2 Corinthians 5:17
We should not define for ourselves what it means to “become new” in Christ, rather we should let the Bible define it for us. If I define “newness” apart from the scriptures I may make “newness” into the image I want it to be in. I might say, “well I no longer swear therefore I am new.” Even though I may gossip. I might say, “I no longer do drugs therefore I am new.” Even though I may never exercise or drink water. I might say “I no longer fornicate or commit adultery.” Even though I may have lust in my heart. Do you see why it is dangerous for us to define “newness” in Christ for ourselves?