Mystery of Christ in Colossians: Just give me....

We live in such a gimme, gimme culture.  Entitlement is the name of the game!

Actually, since Adam & Eve fell and "ate the apple" in defiance of God, we are all infected with that "all about me" disease called self-centeredness!  So we try to find life through all kinds of stuff!

Several years ago, my dear husband John asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  I told him I wanted to go to The Cove to study with one of my favorite Bible teachers Wayne Barber.  It was wonderful, and I've been trying to get back there ever since.

As a result, I'm always watching the Cove schedule of Bible conferences.  This fall, the title of a study in Colossians (which I had been teaching) caught my eye:

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

That's it!!!!  That's the perfect title for that precious book, because THAT's the message of Colossians...and of the whole Bible, for that matter!  Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ is all we need!  And the little treasure of a book we call Colossians tells us why.

So for those of you who are studying Colossians with us, why not take a brown pencil and draw a Cross over every time Jesus is mentioned (either in your Bible or on a printed out text)?  You'll be amazed at how focused God is about His Son!

Then as you continue to read, focus on your all-sufficient Savior!  By the end of our time this summer, may your equation (and mine) change from...

________ +________ + ____...... + Jesus = EVERYTHING? [Fill in your own blanks]

...to...

JESUS+ NOTHING = EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

Give Me Jesus

In the morning, when I rise In the morning, when I rise In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone, When I am alone, When I am alone, Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, Just give me Jesus.

When I come to die, When I come to die, When I come to die, Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, Just give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, You can have all this world, You can have all this world, Just give me Jesus.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFJGsBApIuk[/youtube]

If you have a little more time (7-1/2 minutes), listen again to the song with a wonderful gospel message included:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqYd3dXY2M8&feature=related[/youtube]

If you would like to follow a daily devotional, here's a good one from Moody Bible Institute (my Alma Mater :) ). It will take you through the book in a month if you read every day:

Today in the Word {Colossians:Live Worthy of the Gospel}