Friday, May 27, 2005

Good Morning!

I will definitely not be in class this Sunday morning. Is there someone who can volunteer to lead the discussion this Sunday? One thing we definitely need to do is to write the web address above on the board so that everyone knows about it -- we have a few folks in the class who don't do email, or have problems with their email.

This week, we are working on Unit 4, Life in Christ

Focus Scripture for the Week: Colossians 2:6

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him.

Today's scripture: Colossians 3:1-11 and Colossians 3:12-17

-- as discussed yesterday, the scripture selections this week are moving more and more towards specific instruction as to what "Life in Christ" means.

-- notice that I went ahead and included the Saturday scripture in this, since it was immediately adjacent to today's reading.

-- "set your hearts on things above" and "set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" are the summary verses for what this passage of scripture is all about. Following, we get a very good list of what we should and shouldn't do as Christians.

-- there isn't anything on the list that really is against the law -- there are things there that if you pursue them, you'll probably break some law in your pursuit of these traits, but no policeman is going to come to your house and arrest you for greed or malice or your language. These are things that we have to police ourselves, a standard that we have to make our own effort to live up to. And each of these is a daily battle, not only because they are elements of what Paul calls "our earthly nature", but also because the world around us somewhat celebrates, or at least tolerates, some of these behaviors.

-- one of the points of the daily effort of prayer and study is to help us keep our hearts and minds set on things above -- the more we are able to start our day with prayer and scripture, the more likely we are able to keep our "earthly nature" at bay.

Today's prayer request: Monica's nephew, Alex Lloyd

Alex is going to have a long-term presence on our list, due to the condition of his hip and the long term nature of his treatment.

Today's class member prayer:

Ron Ray

Have a great day.