By grace I am saved.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. http://read.ly/Eph2.8.NIV

God could spread his message throughout the world quite fine without me. He instead chooses to use me to further His kingdom, which is a great honor, that I should value with utmost respect. A sinner like me, used fully, to spread the message of hope that only Jesus can give, is the BEST job and I should treat it as such and dedicate myself in the best way possible. Thanks be to God.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.3

Live holy, not worldly 1 Peter 1:13~16

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.3

Go out and advance the Gospel

Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.


The apostle Paul was willing to constantly challenge social norms to encourage fellow believers as well as reaching out to non-believers and it made him so joyful inside to know that he was constantly making Christ's love known to the world. Think of the palace guard as your coworkers and friends. Do they see you as someone chained for Christ? Do they see you as a Christ follower who is willing to take it to the limits for Him so that the world will come to know Him and turn from their sins and seek Him? How well do you fit in with the world? Or how well to you contrast with the world and fit in with Christ?

We need to live our lives more courageously and fearlessly. Lets be lights for Christ and reveal the love of Christ to the world.

In Christ,

Colin

Don't Get Wrapped up in World.

Jeremiah 35:15
Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said," Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your fathers." But you have not paid attention or listened to me.

So often we get wrapped up in our busy lives and don't realize that we have maybe given more of ourselves to the world than to God. "Wicked Ways" may seem a far cry from the way you carry out your life, but don't be deceived. All the time we give to TV, Iphones, Sports, Concerts, Movies, Shopping, as well as many other common daily acts, all of these could very likely take away much more precious time we could spend with Jesus, and could very well be looked as being more wicked than uplifting.
If we pay more attention to God, rather than to all the STUFF that seems to take up all of our time, then how much more fulfilling would our lives be?
God is trying to get our attention, our full and undivided attention in this one verse. We need constant reminders such as this one to break away from the world, and give our full undivided attention to God. Are you willing to give in ALL to Jesus? He is seeking you always, but are you always seeking Him? I need to give much more time to God for he paid the ultimate price for me, so that I could live. I pray that more Christ followers would live holy, blameless, and transparent lives that are fully sold out for Jesus.

In Christ,
Colin

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

It is so good to know that we are creatures of God! God created us in his image! It is quite a lot to comprehend in a sentence, but what an awesome truth to know that we are created and intended to be used in a mighty way by the maker of the universe, God himself. Devote each of your days to Christ as much as possible, for our very breath is made possible by our perfect and powerful redeemer. Do not get caught up in the routines of life and forget to be a Christ centered people. Worldly routines keep you from a passionate, intimate relationship with Christ.

Remember that in the very beginning, God chose you (a person total unworthy and filled with sin) to be created in his image so that you would ultimately serve him, love him, connect with him, be one with him.

In this new year, as I plan to do as well, I charge for you to strive to be different than the world, to stand up and speak up for Christ, and to live a selfless life ever mindful that you are at the the core, a beautiful creature made in the image of God.

Bless you in 2010.

Colin

Christ wants church members to be at peace with each other.

1 Corinthians 10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

This is such a pivital verse in a church if it ever wants to to grow and flourish, and remain Christ centered. The world wants the church to be as disconnected as possible so that it will not have a great impact on the world. This is why it is so important that we hold our Christian brothers and sisters up with high regard, and make sure if there is ever and issue, that we take time to meet with them and talk it over to hopefully reach a resolve. May you feel the peace of Christ, and let that peace transcend into your lives.

As Christians, we need to be different. We need to stand out in a world that longs for a savior. I pray that you will find Christ's peace in your lives and that it will directly impact you marriage as well as your friendships.

Bless you.

Colin

Ephesians 5: 15-16

15 Be careful then with how you live - not as unwise but as wise. 16 Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.



These verses resonated with me, and reminded me that this world is not our home, and the choices we make each day need to be made with Christ being put first in everything. Our independence as Christians is found only when we are fully DEPENDENT on Christ. True wisdom in this world can only be found when we put our whole heart and trust in Jesus Christ, and make a choice each day to live fully for Him. I know that it is easier said than done, but Christ is always by our side even when we fail Him, which many of us fail him constantly. This world is evil and we can't let the wickedness of it seep into our lives, for we are freed from the bondage we once had with the world, and are blessed to be able to one day be in eternity with our maker.
I get weighed down by seeming to just go through the day to day motions of life, feeling overwhelmed by the darkness that seems to prevailing every day.But then I remember that the world is obviously dark and sad because Christ has not come back yet. We are living a dark, depressed, selfish, and careless world, but the good news is that Christ wants to use us to reach the lost and bring them an eternal joy that the world could never offer them.
So let us all remember to put Christ first each day, and seek to have Godly wisdom, which is so much more awesome than the superficial wisdom the world offers. We are free in Christ. Now lets show the world the joy that we have from that freedom Christ has given us.