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.

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

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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