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

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.

Will not be down on State Street for a few weeks.

I am going to be packing and moving over the next several weeks, so I will currently be unable to make it downtown. But I will be downtown again once I have moved. My wife Katie and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to move into our own home. Please contact me @ colin.millsom@gmail.com if you would consider joining me downtown in several weeks.

In Christ,
Colin

Even In Chains, We Can Advance God's Word

Philipians 1:12-14
12 Now I want you to know, brother, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Paul was able to be most effective when he was in chains in prison. He never let his circumstances have any effect on his perseverence in bringing the word of God to the lost and broken hearted. Paul was not ever afraid of death, for Jesus Christ had redeemed him, and since he had no fear, such freedom gave him an everlasting and eternal joy that could never be quenched.

In our current times we live in, we are so in desperate need of more people like apostle Paul. Many Christians have seemed to blend in with the world, not wanting to cause any commotion or disturbance in day to day to activities. But we need to live in complete contrast to the world and it's values because it is what Jesus calls us to do. Asking your neighbor if they know Christ, asking the person next to you in the store if they are saved, taking the time to sit down and listen and show compassion to a homeless person in need, as well as other acts that show the love of Christ; this is what Christ yearns for our lives, in being completely sold out for him.

Shake up this world. Speak up for Christ. Spread God's word no matter what circumstance may come your way. There is hope in Christ. There is redemption by his blood. Jesus gave his life for you in such humbleness because he loves you so much. Since we are so blessed, let us bless the world. It's a question of where we want people to spend eternity: either with Jesus in Heaven, or forever burning in hell. We must put more effort and compassion into witnessing to the lost. This life is way to short and precious for believers to ever take it for granted.

In Christ,

Colin

I encourage you to spread God's word wherever you may be.

Romans 4:2-3
I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine....

It is important to remember that preaching the word is not an option, but it is a privelage. God has kept us in this world so that we might touch the hearts of those in need. I know it may be something socially awkward to you or may make you feel uncomfortable, but I can encourage you that from my short time going out to the community, I have felt so close to Jesus and it makes me want to grow deeper in him and for him to use me more and more. If you truly want God to use you, believe me, he will. Don't be discouraged by the world's standard, but live only by the word of God and constantly pray your life would remain in his will.

God Bless you all,

Colin

Reaching the Lost

Hello everyone visiting the post,

God has given me a heart to go out into the local town I live in and tell the lost about Jesus Christ. We are called as Christians to reach the lost and bring them the word of God so that they can have new life in Christ through his gift of Salvation. I keep it simple: Bring the word of God to the community; preach the word to them; help bring them into the presence of God through prayer and worship; and through all that I do, that I would bring God all glory and honor and praise. If anyone is interested in getting involved, please contact me. In God's will, I pray this ministry will grow and the broken will be healed and the proud will be broken.

In Christ,
Colin