As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Colossians 2:6.
Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness—all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly—by abiding in Him—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the author, but the finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way….
Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?” In the same way as you received Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:6. “The just shall live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ’s sake did all this for you. By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to give all—your heart, your will, your service—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper—to give you power to obey.
Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.
The Faith I Live By p. 125
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Prayer Requests
—-update—Gary is out of the hospital. Please continue to pray for his recovery. Mike
—-Please pray for John who is having bypass surgery today. Eileen
—-Asking prayers for a young single mother who is in an abusive relationship with a man ,he has threatened to kill her and the police are currently trying to find him, prayers for safety for her and her children. RC
—-Please pray for Steve, my friends father that has a suspicious ‘tumor’ on his lung. Barbara
—-Please pray for a friend who is having major problems. Pray that God will send help.
—-Update on Bella. She is out of ICU! PTL! Her mother thanks you for prayers and requests continued prayers for complete healing. Charlie
—-Please pray for Ron.
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Dear Friends,
It’s strange what comes into one’s mind sometimes. As I was driving along a city street the other day, I began thinking of winding roads, dense forests, rapid-flowing streams and the like. That reminded me of a story that I read years ago about a woman who was driving along a narrow, mountain road. Suddenly, a huge logging truck sped around the curve and forced her off the road. Her car plunged down the embankment and into the icy water of the river that ran alongside the road. This woman’s foot was caught because of the impact and although she could see that the car was not that far below the surface of the water, there was no way that she could get out. She must have tried with all of her might to free herself, but soon realized that it was useless. Her thoughts turned toward her baby beside her. She had a choice of continuing to try to free herself or saving her little one. Looking around she realized that if she held her precious baby up by stretching out her arm fully, he would be above the water. Picking him up and giving him a kiss, she quickly raised him above the water’s surface. Hours later someone found her in that position. Although she had drowned, she was still in that outstretched position and her precious baby was alive and well.
Just as that mother loved her little child more than life itself, so great is the love of God for us! He is interested in us as if there were no other person in all the universe. He longs to save us, to dwell within us, and lead and guide us in every aspect of our life.
When our first parents sinned, the Great Creator of the Universe could not be happy until he had provided a way for us to be reconciled to Himself . ” God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16,17 He assures us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 49:15, 16
What wonderful love He has for us! It is beyond comprehension! Those nail-scarred hands that are lifted up for us, are proof of His wonderful love.
May we “praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” this day is my prayer..
Rose
The Just Shall Live by Faith