One from old, Whose love so bold, Death can't hold, His life extolled, Sin's blindfold, Feels so cold, Salvation told, Faith's remold, In Christ's fold, Streets of gold.
~ apl
Tag: Christ
To the Saints in Colossae
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
~ Colossians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul begins his letter to the Church at Colossae in his customary manner. He addresses his position and authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ who is so by nothing less than the divine will of God. In this case, Paul adds to his greeting Timothy, his faithful protégé, who had been accompanying him on his missionary journeys. The Apostle has written an epistle to the saints, the Spirit wrought believers in Christ, who worship, live, serve and fellowship together in Colossae, the celebrated city of Phrygia, in Asia Minor.
To these beloved people, both men and women alike, Paul offers his introductory benediction: Grace and peace… These words are meant to summarize what it means to belong to Christ. To know the grace and peace that comes from God our Father is to know the Lord Jesus Christ. For in Christ alone, is there grace and peace with a holy, just and righteous God. Meditate on that phrase for a moment, “in Christ”, for it is in Him all the blessings and goodness of God dwell.
Christians today should do all they can to exhibit the grace and peace of God to others. How desperately this sin-darkened world needs to embrace saving grace and experience godly peace. If you yourself are “in Christ”, then you can be a divine instrument for spreading the grace and peace of God among your neighbors, friends and family. Let us, like the Apostle Paul, be eager to be in this holy service of sharing the grace and peace of the Lord that others may to come to taste of Jesus Christ, and know that He is good.
Love Covered Sin
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
~ Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV)
Practically speaking, the Christian should always endeavor to lean towards love with regard to their fellow man. But this can be especially hard when we feel we’ve been slighted or wronged. Yet, it is at this particular point Scripture teaches us the wisdom of covering transgressions in love. And if we fail to do this, and insist on repeating a matter, and are unwilling to show mercy and forgiveness that true friends are separated. Therefore, let us as disciples of the Lord Jesus follow His example. Practice love, love that leans towards and covers even a multitude of sins.
~ apl
His & Mine
It is astonishing that I should so be one with Christ, that all that He is becomes mine; and all that I am becomes His! His glory mine; my humiliation His! His righteousness mine; my guilt His! His joy mine; my sorrow His! His riches mine; my poverty His! His life mine; my death His!
~ Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)
Bring Him Broken Hearts
Christ is the most cheap physician, he takes no fee. He desires us to bring nothing to him but broken hearts; and when he has cured us he desires us to bestow nothing on him but our love.
~ Thomas Watson (1620-1686)
A Prayer Life 