Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Monday! All is well here at 811. 

The candle is lit…

Dear God, thank you for the resurrection power in each day and for the power of the challenge.  Lord, I continue to place my trust in you with each new day. Lord, I count on your faithfulness, unfailing love and unending storehouse of hope.  Thank you that you are always present to protect and continue to bring me into a state of wholeness through your forgiving grace.  I love you Lord and thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The scripture verse tonight speaks of baptism. In baptism we hear God’s loving invitation to die to our sins and are raised to newness of life. And in this new life we are given new opportunities.  We are given the opportunity to experience inexpressible joy through the forgiveness of our sins.  Paul does not mean not a physical burial and resurrection that the verse from Colossians speaks of but erasing the record of our sins and allowing us to live a resurrected life. This new life does not mean we are perfect and will not be sinners anymore.  It does mean that Jesus carries our sins to the Father and pleads for our forgiveness and we are forgiven! We continue to walk the path of grace and live a resurrected life.  We have been given the new opportunity each day to walk a resurrected life because we put our faith in the resurrected Christ.  Here is the great opportunity we are given. Our response to this gift of abundant grace is that God sends us out in the name of Jesus Christ as one who believes that life in Christ is stronger than death.

“When you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God.”

Colossians 2: 12

“If you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is.”

Colossians 3: 1

Take joy in the journey praying as you go. Remember your baptism and make each day a new opportunity to tell someone what Christ has done in your life and what Christ can do for them.  Christ is counting on each of us. Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene