SUNDAY THIS WEEK found me sharing Paul's words to the Colossians, as written in the Bible.     It was the 3rd time I had shared, and I was still in the 1st chapter of the Letter.     Sunday Church, here in Testimony Faith Homes, is held in the School Hall which can seat four hundred or so.    Sunday will see some 100 School boarders,  120 children and young persons from the four family homes, plus a further 60 adults all attending.

It was good to be there with Esther, 

and take Communion together with all the young people, especially.   The LORD our God was so  very Prresent with us all. we were Blessed, even though the weather has been rather cool, and very wet with unseasonable rain.   A time of NEED in our Sunshine Country as it passes through a cloud of economic problems, and the prospect of famine.

How do we face such times when they confront us?   Well it needs endurance, patience, and faith.   I had it in mind when preparing my times with the family here on a Sunday.

This is the Way,  Walk in it. - this became the title of my topic, the topic generally, contained in Paul's Letter to the Colossians...     PAUL had heard about the little group of people that made up the Church in Colossae.    People were talking about them.    They were different.    They were so engaged with each other, so caring, so integrated, united!   They were just so loving in their attitude generally, to each other primarily, but also to those with whom they lived in Colossae      Paul was full of joy to hear it, for it proved to him that these young believers had truly let Jesus spiritually into their lives, and were already learning to 'lean their entire human personality upon Him, in absolute trust and confidence in His Power, wisdom and goodness.'     And it meant that they, like Jesus Himself, had joined in witnessing and demonstrating the ways of the invisible God.     They had taken the First Step, and had Believed in Jesus and were letting His Life, revelutionise their own.    All things were becoming NEW, Different, world changing.

None of this was new to PAUL.    It had happened to him.   He had himself been 'Born Again' - starting all over again with a NEW World-view of eveything.    Nothing was ever the same for him, and it thrilled him to meet, and hear of others that had also been found by that 'Man of Calvary', the man on the middle cross, the one who was Crucified, dead and buried, and decended into Hell - but who Rose AGAIN, and is for  ever ALIVE, and able to be found, and known.  His name IS Jesus.

PAUL was moved in his heart to write a letter to these NEW Christians, before they became too old.  And in this Letter Paul shares that he is going to PRAY for them all, and tells them what he will pray about.    His heart is filled with 'love' for them.    He felt the need to protect and assure them from the 'roaring lion (satan)' who would only seek the destruction of heir testimony and themselves as well.

Paul's motivation in writing  is seen repeating itself in the Letter of  Jude verse 3 as he writes "I have found it necessary, and was impelled  to write you,and urgetl appeal to, and exhort you to content for the  faith......"     Paul writes to assure enthusastic, newly found Christians that he was praying for them, because he knew full well, they would need prayer if they were to GO ON, and not be tempted to be conformed to the world.   Paul prayed for these converts to 'Know God's Will' Romans 12v2.  Then, also to 'live a pleasing and fruitful life'  and finally that they may be 'strengthened by they Holy Spirit.  In other words he saying,  I am praying for you all not to fall behind in anything;   ARISE, every day with the immedate and determined mind to let JESUS Shine out into the darkness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us not allow daily life suffocate Christ in us.   Let us thrust off every weight, every wet blanket, and wake up to Jesus in our living.   We must be NEW every morning.    He needs to be Seen, Heard, and felt in us, not hidden or put to sleep by values outside of God's Kingdom.

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YESTERDAY WAS THE NAIROBI MARATHON.   It was truly wonderful to see the crowds - more than ever before - that took part.     It was a very special Event - now let us see the ongoing result of this demonstration of national unity, and togetherness.      I just love to see such a move.     No doubt many of those who took part were Believers.   But not identifiable.    How wonderful if we in whom Jesus LIVES might stand out from the crowd just as these walkers did.      I believe that this is the time for  

Christian to be empowered to STAND.      It is needed.     NOT as 'showmen and women' putting themselves forward, but as plain men and women putting GOD in Christ forward, simply, honestly, and for free.

   1820 - 1912

His Words have virtually become true

Our World is perilously near an END

And although a sombre note to conclude upon, I conclude with HOPE, nay every Asssurance, that our God is in control of all things, and that all who will put their trust in Jesus Christ will be held fast in the Hand of God, no matter what confronts us..

Our Love to you all in Jesus Name.      We are ALL well, our children also well.   Next time, soon, I will Report on the state of our Four Family Homes and the School.   We do Thank God, with all our hearts for His hand upon us all, and especially my dear wife and sister, Esther, who is so strong and full of joy.

God be with you all, as we also pray for you,

John, Esther, and Daryl Green.

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