I had a conversation with an acquintance and he said that sometime Christians take Salvation for granted, once you have received it, we think it is there forever. We take it for granted by going back to our sinful way, to our past life before finding Christ.

Last Sunday service we read from Colossians 3:1-17 NLT. It is about Living a New Life. I was so sleepy that morning, my brain was so foggy, and the quest speaker spoke so softly, I hardly understood the whole message. I read again this morning for clarity.

This chapter answers our questions about what we should do after finding Christ and receiving our Salvation. The bible says that we need to think about things of heaven, not things of earth.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1‭-‬3 NLT

Paul’s letter to Colossians explain how to do it. It says: So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Colossians 3:5 NLT

The verse 5 to 9 explains the guidance further for us:

1. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires (v5).

2. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world (v5).

3. Get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language (v8).

4. Don’t lie to each other (v9)

The bible says those things angers God (v7). Instead we need to:

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10 NLT.

It really does not matter where we are coming from, our background does not matter to God, the most important now is Christ. He is all that matters and He lives in us (v11).

Again Paul wrote some further guidance to live a new life:

1. Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v12).

2. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you (v13).

3. Clothe yourselves with love, because love binds people together in perfect harmony (v14).

4. Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace (v15)

5. And always be thankful (v15).

6. Read the word of God. The message about Christ, in all its richness, will fill your lives (v16).

6. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives (v16).

7. Live in worship: sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts (v16).

8. Live with WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) in mind because whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus (v17).

As we strive to live a new life, let’s remember that grace of Salvation, although it is given freely, it comes with the cost: the blood of Jesus. He is dead for our transgression but then risen to Heaven. We do not deserve Salvation and only by His grace we receive it I think with that realization in mind, we would not be very easy to wander from His path.

Jakarta, September 17, 2019.

Have you ever felt that life is very tiring sometime? There are times when I feel so weak and I have little strength. Life experience taught me that I can not depend on my own strength to go through this life. And although friends and family might give some help, I need to rely myself on the greater power, the One who create and rule this whole universe. I am thankful that I have Jesus. I can rely on Him 24/7.

The past few months were not so easy for me. Being broken-hearted really crushed my spirit. I am also very very tired lately, works have consumed most of my energy and I have a few things still bugging my mind. However, in my lowest times I found my comforts and strengths in Jesus alone.

This morning I read again this beautiful verse.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

I am just grateful God reminds me that in every situation: His grace (His perfect love and faithfulness) is enough for me, it is sufficient. In my weakness, His power made perfect.

Jakarta, September 15, 2019.

Yesterday I read Psalm 107 and the psalmist in this specific chapter says these four times:

“Lord , help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. Psalms 107 verse 6, 13, 19, and 28 NLT.

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Psalm 107 verse 8, 15, 21, 31 NLT.

My Pastor mentions that when the Bible repeats a statement more than two times, it means the statement must be in highlight and very important. I could not agree more!

What do you do when you are in times of trouble? Do you try to fix it yourself or do you bring it to God?

I am thankful that I can always come to God and cry in my times of troubles and distress. There were even many mant times I could not even say, “Lord, help me”. I could only cry to God for hours. Literally cried till I have swollen eyes.

I am thankful that God always hears my cry. He provides deliverance and redemption. Just like in Psalm 107, God leads me straight to safety and He satisfies my needs with good things! He never ever let me wanders in the wilderness and homeless (v 4).

Everytime I write this… it may sound cliche. But I indeed have a wonderful and amazing God. Tonight, my heart is full of thanksgiving for His love and all wonderful things He has done for me. God is good… He will continue His good works in me.

Jakarta, September 12, 2019.