September 28, 2016 –

For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.  Colossians 1:4-5Faith in Christ Jesus and love for all God’s people comes from the confident hope of what God reserves for us in Heaven.  Believing Jesus is the Son of God and obeying his teaching,  following Him and loving others leads to a full life.One day after worship service, I stood in the foyer of church where there were 200 people visiting.  I didn’t know many of them. Yet, I felt as if I was at home with family – God’s family.  I felt God’s presence and his peace, knowing these are my brothers and sisters in Christ.So, this is what heaven is like — a soul-connectedness in worshiping together, loving and praising Jesus together. Being one in the Lord with no fear or constant carefulness.  A freedom of spirit in belonging and serving Jesus.That same Good News during the first century continues to go all over the world — generation after generation.  Different languages of different peoples all over the world proclaim the same Good News.  God’s Grace and Good News changes everything beginning deep within our hearts and reaching out through His Love and Grace to others.The hymn — Grace, Grace, wonderful grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!   Sings in my heart.Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.  Your will be doneOn earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,As we forgive our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  Matthew 6:9-13This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.  Colossians 1:6