This Sunday we will be in Colossians 3:5-11, as we talk about putting “Christ First.”  In this stirring passage, Paul reminds us of our position in the Lord, then calls us to practice a lifestyle that is consistent with that position.

As 2 Cor 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation!  Old things have passed away…behold, all things have become new.” 

Living a life that is consistent with the new creations we are means that we must put to death our old sinful ways and habits.  It means we must take off the old wardrobe of sin and put on the new wardrobe that matches the new creations we are.  We’ll talk about all this on Sunday.  Hope to see you there.  Invite a friend to join you.

By the time you receive this, it will be just before or after the 4^th of July.  This is an extra special 4^th for us as Americans, as we celebrate 250 years as a nation.  But as Christians, we are doing more than that – we are thanking God for 250 years of His grace and faithfulness to us.  He has sustained us through wars, depressions, divisions, and tragedies.  Despite our problems, we are blessed to live in a country that is the envy of the world.  Just listen to what World Cup visitors from around the globe are saying about America!  Their minds are blown by our standard of living and our people. 

So let us thank the Lord for our country and pray for it.  Pray for spiritual renewal above all.  And that begins with each one of us. 

I’ll see you on Sunday, with a Bible in my hand.