Happy New Year

We have so much to be thankful for. However at times we are quick to forget that anything "good" that we receive is only because of God and His great grace. How important it is for us to remember that we do not deserve God's favor. It is a gift. It is a demonstration of His glorious love. And it is all based upon the mediatorial work of His Son Jesus Christ.
Just these last couple of days, I have been rereading John Piper's book "Don't Waste Your Life!" What a novel idea he brings to the table. Our lives, if we are believers, have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and anything that we do with our lives that isn't for Him and His glory is a waste of the gift that we have been given. The gift that we have been given is our life. We not only have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, but as we read in various portions of the Scripture we have been saved that we might live a life that brings glory to the One who has saved us. He (Christ) saved us from our vain way of living. He saved us from the path of destruction. He didn't have to do this. But He did. He did this "to the praise of His glory" Eph 1:6-7. Thanks be to God the Father for His indescribabe gift of His Son Jesus Christ 2nd Cor 9:15. We are now new creatures in Christ through our faith in Him 2nd Cor 5:17. For that we are very thankful. May we seek to live our lives in such a way that they are not being wasted but may they be used for the glory of our great God! Remembering that one day we will give an account to Him for how we have lived our lives. May we be not left with mere stubble!
So here in Curaco we have a passion to communicate the truth that we are all sinners and the only One who can reconcile us with the Holy God, is the Son of Man Jesus Christ 1st Tim 2:5-6. We are excited about the potential of the coming year. We are excited about what the Holy Spirit will do through the preaching of the Word. May many call upon the Name of the Lord and be saved! Please pray with us as we seek to be faithful to the One who called us out of the darkness and into His glorious light. Remembering that "such were some of you" 1st Cor 6:9-11 is talking about people such as you and me. We are no better than the rest. We are saved by grace, through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. May we have opportunities to share the good news with those around us and may they respond to the gospel.
Thank you so much for those of you who partner with us in the preaching of the gospel. And thanks to those of you who although you might not yet be a Christ worshiper, you have taken the time to read this blog and show your concern and/or interest in what is going on down here in Curaco de Velez.
Again, we wish you all the best. Let us all recognize that what the best is......Jesus Christ. May He be your joy. May He be your passion. May He be your all in all.

Daniel and Ruth