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The Monthly Word: On Colossians 3:12
by Sis. Laura Adams
 This month, let us take a look at the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians. In your spare time, please read with me and share this message with your family and friends. Colossus was once an important city in western Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) approximately 100 miles east of the port of Ephesus. Paul had never journeyed to Colossus, however, he had been pleased to learn that Christians there were very strong in their faith (see 1:3-7, 2:6-7). He had heard this good news from a man named Epaphras who had once lived in Colossus but was, at the time Paul wrote this Epistle (or letter), imprisoned with the Apostle (see Philemon 23). Epaphras told Paul that there were many gentiles in Colossus and some of them were influenced by strange practices and religious ideas. The Colossians believed that to obey God fully they must give up certain physical desires and worship angels and other spiritual powers. Yet Paul wanted them to know that Christ was with God in heaven, ruling over all powers in the universe. Thus, in his letter to the Colossians, Paul advised the Colossians to, in essence, calm down, shut up and quit trippin! He emphasised that their worship should be directed to Christ and not other entities. In the text. Paul quotes a beautiful hymn that explains who Jesus Christ really is. He is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son superior to all creation. God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son and God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing His blood on the cross. As you go through the month think about what God means to you and if Christ had not died where do you think in your heart, you and your family would be today? It is very important that for all of us to have faith and believe in the name of the Father. You and I are God's blessing from him and to each other. And it is time for all of us to start treating each other with a godly attitude and show understanding, patience, love, peace, joy and forgiviness. Because, if God had not shown these qualities with us, we would not be here to share our experiences with others. So this month as we at Flipper prepare to celebrate Fellowship Day and as you tarry busily about your everyday lives in this hectic world, display to someone that you do have love in you just the way God has love for us all. Jesus was the one who died, not you. So, my friends...calm down, shut up, and quit trippin!
God bless us one and all,
Sis. Laura Adams
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The Imani Offering: "The Year In Review"
This month, for our Imani Offering, Praise looks back and reflects on some of our favorite stories, testimonies, and other items that have graced the "e-pages" of Praise since our inception back in May, 2000. Entitled "The Year In Review", we hope you enjoy this nostalgic trip down memory lane and garner additional comfort by re-experiencing many of our most inspirational pieces.
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