C 2 8


Many inmates get tattoos to make a statement. It makes them feel they belong to a certain group where they can be identified. Some state power with affiliations to some powerful gangs that run outside and inside the prison walls.

Yesterday, after my time with the Lord, I had gone off for my scheduled eye exam. By God’s grace, everything was the same. Except I still needed to get a pair of new specs as my old one’s coating started peeling. I needed to see!!!

When my loving hubby came home, he accompanied me to Lenscrafters in the mall nearby so I can have a new pair within just a few hours. After measuring everything and finding what I liked, we took a stroll around the mall to kill time as my glasses were being made. By the time we have went up and down the 2-story level, there was still 15 minutes remaining. So, instead of going back to Lenscrafters, we decided to turn to its right corner and saw some stores we haven’t seen before. C28...A store caught our eyes immediately. Looking like a shop for teenagers shirts, we looked closer and saw all the Word printed on their shirts, jeans, stickers, everything! It was a Christian store. The sweet, young lady said that it had been there for 8 years. Yet, we never knew. Why C28? It was taken from Colossians 2:8. So, they had a lot of products sharing the “NOT OF THIS WORLD” messages or “NOTW” for short. And yes, they share the Good News if given an opportunity and she said that some teenagers walked into that store and left...Saved. Glory to God!

As I woke up this morning, C28 was on my mind:

“Don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ.” - Colossians 2:8

But let me back up and start from verse 6:

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him.”

Verse 7: “Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.”

In relation to tattoos and body piercings, it is good to always ask God to bless that particular activity for His purposes [1 Corinthians 10:31 - “so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”]. But if there is a room for doubt whether it pleases God, then it’s best not to participate in that kind of activity. [Romans 14:23 - “But if people have doubts about whether they should eat something, they shouldn’t eat it. They would be condemned for not acting in faith before God. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”].

Pray for wisdom and ask the Lord to provide pure motives and discernment.

1 Corinthians 10:23 - “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ - but not everything is helpful. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ - but not everything is beneficial.”

Remember that we have a special tattoo when we came to Christ...Our new commitment to God is tattooed [written] on our hearts, not our bodies. ["When you came to Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure - the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, Who raised Christ from the dead." - Colossians 2:11-12].

17 comments:

  1. How awesome that you found this store! What a testimony to HIS grace and mercy....children leaving there SAVED ! PRAISE THE LORD for this store, its employees and ways! We have a store that sells NOTW products and I love them !! My kids love their tshirts and jewelry.

    I am glad you were able to find them and I know you blessed them with your sweet heart yesterday ~ I would be they thought of you this morning as well!

    Love you Rosel

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  2. I am ever thankful for the special tattoo GOD has imprinted upon my heart. I praise GOD for HIS love and acceptance. I continually stand amazed by HIS mercy and grace!!

    Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

    PS: Glad your rx had not changed and you were able to get your new glasses quickly. Praising GOD for the Christian store you found and what they stand for!!

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  3. What a wonderful sharing you give to me today. I hope that you are doing well. C28, I will remember this and just like you, ponder it throughout the day. I am growing to have a very fond love in Christ towards you. Oh, and thank you for being there when I needed a little extra...whatever that was. Each day I see God in a newer more loving way. Im so glad that YOU are a part of this. Thank you.

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  4. So glad you were able to get your glasses, love you dearly sis.

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  5. Wow, that last part with the tattoo on our heart caught me by surprise, but how true! What a fabulous store to have found. I found the new verse I am going to be pondering today! Thanks for the insight. ~

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  6. Can you see me now?! I bet you look great in your new glasses :) Sounds like a neat little store you found. I have heard of NOTW clothing...seen it around the internet. Hope you have a great weekend!

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  7. Hey sister Rosel!!

    So wonderful to read those scriptures again...thank you for sharing them and I love the thought of a tatoo upon my heart!! I am His and He is mine!!!! For all eternity!! Hallelujah!!

    Excited to hear about C28 and I pray God's favor and success upon that business!

    Your words and insight always blesses me so!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Hugs and Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  8. C28 ROCKS!

    ....and you know I am ALL about tattoos....

    great post, Rosel! :)

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  9. Ezekiel 36:25-27……emphasis on the personal pronoun “I”.
    “Then “I” will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; “I” will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, “I” will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and “I” will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (one that will respond to spiritual stimuli). “I” will put My Spirit within you and “cause” you to walk in My statutes, and you WILL be careful to observe My ordinances.

    Does anyone see any doubt in these verses? It’s all about Him!

    Please read Matthew chapter 7. What it is saying is....of all the people who emphatically call Me Lord,(Lord,Lord)....of these people....only a few are genuine. This is NOT a "works" salvation....but genuine "faith" will produce a changed life. This chapter should cause all of us to examine ourselves... to be sure we are in the faith! We will never be sinless....but we will sin-less.

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  10. You are not going to believe this...on our way to work this morning we saw that another tatoo parlor opened in Dodge, our hick town. I thought about writing a post as to why people mark their bodies (forget the fact that I have one) and parallel that to being tatooed with the Word of God. Scary, huh? Now I don't have to write the post because you did. I really love your thoughts here. How do you like your new glasses?

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  11. Yes! He wrote on my heart & He changed my name! Always a good word here friend! Thank you...
    Wylie

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  12. Never been one who likes tattoos except the One that's on my heart!

    Love this.

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  13. Halelujah! Praise Jesus!

    Good morning sis. Just got up late as I'm not feeling well. As you know summer is here and its warm already.

    Great that I read your post first before I go to others. I'm blessed of C28. What a Store!
    I blessed also to be reminded to live in obedience.

    Christ is within us. His Holy Spirit will guide us to do all to do glory of God.

    God bless you always!
    XOXO

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  14. Rosel,
    Being set apart from this world for HIM. Although living in this world can be difficult; C28 is branded on my heart. I am waiting for HIS return!!!!
    Your sister in Christ,
    Bren

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  15. Wow, what a great store that must have been. Surely there was a reason that God allowed you to walk into it that day, so that He could speak some words of encouragement to your heart!

    I tried to comment at the post you did on Michael Smith's song, Above All...but I wonder why blogger wouldn't let me. So I also wanted to tell you that that song is one of my favorites, one that also brings me to tears each time I listen to it!

    Love
    Lidj

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  16. Rosel, this is a powerful post! This very topic has been on my heart lately. How wonderful that you had relaxing time with your husband AND that you discovered the amazing store you found!

    We are also "tatooed" on God's heart:
    Isaiah 49:16 Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.

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  17. I really like this idea of it being God's tatoo on my heart. I'm sure grateful that He did write His name on my heart and bring me to Himself because there's no where else I want to be.

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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