Psalm 59:6
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
A few months ago I switched what I read to my girl every night in the Scriptures. Now I read a chapter at a time, started in John, then Acts, then Ephesians and just kept going where I felt lead. A few days ago we read Colossians and when we reached chapter 3, I felt like it was written for all of us and I have to share it. So here we go. Colossians 3, first seventeen verses.
Colossians 3:1-17 NIV
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Christ is seated ‘far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every name that is invoked not only in the present age but also in the one to come.’ (Ephesians 1:20-21) Yet He is also right here with us. Very close to us. Far above and so close (Matthew 28:20) you can’t even breathe without Him knowing it.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
You died when Christ died. Now your life is hidden with Christ in God! While this is rather difficult to understand, it is completely true. Which is also why this life we know live here on earth is to be lived in Him at all times.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Oh the wonder that awaits. That’s why we’re to live as reflections of Him, His glory is so bright it can make all of us shine like lights in this dark world. When He appears, you will be with Him in His glory!
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
The new self is hidden in Christ. That’s the one you are to live out your life in, from Him and for Him and with Him and always covered by His righteousness and glory. For Christ is all, and is in all. Not just you and me, all. That means we are all somebody loved and worth treating with kindness.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with
compassion
kindness
humility
gentleness
and patience.
13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues
put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
The message of Christ… preach it to yourself every single day. Trust Him. He is with us.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Whatever you do you do in His name, you do with Him, so use His power and give Him all the glory.
Oh Lord, show me how to make this an image that will remind and speak and teach me every day, but not just me, Lord, all of us. For You know what we all have to deal with every day and You are always with us. I choose to Trust. I choose to clothe myself with all these virtues, so Lord, envelop me in love today. And fill my heart with Your peace. For it is in You I want to remain and it is In You that I find refuge and strength and peace and joy beyond all I can imagine. So keep me focused Lord, on You, for you are ever before me, behind, beneath, above and below too, you completely surround me, Lord, so help me understand and focus on the fact of that. Thank You, for all of these words. You are so awe inspiring to me. All I do, Lord, is for Your glory. With all that is within me, I praise You. Amen.