Do You Need A New Wardrobe?

Because my life is being renewed in the image of my Creator, I need a new wardrobe. The things that felt comfortable in my old life, before I became a child of the King of kings, are out of place and out of style.

Colossians 3:5-11 characterized my life before Christ and without the control and discipline of Christian living. Colossians 3:12-24 characterize how I can live because of Christ.
Because I am chosen by God and dearly loved by Him, I can clothe myself in these virtues:

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Humility
• Gentleness
• Patience
• Forgiveness
• Love
• Unity
• Peace
• Thankfulness
• Singing
• Gratitude

This upgraded wardrobe is much more fitting for a daughter of the King. My grandmother always said, "Pretty is as pretty does." I think these virtues would meet her criteria. I know I feel much more beautiful on the outside when I am thinking and behaving in beautiful ways on the inside. I'm certain my heavenly Father will approve of my new clothing. Which item(s) are you adding to your wardrobe?

What Is Your Pet Sin?

Wait a minute! Hold the phone! I thought Paul said we had already died to our sin. Then why does he write at length about taking off the old self and putting our sinful nature to death in Colossians 3:5-11? Because our sin keeps resurrecting itself!

God commands us to put to death these things:

• sexual immorality
• impurity
• lust
• evil desires
• greed (which is idolatry)
• anger
• rage
• malice
• slander
• filthy language
• lies
• division
• discrimination

These are the things of earth that need to be past-tense in our lives. Jesus died to see us free from all these evil desires. He wants to eradicate sin from our lives, but we keep a pet sin hidden in the closet. Let's bring it out into the light and let God destroy it.

Which item(s) on this sin list still have a hold on you? It is holding you captive to this world. Can you kill it in the power of the Holy Spirit? If you do not, it will be the death of you.

Father, I confess my sin of ____________________ (you fill in the blanks). I will NEVER acquire enough ____________________ to feel satisfied. ____________________ is a moving target, and I am a leaky vessel. My soul is starving because I am trying to fill it with ___________________ instead of with You. LORD, I confess that I have set up the idol of ______________________, and I bow down to it daily. I need You to topple this god and reign Supreme in my heart, mind, and soul. In the precious Name of Jesus Christ, my LORD and Savior, AMEN!

Are You Already Dead?

According to Colossians 3:1-4 , those who are saved have already died to the old way of life. We have already been resurrected with Christ. Our lives are already hidden with Christ in God. These verses are written in past tense. Believer, you are already dead. So, why are we so consumed with the things on earth?

Paul says we can set our hearts on things above because our position in Christ sets us free from our old way of living, our worries, fears, and addictions. We can live free because Christ is LIFE to us. When He returns to earth, Christ will take all believers to dwell with Him in glory, in the very presence of God, our Father. Can I get an AMEN? If you and I could stay focused on our glorious future in heaven, all of our present worries would disappear.

Heavenly Father, we need Your help to stay focused on things above. Our flesh is stuck in the mire of this world. We want to trust You. We long to leave all our fears in Your hands, but we wake up every morning with our hearts pounding in panic. When we lay our heads on our pillows at night, our minds are racing and in turmoil. Help us look to You alone for our provision and peace. We long for Your glory! AMEN!!!