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. 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. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in 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.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear 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. 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.
The last few weeks I was looking for a passage for this new year and last semester I read Colossians a few times and was touched by it in a different way every time I read it. Earlier this week I was reading through my Bible looking at some of my favorite marked up passages and Colossians 3 really stood out to me. I prayed about it for few days and felt led to choose verses 1-17 as my passage for the year. These are the things the Lord has revealed to me that He wants me to do this year:
1. Set my HEART on things ABOVE, not earthly things.
2. Put to death my earthly desires and DESTROY the idols in my life.
3. Rid myself of anger, negativity and a bad attitude, only allowing KIND words to flow from my mouth.4. Be HONEST with myself and with others.
5. LOVE all, for they are children of God. Do not discriminate.
6. Clothe yourselves with COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS and PATIENCE.
7. FORGIVE others..and myself, allowing the grace that flows from Christ to be shown to those around me.
8. Let the PEACE of Christ rule in my heart, since as members of one body we were called to peace.
9. Be THANKFUL. Always.
10. Let the message of Christ dwell among us.
11. SING to God with GRATITUDE in my heart.
12. And whatever I do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
13. Give THANKS to God the Father.
14. Have COMPASSION for others.
15. Live in the moment, thankful for whatever season I'm experiencing.
I have a feeling this is going to be the year of THANKS. I have been immensely blessed in my life and I want to bless others. God gives us so much that we do not deserve but because of His LOVE, we have everything we could ever need. On this New Year's day, I am so thankful for my SAVIOR and His unending and constant love, my family that I love Oh. So. Much., my education at Biola and all the opportunities that have been presented, and my dear friends that are beyond amazing. I am praying that this year I live in a constant state of thankfulness and joy.
With a thankful and hopeful heart,
Amanda
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