Over the past few weeks, God has been working in me and teaching me through His Word like I have never experienced before. I have a hunger for His Word that cannot be satisfied. I am reading and digesting books by the score. My passion for prayer has been rekindled. My time with Him has become the dominate activity of my day and I praise God for all of this as I can feel His presence growing ever stronger in me.
This last week, I have spent much of my time reading about the regeneration we experience as we come to know our Lord. I have also been reading about the power of prayer as seen by E.M. Bounds. These thoughts were on my mind as I read the third chapter of Colossians this morning. I have probably read through it a dozen times or more over the years; but this morning it took me an hour to get through these 25 verses. I read it as a prayer to God to continue my regeneration as I mature in His love.
I have taken the liberty of writing out the 3rd chapter in such a way as to make it my daily prayer, and I want to share it with you so that it may be a blessing to you as well.
Since I have been raised with Christ, set my heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is my life, appears, then I also will appear with him in glory.
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Since I have been raised with Christ, set my heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand with You, God. Set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in You. When Christ, who is my life, appears, then I also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to my earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, Your wrath is coming. I used to walk in these ways, in the life I once lived. But now I must also rid myself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from my lips. Do not lie to others, since I have taken off my old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of you, its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as your chosen one, holy and dearly loved, clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with others and forgive others if I have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the You forgave me. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in my heart, since as a member of one body I was called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell in me richly as I teach and admonish others with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to You with gratitude in my heart. And whatever I do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You the Father through him
Love my wife and do not be harsh with her. Do not embitter my children, or they will become discouraged
Obey my earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on me and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever I do, work at it with all my heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since I know that I will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ I am serving. Those who do wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Since I have been raised with Christ, set my heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand with You, God. Set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in You. When Christ, who is my life, appears, then I also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to my earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, Your wrath is coming. I used to walk in these ways, in the life I once lived. But now I must also rid myself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from my lips. Do not lie to others, since I have taken off my old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of you, its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as your chosen one, holy and dearly loved, clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with others and forgive others if I have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the You forgave me. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in my heart, since as a member of one body I was called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell in me richly as I teach and admonish others with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to You with gratitude in my heart. And whatever I do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You the Father through him
Love my wife and do not be harsh with her. Do not embitter my children, or they will become discouraged
Obey my earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on me and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever I do, work at it with all my heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since I know that I will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ I am serving. Those who do wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Col 3:1-25 (TNIV)
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The remarkable thing about God’s Word is how it speaks to us concerning the present circumstances in our lives. We may have read a particular passage a dozen times, but because of something going on in our life at this particular time, it can speak right to the heart of the matter. God’s Word applies to us everyday.
My prayer is if you are not spending time with God through His Word, that you would begin to do so. And if you are already doing so, take a little extra time and allow the Holy Spirit to bless you even more. I know for me, it has changed my life, and will continue to do so.
Blessings to you!
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