Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 6, 2022
Read Colossians 3:12-14
12 Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. 14 And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Good Morning, Wrap yourself in the love of God!
To become a Christian requires action on the part of the believer. Living as Christ taught us is not a spectator sport. First, we must make the choice to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Along with our acceptance, we are blessed with the Holy Spirit becoming a part of us and working to transform us.
Nowhere are we told that the next step is to sit and wait for God to fill you with his power. We are given so many examples and opportunities to step out in faith and serve others. When we take that step of faith, God, through the Holy Spirit, will fill us with everything we need to recognize the needs of others, be a servant, and love one another.
In verse 12, we are told to put on these gifts of God that he lovingly shares with us: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These gifts will gather dust in a corner if we don’t choose to wear them daily. In verse 13, Paul reminds us that not only must we turn over our sins to God, but that we must also forgive each other.
Asking for forgiveness from God is sometimes difficult because we don’t want to admit our faults, but we also know that God will forgive us. Asking another person with whom we are face-to-face is harder because we are sometimes unsure of their response. As painful as asking forgiveness from someone you’ve wronged is, it is far worse to carry guilt for your hidden transgressions. It is a risk to share, but only by taking this risk can true healing begin.
Finally, we are told to cover or immerse ourselves in love. Love is the power that binds everything together. Praise be to our loving and gracious God. The Good News is that Jesus is with us on each step of our journey. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We are slow to truly believe in your love and power. Open our hearts so that we can live as Christ for the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Whom do I need to ask for forgiveness today?
Take a Risk by sharing yourself with others Pastor Liz
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