Good morning! Have you ever been overwhelmed? Maybe you have had a lot on your mind. Maybe there is a lot on your to-do-list. Maybe there are things that are not going your way. If you were to take a step back and focus on what really matters would the feeling of being overwhelmed reduce? As we read verses five through eleven, Apostle Paul reminds the believers in Colosse of what really matters. Enjoy today’s devotion and your day.

Bible verse – Colossians 3:5-11 NLT

“⁵ So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. ⁶ Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. ⁷ You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. ⁸ But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. ⁹ Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. ¹⁰ Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. ¹¹ In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,  circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized,  slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.”

Reflection

Last week we read about our new life in Christ. In those devotions, but primarily through the Bible verses we learned what it means to have a new life in Christ. Apostle Paul was mindful of the Colossian believers and the region where they lived, but it was important for him to remind the Colossian believers and us of who we are in Christ.

Sisters and brothers, when we accepted Christ we became new. All our past sins were washed away and forgiven. We were given new life a new beginning through Christ. Did we deserve it? No. Did we work for it? No. It was a free gift, because Christ paid the price at the cross. The things we once did, should no longer be the things we do now. As believers, we have set aside the old and have become new in Christ Jesus, therefore:

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.“

Sisters and brothers, are you struggling with:

• anger

• rage

• malicious behavior

• slander

• dirty language, or

• lying to others

if so, get rid of  it. Regardless of the background that you came from, the place you live or the circumstances you find yourself in – you are new in Christ. Christ has set you free.

What does that freedom look like this week? Here are a few examples.

• Anger – do not engage. Address the situation but do not engage in useless conversations, etc. Pray for inner peace.

• Rage – step back from the situation. Go for a walk and pray. Hang up the phone and pray. Stop texting and pray.Allow the Holy Spirit to take control and calm your mind.

• Lying – ask yourself, why do I feel the need to lie?If I cannot tell the truth, how is this situation benefiting me or anyone else?How am I being an effective witness to others?

Sisters and brothers, whatever comes your way this week, I pray that Christ who lives within you will be seen by others through your speech, your love, your compassion, your desire to be a representative of Christ over everything else, and in everything that you do.

Because what really matters, it is not your background, or financial status, or race, “Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.”

Prayer

Father God thank you for all that you have done for us. Thank you for the new life that we have in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the joy and love that you give us. Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to live within us. Lord, you know every area within us that struggles with anger, rage, malicious behavior, lying, greed, slander, and dirty language. Lord, help us to become more like you. Change us. Remove our tendencies to go back to our old nature or our own refusal to mature in Christ in those areas. Lord, we surrender our will to you today. Lord, we pray for our nation and ask that you continue to heal it. Lord, we pray for all the families who lost loved ones to violence and ask that you comfort and strengthen them. Lord, we pray for those who are sick or have a chronic illness and we ask for their healing. Lord, we pray for those who do not know how they will make it through this week. Lord, give them provision. Lord Jesus, you are our rock and the One who sustains. Keep working in us. Help us to keep you first. Remind us of what matters. In Jesus name, amen.

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