Debbie Taylor Williams
I AM VULNERABLE
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;“
Do you ever forget who you are and whose you are? Coaches don’t let their players forget. They remind them, “We’re the fighting Tigers!” In other words, “Go out there and fight to win! You’re a mean, tough Tiger!” Nations also remind citizens who they are. We fly flags and sing national anthems. Parents may call children to proper behavior by saying, “Act like a Jones,” or whatever the family name is. In Colossians 3:12 and following, Paul reminds us to whom we belong and to reflect Christ in our thoughts, attitudes, and relationships. But how do we do that and why? The answer to why is because we’re vulnerable to our old nature. Jesus warns us in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” But weren’t we circumcised in Christ and aren’t we new creations? Yes, but take a quick look at some of your thoughts and behaviors and you’ll see that we’re still vulnerable to our old nature. The good news is, we can choose to daily “put on” or “fill” our hearts to reflect who we are in Christ just as we put on clothing according to what we intend to do for the day. For instance, Wednesday, I put on jeans and tennis shoes to babysit our grandkids. After babysitting and upon arriving at the office, I explained why I had on tennis shoes; which I don’t typically put on for work. After work, my husband and I played golf so I came home and put on golf shoes and clothing. Yesterday, I put on white slacks and a cute top to go to our Prayer Team meeting and then take a friend to lunch. Upon arriving home from work, I put on exercise clothes to go to Zumba. In other words, I chose what I put on according to what I intended to do. The penetrating question for us today and everyday is, what are our intentions? The best way to avoid being vulnerable to our “old nature” is to put on Christ’s likeness every morning and continue through the evening.
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me the righteous character of Christ. Fill my heart today to overflowing with all that reflects Him.
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Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
CHOSEN of GOD, HOLY & BELOVED
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of …“
“Chosen of God, holy and beloved” should be laminated and worn daily as a reminder of who we Christians are. Would it make a difference if it were dangling as a necklace from our necks as we discipline our children? Would it cause us to think twice before we honked our horn at someone who edged into our parking place? How would the reminder affect us when we’re grappling with feelings of low self-worth? What effect woud the reminder have on Satan as he prowls, seeking someone to devour? Might he turn and look for someone weak in their faith, rather than us? How might “chosen, holy, and beloved” affect the tone of our voice when meeting with a coach, teacher, or business associate with whom we’re upset? How would it affect our converstation with someone with whom we’re chatting? How would it affect our attitude toward our spouse, sibling, or parent? God chose (elected) us to be holy and blameless. He loves us. Since we weren’t holy and blameless, He made us holy and blameless in Christ. Now, God wants us to act like who we are and whose we are.
Heavenly Father, forgive me. Too often I forget who I am and whose I am. Replace my rebellious spirit with Your Spirit so they I act and speak in ways that honor and glorify Your name.
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
CHRIST IN ME
“Christ is all, and in all“
Recently I spoke at Oak Hills Church “Mentoring Moms” in San Antonio. The topic given to me was “A Fruitful Harvest.” I had such joy sharing with the moms. One point the Lord “drove home” for me to share was that the most important seeds moms can plant in their children is the Word of God. Why? Because the most important “harvest” is their children knowing Christ as Savior. We plant the seeds of truth and we pray. The miraculous outcome of faith is the gift of Christ living in the human soul. It is never too late to pray – for both ourselves and others. Do we hear, really hear what Colossians 3:11 says; which Paul so eloquently stated also in Colossians 1:27? We can quit striving to “do good” in our flesh. Instead, focus today on WHO is living in you. Offer your body and mind to Christ to live through. The result? We will be peaceful. Christ will be powerful – more than enough to meet the demands of the day.
Heavenly Father, To say “thank You” for CHRIST IN ME sounds so simplistic. Rather, I should be shouting THANK YOU from the rooftop. More importantly, my life should be an outlandish demonstration of Christ’s Spirit, power, and glory in and through me. I pray for that today. And, I pray it for my friends.
RENEWED to a TRUE KNOWLEDGE
“the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him“
Our new self is being renewed. Renew means “to cause to grow up, to be given new strength and vigor.” Isn’t this wonderful news? How does this process of renewal and gaining new strength and vigor occur? The apostle Peter answers that question. “…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2) Paul then explains that after drinking in the elementary principles of our faith, we’re to chew on the solid food (doctrines/teachings) of God’s Word. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2) When we do, we’ll be spiritually invigorated and renewed. We’ll grow. Isn’t it about time we open our Bibles and drink and chew on God’s Word?
Heavenly Father, You are a great and awesome God who has not only planned for my birth in Your kingdom, but also my growth. Thank You for the Holy Scriptures by which I am renewed, strengthened, and invigorated to carry on this day and to walk into tomorrow.
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
NEW SELF
“have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—“
According to Colossians 3:10, our Creator has REcreated us in Christ Jesus. We have put on a NEW SELF in Christ. We put on a “new, recently born” self. Our new self isn’t our old self patched up or remodeled. This is important to understand. At salvation you were born anew (John 3:3-6) That’s why Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” You must be born of God’s Spirit or you’re not going to heaven. Old-natured people who don’t have God’s Spirit are not in heaven. New Holy Spirit-natured people are in heaven. Have you been born anew by God’s Spirit? If so, you are NEW SELF.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am a NEW person because of Christ’s Holy Spirit in me!
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
MY BODY IS CHRIST’S HOME
“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,“
How exciting to think on the fact that our bodies are home to Christ’s Spirit! And, that He wants to use our bodies as the means to fulfill His purposes on earth. This is why it’s critical for us to set our minds on the things above (Col 3:2) and to present our bodies to God as His instruments. (Rom 12:1, 6:13) Jesus doesn’t want our bodies to be used for ungodly purposes! He wouldn’t do the things listed in verses 5-9 and therefore, we mustn’t. When we sin, we offend Christ who lives in us. And, bad behavior doesn’t correctly represent Christ to those around us. Let’s look over the above list and prayerfully repent of any sin that we’ve allowed in our bodies, Christ’s home.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the instruction that I’m to consider my body as dead to sin and alive to YOU. Forgive me of any offense that I’ve committed in my body, Your home. Use my body for YOUR purposes!
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
WE WILL BE REVEALED WITH CHRIST IN GLORY
“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
In our study of who we are in Christ, we learn of our identity both here on earth and in heaven. We’re reminded in Colossians 3:1-4 of two contrasts: things above and things below; things hidden and things revealed. In other words, we live in two spheres. How mindful we are of the spiritual affects our attitude and decisions. For instance, if we’re going through a dismal time, we find comfort thinking on how we will one day see Christ revealed in glory. We find additional comfort thinking of how we, too, will be revealed in glory. All the stresses of life will drop from us. Our “life” with Christ that is now hidden will be revealed in all its fullness. According to The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, reveal means “to make manifest or make actual and visible, realized. Today, we look up at the heavens and know Christ is there, but we can’t see Him. One day, we will, and we will be revealed with Him. That is who you are, believer! Destined for heaven’s glory where Christ will be revealed and YOU WILL BE REVEALED with HIM IN GLORY!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great plan in which You have destined us to be revealed with Christ is glory!
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM WITH CHRIST
“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Are you worried about the future and being alone? There are few words that bring more comfort that those found in Colossians 3:3 – that we are with Christ. In other words, if you’re a Christian, you are not alone, nor will you ever be alone. Jesus picked you to be with Him forever. John 17:21-24 records Jesus’s prayer in which He prayed, “…that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. v23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” You were on Jesus’s mind before and during His arrest, crucifixion, and ascension. He has picked you to be with Him forever.
Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for the comfort and blessing of knowing that I am with You forever!
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
MY LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST
“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Paul explains in Colossians 3:3 that we have “died” – are separated from sin’s power. How is it, then, he now speaks of our lives? Life in this passage is defined as, “the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate.” It’s a reference to absolute fullness of life. It is life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by a more perfect body, to last forever. In other words, our ultimate life – that which spiritually enlivens and animates us – isn’t found in a person, job, child, home, or anything else. It’s found/hidden in Christ. It is spiritual. Those who aren’t Christians and those who aren’t walking closely with Christ, don’t understand the exuberance of life that is possible in Christ. But those who do, rejoice!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the exuberance You give me in Christ; and that my life is hidden/concealed with Him; safe and alive forever.
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I AM HEAVENLY MINDED
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
What are you thinking? Has anyone ever asked you that? It’s a good question. Are our thoughts anxious? Are they negative? Or, are they rejoicing on the things above and God’s goodness? This is the second time in two verses that we’re directed to “things above.” Above here means “on high.” Paul explains that, since we’ve been crucified with Christ, we should continuously think on Christ and our higher calling in Him. This doesn’t mean that we ignore our earthly responsibilities. However, it does mean that we take proactive measures to think on and absorb Christ’s perspective, love, and power over earth’s values, emptiness, and weakness. How do we do this? It’s a choice. To set means “to direct one’s mind to a thing.” Every day when we wake, we set our minds on the things above by directing our thoughts to God in prayer. We set our minds on the things above by reading the Bible. We set our minds on that which is outlined in Philippians 4:8. Gravity may pull our feet to earth, but God calls us to set our minds on the things above.
Heavenly Father, help me set my mind on the things above. May I be increasingly heavenly minded rather than earthly minded.
From If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?