New Spring Colors

Spring outfits parade throughout retail fliers. The yellows and oranges draw our imagination to see if they would look good on us. Maybe we need new clothes for a fresh outlook.

Paul describes the soft colors of the Spirit: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (See Colossians 3:12-14).

Some old clothes don't only make us look bad. They are unbecoming and carry toxic fumes: sexual immorality, lust, greed, anger, malice slander, filthy language (See Colossians 3:5-9). They slowly pollute the our lives, create offense and hurt, create rifts and even escalate inner wars.

Let's get rid of them: no recycling, no accessorizing.

This spring I want my newest wardrobe item to be the peace of Christ.

I prefer to follow His fashions, let Him dress me as He sees me: holy and beloved.

Sometimes, the power of an old habit tries to redress me. As soon as I smell that old odor or recognize that dark fashion, I get rid of it. Again. And each time, I realize more clearly how it can drag me down.

Help me, Spirit of God. When I'm tempted to dig worry out of the trash heap, put Your colors in front of me. That old grave dress doesn't suit your resurrection in me.

Fill me full of your presence. You love me and know what I need, so I will trust You. I prefer Your colors.

They put a spring in my step.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Is there a new wardrobe item that God's Spirit is attempting to help you wear more?

What keeps you going back to an old, polluted outfit? How can you not only take it off, but keep it off?


You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being enewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (See Colossians 3:9-10).

Changing Habits

 

Changing habits takes perserverance, doesn't it?

Two thousand and eleven’s refreshed goals have me reordering my day, aiming at a new rhythm for life but, honestly, I miss my cup of Turkish coffee first thing in the morning.

Devotions and coffee are getting pushed to a slightly later slot. I don't like it...yet... and realize more changes might be coming. You'd think a series of small shifts wouldn't be a big deal, but every morning I have to consciously choose the new over the old routine.

There seems to be a parallel with faith training.

Sometimes, the Lord calls us to reexamine ourselves to make us more aware of His presence. Instead of merely maintaining our daily routines (including our spiritual lives), the Perfecter of our faith occasionally presents us with a challenge to strengthen that faith.

It’s uncomfortable at first, often precipitated by trial, stress, or even the turning of a year.

Come to Me. Watch, learn and imitate Me. Focus on Me. (See Matthew 11:28-29 and Hebrews 12:1-3)

As I try to activate new spiritual disciplines, I wonder if my bumbling frustrates God like it does me. But thankfully, mercy is at work.

The Scriptures tell me that Jesus stands close by, His Spirit cheering me on to persevere. Come on, don’t give up. I’ve given you my Word and My Spirit. You aren’t alone. Give it all you have! I’ll help you choose a better way.

I desire all of you -- heart, soul, and mind.

And I, each day, relish God’s persevering love in the midst of changing habits.


FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Choose a passage and listen for the Spirit's nudges: Matthew 11:28-29; 22: 37-40; Luke 14:25-33; Hebrews 12: 1-13.

Have you been urged to develop a new habit? What might you need to do in order to activate your faith in your Faith Trainer?

Picture found at www.suite101.com/content/preparing-for-a-trip-to-turkey-a211192