Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Wednesday, July 9th - A Commitment To Your New Life

Today, we begin our 21 day spiritual fast. Based on Daniel 10:2, 3 “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

Fact about Daniel Fast:
Days: 21
Duration: July 9th – July 30th
Prayer Request:
“Lord, make us into a…
· Worshipping Church
· Studying Church
· Loving Church
· Praying Church
· Willing Church
“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NCV)

How on earth do heavenly minded people act? What does the new life Christ gives us look like? Colossians 3:12-17 outlines for us the daily commitments that are a part of the new life that we live as believers in Jesus.

We’re called to put on the love of Christ. Love others as Jesus loved them? Every day? Paul reminds us of three truths about ourselves that give us a foundation and strength for loving others. I am a chosen person. By God… for a purpose. I am a holy person. People who love others aren’t constantly trying to prove themselves. I am a dearly loved person, dearly loved by God. In order to love I MUST KNOW that I am loved.

We’re ruled by the peace of Christ. To rule is an athletic term which means to umpire. The umpire is the one who has the final say. Who has the final say in your daily attitudes and decisions? Is it the worries of the world or the peace of Christ? We all struggle with allowing our anxieties and worries control our lives. Paul reminds us in these verses that one of the secrets to changing our focus is found in expressing our thankfulness to God.

We’re indwelt with the Word of Christ. God’s Word dwells in us as we hear, read, study, memorize, meditate and apply His Word. But we’re reminded in Colossians three that it dwells in us richly as we teach and encourage others with what it says.

We do everything in the name of Christ. Everything, from shopping for groceries to office staff meetings to writing letters to returning phone calls to homework, we are called to do everything in the name of the Lord. How does this look like? Do we say, “In the name of Christ I buy this sandwich or fill this car with $4.00 gas…?? Billy Graham’s wife Ruth used to have a sign over her kitchen sink that read, “Divine services held here three times a day.” Washing dishes can be an act of worship if you do it in the name of the Lord. To do something in God’s name means you focus on both your purpose for Him and His presence with you.

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