Colossians 3:1-17

We may not celebrate it all the same, but Lent is a forty day challenge to strive to be closer to God. Put on a new outfit that says you are new man in the image of Him who created you (Colossians 3:10).

Here is the passage that encouraged me:

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is your life, appears,then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Think about when Saul became Paul in the book of Acts (Acts 9). Saul was a persecutor of Christians in the Old Testament. Even up until the LORD made Himself present to Saul, he had taken part in stoning Stephen and had gone to Damascus to arrest and Jewish man or woman he found in the Synagogue. That very same day, Jesus appeared to Saul, and Saul was blind for 3 days. After his sight was restored, saul was baptized and started preaching Jesus' name, instead of prosecuting it. Although this was not during the time of Lent, Paul completely changed and put on a whole new wardrobe!! Praise God!

Put to rest your evils ways, and do not conform to this world. Whether it is anger, jealousy, worry, lust, doubt or even speaking profane language, get rid of those things, so that we may be pleasing in the sight of our Lord.

It may be hard to find the time, but I encourage you to take even 3 minutes to sit in silence and listen to God. Listen to what He is trying to tell you. Most of the time we make prayer time about us. God has things He wants to tell us to. How can we hear them, if we are always the ones talking? So, take time, and listen to the silence.

Some key verses:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. - Matthew 6:14-15

Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10

-Amy