By Kelly Dixon
Reading: Colossians 3:1-15
Don't you just love cell phones? Right when you are in the middle of a great conversation, your call is dropped. You then try your best to get the other person back, who in return is trying to get you back, and you end up in each other's voice mail. Technology - can't live with it; wish you could live without it. It is one of those things you enjoy when it works correctly; but when it doesn't, you just want to throw it out the window. One basic thing about all aspects of cell phones, computers, etc., is that you must have a good connection - whether it is by hard wire or a signal through the air. Our Christian walk is no different, yet we forget that to keep the connection loud and clear we must make effort on our part.
Renewal has been the subject at hand lately - especially in regards to renewing my commitment to the Lord. Mainly because over the last few months the quiet time I spend with the Lord, and with connecting with Him, has been dwindling. About two weeks ago, I realized that my connection with the Lord had gotten weak. My calls were being dropped. Not because of the Lord, but because of my own efforts. Less time was being devoted to drawing from His Word, less time was being spent in prayer, and overall less time was being spent in His presence.
In the book of Colossian, Paul focuses on "connecting" the Colossians and us today with Christ. In the first two chapters of the book, Paul is pointing out what Christ has done; and in the last two chapters, he expands upon what we as Christians should do. I have been drawn to Colossians 3:1-15 in my look at renewing my commitment to the Lord. These verses start by telling us to set our minds on heavenly and not earthly things because that is where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Christ is our life and we are hidden in Him. Our minds should be set on His desires. As Christians our old life (sinful life) has died and now our new life is in Christ.
The hard part is that we have trouble putting to death the things that belong to the sinful nature. This is where the renewal comes into play for my own life. My connection with the Lord so easily becomes broken when I get wrapped up in the earthly things that stir up my sinful nature. For example, my busyness of life leads to anxiousness and being impatient which leads to losing my temper. Wrapped up in the midst of all of this is that I spend less time with the Lord where I can actually reflect upon how these things are leading me away from Him. I must stop and renew myself in the Lord so that I can become more like His image. Colossians 3:10 states, “. . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” This puts action into “putting on the new self.” We must make efforts that bring on being renewed in knowledge. Action that involves remembering daily our commitment to the Lord, therefore, keeping us focused on Christ.
Do you feel like you are in a valley right now? Does your life all of a sudden seem like it has turned upside down? Then renew yourself in the Lord by putting the new self in action. Make way to His throne and spend quiet time with Him. Daily study His Word and reflect upon His image. Search out and fellowship with other Christians through your church, Bible study groups, etc. Renew yourself in the Lord and put to death the things that stir up your sinful nature. Instead, stir up the things that renew you in our Savior’s image – then, and only then, will your connection with the Lord be loud and clear.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you for always keeping the connection to You available. Help me to make efforts in not breaking the connection so that I can renew myself in You and reflect Your image to this world. Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me*. Amen.
*Psalm 51:10
Reading: Colossians 3:1-15
Don't you just love cell phones? Right when you are in the middle of a great conversation, your call is dropped. You then try your best to get the other person back, who in return is trying to get you back, and you end up in each other's voice mail. Technology - can't live with it; wish you could live without it. It is one of those things you enjoy when it works correctly; but when it doesn't, you just want to throw it out the window. One basic thing about all aspects of cell phones, computers, etc., is that you must have a good connection - whether it is by hard wire or a signal through the air. Our Christian walk is no different, yet we forget that to keep the connection loud and clear we must make effort on our part.Renewal has been the subject at hand lately - especially in regards to renewing my commitment to the Lord. Mainly because over the last few months the quiet time I spend with the Lord, and with connecting with Him, has been dwindling. About two weeks ago, I realized that my connection with the Lord had gotten weak. My calls were being dropped. Not because of the Lord, but because of my own efforts. Less time was being devoted to drawing from His Word, less time was being spent in prayer, and overall less time was being spent in His presence.
In the book of Colossian, Paul focuses on "connecting" the Colossians and us today with Christ. In the first two chapters of the book, Paul is pointing out what Christ has done; and in the last two chapters, he expands upon what we as Christians should do. I have been drawn to Colossians 3:1-15 in my look at renewing my commitment to the Lord. These verses start by telling us to set our minds on heavenly and not earthly things because that is where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Christ is our life and we are hidden in Him. Our minds should be set on His desires. As Christians our old life (sinful life) has died and now our new life is in Christ.
The hard part is that we have trouble putting to death the things that belong to the sinful nature. This is where the renewal comes into play for my own life. My connection with the Lord so easily becomes broken when I get wrapped up in the earthly things that stir up my sinful nature. For example, my busyness of life leads to anxiousness and being impatient which leads to losing my temper. Wrapped up in the midst of all of this is that I spend less time with the Lord where I can actually reflect upon how these things are leading me away from Him. I must stop and renew myself in the Lord so that I can become more like His image. Colossians 3:10 states, “. . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” This puts action into “putting on the new self.” We must make efforts that bring on being renewed in knowledge. Action that involves remembering daily our commitment to the Lord, therefore, keeping us focused on Christ.
Do you feel like you are in a valley right now? Does your life all of a sudden seem like it has turned upside down? Then renew yourself in the Lord by putting the new self in action. Make way to His throne and spend quiet time with Him. Daily study His Word and reflect upon His image. Search out and fellowship with other Christians through your church, Bible study groups, etc. Renew yourself in the Lord and put to death the things that stir up your sinful nature. Instead, stir up the things that renew you in our Savior’s image – then, and only then, will your connection with the Lord be loud and clear.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you for always keeping the connection to You available. Help me to make efforts in not breaking the connection so that I can renew myself in You and reflect Your image to this world. Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me*. Amen.
*Psalm 51:10
