Week of August 5, 2007, Colossians 3:1-11

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Colossians, chapter 3, verses 1 to 11:
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.

Dear Lord, remind me in my daily life, that You help me to die to sins of the past, and that You help me to rise to new life, that I am raised with Christ, and then help me to set my mind not on earthly things, but on things above.

Jesus, help me to rid myself of all the things that keep me earthly-minded – on such things as greed and pride, sexual immorality whether in thought, word or deed, on things such as anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language. Help me, Lord, to put on the new self – being renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator – to be renewed in my life with You, Lord – reading Your word, growing in maturity, knowing that You, Lord are all that I need, for You are in everything, and You are my All in all.

And in this particular time with the particular events of a bridge collapse in Minneapolis this past week, Heavenly Father, we ask You to bring comfort to families who have lost loved ones, healing to all who have sustained injuries, strength to the rescuers, hope and help for all those involved.

Thanks for Your presence, Your comfort, Your peace in our lives. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may send a message or prayer request to me by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May God, our Strength and Comfort, be with us now and always.