Holy and Dearly Loved People

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

We are God's chosen people.

He loves us.

He makes us holy through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

God calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion.

And to put on kindness.

He commands us to be humble. 

He humbles us when we start to get proud.

The Lord shows us gentleness and mercy.

And He calls us to be gentle and merciful to others.

God is patient with me and asks me to be patient with those around me.

Clothe Yourselves with Compassion

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

— an Irish Blessing

The Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23

These are tough characteristics to maintain.

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control

Almost impossible without God's Spirit working within me.

Thus, the fruit of the Spirit!

Holy and Dearly Loved

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12 

I am chosen by God.

As one of His chosen people, I am dearly loved.

God wants me to become holy.

He shows me how to clothe myself with compassion.

And to put on humility, gentleness, patience, and kindness.

Help me, Lord.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

Today we think of wearing green.

Clothing ourselves with shamrocks and rainbows.

But God calls us to clothe ourselves in compassion.

To be kind to others.

To practice humility.

Act with gentleness.

Show patience.

A tall order when we face difficulties and stresses of life.

God's Chosen People

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

We are chosen by God, His chosen people.

He loves us dearly.

He calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion and kindness.

We are to put on humility and gentleness.

And we are to practice patience.

This is the sunset I saw on the way home Monday night.

The clouds were amazing.

Beautiful.

God's Glorious Power

We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. — Colossians 1:11

God's power strengthens us, giving us patience and endurance and everything we need.

How amazing is that!

Here's Gary cooking his famous tacos. They were so delicious that most of us could easily eat six or more.

He also made a yummy cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What fun family memories we have.

Spiritually Ready

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. — James 4:7-8

Saturday morning during our women's retreat, Sara spoke about flips-flops as readiness and responsiveness to God.

We slip them on before we run out to put the trash cans on the street or to make a quick trip to the grocery story. 

Sara unpacked the Beatitudes and gave us some new food for thought about these familiar verses.

She reminded us that the dictionary defines meek as "enduring injury with patience and without resentment."

We often try to do things through our own strength. But when we draw closer to God, His strength flows through us.

Come near to God.