Journal Notes - Day Five

June 14, 2013

Colossians 2:23; 3:1-17

"These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against self-indulgence."

 

If then, I have been raised up with Christ...keep seeking the things above...set my mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

 

For I have died - my life is hidden with Christ in God. I will be revealed with Him.

 

Consider my physical body dead to...impurity, passion, evil desire, greed...

 

Lay aside the old self and it's practices. Put on a new self that is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of Him who created me.

Put off what??

>food for comfort

>indulgence - lack of restraint: portions

>food for motivation

>Sedentary living

Put on what?? (replace what I am putting off)

>compassion: letter, phone calls, words and hugs

>kindness: acts of kindness for others

>humility: choose simple things (i.e. water to drink, simple foods), leave the best for others, take smaller portions for myself so as not to feed my pride

>gentleness: in my voice, my face, my actions

>patience: wait for them to get it, expect them to be slow on things, (prevents my anger and stress which leads to indulgence) go with them in their struggle, don't reach for a crutch to deal with the waiting, don't resist the wait - receive it, embrace it, learn from it, see myself in it

>bear with one another: my time, my attitude

>forgiveness: not blaming

>love: the perfect bond of unity

>peace of Christ

>thankfulness: keep a list

>word of Christ dwelling richly in me: memorization of scripture
   >wisdom teaching
   >admonishing one another
   >psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
   >singing with thankfulness

*all of the above in place of temper, anger, frustration, yelling, food and drink to deal with stress, joys, and struggles.

Whatever I do, WORD or DEED, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 

Tracy, ask yourself:

Can I do this thing with gratitude to Christ?

Am I doing this in the name of Jesus?

Can I rejoice in knowing it represents Him and His glory?

Are my choices and actions renewing me?

Are they renewing me to a true knowledge according to the one who created me?

The kinds of foods I eat, will they strengthen me to know Him more?

These ways I respond to stress in my life, are they renewing me and helping me know my Creator more?

Are the actions I chose for my free time, my celebrations, my comfort and rest, do they lead me to true knowledge? Do they bring gratitude? Do they reveal the work of Christ?

Am I hidden in Him?

Are my desires, preferences, passions, delights - are these hidden in the person of Christ?

Let me hide in You, Lord. Hide in your gentleness and love. Let me hide in your patience and peace. Let me hide in your compassion and kindness. Let me hide in you as you bear with me in forgiveness, teaching me humility, gratitude and strength in your power and a mind set on those things which are above.