I love reading my Bible and it is especially rewarding and comforting to me to turn to a book in the Bible, begin reading the passages and see where I have been there before. Certain verses will be highlighted as a bookmark that serves to remind me that these specific passages had a special meaning for me on that day. Not that I can remember why the highlighted or underlined verses spoke to me that day, but returning and seeing these bookmarks makes me feel like I’m returning to a secure and comfortable place.
The verses below were a few that were highlighted in my Colossians 3 study today. After reading over them several times today, it dawned on me that these verses are verses that I share with my children and husband on a regular basis.
Many people feel that the book of Proverbs offers a daily reminder of how Christ followers should live their lives on a daily basis, Proverbs does this in small nuggets of wisdom, easy to remember throughout your day if you read a chapter each day. But I’m afraid that people are missing the other words of wisdom sprinkled all throughout the pages of the Bible, like the verses below:
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
Write this on your mirror and read it out loud every morning. This will set the tone for your day. Especially when you are disappointed by others or things just don’t seem to be going your way that day. It’s not about “here” it’s about “there”!
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave your. Colossians 3:13
This is a beauty! One I repeat several times a day. Forgive as the Lord forgave me. Repeat 1000 times. Be patient, be kind and realize that others are just as human as you. Then ask yourself; “how many people did I burden, rub the wrong way, irritate, push the wrong buttons, exasperate…the pray they forgive you.
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:21
I can’t change the words of the Bible but I secretly add the word Mothers in there too. I spend more time with my children that my husband does, so my words, my actions and my time should be encouraging and uplifting. Many times they get something wrong that I’ve ask them to do, it so easy to raise my voice and snap…oh but my Heavenly Father lives by this verse too and many times He could snap on me, instead He encourages me to take a breath and love my children as they are a gift from God not another task to take care of.
Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3: 23
I repeat this verse to my children a lot. Teachers, coaches, peers, bosses, parents, authority figures…all of these people my children encounter everyday and with that encounter comes work; school work, practices, chores, jobs, rules and with their peers; the decisions they make, their reputations, their little social circles. I tell them to repeat the verse every time they are faced with those feelings of having to do something that someone else tells you to do. I hear; “why do I have to?” “the coach is so mean, we had to…” “schoolwork stinks, why do I have so much homework?” or “I’ll do it later” ” my boss is lame” “my friends were picking on this kid today, they were really rude”
I tell them when they remember this verse, things become easier to do, all of the sudden you’re not working out for the coach you’re working out for God, you’re not working for your boss, but for God, you don’t participate in the class lesson for the teacher, but for God and you don’t stand there and allow your “friends” to pick on another person because you’re worried what they will think of you when you stick up for the other kid. You care more about what God thinks of you and you take a stand because God does the same for you everyday.
Father God, your words and instructions are like salve to my soul. Directions for my day, reminders of how much you love me. You love me so much that you only want the best for me, you encourage me to do my best. You provide shelter with your words, protection and courage to stand firm. I pray that by following your standards that my actions are a light to others, that they see how my actions and words glorify you. Amen
Cindi
From the archives. Originally published October 13, 2011.
Sixty-six books in a year 