LADY WANDA'S ENCOURAGEMENT
YOU ARE CHOSEN
Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:12-14. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
As children we would play kick ball in the alley behind my house. Before we began, two kids would choose their teams. In the same way, God has chosen us. He has called us to salvation, enabling us to be a part of His family. Jeremiah 1:5 says: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” So, before your mother even knew she was pregnant with you, God already chose you and His plan for your life was already laid out. As His children, we are to put on the Christ-like characteristics mentioned in the scripture. Our lifestyles should reflect the character like putting on a garment of clothing. Those we come in contact with should see Him on us and in us. The evidence should be in our speech and our actions. How we respond to others is key, we must flow with a compassionate heart when we are bearing with one another. This isn’t always easy, especially when the person is not in agreement with us, but as God’s chosen ones, we must not allow anyone or anything to pull us out of our character. We must learn to walk in who God is calling us to be at all times. We must forgive those who have wronged us. As many times as God has forgiven you, you should think on those things when you want to hold a grudge against your brother or sister. In Matthew 6:14-15, it says: For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Then, Colossians 3:14 talks about love….if we will love each other as God loves us, you will find walking in the other characteristics easier to bear. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 it says: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [a] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. We must learn to love in this manner, ensuring we are keeping with the scriptures. Note, it also talks about what love is “not”. When we find ourselves wanting to be rude, arrogant, boastful or irritable, we need to adjust our thinking to display those things that love “is”.
Let's Pray!
Lord, I pray that God will give us the strength to carry ourselves as children of the most high God. In Jesus Name! Amen!