Live Like You Were Dying, April 13, 2008

Love Deeper, April 13, 2008

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been much emphasis on the "clothe yourselves" (with a Christ awareness) phrase Paul has been using. This is foundational for us IF we are to be under the influence of Christ in order to love people more deeply and certainly if we are to live like we were dying.

Slowly read Col. 3:1-17 taking note of the contrasting life styles.

Go back and re-read those same verses writing down the characteristics of those two different lifestyles.

One of the common themes of those verses is the idea of "taking off…ridding yourself…putting to death" of certain things and then "setting your heart…setting your mind…clothing yourself…putting on" certain things.

Ask God to search your heart and lifestyle and to reveal what things you need to "rid, take off, put to death" and what things you need to "set your heart/mind, clothe yourself, put on" in their places?

Keep in mind that the key to living like you were dying is your decision to be under the influence of the Spirit of Christ instead of being under the influence of something/someone else.

Start out each day this week, and periodically during the day, asking Christ to direct your heart and mindset. Ask Him to "tap" your heart/conscience every time you move away from His directing presence in your life.