#071526

JULY 15 2026, WEDNESDAY Entry: 10:13am, Fairview QC

VERSE OF THE DAY: COLOSSIANS 2:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must be clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

CLOTHE YOURSELF IN WHAT MATTERS Imagine putting on shirts of compassion, patience and forgiveness. That might seem ridiculous, but Colossians 3:12 tells us to "clothe ourselves" in traits that match our identity in Christ. In other words, we need to cover ourselves in actions and attitudes that result in us looking more like Jesus every day.

So, how do we do this? One way to get started is by thinking of the struggles that keep you from living more like Jesus and then start to replace them with their opposite action.

-if you are sarcastic and cutting, choose to say something kind and encouraging instead. -if you tend to come across as harsh, choose to do something that requires gentleness. -if you're holding a grudge, make the hard but important decision to extend forgiveness anyway.

As you go about doing that, choose to take part in activities that build you up spiritually. This could look like connecting with friends who will keep you accountable, memorizing Scripture that you can apply to your life, or cultivating compassion by serving in your community. The more you intentionally pursue actions that lead to humility, compassion, and kindness, the more those traits will become a natural part of your life.

And as you pursue the qualities mentioned in Colossians 3:12, the changes this produces will be most evident in the way you treat other people.

The apostle John said that we can't claim to love Jesus if we hate each other (1 John 4:20), so a life that reflects Jesus is going to embody love. And according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love is patient and kind, is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

A life marked by God's love is going to display the very things the apostle Paul talks about in Colossians 3:12 So if we want to live like Jesus, then we need to receive the new life He's given to us and accept His unconditional love. Only then can we begin to reflect His love to others by showing people compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

So today, what do you need to do in order to clothe yourself in those character traits? Make a note of one or two struggles that tend to trip you up, and make a plan to remove them from your life by replacing them with actions that draws you closer to Jesus.

BE ENCOURAGED When you know who you are, it changes how you live.

SHARE YOUR FAITH Today, clothe yourself in actions and attitudes that reflect the heart of Christ.

God, I am Your child. You have set me apart and adopted me into Your eternal family. Please shape my heart to look more like Yours. Teach me how to live in a way that honors You and reflects Your character. Remove any patterns of behavior in my life that don't serve me well, or represent You. Thank You for showing me the way to true life! In Jesus' name, Amen.

PSALMS 34:1-3 I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises, I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt his name together.

Consider what it means to bless God at all times. After you've done this, spend some time praising the name of the Lord right now.

PSALMS 105:4 Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.

In what ways do you need God to show up today? Talk to God about what you need.

Father God, I recognise that lack of trust is ultimately a sign of pride, and so I ask You to uproot it. Remove the behaviors and thought patterns that prevent me from recognizing and doing Your will. Change the way I think and act so that way I can take part in building Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.