Colossians 3:1-17 - "Remind Me Who I Am"

I woke up this morning singing Jason Gray's "Remind Me Who I Am."  I've been in the place before where I questioned whether the Lord was with me or even if He loved me.  That's a sad place to be.  He never leaves us.  He is always there with us and for us.  We are the ones who drift away.  When we've fallen out of relationship with Him, it's hard to get back with Him because it means we must give up self and turn control over to Him.  I see so many people trying to stay in both worlds.  They talk the talk but they don't completely walk the walk.  Oh they will go to church maybe on Sundays but that's the only time they give to the Lord.  It isn't always totally given to the Lord because they are on their phones even during church.  Their checkbook is off limits to the Lord.  Their calendar is off limits to the Lord.  Their family is off limits to the Lord.  Those people need to give Him all of themselves.  We all do.  I personally don't want to hold anything back from Him.  I don't want to miss any blessings He has in store for me.  I don't want to question whether He is with me because I know He is.  

As I think about all the deaths that have occurred recently I think about people's souls.  Were they believers?  Had they given their all to the Lord?  Did they go to heaven or hell?  How can I make a difference in people's beliefs before they leave this earth?  I am reminded of the words of Colossians 3:1-17.  Verse twelve stands out to me.  "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  If I want to truly make a difference in people's lives, I need to adhere to these words.  I can't be like a bull in a china shop as I share the Lord with people but I also can't be timid.  Verse 17 reminds me, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died,and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Dear Jesus,
This morning I am praying for more of You and less of me.  I pray Your Holy Spirit will flow from me to enable people to see You.  I pray for comfort for families who have lost loved ones.  I pray for more people to walk the walk and not just talk the talk with You.  I pray for Your Direction and Your Words.  I can't remember who the song is by but I remember singing "I Want to Make a Difference" a few years back.  I can't remember the words exactly but I remember it said something like, "Lord I want to make a difference...in everything they say and do...and all their hearts believe..."  Lord, use me to make a difference in people's lives.  Give me Your boldness with my words!  Thank You Jesus for being the Open Arms who took me back when I strayed.  Amen.

When I lose my way,
And I forget my name
Remind me who I am
In the mirror all I see
Is who I don't wanna be
Remind me who I am

In the loneliest places
When I cant remember what grace is

Tell me, once again
Who I am to You, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am to You, that I belong to You
To You

When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home
Remind me who I am
When I cant receive Your love
Afraid I'll never be enough
Remind me who I am

If I'm Your beloved can You help me believe it

Tell me, once again
Who I am to you, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am to you, that I belong to You
To You

I'm the one You love, I'm the one You love
That will be enough, I'm the one You love

Tell me, once again
Who I am to you, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am to you, that I belong to You

Tell me, once again
Who I am to You, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am to You, that I belong to You
To You

To You