Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Bible in a Year: Psalms 69-71 | Acts 26

One of the hardest things for me to remember every day is that I am a new creation in Christ. My life is now hidden in Christ, and sin is no longer my master. 

Colossians 3:5-6
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming….

I want to put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within me, but they seem to have minds of their own. They are not going down without a fight! For me (probably because I am old!), sexual immorality, impurity, and lust are not much of a problem any more. But greed - oh, how I love stuff! 

Shopping is just too easy these days. We used to have to get dressed, get in a car, and drive to a store. Not any more, as we well know! How many of you are on a first name basis with your Amazon and FedEx drivers? Enough never seems to be enough! 

This is not the life God has for us. When we shift our focus from what we think we need to only needing him, we die to the things of this world. We exchange them for a better life - the best life - with Jesus! 

Instead of stuff, we need to clothe ourselves with kindness, tenderheartedness, and love. This takes intention and frequent refocusing of our attention back to Jesus. We need to fix our eyes on him. 

God’s anger isn't toward us because we lack focus. His anger is at the distractions provided by the devil, which take our focus off of Jesus and onto lesser things. Those things diminish our freedom to choose Jesus over anything the world has to offer. 

Colossians 3:5 tells us that we have the capacity to put these things to death. Good to know! By putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the power to say no to the things that distract us! 

But we have to choose to use that power. When we do, he provides us with the strength to follow through.

Questions: 
How do you “put on the Lord Jesus Christ"? How do you keep your attention and affection on him alone?

Next Steps: 
The Christian life wasn’t meant to be a solo performance! We need other believers to help us keep our focus. Join a Group or get connected by serving on a DreamTeam. Spend time with others who are putting on Jesus and focusing on him rather than the things of this world. 

Listen to the song “Magnificent Obsession,” by Steven Curtis Chapman, as you consider ways to move your focus away from worldly things and toward God. 

Prayer: 
Lord, you know how distracted I get by the things of this world. But I want you to be my consuming passion, my magnificent obsession. You are everything I want. You are everything I need. Help me become the person you created me to be, clothed with kindness, compassion, and love. Then people will see you in me. I praise you and love you! You are everything to me! Amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Colossians 3:10
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

This post was written by Lauri White, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.