Today is April 11.
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from Colossians 3.
 
 
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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. 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. 
   

We get a lot of instructions in these few verses, don’t we? We're to clothe ourselves with compassion and humility and many other things. We’re to forgive one another – and not just a little bit, but as the Lord forgave us. We’re to put on love, be at peace, and practice thankfulness. It goes on and on... so... what do you think about all these instructions? What do you think about the intentional work it takes to practice all the virtues that Paul lists here? Do you find it envisioning and inspiring? Or exhausting?  
   
Paul’s point is this: we, as the church, are supposed to be filled with the fruit of the spirit, bearing the likeness of Christ. And, he tells us in other places, that does not come naturally. It comes only super naturally, and with practice. In our own nature, we’re most often grumpy, selfish, we struggle to forgive. Of course, we are nice when others are nice to us first. (Or maybe that’s just me) As you listen to the passage again, be attentive to what particular instruction jumps out at you. 
   
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus. What does that mean for you, today? In your family? With friends? At work? In traffic or on yet another zoom call with colleagues? As we end, ask God for the power of the resurrected Christ to fill you, and empower you live in the name of Jesus today.

Lord God, Almighty and Everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with Your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of Your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music: When You Come - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)