Do you remember your favorite Halloween costume?

There's merriment in impersonating someone or something else. Until that clever costume leads you to a costume party you thought you were invited to but weren't. Dressing up isn't fun when all the meanness of the world comes crashing down on your vulnerable heart and you feel naked despite being creatively dressed. Maybe it’s a strained relationship and those harsh words play on repeat in your mind. Or perhaps you were dismissed by someone who should have been paying attention but was more into themselves. 

In this episode of Living the Grace Life, host Jennifer Sakata explores the concept of growing in grace through Colossians 3:10. Jennifer shares a personal story about a childhood Halloween experience to illustrate the journey from living a life marked by old habits to embracing a new life in Christ.

The episode emphasizes taking off old ways of self-importance and putting on virtues such as mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Jennifer guides listeners through a prayer based on Colossians 3:10 for grace to embody these attributes and challenges listeners to extend forgiveness and love, as exemplified by seeing an old acquaintance in a new light. 

Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together with perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 3:10 Prayer, Personalized

Lord, thank you for choosing me to be your holy person, set apart and loved, not because I'm great but because You are. Thank you for this life I have in Jesus.

You know how often I clothe myself with words and behaviors that hurt people and distance myself from you. Forgive me Lord, when I put on anger and mean behaviors, when my mouth spew words meant to cut down and secretly belittle. Lord, that is not who You’ve made me.

When I'm stuck in old life ways, clothe me with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Help me make allowance for others' faults, and forgive anyone who offends me. Help me remember that You Lord forgave me, so I must forgive others.

Clothe me with love, Your love, which binds me to those around me with perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in my heart. I come as a member of Your body and I want to live in peace. And to be thankful.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Listen to Colossians 3 here

Complete show notes here

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