I was born and raised in the shadows of New York City, whose mayors were often in the local news. After all, running the largest and most influential city in the United States requires exceptional leadership. Some were amazing, others not quite so. The one who sticks out in my mind was a brash and extroverted mayor, Ed Koch. Often, he walked the neighborhoods of the City asking his constituents this loaded question–‘How’m I doin’?’ And he got all kinds of responses. Some good, some typically New York snarky. But he asked. And he was told. In the Big Apple way!

In Colossians 3, St. Paul paints a word picture of what new life in Jesus looks like. If we say we’re Christians, then how are we to live? How should I look? Of course, like Jesus. But in what ways? And, with Mayor Koch, I ask myself that question–‘How’m I doin’?’ Honestly, hopefully, I’m not receiving a failing grade from my Lord. But maybe a high D minus. Most likely, by the skin of my teeth.

It’s in Colossians 3: 12-17 that the look of the Christian is laid out for us. Spend time there this week. Let me warn you that it’s rough sledding if you think you’re just hunky-dory in your walk with Jesus. You may be. I hope so. But maybe you should ask yourself: ‘How’m I doin’?’ Better yet, ask the Lord that same question. Dare we?

As I look over that list of Christian character traits, I wonder why God puts up with me. That business of kindness and compassionate hearts. Patience with others. Forgiving as the Lord has forgiven me. Showing love and meaning it from the bottom of my heart. I’m looking in the mirror, so to speak, asking myself–‘How’m I doin’?’

Oy Vey. Not so great. I’ve a long way to go. Like I’m still in Discipleship 101, standing immovable at the starting gate long after the starter gun has gone off, and even stuck in Spiritual Kindergarten when I should be teaching post-doctoral seminary students. Just me? Honestly now. Really?

How about getting serious about life in Jesus? To be His child. Resembling Jesus’ family more than you-know-whos. So, let’s get off the dime and get going. He’ll help us. I know He will. Ready? Or not?

Lord Jesus, help me to grow more like you day by day. All for your sake. Amen.

Want to avoid seeing a counselor? You’d like to be happy and well-adjusted? Not pay through the nose for forty minutes of listening and teensy-weensy nuggets of advice? Then why not read Philippians 4: 4-7 for help from on high? It’s not what I say, but what God says.

Such a huge request on my part, huh? To read four verses? Actually, it’s not only my idea. A Christian counselor friend told me that if anyone who trusts in Jesus would practice what’s in these four verses, he’d have to post a ‘Closed. Out of Business’ sign. He knew, however, that he had job security as almost no one applies these words of St. Paul. Do you? Don’t bother asking me. I’ll be the first to own up to the fact that I need to do what these verses tell me to do almost more than anyone else.

Have you read them yet? If not, do so now. My, I’m getting bossy in my old age. But do it anyway! See what I mean? About being happy if we follow God’s advice? Of course, you do. It’s that business about rejoicing, being reasonable with others, cutting out anxieties, adding in prayer and thankfulness, trusting God, and what He promises. That’s great medicine for what ails us.

But why is that such an uphill battle? For me. And you? After all, doing the above– ‘…will guard your hearts and your minds…’ (Phil. 4:7). But there’s the rub–doing what I know to do, exercising follow-through.

But wait a cotton-pickin’ minute! I’ve left out something. It’s the critical element that makes the Bible’s good advice work. Verse one says this–‘Rejoice in the Lord always…’ And at the end of verse seven–‘..will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ So, basically, all this self-help goodness is like much hot air without putting it together with our Lord Jesus Christ. He’s the glue that cements it in place.

Being in Jesus puts the icing on the cake. Tops off everything. Life moves, though in jagged fashion, from good to better, and then eventually to the best of all. That’s not pie-in-the-sky, though, in a way, it is. It will be heavenly when the Lord passes the pie at His great banquet in the sweet by and by. It all comes together there and then.

Then, why so happy? Simply put, it’s because we know the Lord Jesus. That He’s in our lives and we’re His. Period. Kaput. Over and never out. Our Lord will not leave us. At no time will we lose His love. The worst day you’ll ever have in this life is the worst day you’ll ever have. Now that should put a smile on your face. Which is exactly why we’re so happy!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us the best life ever. Amen.

It’s too easy for me to beat myself over the head thinking about all the things I’ve said and done, which, collectively, haven’t received God’s Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for spiritual excellence. Not by a long stretch. Hard to remember why I went downstairs to get something just now, yet I can instantly recollect some nasty kid’s prank I participated in multiple decades ago as if it were earlier today. Such a smarty-pants!

Sadly, I’m not alone, for many are just as sensitive about their foibles as I am. Others couldn’t care less how God views their actions and motives. But I do. And that’s not a bad trait. It forces me to inch closer to God for His help and understanding, never letting me wander too far from Jesus.

So, how should we deal with our moral and spiritual failures? Therapy sessions? Group confessionals? Write them on a piece of paper and toss them in the fire? There’s some help there. But listen to what St. Paul writes in Colossians 2–‘And you, who were dead in your trespasses…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing them to the cross’ (vs. 13-14).

Do you hear what St. Paul says? Sin deadens us. Kills us. ‘Dead in your trespasses.’ But there’s hope. Where? In the cross of Jesus Christ, God brings us new life by trusting in the crucified Christ. Jesus gave Himself for us. His death cancels our own. Any records of what we owed were erased, paid in full, with all negative balances wiped clean. Gone and forgotten. The Lord forgives all our sins.

Did you speed-read a very important word in that last sentence? If so, read it again. ‘All’. All our sins forgiven. Now that’s no excuse to get wild, having no regard for our actions or words. To let them rip with abandon, caring not if we trample all over God’s best for us. Giving the heave-ho to the Bible, while wallowing in the muck and mire of sin. No. If you’re really a child of God, a godly life is what you most want. So, be careful, vigilant, and on your guard to follow the Lord’s ways and what He says. But when we stray, as we all will, then know who to come to to make things right again.

But what about some really shameful things from my past? What about them? Don’t you wonder about your own? That’s when we need to reread those verses from Colossians 2. Those words about ‘all our trespasses’. ‘All’ our sin, ‘all’ our selfishness, ‘all’ our self-centeredness and greed. Forgiven and forgotten…by God. ‘All’ still means ‘all’.

Does God mean it? What do you think? Chew on that this week. I will.

Lord Jesus, thank you for dealing with all of my sins on the cross, once for all. And all for your sake, always. Amen.

I don’t like to quote other writers in my devotionals. I prefer to produce my own work. Not piggybacking on someone else’s insights or ideas. Except for today. And apart from God’s Word.

I’m still captivated by what God says in Isaiah 43: 4–‘Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…’ Reminding myself of what God says helps when I’m feeling, rightfully or wrongfully, somewhat down in the dumps.

If I look back too long at how miserable I’ve been, at the sins that have easily rolled off my back, aimed directly at others, plus how unworthy I am of God’s sentiments in Isaiah 43, it can bring on the blues. And gets worse, not hanging on to what God promised– His love and forgiveness. Either He means it, or He doesn’t.

For it’s a matter of the will to believe in God and His promises. Don’t rely on your feelings. They roam all over the place. At least mine do. Believing is saying ‘yes’ to Jesus. I believe Him. And trust Him. In God we trust.

Especially when you don’t feel like it. Not to worry. Your feelings will catch up with your beliefs. Won’t always stay so conflicted. The fog will lift, the air will clear, and you’ll see who holds your hand. Never to let go. Right? It’s Jesus who’s been there all along. Feel it or not. There He is.

Now I want to go beyond how wonderful God feels about His own, as in you and me. To stop focusing on me, I, and myself. Just for a moment. Okay? Are you with me? Then keep reading.

I’d like to turn the tables a bit, do what doesn’t come naturally, and try to please God for a change. Instead of always soaking in His love and counting all those blessings He gives, what about what makes His day? How can I put a smile on His face? That’s where that outside quote comes in. It’s from a sermon entitled ‘The Weight of Glory’ given by the English scholar and author C. S. Lewis. It was during World War II that he addressed the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford, England. It’s a masterful message during difficult times.

Lewis writes this–‘I read in a periodical the other day that the fundamental thing is how we think of God. By God Himself, it is not! How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important. Indeed, how we think of Him is of no importance except insofar as it is related to how He thinks about us…To please God…to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness…to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son…’ Might want to read that again. Here’s the phrase that grabs my attention–‘To please God…the divine happiness…’

God’s delight. His pleasure. Doing for Him. At His beck and call. For His sake. Knowing how the Lord feels about His own children, how can we not do for Him all that He wants of us? That’s not asking too much, is it? Especially when we know how precious and honored and loved we truly are by God Almighty.

Let my life be more for Jesus. I’ll let Him know how much I love Him. That I’m eager to be His follower, though full of imperfections. Isn’t it time to think less about me and more about Him? Especially with the events of this holy week and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection tomorrow? Let’s be…for Him!

Lord Jesus, may my life radiate love for you. Amen.