Daniel bounced down the stairs wearing his old coat. “Daniel, what are you wearing?’ asked his mother. “Just my old coat,” said Daniel as he shrugged his shoulders.  His mother looked at him with puzzlement, “Why would you wear that old, stained coat when you have a new one?”  “Because I’m used to it.  It’s comfortable,” he replied.

His mother slid her arm around his shoulders and gave him a hug.  “Oh Daniel, I know you are used to it, but it’s filthy. With those missing buttons, torn and worn-out cloth, it doesn’t shield you from the cold and rain. We love you too much to let you go around unprotected. Now, before you go out into the cold, put on the new coat your father gave you.”

WHAT ARE WE WEARING?

We all have coats in our closets, but which one do we wear? Do we wear a new one, or like Daniel, the old familiar one? Wearing the old, familiar coat is like wearing the past. The stains are reminders of past mistakes. Our mishappen pockets are stuffed with guilt. The thin fabric has been worn with worry. Buttons are missing like the love and forgiveness in our lives.

PUT ON A NEW COAT!

Our Heavenly Father’s desire is that we no longer feel comfortable simply wearing the familiar, but shed the old, filthy coat of the past. Because our Heavenly Father loves us so much, He wants to take away our old, filthy garments and give us something new to wear, just like Daniel’s parents. Just like the Lord did for Joshua.

 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.
 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying,
“Take away the filthy garments from him.”
And to him He said,
 “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes,
Zechariah 3:3-4

Whatever past mistakes we are wearing, none are beyond His merciful grace and forgiveness. In faith, we can trust our Heavenly Father to remove our old coat as He forgives us of them all.

If we confess our sins,
 He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
 and purify us from all unrighteousness,
 1 John 1:9

Removing the old, filthy coat of the past and putting on the new, clean coat, enables us to renew our mind.

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 
and that you put on the new man which was created according to God,
in true righteousness and holiness,
 Ephesians 4:23-25

HOW DO WE RENEW OUR MINDS?

Oxford dictionary defines “Renew” as replacing something broken or worn out. So, we can renew our minds by removing the old familiar thoughts of past mistakes, guilt and worry that have broken our spirits and worn us down. We replace them with new thoughts of the Lord and His Word. It is a continual process like keeping our coats clean and repaired.

I forget about the things behind me
and reach out for the things ahead of me. 
The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus,
 Philippians 3:13b-14

Renewing our minds allows us to walk through the storms of life in faith wearing a new coat. We are shielded when the wind whips at our clothes whispering the failures of our past trying to chill us with despair.  Rain can no longer saturate our clothes and weigh us down with hopelessness and fear.

Who through faith are shielded by God’s power
 until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time,
 1 Peter 1:5 NIV

Covered in our Heavenly Father’s coat of love and power with a renewed mind focused on Him, brings us peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace, 
Whose mind is stayed on You, 
Because he trusts in You,
 Isaiah 26:3

IT’S FREE!

When we believe in Jesus, we are given a new coat for free! Let’s not reach for the familiar old coat, but leave it behind and continually renew our minds remembering to wear the new coat which is a gift of love paid for by the son of God, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)

WHATEVER THE SEASON,
COULDN’T WE ALL BENEFIT FROM A NEW COAT?

REFLECTION

Are you wearing an old, familiar coat? Would you like a new one?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I write Philippians 3:13b-14 and say it aloud, help me to give my old coat to You and put on the new coat You have for me. In Jesus name, Amen.

IN FAITH, PUT ON GOD’S COAT OF LOVE

May your day be filled with love and laughter!

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For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

Photo boy, randyaction
Photo dog only, Metsaunelma
Photo girl, Jeremy McKnight
Photo coat, Karen Esteppe