Colossians 3:2 - Being Heavenly Minded.
Colossians 3:2 - Being Heavenly Minded.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on
earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NLT) Think about the things of heaven, not the
things of earth.
Colossians 3:2 (MSG) Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground,
absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to
what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See
things from his perspective.
INTRODUCTION
I get distracted easily. There is just so much to think
about, so many responsibilities. We all have bills to pay, meetings to
attend, people to deal with, families to care for. No wonder we can't
keep our minds quiet during our prayer time with God. Many times our
minds get pulled away from where they should be and focused on what
they shouldn't be, putting us at risk of relapsing into old hurts,
hang-ups, and habits.
It happens to all of us from time to time. It's not easy to
stay focused on heavenly things when the earthly things are making so
much more noise. The best and maybe the only way to stay focused on
the right things is to always keep Jesus front and center. That
means we understand that he is with us throughout the day, as close as
our breath. He's always there to help us at a moment's notice,
encourage us, instruct us, strengthen us, and protect us.
God knows who we are. He understands what we're made of.
That's why he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in us. He doesn't have to
come from some faraway place to hear us and help us. When we focus on
his presence within us, everything else will fall into place.
[Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
COMMENTARY
It is impossible not to think of earthly things, at least some
of the time. We still have to take care of day to day obligations
and activities. But to set your mind on something means to "make it
your heart's central focus." Paul knew that we would have to tend to
earthly affairs. But earthly things must not be permitted to take
precedence over the things of God - his word, his service, his praise. This
must be the basis from which we pursue jobs, families and other
important matters of daily life. [Quest SB]
Our inherent tendency is to direct our lives on this earth
according to what we perceive with our five senses. The fact is, if we
have embraced Christ, our attachment to this physical world is no
longer the defining element of our existence. Jesus himself is. The
realities of heaven become the substance of our lives only when we set our
sights on him in whom our life is hidden. [Praying Through The Bible By
Fuller]
The things of earth get right in our face and speak to us
relentlessly. We have things to pay for, plans to arrange, people to please,
and responsibilities to deal with - all of which make our to-do
lists long and our bodies and souls tired. There's no way to avoid the
things of earth - we do actually live here, after all - but we can't be
totally preoccupied with them. They drain us of energy and resources if
we are.
What does it mean to think about the things of heaven? It
means knowing heaven's agenda: God's purposes and His ways. It means
seeking visions of Him and His plans. It means living with heaven's
values: a Kingdom culture of integrity, honor, purity, peace,
generosity, and blessing. We understand that heaven is filled with radical
worship right this moment, and we join in the praises. We learn to treat
other people as eternal beings, even if we aren't sure of their
eternal destiny - to see the treasure God has put in them rather than
the junk that comes to the surface now. And we need to know that we
are surrounded by spiritual beings: angels that minister to us and
deceptive spirits that try to seduce us. Heaven's realities are described
in Scripture, and we are fully encouraged to let them become the
realities in which we live and move and breathe.
Whatever is happening visibly in your world today is only a
fraction of your true life. The rest of the story - the most important
parts of it - are invisible to your physical eyes. But they aren't
invisible to your spirit or your thought life. Choose where to dwell, and
fill your mind with the reality of heaven. Live out its culture, its
values, its relationships, and its activities. [The One Year
Experiencing Gods Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
Learn to live above your circumstances. This requires focused
time with Me, the One who overcame the world. Trouble and distress
are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world. Only My Life
in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with
good cheer.
As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your
troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly
shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. You gain My perspective
on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important
and what is not. Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can
take away from you. (John 16:33; 16:22) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
ILLUSTRATION
Our daughter came over with one of our grandsons in tow and
asked to borrow a pair of tweezers. She needed to remove a piece of
paper our grandson had rolled up and stuck in his ear! When asked why
he did such a thing, he answered, "My mind told me to." Wow! At six
years of age his mind is already suggesting things that are definitely
not in his best interest.
Frankly, that's why most of us have hurts, hang-ups, and
habits. We are losing the battle that goes on between our ears. We
haven't learned to make the right choice when our minds are in conflict
with our hearts. We learn that lesson only by listening to God,
reading his Word, and filling our minds with things that are good,
positive, and beneficial.
Of course it's still a battle. It will always be a battle!
But it's a battle we are sure to win if we've trained our minds to
know when something doesn't line up with God's principles.
I can't lie, my mind still tells me to do stuff - it's just
that now I know when to listen and when to just say no.
Father, you are always looking out for me, always showing me
the right way to go. Thank you for loving me with such a great and
amazing love. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional
by John & Johnny Baker mod.]
EXCELLENT MINI-VIDEO ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA:
http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/2088
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070726-1045.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Music Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
LINK FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
http://www.aBible.com
