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Colossians 3:2 - Be 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.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   My church does a corporate fast every 
year, when hundreds of members engage together in 
a dedicated time of prayer and fasting. My 
husband, Hal, and I decided to step out on faith and 
commit to a month-long Daniel Fast, which involves 
consuming only fruits, vegetables, grains, and water. 
That's no small order for two self-proclaimed 
carnivores who love fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, 
and apple pie. 
   A week before we began the fast, I 
researched vegan recipes and stocked up on brown rice, 
bulgur, vegetables, and every type of bean 
imaginable. I got tips from my vegan friends on how to 
transition to meatless meals. I became fixated on 
food. 
   What I wasn't focused on was praying and 
reading God's Word. While I did spend time with the 
Lord, I concentrated more on the earthly (food) 
and not the spiritual. Near the end of the fast, 
I confessed to the Lord that I felt like I had 
failed. But after it was all over, I believed Jesus 
was pleased with my efforts, even if I hadn't 
done everything as I thought I should have. 
   The Bible tells us that we do not live by 
bread alone but on every word that comes from the 
mouth of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). 
I've learned that while fasting is a wonderful 
spiritual discipline, it does not replace spending 
time with Jesus. So, for my next fast, I'll ask 
Jesus to give me an urgent hunger for Him, one 
that will go beyond sacrificing earthly things. 
Barbranda Lumpkins Walls 
   Faith Step: Take stock of what occupies 
your mind each day. Do meals, chores, social 
media, TV, and such consume you more than time 
spent with Jesus? [Mornings With Jesus 2022 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

INTRODUCTION

   Paul summons the Colossians to a new way 
of thinking that results in a new lifestyle. 
This new way of thinking is grounded in the 
resurrection that began with Christ and Christ's supreme 
power over the physical and spiritual world.  
   Because we have been raised with Christ, 
our spiritual lives anchor us and give our 
everyday lives meaning. Christ gives us hope for the 
future and the power to live for him now. This 
truth provides a different perspective on our 
lives here on earth. By seeking what Christ 
desires, we have the power to break our obsession 
with pleasure and leisure activities. At the same 
time, following Christ means loving and serving 
others in this world just like he did.  
   Do you think this life has little 
relevance to eternal life? That wasn't the case for 
Paul. Paul outlines this new way of thinking in 
these four verses. Then for the next two chapters, 
he talks about many of the ways this applies to 
everyday living " for all the relationships that 
make up each day. [NLT SB 2008]  

   In his letter to the Christians in Rome, 
Paul admonishes us, "Don't copy the behavior and 
customs of this world, but let God transform you 
into a new person by changing the way you think" 
(Romans 12:2). In today's verses, he gives us an 
important step in that process of transformation. 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 present reality of his love for us 
and our new life in him must become the primary 
focus of our attention if we hope to escape the 
clutches of darkness of this present world. No 
religious activity can set us free, no matter how 
transcendent it might be. The realities of heaven become 
the substance of our lives only when we set our 
sights on him in whom our life is hidden. 
   LORD, help me to see with new eyes today. 
Instead of the troubles of my life in this world, 
may I focus my vision on you, the author and 
finisher of my faith, the lover and keeper of my 
soul. Help me to trust in the realities of your 
kingdom more than I trust what I can experience with 
my physical body. [Praying Through The Bible By 
Fuller re Col. 3:1-3] 

COMMENTARY

To Be Like Christ
   Jesus wants you to be happy, but you 
cannot be happy in having your own way and 
following the impulses of your own heart. Our 
notions, our peculiarities, are wholly human and must 
not be humored or indulged. Self is to be 
crucified, not now and then but daily, and the 
physical, mental, and spiritual must be subordinate to 
the will of God. The glory of God, the 
perfection of Christian character, is to be the aim, 
the purpose, of our life. Christ's followers 
must imitate Christ in disposition.... Like 
Christ is the watchword, not like your father or 
your mother, but like Jesus Christ - hid in 
Christ, clothed with Christ's righteousness, imbued 
with the Spirit of Christ. All the peculiarities 
given us as an inheritance or acquired by 
indulgence or through erroneous education must be 
thoroughly overcome, decidedly resisted. Love of esteem 
and pride of opinion, all must be brought to the 
sacrifice.   
   Jesus is our helper; in Him and through 
Him we must conquer. The grace of Christ is 
waiting your demand upon it. He will give you grace 
and strength as you need it if you ask Him. 
The religion of Christ will bind and restrain 
every unholy passion, will stimulate to energy, to 
self-discipline, and industry, even in the matters of homely, 
everyday life, leading us to learn economy, tact, and 
self-denial, and to endure even privation without a 
murmur. The Spirit of Christ in the heart will be 
revealed in the character, will develop noble 
qualities and powers. "My grace is sufficient" (2 
Corinthians 12:9) says Christ. OHC 29  

ILLUSTRATIONS

   Awhile ago someone asked me in an 
interview, Why do you talk about Heaven all the 
time? He said that he noticed in my sermons or 
when Im on the radio or TV that Im always 
talking about Heaven. 
   I thought, Really? Well, good.
   Thats a good thing to always talk 
about. I wasnt aware I was doing it, but Im 
not ashamed or embarrassed by it. Really, 
whats more important than where we will spend our 
eternal destiny? 
   Ive always studied Heaven. Ive 
always been fascinated by it. I wouldnt say that 
Im an expert on it, but I would say that Im 
a student of it. And I became greater student 
of it in 2008 when my son went to Heaven. 
   Colossians 3:1"2 tells us, Since you 
have been raised to new life with Christ, set 
your sights on the realities of heaven, where 
Christ sits in the place of honor at Gods right 
hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the 
things of earth (nlt). 
   We are to set our hearts and minds on 
things above. This is effectively saying, 
Constantly be seeking and thinking about Heaven. 
   Our feet must be on earth, but our minds 
and hearts can be in Heaven. Many of us have 
gone an entire day without a single thought about 
Heaven. That isnt a good thing. We should always 
be thinking about it. 
   Warren Wiersbe, a great Bible 
commentator, said, For the Christian, heaven isnt 
simply a destination; its a motivation. 
   If you believe theres an afterlife and 
a reward waiting for you for your 
faithfulness, wont that motivate you to serve the Lord? 
I hope so. 
   When youre thinking about Heaven and 
seeking Heaven, youll be a heavenly minded person 
in the best sense of the term. When youre 
focused on Heaven, youll live the most fulfilling 
life on earth. [By Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   "This house is in your price range, and 
it's been on the market for a while." The realtor 
ushered us into a dark kitchen. Battered 
avocado-colored appliances were wedged against a grimy brick 
wall. A strange plastic sliding barrier outlined a 
tiny eating area. 
   The bathroom had an ugly green sink and 
tub. The whole house looked dingy and forsaken. 
But when we stepped into the living room on the 
back of the house, we stopped short. 
   Beyond the ample backyard, the water of a 
public pond rippled in the breeze. Ducks swam, 
willow branches bobbed, and beyond the pond a 
protected wetland held native grasses, reeds, and 
endless trees. My husband and I looked at each other 
and knew this was our new home. 
   We spent years remodeling, first the main 
floor and then the basement. When the work was 
frustrating, we'd stop and look out the window. The 
beauty energized us to keep going. 
   Sometimes the view is everything. Life 
can be dingy, cramped, and ugly more times than 
we'd like to admit. The work of our hands is 
often repetitive and seems unrewarding. 
Relationships can wound us like rusty nails. Loss and 
grief can darken our vision like a blown fuse. But 
when we set our gaze beyond, the glimpse of 
Jesus's glory carries us through. No matter how ugly 
our present circumstances, we can focus on where 
He is guiding us - to beauty beyond 
imagination. Sharon Hinck 
   Faith Step: Shift your gaze today. Find a 
beautiful view and than thank Jesus for that reminder 
of the glory ahead when He returns. [Mornings 
With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   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. 
   Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit 
that dwells within me, ready to help me stay 
focused on those things that are most important. In 
Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily 
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Colossians 3:1-3 - How to Set Your Mind On 
Things Above. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210313-0910.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657  

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE