Today we continue our series entitled, “Heaven on Earth,” by teaching on God’s Kingdom.
A couple of days ago I introduced you to Colossians 3:1-4. I want to go back to this passage today. Let’s look at it again from two versions: the New International Version and the Easy to Read Version.
(Col 3:1-4 NIV)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
(Col 3:1-4 ERV)
You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Isabella and I just had to deal with a setback. We have been delayed on something we have been expecting for a while. But we shall not be denied. We will lay hold of it soon. That said, it was a major disappointment. But what do you do when you are disappointed? Do you lose hope or are you able to keep going? During the situation one of our friends said to us, “I am learning from you. I am learning by simply watching how you deal with this.” We all face challenges, setbacks and disappointments. You may not have had any control over what happened to you, but you can surely control how you respond. In Col 3:1-4 the Apostle Paul tells us to SET OUR MINDS on the things ABOVE. If your mind is SET on heaven, and you are seeing things from God’s point of view, you will be equipped to overcome every challenge, to press-through every setback, and to withstand the disappointment. God never promised us an easy road. He just promised to be WITH US every step of the way, and He promised to give us the grace to face (and overcome) everything that stands in our way.
2. Life happens. Things don’t always turn out the way you wanted. But you can see it as something that happened TO you or something that happened FOR you. If your mind is SET on the things ABOVE, you be able to see things from God’s point of view. Seeing things God’s way enables you to overcome and keep going.
3. What setting is your mind SET to? Paul gives us the picture of being able to literally SET our minds on to one of two settings: heaven or earth. If you SET YOUR MIND to the “earth” setting, then you will be no different than anyone in this world. You will live like the world and when challenges come, you will have no hope. However, if you SET YOUR MIND to the “heaven” setting, then you will be able to see things from God’s point of view. Come what may, you will not be moved. You will always have hope. You will always know what to do next, because you will be led of God’s Spirit in all things. This is how we are supposed to live. This is how we experience heaven-on-earth.
4. You get to choose what you think about. You get to choose what you SET your mind on. God tells us to SET our minds on the things above. If we do, we will be able to live LIKE HIM in the earth. That’s the goal. As Jesus is, so are we, in this world (1 Jn 4:17).
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I SET MY MIND on the things ABOVE. I was born down here, but I was Born-Again from UP THERE. I am from heaven now. I live in this world with a heavenly mindset. I see things from Your perspective. I embrace Your reality. When faced with a difficult situation, I am determined to see it from Your point of view. You flood my eyes with Your light and I am able to see what to do and how to do it. What happened TO ME actually happened FOR ME! I shall come out on top and You will be glorified in the process. I do not live as someone with NO HOPE. I am never hopeless, because I am never helpless. I enter this day WITH YOU and Your presence in my life changes everything! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
