SCRIPTURE FROM: Colossians 3:1-4 (AMP)
TEXT: 1 Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory
OBSERVATION: Paul spoke God’s wisdom to the followers at Colossae, because he saw that they were struggling to stay on track for the Lord. God showed Paul how wrapped up they were getting in the world, and how the heart follows the eyes and mind of a person. For those that Paul felt were impacted by the gospel, and surrendered themselves to the God of this universe, he encouraged them to keep their minds fixed on what lies ahead for them, and not on the temporary things of this world. Aren’t we the same way today?
APPLICATION: I was born and raised in the Bahamas, and although I have lived in the United States for over 30 years, there are times that my wife cooks Bahamian recipes and we reflect back on the fays of our growing up in the Bahamas. If we plan a trip to visit back home, we begin thinking of what local dishes we will look for while we’re there, who we will attempt to visit, and where we might want to visit (landmarks)! Friends, for those of you that invited Jesus to be Lord of your life, you know that you are destined for heaven. What are you anxious for? When you set your minds like Paul taught, I believe that you will start living like God wants you to here on this earth. Furthermore, just like I’ve share with friends how beautiful the Bahamas is, I should also be telling them about how beautiful heaven is to me, and how much I am looking forward to my residence there with my Creator. We know quite a bit about our eternal home, for in Revelation the Bible says: ‘…the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him. — Revelation 22:3. It also says: I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands. — Revelation 5:11. We are reminded that we will have new bodies; there will be no crying there; no sickness there; And that there will be no clock watching there for we will praise our Savior forever and forever! So why do we let so many things worry us here on this earth, friends? These are all temporary! We know that we will die, so if you want nothing to do with my Jesus, may I suggest that you think really seriously about what your future will be like before your eyes are closed in death? The only alternative to what I described above is eternal damnation – worse than anything you’ve ever witnessed here on earth. You would terribly disappoint me friend, for I share this blog everyday with hopes that each one who reads it, might catch a glimpse of Jesus, and would come to accept Him as Lord of their life. Please consider this carefully today, don’t delete it as you would do a pesty email.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, only You know the heart of each person that will be reminded of Paul’s plea, and my wish today. I believe that You have a plan for each of us, but I pray that You would tender hardened hearts today. Please draw men unto yourself – my great friends who will read this blog today, both men, women and children. Thank You for preparing a home for us to celebrate with You throughout eternity. ‘Oh I want to see You, look upon Your face, there to sing forever, of Your saving grace, on the streets of glory let me lift my voice, Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice!’. As you sing that chorus, prepare your mind for heaven! It is out of this world!! AMEN!
FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!