Things Above

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
(Colossians 3:2-4)

Meditation

Before I came to Christ, I wanted many things that were out of my reach financially. I wanted a bigger house. I wanted a fancier car. I wanted the best for my family and myself. Of course, I wanted lots of money in the bank too. I worked many long hours to achieve these dreams, but they were always just out of my reach. I tried several things, like starting my own business, buying real estate, and even playing the lottery. The business made pretty good money, but we couldn’t keep employees. Shortly after buying the rental properties, the bottom fell out of the market and the value of my holdings lost about a third of it’s value. The lottery was a pipe dream from the start.
Everything here on this earth is nothing but a vapor. My money, all my possessions, even my earthly body will be left behind when I die. There is nothing on this world with an eternal value. I can take nothing with me when I cross into eternity. Why do I concern myself so much with the material trappings of this world? Why do I insist on chasing those worldly dreams, when they will amount to nothing? When we look around us, at our children and grandchildren, at the spouse we love, at everything we’ve been given, we can see the handiwork of God, even before we’re saved. We don’t need a whole lot more.
When I gave my life to Christ, I died to the things of this world. When I made Jesus the sovereign of my life, I received assurance I will go with him to glory and everything I’ve accumulated will remain here. I no longer have to concern myself about what car I drive, or the clothes I wear. The old me died when I submitted myself to Jesus. I confess I still, sometimes, struggle with those wants, but I’ve gained the help to resist through Christ. I try every day to keep my focus on my final destination and not the material things this world has to offer. It’s his grace and mercy that has saved me and when he returns for everyone who loves him, I want to be in that number.
If my focus is on Jesus and what he has purposed me to do, I won’t have time to chasing after what the world has to offer. The day is coming, very soon, when Christ will step foot on the earth again. When he does, if you are still his enemy, it will not be good for you. On that day, if you’re still thinking that your money will save you, you will be mistaken. If you think your stores of food and water will see you through, you will be dead wrong. If you’re still cursing God for everything that’s going wrong with this world you love, it will soon be made clear to you how incorrect you’ve been. No matter how right you think you are, Jesus wants to reveal the truth to you.




Daily Prayer

We love you, Lord God, because you loved us first. We praise and glorify your name. We thank you, Father, for giving us this new life we have in Christ Jesus. Our one desire is to please you, Lord, so help us to seek you always. With all the worldly distractions of our society, it’s easy to slip back into our old sinful ways. Your ways are higher than ours and we know when we reach for the higher way, we are happier. Father, please, give us the strength to resist anything that is not pleasing in your sight. Hide us from the temptations of the Evil One, who only offers us destruction. Make our paths straight and when we stray, please forgive us. Thank you, Father, for loving us even when we disappoint you! We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

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