What is on your mind?

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

That question is so large, it would likely get the reply, “huh?”. I would call it a loaded question, one that could go down many avenues. It really would require category titles with many sub-titles. Our minds are so preoccupied with so many things we simply would not know how to answer. We get so wrapped up in problems, pleasures, and demands upon us, that many times what we are trying to concentrate on, becomes even a greater challenge, because really our mind has moved on to something else. Many times we cannot give the task at hand 100%, because our mind is worrying about something completely unrelated. The later in life we get, the more our memory is affected by the built up demands on our minds. We were not designed by God for this; the world and all the sin and demands of it are simply taking toll on our bodies. The stress of the demands of this world are a proven killer, time and time again.

The apostle Paul’s exhortation here to the Colossian church is simply a direct one; focus on eternity and not the demands of life today; pursue Christ and the things of Christ with a heart, mind, body, and soul for Him. Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. The false teachers of the day were teaching the demands of religiosity of the day; attempting to keep all the demands of the law and ceremonies to keep one’s heart right with God. Religion kills, for it teaches the things you must do to justify yourself before God. A relationship saves, for it realizes the work Christ accomplished on the Cross that you could never, but that God’s grace in that act is giving you freely what you do not deserve. The peace in that understanding forms that relationship with your Savior that your heart and mind seek to continually grow in his Word and prayer every day. Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

I made a big change in my life this week, the elimination of a distraction. I no longer participate in Facebook. I kept my page open to share what Christ is doing in my life, and this daily ministry He has given me, but I no longer look at it every day, all day. Everything in this world that takes your mind off Christ, is a tool of the enemy. All the worries that you face, all the demands of your time in so many areas, can you see how the enemy uses them? Even if you simply look at them as tiring you out every day, to the point you fall into bed without prayers; sleep as late as possible to face the day without starting your day with God; in the encompassing demands of the day it is a victory for Satan. Will you set your mind upon Him today? Will you find, no will you make time, for Him in both prayer and his Word? Can you really afford not to?