Listen
What is God saying to you through the scriptures today?
Reflect
To say that our thought life is important is an understatement. What we think can literally shape the quality and the direction of life. If our minds are consistently fed negative thoughts, we will eventually drift in that direction. On the other hand, if our thoughts are consumed with truth and of life, we find ourselves drifting towards life. Paul understood the symbiotic relationship between one’s thought life and the overall quality and direction of life when he wrote the letter to the believers in Colossae. In our passage, Paul encourages the believers to always remember and believe that their ultimate reality and truth is associated with what Christ has done for them. And because of it, whatever is true of Jesus, it is true of them. Not how they felt, or what they’ve done, but what Jesus did on their behalf.
Mind is a powerful thing. They say that half of the enjoyment of vacationing is in the preparation and the imagining of the vacation itself. Similarly, Paul is reminding us that there is more to life than what we see with our physical eyes and that our ultimate truth is so much more than what just the physical life we live. It is easy to go through life and be preoccupied and consumed by physical life. But Paul says if you want to truly live life to the full, the secret is in how you are able to set eternity in your heart and to direct your thoughts to things above, where God rules and reigns over us. He isn’t promoting some alternate reality or encouraging us to just kinda live in the clouds. Instead, he is inviting us to see the most important truth about us and when that truth is based on who we are IN Christ, then we can live fully to the calling and the purpose God has for us. In fact, Paul makes the case that those who are most heavenly minded are also the most earthly good. The more we know and internalize our identity with Christ, the more we are able to live in this uncommon compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We really are what we think. So, take captive your thoughts today to the truth of God’s unconditional love for you!
Pray
“Father God, thank you that your presence and approval is all I need. Nothing I’ve done and nothing I do can ever cause you to love me more or less. Your love is perfect. So I come to you with confidence for your love is unconditional and unchanging. Help me to see my life’s situation through the eyes of your promise and your victory. To remember that you are always at work, and work for good. Help me to do my part in walking in this truth that you are working things out in me for my ultimate good. And then help me to trust and make space for you to show up and do that which only you can do. Help me to live today knowing that I am IN you and you are IN me!”
Do
Commit to attending the revival starting Monday. Also consider those you want to invite to join you. And imagine the ways God can move in your life as you show up.
