DENYING MYSELF BY SETTING MY MIND ON THINGS ABOVE

This week, I am exploring what God says about setting my mind on things above.  As I enter prayer now, I reflect on God’s instruction: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” 

Lord, I desire to focus on You.  Allow my mind 

to be transformed by the reading of Your Word. 

Let me consider the Word of God from Colossians 3:1-4, 12-14: 

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. 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

If I have been raised with Christ, He wants me to think differently.  Why should I be concerned about the affairs of this world instead of eternal things?  He wants me to think more about what He cares about than worry about earthly things. 

When I am raised with Christ, I die to myself, and my life is now not my own but belongs to Christ.  This is what it means to surrender my life to Jesus Christ.  My life is now His life; He is my life. 

Lord, I desire to totally surrender my life to You. 

Transform my heart and mind to focus on eternal things, 

not the temporary things of this world. 

Transforming my life takes time, and I slip up all the time.  My goal, though, is to be holy as God is holy. I show this through my actions toward others as a representative of Christ here on this earth.  I should reflect Jesus Christ and the love He has shown me. 

Lord, may I reflect Your love for me. 

I desire others to see You living in me today.   

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.