Kingdom

DEAR GOD: My Mind Is Set On Things Above~

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The Kingdom of GOD

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” –Matthew 6:19-21

Colossians 3:2 also says- “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This verse is part of a larger passage that exhorts Christians to live a new life in Christ, who is their life and their hope of glory.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:19-21 – that our rewards are in Heaven and we should set our mind on the treasures above – for where our treasure is, there too is our heart!

The apostle Paul continues Jesus’ teachings thereby urging believers to put to death their sinful nature and to put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of God.

He also tells them to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love, which are the marks of the new humanity in Christ.

Paul also instructs Christians to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts (Philippians 4:13) to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, and to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.

The main idea of Colossians 3:2 passage, is Christians are called to live a heavenly-minded life, not a worldly-minded one. This does not mean that they should ignore or neglect their earthly responsibilities, such as work, family, or society. Rather, it means that they should view everything from a higher perspective, that of God’s will and purpose.

They should seek the things that are above, where Christ is, not the things that are on the earth, which are passing away.

They should set their minds on the eternal realities, not the temporal ones. They should live as citizens of heaven, not as slaves of the world- (Philippians 3:20)

By setting their minds on things above, Christians can experience the joy and peace that come from knowing Christ and being united with him.

They can also resist the temptations and pressures that come from the world, the flesh, and the devil. They can also witness to the world the transforming power of the gospel, which can change lives and renew the creation.

They can also look forward to the day when Christ will appear, and they will appear with Him in glory, sharing in His inheritance and His reign.

To set our minds on things above, we need to cultivate a close relationship with Christ, who is our life. We need to spend time with Him in prayer, worship, and meditation on His word.

We need to seek His guidance and direction in every decision and action. We need to obey his commands and follow His example. We need to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. We need to remember that we are not our own, but we belong to Him, who died for us and rose again.

We need to live for His glory, not our own. We need to set our minds on things above, not on this world, and the things in it. Rather the Eternity and the Eternal rewards that will ultimately come to fruition when we are called “home.”

“Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for this day and moment in time, help me to keep my heart and mind fixed on You and Your Kingdom where You reign in glory. You are my heavenly goal, and with You is where I want to be! I will look ahead with hope in my heart and soul, knowing Your promises are real, and Your love in unsurpassed and unparalleled, Come, Lord Jesus! Amen!”

DEAR GOD: May I Be Childlike In My Faith~

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Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 18:2-5 (NLT)

 

Jesus is instructing His disciples when He tells them they need to “transform into childlike qualities” or it’d be impossible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Childlike qualities include humility and a sense of compassion and kindness and openness that are characteristics of a little child. In other words, entering into the Kingdom of the LORD in Heaven won’t be accomplished by defeating all opponents’ and gaining boastful achievements that express a selfish desire to get ahead in a ruthless fashion, or sense.

Instead, we must be humble and walk in compliance and in alignment with His Word and commandments. We must have the “mind” of Christ, and have a heart filled with love of God in all things we endeavor to do in our lives.

Those who enter must be humble in recognizing like little children, we are powerless over the circumstances in our lives. That like little children who are dependent on their parents, we are to understand we are “completely dependent on God” to provide for us and protect us from harm.

Only through this kind of mind-set and actions can we attain the grace from God. And by accepting His Son and following Him in spirit, and belief.

Have you “embraced the inner child” from within to accomplish and attain the goal of His Kingdom?

Are you walking in humility and trust?

Jesus’ words are infallible and His promises are real.

“Father God, thank You for instructing us in preparation for Your Kingdom, may I walk in complete humility and trust, may I hold true to the characteristics of children, and may I embrace You daily, today and always, and know that Your Spirit still guides me every day, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

 

DEAR GOD: You Bring Me Comfort and Joy~

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Psalm 16:11 – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Believing and living for Christ and embracing His Spirit, there is pleasures and promises that are assured and renewed by His breath of life that lives within and dwells within.

Being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit is akin to being connected to a reservoir. The Spirit refreshes and the harmony of His Presence flows in symmetry according to all things for His purpose and will.

When filled with His Spirit your countenance becomes enshrouded in peace, and when you trust Him fully, there is a directness and openness that counteracts any aversive circumstance you encounter.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

When we are willing participants in His doctrine and commandments, and we surrender to all that He is—We can not only survive but get through any scenario or circumstance we run into.

When we pray to Him and give ourselves fully to Him, we don’t have to worry about anything. His peace will fill us completely. His protection covers us.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Our lives are not just about the tangibles, but about the intangibles. It’s about believing in things that are not seen. It’s not about ‘what will I eat, drink or do? ‘ It’s about seeking the Kingdom of God in all we do.  It’s about gaining knowledge and wisdom in His Word and love. It’s about letting the Spirit rule.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17

It’s about giving Him glory, honor and respect. It’s about knowing that He is the reason we are, and the reason we live. It’s about feeling His love and responding to it by loving Him back unconditionally.

We can never fully comprehend the extent and capacity and depth of His love for us, but we can willingly hold onto Him and love Him for all we are and do.

When we aspire to be all we can be for Him, we will purpose our lives by being in alignment with His Word all the days of our lives. And when we come into His Holy Presence when we are called home and live in Eternal joy we will have attained and retain all the rewards in which He alone can give and will employ.

“Father, thank You for filling me with Joy, and the love of Your peace, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: I Seek You in All I Do- Jesus, My LORD~

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You will seek me and find me when you seek me with… Jeremiah 29:13

 

The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. – 2 Chronicles 15:2

 

There truly isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t fervently seek the LORD.  I cannot begin to fathom a day or a life without Him in it, or by my side. Truly I’d perish emotionally, physically, and spiritually, if I didn’t seek Him daily, or trust in Him fully for all of my endeavors. When I call upon Him, He is there! Always.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near- Isaiah 55:6

His strength is the portion of who I am and the reason I manage to do anything in this lifetime. The light and His love resonate as do His Words and promises, which I embrace dearly and completely. He enables me to go further each time in a journey that would be impossible to forego without Him. To which I am eternally grateful.

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always –Psalm 105:4 

I am harvesting a joy of which I can’t fully explain, only those who know Him can realize the He is the main component for our life source.

Honestly living is LIFE when He is in it. Those who don’t know Him ostensibly are not fully “alive” they are merely existing. They haven’t the slightest idea of the magnitude of who He is, how He is, and what He is!   He is all things at all times!

This is what the Lord says to Israel: “Seek me and live” –Amos 5:4

Irrespective of current circumstances, or anything that is brewing in life, with Him there is an ability to overcome, to be an achiever and to be strong and possess the fortitude to endure.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing –Psalm 34:10

Simply put my brothers and sisters, if you want to truly relish a life worth living and feel a joy bubbling deep within you, no matter what you are going through…SEEK HIM daily.

This course of action will be one that will prove invaluable to you on every single level all the days of your life on earth, and those in the Eternity!  Amen!

Have you sought Him today? Do you seek Him daily? If not, what are you waiting for?

 

“Father God, thank You for this moment in time, for all the days of my life from birth until this second, and for all the days to come, I seek You, I need You, I want You in my life always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”