Set Your Mind on Things Above 3/26/16

Set Your Mind on Things Above.

There is so much going on in the world these days.  So much unrest, terrorism, mass shootings, constant upheaval in the Middle East, Afghanistan, an unsettled economy, etc.  And now, as if all that wasn’t enough, is the constant bombardment of anything and everything having to do with the presidential primaries and elections.  He said, she said, who did what to whom, scandal, mud flinging, the whole sophomoric kit and caboodle.

All these things are WORDLY and a DISTRACTION.  A distraction from paying attention to the things that really matter: namely the things of God.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Col 3:1,2  

Even though I like my TV watching as much as anyone, I have gone more and more to turning off the TV, tuning out the radio and avoiding political discussions as much as possible.  Less TV means more time to think about Jesus and the things of God.  More time to pray, more time to seek His will for me in things big and small.  More time to spend with my family, More time to remind myself that only Love (God is Love) really matters.

When it comes right down to it, we either exist in fear or in love.  To get caught up in worldly things is to be caught up in the fear that goes with it.  Certainly, with so much unrest in the world, it is VERY easy to become fear based.  Most people I know (me included) have a tendency to make decisions based on fear.

When we decide to abide in Love (in God), then fear loses its hold/power over us.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  1 John 4:15-18

I don’t know about you, but when I spend too much time thinking about what’s going on the in the world fear takes hold, my anxiety goes crazy, depression creeps in and I’m left with a general feeling of unrest

It really is true: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. Is 26:3

So, the next time the world tries to distract you from Jesus, remember this:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil 3:20