Subscription Lists
Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
I also love the King James Version of this verse:
Colossians 3:1-2 KJV
"Set our affection…" Where is your affection? What do you really want out of this life you've been given? Is your deepest desire toward heaven or is it toward earth, is it on the things above, or the things in this world? What are your longings?
There are eternal things God has prepared for those who love Him--very real things that are where Jesus is, at the right hand of God. But they are only given to those who fervently desire them -- who prefer them – who, more than anything else in the world, want to become like Jesus.
God has not programmed us like computers to do exactly what He wants us to do. This is the gift as well as the curse of "freewill". God will not force you to set your affection on these things. It is a decision that you alone must make.
However, God will give you the strength to do it -- but YOU must do it! No one else can do it for you. And if you don't do it, there is no one to blame but yourself. God has provided exceedingly great and precious promises that provide each of us the incentive to do it -- but YOU must do it. If you have died with Christ, you CAN do it! If you are risen with Christ, you CAN do it!
Here's the reason we should be seeking of things above. "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Verse 3) There are no other things that can satisfy and sustain the person in Christ Jesus!
If our life is "hid with Christ," only things that are of Christ can delight our hearts and strengthen our spirits. When we came into Christ, in a very real sense, we left the domain of sin and death. Because our lives are hid with Christ in God, our resources are not in this world because our home is not here. We are being oriented to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We begin now to culture an appetite for the provisions of that house.
I realize this is a struggle, because His ways may not always make sense to us. Just remember, His ways are higher than ours.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
And He is able to do more than we can ever ask of Him or even possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
I pray that each of you reading this will seek "the glorious things that are above"; to earnestly and fervently desire them above all else. Set your mind upon them. Ponder them. Think often of them, and ask the Lord to clarify them to you through His Word. You cannot get to heaven without them. Seek them! Set your affection upon them!
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Rate it:
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Single Minded" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.