...think...

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, 21 ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’? 22 All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory”

Colossians 2:20 — 3:4.

I have always loved these words of Paul: “2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” Colossians 3:1-2. You see, what you think about during your day, what you think about when Satan comes to tempt you, what you think about when you are suffering and things are not going well in your life — all the things we think about in the course of a day can often distract us from the things God wants us to think about!

Paul constantly tells us that temptation and sin begins in our thinking, in our minds. And when we sin, we have no one to blame except ourselves.

So the lesson here is a simple and true lesson, but mighty hard to do. We must guard our thoughts. A professor told me years ago, “We must think about what we are thinking about!”

Whenever a thought comes into your mind that cannot be from God, simply lift up a thought to God about your love for God. Or ask God to fill your mind with His thoughts. When I am aware of temptation entering my thoughts, which is where Satan tempts us all, I often say: Lord, I know You are with me. Guide me (help me) to be faithful to You.” Often, I just say, "Jesus." It’s simple, but very helpful. The point is not what I think or say, but what you need to think or say to God when your thoughts are not from God.

Try it! You’ll like it!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Today’s Prayer

Oh Lord, fill my mind with Your thoughts.

Help me today to stay with You in my thinking and choices.

I love You, but know that without You I am powerless.

Help me to remain focused on You alone!

And Lord, I love You for who You are and for what You have done.

Every time in the Gospels when I see You being tempted,

you run to your Father in heaven — in prayer.

And whenever You faced a big issue in Your life,

You headed to a quiet place to ask your Father for help.

Let me be that person today.

In your holy name, I pray. Amen.