Colossians 1:9-13, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"

Seldom do you hear phrases such as, "I'm in seventh heaven" or "I'm floating on cloud nine," nor do you hear terms like 'cocked-eyed optimist,' 'day dreamer,' or 'head in the clouds' any more. It's hard to be optimistic when there is so much wrong in the world today.

The world has it's mind set and eyes on everything that is going on around it. That is, whatever is sensual to the natural senses, taste, touch, smell, hear, see. Things of the flesh that arouse those senses. They live in a finite world, only acknowledging  what is in the here and now. Time is of importance and the world does not have time to spare. Constantly moving according to a clock that ticks the seconds away. But when your mind is set on our Heavenly Father, you know that there is a God in heaven Who knows the beginning from the end. A God Who in the beginning spoke through time and space and brought the worlds into existence. Who set the foundations of the earth and from nothing brought life to all things.

Before you were ever born, dear one, God knew at what time you would need Him the most. He is right there to bring you through any problem you face. You may feel that your life could not get any worse. You have hit rock bottom and are scrapping the bottom of the barrel for whatever necessity you need. You may see the wicked prosper; however, there is a God in heaven Who is willing and able to provide for everything that you need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

God desires and will open the windows of heaven for you to pour you out a blessing. By setting your mind on the things above God will reveal His plan for your life and bring you through to victory.  

Colossians 2:6-9, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

Living and working in the world is a constant struggle and it can be easy to get caught up in the world's philosophy when your heart is full of jealousy and hate. Jealousy can be a deep rooted problem that is often hard to recognize and is definitely something that can bring out the worst in people.

Jealousy begins with desire, the desire of something we don't have. It is a want that becomes a need, a need that becomes a must have, a must have that becomes an obsession, and an obsessive desire can and will bear with it jealousy. Jealousy which bears with it anger, hate, covetousness, false witness, and treachery of every type.

The world's three greatest obsessions are money, fame, and fortune. With the belief that you can buy anything with money, the enemy of our soul uses it to tempt and taunt and the world blindly follows his lead. Blindly he leads dangling riches with the promise of love and friendships among the world's wealthiest. Fortunes beyond their wildest dreams that will cause everyone to stand up and notice as they pass by. Even the smallest detail of their lives becomes public information because, far too often, these things become every medias gossip through which they become prey to the degenerate.   

Paul admonished the Colossians , "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him," (3:5-10). Precious child of God, you are in the world but you are not of the world.

Jesus prayed for you before you were ever conceived that your Heavenly Father would keep you from the evil of the world. Colossians instructs us that "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God," (3:1-3). When we set our desires on the things of heaven our mind is constantly on 'What Would Jesus Do.' When your mind is set on Christ you don't need a bracelet to remind you.

God has redeemed you from the curse of this world. Christ laid down His life so that you might live a more abundant life. And because He rose from the dead we have been given an eternal life with the Father. We are not of this world but we are of the kingdom of God. Part of His kingdom and included in His inheritance which cannot be compared with the things of this world which are set for destruction. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ," Colossians 3:23-24.

Therefore, let your desire be focused on the things in heaven. Constantly praying and singing and hymns to your Heavenly Father knowing that He will guard your every footstep. He is more than able to keep you from falling and to make you stand in His presence. 

*March 29, 2009