Set your mind on things above- a Christian meditation

• Note:  We are 12 days beyond Easter (Resurrection Sunday).  This would be 12 days into the 40 days that Jesus was appearing to his disciples and over 500 other people, Acts 1:3 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.  We are symbolically in the time before Jesus ascended to the Father.  So consider, if you were you living in that time, Jesus would still be walking around meeting with people, teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven, and giving proof that he is alive!
• Below is an exercise to “set” your mind on things above.

First reflect on the fact that Jesus wants minds firmly set on the reality that He was formerly dead; but by the power of His Father in Heaven, he was raised up from the dead, Ephesians 1:20!

Long time followers of Jesus may find the above “too familiar” and not challenging to their prayer life. People can tune out saying to themselves, “I’ve heard that before, nothing new.”  But that reaction more so indicates a “lukewarm” state of heart, than a correct judgment.  And it probably means your mind is more set on other things right now than on Jesus.

We must do hard stops to redirect our thoughts from the day-to-day and into the victory of Christ.  Jesus was nailed to the cross, released from the grave, and is now seated on His throne in Heaven.  This is to be a treasure trove for mind renewal.  These places (the cross, risen, and then ascended) are always a dwelling place for prayer and mind renewal.

So let’s set our mind on things above!  In order for something to “set” or be “set”, it means that it is fixed, it has been readied and prepared.  For someone’s mind to be “set”, one

has first sat and hardened so that a thought has become fixed

.  This can lead us in a good direction or a bad direction.  Assess where you are “set”.

Where have your thoughts been sitting?  Where are you set in your ways and immovable?  Are they good or bad places of thought?  (Later, read this recent

blog

on how to determine what is good.)

Examine today where your thoughts are “set”.  Do a quick inventory.

• The first thing on your mind when you woke up this morning was ______________________________
• Then while getting ready and you looked at yourself in the mirror, you thought what about yourself?
• As you went on with your day, what were you reviewing?
• Have you focused on how to get a certain person’s attention today, in order to be noticed and feel validated?
• Have you ruminated more on problems or solutions?

Based upon those answers, put yourself on a spectrum.

• Do the thoughts of your day skew more towards worry or peace?
• Negative or positive?
• Heaviness of thought or joy?
• Striving or effortlessness?
• “Me, me, me” thoughts or “who can I serve” thoughts?
• People pleaser or child of God?

To be sure, life is not a rest filled day laying in a hammock, above a field of flowers, with song birds cheering our hearts all the time.  It is quite easy to skew to the left on those questions above.  Reality is that there are countless things happening to easily bring worry, heaviness, striving, and longing for attention.  This is why God’s word is clear that that our thoughts are not God’s thoughts, our ways are not His ways.  God wants it to be clear that our minds must be supernaturally renewed!  He gives us access to his thoughts and will transform us so that His ways become our ways!

For this, we must do a hard stop and position to SET our minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Here is a test for Christians- Have you ever pictured yourself seated at the right hand of Jesus in Heaven?  Is that a ridiculous exercise to you?  It should not be.  You being raised up with Christ and seated with him in Heaven is a God thought.  Here is proof-

Ephesians 2: 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Are you able to quiet yourself right now and envision yourself seated next to Christ in Heaven?

• Don’t try and do it on your own.  Ask God to help you.  “Father, help me “see” myself seated in Heaven with Jesus as His gift of grace.”
• Fix yourself next to him.  Are you squirming and uncomfortable?  What it is about?  Remember you are there by grace, not merit.
• Now how does it feel as He smiles at you, so happy to have you seated next to Him, the King of all!

• How does it feel to be transported above all darkness, wickedness, and death?  Above your flesh life?
• Are you connecting with Jesus’ victory over all, over all in you?  Can you envision him handing you a scepter to carry His authority, in partnership with him?
• Do you feel unworthy to take the scepter?  What is it about?  Tell him.  Remember His mercies never end.  He understands.  Talk to Him.  You are there by His gift of grace.
• Wait there in your thoughts.  Wait there with Jesus.  Tell him simple things that you feel.
  • “It’s so nice to be here with you Jesus.”
  • “It’s a relief to be lifted away from the intensity of my day.”
  • “Thank you for raising me up with you in your victory over death.”
  • “Thank you for not treating me as my sins deserve.”
  • “How are we working together today?”
• Just keep sitting there with Him.  Fix yourself firmly next to him.  The goal is to see yourself fixed in position, next to Jesus, in Heaven, seated at the right hand of God.  The goal is to feel humbled, honored, accepted, loved, glorified, and partnered in victory over all things!
• Praise Him!

Colossians 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

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