2002-03-08 - Elevation

This past week, I have been recovering from a foot injury. My doctor was especially adamant about two things: (1) I need to have my foot examined again before leaving town and (2) it's crucial that I keep my foot continuously elevated. In the same way, we need to keep our hearts and minds continuously elevated. My doctor came out and bluntly warned me, that if I don't keep the foot elevated, it won't heal. Likewise, if we don't keep our hearts and minds elevated, we won't grow spiritually.

Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB) 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.

When you wake up, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Your list of "things I need to get done today?" Worries that you have? Dread of something you have to do that day?

I challenge you (along with myself) to begin tomorrow by thanking God for the day He has given us, and asking Him to lead us to do what He wants us to that day, to use the gifts and time He has given us, for HIS purposes and HIS glory.

How do you spend your "free time?" Perhaps you enjoy watching sports (nothing wrong with that) or shopping. Maybe you delight in God's creation - His birds, trees etc. I do, and I also enjoy reading and watching a couple TV shows I look forward to each week. I challenge you (again, along with myself) to spend a little more time each day thinking on "Heavenly things--" studying a passage of God's word in-depth, spending a little time with a great writer / theologian such as C.S. Lewis or Augustine.

What kind of music do you listen to in your car? I enjoy oldies and soundtracks from my favorite TV show. But I also like to listen to Kathy Troccoli and Sierra. We need to spend some time listening to music that uplifts our souls.

This coming week, let's think of some ways we can set our minds and hearts on Heavenly things.

Jan

 jan@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org