Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realties of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who IS your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (NLT)
Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things of above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ an God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, the you also will appear with him in glory. (NIV)
Colossians 3:1-4 I really liked both of these translations, and even though they are very similar I wanted to include both.
Things of heaven, things of heaven, things of heaven, set my thoughts on things of heaven. Set my heart on things of heaven. Earthly things tend to cloud up my mind, confuse me, and leave me so worried. Worried about how everything will work out, and scared. The world is so sad, but Christ gives us little pieces of heaven to ponder on daily until heaven is fully revealed when Christ comes.
You guys, I absolutely love music, it is truly one of my favorite things. Playing an instrument, listening to other people play music, listening to Pandora, singing in show choir, singing in church choir, all of it! To me music is a little piece of heaven, it is something that will always connect me to God, it is very special to me. People can worship God in anything they do, and when you ask most people what worship is, they will probably say something about music or singing. Which is a totally valid answer, because music and singing, are ways to worship Christ. To me, worship is really and attitude of your heart, a reflection of your heart. Worship can take place in everyday conversations, playing music, playing your favorite sport... and the list goes on and on. Music means a lot to me, and most of the time when I am singing a song, or playing music, I can close my eyes, and see a little piece of heaven. I love music, when I use music to glorify God, He shows me a piece of heaven. I imagine that if you dedicate something that you truly love to God, he will show you heaven through that thing.
Eternal things. Most days I find myself drifting into the ways of the world. Things of this world seem so enticing, but what is cool, is that when you set your mind on things of above, you will want more and more. Once you see that little piece of heaven, you will want more.
My human nature tells me to follow along with the ways of the world, Colossians tells us that when you have been raised with Christ, you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When you accept Christ, and decide to live for him, and I mean really live for him, your life becomes hidden in him, you die to yourself, you die to this world, and you become a part of Christ.
My mom recited this poem the other day, and now I am learning it, I love poetry, it is something that I have always enjoyed, but I love to memorize things. I love memorizing scripture, and quotes and prayers, and poetry. Lately I have really been enjoying poetry, but this is the Prayer of Saint Francis.
LORD, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me show love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
In pardoning we are pardoned
In dying to self we are born into eternal life.
I absolutely love this prayer, but the part that I think applies to this blog post the most would be, for God to grant not that I be understood, but for me to understand, not for me to seek love from others, but to love others! When we die to ourselves, we are born to eternal life. It does not matter if the world understands me, it does not matter if the world loves me, God understands me and God loves me!!
When we die to ourselves we are born into eternal life.
Photo of The Day
Song of The Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbMvFdRDvg
Thank You for the cross that You have carried
Thank You for Your blood that was shed
You took the weight of sin upon Your shoulders
And Sacrificed Your life so I could live
Now nothing is holding me back from You
Redeemer of my soul
Now nothing can hold me back from You
Your Love will never let me go
Thank You for Your death and resurrection
Thank You for the power of Your blood
I am overwhelmed by Your affection
The Kindness and the Greatness of Your Love
The Kindness and the Greatness of Your Love
Thank You that we’re living in Your Kingdom
Jesus You’re the King upon the throne
Thank You for the way You always love me
Now I get to love You in return
Now I get to love You in return
Jesus, You make all things new
-Jesus makes all things new, you, me, everything. He is everything! I am so thankful for living in his kingdom! There is nothing holding me back from Christ and I am running towards him.
Thankfulness
I am thankful for my youth group, and how excited they are. Even when you are sick and do not feel great, they will make you feel loved, and special. Seriously some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and I really want to learn with them this year, and invest in all of their lives.
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