DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2018 HEAVENLY THINKING TEXT: COLOSSIANS 3:1-11

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2018

HEAVENLY THINKING

TEXT: COLOSSIANS 3:1-11

Key Verse: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2)_

When a man is born again, his orientation becomes totally revamped. His mind is tuned to focus on those things that are above with earnestness. His ambition is no longer to acquire the things of this world upon his own lust.

As believers in Christ, we must seek God’s overriding control in every aspect of our lives. In anticipation of Christ’s coming, Paul exhorts Christians to refrain from unregenerate. He talks about the things to “put off” and things to “put on” (Colosians 3:8-10). In verse

11, the Apostle talks about “Neither Greek nor Jews”. One identifying characteristic of those who are conformed to the image of Christ is the fact that they begin to see humanity as God sees all men. God sees no race, social or economic classifications.

Today, we are being challenged to live as if Christ will come the next moment. As the elect of God, we must pattern our lives in line with the principle of holy living and unfeigned love towards God and fellow men. Paul admonishes those who claim to have been crucified with Christ but are still attached to everything that unbelievers cherish, laying up treasures for themselves here through primitive acquisition of worldly riches and careless for the needy to turn over a new leaf.
In many societies, corruption is the mainstay. Sadly, some of those who claim to have given their lives to Christ are still caught in this cankerworm. Remember, there is no middle course to living in life. You are either living by faith or by sight, governed by the dictates of sensual judgment. The one you choose will impact either positively or negatively on your destiny.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Better to sow to the Spirit for life than sow to the flesh and reap death.
COVER to COVER: 1 SAMUEL 4-8.

PONDER:
Anti-heavenly affections:
1.Observed that the 5 sensual sins mentioned in v5 are mostly in the thought realm. Yet the wrath of God is on the those not totally free v6.
2. They are past experiences for true Christians and the wrath of God is sure on those indulging in them, regardless of their profession v5,6.
3. If you are not free from any, then your salvation is in doubt.
4. Observe that the sins mentioned in v8, 9, are mostly manifested through the tongue.
5. Even though Christ gives the victory, "mortify", " put off" and "put on" emphasize human responsibility.
6. Grace and salvation does not cancel personal responsibilities in activating the grace of God.

HYMN:
How Beautiful Heaven Must Be (GHS 137)

1. We read of a place that's called heaven,
It's made for the pure and the free;
These truths in God's word He has given,
How beautiful heaven must be.

Chorus:
How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

2. In heaven no drooping nor pining,
No wishing for elsewhere to be;
God's light is forever, there shining,
How beautiful heaven must be.

3. How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

4. The angels so sweetly are singing,
Up there by the beautiful sea;
Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing,
How beautiful heaven must be.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. If any of those sensual thoughts or sins are already sneaking to your hearts, go afresh to the cross.
2. Ask for grace to be heavenly minded and heavenly conscious.
3. Ask for purity of thought, heart and tongue.
4. Lord, renew the vision and the love of heaven in the hearts of all our pastors in the Church.