We
look forward to being raised with Christ when He comes for His bride; however,
we need to realize that, once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are already
raised with Him. Our life is hidden with Christ in God, and Jesus is our whole
life (Colossians 3:3-4).
Therefore,
we set our heart on heavenly aspects rather than earthly things (Colossians
3:1-2), just as the early Church did.
John
the Baptist ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Church has been
forcefully advancing it ever since (Matthew 11:12).
Satan
may attempt to sidetrack us, thwart our efforts or discourage us, but if we
make Him our whole life during our lifetime, our life is secure with Christ.
When Jesus does appear for His second coming, we will appear with Him in Glory
(Colossians 3:3-4).
Starting
with our own life, we want nothing more than for God's will to be done on earth
as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). The more we center our mind on God, the
more peace we enjoy. Our thoughts are less self-centered and more focused on
the positive (Philippians 4:8).
God's
peace floods our spirit and soul (Philippians 4:9), and His presence in us
guards and guides us throughout the day. When our mind is controlled by God's
Holy Spirit, we enjoy life and peace as we further God's Kingdom on this earth
(Romans 8:5-6).
When
we do not receive what we desire and pray for, we are most often asking for something
outside of the will of God for us (James 4:3). Yet, when our love for God is
authentic, and we put God's desires foremost in our thoughts and prayers and
actions, we see phenomenal results.
We
do ask for what we need, but we do not strive to make it happen. We wait on the
Lord, who hears our prayers, and who knows the amazing future plans that He has
for us (Jeremiah 29:11). He fills us with the fruit of His Spirit, and He
abides within us every moment of every day (Romans 8:6).
Prayer:
Father
God, we are Your redeemed, and we need to take every opportunity to say so (Psalm
107:2-8). The desires of our flesh, the world, and the devil bring us
destruction; but as we focus on Your desires, which You give to us (Psalm 37:4),
they bring us life and peace both now and throughout eternity (Colossians 3:1).
Give
us Your vision of Your Kingdom (Matthew 6:9-10), so that we will make its
growth our mission for our life. We want to bring as many people to Heaven as
we can, in order for them to spend eternity with us in Your presence, and in
service to our King Jesus. Help us to develop a heavenly mindset now, so that
we can stay focused on You during all the days of our life.
Thought
for the Day:
By
understanding our resurrected position, hidden with Christ in God, we realize
that our old carnal nature is buried with Him, and we are raised to walk in His
new life within us; we are already raised up and seated with Him in the
heavenly realm.
-
Ephesians 2:6
