For Reading and Meditation:      Colossians 3:1-15It is time now to focus more precisely on what Jesus meant when He said: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Meekness, as Jesus is using the word here, refers to an attitude of heart and mind that is entirely free from a spirit of demandingness and accepts the will of God in its entirety. I think J.B. Phillips gets close to the meaning in Jesus' mind when he translates His statement thus: "Happy are those who claim nothing, for the whole earth will belong to them." I must stress once again that the thought here is not of passivity, but of active compliance and obedience to the will of God. If I might be permitted to embark upon a translation of my own, I would put it this way: "Congratulations to those who do not feel the need to be over-assertive, for they will inherit the earth." The meek are so sure of their resources and their goals that they can afford to be meek. Others have to become aggressive simply because they are unsure of themselves and their goals - hence the universe is closed to them. The meek could be called the assured, for they are meek enough to rest confidently in the resources of God. I realise, of course, that this is directly opposite to the world's view of things. The world thinks of strength, power, ability, self-confidence and self-assurance as the keys to success. The more you assert yourself and the more you affirm yourself, says the worldly person, the more you will get. But such people do not inherit the earth: they just inherit dirt. O Father, more and more as I hang upon Your words, I realise that You have "hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Unfold Your truth in even more new and exciting ways to my heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Isaiah 53:1-7</li><li>Matthew 26:62-63</li><li>Matthew 27:14</li><li>Luke 23:9</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>How did Jesus display meekness?</li><li>How do you display meekness?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones ' meekness '" (v. 12, RSV)

WE are apt to be much affected by earthly things, but our affections must be permanently fixed on things above. Let us lift our eyes and hearts to heaven this morning; there are the proper objects of our love, desire, and esteem. There is Jehovah our heavenly Father, dwelling in unapproachable light. There is Jesus, our dear and adorable Saviour, exalted, dignified and glorified at the right-hand of the Father. There is the Holy Spirit, our divine, gracious and condescending Comforter. There the love, favour, and presence of God are fully enjoyed. There peace, rest, and happiness are eternally realized. There is the crown of righteousness, the throne of glory, and the rivers of pleasure which our God has promised, and set before us. There are our brethren who have gone home before us, and there our affections should be. What is earth or time? We shall soon have done with both. Let us then SET OUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE, AND NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.Why should my heart descend so low, To brood on earth-a world of woe? While heaven, where endless pleasures roll, Waits to entrance my new-born soul. Saviour! let thine attractions be But felt in all their force by me Then shall I mount on wings of love, And fix and dwell on things above.

Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.

The Believer's Daily Remembrancer

"Set your affections on things above." Colossians 3:2

"…them also that love his appearing." For many years I thought that this expression referred to those believers who had kindly, sentimental feelings about the coming of the Lord. They would be rewarded with a crown of righteousness because their hearts glowed warm when they thought about the Rapture.But surely it means more than this. To love His appearance means to live in the light of His coming, to behave as if He were coming today.Thus, to love His appearing means to live in moral purity. For, as John reminds us, "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3).It means to stay disentangled from the things of this life. We should set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).It means to serve God's people, giving them "meat in due season" (Matthew 24:45). The Lord pronounces a special blessing on those who are doing that when He comes.In short, it means that we won't do anything that we would not want to be found doing when He appears. We would not go anywhere that would cause shame at His coming. We would not say anything that would be offensive in His presence.If you knew Christ were coming in a week, how would you spend the intervening days? Does it mean you would give up your job, go to a mountaintop and spend all day reading the Bible and praying? Does it mean you would go into "full-time Christian work," preaching and teaching day and night?If we are really walking with the Lord today and living in the center of His will, it would mean carrying on as usual. If, however, we are living for self, then it would require some revolutionary changes.It is not enough to have kind thoughts about the Savior's return. The crown of righteousness is reserved for those who love it enough to let the truth mold their lives. It is not enough to hold the truth about His coming; the truth must hold us.

With reverence, humor and skill, William MacDonald wove a daily devotional tapestry that challenges the reader to think deeply and Biblically, and apply God's Word to their lives.

Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8)

Colossians 3:1-15Paul said to The Colossians what to many must have seemed surprising: "If then you were raised together with Christ." How could these Colossian Christians have been raised with Christ? Of course, it was a spiritual rising. The people really had been spiritually dead, and they were now living a new spiritual life. Everyone who truly believes on Christ, receives the Holy Spirit, comes out of his grave, and walks with Christ among the living.Those who have risen with Christ should "seek the things that are above, where Christ is." What things? We are taught to pray that the Father's will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. That is bringing heaven down to earth. The things which are above are: holiness, goodness, truth, peace, love. The lessons the Bible teaches us are all of things above, the truths and principles of God's kingdom. These are the things which are unseen and yet are eternal. We are to seek to live here in this world - as we would live if we were really in heaven.More, they must set their mind on the things that are above. Where the mind is - there the life is tending. Where the thoughts go - the soul is climbing. If we think continually of earthly, unworthy things - our whole being will gravitate downward. But if we train our thoughts to fly away like eagles into the deep blue sky - our life will be lifted upward. This means, at least, to attach oneself to something heavenly, that one's life may be borne irresistibly upward.We should form the habit of setting our thoughts on things above. It is said that many years ago, when a great suspension bridge was to be built over a wide river, a kite was sent over, carrying a fine wire across the chasm. It was not hard then to get a second and a third wire over also, and by and by the tiny thread of steel - had become a great bridge of twisted strands, on which human feet crossed over. So we may train our thoughts to fly across the abyss to heaven - first one thought, then another and another - until we have built a bridge for ourselves from earth to heaven. But we must begin and train our thoughts thus to fly, for nothing but such a habit will bring to us the blessing.The Christian life is secret, and no one can see its workings: it is hid with Christ in God. You pray and grace comes into your heart. But no one sees it coming. You lean on God in your trust, and your strength is renewed - but the process, no one can perceive. Christ is the Friend whom having not seen we love, in whom, though now we see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable.The Christian's life is hidden also, because its real beauty is not visible to the world's eyes. The artist keeps his picture veiled while he works upon it. At last he removes the veil, and men see the loveliness which his hands have been fashioning in secret. So God works in our life, in joy and sorrow, in His providence, and by His Word and Spirit. The beauty He is producing, human eyes see not. "What I am doing, you do not now understand," He says, "but you shall understand hereafter ." By and by, when the work is finished, men and angels shall see the marvelous beauty of Christ glowing in even the lowliest, plainest life."Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived." Colossians 3:5-7A new life in Christ calls for the utter destruction of these evils. It is a shameful list which Paul names. It makes us ashamed to think that such qualities may belong to us - or may nest in our heart! Who would have thought that any these vile things could exist in anyone who wears the human form! Yet many of these ugly things are found in each of us! Our hearts are naturally cages of unclean birds .What does Paul tell us we should do with these unholy things? He says we are to put them to death. When we find in ourselves any evil thing, we must kill it, for it is not right for it to live. An uncompromising war should be waged against all evil. He who cherishes any impurity in himself - is nursing a viper which will sting him to death by and by!"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." This part of the chapter is not for the good people who are now studying it - is it? Look at the words honestly."Anger." Do you ever get angry? Does you temper ever get the mastery of you? Do you ever fume with rage, even if you do not let people know of it?"Malice." Do you ever cherish a grudge, ever keep bitterness against another in your heart?"Slander." Do you ever spit out spiteful things about another who is absent? Do you ever rail at anyone?"Filthy language." That means speaking of which we ought not to be ashamed of, which we would be ashamed of before our mother or some pure-minded friend. Do you ever utter a word you would be ashamed to have Christ hear?"Lying." One may lie by a look, or a wink, or by keeping silence. Robert Speer tells of asking a Sunday school once what different kinds of sin there are. One little boy answered, "Good sins and bad sins, sir." Then he asked what kind of sins, bad sins are. Promptly the boy answered, "Lies."These are a few of the things which we are to put away, if we have risen with Christ. It is not enough to put away the evil things of the old life. The house cannot be left empty. If it is, the former bad tenants will soon be back again, bringing with them still more wicked companions, and the last state will be worse than the first. "To replace - is to conquer." The only sure saving of our life - comes through expelling sin from it - and then getting Christ into it."Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14These are beautiful virtues which we are exhorted to put on. They all are fragments of the image of God. They each belong in the life and character of Jesus Christ. We must notice how large a place love holds among them. Indeed, all of these qualities are phases of love .The compassionate heart comes first - for the heart makes the life. A kindly heart fills the life with gentle things. Kindness has been called the small coin of love. It is always scattering blessings."Humility" is often caricatured, for there are many who try to be humble. But it cannot be put on consciously or by any effort. It must be in the heart and must work out in the life."Gentleness" is patience under insult."Patience" is enduring without complaining, keeping sweet whatever the circumstances may be."Bearing with one another" is the power of getting along with people who are not easy to live with, getting along without being irritated, fretted and made ugly in spirit by their unreasonableness."And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Then comes "love" which is over all, above all, in all. It is this which makes the character complete. If we truly get love into our life - all the rest will follow!As the true result of this transformation, the "peace" of Christ will rule in the heart. Peace is quietness in the midst of turmoil. It is gentleness in the midst of hate. It is patience in the midst of suffering and trial. It is self-mastery; rather it is Christ-mastery. We have but to think what Christ's peace was, and then to remember that it is this. His own peace, which He promises to give to us. If this blessed peace rule in our hearts, feelings, affections and desires, we shall lack nothing more!

A unique type of devotional from the writings of James Russell Miller, published between 1908 and 1913.

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

Colossians 3:1-15

The New Life in Christ

This is not your rest. § There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. § Behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. § With Christ, which is far better. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. § There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. § Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 For as yet you have not come to the rest and the  inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you. 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. § Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. We walk by faith, not by sight. § We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. § An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away [is] reserved in heaven for you.

 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. § Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. § Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. They do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. § We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. § He who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. § There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing § The crown of glory that does not fade away.

Evening Daily Light

 Riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. 

My son, give me your heart. § Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?  § Put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. § Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare… For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows… You, O man of God, flee these things. If riches increase, do not set your heart on them. § My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. § For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. § The Lord looks at the heart.

 Keep yourselves from idols. 

Eve … bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens.” … The Lord scattered them. § Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan … It was well watered everywhere … like the garden of the Lord … But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. § I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards … I also gathered for myself silver and gold … Then I looked on all … and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. § He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

 Broken cisterns that can hold no water. 

This is not your rest … it is defiled, it shall destroy. § Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. § If riches increase, do not set your heart on them. § Set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise. Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. § Yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry § Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. § Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

 What do you mean, sleeper? Arise. 

<blockquote>
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (<a id="verse_1632880139796889" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/16">Col. 3:16</a>).
</blockquote>As believers we rejoice in the fact that the Lord Jesus died for us, but few are affected by the fact that He arose for us. Fewer still realize that we died and arose with Him. Learn the facts! There will be continual struggle and failure until we gain adequate understanding of the liberating truth."The Lord Jesus on the Cross removed the barriers which separated me from God - my guilt, my sin, the law; and He dealt with my enemies - the world, the flesh, the devil. These six things were dealt with, so that we need no longer be in bondage through fear and that we may come boldly to the throne of grace. - "Have we given a hearty assent to these things which the Lord Jesus did for us? Or have we, as we read the Word, drifted by them, taking it all for granted? Let us lay hold of that for which God has laid hold of us. Let us gird up the loins of our mind and consent to that which He did for us. Let us enter into all that which being united to Christ as our Life means. Let us rejoice in all that was accomplished for us on Calvary." -L.L.L."It is necessary that the truth conferred by grace should be known as a possession and the virtue of it apprehended, before there can be any walk in keeping with it. For if there be ignorance or misapprehension, the truer the conscience, the more defective is the practice." -J.B.S."Set your affection on things above" (<a id="verse_1632880139164109" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col. 3:2</a>)

A 365 day devotional that will help you in your Christian growth and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  This devotional is a collection of quotes from some of the best authors in the realm of Christian growth that has been organized by Miles J Stanford.  This devotional study is divided into 12 sections each containing 31 daily portions.

None but the Hungry Heart

 Appreciation, Not Depreciation 

<blockquote>
If [since] ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (<a id="verse_1632880292807271" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/1">Col. 3:1</a>).
</blockquote>The growth truths seem complicated and difficult to understand on first encounter. However, with progress in grace we find them to be as clear and logical as the truth of justification. For both time and eternity, all is summed up in <a id="verse_1632880292678505" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/John/17/3">John 17:3</a>: "And this is life eternal. . . [to] know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ." Study on!"The marvel of divine grace is that not only has everything according to the heart of God been secured for me through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, but that I, a child of Adam, should be, not only in peace with God where I was under His judgment, but that I am transferred from Adam to Christ, and I am to have Christ formed in me now."I am born of God - of new and divine origin - a new creation to be here on earth now where I was a child of Adam, in the grace and beauty of Christ, led by His own power to stand for Him; daily more and more transformed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord' (<a id="verse_1632880292679847" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/3/18">2 Cor. 3:18</a>).""I used to study this passage and that passage to obtain guidance and light. I see now that if I were really near Him beholding His glory (<a id="verse_1632880292733313" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/3/18">2 Cor. 3:18</a>), I should be transformed, should come from Him so impressed with Himself that His interests would, as it were, naturally control me." -J.B.S."When the heart has found its rest and satisfaction in Him, it can turn to Him naturally and continually in every circumstance.""Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (<a id="verse_1632880292712007" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col. 3:2</a>).

 Transferred And Transformed 

<blockquote>
[God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (<a id="verse_1632880756473055" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/2/6">Eph. 2:6</a>).
</blockquote>There aren't many truly happy Christians simply because there aren't many who really abide in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our risen Lord is the source of our happiness as we rest in Him - triumphant over circumstances; not hopelessly underneath them. Happy is the abiding believer, "hid with Christ in God" (<a id="verse_1632880756896491" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/3">Col. 3:3</a>)."I must not only see my position in the Lord Jesus, but I must come near to the One who set me there. Many are disappointed that after hearing with delight and receiving the truth of their position they are not more affected by it."The reason is that they rest too much in the position and have not occupied themselves increasingly with their risen Lord; have not drawn nearer to Him, and recognized Him as the only One who can make it all experiential in them." -J.B.S."Is the living Person now in heavenly glory really the Object of our hearts? For some time after I knew the Saviour I used to think of Him as One who had lived and died on earth long years ago, and I well remember the day when I knelt down with a dear brother who prayed that we might know the Lord Jesus as a living Person in heavenly glory, and it dawned upon me that there was a present Object for my heart in heaven. Our hearts will never be satisfied until that glorified Lord Jesus becomes our Object bright and fair." -C.A.C."Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (<a id="verse_1632880756688035" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col. 3:2</a>).

 Behold, The Man! 

<blockquote>
If [since] ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (<a id="verse_1632877265746630" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/1">Col. 3:1</a>).
</blockquote>The Christian cannot thrive but in his environment, "hidden with Christ in God" (<a id="verse_1632877265618341" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/3">Col. 3:3</a>)."Let us rightly divide the Word of truth. To go back to the Psalms for proper Christian experience is to lose the savor of grace and to breathe legalism; it is to climb down from heaven to earth. If the Psalms are really understood, they yield a harvest of blessing to the soul; but if misunderstood and misapplied, as alas! is too often done, only loss can result." -W.K."If we confound the Jewish spirit of the Psalms with the Epistles, and take it as the expression of our feelings, we falsify Christianity. No doubt I shall find lovely confidence in the Lord in respect of His government of this world, the comfort of forgiveness, the happy confidence of integrity of heart, and remarkable prophecies of Christ; but where shall I find heavenly hopes, or my union with the glorified Lord Jesus, or even the out-flowings of divine grace, as manifested in His person on earth, or the blessed affection which flows from hearts acquainted with these?"Where is the blessed Spirit of adoption? Every saint knows the touching expression of piety which the Psalms furnish to us; but no intelligent believer can turn from the writings of John and Paul to the Psalms without finding himself in an altogether different atmosphere.""Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (<a id="verse_1632877265478458" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col. 3:2</a>).

 Rightly Dividing 

<blockquote>Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (<a id="verse_1632877525302279" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col. 3:2</a>).</blockquote>It is sad to have to say that the present-day Church is so earthy that it is of little earthly good. "Sir, we would see Jesus"! (<a id="verse_1632877525450569" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/John/12/21">John 12:21</a>)."The great failure of the Church was in giving up Paul. All. . . in Asia' did not give up evangelical truth but they gave up Paul; anything popular you may have, but not Paul. Why? Because Paul is heavenly." -J.B.S."It is essential that a believer have a clear understanding of his position before the Father - his place in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. This alone will give true peace of mind, joy and comfort of heart, strength for conflict and power for service. We will never be able to properly understand or fill our place for God on earth if we do not realize our God-given standing before Him in heaven."And never forget that our place before the Father is His gift, and a gift worthy of the Giver; not a gift according to the measure of our worth but a gift intended to display the exceeding riches of the grace of the Giver. The greatness of the Giver then is the measure of the blessings that are mine in the Lord Jesus Christ, not what I am or what I deserve.""When you see and stand on your heavenly ground, you come to rest, just as the Father rests. You need not worry - only keep on that ground by your attitude of heart. If you are going to worry - if you must worry - worry lest you get down on earthly ground, for that is the ground of worry. Abide above! Heavenly things are in safe keeping - in the keeping of One who is far above all.'" -T. A-S."For ye have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (<a id="verse_1632877525760176" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/3">Col. 3:3</a>, ASV.).

 Rise Up, My Love 

<blockquote>That I may know Him" (<a id="verse_1632877601789673" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/3/10">Phil. 3:10</a>).    </blockquote>It takes us years of trial and error to finally realize that nothing outside the Lord Jesus Christ can fully satisfy and rejoice our hearts. Joy in Him includes the fellowship of His sufferings.' So, rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings' (<a id="verse_1632877601746681" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/4/13">1 Pet. 4:13</a>)."We sometimes have the idea that if we were going on rightly, things would be much smoother here for us. Hardly. There is a discipline to correct us and a discipline to develop us. If you are in a wrong path, as you seek the Lord, you will be corrected; but on the other hand, the more you are set for Him here, the more you will find that there is nothing for you here, though at the same time you are daily finding more in Him. We which live are always delivered unto death.' The more you enjoy the Lord Jesus who has been refused here, the more you are practically severed from all here." -J.B.S."It is a solemn moment when one who has been going on for years with a flourishing profession wakes up to the fact that his heart is entirely unsatisfied. I believe we have very little idea how natural feelings may be mixed up with what we think is our spiritual joy. Many go on happily because their surroundings are happy, and they have no opposition to speak of - perhaps in a Christian family, or in a happy Christian fellowship. They are carried along by the stream of compatible things around them."But anything that outwardly contributes to our joy will sooner or later fail us. Our Father loves us too well to allow us to rest in anything or anyone short of Himself - not even Christian fellowship, or what people call the means of grace.' He wants to be so known by us that He becomes the deep eternal spring of satisfaction and joy for our hearts." -C.A.C."Give your mind to the things above" (<a id="verse_1632877601581288" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col. 3:2</a>).

 Solitary Source 

<blockquote>Set your affection on things above. . . for ye died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (<a id="verse_1632877829986276" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col 3:2</a>; <a id="verse_1632877829973109160" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/3">3</a>)</blockquote>The spiritual recession that occurs after the early joys of the new birth is not necessarily backsliding at all. The discovery of the sinful old man is the first and foremost step in the discovery of the righteous Christ-life."We are more disposed to be occupied in telling the Father what we are in ourselves, than to allow Him to tell us what we are in the Lord Jesus Christ. So often the believer is more taken up with his own self-consciousness than with the Father's scriptural revelation of Himself. His revelation is one thing; my self-consciousness is quite another ""It gladdens the heart to hear the new convert speak of the blessings he has received, and of his new-found joy in those blessings; but we can often see very distinctly that he is wrapping all these benefits of grace round himself, and we feel pretty sure that he will have to learn some lessons presently that will take the shine out of him. He will have to learn what a poor wretched thing he is, as in the flesh, that his heart may be transferred to a new center altogether."Nothing can be more distasteful to a spiritual mind than to hear people professedly giving a Christian testimony which begins and ends with themselves. It is for the effectual displacement of all this, and to transfer the heart to an entirely new center, that the revelation of the old man is divinely necessary for our souls. The Father has to come in and detach us from that which is our natural center, that He may link our affections with another Person - even with the glorified Lord Jesus Christ - and make Him everything to our hearts, so that our association with Him may be known, and may become the deep, abiding joy of our souls." -C.A.C."Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor and glory, and blessing" (<a id="verse_1632877829603936" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Revelation/5/12">Rev. 5:12</a>).

 Merciful Death 

<blockquote>
Present yourself unto God, as those that are alive from the dead" (<a id="verse_1632877887740282" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/6/13">Rom. 6:13</a>).
</blockquote>The growth and consolidation of one's spiritual life is predicated upon clear knowledge of the dual facts of <a id="verse_1632877887206526" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/6/11">Romans 6:11</a> - dead unto sin; alive unto God. This must come first: Know! "Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" (<a id="verse_1632877887946476" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/2-Timothy/2/7">2 Tim. 2:7</a>).  hungry-heart-10-16"Many have taken the word present' to imply consecration (which it does), without looking carefully into its content. It is not the consecration of our old man' with its instincts and resources, his natural wisdom, strength and other gifts, to the Lord Jesus for Him to use. This will be clear at once from the little clause as alive from the dead' (<a id="verse_1632877887817408" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/6/13">Rom. 6:13</a>)."For what is to be consecrated is not what belongs to the old creation. The presenting' spoken of is the outcome of my knowing my old man to have been crucified (<a id="verse_1632877887551293" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/6/6">Rom. 6:6</a>), and my reckoning myself alive unto God in Christ Jesus (<a id="verse_1632877887770586" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/6/11">Rom. 6:11</a>). Knowing, reckoning, presenting ourselves to Him: that is the divine order.""It is one thing to renounce or to drop off certain old things, and quite another to be occupied with new things. Nuns renounce the world, but they are not engrossed in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. It must be not only forgetting the things that are behind, but also reaching out unto the things that are before."It is what I give myself to that colors me and imparts character to me, not the fact of having abandoned other things. People often dwell unduly on what they have renounced, and are too indifferent to that which they should press toward, forgetting that it is the latter that will form them (<a id="verse_1632877887491968" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/3/18">2 Cor. 3:18</a>).""Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (<a id="verse_1632877887562555" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/2">Col. 3:2</a>).

 Acceptable Consecration 

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.<cr>1</cr>

Colossians 3:2

 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  

Bible Verse of the Day

September 18, 2020

Colossians 3:2 NIV

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