If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
—Colossians 3:1-2
Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our minds and keep them set. To “set your mind” means you make a firm decision about how to handle a situation and you keep your mind set in that direction. It means to be single-minded, not double-minded. We can prepare ourselves to handle a difficult situation properly by setting our minds ahead of time—telling ourselves no matter what comes, we can do it. If you’re in a less than desirable situation, but you know it is where God wants you to be, don’t drift off into thinking that can weaken you. Instead, think, I am strong in Christ, and I can do whatever He leads me to do.
Power Thought: I set my mind and keep it set for victory.
The Sympathy of Jesus
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14–16
Again and again in the Gospels, we see Jesus reaching out in kindness and compassion to touch the lives of hurting people. At the grave of Lazarus—even though He knew He was about to raise His friend from the dead—Jesus wept over the sorrow in the hearts of Mary and Martha at their great loss. He cared about the people He met, and He cares about us. When we feel that no one notices or cares about us, we should remember that Jesus does.
He was the high and exalted Lord of Heaven, praised by angels in unending glory, but He laid all that aside out of His love for us. It is beyond human ability to comprehend the full scope of Divine love, but we see it clearly demonstrated in the story of the birth of Christ. T. DeWitt Talmage said, “Son of Mary! Son of God! Child of a day—Monarch of eternity! In that eye the glance of a God. Omnipotence sheathed in that Babe’s arm. That voice to be changed from the feeble cry to the tone that shall wake the dead.”
The humanity of Jesus also means that He understands the pains, hurts, and temptations we face. He knows what it is like to be betrayed, to be tired, to lack and to weep. When we understand that Jesus truly became human, it builds our faith to trust Him more.
Hebrews 4:14–16
Again and again in the Gospels, we see Jesus reaching out in kindness and compassion to touch the lives of hurting people. At the grave of Lazarus—even though He knew He was about to raise His friend from the dead—Jesus wept over the sorrow in the hearts of Mary and Martha at their great loss. He cared about the people He met, and He cares about us. When we feel that no one notices or cares about us, we should remember that Jesus does.
He was the high and exalted Lord of Heaven, praised by angels in unending glory, but He laid all that aside out of His love for us. It is beyond human ability to comprehend the full scope of Divine love, but we see it clearly demonstrated in the story of the birth of Christ. T. DeWitt Talmage said, “Son of Mary! Son of God! Child of a day—Monarch of eternity! In that eye the glance of a God. Omnipotence sheathed in that Babe’s arm. That voice to be changed from the feeble cry to the tone that shall wake the dead.”
The humanity of Jesus also means that He understands the pains, hurts, and temptations we face. He knows what it is like to be betrayed, to be tired, to lack and to weep. When we understand that Jesus truly became human, it builds our faith to trust Him more.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The lowly birth of Jesus is one more indication of His identification with us and care for our needs.
Set Your Mind Ahead of Time
by Joyce Meyer - posted December 11, 2016If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
—Colossians 3:1-2
Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our minds and keep them set. To “set your mind” means you make a firm decision about how to handle a situation and you keep your mind set in that direction. It means to be single-minded, not double-minded. We can prepare ourselves to handle a difficult situation properly by setting our minds ahead of time—telling ourselves no matter what comes, we can do it. If you’re in a less than desirable situation, but you know it is where God wants you to be, don’t drift off into thinking that can weaken you. Instead, think, I am strong in Christ, and I can do whatever He leads me to do.
Power Thought: I set my mind and keep it set for victory.
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