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Set Your Mind on Things Above (The Mind Series, Part 5)

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1–2

Our topic last week was to set our mind on the Spirit. This week the topic is to set our minds on the things above. These topics are really parallel. To set your mind on the Spirit is, ultimately, to set your mind on things above. What does this look like in very practical ways?

FF Bruce says “Don’t let your ambitions be earthbound, set on transitory and inferior objects. Don’t look at life and the universe from the standpoint of these lower planes; look at them from Christ’s exalted standpoint. Judge everything by the standards of that new creation to which you now belong, not by those of the old order to which you have said a final farewell.”1 cf. 2 Corinthians 5:16.

We are so accustomed to getting up and moving on with our day. We consider the places we need to go, the people we will see, the tasks that we must accomplish. Sadly, we often fail to remember that, while we plan our ways, God most certainly has divine plans in store for us. We see a potential client; God sees a man who needs the Lord. We anticipate an unpleasant doctor appointment; God sees a doctor or nurse who needs to hear about the hope of the gospel. We are frustrated because of a fender bender; God is making a divine appointment with someone who needs to know the love of Christ.

As you begin your day you must ask, ‘Lord what do you desire to accomplish in and through my life today?’

If you simply follow the typical pattern of life…

  • Get up
  • Spend some time in prayer and devotions
  • Head off to work with its varied responsibilities
  • Go home
  • Eat dinner
  • Watch a bit of tv
  • Go to bed
  • Start over

… then days will turn into weeks, and weeks into years. The next thing you know you realize that your life is coming to an end. Where did the time go?

The question must always be ‘Lord what do you want to do in my life throughout this day for Your glory?’

  • Are there meetings that I will be having with someone who needs the gospel?
  • Will I find myself in an unexpected circumstance (like a car accident) for the sake of sharing with someone?
  • Is it possible that I will bump into someone at the grocery store that has a spiritual need?

The truth is, God is very intentional. No doubt He has divine opportunities for His children every day. If we are focused primarily on the things of this earth, we will miss countless opportunities. Pray that you will see people as God sees them. Pray that you will be alert to the spiritual opportunities that God will certainly bring into your life every day. Keep your mind set on things above!

1 Bruce, F. F. (1984). The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (p. 134). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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Rocky Wyatt

Rocky Wyatt came to know the Lord as a young teenager and began working in youth ministry when in college. After serving in churches in Utah, California and Colorado, Rocky moved to Texas to serve as Youth Pastor at Countryside Bible Church. He served there for 26 years where he eventually moved from youth ministry to serve as an Associate Pastor.

Over the course of his ministry, Rocky has always had a desire to train men for pastoral ministry in the context of the local church. In 1992 he started XL Ministries, an organization that is committed to helping churches establish intensive internships for pastoral training. In 2020 he left his position at Countryside Bible Church to become the Executive Director of XL Ministries and now works full time assisting churches in training men for ministry.

He is co-author of The Youth Ministry Training Manual, a textbook for training youth pastors, and has also written multiple other resources for use in various local church ministries. He is currently working on a book to encourage churches to take the primary responsibility to train pastors.

Rocky is married to Pamela, has two sons and daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.1 Corinthians 15:58