Colossians 3

What does it mean to be Heavenly minded? In Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the Holy Bible, it’s described this way; Pursue things over which Christ presides, Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

In this chapter of practical instruction from the Apostle Paul, we find one of the Bible’s most concise descriptions of what the Christian life should look like. It is worth reading on a semi-regular basis. It is a good passage from which to extract solid teaching for children. In fact, some of scriptures most essential family-minded values are mentioned in this chapter.

Consider reading it in various translations and paraphrases to get a better handle on it.

Psalm 138

When I was a young man, I was encouraged by David’s life and writings. Everyday, I would sing through five Psalms and read one Proverb. The last verse of Psalm 138 became my motto when I was going through the Refiner’s Fire.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me (with Your hands). [NLT & NLV]

My mentor, Moses Vegh, used to say, “The only thing worse than falling into God’s fearful hands was to fall OUT of them.”

I recommend that you memorize this verse if you are in the fire. It can provide the assurance you may need to keep committed to the process.

2 Peter 3:9

Time is a tool that God uses not only to grow flowers etc. but to show His mercy in allowing people to come to repentance and find their eternal home with Him. We are much less merciful and want to see our vengeance exacted WHEN an infraction happens. It’s a good thing we are not God.

J.B Philllips paraphrased it this was:

But you should never lose sight of this fact, dear friends, that time is not the same with the Lord as it is with us—to him a day may be a thousand years, and a thousand years only a day. It is not that he is dilatory about keeping his own promise as some men seem to think; the fact is that he is very patient towards you. He has no wish that any man should be destroyed. He wishes that all men should come to repent. Yet it remains true that the day of the Lord will come as suddenly and unexpectedly as a thief. In that day the heavens will disappear in a terrific tearing blast, the very elements will disintegrate in heat and the earth and all that is in it will be burnt up to nothing.

Proverbs 22:11, 12

Today, let’s consider this Proverb because it has a key verse all pro-lifers should know.

Rescue those being led away to death;
    hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
    Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

This verse taken from the NIV started a movement in the U.S., Operation Rescue. It challenged me to DO SOMETHING about the travesty of abortion. In 1988, I participated in a peaceful demonstration at a Columbus, Ohio abortion clinic, was arrested, and was tried by a jury of my peers. I was convicted for a misdemeanor. I also have great compassion for women who had an abortion but deeply regretted it after realizing how precious life is.

This verse implies that God watches over and guards the life of the unborn We should be so glad that our SCOTUS had the courage to change the Roe v. Wade ruling. It’s a big step in the right direction.

MARZI FOR GEORGIA – do a google search on this woman’s political aspiration. Her testimony is impressive.

Jeremiah 52

Sadly, Jerusalem was burned by Babylon’s army … all the important buildings etc. Can you imagine how you would feel to watch your capitol city go up in smoke?

There’s a message here; don’t put so much importance on buildings. The IMPORTANT buildings are the lives of those you love.

For our homes and other nice buildings we are grateful. We are to be good stewards and occupy the earth until the Lord comes. We go too far when we begin worshipping the structures we inhabit.

In the 70s, the members of Hope Temple in Findlay Ohio constructed a beautiful sanctuary that seated 2000. The choir loft alone could hold 250. I was the main painter in that building, also applying stain and varnish to thousands of square feet of beautiful wood. I worked hard. It was a labor of love that i would do again in a heartbeat. (I’m too old now) That marvelous sheep-shed burned to the ground in an hour. It taught us all a lesson. God’s true building is the people who attend the church.

Let’s keep people from burning through EVANGELISM!

Jeremiah 51

In scripture, Babylon can be defined as a sinful state of apostasy from God and rebellion against His good will. Insert the word “confusion” in the book of Revelation when you see Babylon. Historically, the term has been applied to any worldly system that opposes God.

Yes, God used Babylon to buffet Jerusalem for their rebellion. Nevertheless, any such culture or government that so openly defies God and His people is destined to be judged by Him.

It’s very sad to see and hear the hate spew out of those who want to keep murdering defenseless, unborn children in the womb. I applaud the Supreme Court for it’s courage in ruling in favor of unborn children. I shudder at the growing unrest of an element of our citizenry who militantly resist God’s influence in our country and its government.

Christ will ultimately triumph and Babylon will fall.

Jeremiah 50

This great chapter describes the rejoicing of Jews returning to worship in Jerusalem, possibly in the Millennium. It also describes the downfall of Babylon, the nation God used to chastise Israel.

Although God allowed Babylon to oppress the Jews, He still exacted punishment upon them. No one escapes when they violate God’s laws and principles. God may allow something, but He doesn’t necessarily condone it.

God may not always pay on Fridays, but He ALWAYS pays The ONLY safe place in the universe is in the arms of Christ, cleansed by His sin-shattering blood.

Jeremiah 49

This chapter discusses the many nations who would come in conflict. Why can’t nations get along? A big downside of war is that so many mothers lose their sons in battle. Right now, so many Russian and Ukraine mothers are grieving for their precious sons who have given their lives while serving in their armies. If you are a mother, can you imagine sending your own son off to war and never seeing them again? It’s a torturing thought.

We pray for them.

Jeremiah 45-48

Through Jeremiah, the Lord predicted and fulfilled the invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian army. Egypt has nearly always typified sin and rebellion. There is a redemptive twist to their fate, however. To where did Mary and Joseph flee for protection when Herod was slaughtering the firstborn males in Israel? EGYPT! God used Egypt in spite of their tragic history.

Regardless of your past failings or faults, God can and DOES want to use you. By grace, receive His redemptive cleansing and get ready to be used again.

Jeremiah 44

An argument the rebellious Jews living in Egypt maintained was that they were well off and had plenty of food when they were offering incense to Ishtar, the Queen of heaven. They reasoned that their comfortable conditions gave approval to their idolatry. NOT!

God’s approval of your life does not depend upon your comfort conditions. The prophet Jeremiah was in the center of God’s will even when he was a captive in the muddy cistern with barely anything to eat or drink. Stephen was in God’s will when he was stoned to death. Christ was centered in His Father’s will as he sweat drops of blood on the cross. After all, our true reward is in heaven if we victoriously endure the hardships of this life.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, … To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [Rev. 3:12, 21]