Category: The Heavenward Mind

Colossians 4:2-4 NIV
² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

We are committed to world mission, because it is central to our understanding of God, the Bible, the Church, human history and the ultimate future. The whole Bible reveals the mission of God to bring all things in heaven and earth into unity under Christ, reconciling them through the blood of his cross… God will transform the fractured world of nations that are scattered under the judgment of God into the new humanity that will be redeemed by the blood of Christ from every tribe, nation, people and language, and will be gathered to worship our God and Savior. God will destroy the reign of death, corruption and violence when Christ returns to establish his eternal reign of life, justice and peace. Then God, Immanuel, will dwell with us, and the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever.
(excerpt from The Cape Town Commitment, 10. We love the mission of God)

Prayer: Lord, may you open the door for us to proclaim the good news of Jesus to those in our workplaces and classes, in our families, and to our neighbors. Fill us with your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “We Could Change the World” by Matt Redman (click here)

-LB

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When we enter into worship, we come into a place of safety and order, we let the peace of Christ rule. We’re allowing the order of God to reorder our lives, and we rest in his presence. We allow the order of God to reorder our hearts and minds as we admonish one another, sing, and give thanks for what God is doing.

Prayer: Lord, we worship you today. We bring our brokenness to you and ask that you would reorder our hearts and minds, so that Christ would rule and dwell in us. May our lives overflow in worship of you, for you alone are worthy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Echo Holy” by Red Rocks Worship (click here)

-LB

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Galatians 5:22-24 NIV
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires

As we clothe ourselves and put on Christ, we have access to the things of Jesus. When we put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, these are not from us but from Jesus, and God is at work because we are united with Christ. That is the order of the Lord working through our relationships and through our lives. There is something that God is giving us to give, and put on. (Paraphrased from P. Nate’s Message)

Let’s declare today, “I am chosen, I am holy, I am dearly loved!” and clothe ourselves with Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I am united with Christ, I am chosen, I am holy, I am dearly loved. May you work through me in my relationships to glorify you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Touch of Heaven” by Bethel Music (click here)

-LB

Let’s read aloud together the following passages:

Colossians 3:1-4 NIV
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that through your son Jesus, I am united to Christ. Heaven is here, and I belong to the new creation now. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “The Glory of Our King” by Matt Redman (click here)

– LB