Morning by Morning, September 28 - Christ-Centered State of Mind, Kingdom-Grounded Way of Life Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my eyes to the hills and open up my heart to Your Spirit--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. (Psalm 121:1). ... “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). When I “set my mind on things above,” I’m not ignoring things here below. Here below, there are still struggles to face, bills to pay, challenges to encounter, circumstances to endure, as well as joys to celebrate, vision to pursue, and calling and purpose to fulfill. But I go through all these things here below with my eyes on You, with my heart lifted to You, with my trust and confidence in You. It’s a Christ-centered state of mind. It’s a Kingdom of God-grounded way of life. It’s a way of living into Your Word of both command and promise: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). As I speak these Words and pray these Verses, I’m struck by the active tense of the verbs--“Set your mind” and “Seek first the Kingdom.” These action words call for active faith and active obedience. These words require me to make a choice, not passively lay back and wait on You to do something for me You’ve commanded me to do in Your Word, empowered by Your Spirit. So by the power of Your grace, empowered by Your Spirit, I begin my day making this choice. I actively, deliberately, intentionally “set (my) mind on things above. I “seek first the Kingdom of God.” I take these moments of my morning to give You my full and undivided attention. Seeking Your face, listing for Your voice, following the leading of Your Spirit. Then “all these things will be added to (me).” Then all the steps of my day will ordered by You. Then all the challenges I face and encounters I overcome and joys I celebrate will all be with Your Presence because I’m looking to You and carrying You in my heart throughout the moments of my day. Even if I get off course or pulled out of focus and started setting my mind too much on the things that are below instead of above, I’ll be so much more sensitive to Your correction and Your re-direction, as You lead me back on course and renew my focus, reminding me to keep looking to You, to keep lifting up my eyes to You, to keep opening up my heart to You. So now right now, while You have my attention--and in the moments of my day when I’ll need to return my attention to You--I willingly, deliberately, intentionally, consciously choose to embrace with active obedience and faith this Christ-centered state of mind and Kingdom-grounded way of life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be empowered by God's grace and Spirit to set your mind on things above, starting your day and living out the moments of your day with a Christ-centered state of mind and Kingdom-grounded way of life, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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