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This week’s reading is packed with a couple different themes – so rather than making a super long video – I focused in on Colossians 3:1-4 and HEAVEN!!! I can’t wait to get there!!
(If you are reading this in a feed or email – click here to see the video)
Martin Luther once challenged one of his students by saying, “I’ll get you a new horse and carriage if you can pray the Lord’s Prayer and concentrate on every phrase without losing your train of thought.” The young man thought, “no problem.” After he had prayed the prayer he however confessed to Luther, “all I could think about was the horse and carriage.” As much as he tried to concentrate on the Lord’s Prayer, his mind was drawn elsewhere.
(source: sermoncentral.com)
Challenge: Do you feel like it’s hard just to sit down and focus on God’s word or talk to God in prayer? Are you distracted by the busyness of this world and your to-do list? Purpose to fix your mind on things above by simply reading verses about heaven this week. I’ve included an excellent resource for you below.
Digging Deeper:
1. Randy Alcorn’s blog posts and videos on Heaven - you will find a boatload of awesome information about heaven here – enjoy!
2. Further study on this week’s reading (that I did not cover in this video) by John MacArthur:
Colossians 2:16-23: Spiritual Intimidation–Pt 1
Colossians 2:16-23: Spiritual Intimidation–Pt 2
Colossians 3:1-4 Living the Risen Life
Colossians 3:5-9 Spiritual Suicide
Chime In: How do you stay focused during your prayer time? What helps you keep your mind fixed on things above during your daily life?
Walk with the King,
I start by praying for focus! Also a friend shared this tip with me: Keep a notepad near you while praying/studying and when something pops in your head write it on the pad and keep praying. I’ve tried it a few times and it does help!
I continually remind myself of God’s amazing promises…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. All things work for good to those who love Him. I am always singing praise songs in my head or out loud. It keeps my mind on things above and fills me with peace in this turbulent world.
Our group is on Week 5: Colossians 2:16-17
Latoya!! What a great idea! I have struggled with severe ADHD since I was a young child. I don’t do meds or anything but have tried several coping skills. What a fantastic idea!! I even sit in the second row at church to stay focused on what the pastor is saying and not on ‘oh what cute hair!’ moments while I’m trying to focus. Thanks so much for sharing! This will help with the constant onslaught of racing thoughts while I’m trying to focus
Make it a great one!!
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Setting our affections on things above means to me that we ought not get so wrapped up in this world possesions, because they will pass on. We should focus on heavenly things, because that is where we will spend eternity.
For we are dead means a spiritual death. The flesh has no good thing in it and it needs to die daily. If our life is hid in Christ, we have the ultmate life.
Have a good day everyone !!
Focusing on life that we have now compared to eternal life in heaven reminds me of a short story about the Spider Monkey. They Spider Monkey is the quickest creature in the forest with an appetite for sugar. The hunter desires to trap the Spider Monkey to study the monkey’s behavior patterns, however the monkey’s quickness eludes the hunter. The hunter discovers the monkey’s weakness is sugar. The hunter places one piece of candy in a jar with a hole just large enough for the monkey to get his hand in. Once his hand is in the jar and he makes a fist to grab the candy he cannot get his hand out and the monkey is trapped. This is how we are at times when we are so focused on the things of this world. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to loose his soul. Heaven is so much more, to see Jesus and be like Him no more pain, disappointment, death, or sorrow. To see our loved ones again and to know them.
I have found that in order to not fall asleep while saying verbal prayers, I need to write my prayers. God hears all our prayers, even those written down.
Courtney,
You don’t know how much this meant to me today. Thank you so much.
This was so encouraging. These are some of my favorite verses in all of scripture. Thank you Courtney for ministering to my heart!
You are such an encouragement to me!
This was truly soul-searching for me- and this video really hit home. How can we know about heaven, be heavenly- minded unless we purpose to find out more about it. Thanks for this heartfelt reminder. You truly speak with passion and conviction.
I needed this today! I get so bogged down with all the things of this life. I really want to focus on God. I’m excited to learn more about heaven. Thank you!!
Loved the video spot on Colassians 3 especially the idea of actually looking and delving into heaven as revealed to help keep our mind on heavenly things! I have so many other things in there it is always nice to shift focus. thanks so much for your site! I have posted a link on my blogsite and downloaded your guide. I am new(again for I was raised Catholic) to Christianity and to reading the Bible. I was looking for some tips on studying when I came across your you tube video…and voila! I really like your guide and your enthusiasm for God. It is helpful to do things with others even if they are in cyberland! I will start after I log off. Oh I am a woman I just have a man’s name. I have a few weeks of catching up to do!
Wow!! great video!
My favorite video so far- awesome job!
Thank you so much for this series. I am surprised we are at week 5 and I have held on, yet at the same time not so surprised. You have done a wonderful job keeping the videos interesting, informative, motivational and inspiring to continue throughout the week. This past Monday, I attended a funeral of a fellow choir member and I was reminded what our goal on earth is-Heaven. That morning between getting my 2 month old and my 4 yr old ready, I saw the title but didn’t have the time. However, knowing the title of this week and being at that funeral of a woman who served God until the day she died, reminded me that I must do everything that I do to the Glory of who made me. Thank you.