AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED WEEK OF THE MONTH.

In THE NEW LIFE series we’re studying one of my favorite chapters in the Bible: Colossians 3:1-17. As you will see in the coming months, this is a rich chapter full of valuable life transforming lessons. Join me on the third Friday of each month in 2020 for this in-depth Bible study with real world application.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.~ Colossians 1:2

Living a heaven-focused life isn’t easy. Worldly distractions abound… freeway billboards, pop-up ads on our Internet browser, club music in the grocery store and that doesn’t count television, radio and magazines. It’s estimated that we’re hit with up to 10, 000 influences almost every day.

How on earth can we keep our minds set on heaven?

MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE

Because human beings are made in God’s image we have the ability to think like God thinks. Scripture teaches us to think higher thoughts like God does. If God tells us to do something it’s possible to do it. When we ask God for help, make every effort to be obedient He will give us good success.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

DEVELOP A SPIRITUALLY DISCIPLINED LIFE

There is incredible value in learning and applying spiritual disciplines such as: prayer, study, service, confession and worship. On the 2nd Friday of 2020 at RHW we are doing a Spiritual Disciplines study. One of my favorite Bibles: The Life With God Bible is developed around the spiritual disciplines. It’s an excellent resource and great place to begin your study to grow more disciplined.

You’re only truly happy when you walk in total integrity,
walking in the light of God’s word. What joy overwhelms everyone who keeps the ways of God, those who seek him as their heart’s passion! They’ll never do what’s wrong but will always choose the paths of the Lord. God has prescribed the right way to live: obeying his laws with all our hearts. ~ Psalm 119:1-4 (TPT)

REJECT WHAT ISN’T FROM GOD

It’s easy to be influenced by worldly things. I’m very strict with what I allow to grab my attention. Whether it’s the tv in the lunch room at work or the radio playing at a co-worker’s desk; I have to be intentional to not let ungodly influences creep in.

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. ~ Romans 12:2

SEEK HEALTHY FELLOWSHIPS

There’s no question we become like the people we hang out with. It’s critical that we choose our friends carefully. Jesus may have eaten dinner with sinners but they weren’t his closest companions. Having godly friendship is a form of accountability helps protect us from falling back into sinful patterns.

If we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin. ~ 1 John 1:7

As we fellowship with other believers, practice the spiritual disciplines and keep godly influences around us it will be easier to be Kingdom minded individuals–keeping our minds set on things above.

Spend a few minutes Touching Heaven with this beautiful song by Influence Music.

In THE NEW LIFE series we’re studying one of my favorite chapters in the Bible: Colossians 3:1-17. As you will see in the coming months, this is a rich chapter full of valuable life transforming lessons. Join me on the third Friday of each month in 2020 for this in-depth Bible study with real world application.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ~ Colossians 1:1 (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ,…

In our first verse Paul is encouraging believers to realize that Jesus wasn’t the only one who was raised from the dead. As believers in Jesus Christ we’ve all been raised to a new life with Christ. From God’s perspective every believer– past, present or future –is considered raised with Christ. Because we’ve been resurrected out of our walking-dead state we can live new lives of freedom with God in Christ.

…set your sights on the realities of heaven,…

Paul goes on to tell us that because we’ve been raised from the dead with Christ our focus should not be on earthly things. Setting our hearts and minds on the realities of heaven we’ll strive to walk out these priorities in daily life. As we begin to see life from heaven’s point of view we’ll naturally pursue a deeper knowledge of Christ and everything that’s involved in living for Him and with Him.

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” ~ Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)

…where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

One of the most important heavenly realities we must see, truly foundational to our new life, is that we must recognize that Jesus Christ is seated next to His Father in heaven. In this place of honor and authority Jesus makes intercession for us to the Father. Unless we recognize the truth of Christ’s authority in heaven and on earth, He won’t have a place of authority in our lives either.

To develop our new life and actively pursue heaven’s priorities requires discipline. Here are some key disciplines to apply to your life:

- * Discipline your heart by memorizing Scripture.
  
  * Discipline your mind by rejecting anything not from God.
  
  * Discipline your relationships with healthy fellowship.

What does this new life look like? How are we supposed to live? Check back on the third Friday next month as we continue our study of Colossians 3 and The New Life.

Let’s enthrone King Jesus with our highest praises singing this powerful song by Jeremy Riddle and Bethel Music.