Friday's Follow-up Verses
Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
~ Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
Know who you are -- in Christ.
Know whose you are -- through Christ.
Live accordingly.
This can be one simple way to view this teaching from God. We are encouraged to set our hearts on things above, our minds on things above, because already – RIGHT NOW – there is a part of us above, hidden with Christ in God. In baptism, we have already died in Jesus and are connected in Christ with God in heaven. Heaven is not just a future for us. It is a present-day reality.
Prayer
Jesus, I am turning my heart toward You and tuning it to Your frequency. I am setting my mind on You and Your heavenly realities. As the song lyrics ring out about turning my eyes upon You:
Let the things of earth grow strangely dim
In the light of Your glory and grace.
Amen.
Micro-Group (MG) Moment
Considering a life of prayer as part of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
One of the outward expressions of our commitment to Jesus shows up in a life of prayer. Prayer can take many different forms. We describe three different facets regarding the idea of prayer. It is not exhaustive, but rather descriptive of basic areas to consider.
- Unceasing prayer time
- S.C.O.P.E.2 prayer time, (Standing Commitment Offered to the Potter Every day) and
- L.E.A.P. times of prayer (Listening Ears Attentive to Pray)
The most common description for prayer tends to be a “conversation with God.” Unfortunately, this definition tends to leave people stuck in the talking side of conversation, as if it really was talking “to God” or “at God”. The listening side – down from God to us, is less acknowledged as part of that prayerful “conversation. Let’s take a short and simple definition from Ralph Martin:
Prayer is, at root, simply paying attention to God.
(Fulfillment of All Desire, p. 121)
Do you have a SCOPE prayer time?
S Standing
C Commitment
O Offered to the
P Potter (God)
E Every day
Here is a brief look at the S.C.O.P.E. prayer time. This idea of prayer acknowledges that while one might seek to keep God in the conscious mind at all times, there is still an added benefit of dedicated time fixated on God himself without any competing distractions: The word Devotion is often used here –singularly focused: This aspect of prayer life asks for a Standing Commitment Offered to the Potter Every day (early).
Prayer
Father God, let a life of prayer mark my pursuit of Your kingdom and Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.