Daily Devotional May 11 - Thinking Is More Than Just Responding

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on the things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:1-2

God knows that if we seek those things above we will certainly be thinking about the best things, about the God things, thus God-thinking. It's hard to get depressed when what is on your mind is God. If the things above are where your affections are, you won't be nearly as disappointed when things go wrong here, on earth. When God says to "set your affection on things above," God is talking about up as in toward the heavenlies, but also up in terms of quality of life and moral and social maturity. Thinking on things above can mean to think about godly things and listen to godly music and watch godly TV and have godly conversation at work and say godly things to your children or spouse or best friend.

If ye then be risen with Christ
Seek the things of God
Participate in what God is doing right now, not what God was doing when...
Look to heaven for your answers
Help to revive the best and most holy things in your life by re-prioritizing the mundane and rudimentary things that might be taking up too much precious time and too much God territory.
Thank God for where you are, despite the conditions. God knows all about it. God may not have put you there, but only God can get you out.
Acknowledge through personal prayer that you get it, i. e., you know that on your own the outcome cannot possibly be as good as with God's help.

Lift up the name of Jesus. Just speaking the word Jesus in your heart or out loud has efficacy.
Learn to appreciate the Bible. Don't let anybody convince you that it is too hard to understand and that this part of the Bible is for this group and this part is for that group and this book is not for this generation and that book is too difficult to understand. None of this nonsense is true.

The Bible is the written Word of/from God and is easily discernible if you want it to be.
Give something away that has meaning or value to you. Don't tell anybody. Don't get any credit. No points allowed. Just do it because giving is the way of God.
Prove your love to that most important person in your life. Somehow, show them you love them. Saying you love someone is good, but showing it is greater. You need to actually stop what you are doing, turn off all electronic devices, think about it. The person you love the most deserves that once in a while you really do give them your highest and most precious thoughts.
Think on the things above. They are so wonderful, heavenly and beautiful.