Set Your Mind On Jesus!
September 24, 2026
Set Your Mind On Jesus!
There is so much information coming our way, that it is hard to keep up with it all.
+It is easy to feel we are falling further and further behind in knowing what is happening around the world.
+It is easy to feel we are not keeping up with what is taking place in our family and among our friends.
+It is easy to feel we are losing ground in our job knowledge and skills.
It is easy to feel so overwhelmed with all the things of the world that we are missing some things of the Kingdom of God. Whether we live in the 21st century or lived in the 1st century, it has always been rather easy to let our mind focus on the things of lesser importance.
Some of the time, our mind slips into a focus on what we have defined as urgent. The problem with the things we have defined as urgent is some things feel urgent and are important while other things feel urgent but are not important.
There are other times, though, when our mind focuses on what other people have defined as urgent or important. We yield to their expectations when the matter might be important but not necessarily always urgent. Or, we give in to their expectations when the matter is both not important and not urgent.
Our mind gets set on the cry of the urgent or on other people’s expectations, or on our own unrealistic or even unhealthy expectations of our self.
I usually have much higher expectations for myself than anyone else has of me. I am highly motivated, more than a little driven, and usually striving hard after the next goal. What I have learned is most people don’t care near as much as I do about accomplishing a particular goal or finishing up a big project.
The spiritual challenge is I allow my mind to become focused on the goal or the project or the next big thing more than I allow my mind to focus on my relationship with Jesus. Sometimes I can let my daily prayer time slip, sometimes I can make an excuse to not attend worship, and sometimes I am preoccupied with my agenda when I am reading my Bible.
It is easy to seek the things of the world rather than to seek the things of God’s Kingdom. Some of the Christ-followers in first century Colossae were also struggling with keeping their minds focused on the Kingdom of God rather than on the demands of a hard life or on a culture that was not God-honoring or on the expectations of other people or on an urgent demand on the job.
In Colossians 3:1-3 the Apostle Paul writes; “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, or you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Twice in the opening verses of chapter three, Paul tells the believers in Colossae to “…set your minds on the things that are above…” He reminds us that the focus of our mind will direct the focus of our heart and our life.
In Romans 12:2 Paul writes; “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Paul reminds us we are transformed by the “renewing of our mind.” The things upon which we focus our mind are the things that will fill our heart and our soul as well as transform and direct our life.
Every day we will make the choice upon what we will focus our minds many times.
+Someone will say something and our mind will go in that direction.
+The screen on our phone will flash a name or an image and our mind will go in that direction.
+A sound outside will catch our attention and our mind will go in that direction.
+We read a paragraph in a book and our mind will go in that direction.
+An email from our boss enters our inbox and our mind will go in that direction.
+We have a conversation with a friend that leaves us wondering and our mind will go in that direction.
+A parent calls with an invitation and our mind will go in that direction.
+We have a daydream for a few minutes and our mind will go in that direction.
The good news is we have control over the things upon which our mind is focused. Often we will let our mind focus upon the things of the world; the opportunities and celebrations as well as the closed doors and the failures.
The Bible calls us to shift the focus of our thinking from the things of the world to the things of the Kingdom of God. More specifically, we are called to focus our mind on Jesus. The good news is we will be transformed by the things upon which we choose to let our mind focus.
What will you choose to fill your mind today?
+Will it be anxiety or worry or fear?
+Will it be pain from the past or unforgiveness or anger?
+Will it be grief or loss or sadness?
+Will it be disappointment or discouragement or desperation?
+Will it be greed or envy or jealousy?
+Will it be guilt or shame or self-depreciation?
What will you choose to fill your mind today?
+Will it be the amazing grace and tender mercy and unconditional love of Jesus?
+Will it be the power and the glory and the beauty of the Son of God?
+Will it be the promise of God’s protection and provision and presence?
+Will it be the acceptance and forgiveness and restoration Jesus has done for you?
+Will it be the guidance and direction and door-opening Jesus?
+Will it be the promise of salvation and hope of eternal life or God’s glory in heaven offered by Jesus?
In Philippians 4:8-9 the Apostle Paul says it this way; “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.”
When we set our mind on the things that are above, Jesus will be with us and God’s peace and joy and love will fill us.
Set your mind on Christ today. Have a conversation with Jesus. Read Colossians 3. Share with a friend a blessing from God you experienced in the last week. Serve someone in need. Encourage a friend who is struggling.
In Colossians 3:2 Paul tells us; “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth…” When we shift what we allow to fill our mind, our life will be transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus. When that happens, our hearts will overflow with delight in the Lord.
Take Delight In The Lord!
Doug
