Marie’s daily verse: Matthew 6:14: 

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive yours.

DAILY DEVOTION, October 24, 2022

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

We live in two worlds. We live on earth with all the problems and responsibilities that fill our lives. But there is another world, a heavenly world that is above. Our life on earth is brief. Heaven is forever. Paul admonishes us to pay more attention to the eternal than to the temporal. Jesus said the same thing when He told us to lay up treasures in heaven. It’s really a no-brainer. We live on earth for a brief time. Heaven (and hell) are forever.

Of course, we must take care of business while we are on earth. But our main focus must be on heaven. What does that mean? It means that we must focus on things that have eternal value. The church of Jesus Christ has eternal value. Also, such things as prayer, Bible reading and study, giving, keeping the commandments of Jesus, and sharing your faith . . . are a few things that have eternal value. If they are crowded out because we are completely involved in earthly things, we are cheating ourselves. Why spend all your time on earthly things that will soon pass away?

Father, I pray my life will not be consumed by the things of this earth. The only things that have permanent value are things done for You in the name of Your Son. I don’t want to waste my life on trivial matters that have no lasting value. So please guide me by Your word and Spirit to set my mind on the things above. In Jesus’ name, Amen.