Seek The Things That Are Above

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Ezra

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how do we seek the things above and what are the things above ? ..i ask for seriousness ..i dont want no snide remarks..not interested in your personal doctrine,, this is a Bible discussion thread all positive remarks welcome

Colossians 3:1-4
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
 
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Windmillcharge

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As it says:-
'set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things'

To set ones heart on something is to ernestly desire or want that thing and to be willing to make sacrifices to gain it.

So we are to be thinking about spiritual things, seeking to prepare ourselves for being with Jesus.
As Romans 12:1+2 says we are to have bible biased brains.
 
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Episkopos

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how do we seek the things above and what are the things above ? ..i ask for seriousness ..i dont want no snide remarks..not interested in your personal doctrine,, this is a Bible discussion thread all positive remarks welcome

Colossians 3:1-4
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

A good question.

Faith takes us to God where He is. One can only set our minds on the things above if we have been risen with Christ...meaning we walk in His resurrection life. Otherwise we will just be using our imagination.
We are to seek God's face....until we are translated into His presence....or until He sends down His fire...His Holy Spirit in approval of our seeking.

Col. 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

To be thus translated is the NT experience of salvation. Going from darkness to light.
 
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marks

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how do we seek the things above and what are the things above ? ..i ask for seriousness ..i dont want no snide remarks..not interested in your personal doctrine,, this is a Bible discussion thread all positive remarks welcome

Colossians 3:1-4
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Hi Ezra,

Knock, and the door shall be opened, seek and you will find, ask, and you will receive. Want Jesus.

For me, a big part of seeking the things above is knowing that this is what God made me for, this is what God redeemed me for, and this is the abundant life God wants me to have.

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We seek Jesus, to know Him, to be like Him, of course, learning of Him in the Bible, and in our relationship with Him. So I want to have an active, non-stop communion with Jesus.

Ephesians 2:5-7
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

God has seated us together in the heavenly realm.

So we should seek each other. To share the communion which God by His Holy Spirit provides to our spirits.

2 Corinthians 4
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We speak from our faith, seeking the words that come from above, speaking according to Christ.

We seek the wellbeing of those whom are seated in Christ. We seek to define ourselves according to Christ, and what happens in our lives according to Christ. And we recognize the value of the temporal - nada zip zilch.

So we focus on what has eternal fruit, wanting the reward which comes from God, not man. And we want the security that comes from God, not man.

Like that.

Much love!
Mark
 
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justbyfaith

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We are building a building on the foundation of Jesus Christ. What we build will be revealed by fire as to what sort it is. Gold, silver, precious gems, wood, hay, stubble.

I think that seeking things above means to work the work of the ministry here on the earth; seeking to edify people in the body of Christ with words of truth.

By building people up spiritually while they are on the earth, you are building a heavenly building and will be rewarded in eternity.

Also, I believe that simply worshiping Christ while on the earth is in a sense to seek what is above. From the days of JTB til now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence; and the violent take it by force.

Entering into violent (intense) worship is one way that we take the kingdom away from the enemy.

Strong, deeply felt, intense worship touches the Lord's heart and makes Him want to receive us even after times of faltering or failing. He will apply His blood to our sins even after we have blown it, when we come to Him with a heart of passion and love that breaks through to the Father.

Of course it is better not to falter or fail in the first place; and to enter into passionate, violent, intense worship, as a people whose hearts are right with Him. Then we are safeguarded against falling because we have been seeking Him.

Jde 1:24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

2Pe 1:10, Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

1Jo 2:10, He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
 

Ezra

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when we think of seeking we think he is or like the gamed hide and seek ! when we seek we inquire i think of what the apostle paul said on the damascus road who are you Lord /possibility sir ... his next words is what would you have me do? inquire/seek those things above
vs2 set our affections/mind thoughts things above ..this can only happen with a spiritual mind.. { i am still studying on this} we have men prayer breakfast saturday which is in dire need of revival. at times it ends up more of a cafe gathering drinking coffee. minus the spiritual side of life . i get enough carnal kunk through out the week. i need manna from above .AMEN enjoy reading all the post keep them coming
 
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Nancy

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most definitely this is very much needed . were living in the valley of dry bones

Sorry, can't resist, :oops: "dry bones" reminds me of the Ezekiel verses and this song:
 

justbyfaith

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most definitely this is very much needed . were living in the valley of dry bones
I want to encourage you, brother, not to look to people for your spiritual nourishment.

Spend as much time as you possibly can delving into and partaking of the word of the Lord as you find it in the Holy Bible.

In my own personal study time, I read extensively during the week.

Sunday: 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, John 6:35, 4:13-14, 7:37-39, 6:47, 5:24, 8:31-36, 11:25-27, James, Romans 2:25-8, Hebrews 10, Jude.

Monday: Romans

Tuesday: 1 Corinthians

Wedenesday: 2 Corinthians

Thursday: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Revelation 1:17-3

Friday: 1 Thessalonians - Philemon

Saturday: Hebrews.

In this way I read through all of the epistles once per week. That's 52 times per year.

If you read nothing else you will be filled with the doctrine of the Bible.

I also try to read 3-5 chapters a day in the gospels, Acts, and Revelation, going straight through.

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and Acts, 4 chapters a day. In John, 3 chapters a day. In Revelation, 1-5, 6-10, 11-14, 15-18, 19-22.

Then if I have extra time, I read in the OT, one chapter that day if I read, in Genesis-Deuteronomy, Joshua-2 Kings, 1 Chronicles-Esther, Job, Ecclesiastes-Song of Solomon, Isaiah-Daniel, Hosea-Malachi. Seven chapters, one in each section.

I try to make it my first course of reading to read Psalms 1-75 and 76-150, 5 chapters in each section; and Proverbs 1-15, 16-30, 1 chapter in each section, based on the day of the month, + or - 15, and/or + or - 75. For example, on the 5th of the month I read 5 x 5 =25 = Psalms 21-25 and (5 + 15) x 5 = 20 x 5 = 100 = Psalms 96-100. if you are going through them it is easier just to pick up where you left off; but you probably need to calculate it at first.

I know this probably seems like a lot; but it only takes about 3 hours a day to get it all in.

And if you are finding yourself dry and not getting the spiritual nourishment that you need, cutting out 3 hours of TV and spending that time in the word can replenish your spiritual life immensely.

Please don't take this as a legalistic thing: be flexible and do as the Spirit leads. If you only read out of the epistles on any given day, it is not too much and you will find yourself refreshed.

I am reminded of the principle that the sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath.

This is a guideline, that if you have the time to be able to do it all, it will be beneficial.

But if it seems overwhelming, please disregard. You can read less in the week and still be a spiritual Christian (as I am certain that this is true of you in the present moment).
 
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justbyfaith

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I have also set aside every Friday to pray for the government; since the exhortation to do so pops up in my personal reading in the epistles on that day (in 1 Timothy 2).

Now I am not saying these things in any way to boast, except in Jesus Christ my Lord, who has shown me this pattern and motivated me to keep it.

I cannot boast in the works that the Lord has prepared beforehand for me to do; for they are all the result of His grace in my life.
 
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Ezra

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I want to encourage you, brother, not to look to people for your spiritual nourishment.
not looking to people im looking to plant a seed of revival into the group. we use to have good bible discussions
 
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marks

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Strong, deeply felt, intense worship touches the Lord's heart and makes Him want to receive us even after times of faltering or failing. He will apply His blood to our sins even after we have blown it, when we come to Him with a heart of passion and love that breaks through to the Father.

Hi JBF,

I love your writing! I'd like to comment on this part above.

We are accepted in the Beloved, in Jesus. So therefore God Always receives us, no matter what about us, it's about Jesus. And we've already been made new, and crucified to sin, and to the flesh, and the world. And I think it's that He receives us in Christ always, that brings worship to my heart.

Much love!
Mark
 

marks

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not looking to people im looking to plant a seed of revival into the group. we use to have good bible discussions

I've been working in my church to bring grace back to the forefront. It's been a couple of years of active pursuit, but I'm starting to see results, included in fields I didn't sow.

God is good, and He is faithful. Therefore, my beloved brother, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labor is not empty in the Lord.

Much love!
Mark
 
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justbyfaith

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Hi JBF,

I love your writing! I'd like to comment on this part above.

We are accepted in the Beloved, in Jesus. So therefore God Always receives us, no matter what about us, it's about Jesus. And we've already been made new, and crucified to sin, and to the flesh, and the world. And I think it's that He receives us in Christ always, that brings worship to my heart.

Much love!
Mark
Amen. Our position is always secure in Christ (see John 5:24).

Our relationship / fellowship is another story. It requires cultivation.

I would say also that it is possible to go down a path where relationship suffers to the point that position can be lost; or at the very least, assurance of position ought not to abide in the person who begins to behave in a reprobate manner (see 2 Corinthians 13:5).
 
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marks

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assurance of position ought not to abide in the person who begins to behave in a reprobate manner
I'd agree with you there to a certain extent. Faith will bring changed behavior, but our relationship is based on faith and not behavior.

As is being discussed elsewhere, a changed life is a big part of being born again.

I don't think that rebirth can ever be undone any more than we can be unborn as a human.

We can cease participating in our relationship with God, and stop perceiving our relationship with God, and stop enjoying Him, but I don't think He ever leaves us. Or forsakes us.

Much love!
Mark
 
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justbyfaith

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I'd agree with you there to a certain extent. Faith will bring changed behavior, but our relationship is based on faith and not behavior.

As is being discussed elsewhere, a changed life is a big part of being born again.

I don't think that rebirth can ever be undone any more than we can be unborn as a human.

We can cease participating in our relationship with God, and stop perceiving our relationship with God, and stop enjoying Him, but I don't think He ever leaves us. Or forsakes us.

Much love!
Mark
I think it depends on what type of soil you are.

A shallow, lukewarm, or nominal faith, is prone to "believe for a while, and then fall away." (Luke 8:13).

But if you are the good soil (an honest and good heart, that receives the word with understanding and bears fruit with patience); in that case I don't believe that you can lose your salvation.
 
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marks

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I think it depends on what type of soil you are.

A shallow, lukewarm, or nominal faith, is prone to "believe for a while, and then fall away." (Luke 8:13).

But if you are the good soil (an honest and good heart, that receives the word with understanding and bears fruit with patience); in that case I don't believe that you can lose your salvation.

And this is where I differ from some, in that I see the seed on stony ground not a saving faith. A happy emotion, a mental assent, but no root in themself. It never penetrated into them.

Testing proves the true from the false. Even John wrote that we can't tell the true from the false until they leave the rest.

The parable of the wheat and the tares, the owner told his servants Don't pull up the tares, so you don't inadvertantly pull up wheat with them.

I'm thinking the idea here is that when people start trying to sort out true believers from the untrue, the tendency is to look at some of the true, and judge by appearance, just our own perceptions of what we think we see, and judge them false.

Too easy to see a real child of God, and see their sin, and assume that's all there is, if we don't happen to see more than that.

If we let them just all grow together until the end of the age, Jesus will sort it all out when He comes.

I see the one who receives the word with a good and honest heart, that one is born again, that one bears fruit.

Much love!
Mark
 
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