Daily Bible Reading Reflections

When Your Mind is Set On…

Today’s Bible reading is Joshua 4 and Matthew 16.

“You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matt 16:23)

Picture yourself raising your hand. “Excuse me, Jesus. The things of man versus the things of God. Could you elaborate a little more to help us understand the difference?” How would Jesus answer?

SELF. Is your mind set on gratifying yourself or denying yourself? “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself.”

THE CROSS. Is it someone else’s to be studied from afar or is there one with your name on it? “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.”

JESUS. Is he a remarkable historical figure or the living Savior and Guide? “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

LIFE. Whose is it and on what will it be spent? “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

SOUL. How much is yours worth? “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

ACCOUNTABILITY. How seriously will you take it? “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”

The things of man versus the things of God.

When the mind is set on the things of man… Self is gratified. The cross is history. Jesus is just another remarkable person. Life is spent on me. The soul is neglected. Accountability is ignored.

When the mind is set on the things of God… Self is denied. The cross is carried. Jesus is followed. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The return of the King is joyfully anticipated.

The things of man versus the things of God. On which is your mind set?

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