Set Your Mind

Colossians 3:1-3 says, "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
This is my life verse right now along with Matthew 6:33 that says, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."
I have entered into a time in my life that should have consumed me at a younger age, but as they say, better late than never. I believe that God desires me to chase after Him and only Him for the rest of my college life. I have the conviction to become the Pastor and Man that I need to be in order to have the best ministry that I can have according to the measure of given grace. I want to be filled up like a sponge so that when I go into the ministry and start working, the substance of which I pour out will be gracious, loving, and kind.
You're probably thinking that that was a pretty gross analogy...
...and you're probably right.
I've been convicted about 1st Corinthians 7 and the desire Paul has to see single people step into ministry because of their sole goal, which is to only do the Lord's work without worrying about how they should please their family or wife. So to all of you college students, and even more so high school students, this is aimed, I believe, directly at you! Paul says that some people need to get married so that they don't burn with passion, but the truth is that if you're not in a place to get married, you under the beautiful title of being "single".
All throughout high school, I was convinced that this was a curse, but the truth is that it is more of a blessing than most anything else on this earth. When we are lonely, we understand that there is a reason that we are lonely, and in that state of mind, we then come to grips that the only person who can satisfy this longing for belonging is Christ Jesus; who has made us sons and daughters with an inheritance of righteousness and everlasting intimacy. Amen?
Paul went into Arabia to spend time away learning the Way from the Lord (Gal 1:17). John the Baptist grew strong in the Spirit by being in the wilderness (Luke 1:80). Most of all, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-2).
So my conclusion is that for great ministry to happen, there needs to be great preparation; and that is exactly what I long for in this time.
If you also have the desire for ministry, then see whatever situation you are in as preparation for that ministry. - Forsake All

The Journey

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Please understand that for the rest of the duration of this post that I am writing this to see make logical thoughts. I’m trying to figure things out for myself and if I seem harsh, it’s not because I am mad at anyone, but understand; it’s directed towards me.

So much has happened in the past three days. It’s so unbelievable the shift and change that has happened in my life and it all was caused by my failure to understand this passage. Most people understand the truth behind verse seven in the first chapter of Proverbs. They would agree that to fear the Lord is to have knowledge and understanding. However, there is a common and universal misunderstanding of what it means to fear the Lord. I’ve heard people who love the Lord say that it means to literally fear Him and be scared of His presence and such while still others who are devoted to knowing God say that it means to respect and revere.

Both of these groups of people love the Lord and chase hard after Him, but which one is right? We need to understand so we can start having understanding… I hope you understand the importance of this question. However, James says in his first chapter in verse five that if we lack wisdom, we’re just to ask for it. God is not afraid to give wisdom to anyone who asks but does it willingly, without hesitation. Maybe we need to pray that prayer right now…

There are so many things we can say and passages we can look up but I want to look up one clear passage that will tell us exactly what this means.

Proverbs 2:1-6 says, “My son, if you will ¹receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, ²Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; ³if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; ⁴If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

So in this passage we see four things that we need to do to discern the fear of the Lord. It’s important to understand that this scripture is from the heart of God and this is God’s Word that He wants His people to know. When He says, “My son,” we can understand both in the idea that this a father-son relationship in which we should listen to our fathers (which is supported by other proverbs and scripture), and this is also a statement asking the son to believe in the words of God. God’s Word has authority in all times of life and is vital for discerning the fear of the Lord.

The next three steps can be looked at backwards in chronological order. Starting with verse four, we see that seeking wisdom is more than the idea of going to the grocery store and picking it off the shelf. It’s like the parable of the man who found a treasure in a field and sold everything he had and bought the field for the sake of the treasure. This is equated with our search for the Kingdom of God, but can also be used in our fervent desire to have wisdom. Sure, we ask for it like James says, but maybe God’s way of giving it to us is different than just handing it over.

Verse three makes mention of one crying out for wisdom. Sometimes, this can be pretty literal when someone literally has no idea what to do and needs wisdom. This may be a cry of desperation because of the situation or possibly because the crier just wants to be wise. Wisdom, in chapter one of Proverbs in verse twenty, “Shouts in the streets and lifts her voice in the square.” In the way that wisdom wants to be known, we must also desire to know and obtain wisdom; even if it means crying out for it.

 We’ve been on a journey. We’ve sought after wisdom with our whole hearts. We’ve searched every nook and cranny hoping to find this jewel. While walking down the road, we’ve cried, “Wisdom! I am in need of you!” While turning the corner, we hear a cry saying, “Here I am!” Once we see her, we sit ourselves down and listen to everything that she has to say and we treasure every single moment with her. Our hearts must be inclined to love wisdom, which if we do these things, cry out and search for wisdom, then the easiest part is listening to it and doing what it says to do.

Are you ready for the journey to wisdom?