OUR DAILY BREAD             Thurs., May 18, 1995   
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READ: Colossians 3:1-17

               
                 THE CHOICE IS OURS 

           "Set your mind on things above."

                            Colossians 3:2

One summer afternoon I climbed a hill near my home.
When I reached the top, I stretched out on the
grass to relax.

Turning my head to one side, my eyes focused on 
some blades of grass within inches of my face.  This 
short-range focus not only strained my eyes, but it
blurred my view of anything beyond the end of my
nose!  So I began to adjust my focus, and then the
distant city came into view instead.

I found I could shift my sights from near to far at 
will.  The choice was mine.

In today's Bible reading, the apostle Paul emphasized
that followers of Christ need to be heavenly-minded,
not earthly-minded (Col. 3:1-2).  We can choose which
it will be.

We can succumb to selfish, earthbound thoughts, 
blurring our view of anything beyond the end of our
noses.  Or we can gaze through this sinful scene and
fix our attention on things above, where Christ is
seated at God's right hand -- and we with Him!  Then,
and only then, are we in a position to see what's most
important in life.

Only the mind that's set on things above can say no
to sin and yes to Christlike holiness.  the choice is
ours.
                                -- Joanie E. Yoder

           Help me to watch and pray,
              And on Thyself rely;
        And let me ne'er my trust betray,
           But press to realms on high.

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           THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
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     The only way to see life clearly
          is to focus on Christ.
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Job 14-17      

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