SEPTEMBER 20

Heavenly Minded

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed in a swimming accident decades ago.  God has since blessed her with a great ministry of encouraging people to “keep seeking the things above.”  She was once quoted as saying, “I just want to be with Jesus, get my new glorified body, and have the pain wiped away.”  She says that it is not just the physical frustrations that make her long for heaven, but her battle with temptation and the pain of life.  Most of all, she just wants to see Jesus.

Once she went to visit Corrie ten Boon after Corrie had had a stroke.  Corrie had lost all ability to communicate.  She had to use gestures and the expressions of her face to convey her thoughts.  The topic of heaven brought the greatest response and joy from Corrie.  Joni described her longings for heaven and concluded by singing a song to her:

Though I spend my mortal lifetime in this chair,
I refuse to waste it living in despair…
He has given me a gift beyond compare.
For heaven is nearer to me,
And at times it is all I can see.

We, like Joni, are to seek for, to set our affection on, the things above.  This is a command.  God commands us to set our hearts on the things above.  We see here there is a choice.  We can either set our hearts and minds on things above, or things which are on the earth.  Those are the two choices before us.  We should also note the unbeliever doesn’t have those two choices.  Lacking the Spirit of God, he lacks the ability to set his mind on things above, as we do.

The same two possibilities—to set our minds on things below or above—are spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  We have five senses which make us aware of things related to the here and now.  The world, the flesh, and the devil are working to entice us and involve us in worldly affairs.  If we are to keep our focus, we need the help of the spirit. We have a travel “brochure,” the Bible, that speaks to us of the glory of heaven.  We have a travel guide, the Spirit, who is always pointing us in Christ’s direction.  It is as the Spirit of God fills our hearts with the Word of God that our attention is directed to the things above.

We are not simply given commands—God doesn’t just say “look there.”  He gives us the reason.  We are to “keep seeking the things above” because that’s “where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).  He who loved me and died for me is seated there.  Our glorious Savior and Lord is seated there.  Our hearts lie there with Him.  We yearn to be united with Him in unfettered intimacy.  And another reason is given— “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).  We are to keep seeking things above because there is something “hidden” in heaven which is waiting there to be revealed.  The fullness of who we are in Christ is presently “hidden” with Christ in God. 

J. C. Ryle, “Keep on looking unto Jesus. Faith shall soon be changed to sight and hope to certainty. Looking to Jesus on earth by faith, you shall end with seeing Jesus eye to eye in heaven. Those eyes of yours shall look on the head that was crowned with thorns, the hands and feet that were pierced with nails, and the side that was pierced with a spear. You shall find that seeing is the blessed consequence of believing, and that looking at Jesus by faith, ends with seeing Jesus in glory, and living with Jesus for evermore. When you awake up after His likeness, you shall be satisfied.”

IS THIS THE CROWING DAY?

Jesus may come today,
Glad day! Glad day!
And I would see my Friend;
Dangers and troubles would end
If Jesus should come today.

Refrain:
Glad day! Glad day!
Is it the crowning day?
I’ll live for today, nor anxious be,
Jesus my Lord I soon shall see;
Glad day! Glad day!
Is it the crowning day?

I may go home today,
Glad day! Glad day!
Seemeth I hear their song;
Hail to the radiant throng!
If I should go home today. (Refrain)

Why should I anxious be?
Glad day! Glad day!
Lights appear on the shore,
Storms will affright nevermore,
For He is “at hand” today. (Refrain)

Faithful I’ll be today,
Glad day! Glad day!
And I will freely tell
Why I should love Him so well,
For He is my all today. (Refrain)

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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