The upcoming BW retreat (14-16 March) is just about 6 weeks away. I would like to encourage you to sign up for the retreat without delay. Come and join the retreat for three days of rest and spiritual nourishment. Please pray for the blessing of this retreat.
The messages will explain the biblical meaning, manner and benefits of “Heavenly-Mindedness”. We who are journeying to heaven must “set (our) affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Modern Christianity has become earthly-minded, consciously pursuing worldliness and disregarding the biblical exhortation to live with heavenly-mindedness. Many are seduced to think that “a person may be so heavenly-minded that he becomes no earthly good”! They seem to despise the blessed hope of heaven, as their thinking has become earth-bound.
However, the truth is that heavenly-minded Christians are the most effective servants of God on earth. The more we focus on eternity, the greater the impact we will have on earth for God’s glory, and for the salvation and edification of souls.
Moreover, heavenly-minded people can discern and dispel the corrupting, destructive powers of worldliness. They are motivated and determined, courageous and hopeful, for they work out their calling in this life for the glorious, eternal rewards from their soon coming King.
Brethren, we must not be seduced by the world’s vanity. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit by His Word will stir our hearts and minds to stretch out for the things of heaven. If our minds would remain trapped within the confines of this perishing world, we shall not enjoy the power and hope of heaven. While we realise that those “whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things”, let us also know that “our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:19-20).
Psalm 73:24-26 – “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (cf. Luke 12:32-34).
Matthew 19:21 – “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
Ephesians 2:5-6 – “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and he hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:10 – “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.”
Philippians 1:20-21 – “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Hebrews 10:34-35 – “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”.