BUMC Mini-Blast July 28, 2025
JesusTime Devotion
by Joey Capuano
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Colossians 3: 1-11 "Clothed in Christ"
3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, enslaved and free, but Christ is all and in all!
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Let’s Set Our Minds Above, on Christ, Our Firm Foundation!
by Joey Capuano
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Blessings to us all! This week’s reading, which is a letter from Paul to the Colossians, is pretty insightful! It also is very important for us to keep in mind in today’s world, especially in our many times intense and divisive political and life situations. Although many “distractors” come into play, we are comforted to know that we can focus, set our minds on, and have solace in Christ.
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What distractions do we face? That’s an easy one! Work responsibilities, social media things (oh boy!), health and financial hardships, temptations, lopsided priorities, and many other things. With us having distractions, are we to feel guilty about having them? Of course not! Why? Because we are human and will always face distractions, those of our imperfect world and of our imperfect selves. But, guess what? God loves us in all of our imperfections! Rest easy in that!
So, the question then becomes, how do we get past these distractions? We focus above on Christ! Paul isn’t just reminding the Colossians of this in his letter found in our Scripture today. He is reminding us, too!
As this week’s Discipleship Ministries newsletter says, we as a congregation can focus on what is important by focusing on Christ, our firm foundation! We can then encourage other congregations to do the same and invite everyone we encounter in our world to turn to Christ in all times, the bad and the good.
We can feel so sad and dejected at times in our modern world. I get it. But, guess what? We are NEVER alone! Let’s learn about and “set our minds above” on Christ, together!
God bless us! Joey
(Image credit to Bible App)
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