🙏 SET YOUR HEART ON THINGS ABOVE—NOT ON THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD! ✝️
📖 DAILY WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT | OCTOBER 20, 2026
🌅 YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES MAY BE EARTHLY, BUT YOUR HOPE IS ETERNAL!
Good morning, beloved friends, family, and fellow Believers in Jesus Christ!
As we begin another day, here's a question worth considering:
WHAT HAS YOUR ATTENTION TODAY—THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD OR THE THINGS OF GOD?
It's a simple question, but the answer can determine how we approach our problems, manage our priorities, and experience the peace that only Jesus Christ can provide.
Today's devotional from Words of Encouragement (4th Edition), written by Senior Pastor James Langston, reminds us of an essential truth:
We may live in this world, but our hearts and minds do not have to be controlled by it!
📖 TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 3:2–3
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." — Colossians 3:2–3 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul wasn't telling the Colossian Believers to abandon their responsibilities, neglect their families, or ignore the realities of everyday life.
He was reminding them that their identity, security, and ultimate hope were found in Jesus Christ—not in the temporary circumstances surrounding them.
And beloved, that same truth applies to us today!
🌎 THE WORLD DEMANDS OUR ATTENTION—BUT GOD DESERVES OUR HEARTS!
Let's face it.
Every morning, we wake up to a world competing for our attention.
Bills need paying. Families need caring for. Jobs demand our time. Health concerns arise. News headlines remind us of wars, political disagreements, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and suffering around the world.
And somewhere in the middle of all that noise, we sometimes forget something vitally important:
GOD HAS NOT CHANGED! HIS WORD HAS NOT CHANGED! AND HIS PROMISES HAVE NOT EXPIRED!
The world may be uncertain, but the God who holds our lives in His hands remains faithful.
Setting our hearts on things above doesn't mean pretending that problems don't exist.
It means refusing to allow those problems to become greater in our minds than the God we serve.
Our problems may be real, but so are God's promises!
✝️ YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD!
Paul's words in Colossians 3:3 contain one of the most comforting truths in the New Testament:
"Your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Think about that for a moment!
Through faith in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished at Calvary, we have been brought into a new relationship with God.
Our old life no longer defines who we are.
Our past failures do not have the final word.
Our present circumstances do not determine our eternal destiny.
JESUS CHRIST DOES!
And because our lives are hidden with Christ in God, we can face the uncertainties of today with confidence in the One who holds tomorrow.
That's not wishful thinking.
THAT'S FAITH IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST!
❤️ WHERE IS YOUR HEART TODAY?
Perhaps you're facing a financial struggle.
Perhaps you've received disappointing news.
Maybe you're dealing with family difficulties, uncertainty about the future, or a burden you've carried for so long that you've almost forgotten what it feels like to live without it.
Whatever you're facing, today's devotional offers a timely reminder:
DON'T ALLOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND YOU TO MAKE YOU FORGET WHO LIVES WITHIN YOU!
When we focus on Christ, our perspective begins to change.
We remember that earthly troubles are temporary, but God's promises are eternal.
We discover that our worth isn't measured by possessions, popularity, or worldly success.
And we learn that genuine peace isn't found in having everything go our way.
PEACE IS FOUND IN KNOWING THE ONE WHO IS THE WAY!
Jesus said:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." — Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
What a wonderful promise!
God knows what we need. He understands what we're facing. And He invites us to trust Him as we place His kingdom first.
🌅 TODAY'S CHALLENGE: LOOK UP BEFORE YOU LOOK AROUND!
Before allowing today's responsibilities to overwhelm you, take a moment to remember whose you are.
Before dwelling on everything that could go wrong, thank God for everything He has already brought you through.
Before worrying about tomorrow, remember that the same God who sustained you yesterday is more than able to sustain you today.
And before you allow the world to dictate your peace, turn your attention toward Jesus Christ.
LOOK UP! YOUR HELP COMES FROM THE LORD!
As Psalm 121:2 declares:
"My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." (KJV)
Beloved, don't spend so much time looking at the things beneath you that you forget the eternal blessings awaiting you in Christ!
🙏 TODAY'S PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for another day of life, another opportunity to serve You, and another reminder that our hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Lord, forgive us for the times we've allowed the concerns of this world to occupy more of our thoughts than Your promises.
Help us to set our minds on things above. Teach us to trust You when circumstances are uncertain, to remain faithful when challenges arise, and to remember that our lives are securely hidden with Christ in You.
Strengthen the discouraged. Comfort the grieving. Provide for those in need. Restore hope to those who have almost given up.
And throughout this day, may our words, actions, attitudes, and decisions reflect the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In His precious and holy name we pray.
AMEN AND AMEN! 🙏
📚 NEED ENCOURAGEMENT EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR?
<text weight="medium">Words of Encouragement (4th Edition)</text>
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Today's message is drawn from Words of Encouragement (4th Edition) by Senior Pastor James Langston, a collection of daily biblical encouragement designed to help readers strengthen their faith, deepen their relationship with God, and face life's challenges with renewed hope.
Whether you're beginning your morning with prayer, seeking encouragement during a difficult season, or looking for a meaningful Christian gift for someone you love, this book offers daily opportunities to reflect on God's Word.
📖 AVAILABLE ON KDP AMAZON IN THREE FORMATS:
📕 Paperback
📘 Hardcover
📱 Kindle eBook
👉 ORDER YOUR COPY OR LEARN MORE:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT62NKF
And remember, every book purchased helps support the missionary outreach efforts of Pilgrim Outreach Ministries International. 100% of the author's book royalties are dedicated to ministry and missions.
🌍 A FINAL WORD FROM PILGRIM OUTREACH MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Wherever you are reading this today—in America, the Philippines, elsewhere in Asia, Europe, Africa, or anywhere around the world—we pray that this devotional strengthens your faith and reminds you of God's unfailing love.
YOU MAY BE WALKING THROUGH EARTHLY TROUBLES, BUT YOU BELONG TO AN ETERNAL SAVIOR!
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Keep your faith anchored in His finished work at Calvary.
Keep your heart set on things above.
And never forget:
THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD WILL PASS AWAY, BUT THE PROMISES OF GOD WILL STAND FOREVER!
May the Lord bless you and keep you throughout this beautiful Tuesday, October 20, 2026!
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY! 🙌❤️
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries International (POMI)
Your Feet to the Nations.
Help us help them—one soul at a time.
🌐 Ministry Website: https://pomitaly.homestead.com/
📖 Ministry Blog: https://joybells49.blogspot.com/
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