Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Philippians 4:8, “And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” NLT

Training ourselves to renew our minds in God’s Word is part of God redeeming us in our sanctification. That is the process of being made holy and set apart for God’s purposes in our lives, as we live in ways that reflect God’s character and values. We have to fight against living by our circumstances – for that is not where our identity lies. We have to discipline our thoughts, as Paul taught in Philippians 4:8, because God is our source of power and our daily guide, both when things are clear and when they are unclear. He is the true and only source of contentment and peace.

Reviewing past answers to prayers and praying, which is simply communicating with God is one way to renew our minds. Ephesians 4:23 instructs us to, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” That takes discipline. Every time a king in the Old Testament failed to ask God for counsel in making a decision, they failed miserably. Our motivation needs to be always for desiring God-honoring ways and honoring God in all we do and speak.

Our own understanding of our circumstances may not capture the full picture, and we have limited knowledge, so it comes down to Proverbs 3:5 instruction, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” God is a better judge of what we need than we are. We need to follow what Jesus taught in Luke 12:31, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” Then ask yourself, what do you know about God that you didn’t know a month ago? Think about that.

Yes, we all are tempted to give in to anxiety as life has its ups and downs. But in renewing our mind by thinking biblically, and on Matthew 6:27, which Jesus taught, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” The obvious answer is NO. We know that, but it takes, again, renewing our minds in God’s Word to give us daily, moment-by-moment joy and peace that He is in control. Worrying damages our health, disrupts our ability to think clearly, affects how we treat others, and reduces our trust in God. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:30b, “Why do you have so little faith?” Renewing our minds continually through reading and studying God’s Word will change our way of thinking to a biblical way of thinking. As Romans 12:1-2 states, “And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” NLT. Yes, be reassured that God’s will for you is “good and pleasing and perfect.”

God’s ultimate purpose for us is to redeem us from sin and sanctify us to live a life that reflects God’s character and values. Rather than only coping with anxiety, God’s Word is sufficient to transform our thoughts, attitudes, and eliminate our wrong thinking, forming us into a new person, and guarding our thoughts with the truth of Scripture.

Engage in God’s Word each day, and preferably in the morning, before anything else. Ask for His counsel and guidance, strengthening your faith and hope each day, in obedience to Him. We have to keep our thoughts focused on our identity in Christ, the gospel, and the truth of Philippians 4:8 as we renew our minds biblically.

Listen to MercyMe, Tim Timmons & Sam Wesley – Make It Well.

Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” NLT

Proverbs 17:27-28, “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” NLT

Who would you rate as the wisest person who has been your go-to mentor when you needed someone to listen to you about something that was deeply bothering you and needed their words of wisdom? Solomon was one of the most famous in the Old Testament, for his wisdom, which he received from God when he humbly asked for the ability to justly judge the people and to know right from wrong (1 Kings 3:9), and is one of the main writers of the book of Proverbs. The wise people in my life that I have sought out from time to time live out Proverbs 16:21, which says, “The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.”

A “broken-spirit” (Prov. 17:22) is cross-referenced with Proverbs 15:13: “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” Furthermore, Solomon stated in Ecclesiastes 8:1, “How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.” Wisdom is not learned automatically; it comes from the ability to see life through eternal eyes, from God’s perspective, and then to know the best course of action to take. “Knowledge is having the facts. Understanding is the ability to discern what the facts mean and how they fit together in the big picture. Wisdom is knowing how to apply your knowledge and understanding, translating it into the everyday life of a Christ follower.” The Bible Recap, Tara-Leigh Cobble, page 339.

God blessed Solomon with an understanding heart. The apostle Paul taught in Philippians 4:8, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” ESV. This was Paul’s secret in prison in coping with his predicament. We all face struggles, and that is when we need to put off our fears, and put on 1 Peter 5:7, which states, “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Our hearts need to crave, treasure, serve, and worship our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Our emotions reflect what we worship and what has captured our hearts. David said in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” God is righteous, gracious, and merciful. Christ’s communication was always timely. We need the skill of being timely in our communication, as it says, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:11.

Be encouraged – seek out a godly mentor when needed. Model the grace that God has so graciously given to you. Have an ongoing list of what you are thankful for that God has done in your life. Then, as you read God’s Word, ask Him to give you knowledge, understanding, and wisdom so that you can cope with any predicament. Then you will have good judgment. Our trials reveal our loyalty to God (Psalm 44:21b-26). Lastly, Ps. 119:143 gave me great reassurance recently as it says, “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.” NLT. That is the source of our solution for coping with any predicament.

Listen to My Soul Will Wait (Psalm 62) Official Lyric Video.

Ephesians 2:6,7, “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” NLT

In Christ we have all the benefits of knowing God. Because we have been forgiven, have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, power to live as Christians now, and can enjoy God’s blessings due to our intimate relationship with Christ. Do we really understand the wealth of His grace to us as we live a cross-centered life? How often do we shrink in disgust at the evil around us? Yet Paul said in Ephesians 1:19-20, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” God’s incredible power helps us grow, change, and love others as He so loves us. We can’t do it on our own. We all have various trials and sufferings we are or will go through. Trials reveal our loyalty to God “for He knows the secrets of every heart “(Psalm 44:21b). But we have hope because our eternal life with Christ remains secure, and we sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus because of our salvation and fellowship with Him. Our identity is in Christ, not in our trials.

Paul spoke of great evil in his day and stated it in Ephesians. 2:2 of our previous condition before we were saved, “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. I have to remind myself of this, don’t you? Reminds me of the wicked and stubborn Pharaoh in the Old Testament, in Exodus, who defied God. But God’s mighty power was shown in the end when the Israelites walked safely on dry ground through the middle of the Red Sea. At the same time, the Egyptians, when the waters returned, were covered and died along with all of their chariots and charioteers – the entire army of Pharaoh! “Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.” Exodus 14:28. God has solutions we can’t even imagine – trust Him.

Dear reader, whatever you are going through, know that God will continue to show the “incredible wealth of His grace and kindness to you” for His glory. Hang on with perseverance. God is concerned about our heart condition and our obedience, which is called “progressive sanctification,” as 2 Peter 3:18 declares: “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

We have to continually redefine our identity and check whether our self-talk is biblically grounded. It is a lifelong requirement. Try to see your day-to-day through new eyes where God is big and people are small in comparison. Any unbelief is polluting our hearts, which is where our mind, emotions, and will – all of our actions flow out of, our heart. His Word renews our minds with biblical truths, filling us with hope and inspiring ongoing growth in our faith. It reminds us of our true identity found in Him. God is enough. Be obedient to God and leave the rest up to Him.

Listen to Sovereign Grace Music, Help Us See Christ (Official Video)

Ephesians 1:18-19, “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” NLT

Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to the church at Ephesus and to the neighboring churches while he was in prison in Rome. Paul’s purpose was to encourage and strengthen them in their needy days. It is a letter of practical application lived out by Paul. Paul states in Ephesians 1:11, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” Paul taught of God’s high sovereignty, which has purpose, power, grace, and the glory of Christ. Paul gives insight into the process of sanctification, and he wrote all of this from prison in Rome.

Do you really know Him? Do you know your cure for loneliness is His omnipresence? God’s presence is more important than any other person we might want to be with. Paul prayed for the people to know God better. Talking to God in prayer and reading His Word is how we get to know God more intimately. He will transform your life and change your way of thinking, as Romans 12:2 declares, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

What do you think about the most throughout your day? What if you focused on the gospel, on living a cross-centered life? Do you think of the cross more than just at Easter time? Leave your luggage at His feet. Move into the vast mystery of the love Christ has for you. Do you understand God’s power? That power helps us grow, change, and love others better. There is resurrection power living inside you to help you overcome whatever difficulties come your way. As Paul teaches, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in you, as a Christian, and is a means of making you an instrument of godly Christ-like change, not only in yourself, but by your influence in not being overcome by any evil, due to your faith in God, as Psalm 112:9b states, “Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.” There is never a power shortage or outage in the Christian life due to Christ’s work on the cross, raising Him above all demonic foes and potential enemies of all time. Christ is above all and is now seated at the right hand of God (Eph. 1:20).

The Message says Ephesians 1:18-19 this way, “I ask – ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him – endless energy, boundless strength!”

Listen to Matthew West – The Last Song (Official Music Video).

Isaiah 43:1, “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” ESV

Psalm 100:3, “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”

Exodus 33:17, “So the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”

Did you realize God knows your name? Think about that for a minute. When someone says your name when talking to you, doesn’t that make the conversation more personal? When you talk to God, realize He knows your very name. He created you and as a Christian, you are part of God’s people, and He knows you by name, cares about your needs, and sees you.

We see God’s omniscience – God has complete knowledge of everything, as Psalm 139:1-6 states: He knows when you get up, go to work, go on walks, travel in your car, go to church, and when you miss it, and when you go to sleep. He even knows what you are going to say before you say it. God knows our thoughts because He sees our heart’s condition and knows what is wrong and what the solution is to correct our wrong thinking (Romans 12:1-2).

God’s omnipotence, which is His sovereignty, means He has the power to work out everything according to His divine purpose and will. David declared in Psalm 138:8a, “The LORD will work out His plans for my life.” His power is inexhaustible, and ours is not (Ephesians 1:11). He will bring us through the difficulties we face.

Yes, God knows your name and has redeemed and justified you, and you are in the lifelong process of sanctification – becoming more like Christ, growing in holiness. God is always preparing you for what is ahead. He is making you to be holy, as 1 Corinthians 1:30 declares, “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.“

God created you in His image. Your life has purpose, and His grace is sufficient for you, even in your weaknesses, which can become opportunities for His strength to shine through, as 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” LSB.

Seek the person of Jesus who died for your sins. Don’t worry about today and tomorrow. Make the gospel and reading God’s Word your passion. “Every day of our Christian experience,” writes Jerry Bridges, “should be a day of relating to God on the basis of His grace alone. We are not only saved by grace, but we also live by grace every day.” This needs to be the center of our lives because God knows your name; you are redeemed, justified, and being sanctified, all due to His grace. Remember that throughout your day.

Listen to Phil Wickham, Crowder – It Really Is Amazing Grace (Performance).

Matthew 17:20, “And He said to them, “Because of your little faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” LSB

Do you ever feel like you have things pretty much under control, and then something new pops up and undermines your confidence and you are facing something perhaps the size of a mountain that will not move? This new problem then consumes all your energy, emotions, and your thoughts over and over again. So often we complain, gripe, and get irritated, and then discouragement and disappointment cast their cloud over us. We may even end up lashing out at others and spiraling into hurtful words that erupt from us like a bubbling, effervescent volcano. But are we spending more of our emotions fretting rather than praying and committing the problem to God? Oh, we know and can quote Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good to those that love the Lord.” Then we can also profess that God controls all things, but we want a quick fix. We live as though someone else’s approval, or good health, or avoiding conflict, or getting our own way, matters more than trusting and loving God. These involve our idols, but God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3. We want to be free of hurt or pain, crave being respected and admired, have high expectations of how people should treat us or act, and the list goes on.

We need to do two things. First of all, we need to have faith, no matter how small it is, such as even the size of a mustard seed (see the picture of earrings featuring mustard seeds), and give it to God to cause it to grow and believe He will answer our prayer. We need to say with the psalmist in Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you.” Then as David declared in Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” The second thing we need to pray is” God make these verses true in my life. Take away the discouragement I feel.” Pray that your understanding of the promises of God will give you added faith to believe God will conquer and move any mountain you have in your life, be it involving family, your job, health, financial needs, being treated unjustly, unmet expectations, etc. The list of God’s promises to us is far longer than our list of complaints about anyone or anything that concerns us.

Jesus rebuked His disciples for their insufficient faith (Matthew 17:20) yet did not condemn them. He was their teacher and was preparing them for what they would need in their future ministry when He was gone – faith in the power of God. Our faith doesn’t move the mountains. It is the power of God, but faith must be present in order to do so. The mustard seed was the smallest seed imaginable, and God put it in this verse as a visual picture. There is great potential even in a little faith when God is with us, making sure there are no idols of disobedience in our way. Having a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith will turn our eyes away from our immovable mountain and look to Christ, and to all He accomplished on the cross, for more faith.

Listen to Brandan Lake & Phil Wickham, Naomi Raine -When I Look at the Cross.

Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” NLT

Aren’t we all in need of hope when we go through the struggles in life? Some days we sail along pretty smoothly, basking in the peace, and then something comes up that is a serious dilemma, and we have to figure out what in the world to do. Wouldn’t life be grand if we had more days without stress or discomfort? It is then easy to feel we shouldn’t have to go through anything unsettling. Yet Jesus told His disciples before He was betrayed and arrested, in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

As Christians, we can claim the peace of Christ even in the most tumultuous struggles, for we are not alone. Christ’s presence is with us at all times as we have the promise of Deuteronomy 31:8, “It is the LORD who goes before you He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” ESV. Moses declared this to Joshua, who would take over leading the Israelites, since Moses was 120 yrs. old and was no longer able to lead them. God has given us this promise today as well, which gives us hope.

So what about the common slogans that sound spiritually comforting but are not found in the Bible:

• This too will pass.
• Things are going to get better.
• God helps those who help themselves.
• Everything happens for a reason.

Biblical hope is anchored in the Word of God, which addresses the heart issues behind all of our behavior. These slogans sound good, but do not measure up to Scripture. Perhaps you made a wrong decision – it is not the end of your story. You can choose to follow Romans 12:1-2 and transform your mind by intentional choices to obey God. This is the hope of the gospel: living a cross-centered life and making Jesus the Lord of your life. Jesus promises Himself as the solution. Since God initiated our salvation, He will continue to transform our lives and hearts throughout our lifetimes amid our trials and sorrows. We need to ask, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?” This is His responsibility to each believer: to realign our hearts’ desires, motives, and emotions.

God is sovereign and works all things according to His will (Romans 8:28-29). Sin, suffering, and our own choices will bring consequences, is what the Bible teaches. Romans 8:28-29 does not say all things are good or that we will always know why we are suffering. Look at Job, Joseph, and Paul in the Bible, who were all afflicted. Yet God protected them for His divine purpose and for their good due to their faithfulness to Him. God never told them why – what the reason for their suffering was.

Truth shapes our faith anchored in God’s Word. Suffering in our trials exposes the idols of our lives, reminding us of God’s faithfulness. Biblical hope anchors us in Christ, who is the solution. Stay confident in God’s promise over your life from Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” LSB. This is both true and comforting.

Listen to CeCe Winans – Come Jesus Come (Official Video)

2 Timothy 3:16,17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” NLT.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for corrections, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” ESV.

Where do you go to find answers for your dilemmas in life? Some are turning to counterfeit sources that may appear appealing, but God, who created us, knows what is wrong with us, sees the condition of our hearts, and has His diagnosis for all within the Bible. God’s prescription and solution is to have faith in Christ, which is revealed to us in His Word. The Bible is a textbook that has the answers to solve the source of any problem and transform lives to coming to a saving faith in Christ and then to tranform believers in to His image. Romans 15:4 declares, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

But you may feel your trial is overwhelming you. Is it at times consuming you? Do certain things or people drive you crazy? I have been there too. Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow, it exposes our inner most thoughts and desires.” God’s Word reveals who we are, what we place our identity in, our desires and motives, and why we have anxiety, frustration, and disappointments when we try to control what is God’s responsibility versus what is ours. God’s Word, hidden in our hearts keeps us from sin and is our divine counselor, and the means to our sanctification (John 17:17), built on God’s grace.

The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is a recording of events of writers who were inspired by God, through the Holy Spirit, who wrote down God’s message. The purpose of the Scriptures is for us to know God, have life through Jesus Christ, and be fully equipped to do His will.

Some of us go to our chiropractor for a needed spinal realignment. Our hearts need regular realignment through God’s Word, which is filled with instruction to correct us when we are wrong and to expose our innermost thoughts and desires. Pastor Josh Howerton posted a recent YouTube video titled “A Stunning Study Reveals the Supernatural Power of Reading the Bible in the Life of a Christian, by the Institute for Biblical Research. Suppose someone reads the Bible once a week; there is not much difference. If someone reads it 2-3 days/week, it is negligible but not significant. But if someone reads the Bible 4 or more times a week, everything begins to change: a 50% reduction in anxiety, 407% start to memorize Scripture, 59% less likely to view pornography, 228% more likely to share their faith, 30% less likely to struggle with loneliness.” As you read the Bible, ask God to give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Any knowledge you gain may that help you love others more and be humble. God’s Word will transform your heart and guide your conduct in living a cross-centered life that becomes more Christ-like and equips you for whatever life throws your way by God’s abundant grace.

Listen to Phil Wickham – It’s Always Been You.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ESV.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong in Christ Jesus.” NLT

Do you ever wonder what God’s will is for you? These verses put it very simply, as Paul wrote them to strengthen the Thessalonian Christians in their faith and assure them of Christ’s return. We need to express gratitude and thank God for His faithfulness and goodness in our lives in ALL things, and then to “never stop praying.” So how can we be more prayerful? “There is a simple yet effective way for the soldier of Christ to neutralize the prince’s air defense and attack system: When you get a negative thought, pray a positive prayer. It sounds simplistic, but it works. It will neutralize the enemy . . . The enemy will continually put things before our minds to try to cause us to stumble. If you pray every time this happens, you will turn a negative into a positive.” Quote from Idiotic Things People Did In The Bible, Ray Comfort, page 51.

Despite any Sauls or Goliaths we may have going on in our lives, we can combat our fears and bitterness by living out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, because we can have joy because of God’s sovereignty. Nothing occurs outside His knowledge and permission, as Psalm 103:19 declares, “The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.” God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence should reassure us that He knows all things and is right there with us. Psalm 139: 2b & 4 states, “You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.” Yes, God knows our hearts, and that is always the issue. There are things we get “concerned” about that are beyond our control and therefore God’s responsibility, so we can pray and trust Him for the salvation of friends and family, health/illness, feelings of others, friendships, our future, to name a few. When we attempt to control what is God’s responsibility, it results in anxiety, frustration, and disappointment. Our responsibility is to honor God, be obedient to God’s Word, meditate and study the Bible, pray, be involved in a Bible-preaching church, not be lazy, have time with friends, have proper effort at work and home and live out Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

If a particular fear keeps popping up in your mind, pray a positive prayer each time it occurs. That is how to keep praying continually. Trust is the opposite of fear, as Jesus taught and said in Matthew 8:26, “Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith! Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”

Praying a positive prayer when I get a negative thought has been transforming for me this past week. Try it – suddenly God will give you a great calmness, just as He did with the wind and waves to the disciples in that boat when that storm struck. Give thanks to Him and don’t stop praying. Pray a positive prayer.

Listen to Matthew West, Don’t Stop Praying (Music Video)