Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Hebrews 12:12-14, “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for our feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

How is your race in life going right now? Do you feel like you are falling behind and others are passing you in the marathon of life, next to your lane, because your knees are weak from the stress? That word endurance – you are not sure you have any more. Or are you excelling in finishing in the lead? The Hebrews author says to get back, don’t give up, and start running again. To remember your athletic training from the peaceful fruit of righteousness and peace, Heb. 12:11b. The saying, “Without pain there is no gain” can be applied here. It is said that the production of lactic acid actually creates more blood flow to the muscles, so you gain more strength and endurance next time. I have needed some of that this week.

Think about what thoughts enter your mind when you are discouraged. When you can’t see any good coming out of a problem you are going through. Are there feelings of guilt, shame, frustration, and failure? So, whose weapons are those? Satan will play havoc in your life, and they are his weapons of temptation. Jesus fought back with Scripture – with the Word of God is how He dealt with temptation. Jesus used Matthew 4:3-4, Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:5-7, Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:8-10, and the last one was “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Deuteronomy 6:13.

Think about the steps that lead you to discouragement. Have you had enough sleep? Have you gotten exercise into your daily routine to enable your brain to be alert and sharp and help alleviate stress? Have you fought back with the promises of God to lift you out of the trap of feeling defeated? Every two to three people you encounter have no hope in their turmoil. You, as a believer, do because God’s presence is right there with you. You have influence. Don’t give up being a peacemaker and holiness. People will learn from your actions (John 13:17). Keep looking straight ahead. Stay focused on magnifying God and giving praise to Him.

“Almost like a coach or a military officer, the author told his fellow followers of Jesus to take courage and be active. He gave exhaustive reasons to be strong in the Lord and to put off discouragement, the time had now come to do it. The pictures here (strengthened hands and knees, “straight paths for our feet”) speak of readiness to work and move for Jesus and His kingdom. This readiness is first to go when one surrenders to discouragement.” David Guzik Commentary. That is so true.

Need some tools to fight discouragement with strength? Here are some things to remember:

• Circumstances are not our identity.
• Leaders do not have to be heroes.
• “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all I need.” Psalm 23:1 NLT.

“Discouragement makes us sloppy and unconcerned with holiness and personal relationships. Regarding holiness, we are told, without which no one will see the Lord. A lack of holiness is a critical obstacle to a close relationship with God.” David Guzik’s Commentary.

Commit to rest in the reassurance that God will protect you and shield you from harm. He has a plan that you do not see the outcome of yet. Remember that David did not know about a giant he would face named Goliath when he was a young boy tending the sheep. His training ground was experiencing dangerous encounters with the bear and the lion while caring for his father’s sheep. He didn’t run away; instead, he killed them to protect the flock of sheep due to his faith that God was with him. That developed courage, endurance, and bravery due to his faith in God’s power and protection.

“God has ways of shaking the world when He is at work. He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross.” Charles Stanley.

God is with you. Don’t surrender to discouragement. Pursue peace with all men and holiness with God. You have complete accessibility to God’s sufficient grace. Revelation 14:12 states, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” There is a coming reward and rest for your labors. You are good to go!

Listen to Phil Wickham – Battle Belongs (Official Lyric Video)

Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We all have struggles and challenges in our lives in one form or another. Mine seems to center on conflict, and unfulfilled expectations, in light of Hebrews 12:1. What would be yours? Do you feel frustrated? Know that you are not alone. We must continually redirect our thoughts to God’s truths and promises to conquer discouragement in the race of faith to see things through. It takes “endurance.” Merriam-Webster’s definition of endurance states “endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity. The ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.” I must admit I have felt weary when undergoing a trial and wanting the ending to appear quickly. Going through the “prolonged” part is what often gets me.

The heroes of the Hall of Fame of Faith were listed in Hebrews 11. The author of Hebrews pictured these and others using the phrase “a cloud of witnesses.” This was a figure of speech indicating a large group of people and were examples of living and applying their faith with endurance. We need some Abrahams, Sarahs, and Noahs today. Daniel’s faith stopped the mouths of lions. Oh, that I would have faith like these heroes of the OT.

What are the things that so quickly ensare you and are sins or weights that hold you down? The Greek word euperistaton, stands for “clings so closely.” The NLT version says, “especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” It can be translated four ways (David Guzik’s Blue Letter Bible Commentary): “easily avoided,” “admired,” ensnaring” or “dangerous.” What often trips you up?

“Endurance is needed to run that race. Endurance translates the ancient Greek word hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay’), “which does not mean the patience which sits down and accepts things but the patience which masters them. . . It is a determination, unhurrying and yet undelaying, which goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected.” (Barkley). We have to stay focused on the root of the problem, seeing it through, and not get distracted from the goal and long-term purpose in our Christian walk.

Today determine not to be defeated – don’t quit in the lane you are running your race in life. In Acts 20:24, Paul stated: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” God calls us (me) to finish with joy which only can happen with endurance, testifying to the grace of God in one’s life.

“Every morning lay it all out to God – all of your weaknesses, burdens, frustrations, etc. Seek His approval. Then lay down your will and be quiet before the Lord. You will receive God’s sufficient grace and mercy for the day. The deepest struggles of our souls are just as great victories as any miracles found in the Bible. When we can control our temper, love others that have wronged us, having peace in the middle of a crisis, showing kindness without retaliation, having self-control with our mouth, all of these are just as great a victory as David slaying Goliath.” Linda Killian, Eliminating The Greener Grass Trap. Quitting The Habit Of Comparisons, 2020, page 149.

Need a shot of adrenaline today? Review Hebrews 12:1 and what Jesus has done for you. The Message states Hebrews 12:2-3 this way: “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”

Listen to Phil Wichkam’s Lyric Video Heart Full of Praise

Hebrews 10:35-38, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Have you had a few days recently where you felt like giving up? Life seemed too complicated and took more effort and energy than you felt like giving. Maybe you felt you were contributing more than your team members were, so you have lost your patience due to being exhausted emotionally from your brain not stopping thinking how you can do things better. We all have felt that way at times. But all the way through Hebrews is the theme of God’s faithfulness and our need to continue to be confidently – expectantly, positively, hopefully, heartily, patiently abiding and faithful to Him.

The author of Hebrews was writing to people who were experiencing doubts about their faith. They had experienced persecution, particularly of hostile anti-Semitic attitudes by an emperor. Hebrews 3:6 declares, “But Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” The shield of faith, in the armor of God, needs to be engaged with triumphant courage and put on every day, in all circumstances, “which can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16. That builds endurance, steadfastness, and perseverance in sticking it out due to our faith and salvation found in Jesus Christ. It is like God having a lifeline around you.

Are you going through a season of discouragement? Or are you waiting on a strong desire or dream, or it could be a need of triumphant deliverance. “The toughest and most discouraging trials are when we are called to obey God’s will when the fulfillment of His promise seems so far away. Therefore we need endurance. Faithfulness during the time when the promise seems unfulfilled is the measure of your obedience and spiritual maturity.” David Guzik, Commentary. That is so true. As Jesus commanded in John 15:4, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” Webster’s dictionary definition of the word “abide” is to bear patiently; to endure without yielding; to wait for; to continue in a place; to dwell. Think about how you can better “abide in me” because Christ is right there with you and interceding for you (Hebrews 7:25).

Three separate times “the righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) is quoted in the New Testament. Romans 1:17 emphasizes “The righteous shall live by faith,” Galatians 3:1 emphasizes “The righteous shall live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38 emphasizes, “The righteous shall live by faith.” So how am I to live? I am to live today by faith that God is in control of it all. His hand is upon the time clock of Christ’s return and the Rapture taking place. Any seemingly unfulfilled promises I encounter from anyone will occur. But God’s promises never fail and always come to fruition. It takes endurance–keeping on for Christ’s sake and walking in the light and radiance of God’s glory before others while abiding in Him.

Watching the world around us gives way to despair. A warning was just reported this week by a major US diesel supplier, of potential supply shortages. But the saving grace of Jesus Christ is never rationed or in short supply. His return is our reward. There is a final judgment day coming; it will surely come. Therefore, we are to live for heaven. We are to live by faith. As the VOICE version states Heb. 10:36-39 this way: “Remember this, and do not abandon your confidence, which will lead to rich rewards. Simply endure, for when you have done as God requires of you, you will receive the promise. As the prophet Habakkuk said, In a little while, only a little longer, the One who is coming will come without delay. But my righteous one must live by faith, for if he gives up his commitment, My soul will have no pleasure in him. My friends, we are not those who give up hope and so are lost; but we are of the company who live by faith and so are saved.” This is why we have to hold on – stick it out a little longer with patient endurance needed now. Continue to do God’s will, live by faith, as we will receive all that He has promised.

Listen to Phil Wickham’s It’s Always Been You (Official Lyric Video). May 14, 2021.

Hebrews 10:23-25, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

The older I get, the more I see God’s faithfulness in my life, week after week. I have learned lessons about God’s faithfulness through each trial and seen the promises of God fulfilled in my life and those around me. 1 Corinthians 1:9 states, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” How have you witnessed the faithfulness of God in your life recently? How did God see you through or provide a need? Comments are always welcome.

There was a problem of discouragement among the people to whom the author of Hebrews was writing. This discouragement was what caused them to waver from the truth. They needed to stand firm in their faith. Think about when you are discouraged. What happens? Were you frustrated? It might be over a problematic relationship, hard times with the culture of our day, or the economy. This is what these people were going through. Verse 22 says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” That is when drawing near to God, thinking about what Jesus has done, puts one’s relationship with God back on track. Those two words, “draw near” is the solution. Spurgeon has said, “That exhortation, “Let us hold fast,” might well be written on the cover of every Christian’s Bible. We live in such a changeful age, that we need all to be exhorted to be rooted and grounded, confirmed and established, in the truth.”

People will always let us down. But God is faithful and never breaks His promises. When you feel discouraged, write down past answers to prayers God has freely given you, showing His faithfulness of provisions. Reflect on them and watch how your emotions change for the better and your faith is again increased.

Fellowship is vitally needed and found in the Christian community. How the enemy uses frustrations to play havoc in our lives. We need to check in with one another mutually, where opportunities of encouraging one another are found. You may be the encouragement someone else needs and be used to show love to someone who may be struggling with feeling neglected and needing stronger faith and hope right now.

Psalm 105:4-5 declares, “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.” This chapter in Psalms is a hymn celebrating God’s faithful dealings with His people who interacted with powerful people that might have harmed them. Verse 24 says, “And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.” This chapter is a history lesson of the promises of God to the patriarchs in the OT and is a historical Psalm written as a hymn of worship of God’s faithfulness for us to learn from and pray God will do the same for you as you read it.

We can see “the Day” is approaching sooner today than yesterday, a month ago, or a year ago. The Rapture is coming, and we need to hold fast to God’s faithfulness and encourage one another in our love every day (Heb. 3:13). “The immanence of the day was considered to be plain. It is not to be regarded as secret. Christians were to live as if the dawning of the day was so near that its arrival was only just beyond the horizon.” George H. Guthrie.

The effect of waiting for the coming of Christ is our anchor of hope. It gives us endurance in staying put in the storms of life, “inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 1:3b).” This sees us through those times of disappointment, trial, testing, while waiting for our dreams, desires, and needs to be met by holding onto our anchor, which is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Message states Hebrews 10:23-25 this way, “Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”

Listen to Anne Wilson’s My Jesus (Official Lyric Video), June 4,2021.

Hebrews 7:25, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

We all have heard incredible testimonies of people being saved from a life of sin. Those are a testimony in themselves of the power of Christ’s salvation transforming lives. But look at the two-letter word “to” in this verse: “he is able to save to the uttermost who draw near to God . . .” David Guzik’s commentary states, “Most people read this verse as if it says Jesus is able to save from the uttermost. But it really says Jesus is able to save to the uttermost.” As John 10:28 declares, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Because Jesus is our high priest, He saves us forever, “to the uttermost who draw near to God.”

Jesus is our high priest forever. As I go about my day, Jesus Christ is interceding for me. Romans 8:34 declares, “Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” This signifies effective intervention. He declares His will of blessings being bestowed on us and removing the charges and accusations of Satan. The enemy condemns but Christ convicts. Therefore, Jesus always succeeds in carrying out His Father’s will, bestowing grace, mercy, and deliverance when needed. This should eliminate my fear of failure because God is sovereign. John Piper’s definition in defining the term “sovereign” means, “When we say God is sovereign, we mean he is powerful and authoritative to the extent of being able to override all other powers and authorities. Nothing can successfully stop any act or any event or design or purpose that God intends to certainly bring about.” Job said in Job 42:2, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Doesn’t that take out the “why” of some things? The question should be, OK God, since you can do all things, how do you want to use me in this situation and what do you want me to learn?

“Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, and the wounds in His hands and feet, the scars on His brow, the hole in His side settle the issue. Jesus isn’t talking the Father into being merciful to me. He’s not asking the Father to be lenient with me. His scars alone are sufficient. That’s why when Thomas finally saw Jesus, Jesus didn’t say to him, “Let’s talk doctrine. He said, “Touch My wounds (John 20:27).” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary: NT. I need to remember that.

So now, think about drawing near to God and how Jesus is interceding with Him for you. He already knows what is ahead of you in your day. Sit and be still and ask the Lord to talk to you. Read one of the Psalms and pray it (along with today’s verse). What is He saying to you? Draw near to God, to His faithfulness, to righteousness found in Christ, to everlasting peace, to the joy found in His presence, His comfort, His shield of protection, His refuge, and Him balancing the scales of holy judgment. Jesus has been interceding to God on your behalf. He knows your name (Isaiah 43:1). Sit at His feet. Linger in His presence. Don’t be in a hurry. Share your concerns and needs. Then think of what Jesus might have been interceding with the Heavenly Father for you about. Reflect and examine what you need to confess and change. Then let the radiance of spending time with your great Shepherd revive you with His radiant glory (Ps. 34:5) from talking to God because goodness and mercy shall follow all the days of your life (Ps. 23). Christ’s intercession is ongoing and complete. He has purged your sins. Look at His wounds. Stop doubting and believe. Take heart in knowing, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God, through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25.

Listen to Casting Crowns – The Power of the Cross (Official Lyric Video)

Hebrews 6:10-12, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Do you sometimes feel you give and give and give to others, yet feel it has gone unnoticed? The motives for acts of compassion done for others in our sphere of influence, is the same as doing it for Jesus himself. God never overlooks our work of faith, love, and endurance of hope shown to others (1 Thess. 1:3). Every action, deliberately undertaken for Christ’s sake, requires purposeful love due to God’s grace and mercy that has set one free. God knows and sees your efforts and they will not go to waste. This will be a testimony to both believers and unbelievers. Therefore, I ask myself how I can be generous to those I serve in my work and ministry this week. Matthew 25:40 states, “And the King will answer him, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to the one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Developing and showing the fruits of the Spirit is how our labor of love is seen. As Galatians 5:22 states. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Displaying these Christ-like attitudes will reflect the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (me) (Ephe. 1:18-20). When someone shows you gentleness and patience, rather than harshness, don’t you take notice, and your level of respect then increases for that person.

“Instead of giving in to discouragement, imitate those who found the key to gaining God’s promises – faith and patience, as demonstrated by Abraham. If Abraham had some of our weakness then we can have some of his faith and patience.” David Guzik Commentary. Abraham showed faith despite disappointments, trials, and delays. Yet Abraham trusted God despite many of the promises from God to him were seemingly impossible. God blessed Abraham because of his faith.

We have been given David’s example in handling discouragement. 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV states, “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Praying the Psalms combats discouragement and encourages me to keep on keeping on because God is my great Shepherd (Ps. 23:1), leading and protecting me. David declared in Ps. 40:2, “He is making my steps secure.” What wondrous deeds that God has done in my life can I, as Ps. 40:5 says, “proclaim and tell of them” to others I encounter today, as David did? Sometimes just getting through the day is a wondrous deed!

Praying the Psalms is an excellent way to fight not only discouragement but frustrations as well. “You will never go through anything in life in which you cannot find the root emotions reflected in the Psalms.” Praying The Bible by Donald S. Whitney (page 54). Are you experiencing frustration, guilt, joy, gratitude, exhilaration, dealing with enemies, unjust treatment, discontentment, contentment – it is all there in the book of Psalms.

God has not overlooked your accomplishments or the burden you keep praying and lifting to God. He never misses anything. The Voice version states Hebrews 6:10-12 this way, “Because God is not unjust or unfair. He won’t overlook the work you have done or the love you have carried to each other in His name while doing His work, as you are still doing. We want you all to continue working until the end so that you’ll realize the certainty that comes with hope and not grow lazy. We want you to walk in the footsteps of the faithful who came before you, from who you can learn to be steadfast in pursuing the promises of God.” Your Heavenly Father never overlooks you. He knows your name (Isaiah 43:1), and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (me). Ephesians 1:18-20. Hebrews 6:10 is a promise and you can trust God to keep His promise to you. Be diligent with pure motives through faith and hope, because God who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). It makes me want to sing the old hymn, “Great Is Your Faithfulness!” There is strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Listen to Zach Williams Heart of God Lyric Video

Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Do you have loved ones that have passed away recently? A time of raw feelings then emerge and set in which are grief and mourning. Or what about feeling the rejection of a plan you had in motion and didn’t get? Or have you felt slighted or hurt that someone isn’t for you? Or could it be a value you hold dear, recently, is not equally held in high esteem with someone you were in conversation? Jesus understands your grief, as Isaiah 53:3a declares, “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Then Verse 4a states, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Grief is a strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion. The feeling of rejection can derail our dreams, and self-confidence. It gives me comfort to know Jesus understands. He has experienced it, too, and is carrying my grief when it suddenly appears out of nowhere.

As the writer of Hebrews calls attention to our high priest, who passed through the heavens and is the Son of God and ministers there for our (my) sake, this shows us the character of Jesus. Jesus sympathizes and is compassionate with you and me, unlike any other human being on this earth. He knows and feels what I feel. When I regret something, I have done and wonder why I did that? That was stupid! He knows what I am going through. He understands and is interceding for me as Romans 8:26 states, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” So, we have both the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit’s intercessory ministry going on in our behalf, which gives us (me) hope in the details of outcomes we cannot currently see or know in our lives. What is Jesus ministering to you about today?

David Guzik says in his commentary on Hebrews 4:16, “Sometimes we think that because Jesus is God, He could never know temptation the way we do. In part, that is true; Jesus faced temptation much more severely than we ever have or ever will. The Sinless One knows temptation in ways we don’t, because only the one who never gives into temptation knows the full strength of temptation. It is true that Jesus never faced temptation in an inner sense the way we do, because there was never a sinful nature pulling Him to sin from the inside. But He knew the strength and fury of external temptation in a way and to a degree that we can never know. He knows what we go through, and He has faced worse.”

May this be of comfort to you in whatever you are going through. Jesus can sympathize with our weakness and temptation, but Jesus cannot sympathize with our sin. That is the difference. He is our great high priest that we need to come to in reverence and with confidence and bold assurance that Jehovah Jireh will provide. Jehovah Shammah is the LORD our peace. Just as Jesus calmed the storm at sea (Matthew 8:23-27), the winds and sea obeyed Him, so call on Jesus’s name with boldness, and ask Him to deliver His almighty and divine peace to your heart and mind. Then, with faith, receive it.

Ask God to enable you and project Jesus, in the mind of truth, so you can proclaim the Word of truth in your circumstance. Pray, “God want do you want me to do so I can be used to be the answer in this situation?” Pause to remember who He is. May you abide and rest in God’s mercy and grace today as He has gone before you and is walking through with you whatever you are going through. Nothing is hidden from His sight.

The Message states Hebrews 4:15-16 this way, “We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all – all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” Jesus understands your true reality.

Listen to Lauren Daigle Lyric Video Rescue

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.”

A two-edged or double-edged sword has two sharp edges. It can cut in two directions when used. The Bible says God’s Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. It separates the truth from the lie sharply and quickly. It reveals what is good and what is evil. It shows who we are and who we are not. We have been given the greatest wisdom ever given within our fingertips found in sixty-six books in the Bible. It is all about Him. He sees our unbelief, our lack of faith, our doubts and insecurities, and failure to see that Jesus is greater. He is the alpha and omega. The beginning and the end. He is the great I AM (John 8:58). God’s Word renews our hearts by penetrating and transforming our heart and soul so we can then live it and show it before others.

Can you identify thoughts that are not congruent to God’s Word when they occur? Jesus sees them, recognizes my unbelief, and knows the intentions of our (my) hearts. He cuts to the chase in piercing my heart and mind with truths from His Word. One example is Ephesians 1:18-20, “The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me.” My prayer often has been from Psalm 119:92, “If your law had not been my delight I would have perished in my affliction.” Teach me Your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place.

Jesus responded to each of Satan’s temptations (hunger, authority, and fear) in cutting to the chase by simply reciting God’s Word. Luke 4:13 states the outcome, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” We need to do the same in guarding and thus protecting our minds and thoughts with the Word of God.

God’s Word is powerful. It doesn’t just sit and do nothing and cuts to the chase as one reads it and thinks it over. Jeremiah 23:29 gives a picture of its impact as it says, “Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” Then, 1 Thessalonians 2:13b declares, “the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” Yes, as the author of Hebrews states, “the word of God is living and active.” It is potent, powerful, intense, blunt, and diligently giving us wisdom for life’s circumstances. God engages Himself as we engage with Him with our hearts and mind to hear His knowledge and will for our lives. So, the question for myself is, how can I use what I have read in the Bible this morning in my work today? What will come up that God has providentially had me read as He has already gone before me and knows what I will be facing?

David Guzik’s commentary states, “God’s Word diagnoses the condition of man with a surgeon’s precision. It lays open the heart and accurately discerns spiritual health. In the case of those the writer to the Hebrews first addressed, they were too ready to follow in the failure of the children of Israel and to give up strong, living faith.”

God’s Word says it will keep me from sin, as Psalm 119:11 states, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Nothing and no one is hidden from God’s sight. All will have to give an account and answer one day.

Need to have success about something? Searching out God’s Word for your situation will bring God’s wisdom for the necessary direction. Psalm 1:3 states, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Pray for discernment in applying God’s Word to the circumstances in what you are supposed to do. Note the verse that gave you clarity and write it down so you will remember it.

Psalm 119:24 declares, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” Ask the Lord to bring to your mind His wisdom in replying to that email that may have offended you from a person in the office who just seems to have that gift of being an underminer, egotist, and aggressor. Sometimes waiting in a reply for God to bring back to your thoughts and mind His way is the better choice in times of conflict. I have been there and not always done that. Proverbs 11:2 warns, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

Cut to the chase with laying out your needs before God. He already knows but is waiting for you to talk to Him, to call out to Him. He sees you (Psalm 33:18). Engage in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

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