Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Hebrews 3:7-9, “Therefore as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.”

What are your plans for today? Do you plan out essential tasks and prioritize what needs to be done first to meet your daily goals or agenda of responsibilities? Have you procrastinated about any of these things? Or are you a doer no matter what? Hebrews 3:7 states, “Therefore as the Holy Spirit says, “Today . . .”

Since the author of Hebrews already established that we as believers are part of a heavenly calling, how will this affect your actions today and view of life? Are you having doubts and asking for more signs and doubting God’s deliverance as the Israelites did to Moses? They should have persevered in following God’s leader, Moses. They failed to fully trust God, and God said that was a sin.

How have you heard God’s voice? If you have trouble with that statement, think about how you recently saw new insight in reading a verse of Scripture. That is hearing God’s voice. Have you been convicted of something? You heard God’s voice. What about realizing you have a habit or desire that is wrong? You are hearing God’s voice. The Holy Spirit wants us to come to Jesus today. His comfort is for today. The Holy Spirit moves us to obedience today and not tomorrow. The urgency is for today.

Today, when we hear God’s voice, we are free to obey or disobey. We can choose to procrastinate until we can find a more convenient time. Chuck Smith has said, “I believe that this one thing has caused more people to miss the highest and descend to the lowest than in any other way. Not antagonism of God, but admiration and postponement of decision. To refuse to obey is to soon lose the sense of urgency. To fail to walk in the light is to soon lose the admiration for the light. To just linger in the gleam will cause it to fade, and finally we will think it was just our imagination.”

I just added being a light to someone on my “To Do” list for today that I write down every morning. Why didn’t I ever think to have that on my daily list of things to do before? I want to be alert in hearing God’s voice and not procrastinate in this needed mindset throughout my day today. Shining the light of Jesus into another person’s life, as I seek to trust and obey Him gives me joy and is a priority, besides the other to do items I need to accomplish for the day.

I remember the old hymn’s lyrics Trust And Obey:

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His word

What a glory He sheds on our way

While we do His good will

He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey.

What is God asking you to do today? As the enemy prowls are you being hit with guilt, shame, frustrations, or feelings of failure? Frustrations seem to be one of my greatest challenges I have realized recently. Stand firm in your position, your faith, your hope, and identity in Christ. Strap on your armor. Declare “I will put my trust in him” (Hebrews 2:13a). Don’t procrastinate. He may not give you tomorrow.

Listen to Word of God Speak – MercyMe w/lyrics

Hebrews 3:1-2, “Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession – Jesus. Who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.”

Did you realize if you are a Christian, you are part of a heavenly calling? That is who you are. The NIV version says we need to “fix your thoughts on Jesus (Heb. 3:1b).” Paul taught in Philippians 2:5a, “Make your own attitude that of Jesus Christ.” Jesus’s attitude was one of humbly being obedient. He sacrificed His life for me, and for you. In other words, pay attention to whose you are and submit all you do to Jesus because you are more a citizen of heaven than a citizen on earth. This is a fact that is becoming more and more apparent in our culture and time. Therefore, the challenge is how can we (how can I) imitate Christ’s example in our daily relationships with Christians and non-Christians? I cannot control someone else’s response in times of conflict. But I can control mine if I am mirroring Jesus Christ.

When we focus on the who and whose we are, Jesus Christ, our heavenly High Priest, we need to realize and recall Hebrews 2:11, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of One; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers.” That is a blessing and encouragement to know that Jesus calls us His holy brethren. The Message version states, “So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful.” Moses was a patriarch to the Jews and the author of Hebrews honored Moses, as the entire Jewish religion came through Moses. There were many influential and powerful personalities in the Bible, but Jesus Christ was greater as He is the foundation, the Messiah, who represents us before His Heavenly Father. As Colossians 1:15 and 18 states, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” So, the writer of Hebrews admonished the Jews, to honor Jesus Christ over Moses because of who He is, the Son of God, and all He has done for sinful man.

Today, be blessed to know you are part of Christ’s heavenly calling as a believer. Let this encourage you to press on, with endurance, in focusing on your future. Examine what is vital for growth and development in your life. Doesn’t it mostly happen through relationships God has placed you in through times of difficulty? Examine what is holding you back. Is it a weakness that God can turn into a strength? Then fix your thoughts on Jesus Christ. He will bless your obedience and faithfulness to Him.

“Consider the Apostle: We don’t often apply this word to Jesus, but He is our Apostle. The ancient Greek word translated apostle really means something like ambassador. In this sense, Jesus is the Father’s ultimate ambassador (Hebrews 1:1-2). God the Father had to send a message of love that was so important He sent it through Christ Jesus.” David Guzik Commentary. Your great shepherd has a plan, and He leads you where He wants to grow and use you. Jesus Christ is your advocate and supporter and has your back. “It’s not about where we go or don’t go, what we do or don’t do. It’s about Jesus’ faithfulness to His Father. And our failures only make His ministry to the Father that much more impressive.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary.

When you hit a roadblock, remember you have been called to partake of a Heavenly calling. Be faithful. Know fully the who and remember whose you are. Fix your thoughts on Jesus. Pray Psalm 119:133 over your day, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Then in needing success in your day, pray Psalm 90:17, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon ______ (your name) us – yes, establish the work of (my) our hands.” Keep it simple. Be faithful to your calling. That is who you are.

Listen to the Newsboys STAND (Lyric video) ft. TobyMac. January 2022.

Hebrews 2:8-9, “putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, named Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

I sometimes wish I could see into the future. I wonder how long I will live. Will I die before Jesus comes back and the Rapture takes place, or will I be alive when this life-changing event occurs? We all have our dreams and goals in life. Some of mine have been fulfilled, and others have not. But even more critical is, am I looking to see Jesus and seeking to have His perspective on my plans for the day because He is the source of complete fulfillment.

There are many things I will not understand until I see Jesus. David Guzik in his commentary, states, “The answers to life’s most perplexing questions are not found in asking “Why?” The greatest answer is a Who – Jesus Christ.”

“Some wish they might truly see Jesus with their natural eye, instead of the eye of faith. Yet, “Sight is very frequently used in Scripture as a metaphor, an illustration, a symbol, to set forth what faith is. Faith is the eye of the soul. It is the act of looking unto Jesus.” Charles Spurgeon. I have a special gift box on the mantle, that I have written down answers to prayers, on cards. Each date shows how to see Jesus’s faithfulness in His provision of those prayer requests. I may not ever know the why, but I do know the who.

Jesus appeared to many people in the Bible, yet not everyone acknowledged who He was and accepted Him. After they had been to the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw Jesus, worshipped Him, and ran to tell His disciples. Others were doubtful. But we are told in Hebrews 2:8-9 that we see Jesus now as we look to Him with the eyes of faith to:

• See His presence
• See His provision
• See His protection
• See His grace
• See His mercy
• See Him as my Savior
• See His forgiveness
• See His abundant love
• See the wisdom He is given us through trials and circumstances

We do not always see rational justice in our world today. Amir Tsarfati, of Behold Israel, reported this week that “101 countries witness rise in civil unrest in the last quarter. The world is facing an unprecedented rise in civil unrest as governments of all stripes grapple with the impacts of inflation on the price of staple foods and energy, according to the latest edition of our Civil Unrest Index (CUI) . . . the severity and frequency of protests and labor activism is set to accelerate further over the coming months.”

But we have the promise that we know the one who has the power to influence people’s behavior and is in control of the course of events. Jesus died to save sinners. I see Him at my work, in my home, and not only at church. All are under subjection to Him who is found in not the Why, but in being the Who. Someday it will be all clear.

Listen to Christ Our Hope in Life and Death (Official Lyric Video) Keith and Krystyn Getty and Matt Papa. 3/11/2020

Philemon 7 & 20, “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.”

Have you been going through a time when you felt your heart needs to be refreshed? Do you need those “words fitly spoken like apples of gold in pictures of silver” spoken to you through a brother or sister in Christ? Maybe you need to feel appreciated and loved, and God provided a special friend to give you words of affirmation that blessed you in your need of making a decision. That is what Philemon had done for Paul and other Christians in their community in Colosse. He had provided words and actions of comfort when needed.

In this book of Philemon, Paul appeals to the reader, Philemon, as a “brother” and does not refer to himself as an apostle, as he did in nine of the thirteen letters he wrote to the churches or individuals at the beginning of his letters. This is the only place where Philemon is mentioned, who Paul considered his close friend. Philemon had a servant named Onesimus, who was guilty of running away and possibly of theft. Paul is writing with words of emotion to Philemon to receive him back favorably and without vindictiveness because Onesimus has had his heart totally changed by Christ, is now not merely a slave, but a brother in Christ, and found refuge in Paul, in Rome. Paul would have preferred to keep Onesimus with him (mentions him in Colossians 4:8 as a faithful and dear brother) but was sending Onesimus back to Philemon and was requesting he forgive him and receive him back. Paul’s letter was brilliantly written with tact and grace, and his position of authority was never used in his persuasive strategy on requesting reconciliation for Onesimus by Philemon.

Philemon’s wife was probably Apphia, who Paul includes in this letter. “Regarding the escaped slave, “She is as much a party to the decision as her husband, because according to the custom of the time, she had day-to-day responsibility for the slaves.” (Rupprecht). We, women, are more tender-hearted, so it is thought Paul may have included her in this letter to favorably influence her husband, Philemon, in making the final decision regarding Onesimus in granting Paul’s request. Paul’s tone throughout the letter to Philemon is a loving appeal and not an authoritative command, which was the wisdom that Paul used in this situation towards Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.

A life touched and changed by God is the foundation of evangelism, and Paul acknowledges that in the life of Philemon. Paul reflects on how Philemon had abundantly refreshed the hearts of others. “It was logical that Onesimus escaped to Rome, the biggest city of the Roman Empire. Lightfoot says . . . But at his providential meeting of Paul in Rome, Onesimus met the man who had led his master Philemon to Jesus (Philemon 19).” Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, in the hope that he will be taken back and be dealt gently with by Philemon and to be shown mercy.

“Paul made his appeal and made it strong and skillfully. At the same time, he did leave the decision to Philemon. He would appeal in love, but he would not trample over the rights of Philemon.” David Guzik Commentary. Paul gave Philemon the freedom to make the right decision. Paul had led Philemon to Christ and was his spiritual father.

Paul was a man of grit. Yet, in this letter, we see Paul using tactful persuasive words that are gentle, kind, and out of love and concern. He sincerely complemented Philemon in verses 4-7. David Guzik’s Commentary also stated (Paul speaking): “Philemon, it seems to me that God is working in unusual ways here. Let me tell you what I see, and perhaps it will make sense to you.”

Do you need to have someone refresh your heart in Christ? Do you need someone to come along beside you like Paul did to Philemon in helping to make sense out of a situation, or help in a compelling appeal you need to make in a relationship? Ask God to provide that person. Ask God to show you a verse that will refresh your soul and give you the peace and rest that your soul needs (Matt. 11:28). Then look for someone you can also do the same for in not being a hostile critic, but in providing your love, comfort, and joy in being refreshed through you as God’s servant in saying, “Let me tell you what I see, and perhaps it will make sense to you.”

Listen to Casting Crowns – Crazy People Lyric Video

Titus 3:1-2, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authority, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

Paul instructs Titus to remind the people of what modeling gospel living should look like in their Crete community, which is similar to our culture today. Living out the gospel with sincerity, love, and integrity portrays what a Christian is, all the while continually looking for Christ’s return. Don’t we all need to be reminded of this fundamental principle? Obeying authority figures and being good citizens is only the beginning. A parallel verse to Titus 3:2 is Ephesians 4:31 which needs to be on my checklist at the beginning of each new day, as it says: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” It is a given that we will be challenged every day in these areas. I am challenged in these areas. New conflicts and unfulfilled expectations occur every day. Yet the way to live is to keep anticipating and looking for Christ’s return each day while being cordial, gentle, and showing grace as needed.

I need to pray every day for the salvation of people in government. I also need to pray that the Christians in government will exercise having a stronger voice and testimony.

Being gentle and showing humility were not virtues shown in the culture in Crete. Showing gentleness and patience, has kept coming up to me throughout this past year. The Holman Christian Standard Bible states Titus 3:2 this way, “To slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.” As I read God’s Word, the word “gentle” and “showing gentleness” keeps cropping up again and again. The new LSB version states, “demonstrating gentleness to all.” Jesus stated of himself in Matthew 11:29 that He was “gentle and humble in heart.” This takes an enormous amount of patience. Am I gentle when I feel I am under attack, or my values ignored? Not always.

The Voice states Titus 3:1-2 this way, “And remind them of this: respect the rulers and the courts. Obey them. Be ready to do what is good and honorable. Don’t tear down another person with your words. Instead, keep the peace, and be considerate. Be truly humble toward everyone.” That is more of a challenge some days than others. But I can experience His grace every day and praise Him for the blessings He has provided me today and in the coming days ahead with Christ for all eternity.

Did you have a bad day today? Maybe your expectations were not met. Job, David, Joseph, and Moses had a few of those themselves. Did you walk with integrity? Then you had a great day! Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Remember Luke 12:37, “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” When Christ returns, you will sit down at His table, and He will serve you. Until then, model gospel living, experience His forgiveness, love, and kindness, and live with the hope of Christ’s return at any time.

Listen to Casting Crowns Official Lyric Video The Power of the Cross.

Titus 2:11-13, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” LSB

God’s mercy and His saving grace has been on my mind this past week, due to studying Titus 2:11-13. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we are to pray for mercy and Galatians 6:16 states we are to ask for mercy for one another. There are no selected persons or non-selected persons when it comes to the availability of finding the saving grace of God. Jesus Christ has brought salvation to “all.” All have the opportunity to receive and accept it. There is one gospel for all people (Titus 2:11, ESV). Adam Clarke’s Commentary states (who was a British Methodist theologian and Biblical scholar), “There is a beauty and energy in the word epiphaino, hath shined out, that is rarely noted; it seems to be a metaphor taken from the sun. As by his rising in the east and shining out, he enlightens, successively, the whole world; so the Lord Jesus who is called the Sun of righteousness, Malachi 4:2, arises on the whole human race with healing in his wings.”

David Guzik’s Commentary explains further by stating, “The light and warmth of the sun is for the whole earth: but it does not shine upon the earth all at the same time, nor in the same intensity from place to place.” I find his statement so precisely and clearly explaining the truth of Titus 2:11-13.

Paul stresses to Titus that in the lives of the saved, we need to live out before others our integrity and strong ethical and moral principles that should be more critical than achieving any dreams or goals of accumulating material possessions due to having received God’s mercy and grace of salvation. We need to be grounded in the Word of God to live “sensibly, righteously, and godly.” So how do I introduce ideas into conversations that move the other person one step closer to God? I want to help those I am in contact with to connect the dots of God’s saving grace that has appeared to them at some point in their lives. If I can remember the truth of Titus 2:11-13, doesn’t that take the fear away of rejection and causes me to pray that more earnestly for their salvation? Yes, it does.

So, when you look up at the sun in the sky, from now on, think about its position in the morning verses the afternoon and evening. Was today cloudy part of the time or full sunshine throughout the day? What about its intensity? So, the question I must ask myself is, how did my light shine for Christ today? Was it fully illuminating Christ by my compassion, reliability, and love for others in remembering that Christ has brought salvation, by his grace, to each person I am in contact with today whether they have accepted Him yet or not? For those on my prayer list for salvation, I wonder how God revealed Himself to them recently?

The Message states Titus 2:11-13 this way, “God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.” May I so live today in being a right example in my words and deeds, because I believe Jesus is coming soon; and now when I look up at the sun, it will remind me of Titus 2:11-13 and the Greek word, epiphainó. As Christ has appeared, like the sun in the sky, to all men everywhere, bringing salvation by the grace of God, for all.

Listen to Danny Gokey – We All Need Jesus – Official Lyric Video

Titus 2:7, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

Do you feel you are making progress in areas you are trying to grow in such as resolving or handling conflicts, having more self-control, or resting on the promises of God despite unfavorable circumstances? To those in my sphere of influence, I often feel like I might take three steps forwards in making personal progress, but then often take two steps backward when hit with conflict. Paul was instructing Titus that he had to be an example, and not just a teacher, of sound doctrine and truth. We all teach more by example than by what we say is what Paul was stating.

We are not all teachers. But we all are role models to our family, neighbors, co-workers, and acquaintances. When the values I hold dear are ignored or attacked, that is detrimental to me. I have the same reaction when someone breaks a promise to me. I fail to protect myself as I overwork because my brain never stops thinking about how I can do things better, and then I will lose all patience from being stressed out and emotionally exhausted. How about you? What, when you are opposed or your buttons are pushed as they say, sets off a less than favorable emotion of anger within you? Is it when your ideas are challenged, or you feel taken for granted? Or what about seeing incompetence in others, not tolerating illogical actions, a lack of humility, or an exaggeration of the truth? That is when taking two steps backward happens to all of us as our reactions may become verbally catapulted. At the end of the day, think over what you did or said that would be a model for others to imitate? Or do you have some regrets you wish you could have covered up with some wax?

The Voice states Titus 2:7-8 this way, “Titus, you have to set a good example for everyone. Go out of your way to do what is right, speak the truth with the weight and authority that come from an honest and pure life. No one can argue with that. Then your enemies will cower in shame because they have nothing bad to say against us.”

In Paul’s day, there was the ancient art of sculpting. Sculptors, however, would patch their mistakes with wax, and no one would see what they were trying to cover up. “Unseen until the noonday sun shone on the sculpture after the unsuspecting customer had taken it home.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Thus, the piece of art lacked integrity and honesty. Our respectability should not melt in the heat of hardships, distress, and just having a bad day. Oh, that our opponents “may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Titus 2:7.

Listen to Casting Crowns – 2nd Opinions (Official Lyric Video).

Titus 2:2-3, “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good.”

Titus 2 is a textbook of the system of Biblical ethics for character traits of believers, in right thinking and living that goes along with living the Christian life in not only words but in actions. The Bible should be our textbook in knowing how we should live and enable us to be effective spiritual mentors to those younger than our years.

“The older men: Titus had some older men among the Christians in Crete. They had to be approached with love and wisdom, or they might easily be offended when taught by a younger man like Titus.” David Guzik Commentary. Paul stated that living “sober, reverent, and self-controlled” does not come spontaneously with age. Even men’s emotions control their thoughts and behaviors from what is in the heart, which must be guarded as Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) warns, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

How about “steadfastness?” Paul was instructing Titus that men are to be strong in endurance, accept or tolerate delays, and be firm and unwavering in their faith because they are spiritually grounded in God’s Word and doctrine. They are to be worthy of respect (HCSB). Therefore, the everyday devasting challenges of life will not derail them due to being grounded in God’s Word and sound doctrine, so they are dependable, unwavering, and steady when hit with trials in life. This challenge and expectation Paul was giving to “older men” so they would be examples of Christ-like role models. That is what being “steadfast” means. Older women were to have the same qualities as the older men, and to reflect holiness.

What does “reverent behavior” mean that Paul taught Titus, “older women” should be? One definition I found online said the following: “Definition: Reverent Behavior. This older woman sees life, all of life, from God’s viewpoint and understands that even the mundane routines of life are important to God. Her lifestyle tells a watchful observer where her priorities are. Watch her walk through her day in order to see what is next to God’s Heart.” Elizabeth Elliot has said, “Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now.” Elizabeth Elliot has also said: “Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut.” That squelches any slanderous comments we women are so tempted to say. Ouch.

We all are faced with impossible situations. I admit I don’t look at those times as “opportunities.” However, Proverbs 31:25-26 states about the Proverbs 31 woman: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” I want to have the character profile of Proverbs 31:25-26 and Titus 2:2-3. At the end of each day, I need to reflect on what kind of a model I portrayed today? Was I patient? Was I kind and loving? Did I shut my mouth before a slanderous comment came out? Did I engage in self-discipline and self-control? Did I give encouragement by my words and example? Was I worthy of respect? What would a snapshot picture slide show, show of my day today in handling my life? How about yours?

Listen to Danny Gokey – Stand In Faith (Official Lyric Video) 5/21/2021.