Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Colossians 3:8-10, “But now you must put them all away: anger, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

I recently went through my closet and took out the clothes that are no longer in style or are now not fitting me anymore and were taking up space. Likewise, I should take a review throughout my day and remove any old and bad habits that need to be put away as Paul admonishes the believers in Colossae in order to remain faithful to their confession of faith, they must be dead to the old self, and living in the newness of Christ. In looking at the words Paul chose in these verses, these sins are primarily committed by what we say and attitudes towards others. Paul calls the believer to a deeper obedience. He tells us, as James did in James 1:26 and 3:1-9, to bridle our tongue.

The Christian must put off five things, Paul is stating in Colossians 3:8-10, which are anger (temper), malice, slander, filthy communication, and lying. The Greek word translated “wrath”  is “thumos” which means “hot.” It is a blaze of sudden anger quickly built and just as quickly dies, like a fire in a fire pit that quickly blazed and then died out. The other Greek word “anger is “orge,” which has to do with anger that is long-lasting, slow-burning, or slow simmering emotion. Paul is stating neither one, any burst of temper and long-lasting anger, are forbidden in being a Christ-follower. How Satan prowls around and sets traps for us to plummet into this area. Many relationships become scarred from anger.

Malice is finding humor in someone’s misfortune. I lapsed into that recently when a customer, who is in a management position, had sent several arrogant, exaggerations in complaints, demeaning, rude, and undermining verbal accusatory emails to myself and one of our customer service representatives that handles this account. They were hurtful and left a sting. Then much to my surprise, I received a call from someone over this problematic individual, that was doing an investigation against this manager. She informed me this individual was treating my competitors with the same verbal abuse. I was asked to forward the emails to her and other examples as a plan was in motion to take care of this individual corporately once and for all, which I did. I have to admit I did find retribution and justice very pleasant! But, after thinking it over, in light of Colossians 3, I felt convicted regarding my emotional reactions. Jesus reacted to sneers and criticism, which were unwarranted with very few words. He felt sorrowful and troubled during those times and needed his Father. Jesus exposed motives, sought peace, applied Scripture, and prayed. Ouch. I need to do the same. Have you ever been there too?

To be a light wherever God places us, be it at the grocery store, driving in your car, interactions with co-workers and family, we must be different people. “Therefore, “When a tide of passion or a surge of anger is felt, it must be dealt with as the alien intruder it really is, and turned out of the house as having no right to be there at all, let alone to be giving orders.” Tom Wright. The New Testament For Everyone Commentary.

Like my tossed-out clothes, I  must put away and not take out old habits of sin and put on what I am learning in God’s Word in being renewed inwardly in the knowledge of my creator. It takes more than just making New Year’s resolutions and having good intentions. It takes mirroring Christ’s response to opposition. I need to examine motives. Seek peace. Apply Scripture to the situation and then pray for myself and others. Then I need to sit back and let God do His work and do the talking instead of me.

Listen to Casting Crowns Start Right Here (Single Version) [Official Lyric Video] 7/24/20.

Colossians 2:8-11, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

Miriam Webster’s Dictionary defines the word captive as being “held under the control of another but having the appearance of independence.”  As I read Colossians 2:8-11, I see it as a prayer for my grandchildren, as they grow up, and when and if they go to a state university or college, to have their minds guarded by the truths found in God’s Word so they will not be held captive by false philosophies and teachings. We all know someone who has detoured away from the faith, influenced by some famous false cult or promoter of false philosophy and doctrine that is hollow and Biblically empty, and we wonder how they could do that? There used to be a popular band, back in the 1960s, called The Monkees that had a song about how no one believed in absolute right and wrong anymore, “only shades of gray.” Today that phrase brings to mind films and books by that name, in our society that believes in relativism. It is a theory that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them (Mirriam Webster’s Dictionary). God’s Word disagrees with that philosophy.

We all have to guard our mind against various popular perspectives and thinking that sneak into our culture that are Biblically in error.  The philosophy that threatened the Colossian Christians was a mixture of Gnosticism, Greek philosophy, local mystery religions, and Jewish mysticism. We think our world we live in today is terrible. It was sinful and lacked all moral restraints. But it seemed highly intelligent. Paul warned Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:20, “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it, some have swerved from the faith.” Paul was telling Timothy, hyper intellectualism doesn’t work. It has no value.

When there are issues or matters of the heart and soul, only the Bible, God’s Word, has the answers. Paul was a philosopher and was highly educated. He condemned any teaching that credits man being the answer to his own problems instead of Christ. Paul states, “and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” We have been filled in Christ. Our souls are like elastic. This says to me there are no limits to the capacity His Spirit can fill into me. “We can always open to hold more and more of his fullness . . . The more we receive of his fullness, the more we can receive.” R. Kent Hughes. Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  The Fellowship Of The Gospel And the Supremacy of Christ. When we draw on Christ’s fullness, as Paul said in Ephesians 3:19, we are filled with the fullness of God. What more do we need?

I like how the Message states Colossians 2:8-11, “Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.”

Listen to Matthew West’s song Truth Be Told (Official Lyric Video).

Colossians 2:6-7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Paul repeated in Colossians 2:6, what he said previously in Colossians 1:10, “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” What does that require, in walking worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and then bearing fruit? Jesus said follow me – two simple words, thirteen times in the Gospels. Those two simple words pack powerful meaning. It gives our life guidance and rules how we are to live. As I go about my workday, I need to check and ask myself: Am I walking in Jesus? Is my faith being shown in my total commitment with humility in my attitude and actions? Am I responding gently in moments of conflict and challenging circumstances? I confess, that trips me up. Then, am I bearing the fruit of forgiveness, love, patience, and discipline? That challenges me some days more than others, especially this past week. How about you?

Paul uses two images – a tree (rooted) and a building (built-up), a double metaphor. I picture the trees in front of all the houses on our block. They reach tall into the sky and have deep roots. These trees are sturdy, and their root systems grow deep. Roots serve to absorb water and minerals from the soil and transport them to the stems of leaves. They anchor and support the plant or tree in the ground, keeping them from being blown over. When we are firmly rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in our knowledge of Him from reading His Word, we are able to be steadfast, unmovable, standing firm in our faith and hope, as Psalm 73:26 declares, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Any building always starts with a foundation. It is what is buried in the ground and holds the building up. The land, especially in California, is not totally still or solid. Foundations distribute the load of the structure evenly to the subsoil. The stronger the foundation, the more stable is the structure of the building. Christ has not called us to a life of ease without struggles and battles when He called us to follow Him. There seems to be push-backs every day in our life all around us. Yet Christ requires us to stand firm, have stability, stand strong, grow deep in our relationship with Him, sending out deep roots of faith and hope by abiding in Christ and He in us. When your life’s foundation is built upon Christ, spiritual maturity takes root from the wisdom and knowledge of knowing doctrinal truth, and it is then that you will be able to withstand Satan’s attacks, having put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17). You will have days when you feel everything is crashing down upon you. But take heart, remember and review what God has taught you in the past, what verses have taught you wisdom and knowledge, as you take refuge in Him. God will again provide all you need, for He is Jehovah Jireh. Dig deep into His Word. Stand tall in your position in Christ. “The deeper and more widespread our roots in Christ, the greater shade, fruit, and beauty we provide.” Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. The Fellowship of the Gospel and the Supremacy of Christ. R. Kent Hughes.

Listen to Danny Gokey’s new song, Stand In Faith (Official Lyric Video) 5/21/21

Colossians 2:2-3, “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and of wisdom and knowledge of God’s mystery in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Do you realize that when you are discouraged and downcast, you become open prey for spiritual warfare as a Christian? Paul purposefully encouraged the church at Colossae, against false doctrine being taught. They needed to stand firm and be mature in their faith, and to remain true in God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Today, the church has had many attacks this past year, and believers have had to stand firm in their faith and have unity just as these dear saints had to endure.

I think discouragement has been one of the lasting effects COVID has had on many. The waiting is depressing and discouraging, and contentment is a challenge. But Jesus promises to give us peace, love, and joy when he said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. So how do you put that into practice daily, within the bombarding, contentious issues and situations occurring? It has been said that every two to three people you interact with are going through a crisis and have no hope in their turmoil. Our Pastor Todd has said as well, “You are either going through a trial or coming out of one.” Encouragement is a gift we can freely give one another, especially now.

Paul used the Greek word paraklein for the word “encouraged.” “Sometimes that word means to comfort, sometimes to exhort, but always at the back of it, there is the idea of enabling a person to meet some difficult situation with confidence and gallantry.” (Barclay). Paul wanted these Christians to be heroes in standing firm in their faith, despite any deceptive teaching threatening the Colossian church experiencing spiritual conflict.

It all boils down to in Christ is found the wisdom of life – nowhere else and nothing else.  Happiness is a fleeting feeling. Joy goes deeper into our soul. Paul is telling the Colossians that all the wisdom in life, all that you ever need is found in Jesus Christ, to get through life successfully. All the knowledge, understanding, learning to be done for our day is found in God’s Word. We have to search for it and then apply it. It says in Romans 11:33, “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable [impossible to understand] his ways!” I realize I will not be able to figure out the “why’s” of my circumstances, but I can be encouraged that the Lord gives me hope from His promises found in His Word. That is where my assurance resides, in Jesus Christ alone.

A.W. Toser has said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” The Knowledge Of The Holy.

This is The MSG version of Colossians 2:2-3 in Paul’s encouraging letter to the church at Colossae, “I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery!”

Listen to King & Country (Lyrics) Shoulders.

Colossians 1:9-10, “And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul repeated himself in saying, “we have not ceased to pray for you.” Paul and Timothy, prayed for continual blessings, knowledge of God’s will, to have spiritual discernment, and understanding of spiritual truths for the church people in Colossae. Paul was in tune with the Holy Spirit in his prayers for this group of people. Colossians 1:9-13 is like a written manual on praying for one another to enable God’s transforming power over their lives. Try reading these verses out loud and notice the power of these words, when you pray for your spouse, children, co-worker, friend, and for yourself.

“To know God and what He requires of us is our first responsibility.” David Guzik, Commentary. As I face a new week, my questions to myself need to be:

1. How will I know God better from going through this situation?
2. What does God require of me?
3. What is the wisdom the Holy Spirit has been teaching me recently in my daily reading of His Word that fits right into this situation?
4. How have I grown in my experiential knowledge – Epignosis – of spiritual understanding, discernment, of God himself, His will, and His grace, from these circumstances?
5. What is it He wants me to do in __________ situation? He is working at transforming me into the likeness of Christ.

I think of Samuel, when he anointed Saul as king, he said in 1 Samuel 10:7 MSG, “When these confirming signs are accomplished, you’ll know that you’re ready: Whatever job you’re given to do, do it! God is with you.”

So, the lesson is, the gifts, talents, abilities God has given you, use them. Do it for His glory, even though no one may complement you for doing so. Be patient and be satisfied from being filled with the Lord’s peace and joy in your walk with Him. Then, as Paul encouraged the Colossians in Colossians 4:5-6, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Go do it! God is with you!

May you see the mighty power of God today in your life as you persevere. This is the competitive advantage you possess, because Christ is in you, as prayers going up for you, and from you, are not wasted. The very wisdom you ask Him for is walking with you everywhere you go.

Listen to Matt Maher Lord I Need You (Live) Official Lyric Video. 1/31/2020.

Colossians 1:3-5a, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”

My dear mother was a prayer warrior for my brother and me, especially after we graduated from high school. Because of her consistent prayers for me, I have her to thank for God connecting me with my first Christian woman mentor, Margaret Hanson, when I was twenty-two years old. God used Margaret to help complete in me my faith and obedience in God. Margaret’s walk with God blessed me and made a huge impact on my young adult years. Who can you name that has done that for you? Do you realize that person more than likely was sent to you by the Holy Spirit due to someone loving you by their prayers on your behalf?

Paul and Timothy never went to Colossae yet felt a pastoral love and calling to warn the people against deceptive, false doctrine teaching and beliefs, and gave instructions on living the Christian life. Paul’s solution was that they needed to have a deeper understanding and knowledge of Jesus and His will. That is the antidote for me, too, when needing more faith, hope, and love, during times of discouragement. Throughout the gospels Jesus responded to people who did not have much faith. Our Great Shepherd, promises to bring order out of chaos, bring stability where there are struggles, due to His provision, protection, and presence (Psalm 23, Isa. 43:1, Isa. 52:12, Deut. 31:8) that shields and protects us. He is the prince of peace – Sar Shalom.

Who in your life needs encouragement from receiving your loving words or acts of service, so their faith in the Lord will be strengthened? Here is another question: Who can you pray for today, that has rubbed you the wrong way? We all are facing struggles and may hide them with smiles on our faces. Jesus wants us to believe He is who He says He is. The Lord wants us to have heart knowledge and not just head knowledge. He wants us to have no doubts that He can if He chooses.

The Israelites in Judges had many battles, and some died. God still required faithfulness and obedience to Him. I have realized there may be some setbacks, but that does not mean God is not leading me. Therefore, whatever happens, I need to remain loyal to God, my Great Shepherd. All God wants of me is to follow and obey Him.

Who does God want you to pray for today? When you see someone doing well, be like Paul and thank the Lord for that person and intercede on their behalf. Don’t only pray for people who are hurting. You could be just the one to make a difference in someone’s life by giving a message of hope, faith, and love in encouragement, reminding them of God’s protection, provision, and presence. You may never know how God is using you to make a difference in someone’s life. Prayer is powerful. “In prayer you gain your strength – the power to gird yourself with armor that extinguishes every weapon your enemy wields. We pray because our own solutions don’t work and because prayer deploys, activates, and fortifies us against the attacks of the enemy.” Priscilla Shirer.

Listen to Mercy Me – Almost Home – Lyric Video by InBeautiful Chaos. 10/25/2019.

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

How do you maintain peace and joy in all circumstances? David said in Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” That is the prescription for having contentment as we have God’s presence, provision, and protection with us always (Deut. 31:8). Paul’s formula for ensuing having the peace of God, he had taught in Philippians 4:8, about guarding our thoughts – your mind – meditating on all that is genuine and authentic – true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and good report. Much of our day comes down to our mind in what thoughts are flowing in and out of it. Is it filled with arguments, jealousy, envy, pride, anger, or joy and thanksgiving to our provider, Jehovah Jireh? Jehovah Rohe is God’s name for being our Good Shepherd. Our thought patterns need to be renewed in bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and trusting in His promises, and following Paul’s example, as he taught in Philippians.

David Guzik has said in his commentary of Philippians 4:19, “The promise is to supply all your need; but it is all your need (not a promise to go beyond needs). In this, the promise is both broad and yet restricted . . . Since there is no lack in God’s riches in glory, we should anticipate that there would be no lack in God’s supply.”

Do you feel empty? Ask God to fill your emptiness. Picture yourself as an empty earthen jar like the woman who had great debt, in 2 Kings 4:1-7 had. Elisha told her to gather all of her empty containers used for oil and refill them from the one small oil container she only had left. The oil was probably olive oil, and was used for cooking, for lamps giving light, and for fuel. Miraculously, she filled all of the empty clay jars with oil until she filled every empty available jar with oil. Faith and obedience were needed and shown by this woman. Elisha then said to her, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” 2 Kings 4:7. God provided for this woman’s needs, and He will provide for your needs as you stand firm in your faith, and obedience to the LORD.

How can you stop your imagination from lying to you as you reboot your mind with the Word of God? Remember, Jesus brings rest and peace, and the devil brings restlessness, striving, and pain. Your identity is not in your success or failure; it is in Christ.

Jehovah Immeka means the LORD is with you. Pray that name over your situation. God’s presence gives security, confidence and will provide insight into how the opposition is thinking. “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 MSG.

Listen to Matthew West Brand New (Live From The Story House) 4/9/2021.

Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Paul, the prime example of having grit, stated in 2 Corinthians 11:28 that he had “daily pressure of my anxiety for all the churches.” I don’t always think about Paul having anxiety and daily pressures, but I do think of my own and those around me. Then in the very following verses, he admits he has weaknesses. But the clincher is, when he brought one particular weakness to God and asked Him to take it away, to remove it, God spoke to Him in his need and said, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, Paul clung and applied those words to his own life and recognized God’s power and purpose would triumph amidst and despite any human weakness that Paul had. God’s presence is always in the present tense, emphasizing the ever-present availability of God’s grace which is sufficient for every believer.

What is going on in your life that you think if this weren’t the case, my life would be perfect?

What are you lacking? What don’t you have that would make you more content?

The Greek word for strengthen means to “put power in.” Paul knew his strength came from the Lord. He knew God could change his circumstances, but that God was more interested in changing Paul, in strengthening Paul inwardly, and that is God’s desire as well for us. Paul had realized that God was sufficient in his life as he stated in Philip. 4:11-12. God will infuse us with His strength to sustain us until He provides some type of provision – Jehovah Jireh (Ephe. 3:16-20). God knows the future we cannot see and is preparing us.

The Amplified Bible states Philippians 4:13 this way, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”

Warren Wiersbe has said, “We are so rich in Christ that our riches cannot be calculated even with the most sophisticated computer . . . No Christian ever has to worry about having inadequate spiritual resources to meet the demands of life.” Reboot your self-talk and thoughts to say this statement: Because of God’s presence, provision, and sufficient grace that He will give me, and as I will be obedient to God and in my service to others, so God’s power will shine through me. Therefore, despite being in need, contentment will be accomplished because you can now say too with Paul, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Listen to Steven Curtis Chapman’s His Strength Is Perfect (illustrated) YouTube.