Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

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.

Philippians 4:8-9, “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. What you have learned and received and heard and see in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Life gets hectic. We all get eroded with the negative pulses in the world around us, and then there are those people that set off our trigger points. Everyone has a Goliath in their life. Whatever gets you the most (feeling taken for granted, inefficiency, someone breaks a promise to you, arrogance, etc.) will rob you of having peace. But it all comes down to when you are alone, and everything is quiet, what do you think about? What thoughts fill your mind? Is it about the last argument you had with your spouse or friend or a co-worker? Or maybe an accusatory reply and comment to someone you wish you hadn’t said that now you feel made you look bad and want to undo it? Or are you thinking about the promises of God and right thoughts to think about as Paul exonerated us to do in Philippians 4:8-9?

Satan’s weapons he uses against us are guilt, shame, frustration, and our failures. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy our peace. He wants us to look bad. If you are prone to depression, guard your heart and mind what you watch on TV. See a doctor and or Christian counselor if needed. Get physical exercise and eat right. Ignore the temptation to handle your feelings in the wrong way. We all must hold onto the truth found in Deut. 31:6 and again in verse 8, when Moses spoke to all of Israel and to Joshua, who was taking Moses’s place as Moses knew he was about to die: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. It is the LORD who goes before you. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” I need to remember that God’s presence is going with me and before me, guarding me, protecting me, vindicating me, and is carefully watching over me, are truths to keep in my mind every day (Psalm 91:1-16). That is thinking about what is true, noble, just, commendable, and worthy of praise to the Lord, that Paul was teaching about.

“Spending time in the Word is what is of prime importance. Let it transform your heart and mind. Place what you have learned before God as an offering back up to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive and help you apply it to your life. Let God change the way you think until you know how God thinks, and you want what He wants and has purposed in your life. Do not let the current culture or circumstances dictate how you feel (excerpt from page137, “Eliminating The Greener Grass Trap. Quitting The Habit Of Comparisons” by Linda Killian).”

“The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God’s Word will have a built-in “radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. . . . Right thinking is the result of daily mediation on the Word of God.” Warren Wiersbe “Be Joyful Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy. NT Commentary, Philippians.” Lastly, the AMP version says it this way, of Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source]of peace and well-being will be with you.”

Need to do anything different or make any changes? Engage your built-in radar against any wrong thoughts from reading and meditating on God’s Word. The God of peace is with you.

Listen to Danny Gokey – Give Me Jesus (LIVE) 1/24/2016.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

How do you worry less? Telling yourself to quit worrying is not the antidote. Have you tried that when something heavy was looming over you? Did that completely make you stop worrying? You are not alone. Paul didn’t just give a command to stop worrying when he wrote to the Philippians. He knew it is not that simple.  Instead, he stated if you want to conquer this problem and break the habit of feeling worried, uneasy about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome, the solution is prayer and supplication. God is concerned about everything in our lives, be it big things or small things and Paul used three words to describe the antidote for worrying, which is: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving – all three.

Solomon stated in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the LORD and your plans will be established.” As I lay out my day to the Lord, I have conversations with Him in what I anticipate will be ahead of me in my workday and issues. Then verse 10 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” As I pray about my thoughts and concerns over my day, that is my communication with God – it is having a dialogue. Praying is a broader term. But supplication means I am asking God directly to do something in a situation I might be uneasy about, a deep burden, and feel uncertain about what I should do, or for a family member or friend in need. These two verses in Proverbs 16 are parallel to Philippians 4:6-7, in what Paul lays out as the formula for abiding in having the God of peace, give you the peace of God. He will be with you throughout those disturbing circumstances that are part of life. He provides guidance and wisdom where and when it is needed. This received peace will guard your heart and mind against anxiety.

We will always have those “but what ifs” in life. Praying to God is the first step toward conquering our fears. I also think of Psalm 46:10a which states, “Be still and know that I am God.” Sometimes we need to then pause, wait, and listen for the Lord to bring verses to our mind so we can know better how to pray about a certain situation. Lastly, each prayer needs to be seasoned with thanksgiving no matter how tragic the circumstance, as 1 Thess. 5:18 instructs, “In everything give thanks.” Thanksgiving activates peace in our prayers.

What do you need to ask God to do in your life today? What holes need filling that are from heartaches you have been carrying?

Pray about everything and be thankful for three aspects of peace relating to God:

• Peace from God.
• Peace with God.
• Peace of God – beyond our own power of thinking (Philip. 4:7) and is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

This peace is what we have in Christ Jesus. This is what the world needs to see illuminated on our faces because we have spent time with the Lord God almighty. Remember, Paul was chained to a Roman soldier who guarded him all day and all night. He had constraints on his life at that time. Yet Paul lived out in that jail cell, God’s peace guarding his heart and mind against fear, distress, anxiety, and distress about his life, because he kept praying, kept petitioning God about his own concerns, and his concerns for the church people in Philippi. That is how Paul was able to have a quiet confidence within his heart and mind, regardless of his circumstances. That was his antidote for worry.

I am praying for God to show His glory and blessing in your life today. Layout all your anxieties, insecurities, and inadequacies before God. Don’t leave anything out. Thank Him for His goodness, how He has carried you and answered burdens in the past. Then be still. What verses come to mind? That is God speaking to you.

Listen to Natalie Grant – Praise You In This Storm (Official Lyric Video). You Tube 6/16/2020.

Philippians 4:5, ESV, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”

What is Paul teaching and instructing in Philippians 4:5, by that word, “reasonableness” used in the ESV?

The HCSB version states Philippians 4:5 this way, “Let your graciousness be known to everyone.”

The New King James says, “Let your gentleness be known to all men.”

The Amplified Bible words it this way, “Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness.“

The VOICE version says, “Keep your gentle nature that all men know what it looks like to walk in His footsteps.” I made this into a sign in my office for myself to read every day and added a quote from Alistair Begg which says, “Gentleness is not mainly developed in tranquility; gentleness is developed in trials and difficulty.”

How do we show our reasonableness, gentleness, unselfishness, and gentle nature to others? Paul used the Greek word Epiekes, which has a deeper meaning than any English word can convey. “Sweet reasonableness, generosity, goodwill, friendliness, charity toward the faults of others, mercy toward the failure of others, indulgence of the failures of others, leniency, bigheartedness, moderation, forbearance, and gentleness are some of the attempts to capture the rich meaning of Epiekes. The opposite would be “pettiness.” Perhaps the best corresponding English word is graciousness – the graciousness of humility; the humble graciousness that produces the patience to endure injustice, disgrace, and mistreatment without retaliation, bitterness, or vengeance. It is contentment.” MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Philippians.

There is that subject of “contentment” again Paul keeps bringing up. This word “Epiekes” describes an individual’s heart who will let the Lord fight his or her battles. Remembering the verse, “Vengence is Mine, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). I have to ask myself if I really believe this, do I freely let go of my anxieties and all the things that cause me stress because I have the faith that the Lord will take up my cause and I will then be able to rest in the contentment of knowing God is in control? What about pettiness? Oh my, as I sigh and look at the various frustrations I have had this past week.

Paul’s sequence in this passage was to first rejoice in the Lord and, secondly, to be gentle. The immediate reaction of a rejoicing heart is Christlike sensitivity in gentleness with the understanding not everyone was created by God the same, and we each have our own weaknesses and strengths. Then Paul says, “The Lord is at hand.” The literal fact that “the Lord is near,” reminds us that the Lord is ever present and will return at any time, and will hold people responsible in judging their deeds (James 5:8-9). So I need to be gentle and be ready!

Who is that person you need to show Epiekes – ep-ee-i-kace’ to that you may have even forgotten? This happened to me several years ago. I was studying this passage in preparation for teaching it to a women’s Bible study at our church, back in 2014, on Philippians 4. Out of the blue, I received a text from an old acquaintance we had not seen in thirty-eight years. I had a real-life situation of applying “Epiekes,” which was the word “reasonableness” in Philippian 4:5 in that precise situation! I didn’t fully understand at the time, but God was giving me a real-life example of extending “reasonableness” – Epiekes – showing graciousness and forgiveness of a past debt. The incident is not what is essential. What was important was applying this Greek word’s meaning in extending and developing graciousness, forgiveness, generosity, and yes–sweet reasonableness. I got it and used it (with my husband’s help) in my response which was the right choice. God’s timing in educating me on the meaning of this Greek word, Epiekes, in Philip. 4:5,  I have never forgotten.

So when you go to bed tonight, as you lay your head on the pillow, review who you have shown “reasonableness” – “Epiekes” to today. Are you triggered in being highly irritated by peoples incompetence and inefficiency, as I am? There we go – an application to apply “Epiekes” from Philip. 4:5 to others! How has God provided you with opportunities in applying this verse in your life too?

Listen to Matthew West’s song, Forgiveness. 1/21/2017.

Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say Rejoice.”

Paul was unusual. Here he sat in prison and he was telling other people to “rejoice.” Paul repeats himself in his encouraging words to the Philippians in Philippians 4:4, and says twice, “Rejoice in the Lord.” He stated this also in Philippians 3:1, when he said, “rejoice in the Lord.” There is a reason he repeated these words. When you have contentment, your circumstances do not matter because you realize the LORD’s sovereign will overrules it all, and He is available at all times. Paul’s relationship with the Lord was his source of joy and was unchangeable and unrelated to his circumstances of sitting in a prison cell.

I found this quote from Spurgeon that I thought was right and to the point regarding Philip. 4:4, “People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord.” I need to better apply this in my own life.

Paul’s consistent joyful, determined grit attitude and vision was not from looking through rose-colored glasses – optimism and simply having a positive mental attitude. He was confident that God was in control and was always with him. So does that mean when our culture and politics go against God’s standards, we are just to stand by and shrug our shoulders? No, not at all. We must do our due diligence in praying and contacting our governmental officials in fighting against our Christian liberties being restricted. There are instances where we have to take a stand, make it known, pray, and then leave it in God’s plans and control.

I found Jon Courson’s Application Commentary statement very appropriate and something I need to live out and remember when feeling discouraged:

• “I don’t feel good” we groan. Who cares we are not going to hell!
• “I’m not appreciated at work” we cry. Who cares we’re going to heaven!
• “I won the lottery!” we shout. So what? That’s nothing compared to heaven!

The next time I catch myself complaining, which no doubt will be today, I am going to speak to myself these words, “So what? I could be in heaven tomorrow or sometime soon, and I have the reassurance I am not going to hell! My sins were forgiven when I confessed my sins in repentance and called upon Jesus Christ to save me (I remember that time vividly, in my bedroom as a young child and prayed that prayer with my dad kneeling beside me). It says in John 1:12, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Then in Romans 3:23, it states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

As the truths of God’s Word permeates and changes your life, God can use you in a way he can use no one else. Dear friend, God will direct you, comfort you, be your shield of protection, and guide you with his almighty power. He is Jehovah Rohi, the Good Shepherd. Jehovah Shalom, Giver of Peace. He is Jehovah Nissi, Battle Fighter. He is Jehovah Shammah, Present One. He is Jehovah Rophe, The Healer, and my favorite, Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide.

Have a problematic situation beyond your control? The Message says Philippians 4:4 this way, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!” Then as Paul said, “Let me repeat, Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”

I can remember going to track meets, when I was in high school and watching all of the various athletes participate in various races, pole vaulting, and the shot put. They had to spend weeks training to strengthen their bodies and have the endurance to finish strong. The Christian life is much the same. It takes time, dedication, and energy needed some days more than others. But just as a runner has the finish line in his vision, so we have our eternal home as the goal we will get to enter. Yes, someday Christ will bring everything under his control. I am having to remind myself of that more and more when reading or hearing today’s news reports. Sometimes living the Christian life takes more energy some days than others.

The critical point Paul was emphasizing to the Philippians was to “stand firm.” In the military, the soldier’s stance in battle in the front lines, holds their position firmly while under attack. As Paul warned in Ephe. 6:11, 13-14, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” We each need to put on that armor every morning, as perplexing problems will spring up and must be met and mixed with faith that God will meet our every need – Jehovah-Jireh.

So, what have you been facing this week? How do you maintain your position in Christ while under attack from the schemes of Satan? How have you done that in the past? Paul was admonishing the Philippians not to waver and to be firm in their faith. It takes developing spiritual stability, maintaining a spirit of joy, relying on God’s wisdom, and then the challenging application of learning to be content because even in the silence, God is right there with us (with me). As Paul said in Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”

Too often, we worry about what we are doing or how we are feeling. We analyze ourselves and then scrutinize the situation continually. It is often challenging for me to give my brain a rest from my work. Jon Courson said in his Application Commentary, New Testament: “But in reality, the joy, the crown, lies in sharing with people who don’t know Jesus, in praying for folks who will be cut off from Him unless they open their hearts to Him. I believe the reason Paul could talk so much about joy in this epistle – even while he was in chains – was because he was thinking about the people, he knew would be in heaven with him eternally because he had shared with them personally.”

Stand firm in where God has placed you in serving others. God may have given you the talents and skills to meet your need(s) but you may need to activate your faith in Him, and ask God to show you the steps you need to take. Do not give up. You have more value and worth than you know, and it is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

I am needing to remind myself that despite all the chaos and dysfunction going on in our jobs and in this world, there is a “but.” But my citizenship is in heaven, and from it, I await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philip. 3:20. The only secure place is your position with Jesus Christ. Be alert. Be steadfast. Stand firm.

Philippians 3:17, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the examples you have in us.”

What does radical dependence upon Christ look like? Paul knew he was not perfect, yet he still used himself as an example of someone to follow who has learned to deal with imperfection and pursued the goal of Christlikeness. He said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” He also pointed out to the Philippians to note “those who walk according to the examples you have in us.” Who in your life is someone you want to follow that is radically strong in their faith, gives grace when needed, and maintains the right balance between being humble and confident in their God-given gifts and abilities despite their imperfections? Who is that person for you?

If I wholeheartedly had the right balance in striving to grow in my faith in God, applying it to my life, and keeping my eyes focused on Christ, would I then become so easily irritated by the triggers that set me off, such as recognizing incompetence and inefficiency in others? Would arrogance shown or spoken by others get under my skin? What about people appearing to dismiss my ideas that I have analyzed, worked on perfecting, and see any risks involved worth taking are justified and needed? Sadly, some days these things get the better of me and I complain and have to “share.” I am then not setting the right example of someone to follow. Do you do that too?

People not willing to collaborate with a dream or goal they had and feeling overlooked, ignored, and viewed as insignificant is what Miriam and Aaron felt when they spoke against Moses in Numbers 12. It was an example of trigger points succumbed to in these leaders in the Old Testament. They thought their leadership also had value, wanted recognition, and were jealous of Moses’ position and influence when they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” Miriam spoke up and was the ringleader of the two. Both Aaron and Miriam allowed the sin of envy and pride towards Moses, due to feeling ignored and insignificant, and so attacked Moses by criticizing his wife. Miriam had a powerful personality, a leader, and was very charismatic. She was a prophetess (Exodus 15). Both Miriam and Aaron were significant leaders of Israel. Miriam was having an “it’s not fair!” complaint, and God dealt harshly with Miriam for her envy of Moses grieved God. What an example for us to be on guard against in our own life as we influence those around us!

Each of us has to pivot when our strengths become our weaknesses and sin results. We must ask God to help us identify the real issue and our personal motive during arguing over disagreements. We (I) need to ask if there is any envy involved, so we (I) don’t make the foolish mistake of attacking others with a verbal bazooka as Miriam did. God judged and punished her actions by giving her Leprosy for seven days, for her public opposition to Moses.

Paul maintained humbleness, and he never intended for the people to focus on him per se; instead, he wanted them to join him in focusing on having radical dependence on Christ. He had other Christian examples he saw as having mature faith such as Timothy and Epaphroditus, who were genuinely concerned for the Philippians and lived a service-centered life for Christ. I can think of several Christian examples God has blessed me with, both men and women, throughout my life that I admire and are godly examples for me to follow. Who can you name that have done the same for you?

Radical dependence on Christ, making decisions on the basis of eternal values, and learning from godly examples God places in our life will help us in being salt and light in our servant, shepherding, leadership opportunities. Ask yourself, how can I align my character to Christ’s and follow His example today better than I did yesterday? What kind of an example am I, as an imperfect person striving to become all that God wants me to be? I have to keep reminding myself to keep my eyes on the goal, to become like Christ, and that this world is not my permanent address. “We’re back to the critical question. Do you want to have a great ministry, or do you just want to be great? How you answer will determine how you lead.” Chuck Swindoll. A Man of Grace and Grit. Paul. Profiles in Character.

Listen to Shoulders (Lyrics) by King and Country.

Philippians 3:14-15, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything, you think otherwise, God will reveal that to you.”

Paul had perseverance down pat. He has rightly been called a man of grit and was seasoned with maturity. There are times I have felt like giving up because of mistakes I had made or words I wish I would not have said. I have often had those wrestling thoughts. Not Paul. He relied on God to develop his weak points and personal limitations, to serve others better. I think Paul would offer his counsel to me in this way, “You need to do what I do. I forget what happened five years ago, or one month ago, or last week. We all have done things that we are ashamed of, especially me. Instead, grow in your knowledge of God. My goal is to look to the future, with Christ. That stops the confusion and feelings of being defeated, and it keeps me humble. You have made progress; now keep it going.”

There is a balance of faith, trust, and hope, in God’s call upon our lives and our response. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” When a farmer planted, if he looked back, the plow would veer off course. But if he looked forward, he was able to guide it in going straight. Paul was saying he had put his hand to the plow, and even though he was stuck in prison, he was pressing on to do what God had called him to do, no matter what the obstacles were. He kept looking forward to the goal of someday being with Christ for eternity and pursuing Christlikeness each day in the here and now, in consecrating himself to God.

Sometimes looking at our past successes keeps us from what God has for us in the future.

Here are two interesting statistics of predictions about the future that did not come true:

• The Beatles were rejected in 1962 by Decca Recording Company. They were told they didn’t like their sound and that guitar music was on the way out.
• A man named Ken Olson, in 1977, Chairman of Digital Equipment Co., said, “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” Jack Schofield, ‘Ken Olson Obituary’, The Guardian, Feb. 9, 2011.

We can all laugh at the absurdity and foolishness of those future predictions that did not come true. But we can put our confidence and trust in the Lord and can be confident of our future. God has plans to give you hope, to give me hope, and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s plans never fail as Psalm 33:11 declares, “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

I believe the lesson here for me is as if God is telling me, “Linda, keep your hand to the plow. Keep on keeping on and keep your eyes set on things above and on Me. Follow me. I am doing something in your life and am continuing to do so. You may wrestle with decisions but know this; I will be your strength. I am the great shepherd. I am your refuge, so you can live above your circumstances. Learn from Paul who modeled contentment despite his restrictions in living in prison. Therefore, you have safety in Me. Tell others about that.”

What is God doing in your life that you can share with someone to be a light of encouragement about pressing on? How have you had to persevere despite obstacles? The Message says Philippians 3:15-16 this way, “So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision – you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.”

Listen to Matt Maher Clean Heart (Live Studio) 2/17/21.