Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

John 14:26: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

In John 14:26, Jesus stated to His disciples, that the Holy Spirit, who He called “the Helper” would be sent after Jesus’ resurrection as an intimate and permanent indwelling of the Spirit in the heart of every believer (Jn. 15:26). The Greek term parakletos was used here only by John (14:6, 26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1) in describing the Holy Spirit. It means coming alongside, assisting. He would be their advocate, helper, counselor, intercessor, and comforter. The Holy Spirit was going to be sent to continue to teach what Jesus had said and help the disciples remember what He had been teaching them. The Holy Spirit is our modern day spiritual tutor and coach. He will teach us everything we need to know about the truth of the gospel and the truth found in God’s Word as we ask, dig, and seek to learn more. He is the only reliable source for transforming our mind and heart as we read His Word and gain understanding in instruction and encouragement from the scriptures so we might have hope (Rom. 15:4) as He works in us and through us.

Isaiah 59:21a states: “And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth.” God has promised to bring what His Word says that we have read, back into our minds, that we will remember it (“will not return void” Isa. 55:11 KJV). The Holy Spirit will remind us of verses to convict us of sin when we stray from the truth, are self-righteous, and have wrong actions. He gives us an understanding of His will and teaches us when lacking wisdom. The Holy Spirit will bring back to our memory of God’s Word when we are witnessing to someone. Just this past week I saw two women at my front door, while I was working in my office. I needed to leave for a sales call meeting with a customer in LA, so I knew I only had five minutes to speak with them. Other times I have ignored the two callers at my front door and pretended I was not home. This time I decided to answer the door. The one woman tried to engage me with how many of us are suffering in this world, and the hostile political climate is frightening as she handed me her pamphlet. She started to talk about how we all are struggling with fears, knowing that I would agree and did. But since I have been reading in John recently, certain verses were fresh in my mind about Jesus that the Holy Spirit brought to my memory. The woman liked that I was interested in spiritual things and said so, as I saw she was smiling that we had a point of agreement (reminded me of my college class on the Art of Persuasion) when I said that the Bible has much to say about many of our fears we struggle with today. I continued to share with her about Jesus being God’s son and shared the gospel with her. Her face looked very puzzled and stunned. The look on her face suddenly changed. She suddenly looked sad and broke eye contact and stopped talking. She looked down. Then they left. I was thankful I had just been reading in the book of John and pray she opens a Bible and begins to understand its truth for herself.

Jesus said to his disciples in John 13:12, after washing their feet, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” I wondered if my few words that I spoke to this woman she understood or would think about what Jesus Christ had sacrificially done for her, and her choice is to accept or reject Him?

The Holy Spirit teaches us it tells us in John 14:26. When you read the Bible, ask – what is God teaching me about Himself? What are you being reminded of that He taught you before?

I need to ask myself, how can I set my mind and my heart to seek and live for the Lord, from what the Holy Spirit has taught me in my Bible reading today? The next time you are challenged, let the Holy Spirit remind you of Jesus’s words giving insight, transforming you to be competent, not merely trusting your feelings. Having courage, have a humble, just, and Christ-like response, and most importantly, have hope and peace twenty-four hours a day. Shalom.

Listen to Spirit Lead Me (Lyrics) Michael Kettterer & Influence Music. It is a song (YouTube) about following the leading of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of the Word of God.

John 3:21: “But whoever does what is true, comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

When you lose power in your home, everything is dark. You can’t see without lighting a candle or turning on a flashlight that must have working batteries. Having a light dispels the darkness.

Light is used as a metaphor throughout scripture to symbolize God, our heavenly father, faith, holiness, the truth of the Word of God, and the gospel message according to Jesus Christ. Light refers to Biblical truth, moral purity or holiness, whereas darkness refers to sin or wrongdoing. There are 100 Bible verses that talk about light. Here are six of them to think about:

• John 12:46: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
• John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
• John 8:12: “Again Jesus spoke to them saying – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
• Psalm 27:1: “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”
• 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
• Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”
• Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light (like a lamp) shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

God’s Word is like a flashlight, shining the light into our hearts and mind. We receive its truth and it guides us, gives us hope, increases our faith, as we apply it to our life. A godly life gives convincing testimony of God’s saving power that brings glory to God. Our integrity will then reflect the light of God’s character.

Every person has a fundamental need to be loved, to be accepted by others. Showing love to the unlovely will reveal God’s light into their life. Our own words are just a piece of sharing the gospel, of shining the “light” into their life.

Here is a question we all must ask ourselves: Am I doing or saying what is true as a believer in Christ? When I have fellowship with God how is His “light” shining into my heart, soul, and mind? Is my walk showing His light throughout my day?

A Puritan, named Richard Sibbes, said: “Measure not God’s love and favor by your own feeling. The sun shines as clearly in the darkest day as it does in the brightest. The difference is not in the sun, but in some clouds which hinder the manifestation of the light thereof.”

Dear sister, loved by God, dear brother, loved by God, remember, God is accomplishing things in you, with you, and around you, as His light of truth speaks to you, as you read His Word. This supernatural light will never go out or ever need new batteries because you have the “light of life (John 8:12).”

Listen to Here I Am Lyric Video by Jeremy Camp.

Luke 24:45; 49 NIV: “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Are you in a period in life when you need guidance or wisdom from above? You are asking God, “What do you want me to do?” Or are you in an in-between time? Are you wondering how your current circumstance is going to all fit together? As Jesus supernaturally opened the minds of the disciples, He reminded them what He had taught them. He explained how it all fit together (the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms) before He ascended to Heaven so that they could understand God’s Word, the necessity for His suffering and death, and proclaim it to the world how lost sinners can be saved. He will do the same for us, through His Holy Spirit illuminating the text to our hearts and then to our minds as we read the Bible. That is our power source and manual for life on this earth in being a Spirit-filled witness. God’s Word has the power to penetrate our soul and spirit. That is where we find wisdom, guidance, and instruction in what is God’s will for our life – one day at a time as we may be feeling we are in yet another survival mode.

Our Pastor Todd said it so eloquently this past Sunday in his sermon: “Living spirit-filled is living moment by moment, being Christ-conscious, in a Scripture-saturated life. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not getting more of Him but of Him getting more of you.”

Are you in a trial right now or experiencing a particular failure? What do you need God to remind you of what He has taught you? God did not ever tell Job the “why” regarding all the consecutive trials he went through. It had nothing to do with Job letting God down. Think about that. But in God’s eyes, there was no one like Job in all the earth, and for years people have found comfort in the book of Job. Someone may find support and help from your story. At times all we have is our faith and obedience – that is what matters as you guard your heart by delving into God’s Word.

Larry Osborne has said: “Success, failure, and inner peace don’t tell me much when it comes to measuring my spirituality or my relationship with God . . . obeying his commands remains the best way to know how I’m doing, and how to stay in the center of God’s will.”

The Holy Spirit may empower your trial to be a light to someone else in need someday. Discouragement can lead us in the wrong direction. Oh how that has happened to me at times! I have to continually remind myself to be faithful, available, and teachable when an anticipated expectation falls short and turns into a disappointment. I have to tell myself that that is when God may use me in some way that I didn’t expect, and I pray the words from Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Humbly remember, you have been clothed with power from on high and are being gradually transformed into Christlikeness through prayer and through reading the Word of God. Side note – God is more concerned about the decision maker than the decision. As an author and Christian women’s speaker, Elize Fitzpatrick said over and over recently, at our women’s conference at Crossroads Community Church – “Flee to Jesus!”

“We humans must confess, ‘I am because he is.’ Only God can say ‘I AM WHO I AM’.” Jen Wilken. None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different From Us.

Listen to Fight on Fighter (Lyric Video) by King & Country.

Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Often we women struggle with our value or worth when we compare ourselves to other women. Men do not seem to fall into this trap as often as us women (as often is the key phrase). We frequently compare ourselves to a woman we think is better gifted and has more talents than we do and it may turn into envy. We differentiate other women’s abilities as being better than our own, and we often feel we fall short and are not content. Then we struggle with needing approval and can’t get away from the merry-go-round of feeling invisible and wonder if anyone remembers us or cares? It is a puddle (or lake?) of dissatisfaction – feeling insignificant. It is another fear we need to deal with that can turn into a stronghold.

We all judge people by their performance, their achievements, and how they look. We live in a very competitive culture. But God looks at the heart – not the outward appearance. Why is that not our first inclinatioin?

Jesus declared in Luke 12:6-7 and in Matthew 10:31 that He controls the timing and circumstances of all of His creation – even the sparrows and the number of hairs on our head. God commands it all. “Divine providence governs even the smallest details and even the most mundane matters. These are very powerful affirmations of the sovereignty of God.” John MacArthur.

Sparrows are small seemingly insignificant birds. Sparrows were found in high numbers in Palestine and were of very little value. These birds were plentiful in population, troublesome, and five were bought for only about one hour’s worth of wages in Jerusalem. Sparrows were used as food for the poor. Therefore Jesus used a striking example of God not forgetting one insignificant sparrow and knowing the number of the hairs of your head show God’s providential care over the smallest details of our life. That shows us – we, you, I –  are of value to God. The most minor aspects of our life are all noticed by Him.

As Matthew 10:31 declared: “Even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.”

It all goes back to redirecting our thoughts to God’s truths and promises to fight against the comparison idol. Here are some verses to keep close at hand when those thoughts arise of insignicance:

• Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, in whom I take refuge.”
• Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
• Ephesians 1:11: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.”
• Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
• Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
• Psalm 86:11: “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”

“If you belong to Christ, God has a personal commitment to keeping you on His path – even if that means He will allow you to bang into a wall of dissatisfaction or get tangled in thorns of discontent every now and then . . . When you find yourself walled off from where you want to be, don’t focus on where you are. Rather focus on who God is and who He made you to be. Pray: Focus my heart on You, Lord, so I can honor Your name, not my wayward ways.” Jennifer Rothschild, Invisible. How You Feel Is Not Who You Are.

Listen to Jason Gray Sparrows Lyric Video

Luke 5:4-6; 9: “And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking . . . For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken.”

I remember going fishing when we lived in Minnesota. Having a depth finder on your boat would show you where the fish were despite the depth of the lake. It was a fantastic tool! In Luke 5, the first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John’s employment trade was that of being fishermen. Fishermen are hard working. It took courage, faith, patience, and determination to work on the seas. They had to be willing to work together and help one another in achieving the end goal, of catching fish. This career required developing skills that would get the job done quickly and efficiently. They could not be quitters and give up, for their income depended upon it.

It is interesting to note that fish were in the shallow water at night on the sea of Galilee, whereas in the daylight they would migrate to deep waters where nets could not easily reach the fish, which was why Peter, who was the primary leader, and the other men fished at night. They used bell-shaped nets that would be thrown out into the water with lead weights that would sink around the fish. Then they would pull a cord drawing the net around the fish. These nets had to be kept in good condition, so they had to be washed and cleaned of weeds and then mended on an on-going basis, ready for the next night’s fishing expedition.

These men had worked hard all night and had not caught anything, so they were washing and mending their nets to prepare for the next night’s work. But Jesus, who had healed the sick by just a touch of His hand, cast out demons and showed His authority over them, came to these fishermen, sat in Peter’s boat, and met their need of catching fish. Their nets then became so full of fish that they began to split apart! They had to signal for help from other fishermen to assist them in being able to pull in all of these fish. The nets were overflowing with so much fish, that one boat of men could not pull it all in!

Jesus did several things before these disciples at the Sea of Galilee involving this supernatural and dramatic event:

• Jesus’ miracle demonstrated He is Lord of the sea and all that it contains.
• Our abilities are insignificant in comparison to the greatness of God.
• Jesus cares about our day-to-day routine in our jobs, and He understands our needs.
• Jesus was preparing Peter to exercise his faith, that would be required soon.

Following Jesus requires being Faithful, Available, and Teachable (FAT). You don’t have to push your way into importance. God will do that in His plan and in His timing with FAT people. The results are up to Him.

Just like a New Testament fishermen, we have to apply our faith, courage, patience, endurance, and determination, one day at a time, waiting on God in our employment, and in our role that He has given us to do on this earth. Then, be prepared to see a miraculous outcome on a routine day – just as Peter and the disciples did in Luke 5.

Listen to Firma Collective Mercy Tree (feat. Lexi Jones) Official Lyric Video

Luke 4:13: “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.”

We have started again with a brand new year – 2019. I wonder what lessons does God know I need to learn and grow from in this year? I have been reflecting on 2018 and reviewing in my mind trials that we endured last year, learned from, and how God graciously brought His will in the outcome to each conclusion, for His glory and in His timing. However, in one scenario we never received closure. It is a visual “no news is good news” is the only way I can explain it and leave it. That was not what I expected. Looking back it was another occasion of feeling tempted to fear a possible unpleasant outcome.

Satan had succeeded in tempting Adam and Eve, in the garden, so he hoped to achieve the same with Jesus in the desert in Luke 4. In Luke’s account, we can see how Satan takes advantage of weaknesses. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted for forty days. Satan chose this specific occasion to target Jesus when He was hungry. Satan attacked and questioned God’s faithfulness, the Father’s love, and Jesus’s hope – just as he does to us. Satan challenged God’s promise by misquoting Ps. 91:11-12. But Jesus fought back and used Scripture correctly. He quoted Deuteronomy each time to counter Satan’s attacks. The devil then retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.

Temptations targeted at us come in many forms and always provoke guilt, shame, frustration, and feelings of failure. Those are Satan’s weapons, and he knows Scripture too and can connivingly twist it for his purposes in destroying us as he roams around “prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour (Eph. 6:12).”

One’s character is always revealed when under pressure from the unexpected and we are pushed beyond our limits. Will I think to recite a verse I have read or memorized when I next experience a vulnerable spot? Will I make the right choice in how I respond? Maybe not. Will I remember to pause first, and obey God’s Word from the verses that I have read and recognized their truths in the past instead of reacting from my weaknesses?

Satan persisted throughout Jesus’s ministry in trying to attack and tempt Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 states: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Applying God’s Word is the only way to keep our sword sharp as it says in Ephesians 6:17: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

“Keep a close eye on your areas of greatest strength and your areas of greatest weakness. They are likely the places where you can expect the enemy to target his attacks against you.” Priscilla Shirer.

We need to especially be on guard when physically or psychologically spent. That is when we especially need to guard our heart.

Andrew Bonar has said: “Let us be watchful after the victory as before the battle.” The inevitable pressures of life can drain us of our emotional resources and place us in “an opportune time” to be batted about once again by the enemy. But Col. 4:2 declares: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful with thanksgiving.” Prayer will open doors of opportunity for God’s energy, His will, and His power to produce God’s glory shown in our lives. Prayer is vital to achieving spiritual victory. It holds our armor together. That is the starting point of seeking God’s forthcoming rescue, comfort, hope, and reassurance of God’s love, in anticipation – while being in the wait, for every ending, with a clear head pursuing God’s will.

Listen to King & Country’s “Shoulders”

Mark 11:22-23:
” Jesus answered them, Have faith in God.” Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” 

Do you ever wonder if you have enough faith in regards to a prayer request that is burning within your heart? We look at the impossibility and often become discouraged. Our time frame is limited, and there may be smoke screens clouding our thoughts regarding the outcome God can provide. It could be personal fear factors that barge in and we start not feeling safe. Maybe we are suffering from lack of time to properly digest details, one’s approval is attacked, an uncomfortable change takes place where you prefer and relish status quo, or your pattern of perfectionism is not able to engage due diligence. I sometimes wonder if my faith is just too small.

The metaphor of “moving this mountain” was used in Jewish literature for doing what was seemingly impossible through exaggeration. A mountain signified something firm and stationary – immovable. It would seem impossible to move a mountain into the sea, so Jesus used that word picture to illustrate that God can do anything that may appear unfeasible, hopeless, awkward, inconceivable, illogical, and beyond the bounds of possibility if believers merely trust in God.

I smile and find comfort in how the MSG states this section of verses in Mark: “Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for

 instance: Just say ‘Go jump into the lake’ – no shuffling or shilly-shallying – and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get everything.”

So what is required when facing anxiety, fears, and burdens that just won’t go away?

• Embrace God’s goodness and sovereignty. One’s faith starts there.
• Trust in God. Desire His will to be done in “getting everything.”
• Prayer is an active conversation, communion, and worship of God. The purpose should be to get God’s will done on earth.
• Wait for God to work. The results are now in His hands.
• Feel like you are in a valley rather than on top of a mountain? That may be just where God wants you to be. Faith and obedience are all that matter rather than focusing on results.

Larry Osborne’s book, “A Contrarian’s Guide to Knowing God. Spirituality For The Rest Of Us” has become one of my favorite books about the Christian life. Regarding “faith” he states: “CONTRARY TO WHAT we’ve been told, most of us don’t need more faith, less doubt, or absolute confidence that everything will work out okay. Jesus simply wants us to act upon the tiny mustard seed of faith we already have. In fact, he said that’s all we need to move a mountain.”

“God’s everything” – submitting to Him in obedience, trusting God to do what He says, as we follow His path for us one day at a time.

What mountain do you need to have thrown into the sea?

Listen to King and Country’s Fight On Fighter (Lyric Video).

ts mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”

Mark 3:5:“And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.”

In Mark 3:5, Jesus was angry with the Pharisees’ lack of compassion for a man with a deformed hand. They sat silently observing Jesus to see if He would heal this man on of all things, on a Sabbath day. They did not acknowledge the purpose of the Sabbath. The Herodians, a Jewish political party that ordinarily opposed the Pharisees, had now united with them because they saw Jesus as a threat to their political future so united to try to destroy Jesus. Both of these groups silence displayed their hardened and cold hearts, by not answering Jesus’s question: “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill (verse 3)?”

If they chose to do good, that would not have violated any OT laws. Their traditions missed the point of the OT law – to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and one’s neighbor. Jesus turned the tables back on His accusers by asking if it was against the law to do good or to save a life?

Jesus did not lose his temper and yet was “angry” with the Pharisee’s pridefulness. He could see into their hearts and identified their true sinful motives. Jesus was furious at their hard-nosed religion. They were more concerned about their traditions than seeing a man healed. Jesus then moved the question from a legal to a moral issue.

Too often when we give into losing our patience and express our anger, we blow up like a volcano. Our pride and self-centeredness take over. However, Jesus revealed His outrage, in this instance, by healing a man’s hand – by correcting a problem. That was His solution without tearing either religious sect down, and He did it so well! Jesus challenged His accusers, and their sin made Him angry. Jesus then left the crowd and spent a night in prayer.

The aftermath of anger is a lifelong struggle we all face. Jesus came to offer forgiveness, fulfillment, and freedom. Our focus needs to be turned towards worshipping the Lord and deepening our relationship with Him. That’s it.

As Jerry Bridges states: “Sometimes we apologize to the person who is the object of our anger, and sometimes we don’t. The relationship is scarred but not broken. That seems to be the way far too many believers view the sin of anger. they’ve just come to accept it as part of life . . . rather than noxious weeds . . . and can poison our minds.” Respectable Sins. Confronting The Sins We Tolerate.

Listen to Jeremy Camp’s song, Christ In Me w/Lyrics YouTube