Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

2 Peter 3:8-9, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Have you noticed that as you get older, time has passed by much quicker than you had thought possible when you were younger? Do you see your perspective of time differently? My mom told me during the last five years of her life, “How did you get to be the age you are now? How did that happen?” I feel the same about our children that are now parents themselves and we as grandparents. Psalm 90:4 was part of a prayer of Moses, known as “the man of God,” which says, “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” God’s perspective on time is not the same as ours, as is pointed out in this cross-reference verse of 2 Peter 3:8. God is waiting for more people to acknowledge their sin, repent, and accept Christ as their Lord and Savior before He breaks forth in judgment and we are to be ready.

We each get 24 hours a day to use. So, there should be a sufficient amount of time to spend working, serving others, eating, reading, enjoying the outdoors, exercising, recreation of choice, and hospitality with family and friends within each week. So how does one manage time effectively? Try asking the Lord what He wants you to do today. Then take it one step further. What is the Holy Spirit leading you to do today by using your Spiritual gifts for His glory along with God’s perspective of how your time should be spent? The best time management advice we can follow is this. Obediently do what the Lord is telling you to do in your circle of influence with integrity. “You’ll find you have plenty of energy, plenty of opportunity because, having given God your day, you can’t outgive Him.” Jon Courson, Daylight Saving Time. A Topical Study of 2 Peter 3:8. We are to do our best and leave the results with Him.

We need to live to serve the WHO as He is in charge of the HOW. Each of us has important work to do that God has given to each of us to be used for His glory until He returns and calls us home with Him. Meanwhile, He is giving as much time as possible for people to reach repentance and accept Christ as their Savior. We are to live with God’s perspective of time in mind. God has compassion in His purpose of timing. “As God is not willing that any should perish, and as he is willing that all should come to repentance, consequently he has never devised nor decreed the damnation of any man, nor has he rendered it impossible for any soul to be saved.” Adam Clarke.

Therefore, we are to live with the point of view that Christ could return today, tomorrow, or sometime in the future (which could be in our lifetime as you read this). For every situation, challenge, disappointment, unmet expectation, and dream, seek the mind of Christ. John 8:31b-32 declares, “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Give God your day and remember, you may not have tomorrow. God’s perspective of time is not like our timetable. He is the great I AM, the WHO and in charge of the HOW.

Listen to Phil Wickham’s new Lyric Video song, “I Believe.”

2 Peter 1:19, “And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.“

Whatever you are going through, God has the answers. Big things, little things, God cares about it all. Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” As you read the Scriptures, God has a message that will give counsel, wisdom, and guidance. Ask God what He wants you to pay attention to as you seek Him by reading God’s Word and talking to Him and reflecting upon what He has taught you in the past.

Do you feel like you have blown it? Peter had occasions to feel that way because he had a time or two. Yet God used Peter mightily and powerfully in putting him as the leader of the twelve apostles. But Peter had to learn humility to be used for God’s purpose. John MacArthur labeled Peter as “the apostle with the foot-shaped mouth,” in his book Twelve Ordinary Men. How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness and What He Wants to Do with You.

When your parents were giving you instruction as a child, or a schoolteacher, when they wanted you to learn or understand what they were teaching you, they would say, “Pay attention! Listen to me!” Peter was one of the personal witnesses to Jesus’ transformation and heard the voice of God say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him (Matthew 17:1-8).” This is what Peter is directing his readers to pay attention to and listen to the prophetic Word of God to learn and apply God’s wisdom and instruction. It is more than just a book of stories. Over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament give details of the Messiah’s birth, life, and death. Jesus Christ fulfilled each prophecy. As extraordinary as it was for Peter to witness Jesus’ resurrection, he says these prophecies, Scriptures, are an even greater witness of Jesus Christ than his own experience of being an eyewitness to seeing Jesus transfigured, “after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother . . . And he was transfigured before them.” Matt. 17:1-2. Peter focused on Jesus Christ, not merely on an event and voice He heard that he witnessed and experienced. These prophecies, he is saying, have trustworthiness because they all came true.

Picture yourself sitting down for coffee or a meal with Jesus as your guest. Just you and Him. What would He tell you He wanted you to pay attention to? Would it be vacuuming or dusting your house more (although that is important)? No, it would be more profound issues such as your heart and your relationship with Him. Jesus wants us to “pay attention” to His Words, giving us more discernment and knowledge in growing as an authentic Christian.

I write down on 3 X 5 note cards, prayer requests and answers to that prayer, date them, and keep them in a gift box on the mantel of our fireplace in our living room. This week I found a specific prayer request I had written down in a book I had grabbed from my shelf and saw a prayer request I had written on one of the pages, during the 2^nd quarter of 2022. The whole memory flooded back into my mind. I had forgotten to write down how God abundantly supplied seven months later above and beyond what I had asked! I immediately grabbed a note card, wrote down the date of this needed prayer request, and then the date of God’s provision to that prayer request. It was a moment of God reminding me, “Pay attention! I will shine my light into your situation and remember, Jesus is the bright and Morning star – the light of salvation to all.”

Listen to Hymn Of Heaven – Phil Wickham Lyric Video

1 Peter 5:10, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Are you going through an “and” in your life? The word “and” signifies something more or additional. Not something singular. The term “and” is what is known as a conjunction. Conjunctions are words that join together other words, phrases, or sentences. Several years ago, we were going through a challenging situation that was out of our control, and then another trial came on top of that one and another one. It took time, but 1 Peter 5:10 became real. 1 Peter 5:10 is part of my life’s story.

We all worry at times, and have cares, yet Peter admonished in verse 7 in, declaring, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Worrying about being famous, liked, rising to the top, and getting recognition will disappear when keeping a humble perspective in throwing your wishes, desires, and needs onto God and asking humbly (verse 6) for His provision. There is a two-part requirement. God just showed up again to me this past week with this verse and I had to pause at verse 6 as I read, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so at the proper time he may exalt you.” So, I told God, OK. Please do this. I had had a disappointment. One day later He provided a specific blessing (“so at the proper time he may exalt you“) I had not expected. It was and still is a WOW moment!

Ask God to take the passion that you have thrown over to Him (it might take two hands to do so) and ask Him to bring glory to God through your efforts and to be of benefit and to see 1 Peter 5:10 a reality in your life.

So now what is left to do? You hold onto God’s promise to you of 1 Peter 5:10. Put your name in it. “And after ____________ have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called ___________ to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish ___________. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Peter warns in verse 8, to be steadfast in your faith despite “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” “Like a roaring lion: For Christians, Satan is a lion who may roar but who has been de-fanged at the cross (Colossians 2:15). Yet the sound of his roar – his deceptive lies – are still potent and he has the power to devour souls and rob Christians of effectiveness.

• He roars through persecution.
• He roars through strong temptation.
• He roars through blasphemies and accusations against God.” (David Guzik Commentary, Blue Letter Bible)

Prayer is our weapon of defense, as is quoting God’s Word.

You may wonder how God will restore you whenever you are going through a trial or coming out of one. Hebrews 13:21 states, He will “Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” God will see that His will is accomplished in your life as you obediently submit to Him. So, keep a firm grip on your faith, and your generous heavenly Father will have the last word in the end. Watch for it. Wait for your “and” conclusion and blessing for God to reveal to you in the end as He will:

• Restore you
• Confirm you
• Strengthen you
• Establish you

And in your “and after” you will have gained, in the end, purified character, increased patience and perseverance, increased empathy, and newly acquired appreciation of the presence and glory of God as you will be able to say: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1 NLT.

Listen to Ben Fuller – Who I Am (Official Lyric Video)

1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Peter reminded the believers that God has given each Christian at least one spiritual gift that needs to be utilized for God’s glory in serving others and ends verse 11 with a doxology. Did you ever think that in your spiritual gift(s), you are to be the manager of what God has graciously given you? You are the administrator in being a steward of those free and gracious spiritual gifts you have received. You have a competitive advantage. Therefore, use the talents and skills He has chosen to provide you with to glorify God in all that you do and say in accomplishing His will. Your spiritual gift(s) need to be developed and used as a steward of God’s grace that He has equipped you to do. He will bless those efforts and is able to multiply those benefits. You have the advantage of developing those skills in the power of the Holy Spirit to serve others. Peter lists two of the spiritual gifts here, which are speaking and serving gifts.

The spiritual gifts that are used for the glory of God in the church and applied in your workplace business as you influence others are (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians12:8-11; Ephesians 4:11):

• Discernment – Sound judgment for perceiving the difference between right and wrong and truth and error based on the truth of God’s Word (oracles of God).
• Faith – Examples pf people given the spirit of faith are given to us in Hebrews 11. Simple confidence in God in all you say and do.
• Knowledge – Deep understanding of God’s purpose and will from seeking it from God’s very words (oracles of God).
• Prophecy – Discern problems and apply appropriate oracles of God – Biblical principles to help alleviate the problems. Applying Biblical truth to a specific situation.
• Teaching – Being a diligent student of the Scripture, communicating Biblical principles learned from the oracles of God and relating them to the appropriate needs.
• Administration – Establishing goals and objectives, developing policies, programs, procedures, and budgeting required.
• Evangelism
• Leadership
• Shepherding – Compassionately providing spiritual guidance. Able to give verbal encouragement while focusing on God’s provision, protection, and presence, while influencing others from the calling on your own life from God.
• Wisdom – Using the knowledge from God to better understand a given situation.
• Missions
• Exhortation – Motivating others to live into their calling from God based on their faith in Him. Cautioning against potentially dangerous or harmful actions not representing their position in Christ.
• Hospitality
• Mercy – Recognizing those that are emotionally discouraged and stressed and helping to meet those needs with “words of gold” based on learned oracles of God applied to their needs.

“As we serve one another, we do it with the strength God provides, the ability which God supplies – so that to Him belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Bible Commentary. That is the ultimate objective, seeking God’s glory in everything that we do because of the hope within us of His ultimate return. We know who wins in the end in this world amidst the spiritual battles surrounding us. Until then, develop your spiritual gift(s) God has graciously given you in serving one another, living as strangers in this world that is not our home. Give it your all as you walk in your position in Christ and in your integrity.

What is the Holy Spirit leading you to do today in using your advantage, your spiritual gift(s) for His glory?

Listen to Hope Darst – Never Walk Alone (Official Lyric Video).

1 Peter 4:7-8. “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins.”

It seems like every week, there is another conflict between Christian ethics and convictions in our world going on. Sports, politics, and retail controversies have recently headlined our news notifications. What do you think Peter would say? He was a practical man, middle class, not overly sophisticated, who cared for boats and fishing nets and worked to support his family. He followed Jesus despite suffering and persecution which he experienced firsthand. Peter writes to hurting and suffering saints to hold onto their hope and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ because this life is short. There is coming a day when all will bow down before the throne of God and be held in judgment (1 Peter 4:5). Therefore, press on! There is urgency in the fact that Christ’s return is coming so live for God in all that you do. We have a strong anchor and prayer brings us into the presence of God. Prayer taps us into God’s listening ears and ignites our spiritual armor for the struggles we all face.

How does one stay calm during fearful or upsetting circumstances? Abraham Lincoln turned to God many times. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation is one example: “And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, . . . I involve the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.” Then there was the prayer Gen. George Patton requested during World War II for the right weather to advance against the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge, which was hindered dramatically due to the winter weather. The Rev. James O’Neill prayed: “Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations.” God answered that prayer as “miracle of miracles, the snow stopped; the skies cleared, and Patton’s 3^rd Army, unleashed, went on to crush the Germans and help end the war in Europe. Thousands of miles away in the South Pacific, God also was invoked. After Japan had unconditionally surrendered, President Harry Truman declared August 10, 1945, to be a day of prayer and acknowledged God’s essential role.” Lee Edwards, Ph.D. Commentary, Presidential Prayers: Turning to God in Times of Need.”

When we are panicking, we are not praying. When we are reacting, we are not first praying before we (I) speak, which causes self-control not to be engaged. “Prayer sharpens our awareness so that we are able to be more discerning. It gives us genuine hope and confidence in Christ in the midst of confusion.” Chuck Swindoll. New Testament Insights. James, 1 & 2 Peter.

Keep loving the body of Christ earnestly, fervently, and creatively. That will strengthen and encourage one another because we have the Holy Spirit’s presence with us wherever we go and whatever we do. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. His Word gives us truth to live by. Use your spiritual gifts you have been blessed with to minister to others and plant seeds for eternity.

Peter gives us a lot to think about in 1 Peter 4. Motivate others to remain faithful in living out the love of God shown in their own life. Pray for God to use you in fulfilling His purposes through you. Fix your mind upon Christ’s return, end time ethics, and be filled with joy from fellowshipping with Him and other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Listen to Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave – “God Is In This Story” (Official Music video) You Tube. 10 months ago.

1 Peter 3:15-16, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

Everyone has an inner need to be loved and accepted. Having a kind and caring attitude while serving others can shine a light on someone in need even if you have been treated unfairly. It can be one way to be a witness to others because of the comfort and love God has shown to you. It can be a way of earning trust and respect from the other person. “Peter tells his readers that they should be ready to give a reason for the hope that they have in Christ. Note that this explanation for their hope comes only when they have considered themselves blessed, refused to panic and worry, and acknowledge Christ as Lord over their unfair treatment. When that happens, people on the outside will see their behavior and marvel: “How can you put up with this kind of treatment? I would have snapped by now!” Here Peter’s overarching theme of Christ as the source of hope in hurtful times rises again to the fore.” Chuck Swindoll.

 Do you always look to your heavenly future? We all get so busy with being busy. Taking a break in my day and walking on our paseos (paved walking paths) helps put my thoughts in perspective that I need to rise above whatever conflict is going on because I will be above someday with Christ. The sky, seeing any clouds, and the greenery along these walkways make me think how much more beautiful heaven will be than the flowers and trees I see along the pathways. It is hard to imagine.

Everyone has anxiety, fears, frustrations, angst, and has made mistakes. So how would you answer this question if someone asked you why you have hope in life? What keeps you going? Our conduct, Peter says in 1 Peter 2:12 NIV, is how to respond in being a light for Christ, as he said, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds, and glorify God on the day he visits us.” You may not be able to debate eschatology or theology, but you can share that Jesus saved you. You are not perfect, but you are a child of God (Romans 8:16) who strives to have a clear conscience free of guilt and shame for sins confessed and forgiven by God. It takes total commitment and wise decisions to live in obedience to God in a heartfelt decision to do your best and what is right. One’s integrity will speak for itself, so you won’t always have to. That is your defense due to the lordship of Jesus Christ in your life as you (I) need to honor God in all we do. Winning the respect of non-Christians takes having and maintaining integrity so our conscience is clear and speaks for us. Hard times allow us to seek Jesus and rise above the circumstances because we will be above someday!

Listen to Phil Wickham – The Jesus Way (Official Music Video).

1 Peter 3:10-12, “For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Right now, as you sit in your chair, God sees and loves you. Do you have a dream, plan, or desire that you had wanted, and it wasn’t fulfilled that has caused you disappointment? We have the promise and assurance from 1 Peter 3:12 that God sees it all. He sees when we are not treated fairly. He sees when you are doing your best to maintain and seek peace (verse 11) and pursue it and when you have failed to go that route. Look at Peter. He learned those lessons himself and was a prime example of stumbling, making mistakes due to his emotions, and yet known to be the leader amongst the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus. You are also a chosen one in Christ as a born-again Christian. Learn to be a leader by being aware of the risks of conflict before they happen and maintain your integrity by doing good as 1 Peter 3:11-12 NLV declares, “Turn away from what is sinful. Do what is good. Look for peace and go after it. The Lord watches over those who are right with Him. He hears their prayers. But the Lord is against those who sin.”

The word of God shows us the mind of Christ. Look into Jesus’s face. What words of Jesus come to your mind? One example is found in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

In 1 Peter 3:9, Peter warns, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” The word “reviling” I don’t hear customarily used today. The Oxford dictionary definition of “reviling” said to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.” Jesus had that happen to him on the cross. He suffered greatly for you and for me and endured much shame, yet Jesus maintained His authoritative control over His destiny as He died, rose again, and sits at God’s right hand. So now He not only hears your prayers but sees you and wants to bless you. We have that promise, “But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Who can you be a blessing to today? The next time someone criticizes you in an abusive or angrily insulting manner, or you want to give someone a piece of your mind, pause and don’t say anything just yet. Then quickly put on the mind of Christ. Speak words of blessing and ask God to bless your thoughts and comments. The eyes of the Lord are on you. As the Message states it this way, “Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless – that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.” That is our full-time job that is always needed wherever we go with no exceptions – seek to be a blessing to others.

Listen to I Speak Jesus (Lyrics Video) Charity Gayle, Feat. Steven Musso.

1 Peter 2:1-2, “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”

I don’t know of any Christian who deliberately tries to harm another person, but what about having an emotional response of pleasure at someone you disagree with or had offended you, having misfortune? Can you imagine or remember a situation in which you entertained these feelings of someone who wrongly treated you or your family and justice may have been administered in some fashion in the end? Vindication can seem so sweet, doesn’t it? But stop and think about that in the light of God’s Word.

David stated in Psalm 41:5, “My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” Then we read in Titus 3:3-5, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice, and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” So, God looks at acting with malice and envy as foolishness and being disobedient to Him. Jesus’s example to us all was when he was hanging on the cross, He had no words of hate or anger but simply said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. The words in the NIV, “do not know what they are doing” have stood out to me.

Nothing will satisfy us in this world. It is not about how we feel or what we do or have accomplished that matters. It is not about whether we are having a good or bad day. Instead, it comes down to what is the power of the Word of God doing in our lives. I challenge you to look for opportunities to share Scripture with a friend, grandchild, co-worker, or check-out person at a store. Look for someone to share a verse of Scripture with that spoke to you recently. Speak life into another person’s heart. Pray you will be used to benefit someone in need from the verse that you share that met your need. You may just be the answer to another person’s prayer. This is a challenge to take on and watch for results as you plant and the Holy Spirit waters.

Put your name into 1 Peter 2:1-2 and read those words again. The frustrations and angst moments that will come today, you can say, “Hello! Now I am ready by God’s Word supplying my needs.”

Listen to Natalie Grant’s Lyric Video, My Weapon

1 Peter 1:14-15, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy as I am holy.”

God is holy. His name, Elohim Kedoshim, is “The Holy God” Read today’s verse with your name in there to make 1 Peter 1:14-15 personal. What does that look like to you, “being holy in all your conduct?” We see in Isaiah 6:3 God is called holy three times, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Notice the word “holy” was used three times. That was for emphasis. Peter experienced God’s mercy and justness, due to his weaknesses, which taught him to be humble and sensitive to God’s holiness, giving him boldness in his leadership as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Peter wrote 1 and 2 Peter out of the lessons he learned from the Lord about true character (Twelve Ordinary Men. How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness and What He Wants to Do with You. John MacArthur, p.59).

 How do I need to be holy in my conduct today? Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines conduct as “The manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or context.” I am to be holy in how I need to behave in my responses reflecting God’s holiness. Peter learned the importance of being motivated to do that due to God’s grace throughout his life.

In showing the authenticity of being a Christian in our workday, what must we portray and do as situations arise? 2 Corinthians 7:1 declares, “Since we have these promises beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” Paul referred to inward thoughts and desires being purified besides all aspects of the church in Corinth’s body and life due to the holiness of God.

God has redeemed us through His Son and doesn’t treat us as we deserve. So, what does conducting our actions with holiness, as God is holy, look like to you? I think of Him not being spiteful and full of mercy. Of His gracious patience with me. God never says, “You already told me that.” Take a moment to thank God for all of the things He has done for you. Sit before Him and don’t say anything. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. God is your refuge. He is your strength. God is holy. Be holy as He is holy. Trust God for who He is and that He will demonstrate His love for you.

Listen to Natalie Grant – You Will Be Found feat. Cory Asbury (Official Music Video).