Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The NIV states, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”

The verses you read in God’s Word prepare your mind for how to respond rightly to the circumstances in your life. How has your attitude been within those circumstances? How can you act more holy? The Phillips version states, “Don’t let your character be molded by the desires of your ignorant days, but be holy in every department of your lives, for the one who has called you is himself holy. The scripture says, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” So, the question for myself is how can I act more holy during the times of things that set me off or that I strongly disagree with? Those statements from others that trigger my emotions to respond incorrectly and lack love for others, how could I better respond? Do you have this mastered?

It takes self-discipline not to allow specific thoughts that lack self-control. Instead, pause and interject Philippians 4:8 in asking oneself to consider the following:

1. Is this true, honorable, holy thinking, and commendable?
2. Are my thoughts worthy of the approval of God?
3. Is bitterness going to creep in?
4. Does this matter to God?
5. What do I need to praise God for instead of harboring thoughts of anger and resentment?

That is how to prepare your mind for Christ-like action. “Unjust or unforeseen suffering is one of the great problems that grips the hearts of people today. We struggle with frustration, anger, and uncertainty when trials strange and unexpected land on our doorsteps. Too often in those most difficult moments of our lives, confusion reigns while contentment wanes; questions arise while prayer subsides.” Chuck Swindoll. Isn’t that so true? God is working on the conclusion to your situation, so press on! Peter is encouraging us to have perseverance in faith. This is temporary. Walk in holiness despite unmet expectations. Set your mind to be alert and prepared for action. You have the grace of God that has been freely given to you; therefore, live as Jesus modeled to Peter for those three years together, living in holiness in a hostile world, under the power of Jesus Christ. Work at mastering your mind to Christ-like action because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Ephe. 1:18-20). Experience God’s grace today as you depend on Him and Christ’s return. That gives one hope for those difficult days.

Listen to We Are Messengers – Father Will You Hold My Hand (Official Music Video). 2 months ago.

1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

That word “kept” in these verses stands out to me. Webster’s dictionary definition of the word keep (kept being past tense of keep) says “to retain in one’s possession or power. To have in control; to be faithful to – keep a promise; preserve, maintain, such as to watch over and defend; reserve.” The synonym word for “kept” from thefreedictionary.com is “unbroken, especially of promises or contracts.”

When you are born again in Jesus Christ’s blood shed for you, you have the unbroken promise that, due to your faith, you (I) are kept by the power of God, abiding in a relationship of faith with God. We have a future inheritance in heaven reserved for us. We will receive our Heavenly inheritance. That promise will never be broken and is the hope for our future with God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing can break that promise.

The believers that Peter was writing to were under persecution and were wondering if they were going to make it. “I want you to know something,” Peter said. “You have an inheritance waiting for you that can’t be taken from you. You are kept by the power of God, and He is committed to seeing you through. All that remains for you to do is to believe.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. I need a sign on my desk that reads, “Linda, God is committed to seeing you through this. All that remains for you to do is to believe in Him and His power. He will never break His promise to you.”

Think about the promises that people have made to you that they broke. Your expectations were not met. It made you feel like they couldn’t be counted on or trusted, right? What a contrast we have as sons and daughters of our Lord and Savior, of our future in heaven. We don’t know when that day will be. But we have the hope and assurance that day is coming and promised to us due to our faith in Christ’s resurrected power. Meeting Him face to face is our living, eternal, and future hope. God’s promise will never be broken and is reserved and being prepared just for you (me). 2 Timothy 4:8 is our promise from God which states, “There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.” HCSB. That is a promise from God that will not be broken or taken away. He is the great I AM. Jesus knows what you are going through is heavy. Peter knew that about the believers he was writing to. But he had spent time with Jesus for three years. He went from being a middle-class fisherman to that of a scholar, an apostle. Throughout 1 Peter, Peter is saying to set your thoughts and eyes on your final landing, the big picture, on heaven. So, remember the words, kept, keeping, and reserved inheritance as Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. That my friend, is God’s unbroken promise that is being kept for you which results in righteousness, joy, peace, and God’s presence.

Listen to Danny Gokey – Stay Strong (Lyrics Video) August 20, 2021.

1 Peter1:1-2, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

What comes to your mind when you think of Peter in the Bible? Peter was a middle-class fisherman. The professional fishermen of their day did not sit around idly. They sorted their catch, prepared for a catch, and mended their equipment. They were not quitters. Courage, faith, patience, determination, and working as a team were what fishermen were required to do. This was the make-up of Peter, an apostle, and leader, who had a profound impact, magnetic personality, outspoken, and was an influential man in the early church who did more than walk on the water with Jesus (Matt. 14:24-33).

Peter wrote 1 Peter to encourage Christian’s suffering persecution, injustice, and being misunderstood for their faith. Here are a few more bullet points about Peter (David Guzik Commentary):

• Jesus rebuked Peter more than any other disciple.
• Peter confessed Jesus more boldly and accurately than any other disciple.
• Peter denied Jesus more forcefully and publicly than any other disciple.
• Jesus praised Peter more than any other disciple.
• Jesus addressed Peter as Satan alone among the disciples.
• Peter put his nets out at the direction of Jesus to bring in a massive catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11).
• Peter saw Jesus transfigured in glory, together with Moses and Elijah.
• Peter was the one who received a personal visit from the resurrected Jesus on the day of the resurrection (Luke 24:34).
• Peter received a public restoration of Jesus in front of the other disciples after the resurrection of Jesus (John 21).

We can learn so much from Peter, who was impulsive. Jesus knew Peter’s strengths and weaknesses, rebuked him, and yet praised him more than any other disciple. So, when you get down on yourself when you have blown it, confess it to the Lord, and praise Him for giving you the authority of your restored relationship and position in Christ. This is your temporary address because your citizenship is in heaven. Live in that awareness throughout your day. Peter wrote to the elect, to which you are, as a born-again Christian in Christ. So be strengthened and encouraged because you are a chosen person of Christ who has intimate knowledge of you. You were not a random choice. You are a possessor of God’s grace and mercy. “Grace is not freedom to sin, but fuel for obedience.” Pastor Todd Smith (Rom. 6:15-23).

Take in a deep and long breath as you inhale. Then exhale that breath slowly to relieve the stress in your muscles and skeletal frame. Notice how your shoulders go down and become relaxed. Now rest in the peace of God, being multiplied to you as you give your requests to God, who will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Yes, Peter was highly emotional. He had failures and successes just like you have had. Yet God used Peter mightily, and He will do the same for you. Seek Him, follow Him, obey Him. Tell Him your concerns. “May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” 1 Peter 1:2b.

Listen to Casting Crowns – Desert Road (Official Music Video)

James 5:13;16b, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

The theme of handling trials with patience and endurance, showing mercy over judgment, being a doer of God’s Word, not just a hearer, and taming the tongue has been taught throughout the book of James. Endurance and perseverance with self-control are involved and results in having patience. Ultimately, the best way to address these issues in life is prayer and praise to the Lord, as James teaches in James 5:13-18. I don’t think I fully realize the power of prayer. Do you?

James says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Thought, do I always ask for God’s wisdom and thoughts to be mine in a given situation before I respond or act? No, too often, the ego is triggered by being offended, and a peaceful response does not overflow. Psalm 139:2 states, “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” Therefore, “God, how do you discern my thoughts and what do you see right now? I am struggling with a situation. It is hard when I feel my values are being ignored. I want my thoughts to be your thoughts. Help me.” That has been my prayer and struggle this week as I have conversed with God. I feel like I am in an in-between place in life. Certain things are out of my control.

Jesus promises us in Matthew 21:22, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Jesus is perfecting your (my) faith (Hebrews 12:2), so keep your eyes on Him when going through a trial. Think about that for a minute. What are you asking God for that only He can do? Your prayer has great power as you stand before Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The NIV version states James 13 this way, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” Then verse 16b declares, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary states, “What if we really believed this? What if we said, “I’m not going to speak so much or so quickly. I’m not going to hold a grudge against people even if I feel they’re afflicting me. Instead, I’m going to pray”? What a simple, workable, radical idea James presents to us. . . our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12).”

Pray and sing praise regarding your high position in God. Take pride in that (James 1:9). You have dignity before God because He knows your name (Isa. 43:1). What we have in Jesus Christ far outweighs any worldly position and that is where our identity resides. There is power working that you can’t even see due to your prayers, and they are effective, and are working, due to your righteousness in Christ. “A new personal vision statement to remind yourself each day: I am dispatched by the Holy Spirit, on kingdom assignments, to be light in a darkened world, so others can see Jesus.” Louie Giglio, p.189, Don’t Give the Enemy A Seat At Your Table. It’s Time To Win The Battle Of Your Mind. There you go. Keep your focus, keep your eyes on Jesus.

Listen to Unspoken-God Help Me Now-Lyric Video (1 month ago).

James 5:7-8, “Be patient, therefore brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until he receives the early and late rains. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Do you have a lot of patience generally? I hate it when I place an order on Amazon and the circle goes round and round waiting to go through to be confirmed. It used to go through immediately. When I go to the check out at the grocery store, or any store, I look for the shortest line so I can make my purchase and get out and get on to the next task of the day. Farmers must wait patiently and with high anticipation for harvesting their crops that have been planted. They depend upon the rain falling at just the right time. That requires patience with endurance. Farmers in the Palestinian climate had to wait for the early spring and autumn rains to plant and harvest their crops, that James was referring to in James 5.

The early spring and autumn rains were the most crucial to these farmers, that needed the rain just at the right time to water the crops after planting and harvesting the crops. “A farmer does not give up when his crop does not come to harvest immediately. He keeps on working even when the crop cannot be seen at all. Even so Christians must work hard and exercise patient endurance even when the harvest day seems far away.” David Guzik Commentary. When we think about waiting and having patience with endurance in the Christian life, it is much like what farmers must do. We both have to live by faith. They are still working, yet have not received the harvest reward, but are encouraged by the value the harvest will bring, despite changing circumstances with the weather. There is no other option than to wait while still working to advance the kingdom of Heaven.

Is there something you are required to have patient endurance about right now? As James instructs us, keep on keeping on. Rely on the Lord to bring about His abundant blessing with His power and help in your efforts. You are not in this alone. It does not depend totally on you. Sometimes all we can do is wait for the Lord to provide and act. Here are verses to say out loud when in that situation:

• Psalm 62:1, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him come my salvation.”
• Psalm 130:5, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.”
• 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
• James 1:4, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Keep working on strengthening your relationship with the Lord. Be steadfast in your hope, faith, and trust in the Lord’s presence, provision, and protection. Have patient endurance and persevere. Your faith must express itself through each situation you encounter. It does no good to give up. Wait with endurance for the outcome to be provided and say out loud Ephesians 1:18-20 – “the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me.”

Seasons change, and God is in control of making those seasons change. You are developing patient endurance just like a farmer does year after year. Your reward will come. Christ will balance the scales. Focus on Jesus. You are not alone in your struggles. Set your eyes on Him. Determine to know Him better. Your face will become radiant reflecting His presence with you. Remember, Christ could come back today! So be patient, strengthen your heart with His Word, and instill endurance as you persevere. Christ will deliver you from all of this world’s circumstances upon His return. It won’t matter then.

Listen to I Speak Jesus by the Newsboys (Lyric Video)

James 4:13-15, “Come now you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Have you ever had a sudden change in your circumstances that turned events into a much better situation for you? A Romans 8:28 in your face experience? That is when God shows us, He is in control, and you matter to Him. A good business plan or reviewing one’s goals in life are always important, but God needs to be included and consulted in it all.

My brother and I sang a duet at my parent’s fiftieth wedding anniversary event: “I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day,” were the words in the song’s first two lines. The chorus was, “Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; But I know who holds tomorrow; And I know who holds my hand.” The words of that hymn mean more to me today than it did then. It was written in 1950 by Ira F. Stanphil, an American gospel music composer and evangelist of the mid-twentieth century. Ira F. Stanphil had been a pastor in Orange, California. Then in the early 1940s, he was associate pastor of a church in Bakersfield, California. Ira became an evangelist and traveled throughout the United States and 40 other countries beginning in 1964. “Occasionally, as part of his crusades, he would ask members of the congregation to suggest titles for songs. Selecting one title from the suggestions, he would write words and music for a song during the service.” Wikipedia. This song, “I Don’t Know About Tomorrow” has stood out to me over the years and is so true.

The cross-reference verse of James 4:13 is Proverbs 27:1, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Then in Psalms 118:24, the author declares, “This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Are you needing more of God’s joy today? Seek His face. Give Him praise for answers to prayers you have not received or seen yet. Never lose the wonder of what He is able to accomplish today and tomorrow.

“This was the custom of those ancient times; they traded from city to city, carrying their goods on the backs of camels. The Jews traded thus to Tyre, Sidon, Caesarea, Crete, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, Rome, etc. And it is to this kind of itinerant mercantile life that St. James alludes.” (Clark). James criticized them for not putting into their business plan for the week, let alone a year, doing it all for God’s glory and for the kingdom’s extension. He didn’t see them praying about their business decisions and seeking God’s will in them. “Oh no, there was not a word about God in it, from beginning to end!” (Spurgeon). James’s intention was not to discourage adequate goals and planning, just not to neglect one’s reliance and dependence upon God – not allowing an independent attitude to occur. There are crucial decisions to be made every day that God’s wisdom and guidance needs to be asked for first. That wisdom is found in knowing and obeying God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).

Don’t worry about the future. The future is in God’s hands. We can plan ahead, but always put God at the center of those plans. Commit your day to God. Live for today. You are one day closer to Heaven than you were yesterday. What about tomorrow? Ask God to fill in that blank.

Listen to Matt Maher’s The Lord’s Prayer Lyric Video

James 4:7-8a, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Do you have something that is causing you anxiety? You know those thoughts of thinking you will never make it or wondering how can any good come out of this situation? Or maybe your boss has overlooked your accomplishments in an email that was sent to the group. That is when the devil wants to defeat you. He will use trial and error until he finds what will succeed in giving you doubts, fears, frustrations, and feelings of failure. Don’t give him a seat at your table. John 14:26 is truth to remember that you have the Holy Spirit advocating for you so as you draw near to God with your concerns which says, “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.” I picture God saying to me, “Come here. Sit over here beside me. Come closer. I have words of comfort, reassurance, and strength to tell you, Linda. Tell me everything. I have already gone before you (Deuteronomy 31:8), and no weapon formed against you shall succeed (Isaiah 54:17). Dear child (Romans 8:16), your story is not over yet. Linda, I have words of truth. Live on those words, say them out loud, and those words will make the enemy flee away just as it did when I quoted from the Bible to him. You can read about it in Matthew 4:1-11.”

A cross-reference to James 4:7 is 1 Peter 5:7-8, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Both passages in the preceding verse in each section state being first, humble before God. There is that teaching again on the importance of humility. Then again in James 4:10 it declares, “Humbles yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

The best way to fight against feelings of nervousness, fearfulness, and angst is to memorize Scripture. That is the weapon to have handy and available to put one in a position of being entirely dependent and humbly submitting oneself to God’s Word and will for your life with God’s promises. For example, Isaiah 43:1 says God knows your name. God knows you.

• ESV says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
• NIV says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

So how do we withstand and oppose fearful thoughts and lies in our minds? By saying “NO” and standing firm against the lies of temptations in our mind. Put in place James 4:7-8a, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Say out loud words of truth from God’s Word. That is your weapon of choice in fighting actively to cause the enemy to flee from you in the trial-and-error tactics of getting you to fall into sin. The answer is “NO! Not today! Jesus died for me and rose again, and I will follow Him as it says in Matthew 4:10b, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”

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

James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The older I become, I realize more and more that I need God’s grace daily. I need His power overcoming my weaknesses. He has promised in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Despite anyone’s limitations, as we humbly seek God during these times, He will provide effective pathways for solutions. Due to His grace I need to camp on that word “sufficient” rather than focusing on insults, hardships, and difficulties.

What accomplishments have you enjoyed? Those were each given as a gift to you from God due to His grace. But successes are short-lived. Oh, they are the prize or award we aim for and long to achieve. The ego gets a shot of adrenaline when a goal is achieved and reached. However, pride can move in, cause an imbalance in our attitudes, and we feel entitled to receive more attention. As “Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” “Prayerlessness is the truest indicator of pride. Watch out, you may be about to fall.” Jon Courson.

The AMP version states James 4:6 this way, “But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD and HAUGHTY, BUT [continually] GIVES [the gift of] GRACE TO THE HUMBLE [who turn away from self-righteousness].” Self-righteousness is the basis for a prideful attitude. It creates greed.

Many other versions of James 4:6 state, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

• Proverbs 3:34, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble, he gives favor.”
• 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
• James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Our character needs to reflect humility in our competence. My Grandma Helmers used to say, “Let other people brag on you rather than yourself.” I am thankful for her heritage of Christian living. She would also recite 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he standeth take heed lest he fall” KJV. I remember that day vividly when she quoted this verse and gave it as a warning in a conversation about someone that was being discussed. I would have been in grade school at the time.

Having humility in one’s character does not mean being indecisive or not using one’s gifts and talents. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” Paul gave it his all, as we need to do. Commit your work and endeavors to the Lord. Commit to high excellence and high character in your career, your family, and those in your sphere of influence. Then see how God provides the results. Note God’s faithfulness in supplying all your needs. Write them down and date them.

I want to be in the correct position to finish well. Having a prestigious position of power contrasts with being a servant of Jesus Christ. Your character will put you in place to advance the kingdom of Heaven. That is our identity in being a disciple of Jesus. That puts us in a position to receive grace from humility and then to receive what Matthew 23:8 declares, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Show love, compassion, and gentleness to someone you couldn’t before. How can you use the gift of the grace God has given you – the kindness from God you received, that you didn’t deserve? Let that peace and joy fill your thoughts with your position in Christ, and then share it with someone.

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

James 3:17-18, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

We all face unfulfilled expectations in life. We have our own standards and expect others to have the same values. When our values are ignored, it is detrimental to us. We then are let down. Maybe even offended. What causes you to be offended? What is bothering you right now in your relationships with others? Paul was mocked and criticized by many people. Jesus was more than anyone else falsely accused. Yet not once was anger or bitterness shown to the instigators. Jesus viewed them as ignorant and even said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. Jesus prayed for His enemies. I need to remember that the next time I am “offended.”

The Greek word “Eirene” – (noun) peace, peaceable, peaceably, occurs in each book of the NT except I John and not in Acts 7:26 where Stephen refers to Moses, “And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them . . .” It describes harmonious relationships between men and nations. Then in James 3:17 the word is “Eirenikos” (adjective) which denotes peaceful. “It is used (a) of the fruit of righteousness, Heb. 12:11, “peaceable” (or ‘peaceful’) because it is produced in communion with God the Father, through His chastening; (b) of “the wisdom that is from above,” James 3:17” An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. W.E. Vine. This wisdom is learned and acquired by reading God’s Word, applying it, and staying in conversation with Him throughout the day.

Not being stubborn or obstinate is the meaning of “open to reason” in James 3:17. Listening skills are needed when our “peace index” has been threatened. It takes a mature person to know when to yield wisely, having mercy in your basket to give if an appeal is warranted. It is the wiser option to be humble and apply the wisdom David lived before his oldest brother Eliab, that blew up at David. He told David he was conceited (1 Sam. 17:28) and misjudged David’s intentions. Eliab’s false accusation against his brother David, was due to David being chosen by God to kill Goliath and not Eliab. David turned away and did not argue. He did not waste time in a futile interchange of discussion. He walked away from a fight with his brother and did not argue with him. David’s determination, courage, and faith in God’s power working through him, was not threatened. He kept the end goal before him. His heart’s purpose was to defeat a giant who was defying the armies of the living God and he did just that. That was God’s purpose for David and God had prepared him to do exactly what God wanted him to do at that time in his life.

Do you have someone you have difficulty getting along with in your sphere of influence? Someone that causes your “peace index” with people category to decline to a lower percentage? How can you protect yourself from being offended? Isn’t that the source of a depleted “peace index?” The answer lies in telling yourself every day:

• I am grateful for God’s forgiveness in my own life.
• I will start my day by thanking God for His forgiveness and for loving me.
• I will live this day by remembering God’s forgiveness for me.
• I will end my day by thanking God for his forgiveness.

 “I have this verse underlined (James 3:15-18) because it is the grid through which I can run any conversation, teaching, or any word of instruction. If there is envy and strife, tension and confusion in what I hear, then I know it’s from hell. But if there is purity and peace, righteousness and mercy in what I hear, I embrace it as being from the Lord.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament.

This is the freedom in knowing the truth of God’s Word and it will set you free.

Listen to Mercy Me Then Christ Came (Lyric Video).

James 3:2, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”

Don’t you hate it when you have said something and wish you could take it back and do a replay with editing voice options and word choices? It came out wrong and not the way you intended. Then it replays in your mind over and over. That is when I would like to hide in my verbal stumbling but can’t. James includes himself among those who stumble and yet refers to himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” in James 1:1.

 “The ancient Greek word translated stumble does not imply a fatal fall, but something that trips us up and hinders our spiritual progress.” David Guzik, Commentary. The enemy will play within our heads in condemning us, making us feel like we are a failure. But when we do, it is not fatal. A mistake is a mistake like tripping over your feet and breaking a piece of artwork or glassware. Or a football player who misses that catch, fumbles, and loses the game. Mistakes and regrets are all lessons to be learned from and give us wisdom in our character to better walk with the Lord, marked by less stumbling.

James makes a point about how small in size the tongue is and lists other similar examples: (1) Bits in horses’ mouths are small but are the tool to make them obey the rider; (2) Ships are large yet have a small rudder that is used to steer the right direction on the water. (3) Fires are set by a small spark. (4) the tongue is small but like a raging fire; uncontrolled can do significant damage. So, if we can bridle our tongue, we can become perfect. But James 3:10 states, “Out of the mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” That is where we pray and work on self-control that will affect our influence.

We must remember that all means all when the Bible says that all men sin (1 Kings 8:46, 1 John 1:8). Sometimes that is the only comfort I have when I have said something I wish I hadn’t and ask the Lord for His mercy to be shown to me and sent to the person I am afraid I have offended that was not my intention. I so identify with the Message’s version of James 3:2, “We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.” This is all very depressing not being able to be perfect and focusing on the mistakes we all have made with our conversations. But James gives encouragement in verses 13-15 on how to live for Christ:

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It is the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom.”

Louie Giglio stated in his book, Don’t Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table, “He’ll kick you when your’re down. Maybe you’re lonely. Or angry. Or tired. Whenever you feel burdened or pressured, you become more susceptible to evil’s influence (page 46). . . He wants to cause division between you and the people who care for you (page 47).” Contrast the lies with the truths of God’s Word. James tells us to “live well, live wisely, live humbly.” Will you be perfect? No, you (I) will stumble, but it is not fatal, but a minor setback. Your dignity may be damaged, but this is where lessons are learned. Follow your great Shepherd. Focus on His presence with you right now. Ask Him to provide what you need.

Listen to Danny Gokey’s We All Need Jesus