INSPIRATIONS
Renew Your Mind With God's Word
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 NKJV The most important thing you can do every day—is renew your mind with God’s Word. When you get that right, everything else will begin to fall into place. You’ll think and act differently, so you’ll get different results. Do you remember the old TV series The Beverly Hillbillies? What made the show so interesting is that Jed and his family had been set free from their past—a life of poverty back in the Ozarks. But even after they moved to California’s Beverly Hills, they continued in their “hillbilly” ways. Their location had changed, but their mindset hadn’t. The same was true of the Israelites. They had a slave mentality. Even though they were free and God was providing their every need, the minute a problem came up they wanted to go back to Egypt. They couldn’t enter tomorrow because they were still carrying the baggage of yesterday! Read these words carefully: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1 NKJV). You ask, “But aren’t God’s promises guaranteed?” Yes, if you do what He says! God promised to bless you financially—if you tithe and sow generously. He promised to direct your paths—if you acknowledge Him in all your ways. He promised to forgive you—if you forgive others. You only “prove what is that good…acceptable…perfect will of God” by continually renewing your mind! So the word for you today is: Renew your mind with God’s Word.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 NKJV The most important thing you can do every day—is renew your mind with God’s Word. When you get that right, everything else will begin to fall into place. You’ll think and act differently, so you’ll get different results. Do you remember the old TV series The Beverly Hillbillies? What made the show so interesting is that Jed and his family had been set free from their past—a life of poverty back in the Ozarks. But even after they moved to California’s Beverly Hills, they continued in their “hillbilly” ways. Their location had changed, but their mindset hadn’t. The same was true of the Israelites. They had a slave mentality. Even though they were free and God was providing their every need, the minute a problem came up they wanted to go back to Egypt. They couldn’t enter tomorrow because they were still carrying the baggage of yesterday! Read these words carefully: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1 NKJV). You ask, “But aren’t God’s promises guaranteed?” Yes, if you do what He says! God promised to bless you financially—if you tithe and sow generously. He promised to direct your paths—if you acknowledge Him in all your ways. He promised to forgive you—if you forgive others. You only “prove what is that good…acceptable…perfect will of God” by continually renewing your mind! So the word for you today is: Renew your mind with God’s Word.
Hidden in the Shadows for a Season
“In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me.” Isaiah 49:2 NKJV When you’re called to serve God in a particular capacity, it’s not unusual to go through a period of anonymity where you feel invisible. Isaiah was called of God “from the womb” (v. 1 NKJV). But he experienced a season of being hidden “in the shadow” while God perfected his ministry. When a vision takes a long time to come to fruition, and you’ve sacrificed and worked without recognition or seeing results, it’s easy to feel like you’re wasting your life. Isaiah was human too. He got discouraged and said, “I have labored to no purpose…spent my strength…for nothing” (v. 4 NIV). But just because you feel that way doesn’t mean it’s true. “God…rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV), and you’re no exception. It took thirty years before Jesus started His public ministry. Moses, David, John the Baptist, and Paul endured years of obscurity before they were brought to the forefront. In God’s Kingdom there are no overnight sensations or flash-in-the-pan successes. One Christian author says: “Anyone who wants to be used of God will experience hidden years in the backside of the desert. During that time the Lord is polishing, sharpening and preparing us to fit into His bow, so at the right time, like ‘a polished shaft’ He can launch us into fruitful service. The invisible years are years of serving, studying, being faithful in another person’s ministry and doing the behind-the-scenes work.” The Bible says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work” (Hebrews 6:10 NIV). Be patient; when the time is right He will bring forth the fruit He placed inside you.
“In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me.” Isaiah 49:2 NKJV When you’re called to serve God in a particular capacity, it’s not unusual to go through a period of anonymity where you feel invisible. Isaiah was called of God “from the womb” (v. 1 NKJV). But he experienced a season of being hidden “in the shadow” while God perfected his ministry. When a vision takes a long time to come to fruition, and you’ve sacrificed and worked without recognition or seeing results, it’s easy to feel like you’re wasting your life. Isaiah was human too. He got discouraged and said, “I have labored to no purpose…spent my strength…for nothing” (v. 4 NIV). But just because you feel that way doesn’t mean it’s true. “God…rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV), and you’re no exception. It took thirty years before Jesus started His public ministry. Moses, David, John the Baptist, and Paul endured years of obscurity before they were brought to the forefront. In God’s Kingdom there are no overnight sensations or flash-in-the-pan successes. One Christian author says: “Anyone who wants to be used of God will experience hidden years in the backside of the desert. During that time the Lord is polishing, sharpening and preparing us to fit into His bow, so at the right time, like ‘a polished shaft’ He can launch us into fruitful service. The invisible years are years of serving, studying, being faithful in another person’s ministry and doing the behind-the-scenes work.” The Bible says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work” (Hebrews 6:10 NIV). Be patient; when the time is right He will bring forth the fruit He placed inside you.
Stay Focused On Your Mission
“My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.” Job 23:11 NKJV Many of our endeavors in life fail for one reason—broken focus. We allow ourselves to get distracted. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade; in short, in all management of human affairs.” Where should you focus your concentration? On your mission! And when you make a mistake don’t chase after it. Don’t try to defend it. Don’t throw good money after it. When you make a mistake acknowledge it. If you need to, seek forgiveness from God and the person you have hurt. And when possible try to make amends. Once you’ve done these things, refocus your attention on your mission and move on. Keep your eye on what it is you desire to do. You’ll never meet a person focused on yesterday who had a better tomorrow. John Foster Dulles, secretary of state under President Eisenhower, observed: “The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is still the same problem you had last year.” A problem resolved is a springboard to future success, to bigger and better things. The key is to focus on what you’re learning, not losing. When you do that you open the door to future possibilities. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Positive thinking is how you think about a problem. Enthusiasm is how you feel about a problem. The two together determine what you do about a problem.” And in the end, that’s what matters.
“My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.” Job 23:11 NKJV Many of our endeavors in life fail for one reason—broken focus. We allow ourselves to get distracted. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade; in short, in all management of human affairs.” Where should you focus your concentration? On your mission! And when you make a mistake don’t chase after it. Don’t try to defend it. Don’t throw good money after it. When you make a mistake acknowledge it. If you need to, seek forgiveness from God and the person you have hurt. And when possible try to make amends. Once you’ve done these things, refocus your attention on your mission and move on. Keep your eye on what it is you desire to do. You’ll never meet a person focused on yesterday who had a better tomorrow. John Foster Dulles, secretary of state under President Eisenhower, observed: “The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is still the same problem you had last year.” A problem resolved is a springboard to future success, to bigger and better things. The key is to focus on what you’re learning, not losing. When you do that you open the door to future possibilities. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Positive thinking is how you think about a problem. Enthusiasm is how you feel about a problem. The two together determine what you do about a problem.” And in the end, that’s what matters.
Overcoming Temptation
“I have given you…[physical and mental strength].” Luke 10:19 AMP Here’s a plan for victory: (1) No matter how often you fall, get back up! “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV). Becoming spiritually mature is a lifelong process. It happens every time you turn to God in weakness and allow Him to do for you what you can’t do for yourself. (2) Don’t deny it, deal with it. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalms 34:18 NAS). God always responds with grace to a repentant heart. He’ll meet you at your lowest point, walk with you through the valley of regret and repentance, and bring you out stronger. (3) Write down what you’ve learned through temptation. As you reflect on it you’ll see what needs to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). And be sure to write down new habits you want to integrate into your life—prayer, accountability to a friend, Bible reading and memorization, identifying weak spots, and watching yourself more closely. (4) Use what you’ve learned. Jesus told Peter: “Satan hath desired to have you…But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Let today mark a new beginning by using what you’ve learned not only to avoid falling again, but to help others facing temptation. (5) Believe you can walk in victory. Jesus said, “I have given you…[physical and mental strength…] over all the power that the enemy [possesses].” Get rid of your “I can’t” attitude, and draw today on God’s strength.
“I have given you…[physical and mental strength].” Luke 10:19 AMP Here’s a plan for victory: (1) No matter how often you fall, get back up! “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV). Becoming spiritually mature is a lifelong process. It happens every time you turn to God in weakness and allow Him to do for you what you can’t do for yourself. (2) Don’t deny it, deal with it. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalms 34:18 NAS). God always responds with grace to a repentant heart. He’ll meet you at your lowest point, walk with you through the valley of regret and repentance, and bring you out stronger. (3) Write down what you’ve learned through temptation. As you reflect on it you’ll see what needs to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). And be sure to write down new habits you want to integrate into your life—prayer, accountability to a friend, Bible reading and memorization, identifying weak spots, and watching yourself more closely. (4) Use what you’ve learned. Jesus told Peter: “Satan hath desired to have you…But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Let today mark a new beginning by using what you’ve learned not only to avoid falling again, but to help others facing temptation. (5) Believe you can walk in victory. Jesus said, “I have given you…[physical and mental strength…] over all the power that the enemy [possesses].” Get rid of your “I can’t” attitude, and draw today on God’s strength.
