Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” NLT

If you could ask for anything right now, what would it be? What would fulfill your dream? Would it be something related to wealth, your status, or maybe having more power, appreciation and, or recognition? We all have wanted some of those things at times. However, in the Bible, in 1 Kings 3:5, God asks King Solomon, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon could have asked for anything, but he humbly asked, “Give me an understanding heart, so that I may govern my people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:9. Solomon was more concerned about having wisdom to make right decisions in leading well, from having “an understanding heart,” given to him by God, to do his job well, rather than material and financial riches. He didn’t ask God to do it for him, but through him.

In the New Testament, we have James 1:5-6, which instructs us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.”  How often don’t I wish I could do a “redo” of something I have said? How God’s Word speaks to us in practical wisdom, going beyond human common sense and our own selfishness. A fitting simple prayer would be, “God show me the way. I want to be more Christ-like in my thoughts and words. Help me to do better.” Oh, how I need that!

Dear friend, God has not given you a task that you cannot do. The point is, you cannot do it alone, but Paul declares, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20. “Consider this for a moment. God hasn’t issued us a series of grand and lofty directives and then sat back to see if we would obey them. No, he understands that our sin has rendered us powerless, and that we will not know what we need to know and cannot do what we need to do apart from him. So, he has unzipped us and gotten inside us by his Spirit. His inconceivable power is within us! And it is not only within, it is at work! Paul says that we have been given power that can be compared only to the power by which Christ was raised from the dead.”[1]

Whatever is at the top of your prayer request list, and each one of them on your list, for that matter, have faith in God alone that He will supply your need(s) “infinitely more than what you might ask or think.” There is hope. Despite the sin all around us and against us, and within us, with God’s help, He can transform us by changing us into a new person by changing the way we think (Romans 12:1-2). God is sovereign and rules over everything and “from his glorious unlimited resources will empower you with inner strength through his spirit” (Ephe. 3:16). Live by faith. Trust in Him. The Holy Spirit is at work within you. Remember that word picture of being “unzipped.” He is at work within you right now!

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[1] War Of Words. Getting To The Heart Of Your Communication Struggles. Paul David Tripp. Page 44.

Listen to Chasing (feat. Jordin Sparks)

Habakkuk 3:17-19, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”

When was the last time you were in a situation where you didn’t know what to do or how to do it? Maybe you felt overwhelmed and needed an answer as you prayed and prayed asking God for His direction and help because nothing made sense. Think about Habakkuk who told God he needed Him to act now, please, and had originally asked God “how long must I call for help?” He expressed two complaints to God, which God answered each time. Then, in chapter 3, Habakkuk sang a prayer of praise to God for answering his questions, as God had spoken words of hope to him, and discovered the joy of living by faithfulness to God.

Are you seeing a change in direction in your life? Habakkuk experienced that firsthand and accepted God’s help and mercy. Trusting in God, even though he had struggles and doubts, God revealed Himself to Habakkuk, and gave him strength. Habakkuk learned that living by faith is required and refocused his primary goal on being faithful to God. Trusting God, no matter what, leads to quiet hope and peace rather than bitterness, which is eloquently expressed in verses 17-19.

In verse 19, “surfooted as a deer” was a picture of a deer moving over rugged terrain and slopes without stumbling. Deer’s are known for their quick reactions and powerful leaps. So, by applying your faith in God, He will provide and enable you, as a Christian, to overcome obstacles and rise above challenges that would otherwise seem impossible. “Deerlike feet represent the capacity to rise above adversity and gain clarity through a higher viewpoint.” Biblehub/com/q/what_does_feet_like_a-deer_mean.htm.

How do you need to apply living by faithfulness today? It doesn’t mean passively sitting around waiting for a miracle. Isaiah 40:31 states, “But those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Our responsibility is to live by faith, pure and simple. Trust in God, who will reveal His plan daily, even if it might be to wait for it.

Habakkuk learned resilience and faith despite challenges all around him with injustice and political and cultural distress. As an example, he saw and lived through crop failures, the deaths of animals, and starvation and loss, yet he still praised the LORD. When nothing makes sense, and life seems uncertain, three things need to be remembered, which give one hope: (1) The righteous live by faith. (2) God will deal with evil. (3) Worship God’s name. Yes, even though things look bad, God will give you strength and will take you to new heights you have not yet understood. Our understanding is limited so ask God to reveal Himself to you as you read His Word. God is sovereign, and His ways are not our ways. We cannot see the total picture of what God is doing, as He told Habakkuk in chapter 1, verse 5: “For I am doing something in your own day, something you would not believe even if someone told you about it.”

In the end, we need to affirm and trust in God’s almighty power, which gives us hope and endurance, developing and transforming our character, in our ever-changing and confusing world. Even though we have struggles and doubts, we too should sing, “Yet will I rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” Habakkuk 3:18-19.

Listen to Anne Wilson, Chris Tomlin – The Cross (Official Lyric Video).

https://youtu.be/erxFK2KX3Og?si=lOenIELpl3BLu2uu

Habakkuk 2:4, “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.”

Do you often wonder why God seems to do nothing about all the prideful, immoral, lawless, and unethical occurrences happening in our country and in the world? Violence and corruption seem to be an everyday occurrence and correlate to the book of Habakkuk. We find that the root cause is confidence in their self – foolish pride as Psalm 10:4 states, “The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.” They are called “fools” as Psalm 14:1 declares, “Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!”

Habakkuk was a prophet and asked God for the second time, why are people not punished for their sins? Chapter two was the LORD’s second reply to Habakkuk’s second complaint regarding the overwhelming evils taking place in Judah. Habakkuk was patiently waiting and watching for God’s response to his questions that challenged his faith and said he needed an answer. Habakkuk had determination in receiving God’s answer, as the Lord’s promise says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:13. Secondly, Habakkuk went to a quiet place, “my watchtower . . . There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.” Hab. 2:1.

God tells Habakkuk in verse 3, “If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Then, in verse 4, God tells Habakkuk He knows how to deal with the proud, which is a universal sin. Pride looks to self. “But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God,” is in great contrast.

Every word in Habakkuk 2:4 is essential, as God is saying to Habakkuk, you are going to live by faith, and the Lord quotes this three times in the New Testament.

• Romans 1:17, “This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
• Hebrews 10:37-38, “For just in a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
• Galatians 3:11, “So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Quiet your mind right now. Quiet your thoughts, fears, and doubts from start to finish. What are you in need of God speaking to you today about? Keep a journal handy with pen and paper so you can write it down what you are learning from reading God’s Word about living by faith so you can better remember it. Have a posture of expectancy, much like if you were sitting on the edge of your chair waiting for an answer to your need as you read the Bible. From start to finish God will show you through His Word, showing the sufficiency of Scripture for answering anyone’s needs, and how God shows the world’s needs of repentance and salvation in accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary says it so succinctly, regarding verse 20, “But the LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.” “I [God] know what I’m doing. I’m on the throne.” This is a nice way of saying, “Be quiet, Habakkuk. Calm down.” It’s a loving way of saying, “Habakkuk, I don’t have to tell you anything because the just shall live by faith. But, since you’re asking, I’ll tell you some principles about life. It’s all going to backfire on them. I don’t have to do anything. The results of their own lust and their own sin will inevitably come down upon their own heads.” Yes, God is in control from start to finish, so take charge, live by your faith; God is sovereign, trusting Him gives hope.

Judgment day is coming. God will deal with evil people. Everyone’s primary goal is to be faithful and discern what God is saying as you read His Word, applying it to your life.

Listen to Phil Wickham – Fear Has No Power (Official Lyric Video).

Habakkuk 1:5, “The LORD replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”

Habakkuk is a book in the Old Testament that has a theme of struggle and doubt, of God’s sovereign character, and our hope. During this time, there was persecution, fear, oppression, immorality, and lawlessness. Justice had seemed to disappear from the land. Habakkuk, who was a prophet, couldn’t understand why God seemed to do nothing about all the evil and moral wrongdoings. There had been a revival a few years previously under King Josiah. However, it did not affect the people on a deep level. “Habakkuk knew what it was like to live during a time of revival, and then to see God’s people and the nation slip into lethargy and sin.” Blue Letter Bible, David Guzik Commentary. Habakkuk had valid questions for God, asking why He didn’t do anything about it and was delaying judgment (Hab. 1:2-4). I see we have the same questions today in our time.

So why do you think God allows us to see immoral or grossly unfair behavior in others, as Habakkuk saw? One reason is for what we are warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” But by the grace of God go I, saying comes to mind. The other reason is for God to use us to share the gospel and seek others’ salvation. We need to persevere in our faith and make it a way of life.

God answers Habakkuk in verse 5. The purpose is to show how God is in complete control of the world, even when it seems that evil is triumphing; therefore, there is hope. God’s thoughts are higher than ours, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). God told Habakkuk that He would be astounded at what God would do. Don’t we wonder if God has forgotten us when we feel cornered and about to suffocate in a challenging situation, especially if it is unjust and out of our control? That is the point. God is sovereign, so He is in control, and He is just. That should give us hope.

God told the people in Jerusalem that they would be astonished and see some unbelievable events transpire. “God told Habakkuk that He was not indifferent to Judah’s sin; but rather than revival, he was sending the “dreaded and fearsome” judgment (v. 7). John MacArthur. God allowed their sinful desire to conquer Judah. If God had not allowed it, they would not have been able to conquer Judah and exile God’s people out of the Promised Land. This was the work God did, which He told Habakkuk, “For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you.” Then Egypt, which had been a world power, was crushed almost overnight.

Dear friend, wait on God’s timing. Don’t accuse God of being indifferent because He is not. Christ calls us to endure in our faith. God controls human history, forgives sin, and gives lasting peace to all that have accepted Christ as their Savior. Be ready for Christ’s return. “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13. This is our answer and gives us hope despite any circumstances. Be ready to be amazed! God is doing something you wouldn’t believe even in our day!

Listen to True Song – He Is Jesus (Official Lyric Video)

Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood – may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”

How do you become equipped to handle the many challenges in your life? Where do you go for answers? God declares in Isaiah 55:3, “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” God supplies divine provision for our needs, “equipping” us through His Word which teaches us what is wrong in our lives, correcting us, and instructing us to do what is right. As 2 Tim. 3:17 declares, “God uses it to prepare and equip the people to do every good work.”

Prayer is the second tool God uses to equip us. God greatly used the prayers for me by my mother, that helped mature and stimulated me to grow in Christ (1 Thess. 3:10). Is there someone you are praying for? Keep on keeping on as your prayers God hears and will use. Next, fellowship within the local church is also a tool God uses to equip us, as Ephe. 4:11-12 teaches where believers are cared for spiritually. The Holy Spirit has given each Christian spiritual gifts for building up the local body of Christ.

The third tool God uses to equip us is in trials. Our sufferings He uses to perfect us. “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10. Every trial will have an end. Yes, the pain may be intense, but cling to the promises of God such as this verse declares.

“What a difference it would make in our lives if we would turn Hebrews 13:20-21 into a personal prayer each day. “Lord, make me perfect in every good work to do thy will. Work in me that which is well-pleasing in thy sight. Do it through Jesus Christ and may he receive the glory.” Be Confident. Live By Faith, Not By Sight. Hebrews. Warren W. Wiersbe, page 181.

Remember, each day, God is working to make you into the person He wants you to be, the kind of person that pleases Him, so you can serve Him and be of benefit and help to others you encounter, being fully equipped with the needed tools to go in the right direction, even if you feel you are limping along. Jesus shed His blood (eternal covenant) for you on the cross providing complete forgiveness for your sin and complete victory over the Enemy if you are a genuine Christian. Ask the LORD to quiet your heart. Seek contentment in every situation. Have a humble heart. Hope in the LORD now and always (Ps. 131). No, you are not perfect, no one is. Keep moving in the direction of being more Christ-like as God works within you (2 Thess. 1:11). Now may the God of peace produce in you the changes He desires so you can be fully equipped to better serve Him and others for God’s glory.

Listen to TrueSong, All Things.

Psalm 131: 1-3, “LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for his mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD – now and always.” NLT.

Psalm 131 is extremely short yet powerful. I have recently been encouraged to read it in the morning, throughout the day, before going to bed at night, and before going into various situations with other people in life’s experiences. This Psalm needs to be read out loud.

David had learned true contentment. He reached a point in his life where the pressures to succeed no longer consumed him. “Failure and despair don’t haunt him. Anxiety isn’t spinning him into a free fall. Regrets don’t corrode his inner experience. He’s not stumbling through the minefield of blind longings and fears. He’s quiet.” Seeing With New Eyes, David Powlison, pages 75,76. David experienced a range of emotions, including pressure, joy, courage, and heartache, and faced threats to his life and betrayal from time to time. Yet, his faith and trust in his creator and great Shepherd brought him peace of mind, quietness, and a sense of tranquility. He was quiet before God, quietly waiting for God to speak. He was quietly submissive, whereas in times past he had been driven by pride and selfish ambition. His humble faith he describes as that of a weaned child, yet not old enough to care for themselves. Therefore, he had positive confidence in his “hope in the LORD – now and always.“

Pride often trips us up and steals our peace and joy—pride leads one to overvalue oneself and undervalue others. Romans 12:16 admonishes us to “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all.” The origin of feeling inferior to others is actually haughty pride, which leads one to say, “I’m right. I want to feel good about myself.” Isn’t that what the world tells us we should do? Did you realize that fear of rejection can lead to not treating others with mercy? Sins of envy, hate, grumbling, and criticism take root when you look down on others and judge them. David had conquered this, which we read in Psalm 131, and so must I.

David quieted himself, as Psalm 62:1 states, “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” Think about quieting your mind right now. Let it all go as you give each pressing item to the Lord that has kept you on edge. Let any failures go, committing them to the Lord as well. We all have regrets. Pray about everything. Philippians 4:7, which describes complete composure and a peaceful perspective which says, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” You don’t have to know it all.

When we experience a Holy Spirit-filled quietness within, we no longer need to prove ourselves to others because we are living to please Christ. Ask God to fill you with His perspectives. Serve God and others. Seek Jesus. Dying to irritable, fretful ways is a journey. It does not come easy. Being easy going in one’s personality or having low expectations or indifference is not the answer biblically. It requires resting and depending upon God’s promises and having contentment with God’s leading in our lives This self control mastery is learned by the grace of God.

Psalm 131 is radical. I wish I had known better the words of this Psalm when I was younger. It is a very short Psalm to read, yet the longest to learn. Quote it to yourself every day. Make it part of your conversations with God. Make it your model to strive for in battling pride, reject arrogance, and have quiet contentment before our great and mighty God. Grow where God has placed you. Do your best for God’s glory, trust in His justice and compassion, and leave the results with Him as you put your hope in the LORD.

Listen to Abide (Lyrics) ft. Aaron.

1 Peter 5:8-9, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

Lions are known as masters of stalking their prey by moving slowly and approaching at an angle to use their intensely strong bite force to sever the vertebrae in the neck. The female lions, lacking a mane and having an overall slimmer profile, can camouflage with their surroundings and take positions such as left, right, and center, when they hunt in a group. They give up and don’t waste their energy on unsuccessful pursuits, often giving up after one or two failed attempts. Yet they are inactive for about twenty hours a day, and their activity generally peaks after dusk. They attack victims who are alone or not alert in looking for another animal to devour. Keep this picture in your mind when you mistakenly feel all alone in your trial, are suffering or being persecuted. Seek other Christians for support and put in place James 4:7, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Peter wrote 1 Peter, possibly in Rome. Romans imported lions from Mesopotamia and North Africa, which were used in Roman amphitheaters. Later, lions became extinct in Italy and Western Europe. The point Peter is making is that when we are feeling alone and focused on our troubles, we forget to watch for danger and are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks, who “prowls around like a roaring lion.” Peter would say that he had been there, who had experienced great moments and great defeats. He knew the adversary was real and called him a roaring lion.

There is violence and turmoil all around us, which has been prophesied in the Bible. Jesus tells about His return in Luke 21:25-33. He says that nations will be in chaos. People will suffer anxiety due to uncertainty concerning the difficult situations they find themselves in. Division is all around us and is heightened by being manufactured by our media and governments. But we have God’s provisional promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

We need to be alert and have Christ’s perspective on every situation. Ask Him to give you His eyes and His wisdom in how to respond. Stand firm in your faith in Christ. Hold onto your integrity and put on Galatians 5:22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Which one do you need more of? I can name several for myself. These character traits are how we can become more like Jesus. We need more of that today. Remember our greatest weapon is Scripture, worshipping and praising our great Lord and Saviour, and prayer. “Since prayer binds Satan, he suddenly realizes his plan is backfiring and he flees.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament.

Prayer and worshipping and praising our LORD is what Jesus did. He didn’t run. Instead, He gave Satan a Bible study each time the devil came His way (Matt. 4:4-10). So, fight against discouragement, feeling defeated, and ineffective, by praying, worshipping Jesus, and giving Him praise. This is the greatest weapon we have that will backfire and remove the prowling lion, Satan, from us, because he will flee. Jesus told Peter, the one I find most relatable, to “Follow Me.” We must do the same. Continue to impact people for the kingdom.

Listen to MercyMe – Sing (Like You’ve Already Won)

1 Peter 5:6-7, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” NLT.

I recall my early days in the workforce, when I was preoccupied with recognition and status, constantly comparing myself to the more established and experienced sales reps on my team, wanting to be at the top. Others may be concerned about being complimented for their efforts and endeavors in other areas, just as I was concerned about my position and status, which increased by the way, when I started to pray, “make me of benefit.” But Peter advises and points out that God’s recognition of us is more important than human praise. Peter teaches that at the right time, in due time, God will lift us up in honor. But it requires us to be humble in God’s presence. The Amplified Bible states it this way, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time.” Humility is the key that unlocks the sin of a prideful self (1 Peter 5:5) as it declares, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Then we read in James 4:6, “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” When we act pridefully, we are acting self-centeredly and thinking we are superior. That is when we feel we deserve what we want. But God demands that we be obedient and humble before Him, and then He will see that we are honored in one way or another from our obedience, faith, and trust in Him to provide.

Besides the importance of humility, in 1 Peter 5:6-7, Peter also deals with worries and cares – anxiety. We all face daily stresses and struggles. Yet if we lived out our faith in the sovereignty of God and depend on Him to do what we cannot do for ourselves, all the while depending on Him to enable us to do what we need to do, this should be our prayer. God is holy, merciful, eternal, and is over all that exists in authority and power. Yet He gives us free will to make our own choices. Ephesians 1:11b states, “. . . according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” And Proverbs 16:4 declares, “The Lord works out everything to its proper end – even the wicked for a day of disaster.” God cares about you-1 Peter 5:7.

It all goes back to the heart, and what we need to “put off” and “put on” when it comes to worry and feeling anxious. Give it all to God. I find it helpful to write down my thoughts in a journal. Humility is needed in laying it at Jesus’s feet and committing it all to Him. Discouragement is Satan’s tool to divert our attention away from our great Shepherd. So, we need to “put off” worry, as Jesus said in Matthew 6:27, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Then “put on” trust as it says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you.” You might have to do that repeatedly as you pray. There is something bigger going on here as God is developing a deeper relationship within you as you pray due to that burden flooding over you again. Keep on keeping on being humble under the mighty power of God who will at the right time lift you up in honor. Keep casting your burden onto Him. Then it is in God’s hands for the outcome.

Listen to MercyMe – Oh Death (Official Music Video).

Mark 11:25, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Colossians 3:13, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

How do you react when you find yourself in a situation where you believe you are right, and another person is wrong? The person may be displaying domineering and dictating words. Maybe they are a manipulator, intimidator, and you were offended. You heard your own perspective in the offensive situation first, in being annoyed, right? It might have gone deeper and caused you to feel rejected. Fear and despair may have set in. But when you look up the word “offended” in almost any dictionary source, the definition always has to do with anger and resentment, which we know as Christians is wrong and sinful. So, can I get to the point and forfeit the right to be offended? It comes down to being obedient in putting off (Mark 11:25) having an unforgiving spirit and putting on (Col. 3:13) a forgiving spirit when seemingly hurtful and overly critical words are said to us. Jesus taught and warned us in Matthew 6:14, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” How would you say this speaks to being offended by someone? What are we entitled to? Can we choose not to be offendable? That seems like such a stretch sometimes.

Sinful and hurtful people hurled spiteful words at Jesus on the cross. Yet He never sinned and declared, “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. Jesus had compassion on the people responsible for His suffering and prayed for their forgiveness. Some believed and others remained living as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny was destruction and is a fact for all those who deny Christ. What lesson can we apply from this today?

Will I trust God to handle all my frustrations and quit rehearsing in my mind what that other person did or said to me, as Psalm 46:1 promises, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Then verse 11 commands, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Let God have the last word, as Brant Hansen, (Page 79) said in his book, “Un-Offendable” – “I’m not responsible for changing people’s lives. I’m responsible for faithfully loving them. As a believer, that means pointing them to a God who dearly wants them, and for whom I happen to know they yearn.” Forgive, as God’s mercy and grace have forgiven you. Pray for the salvation of those who have offended you and that the gospel will be heard, known, and understood by the working of the Holy Spirit.

So “put off” an unforgiving spirt and “put on” a forgiving spirit. Let God worry about the wrong you’ve suffered. God does not require a probationary period when He forgives us – remember that. Be renewed in God transforming (Rom. 12:1-2) your heart and mind into a new person that is being continually sanctified in becoming more like Christ. Let Christ fill the holes in your heart with love, and removing any vengeance and selfish pride. Seek to be a peacemaker, and when you pray remember the warning in Mark 11:25 and Colossians 3:13. May you too say, No more! No more being offended-release that burden. Let go of hurts, abandon grudges, resentments and anger, and forgive others. Replace your thoughts (recognize who they are coming from) with Biblical truths such as, God knows your name (Isaiah 43:1), Mark 11:25, and Colossians 3:13. Then say out loud, “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.” Ps. 119:98.

Listen to Mercy Me – Always Only Jesus (Official Live Video).

Romans 8:24-25, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

What comes to your mind when you think of the word “hope?” What are you hoping will happen this week? How will you respond if this doesn’t come to pass? No one is exempt from struggles and discouragements. This is life. Waiting for essential answers in circumstances such as seeking medical advice, facing financial need, waiting for the outcome of an exam, or dealing with a pressing need at work, in our family, or even with political outcomes, all involves having hope. I think of Jonah, who ran from God because he had no hope in the assignment that God had given him to do in ministering to the wicked and ungodly people in the city of Nineveh, that was the rising power of the day. So, he ended up having a lot of time to think while being swallowed by a great fish. It gave him time to reflect on God’s mercy, repentance, and compassion for all people, rather than wanting to die (Jonah 4:3). Similarly, it is the same for us when we are “in the wait” and patiently enduring the need for encouragement. Yet, if we remember what God has done for us in the past, we can be reassured and have greater confidence in trusting Him to do it again. That is our hope for what we cannot see as we wait patiently.

Paul teaches in Romans 15:4 that one can find hope and encouragement in the Scriptures. Have you found a verse or portion of Scripture that you go to see the “hope” that you need?

“Perfect endurance demands just that – perfection – and since none of us is there yet, we must look outside ourselves for hope. Your hope of enduring is not to be found in your character or strength, but in your Lord’s.” David Paul Tripp. It takes perseverance to rest on the promises of God, as found in His Word. It is by God’s grace of endurance granted to all in calling you what He calls you to be between right now and when you go to be with Him.

We have faced financial challenges, physical hardships, and employment fluctuations. During one of those heartbreaking instances, when I was in despair and felt loneliness, I found hope through God’s grace in my weakness, in Psalm 119:92, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” So my prayer then became, “Teach me Your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place.” That is the verse that God taught me to have hope in His Word to meet my needs, gave me the strength I needed, and that trials provide an opportunity to draw upon divine power because He is my shield. God met me in the midst of a specific situation and sustained me through it because of that biblical truth.

God’s Word makes us wise. But we have to apply the knowledge to transform our life in God’s way and perspective. Intelligent people are not necessarily wise. True wisdom comes from applying biblical truths found in God’s Word. For example, Ps. 119:98 states, “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.” You may want to write that verse down (NLT version) for easy reference. The Bible gives instruction, counsel, and guidance for every need we are waiting for answers to give us hope in what we do not know, see, or have. So then, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13.

Listen to Brandan Lake – The Great I Am Can (Lyric Video).