We all know that our brain is the control center for our bodies. When a person’s brain is not functioning, they are declared as brain dead. They are legally dead because, without mechanical assistance, their body will no longer function. Everything starts in the mind. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus tells the crowd that they are to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind. There was nothing left out. For this devotional, our focus is on thinking and believing what is true.
Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
I believe the key to loving God this way is in the last phrase, “all our mind.” How we think determines how we act and what we say. It determines what is most important to us. We choose whether to think godly or worldly.
If godly thinking is the source of thinking right, then how do we do that? If we are to love God with all our minds, I think we would do well to dissect our thinking as it does in Philippians 4:8. The first thing we must determine is that we will focus on what is true.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
How do we determine the truth when so much is coming at us daily through the media? We measure it by God’s word. Satan is the author of lies, and he will use those lies on us if we let him. Many people struggle with the lies that Satan throws at them. They don’t recognize them as lies because they don’t know the Bible well enough to know His truth.
Many have bought the lie that God can’t forgive them. They feel they’ve done too much for God to forgive, or they don’t feel like they are forgiven. We must learn to trust God’s word, and if he says it, then that settles it. If you have repented of your sin, which means to turn away from it, then you are forgiven. Our feelings can’t be our base because our feelings can lead us wrong. We must take God at His word. In Titus 1:2, Paul assures us that if God makes a promise, He will keep it because it is impossible for Him to lie. If He says He will forgive, He will!
I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
Some struggle with their circumstances and think God does not see or care about their situation. Again, another lie from the old Tempter himself. God knows everything about us, and He cares. When the Israelites were in bondage as Egyptian slaves’ life was hard, but God was working on their behalf. The plan for their redemption was made before time began. God knew his people would rebel and seek to become more like the world they lived in. He knew their burdens would cause them to cry out to Him, and they would long to be rescued from slavery. He saw all, and He cared. Sometimes we are like the Israelites, we flirt with sin, we downplay it as no big deal, and we walk a little closer to the edge until we fall off and need to be rescued. God sees through all of this and is waiting for our return. He allows things to happen so we will return to Him, and He will have His rightful place in our lives. God has not changed, and He never will. He loved and knew you before the world was formed; that’s how big our God is! If He loved the Israelites that much, he certainly loves us that much.
Exodus 3:7 “And the Lord said I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”
When we don’t allow our minds to be controlled by the truth of God’s word, we will believe almost anything. Another area that many Christians struggle with is the idea that God doesn’t care about the little things of life. I find that we try to fix most things ourselves but run to God in prayer as a last resort. We have made ourselves believe that we don’t need him in parts of our lives. We just need Him when we have exhausted our resources. This couldn’t be further from the truth. He wants us to give all our life to Him, our good and bad times. God knows us perfectly, better than we know ourselves. In Luke 12:7, we are told God knows us so well he knows the number of hairs on our heads! He cares about everything in our lives, and Peter says to cast ALL our cares on Him. Nothing is too big or too small for God.
I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Luke 12:7 “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
We could go on and on about the lies that Satan tells us, and for every truth that God gives us, Satan has a lie. The key is knowing God and learning His word. He made us for himself, and we are no accident. He intentionally made you and me for fellowship with Him.
Psalm 139:13-14 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
The truth! I am His, and He is mine. By His great power, He created me and all that is good. He loves me and gave His Son to redeem me back to Himself. All that I need is found in Him, and He will never leave me or forsake me. I am to believe His word and not trust or be guided by my feelings. My feelings can lead me wrong, but His word never will. Purpose in your heart and mind today that you will think the truth!
John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
