Reset

     "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."  Eph. 4:23.  We are continually needing a renewal of our minds.  Many times improper thoughts, corrupt attitudes and wrong perspectives get added into our thinking that need to be cleaned out.  Our minds are somewhat like a computer.  The computer has a reset button that can restore the computer back to its default settings.  This reset button is used when you want to clean out your computer from added information you don't want anymore, and from corrupt files that destroy the computer's ability to function properly.  We are now in a time where it seems like God is wanting to reset His church.  He is dealing with our perspectives and priorities, and showing us once again what is important in life.  We have been dealing with the coronavirus, which has required people all over the world to stay home, and to maintain physical distance.  This is a time when people's perspectives are changing, and we are reevaluating our lives.  The heroes of our world have changed from sports celebrities and Hollywood, to the people who are caring for us and providing the essential services we need.
     How do I reset my life before God?  I want to suggest 4 ways.  First, there needs to be repentance in our hearts.  Repentance is a change of direction, a change in thinking.  "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" were the first words from John the Baptist and from Jesus.  Matt. 3:3; 4:17.  True change can only come through repentance.  It is the acknowledgement that I need forgiveness, and that I have been going to wrong direction.  It is David's prayer of Ps. 139:23,24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  It is the forgiveness of 1 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." 
     This leads to the second thing, which is humility.  Humility cries out for help.  The humble heart realizes he cannot do it on his own, that he needs God's help in his life.  The prophet Joel called the people to return to the Lord.  They had gone after their own ways, and were now being overcome by their enemy.  Humility says to God, "I need you, and I will follow You and trust You."
   The third thing for a reset in our lives is love.  To love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength is the first and greatest commandment.  To truly love our neighbor is the next commandment that we must follow.  Only God can give us a heart of love for our neighbors that really cares and reaches out to those around us.  This heart of love is one that is being cleansed of all bitterness, and anger, and unforgiveness toward others. 
      These things lead us to a place of unity.  "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Ps. 133:1.  Unity expresses a real appreciation of others. It cares about others, and walks together.  "How can two walk together unless they are agreed?"  Even for two people to take a walk it requires unity.  God wants us to walk together in unity with one another. 
     We can have a reset of our spiritual life through repentance, humility, love and unity. 

Overcoming Deception

As Joshua and the children of Israel began to enter into the Promised Land, they soon were met with deception!  The people of the town of Gibeon had heard how Israel had conquered Jericho and Ai, and were coming to conquer all the land.  The Gibeonites worked craftily to appear as though they had come from a far country.  They had old sacks on their donkeys, and old wineskins, old sandals, old garments and bread that was dry and moldy.  They came asking to make a covenant with Joshua and Israel. Josh. 9:14 is a key verse, "Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord."  Joshua made peace with them and entered into a covenant with them to let them live.  Then about 3 days later it was discovered that none of what was told them was true, but that they were their neighbors.  Even the great leader Joshua was deceived by them.  Jesus said that in the last days there will be false Christs and false prophets showing great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, the elect, Matt. 24:24.  Deception will be the mark of the last days.  Rev. 12:9 says the devil who deceives the whole world was cast to the earth.  From the beginning, satan relied on deception to do his work.  He deceived Eve in Gen. 3, lying to her about what God had said.  Then Paul referred to this in 2 Cor. 11:3, "But I fear, lest somehow, as he serpent deceived Eve, by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  How can we walk without being deceived?  God has given us His word to free us from deception!  "...If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  John 8:31,32.  There are many scams and fraudulent schemes going around today.  When you get a phone call from someone threatening you, and you know it's a scam, you don't have to be afraid.  The truth sets you free from fear and from being deceived.  God has given us the Spirit of Truth, to lead us and guide us into all truth.  The truth is the belt of our armor, which Paul tells us to put on in Eph. 6.  Jesus always leads us into truth, for He is the way, the truth and the life.  His voice always leads us into truth.  We can trust Him completely.  John 10 tells us that the sheep do not follow a stranger, for they do not know the voice of strangers.  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."  In a world full of voices, it is essential that we hear the Father's voice, and keep our minds from being filled with the voice of strangers.  Today, take some time to meditate on the Scriptures, and pray that you may be guided by the Father's voice, and not the voice of a stranger. 

Finding Purpose

Many people find difficulty in finding their purpose in life.  It is often difficult for people to put into words what they feel God's purpose is for their lives.  The life of Moses gives us an amazing example of God working out His purpose.  The life of Moses can be roughly divided into 3 parts.  His first 40 years were spent in Pharoah's palace, being taught by his mother and the Pharoah.  His next 40 years were spent out in the desert herding flocks.  He was married there and had 2 children.  He is most well known for his last 40 years which started when he was 80 years old!  Had we been able to ask him what God's purpose for his life was during his first 80 years, he would not have known the answer.  God's purpose took time to unfold and be revealed.  It is very encouraging that God called him to deliver the children of Israel at 80 years old!  May the last third of our lives be the most fruitful!  God may call you to do surprising and wonderful things in the last years of your life.  This is not a time to sit back and do nothing, but to stay attentive to the voice of God, and hear a fresh word from God for the purpose of your life.  As long as you are here on planet earth, there is a purpose for your life. 
In 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Paul likens the Christian life to a race.  In a race there is a goal you are trying to reach.  If there is no goal you don't have a race.  The goal brings focus to the runners.  They know what they are trying to achieve.  The goal brings motivation, because they have something to strive towards.  The goal brings discipline, because the runners know they cannot win without disciplining their lives.  The Christian life needs to have goals.  It needs to find purpose which will bring focus and motivation and discipline.  Purpose determines your course and directs you away from distractions.  It keeps you on course through the hard times, and times when you feel like quitting.  Purpose motivates you to get up each day and work toward achieving the goal. 
I made a list of goals for my own life that have brought purpose and motivation for me:
1. To have eternal life.  More than anything, I want my name to be written in the Book of Life.  This happened the day I accepted Jesus into my life as Lord and Savior.
2. To follow Jesus.  Jesus said that if anyone will come after Him, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Him.  It is my purpose to follow Jesus for my entire life.
3. To love my wife.  "Husbands love your wives, as Christ also loved the church."  It is my purpose to love my wife and be a godly husband.
4. To bring up my children (and now grandchildren) in the Lord.  It has been my purpose to bring up my children in the Lord, and live a life that is a good example for them to follow.
5. To be in fellowship with the church.  As a part of the body of Christ, I cannot fulfill my purpose alone.  It is my purpose to always be in fellowship with the body of Christ.
6. To provide for my family.  "For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."  Both spiritually and physically I want to be a good provider for my family.
7. To use my gifts and abilities.  "Having then gifts differing...let us use them."  I want to use every ability I have to glorify God and to reach out for the kingdom of God.
May you find God's purpose for your life as you seek to follow Jesus every day!