Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
There is a war going on, but I'm not talking about the one that's happening overseas. No, I'm talking about a real spiritual war. That battlefield is taking place right inside your very own mind—yours, mine, and ours. In this battle, we could be tempted to become distracted by things that really aren't of the utmost importance.
If you want to know how you win this war, then today's Verse of the Day is precisely how we can be equipped as believers. I'm so grateful that Paul, even while sitting in a prison cell, could have the wherewithal to communicate to the Philippians.
Today's Verse of the Day comes from Philippians chapter 4, verse 8. Paul writes, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
How Do You Start Your Day?
That's a whole mouthful for us as to how we approach the day. I want you to think about something. If you were to fix your mind on the things of this verse from the very beginning and onset of your day, how different would your life look?
Because right now, if we're honest—you and I, we're having an honest conversation—is the first thing on your mind when you wake up God? Is it His Scripture? Is it His Word? Is it His presence? Or is the first thing we often do: roll over, turn off the phone alarm, open up the phone, start clicking applications, start receiving notifications?
Our Days Are Lost Before We Get Started
When we approach the world this way, our days are often lost before we get started, because you've gotten 37 notifications of all the ills that are happening in the world, all of the pain, all of the trauma. People sending you messages, people making requests, being stretched 100 different ways—all before 9 a.m. Now your mind is on everything other than what it should be.
We wonder why we live in a perpetual state of overwhelm.
That's not what God desires for His children. He desires greater for us. That's why Paul wrote this. That's how he could take comfort in saying, "How do you think he was able to survive and not only survive, but thrive and even write God's Holy Word from inside of prison walls?" Because he understood that we must guard our minds and our hearts in order to win this battle that the enemy is attacking.
The Word "Fix"
Here’s what I'm saying to you: the Scripture is very clear, and it begins with the word "fix." Fix your thoughts. What does the word "fix" mean? It means there's some correction that probably needs to be made.
If we start feeling overwhelmed, if we start feeling like we're going through things, if things are a little too heavy, He's saying, how about we fix our minds and our thoughts on what is true?
What Is True?
What is true? Is it what they told you? Is it what the people say? Is it what you read on Facebook—is that true? Or is what He said true? His Word is true. God will never lie. He is the truth. His Word is the truth. Fix your mind on that.
What is right and pure, what is lovely and admirable? Think about the things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Think about God and His things.
We Focus on the Lies of the Enemy
Sometimes the reason we're so heavy and we become so vulnerable and so overwhelmed is because we focus on the lies of the enemy. We focus on the lies that are being fed to us, rather than staying focused on God and His Word, His promises, His truth.
Because I can guarantee you, if you'll shift your thoughts away from the notifications and the phone and the news and the television and all the things that you're hearing and focus on His Word, your heart will be renewed, your mind will be refreshed, your spirit and your soul will be glad and you will win this battle.
Be Intentional This Week
This week, be intentional with the time that you spend with Him. Be intentional with the time that you set aside to fix and set your mind on God, His plan, and His promises for your life.
