Author: Chuck Musselwhite

Renew Your Mind

The mind is one of your strongest muscles. Its learning capacity is untapped. As a human, you have a choice of what you want to put into those memory banks. That can be a challenge living in today’s world, where you are being bombarded with ungodly images. Paul shows you a way to renew your mind and, in the process, transform your life.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

A lot of Christians are more interested in the destiny that God has for them than they do the discipline required to reach that destiny. In verse one of Romans 12, Paul tells us that our greatest form of worship is to be a “living sacrifice.” That means we sacrifice our wants and desires to be a servant to whatever Jesus needs of us. He continues in verse two by telling us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we won’t be conformed to this world.

God is Patient With You

If you were put in your parents’ place and had to raise you, would you be more patient than your parents or less? The answer would probably be less in most cases. That’s because you know your inner-self and what your intentions are. God is patient with you even though he knows your thoughts and motives.

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Peter shows you three ways that God is patient with you. First, He knows the best timing to fulfill his promises. While you may think God is slow in working in your life, God sees it as giving you what you need when you need it. Most people act like impatient children and want everything now. God isn’t swayed by our whims but patiently waits until the time is right. Trust Him during this process.

Finding Refuge in the Lord

Touring old castles can give you a picture of God’s love and protection. Those castles have been around for centuries and provided shelter and protection to the multitudes. It endured battles and weathered storms yet remain. That is what David is talking about when he describes the protection God has given him. You can find refuge in the Lord as well when you turn to Jesus in times of trouble.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭144:2

“My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.”

David knew God as his protector. God had protected him as a young boy while he watched the sheep, as a young man while he was fleeing from Saul, and as an old man when he had to flee his son Absalom’s coup attempt. He saw God as his fortress that was steadfast and never wavered. Do you look at the Lord the same way? Do you recognize how God has protected you over your lifetime? When you see how He has been your shield that has delivered you repeatedly, it changes your perspective on life.

Taking a Break

Hey Everyone, This week I am taking a break from writing devotions as I take my summer vacation. I won’t be posting any new devotionals but I want to encourage you to subscribe to my Facebook page or Twitter account where it posts previous devotionals I have written in past years. The links to the…

A Wealth of Knowledge and Wisdom

Have you ever been in the same room with someone who is incredibly smart? How did it make you feel? Were you intimidated by their knowledge or fascinated by what they had to say? Some people feel this way with God. They are either overwhelmed by how great He is or exhilarated with the wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭11:33

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

Paul summarizes the immensity of God in these two statements. The depth of the knowledge and wisdom of God are too deep to plumb, and it is impossible to understand His ways. We don’t need to know the depth of His knowledge. All we need to know is that we will never reach the bottom, and it will never run out. If you ask for the wisdom of God, He will give you a double portion. Think about that for a second. The resources are infinite, and He gives you twice as much as you ask.

Rescued from Temptation

Old habits are hard to break. This is especially true when it comes to bad ones. The same can be said for our sin. We often repeat the same sins over and over again and really don’t have a clue how to break the cycle. Very few people possess the willpower to stop. Peter shows us another way to be rescued from temptation.

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:9

“then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”

In the previous verses leading up to this one, Peter states how God brought judgment on through the flood and on Sodom and Gomorrah, yet he rescued both Noah and Lot. If the Lord rescued them, then He knows how to rescue you from temptation. This is good news for those who struggle with daily temptation. Jesus can preserve you through the trial and strengthen you through the process. The real question then is, “Are you crying out to Jesus in your time of need?”

A Teachable Heart

Teachers have one of the most demanding jobs on the planet. I couldn’t imagine spending the whole day in a classroom with a group of students trying to keep their attention. King David had a teachable heart. He wanted to grow in his knowledge of the Word of God and was always asking to be shown the way. Do you have a teachable heart?

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143:8‬

“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.”

David wanted to wake up every morning with God on his mind. “Let me hear you lovingkindness in the morning.” It’s like saying, fill my heart with your love for today. He didn’t want to be bogged down with the day’s worries. Instead, he wanted to be lifted high above it all by receiving from the Lord. What a great example. David’s trust was where it should be, and he wanted that to lift his soul.

The Way to Salvation

I used to go to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa on Monday nights and listen to Greg Laurie teach a Bible study in college. There were always hundreds of people there. At the end of every sermon, he would give a salvation message. I can’t remember a night where less than fifty people walked down the…

Trust the Lord with Your Path

In the book “The Insanity of God” by Nik Ripken, he tells the story of going to Somalia during the civil war and dealing with land mines that had been placed by warring factions. It was dangerous to walk in the streets or fields for fear of setting one of these off. I couldn’t imagine fearing my children stepping on one of these by simply playing outside. King David knew what it was like to have traps set for him. He didn’t lose hope. Trust the Lord with Your Path

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭142:3‬

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.”

One of the most challenging aspects of being overwhelmed is not knowing what to do or where to go? David felt this when he said his spirit was overwhelmed. The walls of his world were crashing in, but he didn’t lose trust in the Lord. He knew that even though he was lost, God knew the path he was on. God had put him there and was guiding him in the direction he was supposed to go. If you are feeling overwhelmed and lost, don’t lose hope. God is with you, and He knows the path you are on. Trust Him and keep putting one in front of the other.

Clothe Yourself with Humility

It is getting tiresome watching all of the arrogant politicians, actors, and athletes spew their opinions and attitudes on the rest of us. These men and women who have achieved success in one area of their lives are often train wrecks in most other areas. Pride is a cancer that is destroying communities and churches all over the world. The Apostle Peter tells you to clothe yourself with humility.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:5

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

Peter has to address an issue that needs to be repeated today, submitting to authority. Too many young adults are disrespectful towards the leadership of this country and the church. Young people need to be subject to the elders. That means they purposely place themselves under the church leadership. With so many rebellious people in the church, that is a challenge for young Christians.