Developers create robots to be intelligent. We were created in God’s image and He is wise. We can pre-decide to let God to take our thoughts captive so they are obedient to Christ. When we let His word renew our mind and focus on things that are noble, right and pure, we will reap the Fruits of the Spirit.

Questions for further thought:
1. What would it look like if you decided to renew your mind by reading the Bible daily?
2. Who is someone you can ask to help keep you accountable?

Challenge: Look for a daily Bible reading plan and start today. There are many online plans or apps to choose from.

It’s in the middle of the race that it’s most difficult to think of anything but the pain here and now. Focusing on the struggle makes the race seem pointless, and a pointless race is very easy to give up on. The race you run now, however, is not pointless. Scripture says that finishing this race ends in a crown of life and a throne with Jesus. Keep the end of the race and the prize in sight. Realize the pain of the race is temporary, but the reward is infinite. 

Questions for further thought:
1. How often do you think on the “prize” at the end of the “race”? 
2. What causes you to start contemplating this “prize”?   

​Challenge: There are plenty of references to the “end of the race” in scripture. Spend some time looking for them! A good place to start is Revelation 21 and 22. Let the imagery wash over you as you contemplate what is to come. 

What a perfect example we have in Christ! He endured the mockery, beatings, and crucifixion as an example of complete obedience to God. Having been rewarded for such obedience, He stands as a beacon of hope to all those who believe in Him. And it gets even better! Those who emulate Christ’s endurance are themselves an example to a watching world. How Christians respond to struggles can say more to those who are watching than any words.    

Questions for further thought:
1. Who in your life is watching you as an example of Christianity? 
2. Think of role models you have. How do they emulate Christ as an example to you?

​Challenge: Pick one person who has the opportunity to watch how you act on the daily. This could be a kid, your coworker, or a friend. For the next few days keep tabs on what this person sees from you. How do you deal with frustration in front of them? What about good news?

The most important thing to remember when pushing through despair, suffering, and even the simple – powerful – tiredness that comes with everyday life is knowing you are not alone. Jesus understands how difficult perseverance really is, and He would not let those who follow Him do it without help. The Holy Spirit lives in you! Though the body is weak, the Spirit is alive and well! He will continue the “good work” in you until the very end.  

Questions for further thought:
1. Have you been living your life like you have the spirit of God inside you?
2. How does the Holy Spirit play into reflecting God? (Think back to Tuesday’s silver metaphor)  

​Challenge: Take some time today to pray with the Holy Spirit on your mind. Let all supplication fall away, just for today, and pray with all ears. Listen, for at least 10 minutes, and see what comes of it. 

Just as the writer(s) of Psalm 42 managed to praise in the midst of despair, so does Paul command the early Christians in Rome to rejoice in the midst of their sufferings. But more than simply jumping from praise to hope, Paul explains the journey one must take between the two. A journey that relies on the refining of one’s character. James compares this process to the testing of silver, where a silversmith would rid the metal of impurities till he could see his own reflection. As Christians, we must remember that the trials of this life are testing us as silver, and we eagerly await the day when the Silversmith can see His own reflection. 

Questions for further thought:
1. Paul and James both speak of perseverance. Why is perseverance used to understand character?
2. What must a Christian persevere in to become “mature and complete”?  

​Challenge: Look back on your own life and determine a period of time to examine. What were your praise habits in this time? How much did you reflect God in the beginning of this period compared to the end?

Despair is the enemy of endurance. The writer(s) of Psalm 42 certainly knew despair; most lines practically ring with it. However, the chorus of the psalm in lines five and eleven takes the running theme and flips it on its head. In the midst of despair hope shines through as the key to endurance. And what promotes this hope? Praise. When confusion and despair are weights on the soul, praise should be the Christian’s first response. And the hope that arises will only promote more praise. 

Questions for further thought:
1. How does praising God lead to hope in Him?
2. Why would hope lead to endurance?  

​Challenge: Write out the chorus of Psalm 42 and place it somewhere you will consistently notice. Good places could be next to your computer, on your dashboard, or the corner of your bathroom mirror. Let this mantra suffuse your life this week: “for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

In this passage, Abraham displays a level of trust and obedience that most of us can’t even fathom. How did he achieve such faithfulness? Abraham had learned over many years the good that happened when he obeyed God and the consequences of not trusting God. When he took matters into his own hands, he experienced conflict and strife. When he followed God’s lead, he experienced great blessings.  By the time God tested his faith, Abraham had pre-decided to trust God implicitly.

Questions for further thought:
1. What one thing are you afraid of God asking you to do?
2. Who can you ask to help you pre-decide to trust and obey God?  

​Challenge: Make a list of all the times you remember avoiding God’s way (doing things your way) and a list of the times you chose to trust God’s lead. Include the outcomes of each situation and reflect on the Lord’s provision and faithfulness in your life.

Joseph was a rule follower and in his culture at the time it would have been considered appropriate for him to divorce Mary when she was found to be pregnant (betrothal then was legally binding). He likely assumed she had committed adultery and could even have forced her to stand trial. But Joseph believed the angel’s message and obeyed God rather than what the rules of his culture demanded. 

Questions for further thought:
1. What conflicts exist currently between our culture and faithfully following Jesus?
2. How can you make sure you are truly obeying God and not just pursuing rebellion against culture?  

​Challenge: Pre-decide now how you will handle the potential conflicts you identified in question 2. Remember that Jesus boiled the most important commandments down to loving God and loving other people.

Each believer is blessed with at least one spiritual gift. We all also have a variety of talents, skills, and resources. God has placed us in specific families, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces – amongst certain people. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, Jesus wants us to do our best with what we have been given. There is a reward for those who serve Him faithfully!

Questions for further thought:
1. What have you “hid in the earth” that could be used to glorify God?
2. Where have you “invested” wisely and seen good returns on your efforts?  

​Challenge: Choose one gift, talent, skill, or resource that you possess to start using in service to Christ. You may only need a shift in perspective: seeing what you are already doing as for God rather than for the world. Or you may need to dig up something you’ve buried and start obeying God’s call.

Integrity is an important part of being a faithful follower of Christ. We can’t merely “be good” when someone in authority is watching. Jesus states in this passage that doing right with the little things leads us to being trusted with bigger responsibilities. Remember that how we behave with small temptations, when no one else is around, is a true testament to our real character. 

Questions for further thought:
1. What do you consider “little things” that tempt you to be less than honest?
2. What behavior would you label trustworthy? What would you call untrustworthy?  

​Challenge: We are all in different places in our journey to become more like Christ; the theological term for this is sanctification. The next time you hear the Holy Spirit whisper that what you’re about to do or say isn’t right, don’t ignore Him, even when it’s a “little thing.” Pre-decide to have integrity in everything.