(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Eat the Frog – LISTEN HERE)

Why would Mark Twain encourage us to, if we had to, eat a live frog first thing in the day?

When there is a task we are not particularly eager to do or it is a task that brings a bit of extra stress to it, we tend to procrastinate.  We think about it.  Ruminate on it, or just stress about it, until the event is over.

So instead of spending the day procrastinating, stressing or being paralyzed by what you don’t want to do, get it done right away and free up your heart, your mind, and your activities to move on.

How many times do you spend your day, or a good portion of it worrying about something that may happen?  How much of our days is thinking about what someone else said or did and what that says about you?  How much of your day is wasted activity that is simply “being busy” so you don’t have to do what you are dreading to do?

Not that putting God’s kingdom first should be a drudgery or in anyway be a negative to our day, but there is a reality that putting God first in our lives does…it frees up the rest of the day to be free of worry, stress and be filled with noble thoughts and godly activity.

Putting God at the beginning of your day allows you to be ready for the spiritual battles of the day.  Satan is working hard to win the battle for your heart, your soul, your mind and your actions.  He is not going to give in or give up!

So what do we need to begin our day to win this daily spiritual battle?

First, allow God to ground your heart in his love.

Satan loves to lead our hearts to chase after things of this world and seek love from someone or something that, truthfully, will always let you down.  We pursue relationships to find acceptance.  We pursue worldly wealth to find security.  We seek affirmation from social media.

It may last for a minute or two, but will leave you worried, uncertain and confused.

So Jesus wants to fill our hearts with his love.  Before we even start our day, he would love to ground your heart in his love.  The Apostle Paul put it this way.

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Second,  set your mind with the truth of God!

There is a daily battle for our minds.  Media, social media, news, reels, radio and more put thoughts in our minds that seem harmless.  However, they are affecting our psyche and allowing impure thoughts to begin to carve their pathways into our minds.  The battle for our minds must be won as well?  Would it not make sense that the Lord would want to fill your mind with noble and praiseworthy thoughts?  Would it not make sense to do just the opposite?  

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Apply: What changes today when you remind yourself you are a loved, forgiven child of God and realize you don’t have to find love somewhere else, but can have peace knowing your are loved?   What changes when you allow the thoughts of God found in his Word to flow through your mind?  What is pure, lovely or admirable?  

Prayer: Lord fill my heart with your love and my mind with your thoughts today.  AMEN.