Are you out of your earthly mind?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
(2 Corinthians 5:13 (NIV))

Have you ever heard the expression, “They’re out of their ever loving mind.”?

Perhaps you prefer saying something like one of the following. One fry short of a happy meal. The elevator doesn’t go all the way up. He has a few loose screws. Or, he doesn’t have the sense that God gave him. But, no matter how you say it, the implications are that the person in question is crazy or even stupid.

If you profess a faith in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then this is exactly how the world sees you! The world even calls us uneducated and ignorant. What is so ironically funny is that there are many believers who are just as educated according to worldly standards as those who make these claims.

Where do you claim to belong in this attack on the sanity of those who profess a faith in Jesus?

I don’t know about you, but I love the words that Joshua spoke.

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
(Joshua 24:15 (NIV))

I don’t care what the world thinks of me, for this world is not my home. I have been, and will continue to do what I am called to do to share my faith. At this present moment in time, the world thinks that they are right, but the Lord is patient. We must continue to be out of our minds in hopes of sharing the truth of the Gospel with those who are in need of a Savior before it is too late.

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
     in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
     to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV))

We can profess Jesus now and be saved, or we can profess Jesus is Lord when it is too late. I don’t know about you, but waiting until it is too late is the epitome of being out of your mind, but sadly, that is how the world thinks.

With that in mind, I have but one more question for you to consider.

Are you out of your earthly mind?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Have you placed your sinful past at the foot of the cross!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV))

Do you like living in the past?

Would you like to go back and relive your life?

I realize that we all have the proverbial “what if” moments when we stop to reflect, but how many of us truly wish to go back and live through the things that we now try to put behind us? If we truly have left something behind, why do we wish to revisit it? If we truly have put our sinful past behind us, why would we wish to revert back to our sinful, fallen nature and the consequences of that sin, especially since we have the glorious promise of grace and mercy that was freely given to us through the cross?

When you complete elementary school, do you wish to go back to kindergarten? When you complete college, do you wish to go back to elementary school? Then, why do so many people, upon professing a faith in Jesus, return to their sin? Sadly, we are creatures of habit. We had become comfortable with our sin. We had become addicted to our sin, and that addiction draws us. Even if we don’t respond, it nags us. It tempts us. It reminds us of our past.

It makes us think that we are unworthy of the mercy and grace that we have been given!

To be honest with you, we are unworthy. However, we have a Father who loves us and His love is greater than all of our sin. He provided a way for us to be redeemed. Not of our doing, but of His doing!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
(John 3:16-17 (NIV))

With this in mind, I wish to remind you of a saying that when the devil reminds you of your past, you are to remind him of his future. You are to boldly profess that you have been washed by the blood of the lamb and that your garments have been made white as snow. He no longer sees your sins. He sees righteousness inherited because of your faith in Jesus.

Your sins have been removed because of His great love.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
     so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
     so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
(Psalm 103:11-12 (NIV))

Have you placed your sinful past at the foot of the cross!

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org
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What’s on your mind?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
(Romans 8:6-7 (NIV))

Two very distinct examples of what awaits us if we continue to let the flesh rule our minds.

We are told in Galatians what we face, what we will see as the characteristics of the mind governed by the flesh, and they are not pretty.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV))

Do you see these characteristics in your life?

If so, what does that say about the things that control your mind? What does that say about the actions that we must take?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV))

When we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we have accepted the grace that is freely given, but we have also accepted the fact that our lives are not supposed to be the same as before we accepted Jesus. We are to relinquish the things of this world, the things of the flesh, and focus on the things of God. We are to strive, with His help, to replace the acts of the flesh with things of the Spirit. We are to bear good fruit according to His purpose.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV))

We are to make a daily decision to have our minds governed by the fruit of the Spirit.

I realize that we are born sinners and that we live in a sinful, fallen world, but the decision is ours. We have been told that we will face troubles in this world, but we are to focus on Jesus, for He has overcome the world. We are to fill our minds with things of God and not things of this world. You will be surprised at what can and will happen in your life when this becomes your priority. It all starts with what you think about!

What’s on your mind?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Everything hinges on one important word!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9 (NIV))

IF . . .

Two little letters that far too many people simply overlook.

If you have ever done any programming or have ever created a formula in a spreadsheet, you may be familiar with an IF > THEN statement. In essence, IF something happens, THEN something else can be expected. In all honesty, this concept makes perfect sense, but why do so many people bypass the IF and still expect the THEN?

IF you work hard, THEN you will be rewarded. Too many people want the reward without the work.

IF you get good grades, THEN you can do anything that you put your mind to. Too many people want the end result without the commitment required to get there.

IF you show compassion, THEN you will be shown compassion. Too many people still have a double standard when it comes to what they do and what they expect others to do for them.

IF you confess your sins, THEN . . .

IF you profess a faith in Jesus, THEN . . .

What do you expect for the THEN when you think of these two IF statements?

Even the passage that nonbelievers know contains an IF > THEN statement. You have to look closely, but it is there!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16 (NIV))

IF you believe in Jesus, THEN you shall not perish but have eternal life.

Society has adopted a false Gospel. They have left off the IF and gone straight to the THEN where everyone is saved because God is love. It is our responsibility as believers to share the Gospel in its true form. We are to make disciples and teach them correctly. We are to show people the importance of two little letters.

Everything hinges on one important word!

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Is it worth forfeiting your soul for it?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
(Mark 8:36 (NIV))

What do you possess that has the most value to you?

Does your answer reflect a worldly point of view or an eternal, spiritual point of view?

I hate to say this, but each of us, even those who profess a faith in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, still have worldly things that we desire. Even if it is as simple as desiring enough to live off of, this is a worldly desire and a worldly focus. We forget what Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him to teach them how to pray.

Give us each day our daily bread.
(Luke 11:3 (NIV)

I do want to clarify that desiring enough to live off of versus desiring riches are far apart. With that said, back to my original question. What do you possess that has the most value to you? Are you so focused on your bank accounts, your homes, and your cars that you have completely neglected your spiritual soul? To put it another way, there is a saying that we are not physical beings with a soul, but rather, we are eternal beings with a temporary, physical body. How you see yourself will determine what you desire to gain.

The passage in Mark is not the only passage that tells us to not focus on the world!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV))

What is it that you treasure? If it is not the things of God, I have one important question to ask you. Be truthful with your answer. Your eternity depends upon it!

Is it worth forfeiting your soul for it?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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We must always focus on Jesus!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(Romans 12:12 (NIV))

This would be so much easier to accept if it had a few less words.

Be joyful, patient and faithful!

Be honest with yourself. Doesn’t this sound so much better and easier, especially when you consider that it is human nature to take the easy way in all things?

But, we are told that following Jesus will not be easy. If you have made that profession of faith, you have accepted the fact that we will face persecution.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
(John 15:18-20 (NIV))

We are to be joyful in hope, for our hope is in Jesus!

We are to be patient in affliction, for the affliction comes from the sinful, fallen world that hates Him and our faith in Him.

We are to be faithful in prayer, for our prayers keep us focused on Jesus and what He desires in our lives and in this world.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
(James 5:16b (NIV))

Following Jesus is not an easy thing to do. The modern church espouses a faith that has lost its power. It espouses a faith that has been changed by the world instead of changing the world. We are called to change the world by sharing the Gospel with all whom we encounter. Are you afraid of what the world will send back your way? What if Paul ran from affliction? What if he had lost hope in Jesus? What if he never prayed?

Think about that!

What if the man whom the Lord sent to share the Gospel with the Gentiles cowered in fear? Where would your faith be today? We must remind ourselves of what the Disciples knew.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
(1 John 4:4 (NIV))

We must always focus on Jesus!

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you recognize His Lordship?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
     the world, and all who live in it;
(Psalms 24:1 (NIV))

What do you see when you take a look at everything that is going on in this world?

Contrary to what society claims, we are not in control. Contrary to what our politicians claim, they are not in control. Contrary to what the media thinks, they are not in control. Contrary to what the 1% believe, they are not in control. Contrary to what the enemy believes, he is not in control.

God is still sovereign!

It may seem as if things are falling apart, but in all honesty, they are actually falling perfectly into place to fulfill God’s plans as foretold by the prophets. Our only part in this is to decide which side we choose to be on. We can continue to live in our sin and suffer the consequences.

For the wages of sin is death,
(Romans 12:23a (NIV))

Or we can choose to repent and give our lives to the Lord.

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 12:23b (NIV))

The choice is ours and ours alone. Being raised in church doesn’t do it. Being a good person doesn’t do it. Being the child of a believer doesn’t do it. Each person must make the decision for themselves. Each person must decide just who they belong to.

Who do you belong to?

Do you recognize His Lordship?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Choose only one thing, and His name is Jesus!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:41-42 (NIV))

With all that is going on in the world, have you chosen what is better?

It is human nature to worry. Each of us does it whether we like to admit it, and each of us has a nervous habit that we do when we worry. It appears that Martha was worried about what people, about what Jesus, would think of her if she didn’t fulfill her role as host. She was worried about how society would perceive her. It appears that her nervous habit was an extension of what she worried about. It was a frantically paced attempt to make sure that everything was in order. I honestly believe that she possessed the personality trait where she would be the one to clean the house before the maid arrived. I am sure that you know someone like that. They worry about the least little detail because they think that others will pay attention to these little details. They are afraid of being judged, and as a result, they place anything and everything as a priority and completely ignore what is really important.

They simply cannot let go!

Are you able to let go?

Is there anything in your life that you worry about? Is there anything in your life that you need to let go of? Are you worried about the state of the world? Is that what you need to let go of?

As believers in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, there is one thing that we must remember. There is one thing that we need to cling to instead of worrying about the things that we cannot do anything about. We need to remember that Jesus has overcome the world!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 (NIV))

If we have placed our faith in Jesus, and we have learned to fully rely on the fact that Jesus has overcome the world, why would we worry about anything? Why do we allow the things of this world to upset us if we know that we are being held in the loving arms of the Lord? Why do we attempt to clean up before the proverbial maid arrives?

We have made a choice when we choose to follow Jesus. We also have a choice just like Martha and Mary each day of our lives after we choose to follow Jesus. We know that both women loved Jesus, but Martha still chose to worry. She chose the busyness of the world when the giver of ultimate peace was right in front of her. We must choose to not be like Martha! We must choose wisely.

Choose only one thing, and His name is Jesus!

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Why are you still stumbling in the darkness?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(John 8:12 (NIV))

Now is not the time to be living your life walking in the darkness!

What happens when you walk in darkness in the physical world?

You trip, stumble, fall and get injured!

What happens when you walk in spiritual darkness?

We know that spiritual darkness is sin. We now that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We know that the wages of sin is death. Do I need to go any further with this, especially with all that we see going on in the world?

Each of us has a choice to make. We can continue to walk in our sin, in our darkness, or we can repent and follow Jesus who is the bringer of light. Don’t wait until it is too late! The darkness makes you stumble and fall, and you never know just what will happen to you in the darkness. Too many people never make it out. They die in their sin. They never accepted the free offer of mercy and grace that would have lifted them out of darkness into His glorious light. If you haven’t accepted this offer of amazing grace, I have but one question for you.

Why are you still stumbling in the darkness?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Are you offering the gift of mercy and grace that is only found in Jesus?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
(Ezekiel 3:18 (NIV))

What do you think of when you see wickedness in the world?

Do you succumb to human nature and find yourself thinking that these wicked people will get what they deserve?

How does that attitude fit our basic job description that was given to us by Jesus?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV))

Have you ever stopped to consider that these words from Jesus are His instructions to us to say “You will surely die” to a wicked person?

Think about that for a moment with respect to your salvation. What if no one ever told you what Jesus is asking you now to tell others? Where would that leave you? Wouldn’t you want to be told that you would die, but there is a way to escape this death? Wouldn’t you want to know that you have fallen short of what is expected of you?

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(Romans 3:23 (NIV))

Wouldn’t you want to know the consequences of this short coming, as well as the fact that God has already set things in motion to offer you grace?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:23 (NIV))

Wouldn’t you want to know that God has set a perfect plan in motion to redeem you from these consequences and that it is a free gift of grace only available through accepting His Son, Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
(Romans 8:1 (NIV))

After reading all of this, we must go back to what was presented in Ezekiel. We are told that if we do not warn them, if we do not share that repentance and grace can be theirs, then we will be held accountable. With that said, salvation is not only for you and I. It is a gift that is to be continually given through the testimonies of those who have already received.

Are you warning others of what is to come?

Are you offering the gift of mercy and grace that is only found in Jesus?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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