The Refresh Button

​The refresh button is an important one.  It replaces old information with new, updated information. It takes irrelevant ideas and concepts and dismisses them for new ideas.  In a world full of distractions, irrelevant information, and drama always knocking on our doors it is important for believers to learn how to hit the refresh button.  How does a believer hit the refresh button?  For some it is their daily devotion and prayer time, for others it is a wake-up call brought on by a trial. For me, the need for a refresh comes when I find myself too consumed in worldly thinking and having little concern for eternal things. 

This past week some key political decisions were made and the temptation is to look at the unjust nature of the decisions.  This reality exists: some will benefit but others will not.  My mind immediately goes to the fact that I will not be one of those beneficiaries.  Instead of being excited for those who are, I found myself moping or upset with a system that did not benefit me.  Divisiveness is an instrument that the Devil uses to compromise our eternal thinking and get us to think about ourselves, or negatively towards others.  After hitting the spiritual refresh button I was able to refocus on things that matter. Instead of having unsettled thoughts in my mind about someone’s political decisions I am reminded of the gratitude I should have for a debt that has been paid for me that I could never repay and certainly didn’t deserve: my salvation. 

The Devil is setting traps for believers to distract and discourage us.  Are you getting caught in them?  Find a verse that speaks to the snare you are most frequently caught in.  Is it lust?  Find a verse that addresses the purity of mind.  Is it fear or anxiousness?  Find verses that address these snares so that you can put up warnings to not be trapped by them again.  Hit the refresh button!  Have the renewed mind that the Apostle Paul talks about in Romans.  Hold every thought captive like he talks about in 2 Corinthians.  I am ready for some great victories to be won in the hearts and minds of believers. Let’s start hitting the spiritual refresh button and keep the Devil from distracting and dividing the household of God. 
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After checking in with your own mind, do you see someone else who is distracted?  Or do you have another believer trying to drag you into a debate about something that is out of your control?  Help them hit the refresh button as well.  Don’t be harsh, pursue eternal things with them.
 
-Pastor Paul Mollett