Week of March 1, 2026
I AM MY MIND
Monday | March 2
Read: Romans 12:1-2
Devotion: When it comes to a bacon and egg breakfast, the hen contributes, but the pig commits. In Romans, Paul is telling us we need to be the pig. We need to be totally committed to God, period. With the constant bombardment from TV and social media, it is becoming increasingly harder not to get swept up in all the hype and drama that comes at us 24/7, but that is exactly what Satan wants. He knows how easily anger and hatred can be stirred, so we need to understand our emotions and think logically.
It is not an easy task with so many persuasive arguments and marketing schemes coming at us, but being a Christian means we must sift through all the worldly rhetoric to decipher the truth. And then we act accordingly, even if it means we will be in the minority and vilified by others. Listen to God, not the world, so you can be assured you are doing His work.
Reflect: How do you renew your mind? Why do you think this qualifies as worship?
Pray: Dear God, help us to remember that we may be in this world, but we are not of this world. Keep us committed to you and the work you want us to do for your Kingdom. Amen.
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Tuesday | March 3
Read: Psalm 51:6-10
Devotion: King David – “a man after God’s own heart” gave in to the influences of this world. He gazed too long on the beauty of Bathsheba. As the King, he felt entitled to take her for his own and then proceeded to have her husband killed. I, a child who grew up in a Christian home, gave in to peer pressure and disobeyed my parents. I stayed out too late, used bad language, and lived a self-centered life.
David and I were both stuck, our minds fixed on ourselves. Then God spoke and showed us in unique ways that our lives were on the wrong track. David gave us these words by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Purge me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow…Hide your face from my sin…Create in me a clean heart…” In other words – Lord, change my heart, help my mind to delight in serving you instead of myself. Help me to find joy in walking your path.
Jesus is calling you to search your heart and purge anything that is pulling you away from the goodness, compassion, and kindness of Jesus. Read the words of Psalm 51 and allow God’s cleansing power wash over you.
Reflect: How has self-centeredness pulled you away from a clean heart before God?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me, wash me clean, and restore your Holy Spirit and the joy of knowing you. Amen.
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Wednesday | March 4
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
Devotion: Have you ever spent enough time with someone that it feels like you can read their mind? Maybe this person is a spouse, family member, or close friend. It can be a joy-filled experience to know and be known so well. However, they never truly know what is going on in your mind unless you share that part of yourself with them. When that sharing includes secrets, insecurities, and vulnerabilities you may carry, it can feel as if you’re sharing part of your soul with them. To trust someone else with your most valuable thoughts is an intimate experience.
In 1 Corinthians 2:15-16, Paul describes Christians as having the mind of Christ. In context, Paul is saying that God has given us His Spirit, and we can know His heart and mind, unlike those who do not have the Spirit of God. To know God is to trust Him. To know God is to chase after His heart. To know God is to want to gain understanding of His Word. To know God is to understand that love, grace, and mercy abound, despite our flaws.
The mind of Christ, given to us through faith, fundamentally reshapes our self-understanding. It positions us to love God and love our neighbors as our first priorities. By living out these values, we see how our hearts and identities align with God more and more every day.
Reflect: What actions can you take to reflect the mind of Christ to others today?
Pray: Heavenly Father, align my thoughts and actions with your will. Let me be a reflection of your love in all I do today. Amen.
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Thursday | March 5
Read: Philippians 1:9-10
Devotion: Charlotte yells, “That’s mine! I had it first!”
Phoebe screams back, “You’ve had it too long! We’re supposed to take turns. That’s the Jesus way.”
Teacher calmly intervenes, “OK, you two. Head to the Talk-It-Over Chairs until you can get this sorted out. You both know where those chairs are and what to do. Have a problem with a friend? Talk-it-over. It will end.’”
This was a typical occurrence in the Lutheran Kindergarten class I taught in the 1980’s. The students learned to try to behave as Jesus would. That meant taking turns, being kind, and talking through disagreements. As their Kindergarten teacher, I prayed for them. I thanked God for the opportunity to guide these fledglings in the faith into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Paul was not trying to settle any disputes in Philippi. He wrote this letter as a kind of thank-you note to the Philippians and to let them know he was praying for them. Paul wanted them to know how thankful he was for them and how he wanted their love to grow.
We, as Christ-followers, can thank God for placing people in our lives whom we can pray for. Just as Paul did, we can pray that His love abounds in them and that they learn to express it more deeply. We can pray that they learn to make the right choices as they deepen their relationship with Jesus.
Reflect: Who has God placed in your life that would benefit from this prayer?
Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for placing people in our lives for whom we can pray. May all people abound in love, and grow in knowledge, and discernment. In Your name we pray. Amen.
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Friday | March 6
Read: Philippians 3:3-9
Devotion: Paul gives us a list of reasons he could have had a really good standing among the Jews of his day. This was quite the pedigree. Here were his reasons:
• Circumcised on the eighth day
• Of the people of Israel
• Of the tribe of Benjamin
• Hebrew of Hebrews
• As to the law, a Pharisee
• As for zeal, persecutor of the church
• As for righteousness, blameless under the law
I could make a list of why I could have a really good standing among the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, people of my day. Bear with me as I check off my pride boxes:
• Baptized as an infant
• Regular Sunday School attendee and Sunday morning worshiper
• Educated in a Lutheran school through grade 8
• Confirmed in the faith
• Attended Walther League conventions
• Attended a Lutheran College
• Taught in the Lutheran schools
• Leader of Bible studies
• Participant in mission trips
Paul goes on to say that’s not where his confidence is, though. He considers everything as loss because of the worth of knowing Jesus as His Savior and Lord. He is tearing up that pedigree and throwing it in the trash. Why? So that he could embrace Christ and be embraced by Him.
Reflect: What’s in your pride box? Make a list. Throw it in the trash. Now, write down, “I boast in Christ Jesus!”
Pray: Forgiving Father, when we start to reflect on our accomplishments and begin to boast about them, forgive us. Remind us, through Your Word, that our confidence is in You. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
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Saturday | March 7
Read: Philippians 3:10-15
Devotion: There is a story about a woman (we’ll call her Gladys) receiving help from a stranger. God placed Gladys in another woman’s life (we’ll call her Mildred). Gladys was distraught because she could not find her cell phone. Mildred offered to help. After searching the store where they were and then walking to another store, they were still unable to locate the phone. Finally, Gladys used her smartwatch to locate her phone via an audible signal. The phone was in a pocket in her purse. She then told Mildred she just wasn’t feeling like herself lately. Mildred asked Gladys about her faith background. Gladys, too, is a Christ-follower. Mildred was patting herself on the back for what a good thing she had done. She was very proud. She had achieved her goal of helping a stranger.
When Mildred got home and recounted the story to her husband. He asked, “Did you pray with her?” Talk about feeling convicted! Mildred had not achieved the goal that God had intended.
Later that evening, Gladys called to thank Mildred for helping her. And guess what? Mildred prayed with Gladys. Mildred forgot what lay behind and pressed on toward what God had in mind. Mildred was a work in progress and always will be.
We may set mini goals for ourselves. To help a stranger. To pray with someone. Yet, as we journey through life, let us always remember our ultimate goal is to live with Him forever. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, it is possible.
Reflect: What or who helps you to press on and keep your eyes on Jesus?
Pray: Loving Father, forgive us for thinking our faith journey is complete. Remind us we are all works in progress. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
