2024-12-22
2 Timothy 4:2 AMPC
In training Timothy for ministry, Paul says, “Preach the Word!… [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient… you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong].” Most hotels have a sign you can put on your bedroom door that says “Do Not Disturb.” That sign on your door means you want to relax, sleep, or not be bothered. Hanging that sign on your hotel room door is acceptable, but putting it on your life isn’t.
Have you ever noticed that God doesn’t always do things on our timetable or in ways that are convenient for us? Paul told Timothy that when it came to serving the Lord, he was called to do it “whether the time is favourable or not” (NLT) and “whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” We need to remember that whatever God asks us to do, it’s always worth any inconvenience or difficulty we face in the process. And He will always make a way for us to accomplish His will when we are obedient to Him.
The Bible says, “So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him” (Romans 8:8 AMPC). Notice, this “life of the flesh” doesn’t please God. This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us. What it does mean is that He is not satisfied, nor will He accept behavior “catering to the appetites and impulses of their [our] carnal nature.” So take down your “Do Not Disturb” sign and commit to walking in obedience, for it’s the pathway of blessing.
Soul food: Matt 4:18-20; Matt 16:13-23; Matt 26:69-75; John 21:15-19
2024-12-21
Job 8:7 NKJV
Your personal potential is what you may be – the person you can become. God, who sees the end from the beginning, knows your potential and will help you to reach it. But you have a part to play. You must desire growth and commit yourself to it each day. Growth is a pathway that never ends: “They go from strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7 NKJV).
Just as your DNA differs from every other person, so does your personal growth pathway. To discover your God-given purpose, you must grow in spiritual awareness. To become a better person, you must grow in character. To progress in your career, you must develop your skills. To be a better spouse or parent, you must grow in your relationship skills. To achieve your financial goals, you must grow in your understanding about how money works. The aspects of growth differ from individual to individual, but the principles are alike for every person.
If you’re serious about growth, you must integrate what you’re learning into your routine. You cannot change your life until you change something you do every day. Growth only takes place when knowledge becomes experience. That’s why keeping a growth journal is so important. It helps you to see how far you have come, what you have learned, the extent to which you have changed, and how far you have to go. If you continue to learn and grow daily for many years, you will be amazed at how far they will take you. “Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.”
Soul food: Job 15-17; Luke 1:39-56; Ps 12; Ecc 9:10-12
2024-12-20
Psalm 40:8 KJV
Doing God’s will can be difficult, but it always brings a sense of fulfillment and reward. David experienced resentment from his family, betrayal by his boss, and rejection by his friends. Yet he could say, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.”
To fulfill your God-given destiny, you need to be passionate. Passion gives you an advantage every time. One person with passion is more effective than ninety-nine who only have an interest. Passion gives you energy and keeps you going when others quit. Indeed, it keeps you going when you want to quit! Not only will God give you a passion for His will, but you will also discover abilities you didn’t know you had. They may be undeveloped, but they’re there waiting to be tapped. Some of us have inherent abilities, and we know who we are and what to do. Others must work hard to make these discoveries. Your goal should be to waste as little of your life as possible.
There is a big difference between having a God-given dream that pushes you to achieve and pulling a concept out of thin air that has no relation to who you are and what you’re called to do. Just as a soldier on the front line must stay in communication with headquarters, you must pray daily and search God’s Word.
When you know that you’re doing what God has called you to do, you experience joy in the midst of sorrow, peace in the midst of conflict, and confidence when everything around you is falling apart. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than knowing you’re doing the will of God.
Soul food: Job 11-14; Luke 1:26-38; Ps 67; Ecc 7:19-22
2024-12-19
Isaiah 42:16 NIV
Sometimes following God involves leaving a secure and lucrative career. Moses left a palace, Elisha left a farm, James and John left their fishing boats. But sometimes, following God means staying where you are and maximizing every opportunity He gives you to promote His kingdom.
When David returned from battle with the spoils, some of his soldiers didn’t want to share them with those who had remained behind. But David said, “The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike” (1 Samuel 30:24 NIV).
What you must seek God about is, “Am I called to go or to stay?” It’s amazing how many people you meet who don’t like what they do for a living. Why do they do it? Because we all have to make a living. But what if God is calling you to do something different? It’s a risk making a change from what you’re currently doing to what you believe God wants you to do. You might not succeed. Or discover you don’t like it to the extent you expected. Or not make as much money.
But the greater risk is staying when God calls you to go. Why? Regret! Knowing you never attempted to do what God had called you to do. You say, “I have many unanswered questions, and there is much I don’t know.” Read this Scripture: “Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These… things I will do; I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16 NIV).
Soul food: Job 8-10; Luke 1:19-25; Ps 57; Ecc 7:13-15
2024-12-18
Psalm 41:1 NKJV
On December 18, 1933, a curious ad appeared in a Canton, Ohio newspaper: “Man Who Felt Depression’s Sting to Help 75 Unfortunate Families. Anonymous Giver Known only as ‘B. Virdot,’ posts $750 to Spread Christmas Cheer.” All the reader had to do was describe their plight in a letter and mail it care of “general delivery.” The appeals poured in. Oddly, no one knew a “B. Virdot,” and people wondered if such a person even existed. Then within a week, checks began arriving in homes all over the area. Most were modest, about five dollars, and all were signed “B. Virdot.”
Throughout the ensuing years as the story was told, the identity of the philanthropist remained unknown. Then in 2008, long after his death, his grandson opened a tattered black suitcase collecting dust in his parent’s attic. That’s when they found the letters dated December 1933, along with 150 cancelled checks. Turns out that B. Virdot was really Samuel J. Stone, and the pseudonym was a hybrid of Barbara, Virginia, and Dorothy, the names of his daughters.
Interestingly, there was nothing privileged about Sam Stone. He was fifteen when his family emigrated from Romania and settled in a Pittsburgh ghetto. Sam’s father hid his shoes so he couldn’t go to school, forcing him and his six siblings to roll cigars in the attic. Eventually, Sam left home to work on a barge and then in a coal mine. By the time the Great Depression hit he owned a small chain of clothing stores, and lived in relative comfort. Nevertheless, he had a heart for others – and his actions proved it. Can that be said about you?
Soul food: Job 5-7; Luke 1:11-18; Ps 105:37-45; Ecc 7:9-12
2024-12-17
1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT
A pastor writes: “Poll after poll has found that most people’s number one fear is speaking in public. Death ranks number two. That means some people would rather die than speak in public. Why? It’s the fear of looking foolish… But faith is the willingness to look foolish. Noah looked foolish building an ark in the desert. Sarah looked foolish buying maternity clothes at ninety. The Israelites looked foolish marching around Jericho blowing trumpets. David looked foolish attacking Goliath with a slingshot… The wise men looked foolish following yonder star. Peter looked foolish stepping out of the boat in the middle of the lake. And Jesus looked foolish hanging half naked on the cross.
But that’s the essence of faith. And the results speak for themselves. Noah was saved from the flood. Sarah gave birth to Isaac. The walls of Jericho came tumbling down. David defeated Goliath… The wise men found the Messiah. Peter walked on water. And Jesus rose from the dead… The greatest breakthroughs, miracles, and turning points in Scripture can be traced back to someone who was willing to look foolish.” Why? Read this Scripture: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV).
So here is your choice: Live by earthly thoughts and ways and be accepted by men, or live by heavenly thoughts and ways and be accepted by God. When you see it from that perspective, your choice is clear.
Soul food: Job 1-4; Luke 1:1-10; Ps 105:23-36; Ecc 7:5-8
