2024-10-27
John 2:5 NKJV
A Christian leader informs us: “There was not a bigger social happening in Jewish life than a wedding. It usually began with a ceremony at sundown in the synagogue. Then the entire wedding party would leave the synagogue and begin this long candlelight procession through the middle of town. The couple would be escorted past as many homes as possible so everyone could come out and congratulate them… They went home to a party lasting several days! There would be gift-giving, speech-making, wining and dining. Hospitality at a wedding was considered such a sacred duty that the master at the wedding could actually be sued for ‘breach of hospitality.’ So running out of food or wine was considered a tremendous insult.”
It’s notable that Jesus’ first miracle was not healing cancer or raising the dead but resolving a domestic crisis and rescuing newlyweds from embarrassment. It’s a mistake to think that God only cares about major stuff like divorce, bankruptcy, or death. He also cares about minor stuff like broken dishes, toothaches, grumpy bosses, lost dogs, flat tires, and late flights. The Bible says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). What matters to you matters to Jesus.
Notice that when these newlyweds sent out wedding invitations, they sent one to Jesus. And He showed up and met their need. Notice also how it happened. Mary, the mother of Jesus, said to them, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” What Jesus told them to do didn’t seem rational, but when they obeyed, they received a miracle. And if you will pray, trust God, and obey Him, He will work a miracle for you too.
Soul food: Ruth 1:8-18; Ruth 2:5-12; Ruth 3:1-6; Ruth 4:9-13
2024-10-26
John 14:6 NKJV
A minister writes: “Between the human race and God stands a barrier called sin. If we are going to be reconciled with a perfect God, that barrier has to be dealt with. We cannot go around it or over it. Sin demands a payment. Jesus came specifically to make that payment. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death to pay for everything we’ve ever done in the past, present, and future. If your home is on fire, you had better call a firefighter and not a policeman. If you break a leg, you had better call a doctor and not a firefighter. If your home is broken into, you had better call a policeman and not a doctor. If you are drowning, you had better call a lifeguard, not a plumber. If, as a sinful human being, you want to come to a righteous God, you had better get in touch with the Saviour, because He is the only one who can help.”
Jesus didn’t merely say, “Come to me, and I’ll show you the way.” He said, “I am the way.” He is the way to forgiveness. He is the way to peace and joy. He is the way to fulfillment in life. And He is as close to you today as a prayer. Here it is: “Lord Jesus, I believe that you died for me on the cross and paid for my sins and that through faith in you, I am made righteous and reconciled to God. I accept you today as my Lord and Saviour and receive from you the gift of everlasting life. Amen.”
Soul food: Isa 12-16; John 6:25-34; Ps 85; Prov 27:20-22
2024-10-25
1 John 2:1 AMPC
There is a story about a guy who had his picture taken. When he saw it, he said to the photographer, “This picture doesn’t do me justice!” The photographer looked at him, smiled, and said, “With a face like yours, you don’t need justice; you need mercy and grace!” Seriously, that’s the situation we are all in. And the reason God extends mercy and grace to us is because Jesus fulfilled all the demands of God’s justice for us at the cross.
Some folks think that God’s grace (unmerited favour) atones for all your sins up until the moment you make Christ your Saviour. But from then on, you have to earn it and prove yourself worthy of it by your performance, like a joint effort. So instead of trusting alone in Christ’s performance on the cross, they trust also in their own performance. Here is the problem: There are three ways to sin – commission, omission, and disposition. If you commit one of these sins every day, that’s over one thousand sins a year. And if going to heaven depends on your remembering and repenting of each of them, what if you forget?
Don’t worry; God has you covered! “If anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father – [it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action]” (v. 1 AMPC). Only one person measures up to God’s standards: Jesus! And when you place your trust in Him, you are unconditionally loved and accepted by God.
Soul food: Isa 8-11; John 6:1-24; Ps 126; Prov 27:17-19
2024-10-24
Matthew 7:1 NKJV
This happened when Chuck Swindoll was speaking in California: “A gentleman came to him and said, ‘I have waited so long for this week, I am going to eat up everything you have to say.’ Swindoll thanked him. Sunday night… the man started nodding [off]. Swindoll figured that he’d had a long drive and was probably tired. It happened each night until the conference ended. As a preacher… it didn’t feel good to see someone sleeping on him.
On Friday morning, the lady who was sitting next to him came to Swindoll and said, ‘I want to thank you for the ministry this week. Oh, and by the way, I am sorry about my husband sleeping on you… He has terminal cancer and the doctors have just given him a couple of weeks to live. When we talked about what he wanted to do before he died, he said, ‘I want to go hear Chuck Swindoll.’ But you see, Dr. Swindoll, the doctors gave him medicine to keep away the pain, and the medicine makes him sleep. I wanted to apologize to you that he has been sleeping, but I wanted you to know you made this the best week of the last part of his life.’ Swindoll later said he could have crawled under a rock, because he had made a judgment and without any investigation he reacted.”
Why did Jesus say, “Judge not, that you be not judged”? Because there may be circumstances and factors at work in a person’s life that you don’t understand. So instead of judging them, extend to them the same grace God has extended to you.
Soul food: Isa 4-7; John 5:31-47; Ps 5; Prov 27:13-16
2024-10-23
Ecclesiastes 3:7 NLT
Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth US president, was known as a reserved man who spoke very little. One day when a reporter attempted to interview him, the conversation went like this: Reporter: “Do you wish to say anything about the war threat in Europe?” Coolidge: “No.” Reporter: “Do you have anything to say about the strike in the clothing factories?” Coolidge: “No.” Reporter: “Do you have anything to say about the League of Nations?” Coolidge: “No.” Reporter: “Would you care to comment on the farm production problem?” Coolidge: “No.” As the reporter was leaving the room, Coolidge unexpectedly called him back and said with a smile, “Don’t quote me!”
The Bible says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… A time to be quiet and a time to speak” (vv. 1, 7 NLT). Never allow yourself to be pressured into saying something you don’t want to say, or get drawn in when you don’t feel like talking. Silence isn’t a lack of communication; it’s a form of communication and can be a very effective one!
Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” One thing is for sure, what you don’t say today, you won’t have to explain or apologize for tomorrow. If your tendency is to speak without thinking, or when you have nothing constructive to add, weigh the situation carefully and ask God for wisdom before deciding if you should speak or be quiet. Remember: “Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut” (Proverbs 17:28 MSG).
Soul food: Isa 1-3; John 5:16-30; Ps 15; Prov 27:10-12
2024-10-22
Psalm 141:3 NLT
When William Gladstone was Chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain, he requested that the Treasury send him certain statistics upon which he might base his budget proposals. Unfortunately, the statistician made a mistake, and Gladstone was so certain of this man’s reputation for accuracy that he didn’t take the time to verify his figures. As a result, Gladstone went before the House of Commons and gave a speech based on the incorrect information given to him. His speech was no sooner published than the inaccuracies were exposed, and he became the brunt of terrible public ridicule.
When the chancellor sent for the statistician who had given him the inaccurate information, the man arrived full of fear and shame, certain he was going to be fired. Instead, Gladstone said, “I know how much you must be disturbed over what has happened, so I have sent for you to put you at ease. For a long time, you have been engaged in handling the intricacies of the national accounts, and this is the first mistake that you have made. I want to congratulate you, and express to you my keen appreciation.” Can you imagine the sense of relief, gratitude, and hope the man felt that day as he walked out of Gladstone’s office?
It takes a Christlike person to extend mercy, to listen as well as talk, and to think before jumping into action. So instead of retaliating in anger today, pray, “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” When you begin to pray that way – and really mean it – it indicates that you’re growing in grace.
Soul food: Exo 39-40; John 5:1-15; Ps 41; Prov 27:7-9
