2024-10-18
Luke 6:38 NIV
If you want to become a giver, think of yourself as a river instead of a reservoir. Reservoirs continually take in water, but only to fill themselves up. In contrast, a river flows. Whatever water it receives, it gives away. Note what Jesus said about giving: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (v. 38 NIV).
When you give your time, expertise, and resources without expecting anything in return, you’re practicing what Jesus preached. And here is an interesting truth: When you focus more on the wants and needs of others, more of your own wants and needs are met. In contrast, when you choose to hoard what you have rather than give, you become the center of your own lonely universe. And you become less content, not more. As a result, you repel both people and potential blessing.
Recalling God’s goodness to you leads to gratitude (See Psalm 103:1-5). And gratitude leads to giving. Ungrateful people aren’t givers. They seldom think about others; they just think of themselves. Their days comprise searching for others to assist them, give to them, and wait on them. And whenever others fail to meet those expectations, they wonder why. Their selfishness prevents them from sowing, and their ingratitude causes them to question why they don’t reap.
In what way can you show gratitude? By taking a portion of the blessings God has poured into your life and pouring them into the lives of others. In other words, be a giver.
Soul food: Exo 30-32; John 4:13-26; Ps 100; Prov 26:27-28
2024-10-17
Psalm 91:4 NLT
When our children are growing up, their protection and safety are uppermost in our minds. But how about the families of emergency personnel, like police, paramedics, and firefighters? Any day their loved one goes to work is a day they may not come home. And how about the families of those in our armed forces, serving in foreign lands under constant threat and danger?
When it comes to the safety of the people we love, here are wonderful Bible promises we can stand on: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NIV). “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour” (Isaiah 43: 1-3 NKJV). “You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head. This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God!” (Psalm 139:3-7 TLB).
No insurance company can come close to matching the protection God guarantees to those He loves. So be at peace today – God will keep your loved one safe.
Soul food: Lev 23:33-44; John 7:1-39; Zech 14:16-21
2024-10-16
Psalm 118:24 NKJV
One author writes: “One of the strategies I employ is to block enough time so that I’m not thinking of what I have to do next. I find it best to wait until I can invest more than a few minutes in being with someone so that the person is not frustrated with my divided attention and tight schedule.”
If you keep robbing your loved ones of time, there may come a day when they have no time for you. Ask yourself, “Is this person worth more to me than the plan, project, problem, or pressure I’m dealing with?” Learn to enjoy the moment and focus on the person you’re with. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to answer with more than a yes or no. Listen carefully and ask additional questions. This helps people feel you are engaging with them and caring about their replies.
Yes, your thoughts may flit into the future for a few seconds, but instantly push them back into the present by rejecting those concerns. You can attend to them later. Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate. There is great pleasure in doing this after you get used to it. The poet wrote, “I wished to live deliberately… and not, when I came to die, discover I had not lived.”
To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, heed Solomon’s words: “People should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labour, for these are gifts from God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13 NLT). If you have to do with less in order to enjoy the people you love more, do it; you will never regret it!
Soul food: Exo 28-29; John 4:1-12; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 26:23-26
2024-10-15
John 15:15 NKJV
The mentors you choose must be available to you. Jesus told those He mentored, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (v. 15 NKJV). You need time with your mentor, asking and learning from questions and answers.
Dr. John Maxwell writes: “The greatest piece of advice I can give in the area of availability is that when you are looking for a mentor, don’t shoot too high too soon. If you are considering going into politics for the first time, you don’t need the advice of the president of the United States. If you are a high school student thinking about learning to play the cello, you don’t need to be mentored by Yo-Yo Ma. If you’re just starting your career, don’t expect to get extensive mentoring time from the CEO of your organization. Why shouldn’t I? you may be thinking. First of all, if you’re just starting out, nearly all of your questions can be answered by someone two or three levels ahead of you (not ten). Their answers will be fresh because they will have recently dealt with the issues you’re dealing with. Second, CEOs need to be spending their time answering the questions of the people who are on the verge of learning at their level. I’m not saying you should never go to the top. I’m saying spend the majority of your time being mentored by people who are available, willing, and suited for the stage of your career.”
Soul food: Exo 25-27; John 3:22-36; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 26:20-22
2024-10-14
1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV
Your mentor should not only demonstrate professional excellence and possess skills from which you can learn, but must also be someone who displays character qualities worth imitating. Bernie Madoff was one of the most admired and sought-after brokers on Wall Street. That is, until he ended up in prison for perpetrating a multibillion dollar Ponzi scheme that devastated the lives of individuals, companies, and even governments. Numerous actors, athletes, political leaders, and business executives today attempt to deny their position as role models when people are already following them and imitating their conduct. They would like people to distinguish between their personal behavior and their professional life, but such separation cannot really be made.
As you search for role models and mentors, examine their personal lives as thoroughly as their public performance. Your values will be shaped by theirs, so don’t be casual or careless about whom you decide to follow. Paul writes, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” You must be sure that the person in whose footsteps you are following is following in the footsteps of Christ.
Why is this so important? Because there will be an audit! Whatever you have spent your life building will be evaluated at the judgment seat of Christ, and you will be rewarded accordingly. “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15 NKJV).
Soul food: Exo 22-24; John 3:1-21; Ps 89:1-14; Prov 26:17-19
2024-10-13
Matthew 11:29 NLT
Jesus said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 KJV). When He spoke those words, the religious leaders of His day were plotting His death, the society in which He lived was controlled by the might of Rome, and His followers were common people. Humanly speaking, what He promised was audacious, and the possibilities of it happening were zero. Nevertheless, it came to pass. Two thousand years later, He is the most quoted author in the world, and many of our values are based on the principles He taught. How did He do it? By mentoring others.
So when looking for a mentor, try to find someone who exemplifies the qualities and character Jesus displayed. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light'” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT). Jesus used an agricultural illustration His listeners would understand. To get the highest productivity out of an ox, the yoke around its neck had to be a comfortable fit.
And a good mentor is someone who understands you and knows what is the right fit for your temperament and talents. A mentor is an extra pair of eyes and ears and that always has your best interests at heart. When you think about it, having the right mentor is one of the best investments you can make in your future.
Soul food: Heb 11:22; Gen 41:1-39; Gen 45:1-11; Gen 50:15-26
