2024-08-16
1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV
When you commit your life to Christ, you switch sides. Now you’re up against three things. The world with its pressures, values, and agenda. The flesh, with its impulses and weaknesses. The devil, who is out to defeat you. But God would never allow us to get into a fight we couldn’t win, so let’s consider three blessings of battle.
(1) It teaches you to live at high alert. It was when Samson slept that Delilah shaved his head and robbed him of his strength. It was when the servants slept that an enemy sowed weeds among the wheat and threatened their harvest.
(2) It’s a sign of spiritual progress. When Israel entered the promised land, thirty-one kings and seven nations had to be conquered. Plus giants! They had to take it one city at a time and one giant at a time. And when Jesus becomes Lord of your life, He will address the unsurrendered areas of your life, and He will deal with them one at a time. And the battle will be harder and last longer when it comes to your stubborn areas. You know which ones they are, right? Be encouraged. God won’t give up on you: “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Philippians 1:6 NKJV).
(3) It’s an indication of your value to God. You are a seed capable of producing a harvest for God. That’s why you’re a target of Satan. He is after the deposit of God that’s within you. So, keep fighting the good fight of faith, knowing that by God’s grace, you will win.
Soul food: 1 Chr 23:21-26:19; Luke 13:18-35; Ps 119:57-64; Prov 21:7-9
2024-08-15
2 Chronicles 20:12 NKJV
The heroes in Scripture often found themselves faced with impossible odds and overwhelming situations. Think of Moses standing up to Pharaoh and David standing up to Goliath. Think of King Jehoshaphat facing the overwhelming might of three combined armies determined to destroy his nation. Here is what he said to God: “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (v. 12 NKJV).
Now notice how God answered him: “‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you’… Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you” (vv.15-17 NKJV).
God will never give you a job to do that does not require His strength, His wisdom, His resources, and sometimes His miraculous intervention. Who commanded the disciples to get into the boat and go over to the other side of Galilee? Jesus. What happened? Obeying Him involved going through one of the worst storms of their lives. But as they watched Him still the storm, their faith rose to a new level and prepared them to do greater things for God in the future.
So, the word for you today is: (1) position yourself, (2) stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, and (3) “do not fear… go… for the Lord is with you.”
Soul food: 1 Chr 19:1-23:20; Luke 13:1-17; Ps 119:49-56; Prov 21:4-6
2024-08-14
Acts 10:4 NKJV
Have you ever wondered where your prayers go? The answer is “up for a memorial before God.” Notice that they are “before” Him. They are in His hands and on His mind. Here when Cornelius prayed, God not only changed his circumstances, He changed history; for the first time, Gentiles heard the gospel and became part of the kingdom of God. How long had Cornelius been praying? We don’t know; the Bible just calls him “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (v. 2 NKJV).
Prayer was not a hotline Cornelius used when he got into trouble or had a problem he couldn’t solve. He “prayed to God always.” He had a lifestyle of prayer. The word “memorial” means God remembers what you pray about. Prayer is like putting money into your bank account. You may not draw on it today or tomorrow, but it will be there when you need it.
Don’t get caught up in religious rituals. You can pray anywhere, anytime, about anything, and God will answer you. “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17 NKJV). When you run out of gas on the highway, you can’t blame the car. You got busy doing other things and neglected what was important. Prayer makes you conscious of God, keeps you connected to God, and positions you to receive what you need from God. So, keep praying because your prayers go “up for a memorial before God.”
Soul food: 1 Chr 16-18; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 119:41-48; Prov 21:1-3
2024-08-13
John 2:1 NKJV
Let’s examine the story of Jesus turning water into wine. It was His first miracle, and it reveals how He works in our lives.
(1) Invite Jesus. “There was a wedding in Cana of Galilee… Jesus and His disciples were invited” (vv. 1-2 NKJV). When the problem arose, this couple didn’t have to send for Jesus because He was already there. Not only did they know Him, they included Him in their plans. They honored Him. The cry of Paul’s heart was “that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10 NKJV). Why? Because when you know the Lord, you can call on Him with confidence and be assured He will be by your side when you need Him. This couple probably had a long time to prepare for this event, yet Jesus didn’t criticize them for poor planning. He came to their aid and met their need. And He will do the same for you; all you have to do is invite Him.
(2) Do what He tells you, even when you do not understand it. Faith does not require explanations. It requires simple obedience and trusting in the goodness of God. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:4-5 NKJV).
(3) Understand that God can save the best for the last. “You have kept the good wine until now!” (John 2:10 NKJV). It’s not too late. What looks to you like a tragedy can become a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life.
Soul food: 1 Chr 12:23-15:29; Luke 12:35-48; Ps 119:33-40; Prov 20:28-30
2024-08-12
Romans 5:4 AMPC
Does it feel like the attack coming against you right now is more than you can bear? If so, read this: “Pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope” (vv. 3-4 AMPC).
Notice that you can reach a place of spiritual maturity where you automatically respond to difficulty with “joyful and confident hope.” It’s easy to say, “Don’t worry.” But to actually do that requires experience with the faithfulness of God. When we trust God and then see His faithfulness in our lives, it gives us the confidence needed to live without fear and anxiety. That’s why it’s so important to continue to have faith in God and learn to trust Him in the midst of trials.
With God’s help, we can overcome the temptation to give up and quit when the going gets rough. God uses those hard, trying times to build in us patience, endurance, and character that will eventually produce “the habit of joyful and confident hope.” Always remember that when you are in a battle, you are gaining valuable experience that will benefit you later on. You will more easily trust God when difficulty comes, and you will be able to testify to others regarding the goodness and faithfulness of God.
If you are in a battle right now, you can let it defeat you or make you stronger! Make the right decision, and let it help bring you to a deeper level of spiritual maturity.
Soul food: 1 Chr 10:1-12:22; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 119:25-32; Prov 20:25-27
2024-08-11
Numbers 11:14 NKJV
Moses fielded complaints and listened to stories of frustration and woe until he reached the place where he told God, “I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me.” And God agreed. He told Moses to pick seventy mature leaders, “and they shall bear the burden of the people with you” (vv. 16-17 NKJV). As a result, they made it to the promised land.
Like Moses, it’s okay for you to say, “I’ve reached my limit.” Yes, the Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). But that’s referring to times when we face various trials and situations that God will help us through. It doesn’t mean we should take on so many responsibilities that we burn out. Sometimes it’s all too much, and it’s okay to admit that.
It’s also okay to say no to some things, so you can enjoy life the way God intended. You don’t have to be like someone else or try to keep up with them. The assignment God gives you is never greater than the grace He supplies.
As our faces differ, so do our gifts and capacity to handle things. We need to be who God created us to be, and we don’t have to apologize for it. We must accept responsibility for all God called us to be, and do all He called us to do. We’re not called to make ourselves sick with stress and pressure. So, if you have reached your limit, go to God. He will help you find a saner, healthier lifestyle.
Soul food: Exo 16:1-18; John 6:1-15; John 6:25-40; 1 Cor 11:23-24
