2024-06-29
Ecclesiastes 7:10 NIV
Two more reasons we resist change are these: (1) Because it feels awkward and uncomfortable. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? Can you name it specifically? If you can’t remember, your comfort zone may have turned into a rut. A sign on a wall contained two statements. The first had an X through it. It said, “If it ain’t broken – don’t fix it.” The second read, “If it ain’t broken – break it!” Sometimes the only way to “get out of the box” is to break out.
(2) Because we cling to tradition. The Pharisees could not receive the truth Jesus shared because they were bound by their traditions. And many of us still cling to tradition. We assume that if something is a tradition (a long-established pattern of behavior), it has to be a better way. That’s not necessarily so, as change agents like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford demonstrated. Question: How many traditionalists does it take to change a light bulb? Four: one to change it, and three to talk about how wonderful the old light bulb was!
Bottom line: When a tradition connects you to other people or to your personal history, it can be good. If it doesn’t, maybe it’s time to try something new. The Bible says, “The way of the righteous… shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over” (Proverbs 4:18-19 NLT). So, what changes do you need to make in your life?
Soul food: 1 Sam 1-3; Luke 3:1-10; Ps 59:1-8; Prov 16:20-22
2024-06-28
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
What happens when you try to implement change at the wrong time? For that matter, when is the right time to do it? From a leadership perspective, there are actually better times than others to make changes.
Dr. John Maxwell, who wrote the best seller The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, says: “I developed the following checklist to help me navigate the process: Will this [change] benefit the followers? Is [it] compatible with the purpose of the organization? Is this change specific and clear? Are the top 20 percent (the influencers) in favour of [it]? Is it possible to test this change before making a total commitment to it? Are physical, financial, and human resources available to make this change? Is [it] reversible? Is this change the next obvious step? Does [it] have both short- and long-range benefits? Is the leadership capable of bringing about this change? Does everything else indicate the timing is right? Before implementing a big change, I run through this checklist and answer each question with a yes or no. If too many questions have a no by them, then I conclude that the timing may not be right.”
Timing is so important. The Bible says: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… He has made everything beautiful in its time” (vv. 1, 11 NKJV). If you’re thinking of making a change, talk to God “the timekeeper” and ask Him (1) what should I do? and (2) when should I do it? Then step out in faith and trust Him to guide you!
Soul food: Song 5-8; Luke 2:41-52; Ps 21; Prov 16:16-19
2024-06-27
Hebrews 11:8 NKJV
Who among us wouldn’t like to have a success story like Abraham’s? He had fame, great riches, and “was even called the friend of God” (James 2:23 NLT). It doesn’t get better than that! But Abraham’s story begins with these words: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” How on earth did he do it? By faith!
Why do we resist change? Doubt and fear! We fear personal loss. Anytime change is imminent, the first question that pops into our minds is, “How will it affect me?” For example, suppose a coworker approaches you and says, “I just heard the boss is thinking about laying off some people today.” Is your first thought, “I wonder what market conditions triggered that decision?” Or is it, “I bet he feels bad about having to do that!” No, probably your first thought is, “Am I at risk?” That’s simply human nature.
The second we face change we can quickly feel alone and helpless. Where do you find strength in such moments? In God! His promise is: “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV). Relax! That which is unknown to you is fully known to God. And the One who has always taken care of you has already gone ahead to prepare the way (See Deuteronomy 31:8).
Soul food: Song 1-4; Luke 2:34-40; Ps 17; Prov 16:12-15
2024-06-26
Psalm 80:3 KJV
When Christopher Columbus returned to Spain, he was considered a national hero and credited with discovering new lands. But do you think people changed their minds about the earth being flat? Not at all – they went right on believing the earth was flat. It was not until that generation passed on and the next one took their place that people realized the earth was round, just as Columbus had claimed. That’s how long it took for people to change their minds – an entire generation! We all resist change.
Dr. John Maxwell writes: “For many years, I thought leaders liked change and everyone else didn’t. As a visionary leader, I always felt that I was drawing reluctant followers into the future. But I finally realized that leaders don’t like change any more than followers do – unless, of course, it’s their idea!” Let’s be honest; change is hard for everyone. Novelist Mark Twain said, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.”
Truly, change is one of the greatest obstacles you will ever face. Why is that? After all, doesn’t progress demand change? And doesn’t growth too? We can’t move forward and stay in the same place. So for the next few days, we’re going to talk about why we resist change so much. Acknowledging his own stubborn nature and his fear of change, on four different occasions David prayed, “Turn us again, O God.” That’s like praying, “Lord, I need to change, but I’m afraid to change, so make me willing to change.” And that’s a prayer God will answer for you, so start praying it today.
Soul food: 2 Cor 11:16-13:14; Luke 2:21-33; Ps 8; Prov 16:8-11
2024-06-25
Matthew 25:21 NKJV
Your small deeds of kindness may go unnoticed by others, but God sees them. And they can reward you in ways you never dreamed possible. Take the case of Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers and lied about by his boss’s wife, he ends up sentenced to a thirteen-year prison term. If ever a person had reason to turn sour on life and God, it was him. But instead of giving in to self-pity, he focused on the needs of others.
Joseph had two prison mates: a butler and a baker who had worked in Pharaoh’s palace, fallen into disfavour, and landed in a cell next to Joseph. Note what the Bible says: “Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad” (Genesis 40:6 NKJV). Before God allowed Joseph to care for the nation of Egypt, He observed his care toward his fellow inmates. As a result, when one of them was restored to favour, he recommended Joseph to Pharaoh as a man qualified to meet his need. Compassion is important to God.
When you see a need, try to meet it. If you dream of doing big things, start by doing small things with a good attitude. Arrive on time. Complete your work early. Don’t grumble. When you’re given a task, take it on and God will reward you for it: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'” (Matthew 25:21 NKJV).
Soul food: 2 Cor 9:1-11:15; Luke 2:8-20; Ps 144:9-15; Prov 16:4-7
2024-06-24
Psalm 66:10 NIV
Have you tried to do right, yet things have gone wrong? When Joseph honored God by saying no to Potiphar’s wife, he landed in prison. While there he told a fellow prisoner, “I was kidnapped from my homeland… and now I’m here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it” (Genesis 40:15 NLT). If that’s how you feel today, God has not turned His back on you. His plan for your life has not been derailed. “The Lord shall not turn back until He has executed and accomplished the thoughts and intents of His mind” (Jeremiah 30:24 AMPC).
You may be perplexed, but God is not. He is using every moment of this season and every element of this experience to prepare you. “They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character” (Psalm 105:18-19 NLT).
Do you remember how you felt about the tests you were given in school? At the time they felt like persecution but looking back you realize they were preparation. They revealed what you had learned. They qualified you to move to a higher grade. They equipped you for living in the real world. The psalmist wrote: “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance” (Psalm 66:10-12 NIV). God will use people, pain, and problems to test you. Why? So that He can bring you to “a place of abundance.”
Soul food: 2 Cor 5-8; Luke 2:1-7; Ps 144:1-8; Prov 16:1-3
