2024-07-22
1 John 4:18 NIV
According to psychiatric reference, approximately two thousand classified fears exist. What’s interesting is that psychiatrists say we are born with only two innate ones: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. That means we learn every other fear. And more importantly, that means we can unlearn every other fear. The majority of us are shaped, for better or worse, by a handful of experiences. These defining experiences can plant a seed of confidence or a seed of uncertainty, a seed of hope or a seed of vulnerability, a seed of faith or a seed of fear.
John expresses the end goal of our relationship with God: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (v. 18 NIV). The words “perfect love” do not describe our love for God, but rather God’s unconditional, unearned, unfailing love for us. A pastor writes: “The goal of love is fearlessness! As we grow in a love relationship with God, we unlearn the fears that paralyze us and neutralize us spiritually. That is the essence of faith. Faith is the process of unlearning your irrational fears. The only God-ordained fear is the fear of God. And if we fear [love, honor, reverence, and respect] God, we don’t have to fear anyone or anything else. Unlearning our fears is really a process of learning to trust God more and more.”
One of the greatest promises God has given to us in Scripture is this: “He Himself has said, ‘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 to do me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV).
Soul food: 2 Sam 22:31-24:25; Luke 8:26-39; Ps 140; Prov 18:21-22
2024-07-21
1 Timothy 1:19 CEV
Sometimes we want to justify what we are doing and say, “It feels right, so it can’t be wrong.” However, if God’s Word says something is wrong, it’s wrong, no matter how right it feels. The old adage, “Let your conscience be your guide,” is only half the truth. The other half should read, “as long as your conscience is grounded in and guided by the clear teachings of God’s Word.”
As a redeemed child of God, you are called to live by His commandments instead of your feelings, impulses, emotions, or popular thinking. When those things guide you, the winds of temptation can sweep you off course and shipwreck you. Paul writes: “Timothy, my son, the instructions I am giving you are based on what some prophets once said about you. If you follow these instructions, you will fight like a good soldier. You will be faithful and have a clear conscience. Some people have made a mess of their faith because they didn’t listen to their consciences. Two of them are Hymenaeus and Alexander. I have given these men over to the power of Satan, so they will learn not to oppose God” (vv. 18-20 CEV).
We don’t know much about Hymenaeus and Alexander, but what we do know is sobering and instructive. They failed to develop, protect, and live by a conscience that was grounded in God’s Word and ended up spiritually shipwrecked. What a graphic image: a ship broken to pieces on the rocks because it got off course. So the word for you today is – your conscience must be based on God’s Word, and you must always keep it clear!
Soul food: Matt 5:9; Rom 12:17-21; Jam 3:17-18; Rom 14:19
2024-07-20
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
What kind of work environment brings out the best in you? Do you thrive on routine? Are you motivated by people’s needs? Do you enjoy tackling challenges that might discourage others? How about your relationships? Do you enjoy being part of a team, or do you work better alone? If you only come to life when you’re around people, you will probably be miserable sitting in front of a computer all day. What are your strengths? God said of Bezalel the builder, “I have filled him with… wisdom… He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze… skilled in engraving… mounting gemstones…c arving wood” (Exodus 31:3-5 NLT).
What makes your eyes sparkle and your pulse race? Do you enjoy working with computers, cars, or animals? Maybe you’re an adept people manager, or you like fixing things, or you’re good with finances. The Bible says, “We are God’s masterpiece… created… anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” God has a purpose for your life, and you will experience your highest levels of happiness and fulfillment when you discover and begin to fulfill that purpose. You’re not just another brick in the wall or another nail in the carpenter’s toolbox!
God “personally formed and made you” (See Isaiah 43:7 MSG). You’re the only “you” He created, and if you fail to be who you are, His kingdom won’t benefit from your unique contribution. That’s why Paul wrote, “Don’t compare yourself… take responsibility for doing the… best you can with your… life” (Galatians 6:4-5 MSG). That’s the secret of happiness.
Soul food: 2 Sam 20:1-22:30; Luke 8:16-25; Ps 133; Prov 18:17-20
2024-07-19
Psalm 84:10 NLT
Jesus attended church regularly. “He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath” (Luke 4:16 NLT). The apostles also went to church on a regular basis: “They worshiped together at the Temple each day” (Acts 2:46 NLT). And David loved God’s house. He said, “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked” (Psalm 84:10 NLT).
So, do you love God’s house? You should, because there you will hear His Word explained, find strategies for living, discover your spiritual gifts, and form relationships that will sustain you in the hard times. Where else can you find all that?
Yale University conducted a study confirming that people who go to church regularly are happier, healthier, and live longer than those who don’t. The survey found that church attendees had lower blood pressure, less stress, and greater immunity to disease, whereas nonchurchgoers in the group had a shortened life span roughly equal to that of cigarette smokers. One of the interviewers asked an eighty-year-old woman, who happened to be running on a treadmill at the time, what her secret was. She said, “When you walk with God you have purpose, so you live longer. And you have peace with God, so you live better.”
Think: If you could find all that in a pill, how much would you pay for it? And would anybody have to force you to take it? No? Okay – then make sure you’re in church on Sunday!
Soul food: 2 Sam 17:14-19:43; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 123; Prov 18:13-16
2024-07-18
Romans 1:19 NLT
There are three ways whereby you can know God is real and have a relationship with Him.
(1) Intellectual knowledge of God. “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (vv. 19-20 NLT).
(2) Subconscious knowledge of God. “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right” (Romans 2:14-15 NLT).
(3) Personal knowledge of God. “At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NLT).
God reveals Himself to us through creation. He speaks to us through our conscience and reveals His moral character and requirements. But beyond that, we can know God personally and have a relationship with Him through His Son. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12 NKJV). There is one sure way to satisfy yourself that God is real – flip the switch!
Soul food: 2 Sam 14:21-17:13; Luke 7:36-50; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 18:10-12
2024-07-17
Judges 7:4 NLT
Gideon chose thirty-two thousand soldiers to fight the Midianites. But the truth is, you don’t need lots of people in your life, you just need the right people. So when Gideon said, “Whoever is timid or afraid may… go home” (v. 3 NLT), twenty-two thousand soldiers left. But God told him he still had too many, and added, “I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.” Consequently, Gideon ended up with three hundred soldiers – but they won the day! Don’t worry about numbers; God can still do more with less. Just be prepared to lose some friends, for where God is taking you, they can’t go.
God took the same spirit that rested on Moses and placed it on seventy leaders so they could help him (See Numbers 11:16-17). That’s what you need – people with the same spirit as you. Just because somebody is talented doesn’t mean they belong in your life. If spiritual gifts are the standard by which we measure, what about Balaam’s donkey? He prophesied (See Numbers 22:21-33)! The important question is, “Does this person have the right spirit?”
As you work with others, recognize that we all have certain things in common. People like to feel special, so compliment them (just make sure it’s genuine). They want a better tomorrow, so give them hope. They want direction, so lead them. They’re self-concerned, so address their needs first. They get low emotionally, so encourage them. They want success, so help them achieve it. Your success depends on having the right people in your life – and that’s why you must pray and rely on God’s guidance.
Soul food: 2 Sam 12:1-14:20; Luke 7:24-35; Ps 118:10-18; Prov 18:7-9
