2023-10-22
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Read this Scripture: “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen… I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes” (vv. 11-12, 14 NLT). The Israelites went through a long period of suffering because of their sins – seventy years of captivity. But God said, “I still have a plan for you.”
Have you sinned and gone through a season of correction and now you’re wondering if God has turned His back on you? God may correct you, but He will never reject you! Two chapters later, God says to the same group of people, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you” (Jeremiah 31:3-4 NLT).
Note the word “rebuild.” Your life may have fallen apart, but God can rebuild it. The Bible’s theme is restoration. King David committed adultery and murder, but when he repented, God fully restored him. And the Bible says, “After David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors” (Acts 13:36 NLT).
How would you like to have those words on your tombstone? You can! The Prodigal Son’s older brother was angry with their father because he forgave and restored his younger brother. But his father restored him anyway. You cannot undo the fact of your past sins, but God can heal you from the effects of them. Just come to Him today; take that first step!
Soul food: Eze 37:1-14; Matt 27:50-53; 1 Thes 4:13-18
2023-10-21
Mark 11:24 NLT
The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). God’s greatest desire is to be believed. You can pray regularly and ritually, and even feel closer to God as a result, yet not expect Him to answer your prayers or for your situation to change.
Peter had been put in prison and sentenced to death, and his execution was scheduled for the next day. So, the church prayed all night for his release. And it happened miraculously. God put the guards to sleep, opened Peter’s prison door, and set him free. Yet when he appeared on the doorstep of the house where the believers were praying, they couldn’t believe it: “A servant girl… told everyone, ‘Peter is standing at the door!’ ‘You’re out of your mind!’ they said. When she insisted, they decided, ‘It must be his angel'” (Acts 12:13-15 NLT). Even the early disciples struggled to believe God would hear them. Even when the answer knocked on their door, they still hesitated.
And we do too, don’t we? We struggle with prayer. We forget to pray, and when we remember, we rush through prayers with insincere words. Our thoughts disperse like a covey of quail. Why does this happen? You can pray anywhere, at any time, using your own words, and God promises to answer. So, what’s the problem? We need to realize the incredible power and potential of one praying believer: “Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NCV). So don’t just pray; believe God for the answer. Then talk and act like you believe!
Soul food: 2 Sam 17:14-19:43; John 5:16-30; Ps 15; Prov 24:7
2023-10-20
Exodus 32:13 CEV
If you’re not sure your prayers can change the situation you’re in right now, read the story of Moses interceding with God not to destroy the Israelites because of the golden calf and committing idolatry: “Moses tried to get… God to change his mind… Remember the solemn promise you made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You promised that someday they would have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and that you would give them land. So even though the Lord had threatened to destroy the people, he changed his mind and let them live” (vv. 11, 13-14 CEV).
Moses was on his face one minute, and in God’s face the next. For the lives of his people, he was on his knees, pointing his finger, raising his hands, crying tears, tearing his cloak, and wrestling like Jacob at the brook. Notice how he prayed. He reminded God of His covenant promises. He stood on the Word! And if there is one thing that will get God’s attention and cause Him to respond to your needs, it’s standing on His Word.
God’s word in the matter is always God’s will in the matter. “We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for” (1 John 5:14-15 NLT).
You are similar to electric wire through which God’s power and presence can flow into any situation, and in prayer you flip the switch. So instead of complaining about the situation, begin to pray about it.
Soul food: 2 Sam 14:21-17:13; John 5:1-15; Ps 41; Prov 24:5-6
2023-10-19
Job 5:2 NIV
For reasons known only to God and Satan, Job lost his money, his children, and his health. If ever a man had cause to be resentful, it was him. But Eliphaz advised him, “Resentment kills a fool.” In other words, “The only thing that can hurt me more than what has already happened is allowing resentment to rule my mind and dictate my actions.”
You say, “But I want justice!” How much justice? Imagine your enemy for a moment. Picture him strapped to a whipping post. The strong-armed man with a whip turns to you and asks, “How many lashes?” And you give a number. The whip cracks, the blood flows, and the punishment is inflicted. Your foe slumps to the ground, and you walk away. Are you happy now? Do you feel better? Are you at peace? For a little while, but soon another memory will surface, and another lash will be needed.
When does it all stop? It stops when you take seriously the words of Jesus: “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV).
When you pray, “Treat me as I treat my neighbour” (See Matthew 6:12), are you aware of what you’re really saying to God? “Give me what I give them. Grant me the same peace I grant them. Let me enjoy the same tolerance I offer them.” If you want peace, make peace. If you want God’s generosity, be generous to others. If you want the assurance of God’s forgiveness, extend forgiveness to others.
Soul food: 2 Sam 12:1-14:20; John 4:39-54; Ps 87; Prov 24:1-4
2023-10-18
Ephesians 5:18 NKJV
The Christian life isn’t only a changed life but an exchanged life. At the moment of conversion, we give our old life to God and He gives us a new life in its place. But He does more; He comes to live within us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul made the contrast between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit. One causes you to be out of control, while the other enables you to be in control. One is counterproductive, while the other is productive. One makes you powerless, while the other empowers you. One brings you sorrow, while the other brings you joy. This Scripture is not a promise or even an option, it’s a command: “Be filled with the Spirit.” And Paul gives us three evidences of a Spirit-filled life:
(1) “Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (v. 19 NKJV). This song isn’t induced by circumstances but despite them. “At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God… and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed” (Acts 16:25-26 NKJV). Praising God can open doors and break chains.
(2) “Giving thanks always for all things to God” (Ephesians 5:20 NKJV). Spirit-filled people have troubles like everyone else. But they don’t focus on their troubles; they count their blessings and stay positive, upbeat, and grateful.
(3) “Submitting to one another in the fear of God” (v. 21 NKJV). Spirit-filled people are “others focused.” They know that what you make happen for someone else, God will make happen for you (See Ephesians 6:8).
Soul food: 2 Sam 7:18-11:27; John 4:27-38; Ps 32; Prov 23:29-35
2023-10-17
2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT
One pastor told his congregation, “The good news is, we have enough money here this morning to build a new church.” Then he added, “The bad news is, it’s still in your pockets!” Some of us grew up believing it was wrong to ask God for money because that was a sign of greed and selfishness. And it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. When you pray, “Lord, bless me financially so that I can give to your work and fulfill your plans,” you’re in proper spiritual alignment with God.
In part, the explosive growth of the New Testament church was due to some Christians who were willing to sell their assets in order to finance the will of God. Barnabas was one of them: “He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles” (Acts 4:37 NLT). And Barnabas wasn’t the only one: “Those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles” (vv. 34-35 NLT). Among those who followed Christ were women married to wealthy and powerful men. As a result, Jesus needed a treasurer to take care of their funds.
Scripturally speaking, here is the bottom line when it comes to money: If you honour God, He will honour you, and if you put His work first, He will bless your work. Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need… don’t worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:33-34 NLT). Here is God’s will for you: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous” (2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT).
Soul food: 2 Sam 3:22-7:17; John 4:13-26; Ps 100; Prov 23:22-28
