2023-09-28
Psalm 39:7 NKJV
Life seldom works out exactly the way we hope or think it will. When Job lost everything, he said, “I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for… I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success” (Job 6:11, 13 NLT). Yet in the end, Job got back twice as much as he had lost. But the experiences and adversities he had gone through changed his attitude toward God profoundly. “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted… My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:2, 5 NIV).
What had Job discovered? That God is sovereign! He is not our servant, we are His servants. We must obey His Word in order to walk in His blessing – but the final outcome of all things rests in His hands and not ours.
Many of us struggle with control. We want control not only over our circumstances, but our goals, plans, relationships, and all that concerns us. Such fear is often an indication of an unconscious desire to be independent of God; to be the master of our own destiny. Sometimes it’s the result of growing up in a chaotic environment and resolving never to repeat the experiences of your earlier life.
Perhaps you think you’re in control of your life due to your educational, financial, or other achievements. It isn’t true. God enabled you to do everything that you have done. Paul writes, “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favour on me” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT). Today God is in control – trust Him!
Soul food: S of S 1-4; Mark 15:12-20; Ps 13; Prov 21:22-27
2023-09-27
Galatians 6:5 NLT
Being accountable for yourself, your thoughts, and your actions is a very important part of being a contributing member in a relationship. But sometimes we take things too far by assuming an unhealthy responsibility for others, then using it as an excuse for not being accountable for ourselves and our own circumstances.
For example, we blame an unplanned pregnancy for our failure to go to college. Or we blame our unhappiness on the fact that we stayed married for the sake of the children. We focus so much on other people and taking responsibility for their lives that we never take time to look for solutions to rise above our own situation. And eventually all the woe and hard times become our identity. We don’t just complain; we become chronic complainers.
Let’s be honest, sometimes our tales of woe are simply excuses, made-up versions of the truth to hide the fact that we have decided to blame everyone else for our circumstances. That way we don’t have to take responsibility for our lives. The fact is, we all make choices in life; to go or stay, to confront or ignore, to complain or look for a solution.
Whether it’s your spouse, your kids, or your parents, it’s never a good idea to take responsibility for others if you’re doing it to avoid deciding what you need to do for yourself. The Bible says, “Pay careful attention to your own work… then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct” (vv. 4-5 NLT).
Soul food: 2 Cor 11:16-13:14; Mark 15:1-11; Ps 54; Prov 21:18-21
2023-09-26
Proverbs 28:13 NIV
Mistakes are a part of life. Successful people acknowledge theirs, learn from them, and work to correct them. A study of 105 executives identified common characteristics shared by successful people, but one observation was particularly helpful. Successful people admit their mistakes and accept the consequences instead of blaming others. None of us enjoy reaping the consequences of our actions. When things go wrong, we have a natural tendency to look for someone to blame. It’s in our DNA.
In the garden of Eden when God asked Adam what he had done, Adam blamed Eve. And when God questioned Eve, she blamed the Devil. The next time you mess up, think about who is really at fault and try to look at it objectively so you can learn from it and do better next time. Somebody said the sooner you fail, the more time you have to improve.
Ask yourself, “What have I learned? How can I turn this failure into success? Where did I succeed besides fail?” People who accuse others for their failures never surmount them; they just move from problem to problem. To reach your highest potential, you must persistently improve yourself, and you can’t do that if you don’t take responsibility and learn from your errors.
In life you will always have problems. The question is: Will you stay down and wallow in defeat, or get back up on your feet and make the best of things by determining to fight another day? Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” So, live by the Bible principle, “A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again” (Proverbs 24:16 KJV).
Soul food: 2 Cor 9:1-11:15; Mark 14:66-72; Ps 52; Prov 21:17
2023-09-25
Proverbs 31:28 MSG
Where do children learn to think highly of their mothers? Who sets the pattern for their young minds, positioning Mom as the much-loved and respected member of the family – instead of being merely considered “chief cook and bottle washer?” At school, children learn the skills necessary to succeed on the job, but at home, they learn the skills necessary for building a family. And the best public relations agent for Mom – is Dad.
Father, you wield tremendous influence over what your children think of their mother and women in general. When your children grow up with warring parents, they think, “If Dad can argue with Mom, then so can I.” In short, your attitudes and actions become the attitudes and actions of your children. In a world that often discounts the contribution of women, especially homemakers, it’s up to you as a husband and father to say in a dozen different ways, “Your mother is a wonderful woman! She works hard and she deserves tremendous credit for what she gives us all. As far as I’m concerned, she is number one!”
Proverbs 31 says, “Her children respect and bless her.” Who did they learn that from? Television? Their peer group? School? No, they learned it at home. Here is the bottom line: The way you treat your wife is probably the way your son will treat his wife. Your children may not follow your advice, but often they will follow your example. “Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise” (v. 31 NLT).
Soul food: Lev 16; Lev 23:26-32; Heb 9:1-14; Heb 13:11-16
2023-09-24
Deuteronomy 32:11-12 NKJV
Eagles learn to fly by being pushed out of their nest. Left to themselves, they would never leave the comfort of home. But, neither would they discover and fulfill their unique destiny as fliers. The same principle applies to your children. It’s true that most teenagers can’t wait to get out of the house, but there are also some who need to be pushed.
How can you get your grown children to move on when the time has come? Sometimes the problem is not that you as a parent withhold independence but that your children don’t want to accept it. They have no desire to grow up, and why should they? The nest is just too cozy! Food is cooked. Clothes are washed, and bills are paid. They feel no motivation to face the harsh world of reality, and they have resolved not to budge. Some even won’t get a job. It’s hard to dislodge homebound sons or daughters. They’re like furry, little puppies who lie around the back door waiting for a bowl of warm milk.
But letting them stay, especially if they’re avoiding career goals, is cultivating irresponsibility and dependency. That’s not loving them, even though you may feel like it is. A time comes when you must gently but candidly hand the reins over to your children and force them to stand on their own two feet to live life on life’s terms. In some cases, you might even have to pack their bags. But if you love them and want them to fulfill their God-given destiny, you have no other choice.
Soul food: John 2:1-11; Job 36:22-37:13
2023-09-23
Mark 2:17 NLT
There is a difference between loving nonbelievers and loving their ways. Paul says, “Find common ground with everyone, doing everything [you] can to save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT). So: (1) Be courteous. “The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down” (Colossians 4:6 MSG). (2) Be genuine. “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it” (Romans 12:9 MSG). Because Jesus found common ground with the woman at the well, she made peace with God, then brought her friends and family to meet Jesus (See John 4). You have to spend time around nonbelievers to introduce them to Christ.
When Levi invited Jesus and His disciples as dinner guests with tax collectors and other disreputable sinners, the Pharisees asked, “‘Why does he eat with such scum?’… Jesus… told them… ‘I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners'” (Mark 2:16-17 NLT).
Author Mark Roberts observes: “Table fellowship signified deep intimacy. To eat with someone was to share in their life and to allow them into yours… The Pharisees, who were committed to the highest standards of ritual purity… expected Jesus to do as they did, keeping plenty of distance between themselves and questionable types who might compromise Jesus’ holiness.”
Jesus didn’t see people as “scum,” and wasn’t concerned about maintaining a religious facade. He ate with sinners because they needed His help and were open to receive it. How about you? Are you willing to get your hands dirty? Are you more concerned with what people think about you than you are about those who need Christ?
Soul food: 2 Cor 5-8; Mark 14:53-65; Ps 34; Prov 21:14-16
