2023-07-24
Galatians 5:13 KJV
Do you have an “I-O-YOU” attitude or a “U-O-ME” attitude? What gives us an attitude of entitlement? It’s found in the middle of the word entitlement itself: “title.” We assume people owe us because of the title we hold in their lives: wife, husband, mother, brother, daughter, friend, pastor, donor, employee, boss, etc. We think of our title as a title deed that gives us the right to whatever advantage we expect. Paul described the essence of discipleship in these words: “By love serve one another.” If you have an attitude of entitlement, here are some strategies to help you overcome it:
(1) Understand the difference between your “rights” and your “desires.” You have the right to expect your husband or wife to be faithful to you, but you don’t have the right to expect them to wait on you hand and foot. “For God so loved… that he gave” (John 3:16 KJV). True love is marked by giving, not taking.
(2) Live by the Golden Rule (See Matthew 7:12). Jesus said that whatever you want others to do for you, take the initiative and begin doing it for them. You say, “But what if they don’t return the favour?” God will reward you anyway! “He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do” (Hebrews 6:10 NLT).
(3) Never assume that a person’s past kindness creates an ongoing obligation to you. God may use others to bless you, but He alone must always be the source you trust to meet your needs (See James 1:17).
Soul food: Acts 14-15; Matt 27:33-44; Ps 65; Prov 16:8-9
2023-07-23
Proverbs 13:7 NKJV
The Bible says, “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches” (v. 7 NKJV). It’s a blessing to have the things money can buy, as long as you don’t lose sight of the things it can’t buy. Money can buy whatever is for sale. But the greatest things in life, like your health and your relationships, can’t be bought because they’re not for sale. You could sum up much of what the Bible has to say about money with these three bottom-line statements:
(1) What you are is more crucial than what you have. “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6 NKJV).
(2) What God sees in you is more crucial than what you have. “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble” (Proverbs 15:16 NKJV).
(3) What others think of you is more crucial than what you have. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1 NKJV).
Don’t worry about “keeping up with the Joneses.” The Joneses might be one step from bankruptcy or the divorce court. Furthermore, if you did catch up with the Joneses, they would just refinance. The truth is, you will never be happy with what you have until you learn to be happy with what others have – that you don’t have. The Bible tells us covetousness is a sin. And covetousness is simply failing to enjoy what God has given you!
Soul food: 2 Kings 20:1-11; Heb 8:7-13
2023-07-22
1 Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV
Bulldozers are good at demolishing things, but they’re useless at building things. With that picture in mind, ask yourself, “Do I use the force of my personality and the power of my position to impose my will on people and get them to do things my way?” If your answer is yes, then understand this: Those who are the most controlling are often the most afraid of being controlled!
Question: What do you fear would happen if you treated others with respect and considered their input, ideas, and choices? Is fear and intimidation the only way you can imagine of holding on to relationships? Wouldn’t you rather earn the love of others by being considerate rather than cruel, or are you willing to settle for fearful submission? If you need to, talk to a friend or counselor and try to get to the root of the deeper issues that are driving your behaviour.
Over the next week, try not to criticize or rob anyone of his or her right to choose. Remember that even God gives people the power of choice. And you’re not God. Keep this challenge going for two more weeks or for as long as it takes to get your controlling attitude under control.
Paul was prolific enough to write the epistles and powerful enough to raise the dead, yet he said, “We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (v. 7 NKJV). When people made mistakes, Paul said, “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 NKJV). So, the word for you today is – try to be more gentle.
Soul food: Acts 12-13; Matt 27:27-32; Ps 14; Prov 16:6-7
2023-07-21
Psalm 119:97 NKJV
Andrew Murray wrote, “There is a direct connection between the degree to which you succeed in life and the time you spend meditating on God’s Word.” God told Joshua, “Meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will… have good success” (Joshua 1:8 NKJV).
We live in the age of ADD. We once believed that if we had more material things, we would feel happier. But it doesn’t work. The more things we acquire, the more we have to protect, insure, maintain, stress out over, and keep up with. Jesus said, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15 NKJV). So, what’s the answer? “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15 NKJV).
In Pathways to Power, Merrill F. Unger writes: “This holy exercise of pondering over the Word, chewing it as an animal chews its cud to get its sweetness and nutritive virtue… takes time, which ill fits into the speed of our modern age. Today most Christians’ devotions are too hurried, their lives too rushed.” The psalmist David said: “I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:6-8 NKJV).
Slow down. Take time to meditate on God’s Word. Your survival, strength, and success depend on it.
Soul food: Acts 10-11; Matt 27:11-26; Ps 146; Prov 16:4-5
2023-07-20
Exodus 18:17-18 NAS
Do you feel like there isn’t enough of you to go around? Like you’re on the cliff’s edge and about to go over? Perhaps because you’re doing much more than God intended you to do. You see, when God reveals His purpose for your life, He also gives you His power to carry it out. Usually it’s simple and remarkably sane. One of the surest ways to know you are walking in God’s will is that you will feel led, not driven.
Are you resting less and working more? Are you praying and reading your Bible less and worrying more? Maybe, like Moses, you’re dashing from one appointment to another: eating on the run, meeting deadlines, and trying to solve everybody’s problems while your own pile up.
Others may have been impressed, but Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, wasn’t. “What is this thing… you are doing…?” he asked (v. 14 NAS). Not surprisingly, Moses became defensive. Too-busy people usually are. He attempted to justify his schedule, but Jethro didn’t buy it. Instead, he told Moses, “The thing… you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out.” And what did he tell Moses to do? Shift gears and start sharing the load! (See vv. 22-23.) Then he bottom-lined it: “That will make your load lighter… you will be able to stand the strain” (vv. 22-23 NIV).
Since when did a bleeding ulcer become a sign of spirituality, or a seventy-hour workweek the mark of efficiency? Be honest: Are you too stubborn to slow down, too insecure to say no, or too proud to ask for help? If so, talk to God about it.
Soul food: Acts 8-9; Matt 27:1-10; Ps 140; Prov 16:3
2023-07-19
1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV
The time to be careful is after you have reached your goals and you’re celebrating your victories. There are three crucial points in every battle, and believe it or not, the easiest one is sometimes the fight itself. The most difficult point is the period of indecision right before the conflict – whether to stand and fight or run away – the battle between faith and fear. But by far the most dangerous period is the aftermath. With your resources spent and your guard down, you need to watch for things like overconfidence, dulled reactions, and faulty judgment.
Remember King David’s story? “In the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle… David remained at Jerusalem. Then it happened… he saw a woman bathing… Then David sent messengers, and took her” (2 Samuel 11:1-2, 4 NKJV). Pay particular attention to the phrase, “Then it happened.” David chose to stay home rather than go to battle. Who knows why? Maybe his impressive record of successes made him soft, or he got careless, or arrogant? It was only a brief affair, but it changed everything. His peace vanished, his character was ruined, and his family life destroyed.
Don’t fall prey to the perils of past victories! Remember your H.A.L.T. sign. When you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, you’re in a vulnerable place and need to be extra careful. Resting on your laurels is synonymous with flirting with disaster. Trouble awaits the man or woman who dwells in the comfortable land of accomplished dreams. So, the word for you today is – “If you think you’re standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Soul food: Acts 6-7; Matt 26:57-75; Ps 133; Prov 16:2
