2023-07-08
Proverbs 4:25 NLT
To succeed at what God has called you to do, you must do these:
(1) Remove distractions. This is not easy, as most people now get hundreds of emails, texts, and tweets every day. But you must do it. How? By keeping the discipline of practicing your priorities. Don’t accomplish easy things first, or hard things first, or urgent things first. Do first things first – the activities that provide you with the highest return. That way, you keep distractions minimized.
(2) Protect yourself from distractions. One leader writes: “I need blocks of time to think without interruptions. I’ve mastered the art of making myself unavailable when necessary and going off to my ‘thinking place’ so that I can work without interruptions… however, I am always aware of the tension between my need to remain accessible to others as a leader and my need to withdraw from them to think.”
Jesus often withdrew from activities and prayed (See Luke 5:16). To know people’s needs, He spent time with people. To meet people’s needs, He spent time with God in prayer. As a result, He was always in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, doing the right things. And you must do that too! If you’re naturally withdrawn, then make sure to get out among people more often. If you’re always “on the go,” then remove yourself periodically so that you can be refreshed and refocused in order to accomplish what God has called you to do. “Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked” (Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT).
Soul food: Jer 33:1-36:26; Matt 24:36-51; Ps 122; Prov 15:10-14
2023-07-07
John 15:16 NKJV
In order to fulfill God’s plan for your life, you must establish clear priorities and live by them each day. Author Edward de Bono quipped, “A conclusion is the place where you get tired of thinking.” Sadly, many people arrive at priorities based on where they ran out of steam. You definitely don’t want to do that. Nor do you want to allow others to decide your agenda or your priorities.
Many ways exist for determining priorities. First, and foremost, your plan must always line up with God’s will for you (See Hebrews 13:20-21). Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Observe: (1) You must know that God has chosen and appointed you to a particular area of service. (2) Your goal in life should be fruit that “remains” after you. If you use them properly, things like money and influence can aid you, but they must never be your goal or your heart’s desire.
So, how can you establish the right priorities? As you get to know yourself better, begin focusing on your strengths and the things that make best use of your God-given skills. Consider what brings you the highest return and reward. Think about what you enjoy most and do best. Those are your core gifts. Utilize the 80/20 rule. Give 80 percent of your effort to the top 20 percent of your activities. Bottom line: Jesus said you are to give your attention to the areas that bear the most fruit.
Soul food: Jer 31-32; Matt 24:26-35; Ps 110; Prov 15:8-9
2023-07-06
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
Here are three more things to keep in mind when you’re under attack:
(1) You are not unique. In a letter to persecuted believers, the apostle Peter said, “Be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters… are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (1 Peter 5:9 NLT). We are all on the same battlefield, but the Devil would love to convince you that you’re the only person who has ever experienced anything like this. That’s so you will feel like a failure and cut yourself off from the strength and support that comes from fellowship with other believers. Be wise; don’t let him do that to you.
(2) Remove any hindrances. The apostle John writes, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:21 NIV). We all sin – the mistake lies in trying to cover it up, because “whoever conceals their sins does not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13 NIV). If you’re constantly struggling and being defeated, ask God to show you where the trouble spot is, draw on His grace, and deal with it.
(3) Don’t quit. Anybody can begin a marathon, but it takes a champion to finish it. The apostle Paul writes, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV). Every one of us experiences adversity. But it’s those who stay strong to the finish who get the reward. So, pace yourself, and determine to go the distance. Study the lives of people like David, Esther, Deborah, and Paul. Remind yourself that their God is your God, and He has promised to bring you through victoriously.
Soul food: Jer 28-30; Matt 24:15-25; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 15:4-7
2023-07-05
2 Chronicles 32:8 NIV
The new birth creates a battle between your old nature and your new nature, and you must learn how to fight it. For the last handful of days, we have been looking at scriptural strategies for winning. Here are a few more:
(1) Fill your mind with Scripture. David said, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (Psalm 119:92 NIV). Your mind is like soil; it will grow any seed you plant, good or bad. When you plant words spoken by God, you’re sowing energy, life, and hope into your spirit. God’s Word is like a vaccination; it strips Satan of his power to infect you with fear and unbelief. The psalmist said, “The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip” (Psalm 37:31 NIV).
(2) Reach out to others. “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!” (Job 42:10 NLT). Does that sound strange? It may be strange in the kingdom of men, but not in the kingdom of God. You are the solution to somebody else’s problem, and when you reach out to them, God will reach out to you (See Ephesians 6:8). Go ahead, try it.
(3) Remember that seasons change. David said, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NLT). This attack won’t last forever – morning is coming! People change and circumstances change. So, start believing God to change things on your behalf. He promised to do it, and He will.
Soul food: Jer 25-27; Matt 24:1-14; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 15:3
2023-07-04
Proverbs 24:10 NLT
For the last few days, we have talked about how to handle Satan’s attacks when they come. So, if you’re under attack today, do these:
(1) Be tough. Life is a collection of battles, which means it can also be a collection of victories. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4 KJV). Reach within and draw on God’s strength. Go ahead; He longs to show you what He can do for you. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV). Did you get that? “He hath said… so that we may boldly say!” There is power in His Word when you speak it, believe it, and act on it.
(2) Depend on God’s wisdom. Jesus said, “Don’t worry… about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply” (Luke 21:14-15 NLT). God has given you two things that always work: your mouth and His wisdom. When unexpected things arise, the Holy Spirit within you will rise to the occasion and speak through you, so start depending on Him.
(3) Trust God to stop the attack. The Bible says, “He causes wars to end throughout the earth” (Psalm 46:9 NLT). God is in control, He is bigger than whatever you’re dealing with, and you’re on His mind this very moment. Your tears, your fears, and your pain have been noticed by Him – and He will move on your behalf.
Soul food: Jer 22-24; Matt 23:23-39; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 14:35-15:2
2023-07-03
2 Corinthians 4:8 TLB
Satan can attack you anytime, anywhere. If you want to defeat him, here are some tried and true biblical principles you need to follow:
(1) Guard your mind. You will never be defeated as long as you’re victorious in your mind; that’s the birthplace of everything you do. Satan knows that, and he will try to get your thoughts so scattered you won’t be able to concentrate on what’s important. Don’t let him do it. Get back into focus. Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3 KJV).
(2) Love people, but trust God. Live by the Scripture: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). When the Devil wants to hurt you, he will often use a person to do it. Your “enemy” is anyone who attempts to thwart the will of God in your life, so identify such people and avoid them. God never commanded us to trust people; He commanded us to love people – and trust Him. Understand the difference, for your victory depends on it.
(3) Never give up. Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NIV). Your dreams and goals are worth any fight, any price, and any waiting period. Your faith is what defeats Satan. Remember Joseph? Every day of adversity was just another stepping-stone toward the throne. So, keep walking and believing, for there is victory ahead!
Soul food: Jer 18-21; Matt 23:13-22; Ps 98; Prov 14:34
