2023-04-04
1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV
Here are three areas where we’re particularly vulnerable: (1) Discouragement. In a moment of discouragement, Peter did what he swore he would never do: deny Jesus. Discouragement makes you say things you don’t mean, and do things that are out of character. That’s why Jude writes to “build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the… Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love” (Jude vv. 20-21 MSG).
(2) Excitement. Herod became excited by a dancing girl, threw caution to the wind, and made an offer he lived to regret: “Whatever you ask me, I will give you” (Mark 6:23 NKJV). She asked for John the Baptist’s head, and since he was a king, Herod couldn’t renege on his promise. That single moment of indulgence cost him his kingdom and his life. Be careful where you turn for excitement, and how you react when you find it. “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived” (James 1:15-16 NKJV).
(3) Weariness. In Old Testament times, a “birthright” meant the oldest son inherited twice as much of his father’s estate. Normally, Esau wouldn’t have considered selling his birthright, but he did so in a state of exhaustion (See Genesis 25:29-34). Weariness can cause you to lose perspective and make decisions based on what feels right in the moment rather than what’s right for you long term.
The Bible says: “All these things happened to them as examples… Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NKJV). So, guard these three areas of vulnerability.
Soul food: Lev 5-7; Luke 23:1-12; Ps 18:30-50; Prov 9:7-9
2023-04-03
Joshua 1:3 NIV
The book of Job has forty-two chapters. In the first forty-one chapters, Job experienced the loss of his health, his wealth, and his family. Over and over again, he questioned God but got only silence for an answer. But he kept walking with God, and said, “When he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 NIV).
Notice three things: First, to become gold, you have to go through the fire. Second, the degree of heat and the amount of time required is determined by the refiner. Third, when you try to rush the process, you end up with a substance of lesser value, like tin. God told Joshua, “I will give you every place where you set your foot.” In other words, “To get what I have promised, you must ‘walk out’ the process.”
American poet C. V. White wrote: “The man who succeeds never waits for the crowd. He strikes out for himself. It takes nerve, it takes a lot of grit, but the man that succeeds has both… Success is the accomplishment of that which people think can’t be done.” Complacency, fatigue, doubt, criticism, and discouragement are everyday hurdles you must constantly overcome. And how do you do that? You keep on walking!
You will notice a common thread throughout the Bible: When you really need Him, God shows up and does for you what you can’t do for yourself. The rest of the time – which is most of the time – He strengthens you and says, “You have to ‘walk out’ the process.” And that’s the word for you today!
Soul food: Lev 1-4; Luke 22:63-71; Ps 18:1-29; Prov 9:4-6
2023-04-02
Isaiah 43:4 NIV
Have you ever gone to a garage sale hoping to find a bargain? To the untrained eye, much of the stuff looks like rubbish. It may even have been gathering dust and mildew in somebody’s attic. But the trained eye sees treasure in disguise; items that just need to be cleaned, polished, and restored in order to become valuable again. That’s what God does with us. When Satan tells you you’re worthless, God looks inside you and sees hidden treasure.
When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, He enables you to overcome your past, resist temptation, conquer bad habits, rise above your self-imposed limitations, and realize that in God’s eyes, you have great worth. You actually start believing what He said: “You are precious… in my sight.”
A man went to visit a psychiatrist who told him, “I’ve diagnosed your problem. It’s low self-esteem – and it’s very common among losers!” We smile, but the truth is when you keep putting yourself down, you tend to gravitate toward people who do the same. But once you begin to realize the value God places on you, your entire outlook changes. With God, you can’t lose. Even when you stumble, He will help you to get back up, become stronger and wiser, and move on to victory.
When you see yourself only as somebody who makes mistakes and falls short, you’re looking in the wrong mirror. Once you start to see yourself in the mirror of God’s Word, you see someone who is being transformed day by day into the likeness of Jesus (See 2 Corinthians 3:18). And that’s how God sees you today.
Soul food: Matt 21:1-16; Ps 118:19-29
2023-04-01
1 Samuel 27:1 CEV
The Bible says, “[David] thought to himself, ‘One of these days, Saul is going to kill me. The only way to escape from him is to go to Philistia'” (v. 1 CEV). Now, in times past, David had “inquired of the Lord” (See 23:2, 4 NIV). He also sought advice from experienced, proven counselors. But this time, he was guided by his fears and ended up defecting to enemy territory. And it gave him a temporary sense of relief.
Looking to the wrong source can do that – but it doesn’t last. Solomon said: “You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead. Sorrow may hide behind laughter, and happiness may end in sorrow. You harvest what you plant, whether good or bad… be smart and know where you are headed” (Proverbs 14:12-15 CEV). Eventually, the Philistines rejected David because they couldn’t trust him. They said, “Send David back to the town you gave him. We won’t have him going into the battle with us. He could turn and fight against us!” (1 Samuel 29:4 CEV).
Be careful when you’re in a spiritual slump, because the decisions you make can have long-lasting ramifications. Rejected by the Philistines, with no country and no family to come home to, here is what we learn from David: (1) Instead of listening to your fears, listen to God. Standing among the ruins of his life, “David found strength in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6 NIV), and you will, too. (2) Seek wise counselors. It’s the last thing you will feel like doing because misery loves company, but “the more wise counsel you follow, the better” (Proverbs 11:14 MSG).
Soul food: Phil 1-4; Luke 22:54-62; Ps 31:14-24; Prov 9:1-3
2023-03-31
Proverbs 3:24 NIV
God built specific triggers into our bodies to let us know when it’s time to escape consciousness. And wise people listen to these clues. History’s most notable power nappers include Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Winston Churchill.
There is a reason why your eyelids start to droop around 2:00 p.m. The levator muscles, which constantly contract to keep your eyelids open, give out and beg for a break. And a chemical called adenosine, which collects in your brain when you’re awake, piles up and makes you feel drowsy. Consequently, your body yearns for sleep to allow the adenosine to disperse, resulting in instant relief.
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine confirms that people who nap for at least thirty minutes daily, three times weekly, are one-third less likely to die from heart disease. And additional research suggests that taking a nap can improve creativity and memory. Cognitive neuroscientist William Fishbein says that often during a brief nap, our brains actually keep working to resolve problems and form new ideas. That helps explain why Mozart professed to have composed music in his dreams.
Studies also show that a little extra sleep can assist with weight control – which means you can lose as you snooze! Ghrelin, a hormone produced in our intestines, tells us we’re hungry and triggers cravings for sweets, salty foods, and starches – all the bad stuff! However, when we sleep more, our colon stores less ghrelin, and our craving for junk food diminishes.
In Scripture, Jesus not only took frequent rest breaks himself; He encouraged His disciples to follow suit. So, try a power nap.
Soul food: Job 40-42; Luke 22:39-53; Ps 31:1-13; Prov 8:34-36
2023-03-30
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
As a follower of Jesus Christ, your direction shouldn’t come from people and be confirmed by God, it should come from God and be confirmed by people. The Bible says: “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good. Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. God made everything with a place and purpose” (vv. 1-4 MSG). You may be able to do what someone else has done and do it even better. But has God called you to do that particular thing?
Before you follow someone else’s guidance, do these: (1) Check the source of their wisdom. “The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless… he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path” (Proverbs 2:6-9 NIV).
(2) Check their motives. John writes, “I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened” (Revelation 20:12 NKJV). Will one of those be “the book of motives”? And if it is, will your actions and accomplishments stand up under divine scrutiny?
(3) Check the outcome they’re pursuing. If you seek success in order to have power and prestige, or seek riches only to have comfort, you violate one of the core principles of God’s Word: You’re blessed in order to be a blessing to others.
Soul food: Job 38-39; Luke 22:24-38; Ps 6; Prov 8:32-33
