2023-02-03
Proverbs 24:3 NCV
At an educators’ conference, one colleague condescendingly asked another’s wife, “What is it that you do, my dear?” The husband later wrote: “My wife… shot back, ‘I’m socializing two Homo sapiens into the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be the instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God willed from the beginning of creation.’ Then [she] asked…sweetly, ‘And what is it that you do?’ The woman answered humbly, ‘I… I… teach sociology.'”
The Bible says, “It takes wisdom to have a good family, and… understanding to make it strong” (v. 3 NCV). Wisdom is the ability to see with discernment. Understanding is the skill to respond with insight. If you succeed at everything else in life and fail at home, nothing else will matter.
One author writes: “We must fill our children with light so they can discern what’s dark… help them cultivate a life of peace so they recognize discord… educate them on what’s right so that what’s wrong has glaring contrast. We must love them so fully that they’re not trying to stave off emptiness… offer the sweet scent of truth so they can smell a lie… build their confidence in Christ so they’re not easily dismantled by others’ opinions. We must build their foundation on a rock so they [recognize] unstable ground… bring them up so it’s difficult for others to bring them down… and teach them to pray for wisdom so they realise being smart isn’t enough.”
As parents, you and I may not see the return on our investment right way, but “at…t he right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
Soul food: Gen 25:19-27:46; Luke 7:36-50; Ps 111; Prov 3:29-30
2023-02-02
Luke 15:20 CEV
When the father saw his prodigal son, “his heart went out to him.” Jack Graham writes: “This isn’t a father who can’t wait to punish his sinful son… who has written him off as wasted and worthless. This is a loving, caring father who can’t wait to embrace and welcome him. He runs down the road to meet him… What you see… is a picture of the Father’s love for you… eager… excessive… approachable… abundant.”
Max Lucado adds: “The tale involves a wealthy father and a willful son [who]… takes his inheritance [to] Las Vegas and… wastes [it] on slot machines and call girls… Broke [and] too proud to go home, he gets a job sweeping… stables at the racetrack. When he finds himself… [eating]… their oats, he realises enough is enough… Off he goes, rehearsing his repentance speech… But… ‘When he was… a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion’ [v. 20 NKJV]… We expect crossed arms… a furrowed brow… a guarded handshake… a stern lecture… Instead [the father said], ‘Bring out the best robe… a ring… sandals… and… the fatted calf’ [vv. 22-23 NKJV].”
The ring symbolized delegated authority. The one who wore it carried on business in the name of the one who gave it. Would you have given this prodigal the power of attorney over your matters? Entrusted him with your credit card?
When you came to God, you were given authority to conduct business in His name. When you speak truth, you’re His ambassador (See 2 Corinthians 5:20). As you steward finances He gives, you’re His business manager. When you proclaim forgiveness, you’re His priest. He has given you the privilege to do for others what He does for you. Don’t withhold encouragement or affirmation! Speak words that strengthen others. Why? Because you represent your Father!
Soul food: Gen 24:1-25:18; Luke 7:24-35; Ps 107:33-43; Prov 3:27-28
2023-02-01
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
In order to succeed in life, you need good coping skills. The salesperson has a quota. The performer has rehearsals. The therapist counsels one depressed soul after another. The pilot has to sit in the cockpit for hours. The preacher is never free of sermon preparation. Then there is the mother with tiny children facing fourteen hours a day of making decisions, competing with strong wills, and trying to be everything to everybody.
How do you develop the coping skills required to live the abundant life Jesus promised? (See John 10:10.) Paul tells us, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks.” Rejoice in the things that never change, can’t fail, and won’t let you down (like God’s promises!).
And when you feel like you can’t cope, pray. Better yet, live with a prayerful heart! With every breath, say, “I trust you, Lord; I turn it over to you, for I know you have everything under control.”
And don’t forget to give thanks. Remember the old adage: “I grumbled because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” Instead of complaining, start counting your blessings. Do you remember what life was like before you met Jesus? Weren’t there days when you thought you wouldn’t make it? Now look where you are! On the other side of the Red Sea, looking back, the Israelites declared that the Lord was their strength, their song, and their salvation (See Exodus 15:2). And isn’t that what He has been to you, too? Come on, praise God!
Soul food: Gen 20-23; Luke 7:11-23; Ps 107:23-32; Prov 3:25-26
2023-01-31
Philippians 4:7 NKJV
Wise people never make important decisions in a wrong emotional state. When Elijah found out that Queen Jezebel was after him, he was ready to give up his role as a prophet and die. So God gave him forty days of rest, prayer and recovery, before he decided what his next steps would be. He was now ready to decide on the basis of his faith in God, and not his fear of Jezebel. And his decision was very different at the end of forty days of rest, than it would have been before he rested.
You’ve probably seen people make terrible decisions when they were drained, tired, discouraged, and afraid, that they would never have made otherwise. Generally speaking, you won’t choose the right course of action when you’re in the wrong frame of mind.
When you have an important decision to make, sometimes the wisest thing you can do is – wait until you’re rested. An anxious mind in an exhausted body can lead to a terrible decision. The Bible says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (vv. 6-7 NKJV).
Notice what “the peace of God” does for you. It will “guard” your mind. From what? Acting impulsively, acting selfishly, or acting maliciously. Acting in any way that will result in loss rather than gain – and regret rather than joy.
Soul food: Gen 17-19; Luke 7:1-10; Ps 107:17-22; Prov 3:21-24
2023-01-30
Ephesians 4:15 NLT
Jon Walker says: “It’s hard to… confront… it’s easier to stay superficial… to demonize one another when we don’t agree… and to cut and run at the first sign of trouble… But the Bible says, ‘An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship’ (Proverbs 24:26 NLT); it deepens relationships… and keeps our fellowship open and authentic, freeing us to speak the truth in love’… No more lies or pretense. Tell your brother the truth. Remember, ‘In Christ’s body we’re all connected… When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.'” (Ephesians 4:25 MSG).
Author Annette Smith observes: “Touchy topics are difficult for even close friends. Yet relationships involve flawed people who make mistakes and get into messes. Friends need to be able to count on each other, not just for fun and affirmation, but for instruction and correction. Committing ourselves to a friendship means because we care on a deep intimate level, we have the courage to speak up when a friend needs to hear tough words… True friendship comes with joy and responsibility… To avoid talking truthfully about a situation that’s hurtful, dangerous, or out of God’s will, is to dishonour the friendship and the friend.
When we’ve been trusted with the blessing of friends, we must love them enough to be willing to experience hurt, rejection, even anger. In the end, truth heals. Before addressing a difficult situation, if there’s any self-righteousness or the tiniest desire to get even, we should keep silent. Honesty… when it comes to touchy subjects must be accompanied by pure, loving motives.”
The Bible says, “Speak the truth in love… growing… more like Christ.” If your words aren’t bathed in love, they’ll hurt rather than heal.
Soul food: Gen 13-16; Luke 6:37-49; Ps 107:10-16; Prov 3:19-20
2023-01-29
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Doug Coldiron writes: “I’m a trucker, and my Jack Russell Terrier, Dee Dee, rides shotgun on my road trips. We were playing fetch outside Atlanta when something caught her eye and she shot into the woods. I paced the perimeter calling her name. I alerted other truckers and searched until it was pitch black. Nothing. Eventually the others left; some said, ‘I’ll pray for you.’ I wasn’t so sure God was listening. I’d already been praying for hours. Next morning, I had to get on the road, and when I opened my laptop and pulled up my Facebook page, it was filled with postings: ‘We’re praying for you.’ ‘Hang in there.’ ‘Trust God.’ I felt comforted; someone besides me was worried about my dog. If only I could get back to Atlanta soon! I thought about praying, ‘Lord, get me an assignment in Atlanta… NOW!’
I knew that could take weeks, but when I clicked on my company website to check the destination for my next job… it was Atlanta! Could prayer be working? Next morning my cell phone woke me. It was Russ, the maintenance supervisor. ‘I saw your dog on my way to work.’ I couldn’t believe my ears. I had to get to Atlanta! From the truck center, Russ drove me to where he had seen Dee Dee. After searching for hours, I glanced over my shoulder… and there she sat on the doorstep of a house. She bolted over, and as I picked her up, I prayed, ‘Thank you, God.'”
The Bible says, “Give all your worries… to God, for he cares about you” (v. 7 NLT). Coldiron adds, “Who knows what goes on in a dog’s mind? One thing I know is we’re never alone. God always answers prayer.”
Soul food: Phil 2:1-13; Exo 14:5-31
