2023-01-28
Psalm 5:3 NKJV
Develop the habit of starting each day with God. When you do, you will have a source of strength to draw on all day long. Psychologists say it takes up to three weeks to become familiar with a new habit, and another three before it takes root. That means you need to get beyond the six-week barrier. So, do these:
(1) Make a strong resolution. If you begin half-heartedly, you will never succeed. The Bible says, “Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV). If it helps, become accountable to someone. Ask them to encourage you and remind you of the promise you made to God.
(2) Never allow an exception. A habit is like a ball of twine: Every time you drop it, some of the strands unwind. So don’t allow “just this once” thinking to creep in. Every act of yielding weakens your will and causes you to lose ground.
(3) Use every opportunity to practice your new habit. Whenever you get the slightest urge to read your Bible and pray, do it. Don’t wait; use that moment to reinforce it. It doesn’t hurt to overdo a new habit when you’re first starting.
(4) Rely on the power of God. You’re in a spiritual battle, and you can only succeed with God’s help. Depend on Him to aid you in developing the habit for His glory.
Write down the following words, sign your name at the bottom, and keep them before you constantly: “Lord, I commit myself to beginning each day with You no matter what the cost. And I’m depending on You to help me be consistent.” That’s a prayer He is sure to answer.
Soul food: Gen 10-12; Luke 6:27-36; Ps 107:1-9; Prov 3:13-18
2023-01-27
Titus 2:13 NKJV
Trusting in Christ’s soon return and our ultimate victory is what will sustain us in these days of disillusionment with some of our national leaders, the devaluing of our money, and the devastation of wars being fought on various continents at the same time. And don’t let some television talk show host play on your fears in order to promote his or her ratings. Jesus said, “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42 NIV). In other words, “Be alert, but don’t be afraid.”
Admiral James Stockdale spent eight grueling years in a Vietnam prisoner-of-war camp. What sustained him? He said: “I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.” When asked, “Who didn’t make it out?” Stockdale replied: “Oh, that’s easy… they were the ones who said, ‘We’re going to be out by Christmas.’ And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they’d say, ‘We’re going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart.”
The courage needed to stand between the two extremes of current trouble and ultimate triumph is found in these words of Scripture: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV). The One who gave you your start has guaranteed you a glorious finish.
Soul food: Gen 7-9; Luke 6:17-26; Ps 104:24-35; Prov 3:11-12
2023-01-26
Proverbs 18:13 NLT
Someone said “getting married is like buying something you have admired for ages in a shop window. You love it – but when you get it home, it doesn’t always go with everything!” The Bible gives us three words that are essential to building a happy marriage: “Live in… harmony” (Romans 15:5 NLT). That means doing these three things:
(1) Keep an open mind. The Bible says, “Spouting off before listening to the facts is… shameful and foolish.” So don’t form your response while your husband or wife is still talking. And never become so entrenched in your position that you’re unwilling to consider your spouse’s viewpoint. Listening is about connecting and acknowledging where the other person is coming from. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests… take an interest in others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NLT).
(2) Learn to laugh at yourself. “A cheerful heart brings a smile… a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day” (Proverbs 15:13 MSG). When you’re experiencing money woes, family problems, illness, or plain old exhaustion, humor can ease the tension and help restore your perspective.
(3) Eliminate the “D” word from your vocabulary. Although God permits divorce under certain circumstances, it’s never His ideal. Like one couple who worked through their marriage troubles said, “We’re glad we didn’t give up during the difficult years. We hung in long enough to realise that it really can get better with time.” When you commit to work on your relationship, no matter how things ultimately end up, you will never regret your efforts.
Soul food: Gen 4-6; Luke 6:1-16; Ps 104:1-23; Prov 3:9-10
2023-01-25
Amos 3:3 NLT
There is no definitive test that can predict how a date will ultimately work out, but here are five questions you should always ask yourself:
(1) What’s my first impression of this person? For example, who do they hang out with? What kind of events do they enjoy? Do they lie? Steal? Swear? Do drugs? This kind of information can save you untold heartache down the road. And, not to judge a book by its cover, until you really get to know somebody, what else can you go by?
(2) How well do I know them? Isn’t it wiser to date someone you have known for a while instead of a stranger?
(3) Are they gracious toward others? Nothing is worse than a man who brags about his previous conquests, or a woman who constantly criticizes her ex. Would you trust that kind of person with your reputation and your heart?
(4) Do we share the same values? The Bible says, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” Opposites may attract, but that’s not a good rule when it comes to values. You need to know that your date is a committed Christian who lives by his or her convictions. What kind of standards do they have about things like money, morals, and movies?
(5) Can I trust them to keep their word? In previous relationships did they flirt, or cheat, or remain loyal? Count on it, a promise breaker will inevitably become a heartbreaker.
If you’re dating, here is some sound advice: “Seek [God’s] will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:6 NLT).
Soul food: Gen 1-3; Luke 5:27-39; Ps 100; Prov 3:7-8
2023-01-24
1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV
One of America’s most successful telephone companies created a TV commercial using the slogan, “Can you hear me now?” It shows a man talking on the phone, but the person on the other end can’t hear him. So, he repeatedly asks, “Can you hear me now?” The ad was designed to convey the message that this particular phone company delivers a high-quality signal and doesn’t drop calls. When your phone drops a call, you know it. And what’s your immediate reaction? Annoyance? Frustration? Anger?
In Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, Dr. John Maxwell writes: “When I interact with people… I know I’ve connected when I sense extra effort – people go the extra mile; unsolicited appreciation – they say positive things; unguarded openness – they demonstrate trust; increased communication – they express themselves more readily; enjoyable experiences – they feel good about what they’re doing; emotional bondedness – they display a connection on an emotional level; positive energy – their emotional ‘batteries’ are charged by being together;… unconditional love – they are accepting without reservation.
Anytime I interact with people and I see evidence of these signals, I know I’m connecting. I’ve learned what it takes to connect… and… to gauge when I’m succeeding. How are you doing when it comes to connecting? When you interact one-on-one with someone important in your life, do you receive these signals?… Even if connecting with others isn’t something you’re good at today, you can learn how to do it and become better tomorrow.” But first, you must genuinely care about the person you are trying to connect with. That’s why Paul writes, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow.”
Soul food: Ecc 9-12; Luke 5:12-26; Ps 96; Prov 3:5-6
2023-01-23
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
When change happens in the workplace, we often feel threatened. We get used to the personalities of our co-workers and bosses, and we want them to remain in place, stay the same, and require nothing more from us than what we have given in the past. Out of our desire for stability, security, and predictability, we fail to prepare for instability, uncertainty, and surprises.
How ironic! If we were willing to adjust our expectations and be more realistic, we wouldn’t be so traumatized when change comes. Things can change overnight. It may be the loss of a parent, or a job, or your health. Change is the only constant in life. And it has the potential to move you on to better things or flatten you like a steamroller. The choice is yours. “To everything there is a season.”
The truth is, God is your only secure anchor in life, so if you’re wise, you will build a strong relationship with Him. Ultimately, He will never allow you to depend on anything but Him.
Here is Elijah’s story: “The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning,… and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land” (1 Kings 17:6-7 NKJV). Elijah may have panicked, but God didn’t. “The word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath… and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you'” (vv. 8-9 NKJV). Notice what God used to provide for Elijah: ravens, a brook, and a penniless widow. So enjoy your job, excel in it, but depend only on God!
Soul food: Ecc 5-8; Luke 5:1-11; Ps 91; Prov 3:3-4
