2022-09-24
Proverbs 29:25 NLT
If your life’s goal is to have the approval of people, you will never really feel secure. Why is that? Because the time will come when you do something they disapprove of; then what? The Bible says, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety” (v. 25 NLT). A trap is just another word for a prison. If someone other than God can determine your worth as a person, that someone can make you feel like a prisoner anytime they decide to. When a critic’s opinion becomes your own opinion, you’re living in a prison of your own making.
Face it: Some of the people you’re trying so hard to impress will never be impressed. And you must accept this: From God’s perspective, it doesn’t matter. Knowing that enables you to work alongside people without allowing yourself to be controlled by their moods and governed by their opinions.
Each time Paul went to another town, people were meeting and hearing him for the first time. Some of them liked him, and some didn’t. He writes, “For some say, ‘Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!'” (2 Corinthians 10:10 NLT). So how did Paul handle this? He writes, “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Galatians 1:10 NLT). In order to feel secure in life and fulfilled in what you’re doing, you must reach the place where you can look in the mirror and say, “I’m loved and approved by God, and that’s what matters!”
Soul food: 2 Cor 9:1-11:15; Mark 14:66-72; Ps 52; Prov 21:17
2022-09-23
Proverbs 4:11 NKJV
Sometimes we feed our pets bad things – things they shouldn’t be fed. And when bad things go into a pet, bad things come out of a pet. We know that about our pets but forget it when it comes to our minds. Every day we are bombarded with messages from the media, employers, coworkers, people we date, books, music – and from our own thoughts. Satan works in two ways. First, he tries to feed you with stuff like temptation, depression, and worry. Second, he tries to keep you from noticing what you’re putting into your mind. A healthy mind feeds on healthy thoughts. Jesus said He came to give us “life more abundantly” (See John 10:10).
Instead of constantly striving for self-worth, peace of mind, joy and happiness, your mind can overflow with these things. But first you must pay attention to what your mind is focused on. Jeremiah said, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16 NIV). One of the greatest gifts God has given us is Scripture – but we frequently turn it into a burden. “Do I have to read the Bible every day?” That’s the wrong question. You need to ask, “What can I feed my mind on today so that it will flourish?”
The psalmist said that when you delight in God’s Word, you will prosper in whatever you do (See Psalm 1:1-3). In order to have what successful people enjoy, you must first do what successful people do. And according to the psalmist, successful people delight in the Word of God day and night.
Soul food: 2 Cor 5-8; Mark 14:53-65; Ps 34; Prov 21:14-16
2022-09-22
Ephesians 2:19 MSG
“He created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody. Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father. That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day” (vv. 15-21 MSG).
If your children stood outside your house pleading to get in, what would you think? Wouldn’t you say, “Come in, you’re my flesh and blood. I love you, you don’t need to beg”? God is building a house, and you’re part of it. You can come before Him at any time with any need, knowing you will be received with love. God is the father you always hoped for, and you’re the child He always wanted. If you have any doubts about that, look at the cross; that’s how much God loves you. Today you belong to God!
Soul food: 2 Cor 1-4; Mark 14:43-52; Ps 39; Prov 21:9-13
2022-09-21
Esther 4:14 NLT
The story of Esther teaches us two important truths: (1) You need mentors to guide you. Because she was willing to listen to Mordecai, Esther discovered that her calling wasn’t just to be a queen but a deliverer of her people. So, who is your Mordecai? Who knows you well enough to clarify and confirm your calling in life? Who loves you enough to challenge you when you get off track or strengthen and encourage you when you want to quit and run? Where we have blind spots, we need people with 20/20 vision to speak into our lives. Joshua listened to Moses. Timothy listened to Paul. Ruth listened to Naomi. Who are you listening to?
(2) You need to know you’re in the place God wants you to be. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, challenged her and changed her life by saying, “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther didn’t set out to be queen. But once she was, she had to decide between her comfort and her calling. It’s a choice you must make too.
You say, “What’s my calling?” It could involve your job, your marriage, your tasks as a parent, your friendships. It could involve the neighbourhood where you live or volunteering at your church. One thing is certain: When God calls, it’s your “time.” You may be tempted to think you’re just treading water right now, waiting for some other time or more important opportunity. No, you don’t get to choose your time; God does that! The psalmist said, “My times are in thy hand” (Psalm 31:15 KJV).
Soul food: Ezek 46-48; Mark 14:27-42; Ps 3; Prov 21:4-8
2022-09-20
John 21:7 NLT
“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied. Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he… jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat” (vv. 4-8 NLT).
Peter had to decide whether to leave his fish and go to Jesus or stay behind and enjoy what he had worked hard for. It’s a test we all face when we have accomplished our life’s objectives, when our nets are full and we have finally “made it.” Your challenge is, “Do I stay and guard my blessings or go overboard for the Lord and commit myself fully to Him?”
Paul refers briefly to his career’s success: “You know my pedigree… from the elite tribe of Benjamin… defender of… my religion… meticulous observer of… God’s law” (Philippians 3:4-6 MSG). But listen to him now: “Things I… thought were so important are gone… dumped… in the trash so that I could embrace Christ” (vv. 7-8 MSG). Paul realised his true identity lay not in his accomplishments but in his relationship with Jesus.
Do you feel that way too? That night Peter may have felt like he was forfeiting everything, yet when he reached the shore, he found Jesus busy – cooking fish! The point is, whatever you need, God has it. Whatever you give up, He will repay many times over.
Soul food: Ezek 43-45; Mark 14:12-26; Ps 19; Prov 21:3
2022-09-19
James 1:22 NKJV
To identify the source of your discouragement, it’s helpful to talk to someone who can offer you insight and guidance. But be careful – you can talk your problems to death and get nowhere! That’s why the Bible says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
So, (1) Always do what’s right. Few things increase discouragement like regret or a guilty conscience. It’s tough to apologise, admit your faults, forgive, restrain your temper, bear a deserved blame, or start over. But deciding to do these things when they’re appropriate always pays off. Be willing to view your life realistically, see yourself as you are, and accept what’s true.
(2) Remember, timing is important. Often, we look for relief in the valley instead of waiting for the clarity that comes from standing on the mountaintop. That’s because it takes a lot of effort to get to the top of the mountain! When we’re experiencing the darkness of the valley, it’s tempting to make changes we hope will relieve our discomfort. But as Dr. Robert Schuller says: “When you are on top of the proverbial mountain… is the time to make decisions. Here’s why: You… see your situation more clearly. You are moving to something, not just from something. You decide using positive data, not negative. You are more likely to move from peak to peak instead of valley to valley.”
On the other hand, if you keep persevering while you’re in the valley, not only will you make it to higher ground where you can make wiser decisions, but you will have developed character, which will serve you well throughout life.
Soul food: Ezek 40:10-42:20; Mark 14:1-11; Ps 24; Prov 21:1-2
