2022-08-13
Proverbs 24:16 NLT
For the next few days, let’s look at five different types of disappointment. Disappointment in yourself. This is the most debilitating kind of disappointment because it can put you into a downward spiral that’s hard to recover from. Peter experienced it. He swore loyalty to Christ saying, “Everyone else may abandon you but not me. I’m yours until death!” (See Matthew 26:33). Yet he denied Christ three times. Later he remembered Christ’s words: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times” (Matthew 26:34 NIV). Peter, heartbroken by his failure, “went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62 NIV).
Is that how you feel today? Are you thinking, “Lord, how could you possibly use someone like me?” Jesus wasn’t shocked. He was well aware of Peter’s flaws when He called him. But He also knew that His outspoken disciple had a tender heart, so He chose to extend grace to him rather than cast him aside. When Christ gave His post-resurrection orders to “tell his disciples and Peter” to meet Him in Galilee, He reaffirmed His choice of His failed disciple (See Mark 16:7). The rest of Peter’s story is one of victory.
So when you sin, or fail and disappoint yourself, what should you do? (1) Humble yourself and repent. Confess your sin; don’t excuse, rationalise, or blame circumstances and people. (2) Receive God’s grace and forgiveness by faith, not feelings. Don’t let Satan convince you that you are beyond God’s reach and grace. You’re not. (3) Don’t add insult to injury by letting disappointment mire you in hopelessness and despair. (4) Get whatever help you need to get back on track – sooner, not later.
Soul food: Deut 30:1-32:28; Mark 5:1-10; Ps 119:41-48; Prov 17:17
2022-08-12
Proverbs 21:20 NKJV
God’s Word says you’re to do two things with your money. (1) Sow some. The Bible says, “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV). You say, “But things are a bit tight for me right now.” Don’t withhold because you are afraid of not having enough. Give God a seed to work with, and He will make sure you have a harvest when you need it. His ability to provide is not limited by the world’s economy. Do what Isaac did: “There was a famine in the land… Then Isaac sowed… and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him” (Genesis 26:1, 12 NKJV). Who blessed Isaac financially? The Lord! When God tells you to give, do it in faith, confident that at the right time, in the right way, and in exactly the right places, you will receive. You say, “I’ve never tried that.” Just one time before you die, try it!
(2) Save some. “There is… treasure… in the dwelling of the wise. But a foolish man squanders it” (Proverbs 21:20 NKJV). Learn to live within your means. Remind yourself that you can live happily without most of the stuff advertised on television. Before you make a purchase, stop and pray. Just because the bank approves the loan doesn’t mean God approves the expenditure. Joseph instructed Pharaoh: “Gather all the food of those good years that are coming… Then that food shall be as a reserve for… seven years of famine” (Genesis 41:35-36 NKJV). Live by the “Joseph principle,” and save. And one more thought: If you keep squandering money recklessly, why would God answer your prayer and give you more money to squander?
Soul food: Deut 28-29; Mark 4:26-41; Ps 119:33-40; Prov 17:16
2022-08-11
Exodus 2:25 NLT
“The Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act” (vv. 23-25 NLT). Just when the Israelites thought life couldn’t get worse, Pharaoh withdrew their straw and ordered them to produce the same daily quota of bricks. That’s when they reached their breaking point!
Is that where you are today? If so, here are three things you need to know: (1) Sometimes it helps to share your feelings. Especially when you do it at the right time, in the right way, to the right people. It can be therapeutic and healing. But often the help you need cannot be found in people, so…
(2) There comes a time when you must cry out to God. God saw them struggling to get through another day. But since they talked to everybody but Him, nothing changed. Question: Have you prayed about it? Prayer must be your first option, not your last resort. David said, “I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place” (Psalm 118:5-6 NKJV). David’s prayers got him out of a tight spot and into God’s spot.
(3) God will always keep His promise. “He remembered His covenant promise… and knew it was time to act.” God works according to His plan, not ours. He has a set schedule for answering your prayer and delivering you, so keep praying and believing Him.
Soul food: Deut 25-27; Mark 4:13-25; Ps 119:25-32; Prov 17:11-15
2022-08-10
James 1:25 CEV
Your life must be governed by the Word of God, not your impulses, or your thoughts, or the opinions of those around you. The Bible is not God’s attempt to offer you interesting insights or good advice for your consideration; it’s His fixed opinion. Jesus said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24 NKJV). This builder’s foundation withstood life’s storms. On the other hand, Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them” is foolish and the storms of life will sweep them away (See vv. 26-27 NKJV).
Now, Jesus didn’t condemn the second man for building an inadequate structure or failing to hear, understand, and believe His words, but for failing to act on them. James writes, “Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it… God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget” (James 1:22, 25 CEV).
If you think reading, knowing, and even believing God’s Word fulfills your obligation to it, you are mistaken. Because it’s God’s Word, His instructions must be obeyed. That requires not just believing it but behaving according to it. James didn’t say you would be blessed because of what you believe, but because of what you “do.” When Moses read God’s Word to the Israelites, they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient” (Exodus 24:7 NKJV). And that must be your rule for living, too.
Soul food: Deut 22-24; Mark 4:1-12; Ps 119:17-24; Prov 17:7-10
2022-08-09
Psalm 119:89 NKJV
God’s Word must be a “settled” issue in your life. Heaven is the Supreme Court; when it rules on a matter, it’s settled. Now, since God’s Word is a settled issue in heaven, the question is, “Is it a settled issue in your life?” Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Mark 13:31 NKJV). The Bible never needs updating; it’s perfect and can’t be improved upon. That’s why Jesus instructs you to let His “words remain in you” (John 15:7 NIV). In other words, program your mind with the Scriptures. How do you do that?
(1) Give it permanent residence, not visitor status. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16 KJV). Take it in richly, meaning copiously and abundantly. Call it Operation Saturation! Read the Bible, meditate on it, speak it out loud. Yes, and even sing its words; “Teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (v. 16 TLB).
(2) Keep it before you at all times. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night… do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8 NIV). Talk it out, think it out, walk it out! You say, “But my memory doesn’t retain things too well.” No problem. Jesus said, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name… will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV). As you meditate on God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will come to the aid of your less-than-perfect memory.
Soul food: Deut 18-21; Mark 3:20-35; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
2022-08-08
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV
“When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (v. 13 NKJV). Here are four things you must believe about your Bible:
(1) It is life changing. In the parable of the sower, Jesus said, “The seed is the word” (Luke 8:11 KJV). You may not understand the power within a seed, but you know that when you sow it in receptive soil, it will spring to life; it won’t just sit there and do nothing, it will produce fruit. Likewise, your Bible is “the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV).
(2) It works. “My word… will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV). Note the word “sent.” Every word God speaks is on a mission and is guaranteed to accomplish it in accordance with His will, His strategy, and His timing.
(3) It is creative. “By God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed” (2 Peter 3:5 NIV). God’s Word was powerful enough to create all that exists. He didn’t strive or sweat, He just spoke, and it was accomplished. So speak God’s Word!
(4) It is authoritative. “They were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority… they were all amazed… saying, ‘What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Luke 4:32, 36 NKJV). The forces of darkness around you today must recognise and submit to God’s Word, so stand on it!
Soul food: Deut 14-17; Mark 3:7-19; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
