2021-12-19
1 Kings 3:9 NKJV
“The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream…and…said, ‘Ask! What shall I give you?'” (v. 5 NKJV). Solomon said, “Give…Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (vv. 6, 9 NKJV). Next, we read, “The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing” (v. 10 NKJV). But God wasn’t through talking to Solomon: “I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days” (v. 13 NKJV). Discernment made Solomon one of the greatest kings who ever reigned.
You have probably heard the saying “Go with your gut!” Management consultant Robert Heller adds this advice: “Never ignore a gut feeling, but never believe that it’s enough.” Discernment doesn’t rely on intuition alone, nor does it rely solely on intellect or experience. The writer of Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
There are two kinds of discernment: natural discernment and spiritual discernment. One can fail you – the other won’t. When natural discernment can’t take you a step further, spiritual discernment enables you to keep going with faith and confidence. How will you recognize the difference? James tells us, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17 NKJV). Can you imagine such a life? The good news is – you can have it!
Soul food: Jer 31:31-37; Heb 8:1-13; 2 Cor 3:1
2021-12-18
1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV
Who said, “I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad soldiers; we will settle the matter by lunchtime”? Napoleon Bonaparte over breakfast with his generals just before the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Who said, “I think there is a world market for about five computers”? Thomas J. Watson, the chairman of IBM, in 1943. Who said, “I don’t need bodyguards”? Jimmy Hoffa, a month before his disappearance in 1975. What did all these men have in common? Lack of discernment – and it cost them dearly.
When it comes to seeing life’s opportunities and solving life’s problems, you need discernment. It enables you to see what others don’t, fill in the missing pieces, and get to the heart of the matter. If you can see the root cause of a problem, you have a much better chance of solving it.
That means when you stay in the area of your core gift, your discernment will be stronger. So if you want to tap into your discernment potential, work from the areas of your strength. But do more. Pray for discernment. It’s one of the nine “gifts of the Spirit” promised to us in Scripture (See 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV).
Some of Israel’s greatest victories were won when David was king. And when we study the makeup of his army, we read, “The sons of Issachar…had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” Discernment enables you to see doors of opportunity where others see only brick walls. It will save you from life’s pitfalls and show you what you “ought to do” – so pray for discernment.
Soul food: Zech 5-8; John 20:19-31; Ps 67; Prov 30:29-33
2021-12-17
1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV
While David and his men were off fighting, the Amalekites destroyed their homes and took their families captive. First, David’s army wept. Second, they looked to David for guidance. Third, David sought God, saying, “‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.'”
Notice four important points: (1) Satan will attack your loved ones to get to you. It may be big stuff like your husband losing his job or your wife discovering a lump in her breast, or little stuff like low-grade family tension and lack of consideration for each other. You need to stay alert and discern Satan’s attacks so you can defend yourself against them.
(2) Love people but lean only on God. The people David fought side by side with one day turned against him the next day. That’s why your strength, strategies, and solutions for living must come from God, not others.
(3) Talk to yourself in the right way. “David encouraged himself in the Lord” (v. 6). If you want to end up discouraged, talk about your situation. If you want to be encouraged, talk to the One who can change your situation – the Lord. The Bible says, “A wholesome [uplifting, positive, inspiring] tongue is a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4 NKJV). So learn to talk to yourself in the right way.
(4) You can get back what you have lost. God told David, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” And what God did for David and his men that day, He will do for you if you seek Him.
Soul food: Zech 1-4; John 20:10-18; Ps 57; Prov 30:24-28
2021-12-16
Acts 26:16 NLT
A “servant” focuses on doing his master’s will. And a “witness” testifies to what he or she has seen and personally experienced. And as a redeemed child of God, you’re called to do both. Let’s look at each one individually.
(1) You’re God’s servant. That means your ears must be attuned to what He wants you to do, when He wants you to do it, in the way He wants it done. Doing His will should be the most important item on your daily agenda.
(2) You’re His witness. The value of a witness depends on how close they were to an event when it happened, and what they observed. John writes, “We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands….Now we testify” (1 John 1:1-2 NLT).
Remember the old adage “you become like the company you keep”? Well, when you spend time with Jesus each day, others will be influenced by your life. The Bible says, “He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). When it comes to sharing your faith, you must show wisdom, tact, and grace. Chances are, many people you meet have had at least one bad experience with Christians and church, so you must be “wise.”
And how do you do that? By letting them know Jesus is the Great Physician who heals broken hearts. That the church is a hospital where some are doing well while others are still in critical care. Properly understood and presented, this will draw people to Jesus instead of driving them away. So…what’s your assignment? To be His servant and His witness!
Soul food: 2 Tim 1-4; John 20:1-9; Ps 105:37-45; Prov 30:20-23
2021-12-15
Ephesians 1:11 NKJV
God can make the wrong decisions of the people around you to work in your Favour. So instead of looking for someone to blame, try to see the hand of God at work in your situation. Joseph discovered three things: (1) When God wants you in a palace, nobody can keep you in a prison. (2) Your future isn’t in the hands of others; it’s in the hands of God. (3) Your God-given assignment in life doesn’t call for the cooperation or approval of everyone, but it does require the cooperation of one person – you.
Joseph’s brothers made a wrong decision by resenting him. Potiphar’s wife made a wrong decision by falsely accusing him. And the butler made a wrong decision by turning his back on him. But God did the right thing by him! He arranged every step Joseph took, all the way to the throne. After years apart, Joseph stood face-to-face with those who had treated him so badly, and said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).
Try to understand this: The purposes of God will eventually overcome the plans of men. No one can prevent God from using you, blessing you, and giving you success, except you. So keep your heart and your attitude right! Paul writes, “Long before we first heard of Christ…he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone” (Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG). So look for the hand of God in “all things.”
Soul food: Micah 5-7; John 19:30-42; Ps 105:23-36; Prov 30:15-19
2021-12-14
Hebrews 2:1 KJV
Your highest priority should always be your relationship with God and fulfilling His will for your life. Don’t let that priority “slip.” There is a sobering illustration of this in the Old Testament. A soldier was given custody of an important prisoner. He was told, “If by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver” (1 Kings 20:39 NKJV). In spite of the warning, he allowed his prisoner to escape. How did it happen? Through carelessness and busyness. “‘While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.’ Then the king of Israel said to him, ‘So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it'” (v. 40 NKJV).
Keeping your spiritual priorities in place is your responsibility and no one else’s. If you don’t do it, you will pay a high price. “But I pray each morning,” you say. That’s good, but do you take time to listen to God and get direction before you rush into your day? Some of us have deleted from our Bibles and our thoughts those Scriptures that command us to “wait on God.”
There is a work going on in your life right now. You may not be fully aware of it, but without it you will never be qualified to handle what God has in mind for you. The Bible says, “Jesus often withdrew…and prayed” (Luke 5:16 NIV). Spending time with God is the price you pay for hearing from Him and doing His will. Spiritually speaking, there is no shortcut to any place that’s worth going.
Soul food: Micah 1-4; John 19:17-30; Ps 105:16-22; Prov 30:10-14
