2021-11-02
John 14:26 NKJV
First, listen to the Holy Spirit within you. He will constantly remind you of God’s plan and show you how to carry it out. He will “teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (v. 26 NKJV). What has God’s Word instructed you to do? Have you done it yet? Obedience is the doorway to blessing.
Second, spend time with God in prayer daily: “In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion” (Psalm 27:5 KJV). A “pavilion” was a secret chamber in a king’s palace, and it was so well fortified that even if an enemy found it, they couldn’t penetrate it. All hell could have been breaking loose and it didn’t make a difference; in the secret place there was peace. Are you letting things that don’t really matter overwhelm you? Are you upset over things that should be dismissed as trivialities? Get alone with God and let Him restore your perspective.
Third, never be too proud to seek advice and assistance. The Bible says those of us who are strong ought to bear the burdens of the weak (See Romans 15:1). There are times when we need to lift others, and times when we need to be lifted. Jesus healed a woman who had been bowed down by sickness for eighteen years and “could in no way raise herself” (Luke 13:11 NKJV). Sometimes you need help because you can’t help yourself. David understood this, and he turned to the men of Issachar because they “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV). God has provided help – reach for it!
Soul food: 1 Chr 1-2; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2021-11-01
Philippians 4:7 CEV
Mother Teresa is attributed with saying, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!” Is that how you feel today? Like there is too much to do and not enough of you to do it? Let Romans chapter fifteen, verse thirteen, percolate in your mind: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV). The way to have peace in the midst of a troubled situation is by staying filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do you do that? By developing a spiritual hunger and letting God fill you. He can give you a sense of serenity when you’re surrounded by stress. So, if you’re in over your head today, pray this: “Father, you said no weapon formed against me shall prosper (See Isaiah 54:17). I can’t keep the Enemy’s weapons from being formed, but I know you will keep them from prevailing against me. You said if I ask anything according to your will, you will grant my request (See 1 John 5:14-15). You said when I walk in obedience, I will be blessed when I come in, when I go out, when I lie down, and when I get up (See Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalms 1:2; 3:5). You told me to turn all my troubles over to you and you will take care of me (See 1 Peter 5:7). So here they are! Today I’m standing on your promises. You said it! I believe it! That settles it! Amen.”
Soul food: 1 Chr 17:1-20; Heb 11:4-12:3; Ps 18:20-29; Prov 4:18
2021-10-31
1 Samuel 17:46 NLT
Goliath’s ancestors were Israel’s long-standing enemies. And when Joshua entered the Promised Land, he annihilated them all – except the inhabitants of Gath where Goliath hailed from. Why is that important to note? Because if you don’t kill the enemy and cut off his head, he’ll rise to fight you again.
Maybe you’re wrestling with issues your parents and grandparents grappled with; things like addiction, marriage problems, anger, worry and depression. David put “five…stones from a stream…into his shepherd’s bag” (v. 40 NLT) because he didn’t know how many he’d need to do the job. And there are certain “stones” you need to take with you to conquer the giants in your life.
(1) Be relentless. It may take more than a day, a month, or even a year to see results. But with God’s help you’ll win if you persevere.
(2) Get God involved. God’s priority is His reputation, and David’s objective was to defend it by declaring, “There is a God in Israel” (v. 46 NLT).
(3) Keep praying and believing God for victory. “Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare” (Ephesians 6:18 MSG). Rehearsing your hurts won’t heal them and cataloguing your problems won’t solve them. But prayer will.
(4) Recall your earlier victories. David announced, “God, who delivered me from the…lion and…bear, will deliver me from this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37 MSG). When you’re afraid of the future, call to mind God’s past faithfulness: “Remember the wonders he…performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given” (1 Chronicles 16:12 NLT). With God’s help you can conquer the giants in your life!
Soul food: Deut 18:9-18; Dan 2; Isa 47:5-15; Acts 16:16-34
2021-10-30
Luke 10:19 NLT
When he went out to fight Goliath, David said, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord…and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:45, 47 NLT). Nobody in King Saul’s army seemed to have factored God into the equation, but David talked about nothing else. He saw what they didn’t, and refused to be intimidated by what they did. He believed that the God he served was bigger than the giant he faced. Do you believe that too? Do you see God as bigger than your problem?
If you’re in a situation where there appears to be no way out, instead of wasting time and energy dwelling on your own weaknesses and shortcomings, stand on God’s Word and start talking about His power. You won’t win if you fight in your own strength, so don’t try it! David said, “This is the Lord’s battle” (v. 47 NLT). And God has never lost a battle!
So confront your giant in the name of the Lord and declare: “Giant of divorce, you aren’t entering my home; depression, you won’t conquer me; alcohol, bigotry, child abuse, insecurity, lust, you’re coming down!” The Bible says, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [flag of victory] against him” (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV).
There are three things Satan can’t withstand: God’s Word, Christ’s blood, and the name of Jesus. When you use those things you’ll bring him down every time – just like David toppled Goliath!
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; John 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Prov 24:29
2021-10-29
Psalm 116:12 KJV
The surest way to ruin your child’s prospects for a happy life is to indulge their every whim, teach them that the world “owes them,” cultivate in them a sense of entitlement, under no circumstances allow them to “work by the sweat of their brow” and experience the satisfaction that comes from discipline, sacrifice and a job well done.
In the classic Little Women, Mrs. March tells this story to her daughters: “Once upon a time there were four girls who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, yet they were not contented. These girls made many excellent resolutions; but they were constantly saying, ‘If we only had this,’ or ‘If we could only do that.’ So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy and she said, ‘When you feel discontented, think over your blessings and be grateful.’ They decided to try her advice, and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldn’t keep shame and sorrow out of rich people’s houses; another found she was a great deal happier with her youth, health and good spirits than a certain fretful, feeble old lady who couldn’t enjoy her comforts; a third that, disagreeable as it was to help get dinner, it was harder still to have to go begging for it. So they agreed to stop complaining and enjoy the blessings they already possessed.”
The question is: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?” The answer is: Gratitude!
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; John 7:14-24; Ps 104:19-26; Prov 24:28
2021-10-28
Isaiah 30:21 CEV
Someone quipped, “When Columbus set out, he didn’t know where he was going. When he arrived, he didn’t know where he was. And when he returned home, he didn’t know where he’d been.” We all need help knowing what direction to go; whether or not to relocate, take a certain job, commit to a relationship, etc. Good news! God will direct you, and when you make a wrong turn he will redirect you.
Here are three ways in which He does it: (1) Through wise counsel. Others have sat where you’re sitting: “Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7 NRS). Is your business floundering? Talk to a successful entrepreneur. Are you experiencing a midlife crisis? Before doing something you’ll regret, ask for help. Solomon said, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15 NIV).
(2) Through prayer and listening for His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 NIV). And Isaiah writes, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the road! Now follow it.'” That’s the kind of assurance you need. So, “Instead of worrying, pray” (Philippians 4:6 MSG).
(3) Through Scripture: Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). One author observes: “The Bible is to God, what a surgical glove is to a surgeon. He reaches through it to touch deep within you.” But that means reading it, personalizing it, and acting on it.
Soul food: Ezra 9-10; John 7:1-13; Ps 104:1-18; Prov 24:26-27
