2021-08-10
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Are you grieving the death of a loved one? Are you walking through the fires of divorce? Have you lost your home or your job? Are you trying to pick up the pieces of your life and start over? God says, “The plans I have for you…are…good.” When you involve God, the best is yet to be! But it’s impossible to move forward when you’re trapped in the past.
When “The Great Paderewski” first started studying piano, his teacher told him his hands were too small to master the keyboard. Yet the fire in his soul drove him to become a world-renowned pianist. When “The Great Caruso” first started studying voice, his teacher said he sounded like the wind whistling through the window. But today he’s remembered as one of the world’s greatest tenors.
If you need inspiration, look no further than Christ. “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it…he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything…When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again…That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:2-3 MSG).
When it comes to your losses, grieve them and leave them. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isa 43:18-19 NIV). The word for you today is: keep looking ahead, because things are going to get better.
Soul food: Obadiah; 2 John; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 119:33-40; Prov 17:16
2021-08-09
John 21:5 NLT
Sometimes God uses failure to get our attention and draw us closer to Him. In John 21 the disciples “went out in the boat, but…caught nothing all night. 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!'” (vv. 3-7).
Notice three things: (1) Jesus can do what you can’t do. As long as you think you can handle things on your own, He will let you try. As long as what worked for you in the past is still working, you won’t reach for His help. It’s only when you run out of answers you discover: “‘You will not succeed by your own strength or…power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6 NCV).
(2) God can do more than you can do. He told the disciples, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” It didn’t sound right, but by obeying Him they entered a level of blessing and abundance they never dreamed possible.
(3) God wants a relationship with you. After eating breakfast with the disciples, Jesus told Peter, “Take care of my sheep” (See John 21:17). Now fishermen don’t take care of sheep – shepherds do! So what just happened? Jesus introduced Peter to his true calling – and He will do the same for you!
Soul food: 1 Pet 1-5; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 119:25-32; Prov 17:11-15
2021-08-08
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Solomon said, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Note the progression of events that led to David’s downfall: “He saw a woman bathing…inquired about the woman…and took her” (2 Samuel 11:2-4 NKJV). He saw…he inquired… he took. If you’re hankering after someone who’s not yours, pull your eyes away immediately.
“Take captive every thought…make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). Police your mind. Instead of filling it with fantasies from magazines, television or the Internet, fill it with God’s Word and memories of your best moments with your mate. Work on strengthening your marriage bond. Decide to love even when you don’t feel like it, and your love will begin to blossom.
Jesus said, “Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28 NIV). Why did Jesus say this? Because every lustful glance threatens your relationship. The less you desire your mate, the more you’ll look for reasons to justify your fantasies. And the saddest part is, you’ll never know how good your relationship could have been.
After David was confronted, cleansed and corrected, he said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). If you have a problem with lust, find a pastor, a counselor or a friend who can help you. The Bible says, “A brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17 KJV). Sometimes the difference between victory and defeat is spending a few minutes on the phone talking and praying with someone who understands. The question is – do you really want to do right?
Soul food: Est 4:13-5:3; Matt 6:16-21; Mark 2:18-22
2021-08-07
Romans 15:2 MSG
Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”
Are others naturally attracted to you? Are you well liked? If not, it may be because of: (a) Pride. Nobody wants to follow someone who thinks they’re better than everyone else. (b) Insecurity. If you are uncomfortable with who you are, others will be too. (c) Moodiness. When people never know what to expect from you, they stop expecting anything. (d) Perfectionism. Others respect the desire for excellence but dread unrealistic expectations. (e) Cynicism. People don’t want to be rained on by someone who sees a cloud around every silver lining. So, how do you build people up?
(1) Change your focus. If you’re self-centered, you can’t strengthen and encourage others. So observe your interaction with people during the next few days. As you talk to them, notice how much of your conversation is about you, then determine to tip the balance in favour of focusing on others.
(2) Try to make a good first impression. The next time you meet someone, learn their name, focus on their interests, listen to them without interrupting, and be encouraging.
If you can do this for one day, you can do it every day. The Bible says, “Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?'”
Soul food: Deut 32:29-34:12; Luke 12:1-12; Ps 119:17-24; Prov 17:7-10
2021-08-06
Ephesians 4:29 MSG
The apostle Paul writes, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT). Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way: “Say only what helps, each word a gift.” Think of the people you most enjoy spending time with. How would you describe them? Grumpy? Bitter? Negative? Of course not! They’re celebrators, not complainers. They’re passionate about life. As you live this day, realize that everyone you meet, you will leave: (1) better off; (2) worse off; (3) unaffected.
The way to build others up is to see them as opportunities instead of obstacles or obligations. One leadership expert writes: “One of the best things you can do for people – which also attracts them to you – is to expect the best of them. I call it putting a ’10’ on everyone’s head. It helps others think more highly of themselves, and at the same time it also helps you.”
A survey of one hundred self-made multi-millionaires showed only one common denominator. These highly successful men and women routinely looked for the best in people. Benjamin Disraeli, one of Britain’s finest Prime Ministers, put it this way: “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” And you do that by appreciating, encouraging, and helping others to reach their potential.
Napoleon described leaders as “dealers in hope.” He understood that hope is one of the greatest of all possessions. If you can be the person who bestows that gift on others, they’ll not only be attracted to you, they’ll be forever grateful.
Soul food: Deut 30:1-32:28; Luke 11:45-54; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
2021-08-05
Mark 4:39 NLT
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out…But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back…with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’ When Jesus woke…he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’…’Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!'” (vv. 35-41 NLT).
Following Jesus doesn’t exempt you from life’s storms, so you need to: (1) Remind yourself who’s with you – Jesus! Think about it: if Jesus can calm the storm, surely He can prevent it. But He permits us to go through storms to prove that we don’t have a problem He can’t solve. You may be powerless in the situation, but He’s not, and through it you’ll come to know him in a way you never have before. His goal is to bring you out stronger on the other side.
(2) Trust what He has told you. When Jesus tells you, “Let’s cross to the other side,” there’s not a wave big enough to take you under. The truth is, “We cannot stand in the storms of life based on someone else’s faith. We must be fully assured in our own hearts and minds” (See 1 John 5:14-15). What has God promised you? Stand on it!
Soul food: Deut 28-29; Luke 11:29-44; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
