2026-03-01
James 5:16 AMPC
Because of the connection we have with those we love, when they hurt, we hurt. One of the greatest things we can do is intercede in prayer for those who need healing. God can use us as an agent of healing: “Pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (AMPC). We see this principle throughout the Bible.
A Roman centurion went to Jesus for the healing of his servant, and Christ did not disappoint him (see Matthew 8:5-7). Four people tore the roof off a house to get their sick friend into the presence of Jesus so he could be healed of palsy. And Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your bed and walk” (see Mark 2:1-11). A concerned father went to Jesus when his daughter was at the point of death. Because Jesus was delayed, the little girl died anyway. Jesus walked to her bedside and said: “‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked… And they were overcome with great amazement” (Mark 5:41-42 NKJV).
One of the last promises Jesus gave us before leaving this earth was: “These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will… lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV). Confession: “As a believer in Christ, I have the authority to pray, to lay hands on the sick, and see them recover because the Spirit of God lives in me.”
Soul food: Gal 5:22-23; 1 Cor 10:13; 2 Tim 1:7;
Jam 1:19-20
2026-02-28
Proverbs 22:7 NIV
Good credit establishes your future buying power. But when you misuse debt, you experience anxiety each month as you pull the envelope from the mailbox with the credit card bill that says you’ve spent more than you can afford. And what about the unexpected challenges of life? Your car needs a new transmission, or you need a medical procedure not covered by your insurance. The things you buy don’t just cost you money; there are other less tangible costs such as your peace of mind and your sense of security.
You forfeit these things when you continue to live beyond your means and throw good money after bad debt by taking out “interest-only” loans, no-down-payment financing, and other seemingly “easy” financing options. Like a juggler, you keep the plates in the air by making minimum payments each month. But eventually, you get tired of the stress and the plates begin to fall. You borrow money to stay afloat and then spend sleepless nights wondering how you’ll be able to keep up with the payments. Your embarrassment only compounds the situation as you hide your financial problems and put on a good face, cutting yourself off from the help you desperately need.
If you’re in debt, what’s the solution? (1) Identify the emotions that led you to purchase items you couldn’t afford in order to fill some unnamed hole within you. (2) Live on a budget. “There is desirable treasure… in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it” (Proverbs 21:20 NKJV). (3) Develop a plan for getting out of debt and staying out of it!
Soul food: 1 Ki 16:1-18:15; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 66:1-12; Prov 6:20-22
2026-02-27
Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
Sometimes we make the mistake of placing our trust in people when we should be placing our trust in the Lord. And since God cannot fail and people can, we end up getting hurt and disappointed. The Bible says that King Asa of Judah had a perfect heart toward God. Yet when an enemy nation came against him, he panicked and purchased a military alliance with another king. And he did it with funds he took from the house of God. Upon hearing the news of Asa’s coalition, his enemy retreated. Asa had figured out the solution. His plan had worked – or so it seemed. Then God sent the prophet Hanani to rebuke King Asa. Why? “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God” (2 Chronicles 16:7 NKJV).
This is often the plight of those who are highly logical and intelligent. Their confidence is in their own ability to figure out a solution to their dilemmas. Hanani continued to rebuke Asa: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV).
Later in life, when Asa faced a life-threatening disease, “he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12 NIV). They could not help him, so he died. So the word for you today is – never give people the trust that should be placed in the Lord alone.
Soul food: 1 Ki 14-15; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 61; Prov 6:16-19
2026-02-26
Romans 12:1 NKJV
With the national coffers depleted from a series of costly wars, King Frederick William III of Prussia found his nation seriously short of funds as it attempted to rebuild. He refused to capitulate to his enemies and couldn’t face disappointing his people. He asked the women of Prussia to bring their gold and silver jewelry to be melted down and used in exchange for the things the nation desperately needed.
As each woman brought her jewelry, she was given a “decoration” of iron as a symbol of the king’s gratitude. On it was inscribed the words: “I gave gold for iron, 1813.” The women came to prize their gifts from the king more than their former jewels! Their decorations were proof they had sacrificed for their king. In fact, it became highly unfashionable in early nineteenth-century Prussia for women to wear jewelry but very fashionable to wear a cross of iron. It was from this that the Order of the Iron Cross was established.
There are two sides to the Christian life: blessing and sacrifice. Paul said: “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NLT). Jesus spelled out the cost of discipleship: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24 NKJV). The hymnist wrote: “‘Take up thy cross and follow me,’ I hear my blessed Saviour call. How can I make a lesser sacrifice when Jesus gave his all?”
Soul food: 1 Ki 12-13; Luke 12:1-12; Ps 58; Prov 6:12-15
2026-02-25
Psalm 103:2 NLT
A newspaper cartoon was drawn of two fields divided by a wire fence. Both were the same size, each with plenty of lush, green grass. Each field had a mule whose head stuck through the wire fence, eating grass from the other’s pasture. Although each mule was surrounded by grass, the neighbouring field seemed more desirable – even though it was harder to reach. In the process the mules’ heads became caught in the fence, and they panicked and brayed uncontrollably at being unable to free themselves. The cartoonist described the situation with one caption: “DISCONTENT.”
There is a lesson here for each of us. When we focus on what we don’t have, or what someone else has, we become blinded to the blessings which surround us. David wrote: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things” (vv. 2-5 NLT).
Goal setting, achieving greater things, and desiring more than you have can be good things if (1) you look to the Lord to help you bring it to pass: “The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right” (Psalm 84:11 NLT), and (2) while God is working on it, you enjoy what He has already given you: “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV). So, be content.
Soul food: 1 Ki 10-11; Luke 11:45-54; Ps 53; Prov 6:9-11
2026-02-24
2 Peter 3:18 NKJV
The Bible says, “In the last days will come… times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]” (2 Timothy 3:1 AMPC). We don’t have to look far to see that Scripture fulfilled. It’s why we need to pray for the physical and spiritual safety of our children; that they may “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord… Jesus Christ.”
Heather Riggleman writes: “As you and I watch the news, we weep, we cry out in anger, and then we wonder, ‘How we can protect our kids… ?’ We wonder if it’s safe to send [them] out the front door. We question whether the world is falling apart. And nothing is more terrifying than the realization that we cannot protect them from life. While we cannot hide our children away from the world, we can… shield them in far greater ways than wrapping them in a plastic bubble or locking them in their rooms for the rest of their lives… We can intercede for [them], praying for wisdom, protection, peace, and strength.”
Remember, wherever we are gathered and praying, Jesus is in our midst (See Matthew 18:19-20). Paul said, “Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil… Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers” (Ephesians 6:13, 18 NLT). When you pray like that, God is bound to honour His Word. Keep covering your kids in prayer – and don’t give up no matter how bad things in the world get.
Soul food: 1 Ki 8-9; Luke 11:29-44; Ps 40:9-17; Prov 6:6-8
