2021-06-07
2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV
They say a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out. And once you get into a rut, it’s hard to get out, especially if it’s comfortable. But you’ll never become what God wants you to be, or all that you could be, as long as you resist change and insist on staying as you are. There are two kinds of change.
(1) The change you personally must make. Astronaut James Irwin said: “You might think going to the moon was the most scientific project ever, but they literally threw us in the direction of the moon. We had to adjust our course every ten minutes, and landed only fifty feet inside of the five hundred-mile radius of our target.” On that mission every change, no matter how small, was essential to success.
Let’s face it, we dislike change, so we try to resist or postpone it as long as possible. Yet in the end it’s the only thing that brings growth. The Bible says, “Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honoured” (Proverbs 13:18 NIV). Wise people are willing to change their minds, the foolish never do.
(2) The change only God can make. His goal for your life is to develop in you the character qualities of Jesus. And since that cannot be accomplished through self-effort, His Word says: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory…by the Spirit of the Lord.” What brings about change? Drawing on God’s power each day.
Soul food: 2 Ki 1:1-4:17; Mark 14:43-52; Ps 1; Prov 13:1
2021-06-06
1 Peter 2:21 CEV
Richard C. Halverson, former chaplain of the United States Senate, said: “Want to be a winner? Compete against yourself, not somebody else…. Outrunning your rival doesn’t mean you ran your best race. You can win over another and still not fulfill your potential…. To be your best, you must compete with yourself. It’s life’s biggest contest. A loser is a winner – however many his losses – if he conquers himself. A winner is a loser – however many his victories – if he loses the battle with himself. Alexander the Great conquered the world, and cursed his own lack of self-control. Victory over others may in fact be the very thing that contributes to the winner’s failure to conquer self. Winning makes him proud, arrogant, independent, thoughtless – and sometimes cruel. To put it another way, it isn’t what happens to you that makes the difference, but how you handle it. The one who stops maturing spiritually because he thinks he knows more Scripture than others or has more success in ministry, is still far from being what Christ planned for him.”
Compared to others you may look good, but God’s plan is to produce in you the character qualities of Christ. “This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind…Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and…how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right” (vv. 2:21-23 MSG).
Soul food: 2 Ki 5:1-14; John 5:1-15
2021-06-05
Isaiah 55:12 KJV
God reveals His will in several ways. One is by giving us a sense of “peace” that we are doing the right thing. Paul writes, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15 NKJV). That means you should follow “the peace rule.” Again he writes, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV).
You don’t need all the answers to have peace about it. General Eisenhower was faced with the responsibility of making one of the most far-reaching decisions ever posed to a single man: changing the date of V-Day at the last moment. If he got it wrong, thousands of Allied soldiers could die. Talk about pressure! But he was the supreme commander and the only man who could make the decision. Looking back on it, he wrote: “I knew I did not have the required wisdom, and turned to God. I asked Him to give me wisdom. I yielded myself to Him, and He gave me clear guidance. He gave me insight to see what was right, and He endowed me with the courage to make my decision. And finally He gave me peace of mind in the knowledge that, having been guided by God to a decision, I could leave the results to Him.”
Are you feeling anxious because you are being called upon today to make a decision; one that will not only affect you but others too? The word for you today is – pray, trust God for guidance, ask Him for peace, act, and trust Him for the right result.
Soul food: Rev 19-22; Mark 14:27-42; Ps 129; Prov 12:27-28
2021-06-04
1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJV
Love is a powerful force in dealing with others, and the Bible says that it “never fails.” Other things fail, but not love. Most of us have heard the story of Helen Keller who became blind and deaf as a toddler after an illness, and yet went on to impact the world with her courage and kindness. But there is a “story behind the story.”
It’s about “little Annie,” who was locked in the dungeon of a mental institution outside Boston – the only place, said the doctors, for the hopelessly insane. At times, Annie behaved like an animal, attacking those who came close to her cage. At other times, she sat in a daze. But an elderly nurse who held out hope for all God’s children began taking her lunch break in the dungeon, just outside little Annie’s cage. She hoped in some way to communicate love to her.
One day she left her dessert – a chocolate brownie – next to Annie’s cage. Annie made no response. But the next day, the nurse found the brownie had been eaten, so every Thursday she brought one to Annie. As the weeks passed, doctors began to notice improvement in little Annie. After several months, they moved her upstairs. And eventually the day came when this “hopeless case” was told she could return home.
By that time, however, Annie was an adult and she chose to stay at the institution and help others. One of those she cared for, taught, and nurtured was Helen Keller. Little Annie’s full name was – Anne Sullivan.
Since God loves us and never gives up on us, we must do that for one another. And that’s the word for you today.
Soul food: Rev 15-18; Mark 14:12-26; Ps 124; Prov 12:26
2021-06-03
Psalm 63:1 KJV
What are the first moments of your day like? Do you turn on the TV, or rush into the bathroom, or allow your “to do” list to come rushing in?
Instead, try lying there quietly and allowing God to speak to you. With your mind a blank slate and your heart open, He will give you insights, ideas, solutions to problems, and the knowledge that He will be with you today.
Author Colleen Townsend Evans writes: “Silence need not be awkward or embarrassing, for to be with one you love without the need for words is a beautiful and satisfying form of communication. I remember times when our children used to come running to me, all of them clattering at once about the events of their day – it was wonderful to have them share their feelings with me. But there were also times when they came to me wanting only to be held, to have me stroke their heads and caress them into sleep. And so it is, sometimes, with us and God our father. At times your most powerful prayers will be thoughts rather than words. Your words are limited by your vocabulary, but your thought life is an arena of infinite capacity in which God can give you life-changing concepts.”
Paul writes, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). So be still and let Him think His thoughts through you. John writes, “You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things” (1 John 2:20 NKJV). God can cause you to “know” what you need to do, so give Him the first moments of your day.
Soul food: Rev 10-14; Mark 14:1-11; Ps 4; Prov 12:25
2021-06-02
Ecclesiastes 9:9 NIV
To strengthen your marriage you must realize three things: (1) Marriage is one of Satan’s Favourite targets. He was angry because Job’s family was a source of delight to God. So when your home is harmonious and blessed, he’ll try to attack it. He wants to be the third party in your relationship; to agitate and disappoint, using your weaknesses. He inspires unrealistic expectations and diverts your focus from servanthood to self-absorption. He fuels your imagination through unhealthy relationships until God’s presence ceases to be the goal of your union and the prevailing atmosphere in your home. Beware of his inroads and become protective over your family.
(2) Your mind-set determines your mood. Thoughts have presence. The moment someone walks into a room, you can sense conflict or contentment, jealousy or joy, etc. Attitudes are contagious; like a thermostat, they determine the climate in your home. One man noticed that certain TV shows nurtured a sexual restlessness within him, to the point where he found himself comparing his wife with the sensuality of the performers. A woman identified the timing of unexplainable jealousy toward her husband after watching her Favourite soap opera. Every emotion has a birthplace, so be sensitive to any changes in your home environment and inner life.
(3) Understanding comes by listening. Love is about listening more and talking less. Listen long enough for hidden emotions to be expressed. Listen carefully enough to gain understanding. Listen accurately so you can assess your mate’s true needs. The questions you ask can reveal how much you care, so ask them softly and repeatedly, and pray and process before you respond. That’s how to strengthen your marriage.
Soul food: Rev 5-9; Mark 13:24-37; Ps 121; Prov 12:23-24
