2026-02-23
Matthew 5:24 NKJV
Here’s something we don’t think about enough – but should! How you treat those you are in relationship with influences the relationship you have with God. Jesus spelled it out clearly: “If you bring your gift to the altar [if you serve in the church, pay particular attention here!], and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (vv. 23-24 NKJV). Jesus commands the offender, even if the offense was unintentional, to take the initiative in healing and restoring the relationship. That calls for true humility.
Max Lucado writes: “You may find this hard to believe, but not everyone likes the preacher. There are times when I misstep or misspeak and incur the displeasure of a parishioner. In the early years of my ministry, when I got wind of someone’s unhappiness, I dismissed the problem. ‘If he doesn’t bring it to me, then I have no hand in the matter.’
But then I read Jesus’ words… Jesus commands the offender to take the initiative. I find that passage to be quite unpleasant. Even so, I have tried to apply it to my fragile friendships. ‘Bob,’ I have enquired, ‘have I said something to upset you?’ ‘Mary, there seems to be tension between us. Are we okay?’ Without fail, the step has resulted in restoration. Never in my four decades of ministry has this practical teaching failed to achieve its goal. When Scripture is mixed with obedience, a healing elixir results.”
So the word for you today is – try for reconciliation.
Soul food: 1 Ki 6-7; Luke 11:14-28; Ps 40:1-8; Prov 6:1-5
2026-02-22
1 John 2:20 NKJV
Here are two more things you need to know about your calling.
(1) The anointing is for each one of us. In Bible times, anointing oil was poured only on the heads of prophets, priests, and kings, symbolizing God’s presence rested on them in a special way. But the anointing is not confined to those in ministry; it’s for everyone – including you! It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher, a doctor, or a lawyer. From the top of the organizational chart to the bottom, God wants to anoint you to do whatever it is you’re called to do. If you need legal help, you certainly want an attorney who has been to law school, but you also want an attorney who is anointed by God. If you need surgery, you certainly want a doctor who has been to med school, but you also want a doctor whose hands are anointed by God. The anointing of God knows no limits when it comes to position or portfolio. The apostle John writes: “You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”
(2) We must seek to please God in all that we do. “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV). The key word is whatever. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing; do it to the glory of God. Oswald Chambers said, “It is inbred in us that we have to do exceptional things for God, but we do not. We have to be exceptional in ordinary things.” And when we are, we put a smile on God’s face.
Soul food: Gal 5:22-23; Ps 18:31-35; Isa 42:1-4; 1 Pet 3:15
2026-02-21
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
When it comes to your calling, observe these two things: (1) God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. God will call you to do something you’re not smart enough to pull off. A God-ordained dream will always be beyond your ability and resources. Why? So, you have to rely on God every single day! David said: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain” (Psalm 127:1 NIV). Jesus said: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV). Paul said, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV).
(2) Instead of being critical, be creative. Often criticism is just a copout for those who are too lazy to solve the problem they are complaining about. Instead of criticizing movies or music, produce a film or an album that is better than whatever it is you’re complaining about. The most constructive criticism is called creativity. We should be more known for what we’re for than what we’re against. Anybody can point out problems. We’re called to solve them by writing better books, starting better schools, and drafting better legislation. And we are anointed to do it!
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things… and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1 John 2:27 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Ki 3-5; Luke 11:1-13; Ps 36; Prov 5:21-23
2026-02-20
Joshua 5:9 NLT
God got Israel out of Egypt in one day, but it took forty years to get the shame of Egypt out of Israel. It happened at a place called Gilgal, 381 miles northeast of Egypt. The Israelites thought like slaves and acted like slaves. After all, it’s tough to break the cycle after four hundred years of slavery. Technically, the Israelites were set free at the exodus. But it wasn’t until they reached Gilgal that they finally left the past in the past. “Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.”
For some of us, it takes years to bring closure to our feelings of condemnation and get the past out of the present. The good news is, God can still roll away the shame of your past. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NKJV). Note the word “now.” Full forgiveness is our present-tense reality. Right here. Right now.
If you are in Christ, you’re no longer defined by what you’ve done wrong; you’re defined by what Christ has done right on your behalf. You are a new creation, but sometimes it takes time for your new nature to become second nature. Jesus came to put the past in its place – in the past. You need to leave it there. How do you do that? By seeing yourself as God sees you – righteous (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Instead of seeing yourself as clothed in shame, begin to see yourself as God sees you: clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Soul food: 1 Ki 1-2; Luke 10:38-42; Ps 33:13-22; Prov 5:15-20
2026-02-19
1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV
Set aside the question of to what extent you are capable of experiencing God’s presence in your current spiritual condition. Set aside your past failures and your future worries. If you are a redeemed child of God, His Holy Spirit lives within you. Jesus said, “‘He who believes in Me… out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7:38-39 NKJV).
The Holy Spirit within you is flowing all the time, welling up within you, quenching your unsatisfied desires, and overflowing to refresh those around you. His intention and desire are to work through you all the time, in every place. Remember that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one. So when we speak of God working in your life, Jesus being in your heart, or your body being the temple of the Holy Spirit, it’s the same thing.
Author John Ortberg tells of a friend whose five-year-old daughter said, “I know Jesus lives in my heart, because when I put my hand on it, I can feel Him walking around in there.” Some people seem to have that kind of inner radar for detecting the presence of God. Just as certain musicians have perfect pitch, they have an ear for discerning God’s voice. Telling them how to look for God would be like telling a fish how to look for water – where else would they live? Bottom line – just as God’s presence lives in you, you can consciously live in God’s presence every moment.
Soul food: Heb 11:17-13:25; Luke 10:25-37; Ps 33:1-12; Prov 5:7-14
2026-02-18
Hebrews 13:16 NKJV
Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, prepared for missionary service by working among the poor in London. One night, a man asked him to come and pray for his sick wife. The man had already asked a priest but had been told he would have to pay him eighteen pence, which he didn’t have. He didn’t even have money to buy a loaf of bread. Taylor went with him but was conscience stricken. He was living on a starvation diet himself, but he did have one coin in his pocket – a half crown. He thought, “If only I had two shillings and sixpence instead of this half crown, I would give these poor people a shilling.”
Upon arriving at the man’s house, he was overcome at seeing the sunken cheeks of hungry children and the exhausted mother who lay with a tiny infant by her side. Taylor spoke to them, trying to bring comfort and encouragement, but inside he cried, “You hypocrite! Telling these people about a kind and loving father in heaven, yet not prepared to trust Him without a half crown.” So he gave his half-crown to the man. Taylor recalled at that moment how the joy of the Lord came back into his heart.
The Bible says, “Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” What pleases the Lord? Your willingness to share with those in need what God has graciously given you. The saying is true: “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”
Soul food: Num 6:1-21; Matt 4:1-17; Mark 2:18-22
