2026-04-14
2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV
God never gives a person responsibility without giving the ability to respond. So, you can look in the mirror today and say with confidence, “God, You’ve given me this responsibility and the ability to respond to it.” In the Bible, when God called regular people to do great things, they usually responded with a sense of inadequacy.
When God charged Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage: “Moses pleaded, ‘O Lord, I’m just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I’m not now, even after you have spoken to me… I have a speech impediment” (Exodus 4:10 TLB). God wouldn’t hear of it, and He told Moses, “Go ahead and do as I tell you, for I will help you to speak well, and… tell you what to say” (Exodus 4:12 TLB).
When God told Gideon to lead the Israelites to victory against the powerful forces of Midian, we read: “‘Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive'” (Judges 6:15-16 NIV). Gideon conquered an army of 135,000 with only 300 soldiers – plus God. That’s a ratio of 450 to 1!
So next time Satan reminds you that you are inadequate, say: “You’re correct! But I’m connected to a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and always present. Through Him I can do all things!” (see Philippians 4:13).
Soul food: Joel 1-3; Matt 1:18-25; Ps 43; Prov 10:17-18
2026-04-13
Psalm 16:8 NKJV
Say these words aloud several times and let them roll around in your mind: “I have set the Lord always before me.” Take some time to imagine how this might actually be experienced in your life. What would it be like to wake up with God on your mind? What would it feel like at night if you were aware of Him as you fell asleep? What would your conversations be like with other people if God were the unseen third party present? What would work or school be like if you were continually aware of God and were communicating with Him as you sat in your office or at your desk, asking for His help and guidance, not carrying the burden by yourself?
After all, this is His promise to you: “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (Psalm 55:22 NLT). Reflect on the idea that the Lord is at your “right hand.” In Scripture, the right hand is considered the hand of power and the one that does the work. Now reflect on these words: “I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8 NLT).
Picture yourself receiving bad news or facing opposition; picture someone important who doesn’t like you. Picture your work going badly – but it doesn’t shake you. Why? Because God has given you supernatural peace. Isn’t this the life you want? Then pray, “God, this is the life I choose; show me what I need to do so that it may be so.”
Soul food: Jer 51-52; Matt 1:7-17; Ps 56; Prov 10:14-16
2026-04-12
Luke 15:18 NKJV
The story of the prodigal son illustrates the meaning of true repentance. It’s about a young Jewish man who rebelled against all that he’d been taught, turned his back on his father, was lured by the bright lights of the big city, and ended up in a pigpen feeding swine. But he did three things that turned his life around.
First, he changed his mind. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'” (v. 17 NIV). Second, he redirected his will. “I will… go back to my father and say to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you'” (v. 18 NIV). Third, he took action. “So he got up and went to his father” (v. 20 NIV).
Repentance is a change of mind, which brings about a change of will, and results in a change of action. It led to the prodigal’s forgiveness and restoration to his family. Here are two things about sin you need to know:
(1) God will uncover every sin you try to cover up. “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV).
(2) God will cover every sin you uncover. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV). Go ahead – confess and forsake your sin, and God will cover it with the blood of Christ. There is no good reason to wait. Do it now.
Soul food: Ps 23; Luke 15:1-7; Rev 7:13-17
2026-04-11
1 Peter 3:1 NIV
Paul wrote: “Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.” Satan is the enemy of marriage. In order to defeat him, you must first know how to identify where, when, and how he’s at work. As long as you focus on fighting each other or blaming yourself, your marriage will continue to slide into further misery with each failed request for intimacy, each unmet expectation, and each day spent hopelessly wishing your spouse would change.
Sure, you need to learn better communication and learn how to forgive, and sickness or money problems need to be dealt with. But when you see these things as being sent from the same evil source, you can fight them so much more effectively. Do these two things:
(1) Focus first on yourself. You know you can’t change anyone but yourself. And in many ways, you can’t even do that. You need God’s intervention in your own life right now (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). And you need to understand who God is calling you to be in your marriage.
(2) Pray for and with your spouse (see Matthew 18:19). Prayer is indispensable in defeating the enemy of your marriage. Pray for direction in what God would have you to do. If your spouse is willing, pray together and aloud if possible. Invite God to intervene in your marriage and to make it a demonstration of the work only He can do in two people’s lives. The truth is that you can experience Christ’s victory in your marriage.
Soul food: Jer 49-50; Matt 1:1-6; Ps 50:16-23; Prov 10:11-13
2026-04-10
Romans 12:2 NKJV
You were created for love, but you have learned to fear! The neurological love pathway in your brain consciously evaluates toxic thoughts, and as you choose to hand the situation over to God, you do not submit to fear. And love is the stronger of the two pathways! “There is no fear in love; but perfect love [the knowledge and acceptance of God’s unearned and unfailing love for us] casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect [mature] in love” (1 John 4:18 NKJV).
As a redeemed child of God, you are wired for love, which means that love is your normal default mode; it is designed to dominate. Regardless of the way you have chosen to react in the past, painful, toxic thoughts can be reconstructed, even toxic feelings you have been nursing for so long and are so familiar with that you think they are normal. You can analyze them and rewire them because of your brain’s neuroplasticity. This is what Paul meant: “Do not be conformed to this world [its values and thought patterns], but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Will this “renewing” happen overnight? No. Science shows that you need to practice using something at least seven times before it becomes part of you. As you keep doing this, God’s Spirit will work with you, and eventually you’ll be able to use this amazing love circuit of the brain to balance your reason and emotions. When you do that, you’ll take a giant leap in the direction of bringing all your thoughts, which produces your emotions under control (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
Soul food: Jer 45-48; Luke 24:45-53; Ps 50:1-15; Prov 10:8-10
2026-04-09
Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
If you make wise decisions now, you’ll have a better future. If you waste your time now, you’ll have regrets. That’s why you need to do the right thing when you have the opportunity to do it. Paul wrote: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).
God is able to do great things as His power works through you. So, it’s not just about God doing things for you; He also wants to do things through you. Stop wishing your life would change, and start taking action! Pray and study God’s Word. And as He speaks to your heart, step out in faith and do what He leads you to do. God created you to live on purpose, for a purpose! He hasn’t just called you to be busy – He’s also called you to bear good fruit (see John 15:16 NKJV).
It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. But you need to take time out to think about how you’re spending your time! Before you go to sleep, reflect on the things that filled your day: which of them fulfilled God’s plan and purpose and which of them were a distraction? Ask God to reveal the things that need to change and ways you can make better choices that line up with His wisdom. Then lean on Him for the strength you need to make those changes. If you do, you’ll be fulfilled, peaceful, and excited about how God is working in your life.
Soul food: Jer 41-44; Luke 24:36-44; Ps 25:16-22; Prov 10:4-7
