2021-03-28
James 1:22 NIV
James writes: “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has…gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law…and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does” (vv. 22-25 NAS).
In this Scripture the word man comes from the Greek word for male. Why is that significant? Because there’s a difference in how men and women use a mirror. Men generally glance in it just long enough to get the basics done; whereas, women are usually so intent on knowing how they look that they carry a mirror in their purse and check their looks regularly throughout the day.
But don’t miss the point. It’s not about the difference in how men and women utilize mirrors. No, it’s about the difference between spending a few hurried moments in the Scripture before rushing out into your day, instead of meditating on it until it renews your mind and shapes your character into the likeness of Jesus.
As you read the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit holds a mirror up in front of you so that you can make whatever adjustments are necessary. Note the words, “Whoever looks intently…and continues in it…will be blessed” (v. 25 NIV). It’s a two-way street. To walk in God’s blessing, you need to take care of the “doing,” and He will take care of the “blessing.”
Soul food: Ps 118:19-29; Matt 21:1-16
2021-03-27
Job 22:21 NIV
Today we don’t just have regular stress, we’ve got cyber stress. Emails multiply like rabbits. Turn your cell phone off for even a couple of hours, and when you turn it back on, it has gained ten pounds from the influx of recent voice mails. Then we have hyper stress. Go to the grocery store and see how much small talk you get from the cashier whose speed and efficiency is being tracked by computer as he or she electronically scans your groceries, calls out your total, and digitally sweeps you out the door.
In a five-year study of three thousand salaried and hourly employees, 88 percent said they work “very hard.” Sixty-eight percent said they worked “very fast.” Sixty percent said they “still don’t get all their work done.” And 71 percent said they felt “used up.” Even ministers aren’t immune. Almost half eventually resign, and when asked why, 80 percent cited the negative effect of pastoral ministry on their family lives.
So what’s the solution to our stress? Peace! And where can you find peace? The Bible tells us, “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.”
Here’s how it works: When you know that God loves and accepts you unconditionally, it sets you free to do the same for yourself. As a result, you’re no longer driven by a need for acceptance, acquisition, and achievement. Yes, when you live by the principles clearly laid down in the Bible, you can have peace and prosperity!
Soul food: Exo 12:1-14; Matt 26:17-29; 1 Cor 11:20-34; Ps 49
2021-03-26
Matthew 26:31 NKJV
On the night before His death, Jesus made this announcement: “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the…flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee” (vv. 31-32 NKJV). Think about it! If the disciples who had spent three-and-a-half years walking and talking with Jesus, hearing His messages and seeing His miracles could stumble, then any of us can. “All of you will…stumble.”
But the promise was lost on Peter. “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble” (v. 33 NKJV). This was not one of Peter’s finer moments. “Even if all…” Arrogant. “I will never be made to stumble.” Self-sufficient. Peter’s trust was in Peter’s strength. Yet Peter’s strength would peter out.
Jesus knew it: “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV). Satan would attack and test Peter. But Satan would never claim him. Why? Because Peter was strong? No – because Jesus was. “I have prayed for you.”
And here’s a wonderful truth – Jesus prays for you too: “Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name…I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me” (John 17:11, 20 NLT). Will God answer Christ’s prayer on your behalf? What do you think? Of course He will!
Soul food: Job 40-42; Matt 25:31-40; Ps 69:1-18; Prov 8:27-29
2021-03-25
John 10:28 AMPC
Your salvation isn’t guaranteed by your performance – but by Christ’s performance at the cross. Yes, you’ll have moments you’re proud of and moments you’re ashamed of. But as long as your trust is in Christ, you’re saved, and you’ll go to heaven. Jesus said: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.” Even more, God stakes His claim on us. “By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge – a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete” (2 Corinthians 1:22 MSG).
You’ve done something similar: engraved your name on a valued ring, etched your identity on a tool or iPad. Stamping declares ownership. Through His Spirit, God stamps us. Would-be takers are repelled by the presence of His name. Satan is driven back by the declaration: Hands off. This redeemed child is mine! Where there’s no assurance of salvation, there’s no peace. No peace means no joy. And no joy results in fear-based lives.
Grace creates a confident soul who declares, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 NIV). Your boarding pass for the flight to heaven is secure: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NKJV). It’s not about your hold on God – but His hold on you!
Soul food: Job 38-39; Matt 25:22-30; Ps 38:13-22; Prov 8:24-26
2021-03-24
Deuteronomy 33:27 NLT
Consider these timeless words by Margaret Fishback Powers: “One night I dreamed…I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord. When the last scene of my life shot before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set…I realized that this was at the lowest…times of my life. This always bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma. ‘Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk…with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.’ He whispered, ‘My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you!'”
And if you need more reassurance, read these two Scriptures: “The Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not” (Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV). “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV). The word for you today is – God is with you.
Soul food: Job 35-37; Matt 25:14-21; Ps 38:1-12; Prov 8:22-23
2021-03-23
Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 NLT
If you work harder you can earn more money, but you can’t earn more time. To coin a popular song, “Time may be money, but your money won’t buy time.”
There’s a story about a guy who worked the late shift at a factory, who walked home in the wee hours. One night he took a shortcut through the cemetery. Failing to notice the new grave that had just been dug in the center of his path, he fell into it. After several unsuccessful attempts to get out, he decided to relax until morning when someone was around to help him. As he sat in the corner of the grave half asleep, a fellow traveler who had overindulged at the bar stumbled in beside him. Desperate to get out, the drunk started yelling and clawing frantically at the sides. At that point our hero reached out, touched him gently on the leg, and said, “It’s no use, friend, I’ve tried. You’ll never get out of here.” Not surprisingly – he did! He jumped out!
A periodic visit to the local cemetery might help you reevaluate and reprioritize your life! For example, it might encourage you to stop and ask yourself what you’re really living for. Solomon had an “aha moment” like that: “For though I do my work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, I must leave everything I gain to people who haven’t worked for it” (paraphrased).
A rut is simply a grave with the ends kicked out. Don’t just make a living; get out of your rut and make a difference. Don’t just leave an inheritance; leave a legacy that will enrich the lives of those who follow you.
Soul food: Job 32-34; Matt 25:1-13; Ps 55:12-23; Prov 8:19-21
