2021-03-04
Genesis 1:27 NLT
Why do we celebrate the birth of our children? Because like God, we helped to create something. The famous American football coach Vince Lombardi said, ‘The joy is in creating, not maintaining.’
It’s a mistake to believe that God is only interested in ‘spiritual things’ and not ‘secular’ things. Yes, you must grow spiritually. But you must also use the gifts He’s given you to fulfil His purpose here on the earth, and to bless others. You don’t have to be rich or have a high IQ in order to be creative. You could be a creative hairstylist, or come up with a new recipe, or create a job opportunity for prisoners by which they rebuild their lives. That’s not just secular, that’s spiritual!
You’ll notice that the cross has two posts: vertical and horizontal. The vertical post represents your relationship with God, what He wants to do for you and what He wants you to do for Him. The horizontal post represents what He’s called us to do for each other. You say, ‘But I’m not very creative.’ Once you discover your God-given gift, it will release your creativity. Paul writes, ‘Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them’ (Romans 12:6 NKJV).
Stop putting yourself down just because you are not as creative as you’d like to be. Creative thinking isn’t necessarily original thinking. In fact, people mythologise original thought. Most often, creative thinking is a composite of other people’s thoughts discovered along the way. So the word for you today is: be creative.
Soul food: Gen 37-39; Matt 20:29-34; Ps 136:1-12; Prov 6:30-31
2021-03-03
Mark 3:35 MSG
The Bible says: “[Jesus] was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you.’ Jesus responded, ‘Who do you think are my mother and brothers?’ Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, ‘Right here, right in front of you – my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother'” (vv. 31-35 TM).
One of your greatest tests of faith will be family members who don’t understand you or share your values and vision. And it calls for wisdom and grace on your part.
Despite His family’s inability to understand Him, Jesus continued to care for them and respect them. However, He refused to let them dictate to Him or alter the assignment He believed God had given Him. His priority was the people who had gathered to hear what He had to say.
Are you feeling misunderstood and rejected by your family today? Then pray this prayer: “Father, help me to live as Jesus lived; facing head-on those who misunderstand me, hearing their words and feeling the sting of their accusations, yet learning to live above them. Help me to be gracious toward the one whose life is being consumed by resentment and crippled by fear. Bring me full circle to a place of peace, so that no matter who may misunderstand me, I’m able to go on like Jesus went on – all the way to the cross, the resurrection, and the prize. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.”
Soul food: Gen 35-36; Matt 20:17-28; Ps 77; Prov 6:29
2021-03-02
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Before you were born, God anticipated your arrival and had a specific plan for you. And that plan involves dealing with problems and overcoming obstacles because that’s how character is developed. The mark of a successful person is his or her ability to see problems as opportunities instead of obstacles. And the most important lessons take place not when you celebrate the good times but persevere during the bad ones. Indeed, that’s why the bad times make the good times so good!
If you know anything about the birth of baby giraffes, you’ll know that the first parts to emerge are its front hooves and head. Then the entire calf appears, tumbles ten feet to the ground, and lands on its back. Within seconds the baby rolls over and stands, struggling to move those gangly, untried legs. Then an amazing thing happens. The mother giraffe positions herself directly over her newborn calf, looks it over, kicks it, and sends it sprawling. If it doesn’t get up – she kicks it again! And when it grows tired of the struggle, she kicks it again to stimulate its effort to stand. In fact, every time the baby manages to get to its feet, the mother kicks it again. Her actions may seem cruel to us, but she’s preparing her child for survival. Unless that little calf learns to get up quickly and run with the herd when danger comes, it won’t survive.
So what’s the lesson here? When life knocks you down – get back up (See Proverbs 24:16). During difficult times you learn some of your greatest life lessons through sheer determination and perseverance.
Soul food: Gen 32-34; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 70; Prov 6:26-28
2021-03-01
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Fear will rob you of your creativity and self-worth. It is the enemy of greatness; the antithesis of faith. The longer it lives inside you, the stronger it grows. And it’s fertilized by words; not just the words others say, but the words you say to yourself. When you tell yourself, “There’s no way I’m going to make it,” you’ve dented your armor and undermined your effectiveness. And if you let it fester, it will affect you like a plague.
To overcome fear, you must first identify and expose it. It will hide in your motives. It’ll drape itself in overprotectiveness, anger, pettiness, jealousy, and boasting so you don’t get overlooked. It’ll weigh you down with the responsibility of feeling like you have to look out for yourself, protect yourself, and defend yourself.
So when you’re fearful, what should you do? There’s only one guaranteed course of action: Stand up to your fears – within and without. Here’s a promise from God’s Word that’s as true today as it was when He first spoke it: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” In Scripture the term “God’s right hand” speaks of His willingness and power to work on your behalf. Two chapters later in Isaiah, God told the same people, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1 NKJV). And what God owns – He takes care of.
Soul food: Gen 30:25-31:55; Matt 19:15-30; Ps 66:13-20; Prov 6:23-25
2021-02-28
Psalm 41:9 NLT
Not only must we leave room for unexpected disappointments and unknown variables in life, we must realize that inevitably we’ll be betrayed and hurt by other people. Perhaps they deceived us into believing they were trustworthy, or they began sincerely and became infected with the viruses of jealousy and greed. In either case, you’ll face betrayal at some point along the way. Even the psalmist David wrote: “My best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.” And included in the list of adversities Paul suffered in his ministry, are “false brethren” (See 2 Corinthians 11:26). Yes, as one author writes, “If you live long enough, you will discover how fickle and selfish the human heart can be.” And it’s often the people we love most and trust implicitly who have the greatest power to betray us.
So what can we do? We must deal with the hurt and anger, without allowing either one to blind us to the long-range consequences of bitterness. And don’t be deterred from your life’s goals or other relationships when it happens. Like a child who has learned to walk and gets tripped up by a bully, get back on your feet and continue your journey. You’ll be a little sore and a bit bruised at first, but the scabs will heal, and you’ll be stronger for having survived the fall. After lamenting about his friend who betrayed him, David said to God, “I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me. You have preserved my life” (Psalm 41:11-12 NLT). That’s the winning attitude!
Soul food: Exo 17:8-16; 2 Cor 1:3-7
2021-02-27
Isaiah 30:15 NKJV
As problems arise in your relationships, you’ll be forced to become a translator, negotiator, diplomat, and peacekeeper. And good communication skills are essential. Nothing is more frustrating than being misunderstood, misheard, ignored, or misconstrued.
But talking isn’t always the answer. Sometimes it empowers the problem. Our mistake is we often give too much verbiage to the issue; in other words, we talk about it when we should be quiet and focus on a solution. God has given you the gifts you need to change the situation. Don’t talk about it; instead, do it! If we misuse words or talk out of hand, it can lead us away from a solution we would otherwise see. James tells us that what we say has immense power for destruction. “The tongue…a little member…boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth” (James 3:5 KJV). Just our tone of voice can escalate a conversation into a raging fire! Don’t be the person with flames coming out of your mouth. Tame your tongue. Grab hold of the situation when it arises and bring light and life to it! Our conversations are to be seasoned with grace (See Colossians 4:6). Speak positively, because God is still on the throne and He has a plan.
Responding appropriately often requires quietness, then careful reflection. And sometimes it’s better just to remain quiet. When you’re anxious, chances are you’ll overtalk. When you’re angry, you’ll make the situation worse. And when you’re too aggressive, you’ll lose instead of winning. The Bible says, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” And that’s a scriptural principle that always works.
Soul food: Gen 28:1-30:24; Matt 19:1-14; Ps 66:1-12; Prov 6:20-22
