2020-12-29
Numbers 13:32 NLT
Discouragement caused the Israelites to doubt God’s promise, give up their dream, and die in the wilderness. Ironically, they were only several days’ journey from the Promised Land! How did it happen?
After spending forty days in Canaan, a land of such fruitfulness that it took two men to carry one cluster of grapes, ten out of twelve spies came back saying, “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are! So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites” (vv. 31-32 NLT). Now, would you like to know how God feels about people who spread such discouragement? “The ten men…who incited rebellion against the Lord with their bad report – were struck dead with a plague…only Joshua and Caleb remained alive” (Numbers 14:36-38 NLT).
So how about you? When you see others facing negative circumstances, do you express doubt about their ability to succeed? Can you listen to someone’s plans without making disheartening remarks? Even if you can’t quite envision their dreams, at least agree to stand in faith with them for God’s perfect will to be done concerning the proposed endeavor. Think of all the people who have encouraged you during your lifetime! In a world plagued with negativity and bad news, everyone needs a little encouragement from time to time.
So make a conscious effort to speak sincere words of affirmation, support, and inspiration to those within your circle of influence. And when you encounter a discourager, don’t let them derail you. Remind yourself and them that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV). Because He can!
Soul food: Mal 3-4; Matt 2:16-23; Ps 139:13-24; Prov 31:28-29
2020-12-28
Romans 12:6, Romans12:8
Did you know that there’s such a thing as “the gift of encouragement”? There is! The Bible says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is…to encourage, then give encouragement.”
And you don’t have to be talented or have a high IQ to demonstrate this gift. Every day you meet people in need of encouragement. They may not show it on the surface, but underneath they’re struggling to keep their head above water. Some of them are at the point of despair, and your words can lift them. Even a smile can do it.
Job said, “When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them” (Job 29:24 NLT). Solomon said, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV).
Don’t assume because people exhibit the trappings of status and success, that they don’t need encouragement. David was a best-selling author whose psalms are still read around the world. He was Israel’s most popular king. His victories in battle are the envy of every military academy strategist. But he had days when he felt so low that he was reaching up to touch the bottom: “I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain” (Psalm 38:17 NLT). It’s not just average people who need encouragement – best-selling authors, kings, and generals need it too. Everybody does! And that’s good, because when you have the gift of encouragement you will never be without a job.
So today be sensitive to God’s leading, and when He prompts you to encourage someone – do it!
Soul food: Mal 1-2; Matt 2:9-15; Ps 139:1-12; Prov 31:25-27
2020-12-27
Matthew 22:39 NLT
When God saves you, He positions you “in Christ.” From that moment on, He views you as being righteous. Not because of your “own righteousness…but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God” (Philippians 3:9 NKJV).
When you are growing up, your parents may have given you the impression that if you were good enough they would love and accept you. As a result, you think God feels the same way about you. But He doesn’t. In truth, you could never be good enough to earn God’s love; that’s why He clothes you in Christ’s righteousness and says, “I love you unconditionally in spite of all your faults.” Now you have a true basis for loving yourself!
Think: If God loves you then you are worthy of loving, right? That means you can love yourself! And in fact, you must, because you can only give love to others from the wellspring of your own self-esteem. If you wrestle with insecurity, guilt, self-doubt, and self-loathing, eventually it will manifest itself in your relationships.
Swiss Psychologist Paul Tournier said: “If a person will love God the way he ought to…he will then love others the way he ought to…and when he loves God and others the way they ought to be loved, he will never need a psychiatrist.” God’s love gives you a mental image of yourself that enables and empowers you to give and receive love from others. The truth is, if you had been the only sinner who ever lived, Christ would have died for you. And when that truly dawns on you, you’ll start to love yourself and develop into the fullness of your God-given potential.
Soul food: Ps 103:8-18; John 3:16-18; Acts 2:38-41
2020-12-26
Genesis 2:15 TLV
First, God made a man. Then He made a garden and said to the man, “Care for it.” Perhaps you thought work came about as a result of the fall. It’s true, work took on a different meaning at that point, but it’s a mistake to think our first parents had no purpose.
From the time Adam and Eve were created, it’s clear that God intended us to be like Him – creative, productive, and invested in tasks that contribute to His purposes. Adam and Eve were put in charge of the garden, and before their selfish decision to disobey God they enjoyed maximum fulfillment in their work.
The Bible says: “Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” (v. 19 NKJV).
The first job in the universe included identifying the nature, gifts, and strength of each creature, and overseeing them. That’s a managerial position! And someone who is busy needs an executive assistant, so Eve was created to be Adam’s “helper.”
You need look no further than your Bible to realize that productive work is God’s plan for your life. A job well done is its own reward. It gives you a sense of value, without which you can get depressed. Don’t fall for the media hype that tells you successful people don’t need to work. We were each created to fulfill a purpose in life, regardless of how much money is in our bank account.
Soul food: Zech 12-14; Matt 2:1-8; Ps 97; Prov 31:22-24
2020-12-25
Matthew 2:11 KJV
He was born in the humblest of settings, yet heaven above was filled with the songs of angels. His birthplace was a cattle shed, yet a star brought the rich and noble from thousands of miles away to worship Him. His birth was contrary to the laws of life and His death was contrary to the laws of death, yet no miracle is greater than His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection and His teachings.
He had no cornfields or fisheries, yet He spread a table for 5,000 and had bread and fish to spare. He never stood on expensive carpeting, yet He walked on the waters and they supported Him. His crucifixion was the crime of crimes, yet from God’s perspective no less a price could have made possible our redemption. When He died, few mourned His passing, yet God hung a black cape over the sun. Those who crucified Him did not tremble at what they’d done, yet the earth shook under them. Sin never touched Him. Corruption could not get hold of His body. The soil that was reddened with His blood could not claim His dust. For over three years He preached the gospel. He wrote no book, He had no headquarters and He built no organization. Yet two thousand years later He’s the central figure of human history, the perpetual theme of all preaching, the pivot around which the ages revolve, and the only redeemer of the human race.
At this season of celebration and gift-giving, let’s join the wise men who “fell down and worshipped him.” Let’s remember, Christmas is about – Christ!
Soul food: Isa 9:1-7; Matt 1:18-25; Mic 5:2-5a; Isa 7:14
2020-12-24
Psalm 34:18 NIV
When you find yourself alone at Christmas, the sights and sounds that once brought joy can reinforce your sense of sadness and loss. There is no magic, get-well-quick formula; processing what you’ve lost takes time and God’s sustaining grace. But here are some insights to help you:
(1) Don’t assume. Don’t buy into the myth that everybody else is having a perfect Christmas while you struggle. The truth is, we all experience the unrealistic demands and pressures of shopping, entertaining and gift-giving. And it’s worse in times of heartache. That’s why we’re so relieved when it’s over.
(2) It’s just one day out of 365. You can handle it for twenty four hours because God has promised to give you “strength…equal [to] your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25 NIV).
(3) Take the focus off yourself. Reach out. See if there’s a needy family or a hurting acquaintance who’d enjoy spending an hour with you. It’ll probably be the last thing you feel like doing, but it is therapeutic, restores your perspective and brings a sense of wellbeing and gratitude.
(4) Start some new traditions, especially when old ones just make you feel worse. “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13 NKJV).
If you’re feeling lonely, here’s a prayer for you. “Lord, you know my heart aches today. Your Word says You are close to the brokenhearted. Let me feel Your nearness. Become more real to me than the activity without and the emptiness within. Help me draw close to You, and in so doing make this Christmas like none I’ve ever known.”
Soul food: Zech 9-11; Matt 1:12-17; Ps 117; Prov 31:18-21
