2026-02-11
Joshua 8:30 NKJV
The Bible says, “Joshua built an altar to the Lord… in Mount Ebal… ‘an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool.’ And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord… Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal… He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings” (Joshua 8:30-34 NKJV).
There are two important lessons in this otherwise obscure Old Testament story. First, “an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool” speaks of God’s unearned and unmerited grace toward us – no human effort involved. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).
Second, notice where this altar was built. When Israel listened to Joshua reading the blessings and cursings recorded in the Law of Moses, half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and the other half in front of Mount Ebal. Those in front of Mount Gerizim heard him read the blessings, and those in front of Mount Ebal heard him read the cursings. But the altar was not built on Gerizim, the mount of blessings, but on Ebal, the hill of cursing.
The message is clear: even when you “blow it,” God extends His grace to you. C. S. Lewis said, “Obedience is the key that opens every door.” So even when you fail and disobey God, you can return to the altar of grace at Mount Ebal. It’s built for people like you.
Soul food: Jonah 1-4; Luke 9:28-36; Ps 141; Prov 4:18-19
2026-02-10
Psalm 34:6 NLT
It had been twenty-five years since Fontella Bass’s rhythm and blues single “Rescue Me” hit number one on the charts. She had no career to speak of, and she was penniless, tired, and cold. The only heat in her house came from a gas stove in the kitchen. She had strayed from her faith and the church where she started singing gospel songs as a child.
As she prayed, Fontella asked God for “a sign” to confirm that He heard her. Suddenly, she heard her hit song “Rescue Me” on a television commercial! To her, it was as if “the Lord had stepped right into my world!” Fontella was unaware that American Express had been using her song in a commercial and hadn’t been able to locate her to pay royalties.
Not only did she receive back-royalties, but new opportunities also began to open for her to sing. Shortly after that, she released a new album. But the best news is that she renewed her relationship with the Lord. “For so many years I tried doing it on my own, and it didn’t work,” she said. “Then I took it out of my hands and turned it over to Him, and now everything’s happening.”
The psalmist David wrote: “In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened, he saved me from all my troubles… . Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:6, 8 NLT). And what God did for David and Fontella Bass, He will do for you if you’ll only turn to Him.
Soul food: Num 34-36; Luke 9:18-27; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17
2026-02-09
Isaiah 45:10 NLT
Isaiah said that God “formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant” (Isaiah 49:5 NLT). God deliberately shaped each of us for His service. How then can we complain that we are too short, too tall, too dark, too fair, or too anything else that is unchangeable? The word “too” implies something is beyond what’s desirable or more than what should be. How can anything that God formed be too anything? What we’re really saying is “This feature doesn’t conform to society’s prescribed standard of beauty,” so we allow our non-conforming attributes to cause us to become insecure and rob us of our confidence. We then feel that our only solution is to change the undesirable feature. What a slap in God’s face.
“Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim… ‘Why did you make me this way?’ This is what the Lord says… ‘Do you question what I do?… Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?'” (Isaiah 45:9-11 NLT).
You will strengthen your emotional security when you make peace with every aspect of yourself. By God’s grace and divine enablement you must truly accept – not merely resign yourself to His sovereign design. When you do so, you stop comparing yourself to others and judging yourself as either inferior or superior. Self-consciousness and fretting over your outward appearance disappear. You have now cleared the path for your real inner beauty to shine through. It’s time to experience body peace, knowing you’re designed for your destiny, tailored for your tasks, and perfect for your purpose.
Soul food: Num 32:25-33:56; Luke 9:1-17; Ps 134; Prov 4:5-13
2026-02-08
John 16:33 NCV
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, they don’t have to define you or defeat you. Even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. George Bernard Shaw wrote: “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.” When it comes to faith, we rely far too much on circumstantial evidence.
Doubt is letting our circumstances dictate how we feel and what we believe. When we let our circumstances get between us and God, it creates a smokescreen of doubt. Faith is putting the promises of God between you and your circumstances. It doesn’t mean you deny reality. It simply means you’re in touch with a greater reality – one more real than what you can touch or taste or see or hear or feel or smell.
Jesus was a realist: “In this world you will have trouble.” But He was also an optimist: “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV). Our optimism is anchored to the empty tomb. If Jesus walked out of the tomb, and He did, you don’t have a problem that He cannot solve. And you need to start living as though you believe that is true.
There are seven promises in the book of Revelation that begin with the same phrase: “To him who overcomes.” And it reminds us of our true identity as overcomers. We aren’t just conquerors; we are more than conquerors!
Soul food: Gal 5:22-23; Exo 23:1-9; Luke 6:27-36; Rom 12:14-21
2026-02-07
Genesis 1:31 NKJV
Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark and silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. As a result, Helen became the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,” she wrote, “or sailed to an uncharted land.” The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture: “Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the spirit of God pronouncing His works good.” If God’s Spirit is within you, optimism is the order of the day. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses.
Helen Keller proved that with an optimistic spirit, even the most difficult of circumstances cannot define you. And even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. She proved that as amazing as the human eye is, there’s something more amazing – the mind’s eye that enables us to imagine the unthinkable and believe the impossible. It’s why she said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Or as Paul put it: “Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NCV). In other words, be optimistic.
Soul food: Num 30:1-32:24; Luke 8:40-56; Ps 125; Prov 4:3-4
2026-02-06
Romans 12:10 NKJV
Have you ever noticed how quick we are to accuse someone else of some of the very things we excuse in ourselves? In so doing, we practice a double standard, requiring more from others than of ourselves. Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NKJV). The double standard works like this:
1) When others are set in their ways, they’re obstinate – but you are firm and resolved.
2) When your neighbour doesn’t like your friend, she’s prejudiced – but when you don’t like her friend, you’re a good judge of character.
3) When she tries to treat someone especially well, she’s buttering them up – but when you do so, you’re being thoughtful.
4) When she takes time to do things well, she’s lazy – but when you do so, you’re meticulous.
5) When she spends a lot, she’s reckless and undisciplined – but when you do the same thing, you’re generous.
6) When she picks flaws in things, she’s critical – but when you do, you’re perceptive.
7) When she’s mild-mannered, you call her weak – but when you are, you’re gracious.
8) When she dresses well, she’s extravagant – but when you do, you’re tastefully in style.
9) When she says what she thinks, she’s spiteful – but when you do, you’re being honest.
10) When she takes risks, she’s foolhardy – but when you do, you’re brave. Paul wrote: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.” So, the word for you today is: Let us honour one another.
Soul food: Num 27-29; Luke 8:26-39; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
