2020-12-23
1 Kings 17:13 NIV
Picture a mother and her child in a severe famine, with just enough food for one last meal. Now picture Elijah saying, “Share with me what you’ve got. Don’t be afraid; God will make sure you’ve more than enough to see you through.” What would you have done? This woman chose to obey God. As a result, she survived her famine and outlived her pallbearers, and Jesus eulogized her in one of His sermons.
Basically there are two kinds of givers: those who give God their “leftovers,” and those who give Him their “firstfruits” (See Proverbs 3:9). The first givers see themselves as responsible for meeting their own needs, so the leftovers go to God’s work. But the problem with giving leftovers is that your generosity is tied to your self-sufficiency. And the moment you face financial uncertainty, generosity takes a back seat.
On the other hand, those who give God their firstfruits understand that He’s the source of everything they have. They are motivated to invest in His interests first and their own interests second. They believe in the scriptural principle that what you reap is always greater than what you sow (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
Fear will cause you to become irrational and act contrary to what you believe in your heart. Doesn’t it make sense to trust God with your finances, since it all belongs to Him? And to trust Him with something that’s beyond your control anyway? Think about it: You say you trust God with your eternal destiny, yet you reject His invitation to be your financial partner. Does that make sense? The truth is, you can never out give God, so be generous!
Soul food: Zech 5-8; Matt 1:6b-11; Ps 113; Prov 31:14-17
2020-12-22
Matthew 6:27 NLT
Worry changes nothing except you – and not for the better. It won’t pay your bills, solve your family problems, or give you a good night’s sleep. You don’t add one day to your life, or one bit of life to your day by worrying. But you can age prematurely and die before your time. Read these two Scriptures carefully: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever” (Psalm 125:1 NIV). “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV).
Notice that the same word in both Scriptures is “trust.” Worry simply reveals our lack of trust in God! So who are we trusting in? Ourselves! And only when that no longer works, are we willing to hand God the problem. Can you imagine asking Michelangelo, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing with that chunk of marble?” God knows what He’s doing, and when you trust Him. “His peace…will guard your hearts and minds” (Philippians 4:7 NLT).
Paul is using a military metaphor here. The Philippians lived under Roman occupation, which was bad. But they knew that the sentries also guarded their town, which was good. They knew that before an enemy could get to them, it first had to get past the guards. And because you’re “in Christ,” Satan has to go through Him to get to you.
Are you getting the picture? Nothing – absolutely nothing – can get to you without first coming through Him! Once you accept that, God’s peace will fill your heart.
Soul food: Zech 1-4; Matt 1:1-6a; Ps 128; Prov 31:10-13
2020-12-21
James 5:16 NKJV
The Bible says: “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months” (vv. 16-17 NKJV). There are two words in this portion of Scripture that you need to pay particular attention to:
(1) “Fervent.” This describes the intense heat you get from a blazing fire. The Amplified Bible puts it like this: “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” If you’re not careful, you can fall into the trap of thinking you have to “work up” strong emotions before you pray or while you’re praying, in order for your prayers to be heard and answered. Not so! Your feelings may move you, but only your faith will move God. The Bible says, “He that cometh to God must believe…that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). Just because you felt God’s presence in a special way yesterday when you prayed, and you don’t today, doesn’t mean your prayers aren’t being heard and won’t be answered.
(2) “Righteous.” Elijah was a righteous man, but he certainly wasn’t a perfect man. Yes, his prayers were effective. But he was also given to bouts of fear and deep depression. Here’s the key: Because you are clothed in Christ’s righteousness you’re always worthy and acceptable before God, therefore you can be confident your prayers will be heard and answered (See Romans 5:17). Knowing that, you can pray effectively.
Soul food: 2 Tim 1-4; John 21:15-25; Ps 47; Prov 31:6-9
2020-12-20
Romans 15:13 AMPC
The Lord has promised us a sense of joy in the midst of every circumstance we face. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). So how can you hold on to your joy and not lose it?
The apostle Paul tells us, “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope” (Romans 15:13 AMPC). Notice that all-important word “believing.” It’s okay to have questions, but you must never doubt God’s love and faithfulness toward you.
One Bible teacher writes: “I remember an evening when I was feeling strongly dissatisfied and discontented. I had no peace or joy and was absolutely miserable. I read Romans chapter 15:13, and it was indeed ‘a word in season’ for me. My problem was simple: I was doubting instead of believing. I was doubting God’s unconditional love for me, doubting that I could hear from Him, doubting His call on my life, doubting that He was pleased with me. I was filled with doubt…doubt…doubt. When I saw the problem and got back into faith and out of doubt…my joy and peace returned immediately. I’ve found the same thing to be true again and again in my life. When my joy and peace seem to be gone, I check my believing – usually it is gone also.”
And the same principle applies to you today!
Soul food: Jonah 2; Luke 11:29-32
2020-12-19
Matthew 14:22 NIV
When “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side,” did He know there was a storm brewing? Yes. So why did He send them into the middle of it? To learn, to grow, and to stretch their faith.
The Bible tells us: “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him…they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost’ they said…But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid!'” (vv. 25-27 NIV).
There are three important lessons here: (1) Serving the Lord doesn’t exempt you from life’s storms, but it protects you when you’re in them. Jesus promised, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).
(2) What you perceive as another problem heading your way, may be the Lord coming your way. The disciples thought Jesus was a ghost, when in reality He was their deliverer.
(3) Jesus may not show up when you want Him to, but He will always show up on time. The disciples had been in the storm for hours before Jesus appeared. And when He appeared, He said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Notice that before Jesus dealt with what was troubling them on the outside, He calmed them down on the inside. That’s how He works. First He changes us – then He changes our circumstances. As a result, we grow in faith and end up better equipped to handle the next storm that blows into our lives.
Soul food: Micah 5-7; John 21:1-14; Ps 12; Prov 31:1-5
2020-12-18
James 1:19 NKJV
Most men are “fixers” by nature. They fix cars, washing machines, and leaky faucets. So when it seems like their wives would rather talk about problems than fix them, they get frustrated. Often they don’t realize that what she needs is emotional validation more than a solution. And that means sitting down and listening patiently about how she feels. When men do this, their wife’s entire outlook changes. Has the problem been solved? Not necessarily. But an important need has been met.
In the wife’s eyes, the man who pursued her, took her out on romantic dates, and hung on her every word, is letting her know that her feelings still matter to him. The husband who learns this sooner rather than later, will find himself with a happier wife.
Think of it this way: Sometimes our prayers don’t change the circumstances, but we feel better when we’ve prayed, right? That’s because we’ve shared it with the One who’s able, and cares enough to listen, so we come away with a changed outlook. It’s the reason Paul wrote: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave…[His time, attention, support, encouragement, and His life] for her” (Ephesians 5:25 AMPC).
Men who soar in their careers are often clueless about this marriage principle. But it’s not too late to learn. Now, the first time you try it don’t be surprised if your wife seems wary, looks confused, or faints and has to pick herself up off the floor! Her reaction will be proportionate to the length of time you’ve been emotionally absent. So hang in there, and give it time. The rewards will far outweigh the investment.
Soul food: Micah 1-4; John 20:19-31; Ps 67; Prov 30:29-33
