2020-11-23
2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
Self-focus isn’t necessarily bad if it leads to spiritual growth. However, some people mistakenly assume that it’s a biblical mandate! After all, didn’t God tell us to “examine ourselves”? So with that in mind we start to wonder – “Do I measure up spiritually? Have I truly repented? Do I pray enough? Is God pleased with me?” The truth is, focusing on yourself can keep you feeling discouraged and defeated. Let’s check and see what God actually says.
There are only two mentions of self-examination in Scripture, and neither teaches us to indulge in self-focus.
First, Paul challenged the Corinthians about tolerating gross sin in their church. A man was having an affair with his stepmother and no one seemed bothered by it. And because they had “not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they…indulged” (2 Corinthians 12:21 NIV), Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” This isn’t an invitation to self-focus, but a spiritual credential checkup. “See whether you are in the faith.”
Second, Paul corrected the Corinthians’ behavior during the Lord’s Supper. Because some were getting drunk on communion wine, he said, “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28 NIV). Paul’s not suggesting you become fixated on your flaws, but on the liberating truth that Jesus paid the price for all your sin – past, present, and future. The Bible says, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).
Growth, joy, and victory lie in abandoning unhealthy self-focus and staying Christ-focused!
Soul food: 2 Chr 16-18; John 12:37-50; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 27:13-16
2020-11-22
Psalm 34:8 NCV
The psalmist said, “Examine and see how good the Lord is.” Pay particular attention to the words “examine” and “good.” What you believe about God manifests itself in the way you live. What does it mean to be “good”? It means living up to the best you know. And since God is omniscient (all-knowing), He knows what your best is! His goodness is beyond all question. Because God is good – not just pious, but really, practically, consistently good – your cup of well-being, security, peace, confidence, and joy can be overflowing!
A good God cannot break His promise, abandon His children, or fail to love and bless them. You can be sure that in every circumstance He will treat you in the best possible way.
When your life seems to be falling apart, sometimes it’s difficult to see God’s goodness or feel that things will get better. That’s when you must use the faith God has already given you, and by an act of your will, trust Him (See Romans 12:3).
A wise pastor was asked by a troubled parishioner, “Pastor, does the world look like a wreck to you too?” He replied, “Yes, like the wreck of a bursting seed!” Without undergoing the “wreck” stage, during which its world literally falls apart, the acorn could never give life to an oak tree. So embrace God’s will in this trial because it’s “good, acceptable and perfect,” regardless of how it feels to you right now (See Romans 12:2). Ultimately, you’ll “see how good the Lord is. Happy is the person who trusts in him!”
Soul food: Gen 24:1-51; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
2020-11-21
Mark 5:19 NKJV
Have you ever been somewhere so wonderful that you never wanted to leave? That’s how the man in Mark chapter 5 felt after Jesus healed him from a life of insanity. He wanted to travel with Jesus, listen to His teachings, witness His miracles, and enjoy His company. But Jesus told him to go home and tell His family what God had done for him. God doesn’t want you to live remote and distant from the rest of the world! The only way to keep what you have, is to give it away. After a spiritual mountaintop experience, you must take what you’ve received and share it with those in the valley.
The man in today’s reading had spent years living in a graveyard. He was cutting himself and raving incoherently. Now the crowd saw him “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35 NKJV). And that’s still how it works. First Jesus clothes you, then He calls you. When you come to Him, you’re spiritually naked, so He wraps you in His righteousness.
Paul says, “Any man…in Christ…is a new creature: old things are passed away…all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). Whereas you were once “in Adam” where all die, now you’re “in Christ” where all are made alive spiritually (See 1 Corinthians 15:22).
Hymnist Edwin Mote wrote: “Clothed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” But never forget that once you’re “clothed and in your right mind,” it’s your God-given mandate to go out and tell others what the Lord has done for you.
Soul food: 2 Chr 12-15; John 12:20-36; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 27:10-12
2020-11-20
2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT
Your financial harvest is determined by what you spend, what you save, and what you sow into God’s kingdom. The Bible teaches that consecutive sowing guarantees consecutive reaping. Your future begins with what you have in your hand right now. Nothing is too little to multiply. Every one of us has received something from God that is capable of reproducing; the secret is putting it into His hands. He wants us to succeed, to have the resources needed to fulfill His will, and help others do the same. He said, “I am the Lord…which teacheth thee to profit” (Isaiah 48:17 KJV).
In the New Testament Jesus taught fishermen how to catch more fish (See Luke 5:1-11). On one occasion He even told His disciples where to find money to pay their taxes (See Matthew 17:27). He taught that giving, not withholding, is the way to multiply what’s been given to you (See Luke 6:38). Sometimes your seed is your only way out of trouble, but you must be willing to sow it.
Here are the facts of Scripture. Jesus showed people where money could be found. And when they failed at something, He motivated them to get up and try again – using His methods. He told them God was their unfailing source of supply, and encouraged them to expect a harvest on every seed they sowed.
Paul says, “God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 CEV). Bottom line: If you sow, you’ll reap! It’s that simple!
Soul food: 2 Chr 8-11; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 27:7-9
2020-11-19
Lamentations 3:25 NLT
If you’re struggling spiritually today, here are three thoughts that will help you:
First, realize that doing God’s will isn’t supposed to be easy. Satan, your Enemy, gives up nothing without a fight, and anxiety is one of his secret weapons. That’s why the Bible says, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT). Overcomers aren’t necessarily more educated or more talented than other people, they’re just more persistent. They push beyond the point at which others quit.
Second, believe that God’s will is for your total well-being. You are the offspring of a perfect God, so act like it. His covenant with you is forever, so think like it. Your total well-being is His desire and delight, so live like it. The apostle John wrote: “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John v. 2 KJV).
Third, reach by faith for what God has promised you. Sickness acts like a thief. It can rob you of time with those you love, money that could be used to achieve your goals, and energy needed to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. The prophet Isaiah said, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV). At the cross, Jesus purchased everything you need. So rise up in faith today and claim it, because as the Scripture says, “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”
Soul food: 2 Chr 5-7; John 12:1-11; Ps 76; Prov 27:4-6
2020-11-18
Isaiah 48:10 NLT
Never become jealous of someone else’s talent. And don’t be intimidated by it, because the God who called and equipped them, will use you too. When you learn to appreciate and applaud the gift of God in someone else’s life, you put yourself in a position where He can bless you as well. The fact is, we’re all necessary to God’s plan. The Bible says, “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased” (1 Corinthians 12:18 NKJV). God sets and God allocates! So seek Him and you’ll find your assignment.
Why did Jesus say, “Many are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16 NKJV)? Part of the answer is found in these words: “I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.” You need more than just a calling – you need character in order to have credibility. And that means spending time in the refiner’s fire. Generally speaking, it’s not your calling that gets you into trouble; it’s your character – or lack of it!
God says: “I want to see how you respond under pressure. When you want a yes, but you have to live with a no. When you desire to be in public ministry, but you’re assigned to a back room.” God is a wise businessman; He doesn’t put untested merchandise in His window.
So what “furnace of suffering” are you in today? Are you feeling the heat of the refiner’s fire? If so – rejoice! When you come out, you’ll be equipped and ready for service. And that’s the word for you today!
Soul food: 2 Chr 1-4; John 11:38-57; Ps 81; Prov 27:1-3
