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
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
