2020-09-24
2 Corinthians 4:9 MSG
Like trees that bend in the wind, resilient people gain strength from adversity because they know how to do these five things: (1) Stay connected. Solomon said, “Two are better…If either of them falls…one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV). When Barbara Smith’s son was killed, she started a bereavement group to unite others. “We’ve saved each other,” she says. (2) Monitor their self-talk. Watch how you “spin” your situation. And when you catch yourself speaking negatively, reframe things in light of Scripture. God’s Word says, “The word of faith is…in your mouth” (See Romans 10:8), and “What you say can mean life or death” (Proverbs 18:21 NCV). Instead of sitting around wallowing in fear and anger, and whining about how you got here, focus on what you can control – your words! (3) Look for life’s lighter moments. Solomon said, “A happy heart is…good medicine…a broken spirit drains your strength” (Proverbs 17:22 NCV). When Donna Goldman was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she continued to teach. “I let the kids play with my walking canes – as long as they don’t use them for weapons!” she quips. And her car license plate says, “Get Back Up.” (4) Give back. God “comforts us…so…we can share that…comfort with others” (2 Corinthians 1:4 CEV). Renee Weinhouse, who survived stage IV lymphoma and runs a support group, says, “Nothing makes me happier than giving a patient hope.” (5) Take care of themselves. A healthy diet and regular exercise help repair brain areas susceptible to stress. When Deborah Robinson’s husband developed Alzheimer’s disease, she realized, “If I was going to be good for him, I had to be good to myself.”
Soul food: 2 Cor 11:16-13:14; Luke 23:26-31; Ps 54; Prov 21:18-21
2020-09-23
Joshua 1:8 NKJV
In Scripture the word “success” simply means knowing and doing God’s will for your life. It’s that simple! For Joshua, success meant entering the Promised Land, conquering it, living there, and enjoying all its blessings every day. Listen to what God told him: “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and…you will have good success” (vv. 7-8 NKJV). True success involves these three things: (1) Becoming what God wants you to be. (2) Doing what God wants you to do. (3) Having what God wants you to have. And as you achieve the goals He has set for your life, you become successful. As the renowned author/lecturer Dale Carnegie once observed, “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” In their endless quest for achievement, some people become so greedy and grasping that they are never satisfied. And because they are always wanting more, they fail to enjoy what God has already given them. Real success isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. It’s joy created by progress. It’s knowing that you’re “on schedule” when it comes to God’s assignment for your life.
Soul food: 2 Cor 9:1-11:15; Luke 23:13-25; Ps 52; Prov 21:17
2020-09-22
Psalm 8:6 NIV
How can you know God wants you to succeed in life? Three reasons: (1) Because He created you. In Genesis He said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26 NKJV). The words “image” and “likeness” are important. Think about it: We sometimes tell a child, “You’re the image of your father. You’re just like him!” Because you are God’s supreme creation, He poured into you His mind, His power, His wisdom, and everything else you need to succeed. Once you grasp the truth of that and begin to act on it, your outlook will be transformed. You will start thinking like a “no limit person.” (2) Because you have worth. Actress Ethel Waters, who used to sing at the Billy Graham crusades, said, “I am somebody, ’cause My God don’t make no junk!” As the crowning achievement of God’s creation, you are the object of His attention and affection. The psalmist wrote, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them” (Psalm 139:17-18 NLT). (3) Because everything God made was for you. “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.” Does that mean God will simply drop success into your lap? No, “God blessed them, and…said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it'” (Genesis 1:28 NKJV). God has given you His authority and creative ability to succeed in whatever He calls you to do. So instead of thinking like a victim – start thinking like a victor!
Soul food: 2 Cor 5-8; Luke 23:1-12; Ps 34; Prov 21:14-16
2020-09-21
3 John 1:2 NKJV
Jesus said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 NKJV). And to drive home His point, He told the story of a rich man who died and went to hell, while a poor man on his doorstep went to heaven. Bottom line: Nothing is more important than your salvation! But God also has a plan for your life, and He wants you to succeed. John writes, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Note the phrase “in all things.” That includes your health, your mental and emotional well-being, your family and relationships, your career and finances. “All things” means – all things! There’s not an area of your life that God is not interested in or that He won’t get involved in when you seek Him, obey Him, and honour Him. In the Old Testament, He said, “Keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all…you do” (Deuteronomy 29:9 NKJV). And in the New Testament, Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). Aren’t you totally invested in the success of your children? When they succeed in life, don’t you celebrate with them? Well, as His redeemed child, your heavenly Father is invested in your success and celebrates it with you. So start praying and believing Him today for success in all your endeavors.
Soul food: 2 Cor 1-4; Luke 22:63-71; Ps 39; Prov 21:9-13
2020-09-20
Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Some folks think that God’s sole purpose is to save their soul, help them become as morally upright and as spiritually mature as possible, and one day take them to heaven to live with Him. And in a sense that’s true. But here’s what isn’t true – that God is not interested in your job, your health, your relationships, your finances, or your dreams and goals because somehow those things are carnal, worldly, and temporal. When you think like that, you “spiritualize” every promise you read in Scripture, and when you pray, you believe the only thing God wants to do is help you become more spiritual. Let’s look into the Scriptures and see what God really says about this. The truth is, in fact, the exact opposite (See Joshua 1:8; Isaiah 48:17; 3 John 2). By maintaining that God plays no part in your achieving career success or financial security, you’re contradicting His Word. And when you do that, you’re on dangerous ground, because you’re making yourself the sole source of your success, and the Bible calls that – pride! What Jesus taught is this: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles [who do not serve God] seek…For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV). So let’s be clear: God wants you to succeed in life for the right reasons, and He wants you to have all the things you need to do it.
Soul food: Matt 17:1-9; John 19:25-27; Rev 1:1-11
2020-09-19
Ephesians 4:23 AMPC
We can learn a lot about the importance of a good attitude by looking at the children of Israel. It’s estimated that about 1.5 million Israelites came out of Egypt. God delivered them from slavery and led them to the Promised Land. The trip should have taken about eleven days, but instead it took forty years. Why? Because they were constantly complaining about everything! They complained about the food God sent from heaven each day. And any time something difficult crossed their path they were ready to give up and go back to Egypt – back to slavery. What’s astounding is that out of the 1.5 million people who left Egypt, only two from the original group made it into the Promised Land. And today there are many Christians who have also escaped from “Egypt” (their former life of slavery to sin), believers who are always looking forward to the Promised Land, yet they end up wandering in the wilderness their entire lives, dealing with the same old problems and issues. Are you one of them? Do you feel like you’ve been circling the same mountain for too long? (See Deuteronomy 2:3). If so, here’s your answer: “Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24 AMPC). In other words – change your attitude!
Soul food: Eze 46-48; Luke 22:54-62; Ps 3; Prov 21:4-8
