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
2020-11-17
Job 33:4 NKJV
You can put metal bars on the windows of your house, a security system in your car, video cameras in your business, and stash your prized belongings in a bank vault. But what are you doing to protect your most valuable possession, namely, your spiritual life?
Elihu told Job, “The breath of the Almighty gives me life.” When God breathes His spirit into you at the point of salvation, you become spiritually alive. Now you have the ability to love Him, serve Him, and bring pleasure to Him. And that’s what the Enemy is after – the part of God that’s inside you! And to get to it he will attack your body, wage war against your mind, and try to control you through habits, doubts, and fears. He will even work through other people, including close friends and family members.
When God breathed into Adam, he became alive. He recognized who he was and what he was called to do in life. Don’t miss the lesson here! Until you recognize that God created and redeemed you for a purpose, other people will try to “breathe” their identity and agenda into you. And that’s dangerous, because when someone can define you they can control you!
“How can I protect myself?” you ask. Live each day with a consciousness of the presence of God! The psalmist said, “You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” (Psalm 61:3-4 NLT). When you’re in that place of safety, the Enemy can’t touch you or anything that is rightfully yours.
Soul food: 1 Chr 26:20-29:30; John 11:28-37; Ps 50; Prov 26:27-28
2020-11-16
John 16:24 NKJV
The Bible doesn’t tell us how long the lame man in Acts chapter 3 had sat begging at the temple gate, but it was a daily occurrence. When he saw Peter and John, the odds are he wasn’t expecting anything – just another day trying to survive. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6 NKJV). Here’s what happened next: “He…stood and walked and entered the temple with them – walking, leaping, and praising God” (v. 8 NKJV). There’s an important lesson here for you.
God has set times for doing certain things. He has a calendar and your name is on it: “For the time to favour her [or him]…the set time, has come” (Psalm 102:13 NKJV). If you’re not spiritually attuned you can miss your “set time” and forfeit what God has for you. That means you must learn to live in expectation, because God’s blessings are either coming toward you or passing you by. Miracles happen to those who believe in them, ask for them, expect them, and receive them.
The Enemy will try to keep you so preoccupied, cynical, and hopeless that when God sends the answer you prayed for, you won’t recognize it, reach for it, or receive it. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24 NKJV). So, be ready to receive.
Soul food: 1 Chr 23:21-26:19; John 11:17-27; Ps 8; Prov 26:23-26
2020-11-15
1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT
Whether it’s in the world of sports or the kingdom of God, all winners exhibit these five traits:
(1) Self-awareness. Winners are honest about their strengths and weaknesses. The Bible says, “The Lord searches every heart…If you seek him, he will be found by you” (1 Chronicles 28:9 NIV). In prayer you see yourself as you are. As you read God’s Word, you begin to see yourself as you can be.
(2) Focus. Wherever you are today, be there – because that’s where God is. People who spend their lives “waiting for their ship to come in” are usually disappointed, or die on the pier. Winners live in the present moment. They refuse to be in one place while their mind is in another.
(3) Confidence. Winners overcome anxiety by keeping their eyes on the goal. As they get closer, their confidence increases. Jude writes, “Dear friends, by building yourselves up” (Jude v. 20 NIV). This is something you must do for yourself, and do daily through prayer and God’s Word.
(4) Toughness. Winners sacrifice the present for the future. They’ve learned to say no to indulgence and yes to discipline, because to them the prize is worth the price. Paul writes: “Like an athlete I punish my body…training it to do what it should, not what it wants” (1 Corinthians 9:27 TLB).
(5) A game plan. Winners recognize that talent alone isn’t enough; you need a plan to live by. So, have you discovered God’s plan for your life? Are you living by it? If not, talk to Him about it today. It’s one of the most important conversations you will ever have.
Soul food: Matt 6:1-4; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 14:12-14; 2 Cor 9:6-11
