2020-11-14
Psalm 34:1 NKJV
The psalmist said, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth…magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (vv. 1-3 NKJV).
Observe three things in this Scripture: (1) Praise comes from an act of your will. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” It’s not an impulse; it’s a decision you make regardless of your feelings. The word hallelujah is a command form of the word “praise.” It’s an expression of worship, but it’s also an order to start praising the Lord.
(2) Praise stirs your emotions. “My soul [emotions] shall make its boast in the Lord” (v. 2 NKJV). First, David praised the Lord because he was commanded to. Second, he praised Him because he wanted to. That’s the order of things. If you want to change your feelings – change your focus. Before it was over, David was singing, “The Lord redeems the soul of His servants…none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned” (v. 22 NKJV).
(3) Praise rubs off on others. “Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Praise is contagious; it changes the atmosphere around you. When you get together with people of praise, decorum gives way to delight, and you find yourself lifted to a realm of joy you never knew. And praise has many forms of expressions. Psalm 150 outlines nine different ways to praise God. You can speak, shout, sing, clap your hands or raise them. You can play musical instruments, you can stand, kneel, or dance. The point is – be sure to praise God!
Soul food: 1 Chr 19:1-23:20; John 11:1-16; Ps 4; Prov 26:17-22
2020-11-13
Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
Fight a gloomy outlook. Attitude is a little thing, but it makes a big difference. Depression, gloom, pessimism, despair, and discouragement stop more people than all the world’s combined illnesses. The truth is, enthusiasm will take you where talent alone can’t. Think about it: Every day talented people give in to discouragement and quit, while people with less talent and ability keep going and succeed. Winston Churchill once quipped, “I’m an optimist. It doesn’t seem too much use being anything else.” If you really, really, really believe that God is on your side, you’ll be optimistic even in the face of overwhelming obstacles and discouragement.
In the Old Testament, a group of former slaves rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just fifty-two days, and went on to prosper. How did they do it? Because their leader said, “Don’t surrender to discouragement. Don’t give it an inch. Fight every step of the way!” And that prescription still works today!
One of Satan’s favourite weapons is discouragement. He knows you can never be defeated unless you’re defeated in your thinking. But you have the power to overcome him. The Bible says, “Submit…to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When Satan brings discouragement to your door, what should you do? Don’t open the door! Don’t invite him in! Don’t accept the package! Don’t sign the receipt! Instead, submit to God – and resist him! From time to time we all experience fatigue, frustration, failure, and fear. But by standing on God’s promises and drawing on His strength, you can choose not to get discouraged. The choice is yours!
Soul food: 1 Chr 16-18; John 10:22-42; Ps 83:9-18; Prov 26:13-16
2020-11-12
Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
Don’t just think about the problem, think about the Lord. Nehemiah said: “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles…officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.'” What specifically should you remember? Three things:
(1) Remember God’s goodness to you in the past. When you start thinking about all the good things He’s already done in your life, your spirit will be lifted and your anxiety eased.
(2) Remember God’s closeness in the present. What is He doing in your life right now? The truth is, He is with you whether or not you feel His nearness. He said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
(3) Remember God’s power for the future. He will give you strength for your needs.
When you get discouraged, get your mind off your circumstances and focus on the Lord, because circumstances can depress and discourage you. Chances are, if you’re feeling disheartened it’s because you are thinking gloomy thoughts. If you want to feel uplifted, make a concerted effort to think uplifting thoughts. Choose some encouraging Bible verses to memorize and quote them to yourself: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NIV). “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV). “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23 NIV). Keep in mind that it’s your thoughts that determine your feelings, and by filling your mind with promises from God’s Word you can overcome discouragement.
Soul food: 1 Chr 12:23-15:29; John 10:11-21; Ps 83:1-8; Prov 26:7-12
2020-11-11
Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
First, find a better way. While rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah said, “I looked things over.” Realizing there were enemies to be defeated and obstacles to be overcome, he “stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows” (v. 13 NIV). In order to overcome discouragement, Nehemiah realized they’d have to start doing things differently. They needed a new system. So he organized the people according to their gifts and strengths.
Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over again and hoping for different results. And there’s wisdom in that. When you get discouraged, don’t give up on your goals. Instead, devise a new approach! Question: Was it wrong for the Jews to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem? No, they were just going about it in the wrong way!
There’s a lesson here for us all. For example, do you have a problem in your marriage? Don’t give up; try a new attitude. Do you have a problem in your business? Don’t throw in the towel; look for a new approach, reorganize your schedule, and refocus on your goal.
Have you ever heard of the 80/20 principle? That’s where 80 percent of your time is spent on the 20 percent of activities that aren’t productive, and as a result, you get frustrated. What you need to do is devote 80 percent of your time to the 20 percent that produces the highest results. Business managers call this ROI time – “return on investment.” So practice devoting the majority of your time and energy to the things you know bring results.
Soul food: 1 Chr 10:1-12:22; John 10:1-10; Ps 133; Prov 26:1-6
2020-11-10
Hebrews 4:15 NIV
Although the Native Americans had no formal written alphabet before they met Europeans, their language was anything but primitive. The vocabulary of many native languages was as large as that of their French and English conquerors, and often their expressions were far more eloquent. In one tongue, for example, the concept of the word friend is beautifully stated as “one who carries my sorrows on his or her back.” What a great definition!
When someone comes to you for solace, or even claiming to seek advice, very often they want nothing more than your presence, a listening ear, and a willingness to share in their sorrow. And when your answer sounds like a “quick fix,” they sometimes conclude that you have no time for them. One of the most beautiful things ever said about Jesus in the Bible is that He is able “to empathize with our weaknesses.” Sometimes what a person wants most from you is simply to know that you understand what they’re going through, and that you care.
So here’s how you can help:
(1) Listen with an open heart, instead of trying to talk away their problem.
(2) If they’re crying, share their tears. If they’re silent, share their silence.
(3) Let them know you’re available, ready to help, and that you will always have time for them.
(4) Remind them that human beings can only do so much, but God can do the impossible.
(5) If they will allow you to, pray for them and with them. That way, you help lift the burden off their shoulders and place it on God’s (See Psalm 55:22).
Soul food: 1 Chr 7:20-9:44; John 9:24-41; Ps 99; Prov 25:26-28
2020-11-09
Luke 6:35 NLT
In his book Beneath the Cross of Jesus, A. Leonard Griffith tells the story of a young Korean exchange student who was a leader in Christian circles at the University of Pennsylvania. He left his apartment on the evening of April 25, 1958, to mail a letter to his parents. As he turned from the mailbox, he was met by eleven leather-jacketed teenage boys. Without a word, they beat him with a blackjack, a lead pipe, their boots and fists – and left him lying dead in the gutter. The population of Philadelphia cried out for vengeance, and the district attorney announced on television that he was going to seek the death penalty.
Then the following letter arrived, signed by the boy’s parents and twenty other relatives in Korea: “Our family has met together and we have decided to petition that the most generous treatment possible within the laws of your government be given to those who have committed this criminal action…In order to give evidence of our sincere hope contained in this petition, we have decided to save money to start a fund to be used for the religious, educational, vocational, and social guidance of the boys when they are released…We have dared to express our hope with a spirit received from the gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ who died for our sins.”
This story takes forgiveness to a whole new level, doesn’t it? It also teaches that when you forgive, you relinquish the seat of the victim and sit in the seat of the victor. And that’s what Jesus has in mind for you today!
Soul food: 1 Chr 6:1-7:19; John 9:13-23; Ps 115; Prov 25:23-25
