2020-09-28
Romans 4:12 NKJV
The Bible talks about those “who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had.” How do you walk like that? (1) Abraham believed “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (v. 17 NKJV). When God makes you a promise, He has the power to bring it to pass, even when all the evidence and surrounding circumstances run contrary to what He said. (2) “Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed…that he became the father of many nations” (v. 18 NKJV). When all reason for hope was gone, Abraham still hoped. Why? Because his hope was in God! If you’re feeling hopeless today, think about these words: “Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you” (Zechariah 9:12 NKJV). (3) “Who…believed…according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be'” (Romans 4:18 NKJV). Note the phrase “according to what was spoken.” When God makes a promise, it contains the self-fulfilling power to bring it to pass. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and…prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV). (4) “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith” (Romans 4:20 NKJV). The word “waver” tells us Abraham didn’t dither, vacillate, argue within himself, or let other people’s opinions influence him. Instead, he remained resolute and steadfast. That’s how you walk by faith!
Soul food: 1 Sam 1-3; Luke 23:50-56; Ps 68:1-11; Prov 22:1-2
2020-09-27
Proverbs 23:4 NKJV
Having more money can give you more opportunities to do good in the world. Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14 NIV). And fulfilling that commission will require money – lots of it. But money by itself will never make you happy or secure. Solomon, one of the world’s richest men, writes: “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:4-5 NKJV). When one of the world’s wealthiest men died recently, a reporter asked a family member, “How much did he leave?” The relative replied, “All of it!” No matter how much money you make, save, invest, or keep, eventually your money will leave you or you will leave your money. Someone wisely observed that there are seven ages of man: First, a child sees the earth. Second, he wants it. Third, he hustles to get it. Fourth, he decides to be satisfied with about half of it. Fifth, he decides he’d be satisfied with less than half. Sixth, he’s now content to possess a three-by-six-foot burial plot. Seventh, he gets it! There are lots of things you can live without – and great wealth is one of them. What you can’t live without, however, is peace with God, a family filled with love, a lifelong friendship with your kids, and a life well-lived for the glory of God.
Soul food: Lev 16; Lev 23:26-32; Heb 9:1-14
2020-09-26
1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV
Here are six proven Bible strategies for defeating the Enemy when he comes against you. (1) Think aggressively. “Fight the good fight of faith…to which you were…called.” Plan and calculate like a general preparing for battle; study how to engage and defeat your enemy the Devil. (2) Pray aggressively. We are told to approach God’s throne “boldly” (See Hebrews 4:16). Which means aggressively! Don’t be bashful with God. He’s your “Abba,” which means “Daddy.” And you’re His redeemed child, so approach Him with confidence and ask for what you need. (3) Speak fearlessly. The apostle Peter writes, “Speak as though God himself were speaking through you” (1 Peter 4:11 NLT). In other words, use a commanding, authoritative tone when you resist the forces of evil. “Be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10). (4) Give generously. The level at which you give is the level at which you receive. “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT). No offering is too small, and none too great. (5) Work intently. The Bible says whatever you put your hand to, do it with all your heart (See Ecclesiastes 9:10). Don’t approach your tasks with dread and a desire to escape. Stir yourself up in the Holy Spirit and get the job done (See 2 Timothy 1:6). (6) Love unconditionally. As a follower of Christ, you must endeavor to love others as He loves them – unconditionally and sacrificially.
Soul food: Song of Solomon 5-8; Luke 23:39-49; Ps 91; Prov 21:28-31
2020-09-25
Romans 8:37 NKJV
If you conclude that your best days are over – they are. If you think they’re ahead – they are. After losing his job with a Fortune 500 company, Leonard was fearful and depressed. Then it occurred to him that if he gave up, what would he be teaching his son? If he didn’t overcome his challenges, his son would learn to let his challenges beat him. Leonard was determined to show him that although his dad got knocked down, he could get back up. So he dug out his résumé and called his friends to tell them he needed a job. Several months and many interviews later, he had four job offers, and now works for a company that values his talent. When harvesting potatoes, Idaho farmers would sort them according to size: small, medium, and large. Yet a particular farmer who didn’t follow this practice made more money than the rest. Puzzled, a neighbor asked, “What’s your secret?” “Simple,” he replied. “I load my wagon and take the roughest road to town. During the trip the small potatoes fall to the bottom, the medium ones settle in the middle, and the big potatoes rise to the top.” The same is true of people. On the bumpy road of life, big potatoes rise to the top. Jon Gordon says: “Regardless of the adversity you face, your purpose must be greater than your challenges. Instead of focusing on your problems, focus on your purpose. Instead of seeing yourself as a victim, see yourself as a hero. Heroes and victims both get knocked down, but heroes get back up, and armed with faith, they create a positive future.”
Soul food: Song of Solomon 1-4; Luke 23:32-38; Ps 13; Prov 21:22-27
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
