2020-07-31
1 Samuel 18:1 KJV
It hurts when you discover that not everyone has your best interests at heart. So you must learn to be more discerning, and know on what level to interact with people. Usually only a few people belong in your inner circle. That’s why you must be wise when it comes to who you allow into that circle. We see this illustrated in the lives of David and Jonathan. David was at odds with King Saul, the father of his best friend, Jonathan. Jonathan kept David’s secrets and protected him with his very life, even when faced with displeasing his own family. Jonathan wasn’t seeking to elevate himself, inflate his own self-importance, or orchestrate his own advancement through his relationship with David. Simply stated, they had a “soul connection.” The strength of a confidant lies in their silence. If someone’s a gossiper, they automatically disqualify themselves. We must be able to rest in the security of these relationships, in order to express ourselves, gather information, and glean wise counsel. Otherwise, we reap the consequences of having the wrong people know too much about us. Confidants not only maintain our secrets, they refuse to exploit that privileged information for their own gain. They really care about us, and don’t throw our past mistakes in our face. They refuse to utter the words “I told you so.” Such people are in your life for the long haul, and you must recognize and cherish them.
Soul food: Deut 1-2; Luke 10:25-37; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 16:31
2020-07-30
2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
Christian counselor Dr. Ann Shorb writes, “Each morning I reach for an assortment of nutritional supplements. Each has something I need, but not one by itself is enough to provide everything.” Here are the “spiritual supplements” she says she takes: (1) His death on the cross is sufficient for my salvation: “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him…He…lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV). (2) His strength is sufficient for my weakness: “He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak” (Isaiah 40:29 NCV). (3) His authority is sufficient for my struggles: Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and…earth. Go therefore” (Matthew 28:18 NKJV). (4) His power is sufficient to restore me: “The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises…all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14 NKJV). (5) His wisdom and knowledge are sufficient to direct me: “He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 NKJV). (6) His grace is sufficient for all my needs: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV). Sometimes you’ll hear Psalm 51:12 quoted as “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation,” instead of “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” There’s a big difference! My salvation means me working to be saved and never knowing if I’ve done enough. Thy salvation depends totally on Christ’s finished work on Calvary. It acknowledges that while we’ll never be “sufficient of ourselves…our sufficiency is from God.”
Soul food: Acts 27-28; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 16:26-30
2020-07-29
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NKJV
Many of God’s blessings come with conditions: “Diligently obey…all His commandments.” When you put God’s Word into action, you obtain His blessing. Blind Bartimaeus was begging when Jesus passed by. So he cried out, “Lord, that I might receive my sight” (Mark 10:51 KJV). He knew God’s blessing wasn’t automatic, but it was within his reach. In a Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown is practicing his archery. In addition to a bow and arrow, he carries a paintbrush and a bucket of paint. He shoots the arrow toward the target, and wherever it lands he paints a bull’s-eye around it. When Lucy asks Charlie about this, he says, “This way I always hit my target!” One author writes: “This is the way some Christians live…wherever the arrows of life happen to land, they claim was their destination all along. How badly do you want the blessing of God? How committed are you? The desires God placed in your spirit and the goals He set in His Word won’t be fulfilled automatically, but they’re attainable. First: You must build a strong foundation by becoming established in God’s Word. Second: Expect to increase one step at a time. Paul says, ‘Walk in the steps of…faith’ (Romans 4:12 NKJV). Results won’t appear overnight, but they will come and you’ll see the rewards of your diligence. Third: Aim high, expect God’s best, and be willing to give Him your best. Peter says, ‘Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue…knowledge…self-control…perseverance…godliness…brotherly kindness…and…love'” (2 Peter 1:5-7 NKJV).
Soul food: Acts 24-26; Luke 10:1-12; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 16:25
2020-07-28
Romans 4:22-24 NKJV
To understand the word “imputed,” picture funds being transferred from one account to another. Banks do it every day. Imagine yourself totally destitute and unable to pay your debts. Then in an astounding act of grace someone assumes all your debts, and at the same time transfers to your account such “abundance” that you never have to work. That’s what happened at the cross when God “imputed” all your sins to Christ’s account, and “imputed” all His righteousness to your account. Mind-blowing, isn’t it? Would you say, “I can’t allow you to pay all these debts alone, so I’ll work to prove myself worthy of your grace?” We do that when we “add” our good works to Christ’s finished work. Salvation is like health food labeled “no man-made additives.” Paul writes, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV). In the same sense God “made” Jesus who never sinned, to “be” sin, He “made” you who could never be righteous enough, to “become” righteous in His eyes. “But I feel such guilt when I sin.” You’re supposed to! But when Christ took away all your sin, He took away all your guilt. So what are you feeling? Inner conflict! Your regenerated spirit is telling you that you can’t indulge in sin; it’s not who you are anymore! Why did God do it this way? Because any righteousness we could achieve falls far short of what He requires. Rejoice – today God sees you clothed in the righteousness of Christ, therefore you’re always loved and accepted by Him.
Soul food: Acts 22-23; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 16:23-24
2020-07-27
Proverbs 11:3 NKJV
After leading the Nation of Israel for forty years, the prophet Samuel didn’t get a retirement party and a gold watch. He got something much better in the form of this commendation: “You have not cheated or oppressed us” (1 Samuel 12:4 NIV). He led them, instructed them, and blessed them, but not one time did he take advantage of them. How refreshing! How remarkable – particularly in today’s world of business and politics. C. S. Lewis said, “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man a more clever devil.” So before you set your goals, determine your values. Values are like guardrails on the highway; they keep you from veering off the road and over the cliff’s edge. They determine how far you’ll go on questionable issues. Knowing what matters and what you truly value is the key to living a life of meaning and purpose. For most of us the problem isn’t having values, the problem is living them out. We all value honesty, integrity, and forgiveness, but when we’re pressed, do we really live them out – especially when it costs us? Pursuing a life of values comes with a price. But what we get in exchange is the ability to hold our head high during the day and sleep well at night. And perhaps just as important – it allows us to relax and be ourselves. The mental toll of cheating, lying, and stealing is draining. Trying to remember the lie you told someone last week, so that today’s lie will match up, can literally wear you out. When you live a life of integrity, you don’t have to worry about such things!
Soul food: Acts 20-21; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 46; Prov 16:20-22
2020-07-26
Psalm 46:10 KJV
Let’s take a look at this Scripture. (1) “Be still.” Activity born out of anxiety actually prevents God from showing Himself strong on your behalf. That doesn’t mean you can be passive or lazy; it means doing what God leads you to do without running ahead of Him. It means submitting to Him by slowing down and waiting. Why? To make sure you have a sense of peace to go along with the ideas you believe He’s giving you (See Colossians 3:15). Ask Him to reveal His will; then “be still,” acknowledge that He’s in charge and He knows what He’s doing. (2) “Know that I am God.” This means acknowledging that you are not God! When you don’t obey God, consult Him, or recognize His timing, you remove Him from the throne of your life and end up trying to take His place. And you know how well that works, right? We hear a lot about goal-setting and vision. And it’s a scriptural principle, for “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). But the Bible also says, “The vision is…for an appointed time…Though it tarries, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV). You’ll never fulfill your vision without the help of the One who gave it to you. Nineteenth-century American clergyman Henry Ward Beecher said, “The strength of a man consists in finding out the way God is going, and going that way.” Remember, there’s no time lost in waiting if you’re waiting on the Lord. So don’t let a “how to” seminar or a “type A personality” stampede you into getting ahead of God, or attempting to forge ahead under your own steam.
Soul food: Gen 39:1-39; Gen 45:1-13; Gen 50:22-26
