2020-06-07
Proverbs 13:20 NKJV
Let’s look at arrested relational development. God’s plan for your life requires connecting with the right people – and disconnecting from the wrong ones. Sitting beside Jesus at the Last Supper were John, who loved Him, and Judas, who betrayed Him. It’s imperative to know who is sitting at your table! So to that end pray: “Lord, I pray for the people You’ve brought into my life and placed on my heart. Bless the healthy relationships, and give me wisdom to handle the difficult ones in a way that pleases You. If there are friendships I need to walk away from, ones that will be harmful no matter what I do, show me what to do and give me the grace and courage to do it. If there are relationships that are draining and distracting me from Your plan and purpose, I trust You to bring them to an end or change them for the better. And when I’m the one who needs to change, show me, and work in my life by Your amazing power. I need Your wisdom to recognize the friends and associates I should choose. Help me to steer clear of relationships that lead me away from the path You’ve laid out for me. Send people into my life who are godly and wise, and help us to bless, encourage and contribute to the quality of each other’s lives. Show me the friendships that are worth fighting for, and I’ll gladly do it. Be Lord of all my relationships so that they will be what You want them to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Soul food: Rev 7:13-17; Ps 23; Luke 15:1-7
2020-06-06
Proverbs 9:9 NKJV
Let’s look at arrested intellectual development. Sometimes we use verses like “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27) as excuses for not developing our minds and growing intellectually. God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). A sense of fulfillment accompanies intellectual growth – one that doesn’t come any other way. When you know you’re growing in knowledge and understanding, you become less vulnerable to criticism, neglect, and slights. Your sense of worth is no longer tied to other people’s approval because you measure yourself by a different yardstick – personal growth! The writer of Proverbs says, “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15 NKJV). “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both” (Proverbs 20:12 NKJV). Notice, you learn by listening and observing! And we’re not talking about hours spent watching television that dulls your brain and stunts your powers of conversation. The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron…a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV). To grow and become sharp, you need people in your life who sharpen you. Three key activities in determining your future are (a) the time you spend with God; (b) the relationships you form; and (c) the books you read. And the book you should spend the most time reading is your Bible. Just one more thought: Any time you’re reading and get a good thought, or experience an “aha!” moment, write it down – otherwise you’ll lose it.
Soul food: Rev 1-4; Mark 14:43-52; Ps 1; Prov 13:1
2020-06-05
Job 11:16 NLT
Let’s talk about arrested emotional development. When you don’t get help for your past emotional hurts, you’ll find yourself “acting out,” treating others like you were treated, and repeating your past in your present. Indeed, you may end up hurting the most important people in your life, maybe even destroying those relationships without knowing why. You’ll blame the failure of the relationship on your partner’s habits, looks, attitudes, and way of going about things. And in so doing, you will remain emotionally stuck, trapped by the unhealed, unrecognized sources of your dysfunction. What you’re dealing with here is “emotional junk”: regrets over past mistakes, grudges over being wronged, and all the other hurts you hide under clouds of anger, cynicism, and reclusiveness. You will never know what you have, or what you truly need, until you get rid of your emotional junk. How do you do that? The answer can be found in God’s Word and God’s presence: “Prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety…and many will look to you for help” (vv. 13-19 NLT).
Soul food: 1 Kings 21-22; Mark 14:27-42; Ps 129; Prov 12:27-28
2020-06-04
Hebrews 5:12 NKJV
Addressing the early church, Paul said: “I have a lot more to say…but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up the bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one – baby’s milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago!” (vv. 11-14 MSG). It’s known as “arrested development,” and it can happen to any of us. Among the first evidence that a child is healthy and growing is that they no longer need to be fed from a bottle, or have their food cut up and put into their mouth. They may still prefer candy to carrots, but hopefully they’re closer to understanding why they need carrots. If the only time you’re fed spiritually is in church on Sunday morning, why would you be surprised that you don’t have the faith to believe God for answered prayer, the strength to overcome temptation, or a sense of God’s guidance in your life? How long do you think you’d last if you only ate once a week? Job said, “I…treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12 NKJV). David said, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103 NKJV). Jeremiah wrote, “Your words were found, and I ate them…Your word was…the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV). To grow spiritually, you need the “strong meat” of God’s Word (See Hebrews 5:14).
Soul food: 1 Kings 18:16-20:43; Mark 14:12-26; Ps 124; Prov 12:26
2020-06-03
Galatians 5:13 NKJV
Before He went to the cross, the Bible says that “Jesus…took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:3-5 NIV). Then He said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you…Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (vv. 15-17 NIV). What a lesson! Love can’t be manifested in isolation. It can’t be done sitting alone in front of a TV or PC. To quote the singer Michael W. Smith: “Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. Love isn’t love till you give it away.” Note, Jesus “showed them the full extent of his love” (See v. 1 NIV). How? By donning a servant’s towel. And where can you do that? Anywhere! How about tomorrow at the office, the warehouse, or the job site? Your workplace can become a sacred place where God’s presence blesses the mundane, day-to-day routine, because the love of God within you wears a servant’s towel. “Let me make those copies for you…I’ll cover your calls while you run to school to bring your son his lunch box…you look like you’re going through a rough time, and I’m a pretty good listener. I may not have all the answers, but I know Someone who does.” Paul bottom-lines it: “Through love serve one another.” So go out of your way to serve someone today.
Soul food: 1 Kings 16:1-18:15; Mark 14:1-11; Ps 4; Prov 12:25
2020-06-01
1 Samuel 10:1 NKJV
Here’s the remarkable story of how Saul became Israel’s first king. He was out scouring the countryside for his father’s lost donkeys when he met the prophet Samuel. “Samuel said to Saul, ‘Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.’ And he went on. ‘But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the word of God.’ Then Samuel took…oil and poured it on his head, and…said: ‘Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?'” (1 Samuel 9:27-10:1 NKJV). Think about it: Saul went out looking for donkeys – and discovered his destiny! And it can happen to you too! God has a habit of calling people who are busy doing other things. James and John were mending their fishing nets, Matthew was collecting taxes, Elisha was farming, and Saul was out looking for his father’s lost donkeys. It was just another day on the job, working to make a living. But when God has a destiny for you, and a date on His calendar with your name on it, He will come and get you. You say, “But I’m nobody special!” That’s what Saul said too: “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?” (1 Samuel 9:21 NKJV). Your social status doesn’t limit God. When He has a plan in mind for you, He will reach into the background and bring you into the foreground. So stay faithful, keep serving Him, and your time will come!
Soul food: 1 Kings 12-13; Mark 13:12-23; Ps 117; Prov 12:20-22
