2020-07-17
Proverbs 20:5 NIV
The people who knew Simon knew he was impulsive and tended to put his foot in his mouth. But Jesus saw something else in him; that’s why He renamed him Peter, implying he was a stone suitable for a foundation. Can’t you imagine the look on the other disciples’ faces when Jesus said, “You are Peter…upon this rock I will build my church, and…hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18 NLT)? But Peter did become a pillar, a respected leader and founder of the church. And all because of Christ’s ability and willingness to look beyond the surface and see what was on the inside. Being made in God’s likeness gives a person amazing potential, but sometimes it takes “a man of understanding” to recognize it and draw it out. Too many of us see only what is on the surface. So we are quick to peg someone as arrogant, or quick-tempered, or weak, etc. But when you have spiritual insight, you see beyond all that, to the hopes and fears behind the person’s behavior. We don’t need more self-appointed critics, we need: (1) Parents who pray for their children, look beyond their flaws, and draw out their uniqueness. (2) Spouses who search for the hidden treasure in their mates. (3) Business leaders who treat their workers with respect, and match their responsibilities with their talents. (4) Believers who forgive immature, stumbling fellow Christians and work to develop them. (5) Soul winners who see lost people through the eyes of Jesus and recognize what His transforming power can do. So pray for spiritual insight.
Soul food: Acts 3:11-5:42; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 133; Prov 16:2
2020-07-16
1 Corinthians 7:7 TLV
There’s nothing wrong with being single. Sometimes when we see a beautiful woman or a handsome man who’s not married we think, “I wonder what’s wrong with them?” Nothing! Indeed, something might be wrong with them if they were married, because it’s better to be single than to marry the wrong person. The story’s told of two friends. One noticed the other one wearing a wedding ring on the index finger of his right hand. So he said, “That’s strange. Is that your wedding ring?” His friend replied, “Yes.” The first one said, “Why are you wearing it on the wrong finger of the wrong hand?” His friend responded, “Because I married the wrong woman.” We smile, but the Bible teaches that the single life is not only a good life, it is a gifted life. Paul writes: “I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as I do. But we are not all the same. God gives some the gift of [marriage], and others he gives the gift of being able to stay happily unmarried.” This doesn’t mean being single makes you more spiritual than if you were married. But the fact is, some people have been chosen and graced by the Lord to be single. Paul was one of them. He writes, “I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they remain even as I am” (v. 8 NKJV). Paul spent all but seven years of his ministry in prison, where he wrote the epistles. His God-given assignment in life was suited to singleness. The point is, no person should ever be ashamed or embarrassed because he or she is single.
Soul food: Acts 1:1-3:10; Luke 7:36-50; Ps 123; Prov 16:1
2020-07-15
John 8:44 NIV
Jesus said of Satan, “When he lies, he speaks his native language.” And he lies to us in three ways: (1) Doubts. His strategy is to discourage you, to make you throw up your hands and say, “What’s the use? Nothing has changed!” When you say that, you’re signing the receipt and accepting the package. Don’t do it! The Bible says, “You are snared with the words of your lips” (Proverbs 6:2 AMPC). What you say forms your perspective and creates the environment you live in. Never say anything that leads Satan to think he’s winning. (2) Shock. If you’re not expecting Satan’s attack, you’ll get alarmed and think, “I must not be making progress. Why else would I still be fighting the same old battles?” Why? Because Satan doesn’t give up without a fight, and his attack is proof you haven’t been conquered. (3) Feelings. Satan will try to convince you that you don’t deserve to be forgiven. He’ll tell you that because you don’t feel forgiven, you’re not. But remember, he’s a liar. Here’s where victory is decided. Stand your ground. The work has already been done in you. God’s Word says so; now you must begin to say so too. Time will strengthen and solidify your position. Satan will bring to your mind all the things God has delivered you from, and in dealing with them you’ll experience some of the emotions you had when you went through them. His strategy is to make you feel like nothing has changed. Don’t buy it! Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 NIV).
Soul food: Joel 1-3; Luke 7:24-35; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 15:33
2020-07-14
Genesis 32:24 NIV
Why would God let someone wrestle with Him? Because wrestling requires close contact. Jacob was a self-made man with an independent attitude that said, “I don’t need anybody but myself.” How long will God wrestle with you? Only for a limited time. In Jacob’s case, “till daybreak.” God knew that if Jacob didn’t submit to Him that night, the rest of his life wouldn’t go right. There’s a lesson here for all of us. Don’t procrastinate; you may be running out of time. Before you forfeit your integrity or your family and your future, stop and realize that God knows things you don’t know. He knows when the Enemy plans to launch his next attack, or when death will be allowed to claim you. When He wrestles with you, it’s to make you realize that you’re wasting your life, or neglecting your family, or to show you that you’re not the center of the universe. Or it’s to encourage you to keep this job without quitting, or stay involved in this church, or invest in this marriage instead of bailing out. God will wrestle with you until you stop making excuses and face the truth. And He doesn’t sugarcoat things. He gives it to you straight. He won’t let you get away with some of the stuff you’ve pulled in the past! The very fact that God is willing to wrestle you into submission means He has great plans for you. Indeed, what He has in mind is greater than anything you could ever conceive or imagine. That is why God is wrestling with you.
Soul food: Jer 51-52; Luke 7:11-23; Ps 118:10-18; Prov 15:31-32
2020-07-13
Psalm 84:6 NLT
If you were raised in a culture where any show of emotion was considered a sign of weakness, you must learn that grieving your losses is a healthy process – and a scriptural one. The Bible says, “When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs…They will continue to grow stronger” (vv. 6-7 NLT). Note, when your strength comes from the Lord, you can walk through “the valley of weeping” and come out stronger. The length of time each of us spends in that valley may differ, but there comes a point where we must accept God’s will and move forward. So often we’re shocked by the death of a loved one, but God is not. David said, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment…laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16 NLT). And try as you will, there’s nothing you can do to change that. The truth is, we don’t grieve “as…those who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13 GNT). One day we’ll be reunited with our redeemed loved one in the presence of the Lord, never to be separated again. The farewell is just “till we meet again.” In the meantime, if you need help don’t be ashamed to reach for it. Remember: “A brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17 KJV). Ask God to lead you to a person, a counselor, or a support group that can help you identify the unfinished business that’s keeping you stuck in the cycle of grief. Cherish your loved one’s memory, but move forward and fulfill your divine destiny and purpose.
Soul food: Jer 49-50; Luke 7:1-10; Ps 118:1-9; Prov 15:27-30
2020-07-12
Philippians 4:7 NLT
The word worry comes from a Greek word meaning “to divide the mind.” Worry splits you right down the middle; instead of dwelling on God’s promises, you dwell on your problems. Worry is like a rocking chair – it gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere. Instead of relieving you of tomorrow’s troubles, it robs you of today’s strength – and you can’t afford to lose your strength. So how can you stop worrying? The Bible has a two-part answer: God’s part, and our part. Our part includes prayer and gratitude: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (v. 6 NLT). In order to worry less you must pray more, and also remember to express your gratitude. You can go to God confidently for the next thing, when you’ve taken time to thank Him for the last thing. And what’s God’s part? “If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus” (v. 7 TLB). Note the words “You will experience God’s peace.” Imagine having God’s peaceful state of mind! Do you think He battles anxiety? Or wrings His hands and asks the angels for antacids? Your problem is no more challenging to God than a twig is to an elephant. He enjoys perfect peace because He enjoys perfect power – and He offers His peace to you. When you do your part through prayer and thanksgiving, you’ll have a peaceful state of mind.
Soul food: Heb 11:7; Gen 6:9-22; Gen 8:18-22; Matt 24:36-44
