2020-05-09
Genesis 41:37 NIV
God gave Joseph a dream that one day he’d be in a high-profile leadership position. But when he finally arrived at Pharaoh’s palace, he didn’t walk in and announce, “God told me I was to be the boss round here!” No, he had to work for it! There was worldwide famine at the time and Joseph gave Pharaoh a plan not only to survive it, but to prosper because of it. Notice what Pharaoh said about Joseph: “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (v. 38 NIV). So what’s your dream? And what’s your plan? Your dream and your talent are important, but long-term success won’t happen without a plan. The Bible says, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16 KJV). Your talent may bring you to the attention of key people, but you’ll have to be able to answer the question “What’s your plan?” A plan takes your dreams and talents and maximizes them by bringing structure to the concept. It involves being committed to a budget; it means constantly working on specific goals and details. Joseph gave Pharaoh a specific plan with a time line: seven years. He told him, “This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine” (Genesis 41:36 NIV). So here’s what you need to do: Write down your plan, which includes specific actions and deadlines to fulfill it. Will God bless your plan? Yes, but you must have the right plan in place before He can bless it.
Soul food: Num 19-21; Mark 7:24-37; Ps 44:9-16; Prov 11:10-11
2020-05-08
Psalm 40:8 NKJV
There’s no joy in life that compares to knowing that you’re walking in the center of God’s will. Not fame, not riches, not pleasure. Nothing compares to knowing you have the smile of His approval on what you’re doing each day. Will doing God’s will always be easy? No; it’s enjoyable, but it’s not always easy. Indeed, the size of your God-given assignment in life determines the level of attack that will come against you. But your joy comes from knowing that God is strengthening you to do – by the power of His Spirit – what you could never do on your own. So in that sense, Satan’s attack is confirmation that you’re truly in God’s will! Paul writes: “In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness – besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak?” (2 Corinthians 11:23-29 NKJV). So rejoice – you are in the will of God!
Soul food: Num 16-18; Mark 7:14-23; Ps 44:1-8; Prov 11:9
2020-05-07
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
The thought patterns you establish put you on autopilot. That means when specific situations arise, you’re preprogrammed to respond in a certain way. Sometimes that’s a good thing, like automatically distancing yourself from danger. Other times, you need to interrupt your autopilot function and stop your mind from going in the wrong direction. For example, maybe you’ve spent years dreading holiday celebrations with extended family. This year you can choose to think, “It’s not my favourite activity, but I’m going to look for something good in each of my relatives.” Or maybe you’ve developed a habit of complaining and feeling overwhelmed each month when the bills arrive. Instead you can choose to think, “I’m going to pay as much as possible on these, and little by little I’ll get out of debt.” Or maybe you don’t like your job, your boss, or the people you work with. If so, you have a choice. You can be negative and critical, or say, “I’m glad I’ve got a job; many people don’t. I’m going to do my best every day, and believe God to give me favour with my boss. My work environment may not be ideal, but I’ll do my part to make it pleasant for myself and those around me. I’d like a raise, so I’ll work hard to earn it.” Instead of reacting to the first thoughts that cross your mind, retrain your mind, one thought at a time, to think differently. It takes a little work, but when you think God’s thoughts, He becomes your partner in accomplishing whatever you need to accomplish.
Soul food: Num 14-15; Mark 7:1-13; Ps 37:32-40; Prov 11:7-8
2020-05-06
Psalm 4:5 NCV
Day after day Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he said no. He gave her no time, no attention, no chitchat, and no reason for hope. “He did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her” (Genesis 39:10 NKJV). When she called, he didn’t answer the phone. When she texted, he didn’t text back. When she showed up, he “fled and ran outside” (v. 12 NKJV). In a culture that uses phrases like “consenting adults” and “sexual rights,” we forget how immorality destroys the lives of people who aren’t in the bedroom. Max Lucado writes: “Years ago a friend gave me this counsel: ‘Make a list of all the lives you would affect by your sexual immorality.’ I did. Every so often I reread it. ‘My wife Denalyn. My three daughters. My son-in-law. My yet-to-be-born granddaughter. Every person who has ever read one of my books or heard one of my sermons. My publishing team. Our church staff.’ The list reminds me: One act of carnality is a poor exchange for a lifetime of lost legacy.” Joseph’s primary reason for saying no to Potiphar’s wife was – God. “How…can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (v. 9 NKJV). The lesson we learn from Joseph is surprisingly simple: Do what pleases God. When a friend offers you a joint of marijuana: Do what pleases God. When your classmates show you a way to cheat: Do what pleases God. When the temptation to watch pornography is great: Do what pleases God. “How can I please God?” you ask. “Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord and trust the Lord.”
Soul food: Num 11-13; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 37:25-31; Prov 11:5-6
2020-05-05
Proverbs 3:24 NLT
Insomnia is a miserable thing. At any given time it affects 30 to 50 percent of the population. You dread bedtime, toss and tumble all night, and walk around exhausted the next day. And when it continues for weeks or even months, it can depress you and rob you of your joy. Is that what’s happening to you right now? Then let God help you. His Word says He “gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT). His promise is “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.” And if you’re addicted to sleeping pills, the Great Physician can heal you. Make this your prayer today: “Father, shine Your light on the root cause of my sleeplessness. Whatever anxieties are stopping me from entering into a state of restorative slumber, I cast them all on You as instructed, knowing You care for me (See 1 Peter 5:7). Calm my racing thoughts and restless mind. Help me to be still and know You are my God (See Psalm 46:10). I submit to Your command not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything instead. I bring my needs to You, and thank You for all You have already done. Your Word assures me that if I do this I’ll experience Your peace, which is more wonderful than the human mind can understand, and that it will guard my heart and my mind (See Philippians 4:6-7). By faith I will lie down tonight without fear or anxiety and enjoy pleasant dreams. Yes, I will lie down in peace and sleep because You…Lord, will keep me safe (See Psalm 4:8). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Soul food: Num 8-10; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 37:16-24; Prov 11:4
2020-05-04
Psalm 16:7 NKJV
When you’re faced with a problem that overwhelms you, break it down into smaller, more manageable parts so you can focus on each of them more effectively. Don’t try to juggle the whole thing in your head; put it down in writing so you can get a clearer picture. One of those small parts may be the key that opens the door. And if you still can’t find a solution, take it to God in prayer. The psalmist said, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me” (Psalm 138:8 NKJV). If something is of concern to you, it’s of concern to the God who loves you. Pray: “Lord, I’m giving this problem to you and I’m going to sleep.” When you do that, you can awaken in the morning with an amazingly simple solution to the overwhelming problem you had the night before. The psalmist said, “I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons.” God knows what you don’t know, and prayer gives you access to His knowledge. Five loaves and two fish in a boy’s hands won’t feed five thousand people. But when he put it into Christ’s hands, it multiplied and they had twelve basketsful left over. Strategic thinking works best when God is the foundation of your strategy, when you stand on His Word and claim His promise: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV). God will do it through you, as long as you remember you can’t do it without Him.
Soul food: Num 7; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 37:8-15; Prov 11:3
