2020-03-08
Ephesians 5:25 NKJV
Why does the Bible say, “Husbands, love your wives…as Christ…loved the church and gave Himself for her”? Because your wife needs to know you love her, think about her, include her in your plans, and that you consider her opinions, needs, and desires. And if you don’t tell her, she won’t know it! So let’s look at how Jesus loved the church, which began with twelve disciples who were flawed human beings, and learn how you should love your wife. (1) He loved them unconditionally. Was it always easy? No. But instead of nagging His disciples about what they were or were not, He rejoiced, thinking about what they would become when His grace had worked in their lives. Stop and remember the qualities you saw in your wife that initially attracted you to her. Over the years she may have gained a few pounds, added a few new wrinkles, and sometimes seems to be buried under a mountain of household chores. But she’s still the same wonderful person you fell in love with. That’s easy to forget, so you must constantly remind yourself – and her – of it. When roses are exposed to frost, they wither and die, but given the right amount of sunshine and rain – they flourish. Describing an ideal wife, Solomon writes, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28 NKJV). Why did these children praise their mother? Because they saw their father do it! So if you’ve been too busy, too self-absorbed, or too distracted, change your ways – and tell your wife how much you love her. (And by the way, ladies – that principle works both ways!)
Soul food: Matt 5:3; Luke 18:9-14; Isa 57:14-21; 2 Sam 7:18-29
2020-03-07
Malachi 3:14 NLT
In the last book in the Old Testament, Malachi, the Israelites asked, “What’s the use in serving God?” It’s a question nonbelievers and sometimes even believers ask, particularly when times are hard and our faith is sorely tested. The psalmist gives us the answer: “Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression…happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men’s sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful – and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly. Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor” (Psalm 112:1-9 TLB). Notice that the benefits of serving God include happiness, children you can be proud of, success, influence, and honor. Note in particular the words: “He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.” These blessings are all part of your “benefits package.”
Soul food: Gen 32-34; Matt 21:12-17; Ps 106:1-23; Prov 7:1-2
2020-03-06
Mark 11:24 NIV
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers,” said: “Believe God until…you can thank Him for the answer. If the answer still tarries outwardly, do not pray in such a way that it’s evident you’re not believing for it. Such a prayer in place of being a help will be a hindrance; and when you are finished praying you’ll find that your faith has weakened, or has entirely gone. The urgency that you felt to offer this kind of prayer is clearly from self…It may not be wrong to mention the matter in question to the Lord again, if He is keeping you waiting, but be sure you do it in such a way that it implies faith. Do not pray yourself out of faith. You may tell Him that you’re waiting…still believing Him and therefore praise Him for the answer. There is nothing that so fully clinches faith, as to be so sure of the answer that you can thank God for it. Prayers that pray us out of faith deny both God’s promise in His Word, and His whisper ‘Yes,’ that He gave us in our hearts. Such prayers are but the expression of the unrest of one’s heart, and unrest implies unbelief…’For we which have believed do enter into rest’ (Hebrews 4:3). This prayer that prays ourselves out of faith frequently arises from centering our thoughts on the difficulty rather than on God’s promise. Abraham ‘considered not his own body…he staggered not at the promise of God’ (Romans 4:19, 20). May we watch and pray that we enter not into the temptation of praying ourselves out of faith.”
Soul food: Gen 30:25-31:55; Matt 21:1-11; Ps 136:13-26; Prov 6:32-35
2020-03-05
Matthew 7:14 AMPC
If you’re at a crossroads in life today, you have two options: (1) Turn right or left. (2) Go forward or back. There’s no doubt what way God wants you to go – forward! If you have any doubts about that, read and meditate on these Scriptures: “Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly” (Job 8:7 NKJV). “They go from strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7 NKJV). “The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18 NKJV). “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:15 NKJV). God will give you the grace and strength to go forward and pursue the path ahead, but understand this: It’s not always an easy path. Jesus said: “Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 AMPC). Here Jesus was preaching His famous Sermon on the Mount, where He outlined how you’re supposed to live as a citizen of His kingdom. It’s the difference between the “many” and the “few.” The first group chooses the path of ease, but the second chooses the path of “pressure,” realizing that tough as it may be, it forms the character of Christ in us.
Soul food: Gen 28:1-30:24; Matt 20:29-34; Ps 136:1-12; Prov 6:30-31
2020-03-04
Joshua 1:11 NIV
God told Joshua, “You will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.” As far as God was concerned, the promised land already belonged to His people. But when He told them to “take possession,” that meant they would have to fight for it. There were thirty-one kings living there – warlords, each with their own tribal armies. There were seven major cities to conquer, and giants to overcome. So here are the questions: (1) Do you believe God has given you the gifting, resources, and strength to fulfill your destiny? (2) Are you willing to fight for it? You won’t win in your own strength, but the good news is, you don’t have to. God said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you” (v. 9 NIV). Whatever God calls you to do, He will give you the ability to do, but you must work to develop that ability. Sometimes He will answer your prayer immediately and give you what you’re asking for. Other times, the onus is on you to pursue what He promised – and that calls for passion, patience, and persistence. Has it occurred to you that you may be waiting for God to bring you something, and He’s waiting for you to go and get it? He doesn’t respond to our wishes, or even to our pleading; He responds to faith-in-action! So the word for you today is – it’s yours, if you’re willing to fight for it!
Soul food: Gen 25:19-27:46; Matt 20:17-28; Ps 77; Prov 6:29
2020-03-03
1 Peter 1:8 NIV
In his book, Talking Dogs, Sam Mason continues: “During the last couple of years of his life, Tigger, one of our dearly loved Italian greyhounds, gradually lost his sight. He’d developed cataracts. They robbed him of his vision, but they couldn’t steal his precious relationship with his masters. My wife Carol often referred to Tigger as her ‘lovey-dovey boy.’ He would stand (not sit!) on our laps, putting his paws on either side of our necks, then affectionately tuck his head under our chins. It was adorable. Blind though he was, Tigger’s desire for the ones he could no longer see was unaffected. In spite of the cataracts that blurred our features, somehow he still managed to look us in the face. His diminished capacities may have hampered his movements, but his love and trust toward his masters remained rock solid. All of us who have placed our trust in the Lord possess handicaps…even spiritual ones. Do we use them as excuses for not pursuing God as intensely as we ought? Do we allow these hindrances to ration our love for Him? Or do we, with God’s help, find the strength to reach past our limitations to experience the unbounded joy of His presence, and fulfill the calling He’s placed on our lives? Yes, we may sometimes grope about in darkness every now and then, even stumbling and falling. But we can trust the One who understands our seasons of blindness. We can open our hearts to His love and love Him back…sight unseen!”
Soul food: Gen 24:1-25:18; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 70; Prov 6:26-28
