2020-02-14
1 John 2:19 NIV
There are some people in life we get along with well, and others we don’t. And in some cases, we’re not supposed to! Now let’s be clear: We’re not talking about being unloving, insensitive, or divisive. Paul says, “Do all…you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NLT). We’re talking about people God specifically tells us to break away from. When it comes to those who don’t belong in your life, here are two things to consider. First, there’s the revelation. The Bible says: “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us…if they had…they would have remained…but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” Just like you can’t fit a square peg in a round hole, or mix oil and water, there are people who simply don’t belong in your life. Second, there’s the separation. Paul said: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?…what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them…walk among them…be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate…and I will receive you.’… ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters'” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NIV). Bottom line: When God tells you a relationship is not right for you, listen, and obey Him.
Soul food: Eph 5:21-33; S of Sol 2:1-7; Ps 45; Prov 5:15-19
2020-02-13
Jonah 1:12 NKJV
It’s a mistake to cling to someone when God is telling you to let them go. Until you obey God, the storm you’re in will keep getting worse, as in the case of Jonah. The Bible says: “The sea was growing more tempestuous. And [Jonah] said to them, ‘Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know…this great tempest is because of me.’ Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous…Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.’ So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging” (vv. 11-15 NKJV). God has a plan for the “Jonahs” you’re dealing with, and it may require them to hit the bottom before they rise again. And as long as you keep trying to rescue them, God’s plan is being thwarted and delayed. Jonah’s problem wasn’t that he didn’t love God, it was that he didn’t want to do God’s will. So God resorted to extreme measures to get his attention, push him toward his destiny, and save the city of Nineveh. You have no idea what God has in mind for the person He’s asking you to let go of. If they are His redeemed children, He wants to prosper them (See Jeremiah 29:11). That’s why He wants to save them – so let them go!
Soul food: Rom 3:21-6:23; Matt 14:1-12; Ps 145:1-13; Prov 4:20-22
2020-02-12
1 John 2:20 NKJV
Have you ever held a conversation with someone in your mind? You took one side of the issue and then the other. So think about this: If you can have a conversation with yourself in your mind, don’t you think God can have a conversation with you in your mind too? The trouble is, our minds often prove to be unreliable because we’ve polluted them with so much junk; therefore, we doubt His ability to speak through our thoughts. Once God redeems you, He starts renewing your mind (See Romans 12:2). Paul writes, “Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV). Did you get that? When God saves you, He starts thinking His thoughts through you. He speaks through many different channels – your mind is just one of them. The Bible says, “God…works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). Note the phrase “to will and to act.” God will actually direct your will and create a desire in you to do the thing that pleases Him. And there’s persistence in His leading. When you have a desire to do something that keeps recurring, it may be God directing you. That’s why it’s crucial to monitor your mind and screen the thoughts you entertain. Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word…I have spoken to you” (John 15:3 NKJV). Bathe your mind every day with God’s Word, and fine-tune your “receiver” to hear what He’s saying to you.
Soul food: Rom 1:1-3:20; Matt 13:47-58; Ps 141; Prov 4:18-19
2020-02-11
1 Peter 3:8 NKJV
Compassion means “to enter into another’s passion.” How can you do that? You might, for example, find out why the other person is so stressed or depressed. What’s preoccupying them, why do they feel so passionately, and how can you enter into it? Or maybe a friend has been diagnosed with an illness, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, or cancer. What should you do? Maybe your brother or cousin is planning a high-end wedding or has bought a new home in an upscale neighbourhood. Perhaps an associate just got promoted and the rest of their coworkers are envious and resentful. Attitudes are fickle at best – and outright ugly at worst. But the person who got promoted is beaming, so enter into their passion and beam with them! Maybe someone you know just lost a loved one and you don’t know what to say. Don’t say anything; just “be there”! The Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 NKJV). In other words, if someone is hurting, hurt with them, and if they’re happy, be happy for them. Enter into their passion – that’s how you show compassion! In an effort to look holy, sometimes we come across as harsh and insensitive. Here’s how Paul addressed that very issue: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves…clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NLT). Some of us have to work harder at this than others. But there’s no opt-out clause: “All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another.” That includes you!
Soul food: Isa 63-66; Matt 13:36-46; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17
2020-02-10
James 5:11 NKJV
When it comes to Christlike compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things. Compassion: (1) Relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, “Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do” (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT). Jesus understands – how comforting! Whatever situation, challenge, or adversity we find ourselves in, Jesus is saying, “I can relate. I’ve been there.” Pressure? Rejection? Pain? Temptation? Slander? Lies? False accusations? He understands because He’s been there. (2) Responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognize and relate to the needs of others. You’ve been called to action on a practical level; otherwise, your compassion is meaningless. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the Gospel. Compassion has no limits. It sponsors a hungry child, helps change a tire for someone stranded on the side of the road, brings a meal to someone who’s grieving, and listens patiently to someone who needs a friend. Compassion gets its hands dirty; it writes checks; it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule, desires, and dreams to meet the needs of another. The Bible says: “God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38 NKJV). What’s your main concern in life – looking good or doing good? If you want to be more like Jesus, you already know the answer to that question!
Soul food: Isa 58-62; Matt 13:24-35; Ps 134; Prov 4:5-13
2020-02-09
Luke 10:33 NKJV
Many dictionaries define compassion as sympathy, pity, or concern – all emotional responses. But the compassion of Jesus transcends emotion and translates into action. Christlike compassion: (1) Recognizes the needs of others. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV). Note the phrase “better than himself,” and then look around you at the people in your life and say to yourself, “Better than myself.” If you tend to be self-centered, it will take a while for this concept to sink in. Note also the words, “look out…for the interests of others.” Sometimes those “others” are badly messed up and not easy to love. For example, how about people in prison? You say, “Well, they got what they deserved.” Maybe – but did you always get what you deserved or did you just not get caught? Think about it! When you visit someone sick or in prison, Jesus said you’re “doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40 NLT). In Luke 23:43, He showed compassion to a convicted criminal on the cross and saved him. You shouldn’t pick and choose to whom you’ll show compassion! The Bible says, “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14 NKJV). Mother Teresa prayed, “Grant that, even if you are hidden under the unattractive disguise of anger, crime, or madness, I may recognize you and say, ‘Jesus, You who suffer, how sweet it is to serve You.'”
Soul food: Luke 19:11-26; Ps 36:5-9; Heb 10:19-23
