2019-09-09
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV
When did you last take time to laugh, to dance, and to love? Can you even remember? In the words of an unknown poet: “This is the age of the half-read page; the quick hash and the mad dash. The bright knight with the nerves tight; the plane hop and the brief stop. The lamp-tan in a brief span; the big shot in a good spot. The brain strain and the heart pain; the catnaps until the spring snaps…and the fun’s done!” Sobering words, right? But does it have to be that way? No, if it’s that way in your life today, chances are it’s because you made it that way. And you’re only one who can make it different! You say you’re busy? We’re all busy. Who says you can’t enjoy life even when the pace picks up? Certainly not God! Chuck Swindoll writes: “I refuse to force hilarity into the back seat every time responsibility takes the wheel. If the fun’s gone, it’s because we didn’t want it around – not because it didn’t fit…I don’t care if your ‘to do’ list is as long as the horizon, you need to get back in balance and take the time to laugh…to dance…and to love. Why? Because the Bible says so! Furthermore, your family and friends will enjoy you a lot more when you do.” The psalmist said, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 NKJV). So go ahead and enjoy your life the way God intended – it will be over before you know it.
Soul food: Ezek 43-45; Matt 24:26-35; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 20:20-21
2019-09-08
Psalm 90:12 NKJV
In a 1985 newspaper essay, Anne Wells wrote: “My brother-in-law opened my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. It was an exquisite silk handmade slip; the price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. ‘Jan bought this the first time we went to New York…eight or nine years ago,’ [he said]. ‘She never wore it; she was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion.’ He put the slip on the bed with the other clothes we were taking – to the mortician. Then he turned to me, ‘Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion!'” Those words changed Anne Wells’ life. She continued: “I’m not saving anything anymore. Now we use our good china…for every special occasion – like losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. ‘Someday’ and ‘one of these days’ are fighting a losing battle to stay in my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing, hearing, or doing, I want to see, hear, and do it now. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself this is a special occasion.” Makes you think, doesn’t it? Makes you want to drain the last ounce of joy out of every day and break free from the cement of procrastination that whispers, “You can do it later.” Wise up! Forgive that offense, tell that person you love them, take that trip, go back to school. Decide today to do the thing you’ve been putting off.
Soul food: Gen 2:7-25; 1 Cor 15:39-55
2019-09-07
Exodus 27:8 NCV
The altar in the tabernacle was a place where sacrifices were offered in worship to God. And He had definite ideas about how it was to be built: “Make the altar out of boards and leave the inside hollow.” A stone or metal structure would have been heavy to transport, whereas a hollow wooden altar could be carried on poles and travel along with the Israelites. The image of a moveable altar is a reminder that while you should be part of a local church, you’re not restricted to worshiping God in a particular location. You can do it anywhere by “continually offer[ing] up a sacrifice of praise…the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15 NAS). At home, on the job, in the grocery store, at the gym, in the classroom, your everyday activities can become a “spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God” (1 Peter 2:5 NAS). By sharing a word of encouragement, giving of your resources to help someone in need, or making a professional decision based on integrity instead of what’s popular, you’re honoring God. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). One author says: “The Lord is my boss. He gives me reviews, critiques, promotions, and demotions. He provides my benefit plan and my health insurance. He can transfer me…change my responsibilities…develop all my goals and objectives. I report to Him alone…While my tasks change, my essential job doesn’t. I’m instructed to do His work and be His hands and feet in whatever position He assigns me.”
Soul food: Ezek 40:10-42:20; Matt 24:15-25; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 20:15-19
2019-09-06
Proverbs 22:29 MSG
He started out working hard as a section hand for a railroad company. When he was given an opportunity to work in the shipping office for a few days, he jumped at it. During that time his superintendent asked him for some vital facts and figures. “Have them on my desk when I get back in three days,” he said. The young man didn’t know anything about bookkeeping but he worked three days and nights without sleep, and when the superintendent returned he had the facts and figures ready for him. This won the respect and admiration of his superintendent, and as soon as a permanent position opened up he recommended the young man for the job. Over time the young man was promoted many times, and each time he was applauded for his thoroughness and trustworthiness. Eventually, he ended up as vice president of the Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis, Missouri, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pet food. The Bible says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men” (NKJV). In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way: “Observe people who are good at their work – skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a back seat to anyone.” Whether you realize it or not, you are being watched on the job. Your character, your work ethic, and your attitude are being observed. And you will be rewarded not only according to the tasks you complete, but for your attitude and the way in which you complete them!
Soul food: Ezek 37:1-40:9; Matt 24:1-14; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 20:11-14
2019-09-05
John 18:37 NKJV
Standing before Pilate, Jesus said, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” Jesus knew why He was born and what He was called to do, and He focused on it like a laser. And you are called to follow in His footsteps (See 1 Peter 2:21). There are three types of people: (1) Those with no life purpose. They are drifters, aimlessly cruising through life. They go to school, get a job, switch jobs, find a spouse, switch spouses, move from house to house and place to place, retire, and eventually die. They don’t really live; they just exist. (2) Those who have the wrong life purpose. They may be super achievers, people who have climbed the ladders of financial, political, and social success only to find their ladder was leaning against the wrong wall. They either discovered too late or never realized that they missed a purposeful life that positively influenced others. (3) Those who have the right life purpose. They know why they were created. They know why God put them on this earth, and they are all about fulfilling that purpose. That is the life that brings a smile to the face of God. That is success that lasts. It has nothing to do with popularity, power, or possessions. It has everything to do with purpose, because that is the only thing that brings a God-given assurance of success. So do you know your life’s purpose? If not, ask God and He will reveal it to you.
Soul food: Ezek 34-36; Matt 23:23-39; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 20:7-10
2019-09-04
1 John 4:19 NKJV
We know how frustrating it is to try to give a gift to somebody who keeps refusing it. Insecurity and feelings of unworthiness keep many of us from being good “receivers.” We think we must earn or deserve everything we get. We even go so far as to mistrust the giver and think: “Why would you want to do that for me? What’s your real motive?” Now if we feel that way, imagine how God feels when He extends His love and we refuse it because we feel undeserving, or we’re harboring a false sense of humility. Or worse, we question His motives. The truth is, none of us deserves God’s love. But when He reaches out to you in love, He’s attempting to establish a cycle that will bless you as well as others. His plan is simple. He wants you to: (1) Receive His love. (2) Learn to love yourself in a balanced and healthy way. (3) Love Him in return. (4) Extend His love to those He sends into your life. And learning to do those things takes time – in most cases, lots of it! And just as God did when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, He will help you to conquer your hang-ups “little by little” (See Exodus 23:30 NKJV). Change happens gradually as you continue to pray, read His Word, and act on it (See 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). He’s “the author and finisher of our faith” (See Hebrews 12:2). The Bible says God initiated this “good work” in your life and He will complete it (See Philippians 1:6). So today ask Him to help you receive and embrace His unconditional love for you.
Soul food: Ezek 31-33; Matt 23:13-22; Ps 27; Prov 20:5-6
