2019-10-31
Hebrews 13:5 NLT
One morning, a businessman saw a fisherman lounging on his boat drinking coffee. “You’re back early,” he shouted. The sailor replied, “I’ve caught enough. I’m through for the day.” The businessman said, “Why not go out again? If you keep going out you can catch more fish and increase your income, buy a second boat, hire a crew, and become rich like me.” The man replied, “Why should I do that?” The businessman said, “So you’ll be free to do what you want and enjoy life.” Grinning, the fisherman said, “But that’s exactly what I’m doing right now!” The Bible says, “Be satisfied with what you have,” yet many of us base our self-worth on what we own or achieve. We only feel good about ourselves when we’re involved in certain relationships or live in certain neighbourhoods or reach certain goals. We tell ourselves, “When I earn more money, or make company president, or lose fifty pounds, etc., I’ll be okay.” So, what’s the basis of your self-worth today? If you’re not sure, ask yourself, “What can I not live without?” Is there somebody you’re afraid will leave you? A job you’re too involved in? Is there something you need to accomplish before you feel complete? It is both scriptural and wise to have goals for your life, but don’t undermine yourself by believing that you’re “less than” because you’ve achieved or acquired less than someone else. The Scriptures teach that when you make God’s purposes your number one priority, “He will…give you all you need…For it gives your Father great happiness to give you [the benefits of] the Kingdom” (Luke 12:31-32 TLB).
Soul food: Deut 18:9-18; Dan 2; Isa 47:5-15; Acts 16:16-34
2019-10-30
Matthew 19:5 NIV
Parents, read this letter. “Dear Dad: Thanks for all the times you held me on your lap so I could see the ball game, and times you took me to the carnival and bought me hot dogs. I’ll always remember the day you carried me through the snow because I was so cold. You’ve been a great dad and I’ll never forget you. Suzie and I were talking the other day and wondering how you’re doing. Since we moved away we don’t get to see much of you. But one of these days we’re going to come and surprise you. Take care. I love you, your son.” Nice letter, eh? Nice, if you’ve prepared yourself for the time when you’re no longer needed to do what you’re doing today. If not, you can grow resentful toward those you sacrificed so much for and feel like you’re no longer important to them. God gave you your children on a lease, with an expiration date. Poet Kahlil Gibran said, “They come through you but not from you…You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” (See Psalm 127:4). Parenthood isn’t about ownership, it’s about stewardship. Your first assignment is to provide love to make them secure, laws to make them wise, light to walk in, and a lifestyle to follow. Your next assignment is to prepare them to go out into the world and put into practice the things you’ve taught them. So release them, celebrate the investment you’ve made, pray for them, and ask God, “What’s next?” It’s the way God planned it.
Soul food: 1 Chr 3-5; John 8:1-20; Ps 6; Prov 25:1-7
2019-10-29
Psalm 1:2 NKJV
When you go beyond simply reading your Bible and take the time to meditate each day on its truths, you begin to think like God. And when that happens your life changes for the better. Peter was so dependent on the words of Jesus that he said, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). And Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12 NIV). Question: When was the last time you forfeited a meal in order to spend time meditating on the Scriptures? As you meditate on God’s Word you develop a mindset that enables you to rise above your fears. “My word…will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV). Did you get that? God’s Word will accomplish God’s purposes in your life! That’s why Satan will battle you over finding time to read your Bible. The truth is, you don’t find time, you make it! The prophet Isaiah said, “Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will” (Isaiah 50:4 NLT). In a world that’s often devoid of commitment, God promises: “I won’t give up on you. I’ll keep working on you until you’re clear in your perceptions, strong in your faith, and balanced in your spiritual walk. As you meditate on My precepts, you’ll start to move in a new direction. And when that happens, your life will begin to prosper.” So beginning today – meditate on God’s Word.
Soul food: 1 Chr 1-2; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2019-10-28
Daniel 4:25 NKJV
As a Bible believer, here are three words that should not be in your vocabulary: luck, coincidence, and fate. Replace them instead with the word providence, which means “to see in advance and to provide for.” The Westminster Confession of Faith, written in the seventeenth century, states: “God the great creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence.” That means God is in charge, not us! But what about our human will? Can’t we act independently? Theologian Dr. R. C. Sproul wrote, “God’s sovereign providence stands over and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills.” Look at Joseph. His brothers tried to destroy him, but instead their efforts put him on the throne of Egypt and fulfilled God’s will. Later he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result” (Genesis 50:20 NAS). Judas’ most heinous act helped bring about the best thing that ever happened, Christ’s atonement for our sins on the cross. Are you confused because of the things going on around you? One reason is because we only utilize about 10 percent of our mental potential. Plus, Paul points out that now we only “know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). When we get to heaven God may explain it all – or not. Until then, trust Him. And rejoice, He’s got the whole world in His hands – including you!
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; John 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Prov 24:29
2019-10-27
Psalm 107:20 MSG
Each of us comes to the Lord damaged. So He begins a renovation program to repair our thoughts about Him, about others, and about ourselves. While you may look good on the outside, there’s a constant hammering and sawing going on inside, as the Holy Spirit works to meet a deadline and make us an “instrument for noble purposes” (2 Timothy 2:21 NIV). And one of the tools He uses is “the foolishness of preaching” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Whatever you do, never lose your appetite for Bible preaching: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). It boggles the unregenerate mind to watch the preached word transform the most dysfunctional people into productive members of society. And most of the time God does all this while maintaining a veil of secrecy that protects our reputation and public perception. How gracious! Can you imagine how shocked people would be if they really knew the shape we were in when God found us? Only His power could have forced open the snare that had entrapped our minds and set us free to live again. David declared, “He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love” (Psalm 107:20-21 MSG). Notice what did it – His Word! That’s what provides cleansing for our shame, makes us righteous, and gives us a roadmap to our destiny. Because of Him, you matter. Because of Him, you have nothing to fear. If anybody has a right to shout for joy today – it’s you!
Soul food: Num 9:15-23; Exo 24:15; Matt 17:1-8; Acts 1:9-11
2019-10-26
Proverbs 13:22 NLT
Many people are reluctant to draw up a will. At a subconscious level they fear that as soon as they do, they’ll “cash in their chips.” But not according to the Bible. In Scripture long life is one of God’s promises to us: “Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life” (Proverbs 10:27 NLT). So with that in mind, here’s an important question for you to answer, sooner rather than later. If you died tomorrow would your money, your home, your furnishings, your clothing and your valuables go to the people you intended? Are you sure? The best way to be certain is to sit down now while you’re in good health and sound mind and write down what you want to leave and to whom. Think also of your liquid assets. Do you want to leave a certain amount to your family, or your church, or a ministry or charity you believe in? If you do, call a lawyer and have it clearly spelled out in a legal document. Don’t leave a mess that’ll mean more work for the courts, more taxes for the government, and a legacy of disappointment and confusion for your loved ones. The Bible says, “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren.” Your stewardship doesn’t end at the grave. In fact, if the parable of the talents Jesus taught us means anything at all, it means you’ll be judged according to what you did with what was entrusted to you in this life (See Matthew 25:15). So don’t put this off – deal with it right away.
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; John 7:14-24; Ps 104:19-26; Prov 24:28
