2019-08-05
John 14:2 NLT
A lady ordered two bouquets of flowers, one for a friend who was relocating his business and the other for the funeral of a friend who had just died. Unfortunately, the florist mixed up the orders. As a result, the friend relocating his business received flowers with a note saying “In deepest sympathy,” while the deceased’s flowers came with a card saying, “Congratulations on your new location!” Redeemed child of God, one day you’ll hear the words, “Congratulations on your new location.” Heaven isn’t “a state of mind” or celestial cyberspace. It’s a prepared place for a prepared people. The Bible talks of “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Ephesians 3:15). Perhaps someone you’ve loved and lost is waiting for you there and you’re looking forward to seeing them again. Perhaps you’re wondering if we’ll know each other. Yes! Would we know less in heaven than we knew on earth? No. Paul says, “Then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Not only will we know each other, but we’ll eat together and enjoy one another for all eternity. Imagine fabulous food with no cholesterol! No disease. And best of all, no heartache, for God Himself will “wipe away all tears…and there shall be no more death…sorrow…crying, nor pain. All of that…gone forever” (Revelation 21:4 TLB). Have you come to the place in life where you know for sure that if you died today you’d go to heaven? You can have that assurance by placing your trust in the One who paid for all your sins – and offers you the gift of eternal life.
Soul food: Deut 32:29-34:12; Matt 14:13-21; Ps 119:17-24; Prov 17:7-10
2019-08-04
Proverbs 23:7 NLT
Until Roger Bannister came on the scene in 1954, some experts said it was physically impossible to break the four-minute mile. The thinking was, if it hasn’t been done, it’s because it can’t be done. But Bannister not only did it, he started a new trend. History continues to prove that records are made to be broken. And with God on your side, your chances for success go through the roof! Paul said, “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ” (Philippians 4:13 TLB). Have you ever seen trained fleas in a jar? You don’t need a lid to keep them in. That’s because when the trainer first places them in the jar, he puts the lid on it, and the fleas jump up and down frantically hitting their heads against it. Finally after a lot of headaches, they stop jumping and settle in to enjoy their newfound comfort. Now when the lid is removed the fleas are held captive by a mindset that says, “So high and no higher.” What a picture! Jesus said He came to “set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). Bruised by what? By past mistakes, by harsh criticism, by crippling fears, by wrong teaching, by physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual handicaps. In other words, Jesus came to help you take the lid off your thinking! No matter how bad your past is, the future He has in mind is better – and it is worth pursuing and fighting for.
Soul food: 1 Sam 17:4-51; Eph 6:10-18
2019-08-03
Exodus 33:16 NLT
The world expects Christians to be different from those who don’t profess to know Jesus, and that’s as it should be. Believers should set an example when it comes to serving others and showing love. Jesus said, “People will know…you are my followers if you love each other” (John 13:35 NCV). In the Old Testament when the Israelites broke God’s covenant by worshiping a golden calf, Moses pleaded with God not to give up on them. His argument was this: “How will anyone know that you look favorably on…your people – if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people…apart.” What made Israel unique among the nations was the evidence of God’s presence as He journeyed with them. And God’s presence should set you apart too! When Jesus told His disciples, “I will be with you always” (Matthew 28:20 NCV), He demonstrated His presence through the Holy Spirit who dwelt in and empowered them. So much so, that their enemies said they had “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6 NKJV). But as pastor and author Mark D. Roberts observes: “This doesn’t give us grounds for pride or boasting. God’s presence is an expression of His grace, not our worthiness. In fact, our confidence in God’s presence…gives us a strong conviction of our high calling to serve Him in every capacity of life. It gives us courage to live according to His kingdom…to serve others in His name…if God is with us on our side, what do we have to fear?” So today thank God for His presence in your life, and decide never to take it for granted.
Soul food: Deut 30:1-32:28; Matt 14:1-12; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
2019-08-02
2 Timothy 2:2 NLT
Here’s a bit of time-tested wisdom that will help get you the results you want in life: Become a good communicator. Whether you lead in the church, the workplace, or the home, you must take the time to communicate clearly with people in order to succeed. One of the things virtually every employee wishes he or she had with superiors is better communication. Unfortunately, when those employees become managers, they forget to communicate with those they manage. This isn’t the case of Sally Frame Kasaks, who became CEO of the Ann Taylor clothing store franchise. She placed a new emphasis on quality products and on “more and better communication with employees at all levels.” Within a year, sales rose over 30 percent. Paul Kahn had a similar agenda when he became chairman and CEO of Safeguard Services. He had his head of operations, Richard Interdonato, change the internal company strategy to emphasize three things: (1) Open doors. Leadership became more accessible to employees. (2) Visibility. Interdonato spent about 40 percent of his time “just talking with people.” (3) Sharing information through a daily newsletter and frequent open forums with employees. It worked. Within a year, earnings increased by 13.1 percent. When you’re on top, always remember the issues that are important to those below you. Why? Because no matter how great your vision may be, without the cooperation and commitment of those below you, your vision will never be fulfilled. Paul, who was a great communicator, wrote, “Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Soul food: Deut 28-29; Matt 13:47-58; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
2019-08-01
2019-07-31
Joshua 3:5 NIV
On the threshold of the Promised Land, God said to His people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” When you consecrate yourself to God He will do things in you, with you, for you, and through you that will amaze you. We want to do amazing things for God, and that seems noble. But we’ve got it backwards. God wants to do amazing things for us. That’s His job, not ours. Our job is consecration. And consecration is more than going to church, keeping the Ten Commandments, tithing, sharing your faith, repeating the sinner’s prayer, volunteering for a ministry, raising your hands in worship, and going on a mission trip. All those are good things, but that isn’t consecration. The utensils used in temple worship were considered “consecrated.” In other words, they were set apart for the exclusive use of God. They were devoted to His service. Consecration means dethroning yourself and enthroning Jesus as Lord of your life. It’s the complete divestiture of all self-interest. It’s giving God veto power. It’s surrendering all of you to all of Him. It’s a simple recognition that every second of your time, every ounce of your energy, and every penny of your money is a gift from God and for God. Consecration is an ever-deepening love for Jesus, a childlike trust in your heavenly Father, and a blind obedience to the Holy Spirit. So the word for you today is – consecrate yourself to God.
Soul food: Deut 22-24; Matt 13:24-35; Ps 78:56-64; Prov 16:33
