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
2019-09-03
Proverbs 22:6 CEV
A mother who smokes passes on the nicotine to her baby in her breast milk. Unintentionally she pollutes her child with her own vices. And it’s the same when we pass on things like bitterness, guilt, and insecurity to our kids. That’s why we need God’s help; only He can bring healing to the root of our problem and break the cycle. No one else can teach faith to your children like you. The foundation must be laid by you and built on by them. And don’t just teach them your doctrine; expose them to your faith. Tell them Who brought you through the tough places. That way, when they encounter their own tough places they’ll be armed with more than a set of religious rules; they’ll have confidence in God for themselves. And stop beating yourself up over past mistakes; there are things all of us wish we’d done differently. The truth is that God can alter the effects of your past and prevent tragedy in your future. He’s the God of restoration who makes “all things new” (Revelation 21:5 NKJV). He can bring right out of wrong, good out of bad, and enable you to pour His wisdom and love into your children. This is your chance of a lifetime – seize it! Let go of yesterday and take hold of tomorrow. Your children are your tomorrow; they’re being shaped by you. Give them a taste of the things of God when they’re little, and when they grow up the world will never satisfy them.
Soul food: Ezek 27:25-30:26; Matt 23:1-12; Ps 112; Prov 20:1-4
2019-09-02
Acts 26:19 NIV
When God gives you a vision for your life, you need to know how to: (1) Hold it. Your vision is governed by a time frame: “The vision is…for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:3). Some of us can conceive a vision, but we can’t carry it to full term because we’re not willing to endure the stretching and discomfort involved. We rush ahead of God and our vision is stillborn, or too weak to survive. Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). When your vision is born of the Spirit, it’ll be sustained by the Spirit. But when it’s born of the flesh, you’re on your own! (2) Hide it. It’s a mistake to share your vision with those who can’t appreciate it. Joseph did that, and he landed in a pit. Not everybody will celebrate your success, especially if your light shines brighter than theirs. So ask God for discernment. Judas may seem like your friend right now, but inevitably he’ll betray you. (3) Water it. Read these two Scriptures carefully and prayerfully: “David encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6); “Building up yourselves on your most holy faith” (Jude 20). You must know how to encourage and build yourself up spiritually and how to water your vision. God told Habakkuk, “Write the vision, and make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2). Write your vision on a three-by-five card and carry it with you. And start acting like the person you expect to be when it becomes reality – and it will!
Soul food: Ezek 24:1-27:24; Matt 22:34-46; Ps 20; Prov 19:24-29
