2026-02-07
Genesis 1:31 NKJV
Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark and silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. As a result, Helen became the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,” she wrote, “or sailed to an uncharted land.” The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture: “Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the spirit of God pronouncing His works good.” If God’s Spirit is within you, optimism is the order of the day. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses.
Helen Keller proved that with an optimistic spirit, even the most difficult of circumstances cannot define you. And even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. She proved that as amazing as the human eye is, there’s something more amazing – the mind’s eye that enables us to imagine the unthinkable and believe the impossible. It’s why she said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Or as Paul put it: “Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NCV). In other words, be optimistic.
Soul food: Num 30:1-32:24; Luke 8:40-56; Ps 125; Prov 4:3-4
2026-02-06
Romans 12:10 NKJV
Have you ever noticed how quick we are to accuse someone else of some of the very things we excuse in ourselves? In so doing, we practice a double standard, requiring more from others than of ourselves. Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NKJV). The double standard works like this:
1) When others are set in their ways, they’re obstinate – but you are firm and resolved.
2) When your neighbour doesn’t like your friend, she’s prejudiced – but when you don’t like her friend, you’re a good judge of character.
3) When she tries to treat someone especially well, she’s buttering them up – but when you do so, you’re being thoughtful.
4) When she takes time to do things well, she’s lazy – but when you do so, you’re meticulous.
5) When she spends a lot, she’s reckless and undisciplined – but when you do the same thing, you’re generous.
6) When she picks flaws in things, she’s critical – but when you do, you’re perceptive.
7) When she’s mild-mannered, you call her weak – but when you are, you’re gracious.
8) When she dresses well, she’s extravagant – but when you do, you’re tastefully in style.
9) When she says what she thinks, she’s spiteful – but when you do, you’re being honest.
10) When she takes risks, she’s foolhardy – but when you do, you’re brave. Paul wrote: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.” So, the word for you today is: Let us honour one another.
Soul food: Num 27-29; Luke 8:26-39; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
2026-02-05
Galatians 6:4 MSG
Paul wrote: “Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (vv. 4-5). Jesus was insistent on this. After the resurrection, He appeared to some of His followers. He gave Peter a specific pastoral assignment that included great sacrifice. Peter responded by pointing at John and asking, “‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me'” (John 21:21-22 NCV). In other words, stay focused on your own assignment.
A little boy named Adam wanted to be like his friend Bobby. Adam loved the way Bobby walked and talked. Bobby, however, wanted to be like Charlie. Something about Charlie’s stride and accent intrigued him. Charlie, on the other hand, was impressed with Danny. Charlie wanted to look and sound like him. Danny, of all things, had a hero as well: Adam. He wanted to be just like Adam. So, Adam was imitating Bobby, who was imitating Charlie, who was imitating Danny, who was imitating Adam. It turns out that all Adam needed to do was to be himself!
You can learn from others, but you can only find joy and fulfillment in being who God created you to be. So stay in your own lane. Run your own race. Nothing good happens when you compare and compete. Furthermore, God will not evaluate and reward you according to the talents of others, but according to how faithful you were with the gifts He gave you. You are not responsible for the nature of your gifts, but for how you use them.
Soul food: Num 25-26; Luke 8:16-25; Ps 120; Prov 3:33-35
2026-02-04
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
Whether you lead at home, in church, or in business, you’ll be called upon to make hard and unpopular decisions for the good of all concerned. This is particularly so for parents. Those who fear rejection or loss of a child’s affection often “go along to get along.” That’s a selfish decision, because you’re putting your own need to be loved and accepted above your child’s long-term need for structure and self-discipline. How far do you think your child will get in life without these things?
Sadly, many parents are too insecure to discipline their children because they want to maintain their friendship. Since when did a parent’s role include being a friend? If mothers and fathers are honest, they’ll admit that they frequently say yes when they should say no to make up for the lack of time they spend with their kids. Of course, we know that an investment of quality time yields a better payoff in the long term than anything else a parent can do.
Paradoxically, children will usually end up disrespecting or even resenting a parent who operates in that kind of insecurity because it leaves children emotionally underdeveloped and ill-equipped to handle the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood. By repeatedly giving in to your child, you are postponing their maturity. Sometimes what’s called for is tough love. Hence the Bible says, “Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” So seek God’s wisdom, guidance, and strength, and He will help you become the kind of parent your child needs.
Soul food: Num 22-24; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 108; Prov 3:31-32
2026-02-03
Psalm 56:9 NKJV
In his bestselling book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell defines the tipping point as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” It’s the moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior passes the point of no return and gains acceptance. In the realm of physics, a tipping point is when an object is displaced from a stable state of equilibrium into a new state. In economics, it’s the point at which an emerging technology becomes the industry standard. In sociology, it’s when a quorum of people adopts a behavior so that it reaches critical mass and goes viral.
Spiritually speaking, the tipping point is when you believe without any reservation that God is for you. It’s the revelation that God doesn’t just love you, He likes you. He loves you enough to die for you, and He likes you enough to spend eternity with you.
Yet some of us remain skeptical. We project our self-contempt onto God, assuming that He must be as angry with us as we are with ourselves. Or we fall into the performance-based trap of thinking that our behavior determines God’s posture toward us – whether that is for or against. Listen: the fact that God is for you was proven at Calvary’s cross.
Oswald Chambers wrote: “No power on earth or in hell can conquer the spirit of God in a human spirit.” He said, “It is an inner unconquerableness.” Religion is all about what you can do for God; Christianity is all about what Christ has done for you. But it starts with this all-important kernel of truth: “This I know… God is for me.”
Soul food: Num 19-21; Luke 7:36-50; Ps 111; Prov 3:29-30
2026-02-02
Proverbs 10:12 NLT
Loving relationships are a cornerstone of life. They are the foundation of Christ’s church and evidence that we have the love of God in our hearts. God places a big emphasis on how we relate to others, because our relationships impact every area of our lives: at home, at work, at church, at school, and during our everyday interactions. A relationship built on love, sensitivity, and respect can win an unsaved husband or wife to Christ.
Peter wrote: “You wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives” (1 Peter 3:1-2 NLT).
This is why Satan attacks our relationships so much. When relationships break down, it impacts the quality of our life. Medical science has proven that unresolved bitterness and unforgiveness are sources of sickness and depression. And just as God wants you to be healed physically, He wants you to experience His healing touch in your relationships as well.
But you have a part to play. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ as forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT).
As you pray about your troubled relationship, make this confession: “Since God has forgiven me of all my sins, I will not hold unforgiveness against anyone. I release all bitterness and anger. Lord, I pray Your peace over the misunderstanding and hurtful area in this relationship. Amen.”
Soul food: Num 16-18; Luke 7:24-35; Ps 107:33-43; Prov 3:27-28
