2019-08-15
Numbers 21:4 NKJV
To reach the Promised Land the Israelites had to “go around the land of Edom” (v. 4 NKJV). This made their journey much longer, and “the people became very discouraged on the way.” There’s a lesson here. The best way to escape a problem is to solve it. Between you and your “promised land” you’ll face issues that have to be resolved. Recognizing obstacles for what they are – temporary tests of your resolve, ability, and faith in God – won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to handle them. So let’s discuss problem solving. First, recognize that you’ll always have problems. A college student sent this email to his mom at the end of his semester: “Flunked out of school, coming home tomorrow. Prepare Dad.” The email he got back said, “Dad prepared. Prepare yourself!” Al Davis, who owned the Oakland Raiders football team, said: “A great leader doesn’t treat problems as special. He treats them as normal. If you’re working, expect problems. If you’re dealing with family, expect problems. If you’re just minding your own business and trying to relax, expect problems. If everything goes according to plan, then be pleasantly surprised. If it doesn’t, and you’ve planned accordingly, you won’t get so frustrated. A problem not anticipated is a problem. A problem anticipated is an opportunity.” Paul said, “To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…be glory…forever” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV). The problem you’re facing today is just an opportunity for God to do for you or through you what you can’t do by yourself.
Soul food: Judg 16:1-19:15; Matt 18:1-9; Ps 119:89-96; Prov 18:1-5
2019-08-14
Colossians 3:13 MSG
When divorce shatters your family, how can you help your children? First, stop talking about who doesn’t accept them, and surround them with people who do. As a parent your love can go a long way toward compensating for another’s neglect. Explain that sometimes people grow together, other times they grow apart. Remind them that “Ken” and “Barbie” are just dolls, and prepare them to live in the real world. Encourage them to be strong, not self-pitying. As they get older teach them that if they meet someone they have to “change” in order to “love,” they haven’t met the right one. When love is right it can live with strengths and weaknesses under the same roof, because “love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV). Real love covers a mistake like an insurance policy covers a driver in an accident. Don’t use your child as a weapon to get back at one another. Be sure they understand that you are the one who got divorced, not them. Explain that someone can be unsuited as a companion but still be a good parent. When you take away the blame, you take away the shame and everybody can move forward. Bitterness is a thief, but you don’t have to let it steal your peace, your creativity, your song, or your hope for a better future. Remember, that was then – this is now. There must be a “now” for you and your children, so let it begin today. God’s promise is: “I am about to do something new” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT). So you can start over and rebuild.
Soul food: Judg 12-15; Matt 17:14-27; Ps 119:81-88; Prov 17:27-28
2019-08-13
Colossians 3:9 NLT
Try to answer the following questions honestly. Would you lie in order to get yourself out of a jam? Impress someone? Avoid dealing with the consequences of your actions? Well, how’d you do? In a major survey people were asked, “What would you be willing to do for $10 million?” (Are you sitting down?) Twenty-five percent said they’d be willing to abandon their families. Twenty-three percent said they’d be willing to become a prostitute for a week. And 7 percent said they’d be willing to murder a stranger. Are you shocked? Maybe you’re thinking that you’d never do that. Well, don’t be so quick – the survey showed that Christians were “almost as likely as non-Christians” to falsify their tax returns, call in sick when they weren’t, cheat on their mates, and tear down someone else’s character to make themselves look better. Think about it – have you done any of those things lately? If you have, read these words carefully and prayerfully: “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (vv. 9-10 NLT). Pay particular attention to the words “put on your new nature.” Honesty is a garment you have to put on every day. So start modeling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Think the truth. Face the truth. Love the truth. Pursue the truth. Walk in the truth. From today on make up your mind that you’ll always be honest.
Soul food: Judg 9:34-11:40; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 119:73-80; Prov 20:25; Ecc 5:4-6
2019-08-12
Mark 6:31 NIV
Why did Jesus take time out to rest? So that when He worked, He’d be at His best. And today He wants you to know that if you don’t take a break, you won’t get one. He wants you to survive the long haul, not just the short sprint. And the first obstacle you need to overcome is guilt. That’s what makes us workaholics. We feel guilty and tell ourselves, “There’s just so much to do.” Jesus handled life differently: “Because so many people were coming and going that [He and his disciples] did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me…to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves…to a solitary place” (vv. 31-32 NIV). No time to eat, too many people coming and going, no time to take care of yourself – does that describe your life right now? Some people say, “It’s better to burn out than rust out.” That’s poor advice, plus it’s not scriptural. You don’t burn out when you’re in the will of God! Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). And the reason He could say that was because people didn’t set His agenda, His heavenly Father did. The psalmist said, “He maketh me to lie down” (Psalm 23:2). Wouldn’t you rather go to the park by choice than to the hospital by force? The fact is God won’t send you there, but your own lack of wisdom can. Today Jesus is saying to you, “Get some rest,” and if you’re wise you will do it!
Soul food: Judg 7:1-9:33; Matt 16:13-28; Ps 119:65-72; Prov 17:23-26
2019-08-11
Matthew 16:17 MSG
Peter the apostle started out as Peter the fisherman. His father owned a fleet of fishing boats, and Peter probably thought that one day he’d end up running the family business when his dad was gone. But when the Lord has a plan for your life, He will come looking for you! Think about this fascinating interaction between Jesus and Peter: “He pressed them, ‘And how about you? Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter said, ‘You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus came back, ‘God bless you, Simon…You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven…let you in on this…now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are'” (vv. 15-18 MSG). There’s an important lesson here. When you discover who Jesus is and what He has done for you, you discover who you are and what He has called you to do for Him. There’s a lot more to life than working forty hours a week for forty years, retiring with a gold watch, drawing a pension, and playing with your grandkids. Just as surely as your DNA differs from every other person’s on the planet, so does your individual destiny. But to understand and fulfill it, “you must be born again” (John 3:7 NKJV). Jesus said at the grave of Lazarus, “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). And the One who raised Lazarus from the dead can bring you to life spiritually, too. Seek Him and He will also “tell you who you…really are.”
Soul food: Josh 2:1-24; Acts 9:20-30
2019-08-10
1 Peter 2:21 NIV
In the midst of his problems, Job said, “He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 NKJV). Gold is hidden deep in the earth, and it takes hours of backbreaking work removing tons of dirt scoop by scoop to bring it to the surface. Likewise, crucifying the flesh is excruciating and time-consuming, and when you follow Jesus, you give Him “digging rights.” Satan tries to bury your treasure under memories of past sin and failure, but God keeps on digging because He’s going for the gold! Joni Eareckson Tada became a quadriplegic after a diving accident. She writes: “Often during a single day I’ll have to make twenty-six different adjustments in my wheelchair…sometimes I think I’ll drive me and my friends crazy. That’s when I…remember, ‘To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.’ Life’s supposed to be difficult. Jesus said in this world we would have trouble (John 16:33). And that it has been granted – that is…gifted – on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but to suffer for Him. Sometimes I don’t want that gift, but if Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered, then I can learn from twenty-six different adjustments in my sitting position. God desires intimacy with us – but on His terms – and those terms require us to suffer as His Son suffered. So next time you get hit broadside with a bruising disappointment, God’s asking you to follow in Jesus’ steps.”
Soul food: Judg 4-6; Matt 16:1-12; Ps 119:57-64; Prov 17:22
