2019-06-10
Acts 27:20 NIV
There are times in life when God seems distant. We pray but feel abandoned, at the mercy of our circumstances, afraid and hopeless. Paul was no different. He’d longed for an opportunity to preach in Rome and was on his way there when a hurricane struck his ship, plunging everyone into despair. Paul had not only foreseen the loss of the vessel, its crew and cargo, but his “own [life] also” (See v. 10 NIV). And his warning was disregarded by the captain, the pilot, and the centurion in charge of him. Consequently Paul and 276 fellow passengers were placed in a life-threatening crisis, and there was nothing he could do about it. Terrified, he and his companions declared, “We finally gave up all hope of being saved!” After fourteen days at sea without sun or stars to guide them, and just when the hurricane was fiercest, God sent an angel to Paul. “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you” (v. 24 NIV). They were cold, soaked, and hungry when their ship finally ran aground on an island south of Italy. Every circumstance pointed to tragedy and the demise of Paul’s dream of preaching in Rome. However, when the sun rose on the island of Malta next morning, it became clear that God had piloted them through the storm to the exact destination He had planned for them. And Paul ended up declaring God’s Word before Caesar in Rome. So take courage – you’ll get through this storm!
Soul food: 2 Kings 16:1-18:16; Mark 13:12-23; Ps 80:1-11; Prov 13:11-12
2019-06-09
Psalm 37:3 CEV
The media bombard us with stories of evildoers like pedophiles who prey on children or unscrupulous financiers taking advantage of the elderly. And just when you think it can’t get worse, it does! What should you do? (1) Call the authorities and pursue earthly justice to the fullest. (2) Pray for them. Jesus said, “Pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:28). (3) Make up your mind not to become like them. (4) Realize that one day God will right every wrong. (5) Keep your peace and stay focused on God. “Don’t be annoyed by anyone who does wrong, and don’t envy them. They will soon disappear like grass without rain. Trust in the Lord and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe. Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire. Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right. Be patient and trust the Lord. Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Don’t be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin…The wicked will lose all of their power, but the Lord gives strength to everyone who is good. Those who obey the Lord are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. They won’t be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce…If you do what the Lord wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. The Lord will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won’t fall” (Psalm 37:1-24 CEV).
Soul food: Lev 23:15-22; Acts 2:1-18
2019-06-08
1 John 1:9 AMPC
In spite of our best intentions and efforts, we all “fall short” of God’s requirements (Romans 3:23 NKJV). So what’s the answer? “If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]” (1 John 1:8-9 AMPC). When it comes to God’s forgiveness, knowing is better than feeling. Here’s how God’s forgiveness works: Consciousness of sin leads to conviction of sin, and conviction of sin leads to confession of sin, and confession of sin leads to cleansing of sin, and cleansing of sin leads to confidence before God (See 1 John 3:21-22). You say, “I don’t feel worthy of God’s forgiveness.” You will never be worthy of it! God’s forgiveness is not based on your worthiness, but on Christ’s! Furthermore, God is not like your parents; He doesn’t insist you squirm and be miserable for a few days so that you will “learn your lesson” before He forgives you. That would mean you play a part in earning His forgiveness. It’s by grace, and grace alone (See Ephesians 2:8-9)! “Grace” means “undeserved favor.” So when God forgives you, honor Him by forgiving yourself and moving on.
Soul food: 2 Kings 13-15; Mark 13:1-11; Ps 143; Prov 13:9-10
2019-06-07
Proverbs 24:16 NIV
Like any skill, mental, emotional, and spiritual resilience can be learned. Here’s how: (1) Redefine setbacks as the gateway to something greater. (2) Remember successful people don’t just face adversity, they embrace it. (3) Tune out the critics and focus on doing your best. (4) Wake up every day remembering that prayer and gratitude create a fertile environment for faith. (5) Increase your faith-talk when you’re afraid. (6) Learn from failure, and remember the many times you’ve succeeded. (7) Visualize victory before going into battle. (8) Refuse to dwell on the past or worry about the future; today is where you have the most influence. (9) Identify a solution instead of complaining. (10) Replace self-doubt with faith-talk. (11) When things look hopeless, remember “with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). (12) When you feel alone, think of all those who have helped you and who love and support you. (13) Pray for guidance when you’re in over your head (See James 1:5). (14) Rest when you’re tired, but don’t give up. Finish strong in everything you do. (15) Remember you “can do all things through Christ” when you think you can’t (Philippians 4:13). (16) Recognize what you can’t control, focus on what you can, and surrender the rest to God. (17) Exercise physically to give yourself a sense of control and fight depression. (18) Laugh to reduce stress, strengthen your immune system, and improve arterial blood flow. (19) Be grateful. Research shows that people who sent a letter or email of thanks to somebody who helped them, stayed in a better mood for up to a month.
Soul food: 2 Kings 10-12; Mark 12:28-44; Ps 132:11-18; Prov 13:7-8
2019-06-06
Matthew 18:3 NIV
Matthew writes: “The disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him…And he said…’Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven'” (vv. 1-3 NIV). To do great things for God, you must approach Him with a childlike attitude. You can learn a lot from watching little children. Wherever they are, they find a way to enjoy whatever they’re doing. They’re quick to forgive an offense. One moment they’re fighting over something, the next moment they’re playing happily together. And trusting comes easily to them. Your children don’t worry about mortgage payments, meals, or making ends meet because they implicitly trust that you will provide what they need. What was Jesus teaching us? (a) To have simple faith. (b) To pray simple prayers. (c) To be quick to repent. (d) To reach regularly for God’s help. (e) To believe that your heavenly Father is good and that “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). Plus, when you forgive children, they don’t run around feeling guilty and condemned. With this kind of simplicity in your relationship with God, you’ll find yourself growing spiritually and enjoying Him more than ever. And that should be your goal.
Soul food: 2 Kings 7-9; Mark 12:13-27; Ps 132:1-10; Prov 13:4-6
2019-06-05
Exodus 28:3 NKJV
God told Moses: “You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments” (vv. 2-3 NKJV). Note the word “artisans.” God gives us artistic ability, and when we use it we glorify Him. Clothes “for glory and for beauty” call for creativity. Stop separating the spiritual from the secular! “Whatsoever [you] do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17). How do you become creative? (1) By acknowledging that God made you to be creative. (2) By asking Him to reveal your areas of talent and creativity. (3) By valuing creative ideas. No matter what you currently do, or how well you do it, a creative idea will enable you to do it better. Creativity is being able to see what everybody else has seen, and think what nobody else has thought, so that you can do what nobody else has done. Sometimes creative thinking lies along the lines of invention, where you break new ground. Other times it moves along the lines of innovation, which helps you to do old things in a new way. But either way, it’s seeing the world through sufficiently new eyes so that new solutions appear. “On the seventh day God ended his work which he had made” (Genesis 2:2). Notice that creativity involves work, which is why many people tend to avoid it. But if you’re willing to work at being creative, God will use you to do great things.
Soul food: 2 Kings 4:18-6:33; Mark 12:1-12; Ps 48; Prov 13:2-3
