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
2019-07-31
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
2019-07-30
Acts 4:31 NASB
Are you in an intimidating situation? If so, notice four things the disciples did when they felt threatened by the religious authorities of their day. (1) They brought God into the picture. “Lord, behold their threatenings” (v. 29). Have you talked to the Lord about it? If it’s not big enough to be a prayer, it’s too small to be a burden! God should be the first person you discuss it with, not the last. Prayer is the door through which He enters your situation, so be sure you invite Him in. (2) They prayed for greater faith. “Grant…thy servants…boldness” (v. 29). It’s unrealistic to think all your questions will be answered and all your fears will disappear. Faith and fear will always be at work in your life. To be an overcomer, you must learn to starve your fear and feed your faith on God’s Word (See Romans 10:17). (3) They expected God to intervene. “Stretch out your hand” (Acts 4:30 NIV). Don’t just sit in the seat of “do-nothing” and expect God to move. Go on the offensive. When the disciples were in a storm the Bible says, “About four o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water!” (Matthew 14:25 TLB). Jesus works the night shift! He’s available any time you call. (4) They were filled with the Holy Spirit. “When they had prayed…they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:31 NAS). There’s the key! They were strengthened and energized by God’s power – you can be too.
Soul food: Deut 18-21; Matt 13:10-23; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 16:32
2019-07-29
Genesis 1:31 AMP
You can’t deal with anything effectively until you first accept it for what it is – including yourself! Dictionary definitions for “accept” include: (1) to receive willingly; (2) to view as right; (3) to agree with. First, acceptance involves your will. You can choose to accept yourself or not; it’s up to you. Second, when something is acceptable it’s viewed as being “right.” We tend to reject ourselves because we see only what’s wrong with us, rarely what’s right. Often this attitude was instilled in us early in life by those who focused on our weaknesses instead of our strengths, and we still carry their opinions with us. Third, the word “accept” means “to agree with.” If you’re having a problem accepting yourself, you need to get into agreement with God’s Word. He says you’re “righteous,” so start saying the same thing (See 2 Corinthians 5:21). That can take a while to sink in, but over time it will take root within you. The Bible says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). To walk with God you must agree with Him. He says He loves you and accepts you “in Christ,” so start to agree with Him and stop putting yourself down. When God made us, He said, “It was very good” and He hasn’t changed His mind. But be patient – He’s not through with His creative work in your life. And He wants you to see yourself as He sees you and learn to love yourself while you’re still “under construction.”
Soul food: Deut 14-17; Matt 13:1-9; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 16:31
