2019-05-23
Galatians 6:10 NLT
Have you ever watched a train switch on to the same track as several disconnected rail cars, hook up, and together move forward? The truth is if you want to help people you’ve got to get on the same track, connect with them, and help move them forward. But before you can do that there are two rules you need to observe: (1) Never take anyone for granted. Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said that during an election one of his elderly neighbors told him, “I voted for you again today even though you didn’t ask me to.” Surprised, O’Neill replied, “But I’ve known you all my life, Mrs. O’Brien. I took out your garbage and mowed your lawn – I didn’t think I had to ask.” In a motherly tone she replied, “It’s always nice to be asked!” (2) Believe that everyone has potential. Mother Teresa said, “We don’t have to be extraordinary in any way. I can do what you can’t do, you can do what I can’t do, and together we can do great things.” You may not be able to help everybody, but you can help somebody. The thing Andrew is most noted for in Scripture is introducing his brother Peter to Jesus. But Peter ended up bringing multitudes to Jesus. In the New Jerusalem you’ll see the name of each of the apostles written above its twelve foundations (See Revelation 21:14). And Andrew’s name will be there. How come? Because he believed everybody has the potential to make a difference once they know Jesus.
Soul food: 1 Kings 14-15; Mark 9:14-29; Ps 101; Prov 12:12-13
2019-05-22
Psalm 130:4 TM
The psalmist wrote: “Help, God – the bottom has fallen out of my life!…hear my cry for help! Listen hard! Open your ears…to my cries for mercy. If you…kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit…that’s why you’re worshiped” (vv. 1-4 TM). But God’s forgiveness is worthless unless you receive it by faith – and then forgive yourself! You say, “But what about my past?” The moment you receive God’s forgiveness you no longer have a past – you only have a future. However, you must do three things: (1) Realize that everybody fails. Samson failed by getting too close to the wrong woman (See Judges 16). Jonah failed by trying to run from the assignment God gave him (See Jonah 1:3). Peter failed when he denied Jesus (See Matthew 26:34). Yet God forgave and used each of them for His glory. (2) You must process your emotions. Regret: “If only I hadn’t done it.” Frustration: “I did my best. Why wasn’t it good enough?” Self-pity: “Nobody loves me so I’ll just sit here and lick my wounds.” Paralysis: “I’ve done it too often. My mistake is too big. I’ll never get beyond it.” Your emotions are lying to you – don’t believe them! (3) When you fall, get back up again. “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV). Notice, the righteous as well as the unrighteous fall. So be like the lady who said, “I’m never down. I’m either up, or I’m getting up!” How about it – are you ready to get up and try again? If so, God will work with you.
Soul food: 1 Kings 12-13; Mark 9:1-13; Ps 128; Prov 12:10-11
2019-05-21
1 Samuel 12:21 NKJV
In order to succeed in what God has called you to do in life, you must recognize your gift and know your goal. When you’re clear about and committed to these two things, you need to demonstrate two qualities: discipline and determination. Fritz Kreisler, one of the greatest violinists of all time, had them. Crowds packed Carnegie Hall in New York to hear him. But the road to success was a bumpy ride. As a boy he wanted to do nothing more than play the violin, so his parents paid for him to have music lessons. But he didn’t make as much progress as they hoped, and after a few years he quit the lessons. Over the next several years, through college and early adulthood, he studied medicine but failed to complete medical school. He joined the army and failed to be promoted. He tried and quit many other pursuits. Realizing that the one piece of success he had enjoyed in life related to the violin, he went back to his instructor and said, “I want to play.” She said, “Fine, I’ll take you back as a student, but only if you acquire the irreplaceable quality that is necessary for you to become a great violinist. You must exhibit undefeatable determination.” So once again, here are your steps to success: (1) Recognize your gift. (2) Know your goal. (3) Dedicate yourself to the process no matter how long it takes. (4) Trust God to bless your efforts.
Soul food: 1 Kings 10-11; Mark 8:27-38; Ps 45; Prov 12:7-9
2019-05-20
Psalm 102:13 NIV
All of your life can be training for one season, one God-given assignment, one purpose. You may determine the number of years required to graduate from college with your degree. You may know the amount of effort and the approximate timeline required to rise to the top of your profession. But when it comes to experiencing the favor of God, He sets the time. “But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever…You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come” (vv. 12-13 NIV). One moment of God’s favor will do more for you than a lifetime of striving. In his book Still Standing: 8 Winning Strategies for Facing Tough Times, Dr. James Merritt writes: “In a meeting that took less than twenty minutes, Pharaoh made Joseph prime minister of the entire country – second in authority only to him! Pharaoh’s act catapulted Joseph from the pit to the palace. God works, in hindsight, through a beautiful story arc. His way of getting Joseph to the palace was through the pit and the prison. As with Joseph, what we so often see as stumbling blocks are really stepping stones God uses to accomplish His plan and fulfill His purpose in our lives.” It’s your obedience to God that brings His favor, and your faithfulness in difficult times: “For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.” So be faithful and press on; God has set a time to favor you!
Soul food: 1 Kings 8-9; Mark 8:14-26; Ps 47; Prov 12:4-6
2019-05-19
Jeremiah 29:11 CEV
Here are three more helpful steps you can take: (1) Encourage action. Sometimes we over-function in crises, making the needy person dependent and undermining the very self-reliance that can strengthen them. One psychiatrist says, “We must do for others what they cannot do for themselves, but we must not do for them what they will not do for themselves.” Becoming proactive in a crisis arms people against despair and powerlessness. Encouraging manageable action steps builds emotional and spiritual muscle. Helping them evaluate their actions and validating their efforts rebuilds their confidence. When the crisis involves irreversible losses (like death or divorce), the work of getting through one day at a time and gradually adjusting to the changes is action enough. (2) Impart hope. Often there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel and a sense that the suffering will go on endlessly. What people need at that moment is hope. Hope brings relief based on the conviction that things will improve, and provides energy to deal with the crisis. The Bible is a book of hope. It energizes us when we feel like, “This is the worst thing imaginable. It will never get better.” (3) Do the follow-up. Crises are seldom resolved instantly. Life may soon return to a semblance of normalcy, but there may be episodes of relapse into sadness, helplessness, or loneliness. Your words may bring comfort and hope, but it’s your abiding interest that helps people to maintain their faith and progress!
Soul food: Exo 20:14; Prov 6:23-35; Matt 5:27-28; John 8:1-11
2019-05-18
2 Corinthians 1:4 TM
In a crisis people often fail to see the resources that God has made available to them. Here are three types: (1) Spiritual resources. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). This “very present” God illuminates our darkness and confusion. His love is the source of all comfort (See 2 Corinthians 1:3). His presence addresses our loneliness, and His power addresses our helplessness. (2) Personal resources. People in crisis forget that God has given them strengths and abilities which include faith, skills, memories of past triumphs, empowering attitudes, and motivations. Reminding them of these encourages them to “take back their power.” (3) Interpersonal resources. Most people already have support networks; they just need to be activated. There are family members, friends, business associates, and neighbors willing to pitch in when asked. Community resources are also available for medical, financial, and material assistance. And the church can find ways to apply the “great commandment” in crisis times (See Matthew 22:36-39). Members can be invited to pray, give money, provide practical assistance like meals, help with the children, transportation, etc. People are reluctant to ask for help because they’re embarrassed and feel they should be able to handle their own problems, or think they’re failing by “accepting charity.” Help them to understand that others are happy to help, and that one day they can “return the blessing.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 6-7; Mark 8:1-13; Ps 97; Prov 12:1-3
