2019-07-04
Romans 12:10 NIV
As you approach the latter years of your life, you realize that it’s not just what you do that matters, but what you do for others. The most miserable people on earth are those who hate, hinder, and hurt others, while the happiest are those who spend their lives helping others. The degree to which you’re helpful is the degree to which you’re happy – it’s that simple. Poet John Albert Holmes said, “It’s well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.” So, what are you doing for others? How good are you at letting someone else take credit for what gets accomplished? Paul writes, “Honor one another above yourselves.” Next time somebody shares their accomplishments, pay attention to your need to jump in and tell them something as good or better about yourself. When you do that, you minimize their joy, create distance between you, and everybody loses. Instead, bite your tongue, look at them and say, “That’s wonderful; tell me more.” And mean it! When you treat people this way two things happen: (1) The other person enjoys your company because they sense you’re really “there” for them, instead of sitting on the edge of your seat waiting your turn to speak. (2) They feel that instead of competing with them, you care about their success. Consequently your relationships grow stronger because you no longer need to grab all the attention and glory. It’s called “living for others.”
Soul food: Jer 49-50; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 122; Prov 15:10-14
2019-07-03
Psalm 27:1 NKJV
Author Jon Gordon says: “There was a time [as children] when we jumped from the jungle gym and went on roller coaster rides. No goal was unattainable. Then [when we grew up] the doubters dissuaded us from going after our dreams…’You’re crazy…it’s too hard…play it safe…dreams weren’t meant for people like us.’ They instilled their insecurities in us…and with so many people saying we can’t…and so few saying we can, we let fear into our lives. We’re so scared of losing what we have that we don’t go after what we want. We hold on so tightly to the status quo that we never experience what could be…I call this ‘playing to lose.’ We see it in sports. When a team has the lead, they start thinking about how not to lose instead of how to win. They play safe and scared while the other team takes chances, plays without fear, and wins. David said, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ Living a life [of faith] means overcoming fear and adopting a ‘play to win’ mindset…one that says even if you do fail you won’t give up or let your dreams die. Success isn’t automatically given to us, it’s pursued with all the energy and sweat we can muster. Obstacles and struggles are part of life…they make us appreciate success. If everything came easy we’d never know how it feels to succeed. Obstacles were meant to be overcome. Fear was meant to be conquered. Success was meant to be achieved. They’re part of life, and those who succeed refuse to give up till the game is over.”
Soul food: Jer 45-48; Matt 6:9-18; Ps 110; Prov 15:8-9
2019-07-02
Ezekiel 37:9-10 NIV
In the Garden of Eden Adam was perfectly formed, but he had no life. He “had it all together,” but he wasn’t going anywhere until God’s Spirit breathed into him. Then he started walking with God, taking initiative, and fulfilling his purpose in life. You say, “I need what God breathed into Adam that day.” And you can have it! Think about Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones. They were dead and in disarray. If that describes your life right now, there’s good news. When God breathed into those bones they came to life, stood up, and became a force to be reckoned with. Notice that the Spirit of God came from “the four winds,” or the four corners of the earth. That means there’s no place where His Spirit can’t reach you if you’re available to Him. Notice also that when the Spirit of God came into Ezekiel’s valley, broken things were mended and dead things brought back to life. And God wants to do the same for you! Notice what else took place: a “shaking” (v. 7). That’s standard procedure with God. Before He uses you, He shakes up your comfort zone, your proven methods, and your set-in-concrete ideas. Your past is no problem for Him, because His eyes are on your future. So come into His presence today and pray, “Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew. That I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.” When He does, you’ll never be the same.
Soul food: Jer 41-44; Matt 5:38-6:8; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 15:4-7
2019-07-01
1 Thessalonians 4:17 MSG
The Message paraphrases Christ’s return this way: “The Master Himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise – they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master…then there will be one huge family reunion…So reassure one another with these words” (vv. 16-18 TM). The second coming of Christ will be inaugurated by the trumpet blast of the archangel. Cemeteries and seas will give up their dead. “Christ…will appear a second time…to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28 ESV). The event will be witnessed by all humanity. “Every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). From Adam to the baby born as the trumpet sounds, every one of us will witness the moment. But not everyone will welcome it. “Unready people all over the world…will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven” (Matthew 24:30 TM). You don’t go to heaven by chance, you go by choice. And God will honor your choice. Those who acknowledge Christ as their Savior will arise to celebrate the greatest family reunion of all time. Are you going to heaven? If you’re not sure, don’t let this day end until you put your trust in Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.
Soul food: Jer 36:27-40:16; Matt 5:21-37; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 15:3
2019-06-30
Proverbs 27:19 TLV
The kind of person you are is reflected in the friends you pick. So if your life is unproductive and stagnant, look at the people you’ve surrounded yourself with. Friendships, good and bad, indicate the direction you’re going. “Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer” (Proverbs 13:20 GWT). Misery loves company, so steer clear of negative thinkers. It’s better to travel alone than spend your life listening to people who drag you down. When you come into agreement with the right people, you “can accomplish more than twice as much” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 TLB). Author John Mason writes: “The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. The right friends and associations bring out the original in you. You know the kind of people I’m talking about. After you’ve been with them you find yourself less critical, full of faith, and with a vision for the future. The Devil doesn’t [generally] use strangers to deter or stop you…your friends will either stretch your vision or choke your dream. As you grow in God, your associations will change. Some friends won’t want you to go on; they’ll want you to stay where they are. But as Edwin Louis Cole observed, ‘When you let someone else create your world for you…they always make it too small.’ Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. Respect those whom God has connected to you to help you. God cares for people through people…and wise is the person who fortifies their life with the right friendships.”
Soul food: Ps 23; John 10:7-18
2019-06-29
1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
Cold and flu viruses aren’t the only things that are contagious; attitudes are also: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Researchers call it “emotional contagion,” and it affects every aspect of life in the same way a rotten apple corrupts the whole bushel. A relationship expert says: “One negative employee can pollute an entire squad and create a toxic work environment. One negative leader can make work miserable for his or her team. An employee in a bad mood can turn off countless customers. Complaining can act like a cancer and spread through the entire organization, sabotaging the morale and performance of teams with great talent and potential. You’re not just a creation of your culture…you’re creating it every day through your thoughts, beliefs, and actions…you can be negatively or positively contagious. You can be a germ and attack your organization’s immune system, or act like a dose of vitamin C and strengthen it…your emotions impact the world around you.” Paul says, “Put off your old self…be made new in the attitude of your minds” (Ephesians 4:22-23 NIV). How? By asking God to make you “a different person” (1 Samuel 10:6 NIV), and changing your attitude from one of negative contagion to one that positively impacts the people you deal with every day. At the same time, be selective about the company you keep. You know from experience the people who drag you down and drain your energy. Pray for them, but minimize the time you spend in their company.
Soul food: Jer 33:1-36:26; Matt 5:1-20; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 15:1-2
