2019-04-30
Philippians 2:4 TLB
Paul writes: “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing. Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus” (vv. 3-5 TLB). Becoming more unselfish begins with the decision to stop thinking about yourself so much and start looking for ways to help others. If you want to become more Christlike and unselfish, start doing these two things: (1) Put yourself in situations where people have needs. Is that risky? Sure. You risk rejection. You risk being misunderstood. You risk making mistakes. But becoming unselfish requires putting yourself in a position where you can see a person’s need and do something about it. In other words, get involved! (2) Give quietly or anonymously. Jesus said: “Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired…for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven…Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (Matthew 6:1-4 NLT). It’s easier to give when you receive recognition than when no one knows about it. But those who give for recognition and applause have already received any reward they will get (See Matthew 6:2). There are spiritual, mental, and emotional benefits that come to those who give anonymously. Try it. The fulfillment you’ll receive will encourage you to make it a lifestyle.
Soul food: Num 16-18; Mark 3:7-19; Ps 37:8-15; Prov 11:3
2019-04-29
Luke 22:27 NKJV
The world reveres wealth, power, talent, and fame. And sometimes it regards service as demeaning. But Jesus used a different yardstick when He asked His disciples, “Who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves?” Then He answered the question by saying, “I am among you as the One who serves.” Paul said that Jesus “emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7 GWT). To be a servant you must first be emptied of self-centeredness, and that calls for dying to self. As Christians we like to call ourselves servants, but how do you react when you’re treated like one? In the upper room the disciples all looked for a prominent place to sit, but Jesus looked for a place to serve! And as they waited to be served, He took a basin and washed their dirty, calloused feet. Can you imagine how they felt? The world bases importance on the number of people serving you, but God is much more interested in the number of people you are serving. He honors those who minister selflessly without complaining or seeking recognition. The truth is, it takes more character to serve others than to sit around waiting to be served. So here’s the question: Are you doing more “sitting” than “serving” these days? If so, it’s time to ask God for a selfless spirit and a servant’s heart, and start looking for opportunities to serve wherever He places you. Why? Because Jesus lived to serve and His Word to you is, “A servant is not greater than his master” (John 15:20 NKJV).
Soul food: Num 14-15; Mark 3:1-6; Ps 37:1-7; Prov 11:1-2
2019-04-28
Psalm 147:3 NKJV
If you’re trying to recover from a broken relationship, don’t rush into another one. As you become healthy you begin to make healthy choices. Some hurts take a long time to heal, but don’t be discouraged; “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Give God a chance. Take time to search His Word and find out how He feels about you, for that’s the true basis of all self-worth. If God can love and accept you with full knowledge of your imperfections, then the message is: “Lighten up on yourself!” You can love, and be loved again, but only with the same wholeness with which you love yourself! (See Matthew 22:39). Next time make sure your choices are healthy ones, and not based solely on need, or the fear of being alone. And be careful; when you don’t value yourself, you attract people who feel the same way about you, including those who seek to control you. You deserve better, so hold out for it. Remember, you train others how to treat you by how you treat yourself. As you become whole, you’ll start to see how unwholesome some of your relationship choices have been. If some people walk away, “so be it.” Sometimes you’ve got to give up less so that God can give you more. He has new relationships in store for you, but He’s waiting until your values, perceptions, and self-worth line up with His Word. So take it step by step, one day at a time. And rejoice – your best days are ahead!
Soul food: Exo 20:8-11; Exo 16:1-31; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17
2019-04-27
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
The old saying goes: “An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.” The Bible says, “Then Satan entered Judas…So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them” (Luke 22:3-4 NKJV). It seems Judas was constantly preoccupied with money, and Satan exploited it to his destruction. During the three years that Judas followed Jesus, he heard Him repeatedly warn about the danger of loving money, but he failed to get the message. Your mind never stops working and if you don’t take control of it, it will take control of you. Paul writes: “Whatsoever things are true…noble…just…pure…lovely…of good report…if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” What you become – is a direct result of what your mind dwells on. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life consists of what a man [or woman] is thinking about all day.” John Locke said, “The actions of men [or women] are the greatest interpreters of their thoughts.” James Allen said, “You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” This is why the apostle Peter warns us to “prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control” (1 Peter 1:13 NLT). It’s why the psalmist wrote: “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me…Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:13-14 NKJV). Note the words “meditation of my heart.” The word for you today is: Take control of your mind.
Soul food: Num 11-13; Mark 2:18-28; Ps 2; Prov 10:30-32
2019-04-26
1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV
The Bible says: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NKJV). Do you “love” God? If so, He will reveal His thoughts to you. What an advantage! Paul writes, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (v. 13 NKJV). Don’t make the mistake of limiting “spiritual things” to prayer, Bible reading, and church activities. This promise applies to every area of your life including your family, your finances, your career, etc. The Bible says, “We have the mind of Christ.” That means when you face a problem, you can pray, “Lord, help me to see this the way You do.” When you need to make an important decision you can pray, “Lord, reveal to me what I don’t know and teach me what I need to learn so that my decision is in line with Your will and what’s best for everyone concerned.” Instead of confining God to church and so-called “spiritual activities,” ask for His help in every area of your life. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God” (NKJV). That means you must be still long enough for Him to put His thoughts into your mind. When it happens – and it will – you’ll never want to think any other way.
Soul food: Num 8-10; Mark 2:1-17; Ps 35; Prov 10:28-29
2019-04-25
Job 23:10 NIV
It’s a mistake to compare yourself to other people, because God has a plan for you that’s unique and personal. His methods may sometimes seem strange and His training laborious, but His results are always worth waiting for. Without scams and games He accomplishes His purpose in our lives, and all He asks us to do is trust and obey. It’s that simple. In the midst of unspeakable heartache and trouble, notice three things Job said about God: (1) “He knows the way that I take.” The path you are on today is the one God chose for you, and He never makes mistakes. And even when you don’t know where He is, God knows where you are because He never takes His eye off of you. (2) “When he has tested me.” The word “when” means God has established a set time for testing you, and a set time for bringing you out of the test. Aren’t you glad He’s the One who’s testing you, and not people? Would you trust anyone other than Him to take you through this learning curve? Of course you wouldn’t. (3) “I will come forth as gold.” When God gets through refining you and removing the impurities from your life, you will shine like pure and precious gold. The process always precedes the promise. When the dross has been discarded and the fear removed, some people may wonder how such a vessel could have been made from such poor material. They may even ask if you’re the same person. When they do, just say “No!”
Soul food: Num 7; Mark 1:21-45; Ps 94:12-23; Prov 10:27
