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
2019-06-04
Genesis 1:28 NKJV
Your heavenly Father created the world – and you are made in His image. That means you are wired to think creatively. God finished His creative work in six days, then our work began. God said, in essence, “I’ve provided you with all the resources and talents you need to have an abundant life. Now do something good with it.” The sheep He made give wool, from which we create beautiful fabrics in differing colors for matching outfits. God didn’t make cheese; He made cows that give milk so that we can create cheese from it. The Bible describes the beginning of all things in these words: “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply.'” The word “multiply” means that God wants you to end up with more than you started out with. But to do that you must begin to think creatively! Instead of simply accepting what is, you need to take what is and make something more out of it. When you do that, you’re following in your heavenly Father’s footsteps. Sometimes churches pour cold water on any thought or activity that isn’t religious, saying it’s “worldly” and therefore God is not pleased with it. That’s like saying God only works within the four walls of a church. No, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you do in life, God wants you to put your creativity to work so that you can glorify Him and bless others.
Soul food: 2 Kings 1:1-4:17; Mark 11:27-33; Ps 1; Prov 13:1
2019-06-03
Philippians 2:13 NLT
You will only have good ideas if you value ideas. Otherwise you’ll drift through life living off other people’s ideas. Creative thinkers: (1) Explore every option. Exploring a multitude of possibilities helps to stimulate your imagination, and imagination is crucial to creativity. Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Why? Because it looks for new ways to put your knowledge to work. (2) Embrace ambiguity. Creative people don’t feel the need to stamp out uncertainty. They see all kinds of inconsistencies and gaps in life, and they take delight in exploring those gaps or using their imagination to fill them in. When you find an unmet need, you can either conclude that nothing can be done about it, or pray and look for a way to meet that need (Philippians 4:19). (3) Celebrate the offbeat. Creativity explores off the beaten path. Kingman Brewster, former president of Yale University, said, “There’s a correlation between the creative and the screwball. So we must suffer the screwball gladly.” To foster creativity, you must be willing to tolerate originality and oddness. (4) Are not afraid of failure. American philosopher Charles Frankel said, “Anxiety is the essential condition of intellectual and artistic creation.” Creativity requires a willingness to look stupid. It means going out on a limb knowing that limbs often break. Creative people know these things and still keep searching for new ideas. They refuse to let the ideas that don’t work prevent them from coming up with ones that do.
Soul food: Rev 19-22; Mark 11:12-26; Ps 129; Prov 12:27-28
