2019-04-06
Philippians 3:13-14 TM
One day Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes lost his train ticket. As he searched for it, obviously irritated, the conductor said, “It’s okay, Your Honor; just mail it in. We all know you and trust you.” Holmes replied, “I’m not concerned about finding my ticket – I just want to know where I’m going!” Having goals lets you know where you’re going in life. Fifty percent of the people around you have no idea where they’re going. Another 40 percent will go in any direction they’re led. The remaining 10 percent know where they’d like to go – but fewer than half of them are prepared to pay the price to get there. What enabled Jesus to endure the shame of the cross was His vision of the resurrection and a church that would one day change the world (Hebrews 12:2). Moses relinquished the comforts of Pharaoh’s palace because he envisioned the Promised Land (Hebrews 11:24-27). Store owner J. C. Penney said, “Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I’ll give you someone who’ll make history. On the other hand, give me someone without a goal, and I’ll give you a stock clerk.” The truth is, while you are working on your goals, your goals are working on you. And the reward you get for reaching them isn’t nearly as important as what you become in pursuit of them. So, do you have goals? Are they clear enough to write down, short enough to fit into a paragraph, strong enough to help you persevere, and valuable enough to make you pay the price? If so, you’ll live to see them fulfilled.
Soul food: Lev 21:1-23:25; Luke 21-25-28; Ps 50:1-15; Prov 10:3
2019-04-05
1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV
A child without values is at the mercy of everybody else’s values. Paul writes, “We are co-workers in God’s service…no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (vv. 9, 11 NIV). When the adult role models in your children’s lives let them down, point them to Jesus. Tell them how He handled things, and what He has to say about the problems they will face in life. Jesus said, “For this cause I was born” (John 18:37 NKJV). Let your children know they were born for a special purpose, and as they walk with God He’ll reveal it to them. Anything less, regardless of how rich or famous it makes them, doesn’t satisfy. Peer pressure would be less effective if our children were taught to hold on to their own values and respect their own opinions. Having others exercise too much influence over them is downright dangerous! And don’t just teach your kids, solicit their opinions – and respect them. Home is where children learn to practice expressing how they feel, and if you’ve laid the right foundation you have nothing to worry about. You simply need to guide them in forming the right opinions. If you don’t, they won’t learn to think for themselves or face life with confidence. Moses told the Israelites: “Think constantly about these commandments…teach them to your children…talk about them when you are at home…out for a walk…at bedtime and the first thing in the morning” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 TLB). There you have it, Mom and Dad – the job is yours! So get on with it and God will bless you and your family.
Soul food: Lev 18-20; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 25:16-22; Prov 10:2
2019-04-04
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Some people stay in hopeless situations their whole lives without ever making a decision to seek God’s power to get through them. Being “longsuffering” doesn’t mean living in misery any longer than necessary. Paul says, “Be not conformed to this world: but be…transformed by…renewing…your mind, that ye may prove what is that good… acceptable…perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). When you renew your mind with God’s Word, He’ll show you His will and strengthen you to get through – once and for all – what you’ve been going through for years. Instead of complaining about your circumstances, determine to get through them. Author John Mason says: “Don’t accept your present temporary situation as your future permanent situation…determine to get on with life and fulfill your purpose…Paul says, ‘We walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7). We’re not to be moved by the obvious, but by the actual. If you’ve been saying for years, ‘I’m going through this situation,’ stand up and declare, ‘I’ve had enough. It’s time to get through this mess!’ The Enemy wants you to believe you’ll never be victorious…or overcome your present circumstance. But God’s Word says, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But…will…provide a way out” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV). Take this verse and stand on it. God is faithful. He will provide ‘a way out.'” Your circumstances may not change right away, but as far as God’s concerned, you’re already out on the other side.
Soul food: Lev 15-17; Luke 21:8-11; Ps 25:8-15; Prov 10:1
2019-04-03
Romans 1:16 KJV
One Sunday a lady fell asleep in church. Pointing to the man sitting next to her, the pastor said, “Please wake that lady up.” The man replied, “Sorry, Pastor. You put her to sleep – you wake her up!” Seriously, Paul tells us “the gospel…is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (NKJV). The Greek word for “power” is dynamis, from which we get the word dynamite. Talk about impact! The gospel changes people profoundly. Chuck Swindoll says: “The gospel is like a sword sharpened on the stone of Scripture and tempered in the furnace of reality, relevance, and need. Of all the reactions a person may have to it, I can think of none worse than a yawn, a sleepy ‘so what,’ or a bored ‘who cares?’ Jesus met people where they were. His word touched raw nerves. His preaching was a lot more ‘here-and-now’ than it was ‘there-and-then.’ He attacked hypocrisy and prejudice. He met people where they were, not where they ought to be. Angry young men, blind beggars, proud politicians, loose-living hookers, ignorant fishermen, naked victims of demonism, and grieving parents – He related to them all. His enemies misunderstood Him, but they couldn’t ignore Him. They hated Him, but they were never bored around Him. Do you want a new definition of failing the Lord? Here it is – using the gospel to bore people! The gospel isn’t some vague religious concept; it’s an exciting relationship with God that works in everyday life.” And the people around you need it, so share it with them.
Soul food: Lev 13:38-14:57; Luke 21:1-7; Ps 25:1-7; Prov 9:17-18
2019-04-02
Joshua 1:11 NKJV
When God tells you He has “given” you something, it means your name is on the title. When He tells you to “possess” it, it may mean you have to fight for it. If you don’t, you won’t receive what He promised. Right now lots of people may be living in your “dream house” and working in your “dream job.” Don’t resent them, rejoice! God can do the same for you! If you’re tired of talking about the things you don’t possess, get up and go after them. And when you get them, remember that it wasn’t because you’re so wise and wonderful, but because God gave them to you (See Deuteronomy 8:18). The Bible says He gives us “all things that pertain unto life” (2 Peter 1:3). But you must receive the promise inwardly before you can experience it outwardly. For example, your challenge may be believing in your spirit that you’re being healed before you see it begin to happen physically. Just because something’s not immediately evident doesn’t mean it won’t happen. For example, when we ask God for an oak tree, He gives us an acorn. At this point we may think God didn’t hear and answer our prayer. No, the oak tree is in the acorn; it’s just a matter of time before what’s inside bursts out. Whatever God has promised you, the seeds are already within you. Water them, nurture them, and don’t let anyone uproot them through unbelief. In other words, begin thanking God for what He’s going to do in your life.
Soul food: Lev 11:1-13:37; Luke 20:41-47; Ps 32; Prov 9:10-16
2019-04-01
Romans 8:28 NIV
Paul begins this verse by saying: “And we know.” There are so many things in life we don’t know. We don’t know if the economy will dip or how our kids will turn out. We don’t even “know what we ought to pray for” (v. 26 NIV). But we can “know” these four things: (1) “God works.” Even though you can’t see Him, He’s busy behind the scenes. He hasn’t checked out or moved on. He’s ceaseless, tireless, and He never stops working. (2) “God works for the good.” Not for our comfort, pleasure, or entertainment, but for our ultimate good. But then again, He is the ultimate good, so would you expect anything less? (3) “God works for the good of those who love Him.” Behold the benefit of a loving God! Make His story your story, and your story takes on a happy ending. Guaranteed! (4) God works “in all things.” God works, not just in a few things, or the good things, or the best things, or the easy things. He works in “all things.” And He doesn’t make the plan up as He goes along. The Bible says, “In him we were also chosen…according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11 NIV). And the best part is – God’s plan includes you! So stop fretting, stressing out, and losing sleep. Turn it over to God and believe that He’s working “all things” out for your good and His glory.
Soul food: Lev 8-10; Luke 20:34-40; Ps 72:12-20; Prov 9:7-9
