2019-05-15
Psalm 149:6 NKJV
The Christian life is a battlefield with an enemy who’s out to defeat us every day. But God has given us strategies for winning, and praise is one of them. When Israel’s army went into battle, the tribe of Judah led the way. The name “Judah” means “praise the Lord.” So when you go into battle, go with “the high praises of God” in your mouth and He will go before you. This is the “praise strategy” that toppled the walls of Jericho for Joshua, and caused Jehoshaphat’s enemies to destroy one other before the battle even began (See 2 Chronicles 20). It’s a decision to praise God when you face a situation you can’t handle; to focus on Him instead of on your problem. You may not feel worthy – but He is! You may not feel able – but He is! Remind God of His promises. Nothing moves Him like the sight of His children praising His name and claiming His promises in the face of adversity. Jesus said, “You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door” (Matthew 16:19 TM). Praise invites God to intervene, so use it. And find somebody to join you in praise (See Matthew 18:19). Multiply your impact before the throne of God. The Bible says, “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God…And suddenly…all the doors were opened” (Acts 16:25-26). So, the word for you today is: Use the “praise strategy!”
Soul food: Heb 11:17-13:25; Mark 7:1-13; Ps 88:1-9a; Prov 11:24-26
2019-05-14
Luke 14:18 NIV
Jesus told the story of a man who planned a banquet and invited several guests. Listen to some of their excuses for not attending. “I’ve purchased a field.” “I’ve bought some oxen.” “I just got married.” So the host said, “Not one of those…who were invited will get a taste of my banquet” (v. 24 NIV). Maybe you think you’re different, that you have a good reason for saying no to God. But is it worth missing your destiny for? When God speaks to you, that’s the moment of truth! At that point you either make a commitment or make an excuse. There and then you’re deciding your destiny! What is God asking you to do? What’s making you hesitate? Fear of failure? Fear of being criticized? Fear usually comes dressed up as an excuse. And every time you vacillate or pull back, you lay another brick in the wall that will ultimately keep you from reaching your God-ordained destiny. Author John Mason says, “Opportunity is often lost in deliberation.” So if God’s telling you to do something, take His hand and move forward in faith. You can’t control the direction of the wind, but by God’s grace you can adjust your sails to take you where you need to go. The great educator and scientist George Washington Carver said, “Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.” Remember, opportunity is a visitor: Don’t assume it will be back tomorrow. Now is the time – move while the door is open!
Soul food: Heb 9:1-11:16; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 75; Prov 11:23
2019-05-13
Luke 19:3 NIV
The Bible says, “Zacchaeus…was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was…So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree…since Jesus was coming that way” (vv. 2-4 NIV). The story of Zacchaeus teaches us that rich people can be as damaged as poor people. How some of them got damaged is in the story of how they got rich. When you violate your conscience, it’s hard to live in your own skin. When you trade your core values for money, your success can be hollow and your guilt heavy. Zacchaeus struggled with this: “Lord…if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (v. 8 NIV). If that’s how you feel today, Jesus is saying to you the three things He said to Zacchaeus: (1) “Make haste.” Don’t put your salvation off a day longer. At any given moment you’re as close to eternity as a faulty heartbeat or a malignant cell. Don’t gamble with your soul; get right with God while you can. (2) “Come down.” Humble yourself. Kneel at the feet of the One who loves you and gave His life to redeem you. It doesn’t matter how badly you’ve failed: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV). (3) “Today I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). The word “abide” means “to take up residence.” Refuse to live another day without the assurance that Christ lives in your heart, directs your steps, and watches over all that concerns you.
Soul food: Heb 5-8; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 18:30-50; Prov 11:22
2019-05-12
John 4:4 NKJV
Why does the Bible say Jesus “needed to go through Samaria”? To redeem a damaged woman who was called to introduce the gospel to Samaria for the first time. Think about the situation Jesus faced; the heat was smoldering, the journey was long, and He was on foot. He knew He wouldn’t be welcome there because of a long-standing animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Women in those days veiled their faces and were forbidden to speak to men outside their own family. This woman was already the talk of the town because she’d been through five divorces. So why did Jesus feel He “needed to go through Samaria”? Because He saw her as a diamond in the rough. He looked beyond her problem and saw her potential for His kingdom. The Bible says, “Many of the Samaritans…believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified” (v. 39 NKJV). There’s an important lesson here. The schedule didn’t control Jesus; the will of God and the needs of hurting people did. He was willing to go out of His way, turn tradition on its ear, and break new ground to do it. Notice what Jesus told His disciples afterwards: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (vv. 35-36 NKJV).
Soul food: Exo 20:13; Gen 4:1-15; Matt 5:21-22
2019-05-11
1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV
The apostle Paul writes, “I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13 NKJV). Paul had a criminal record. He had the blood of innocent men and women on his hands. Yet God used him to write half the New Testament, establish the church, and carry the name of Jesus into the courts of Caesar. But would you have trusted him to be the leader of your denomination, or envisioned him teaching great truths and introducing you to revelations he received from heaven? The Bible says, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29 NIV). God never cancels our calling and He never withdraws the spiritual gifts He gives us. And if He does not, we must not. How should we handle a brother or sister in Christ who goes astray? With gentleness! “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV). Is restoring people sometimes messy? Yes. Is it easy? No. Paul says it’s a “burden,” especially when they’ve brought embarrassment to God’s redeemed family. But that’s the point – they are still our spiritual family! And the world is watching to see how we treat them. If we throw away those who stumble, why would the world believe we wouldn’t do the same to them? Think about it. If you can’t find grace in the family of God, where are you going to find it?
Soul food: Heb 1-4; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 18:1-29; Prov 11:19-21
1 Timoteus 1:15 NLV
Die apostel Paulus skryf: ‘Julle het mos gehoor… dat ek God se kerk fanaties vervolg en verwoesting gesaai het’ (Galasiërs 1:13 NLV). Paulus het ‘n kriminele rekord gehad. Hy het die bloed van onskuldige mans en vrouens op sy hande gehad. Tog het God hom gebruik om die helfte van die Nuwe Testament te skryf, die kerk te vestig en die naam van Jesus na die howe van Caesar te bring. Sou jy hom vertrou het om die leier van jou denominasie te wees, of jou kon indink dat hy groot waarhede sou deel en die openbaringe wat hy uit die hemel ontvang het met jou sou deel? Die Bybel sê: ‘[God se] gawes en roeping staan onherroeplik vas’ (Romeine 11:29 NLV). God kanselleer nooit ons roeping nie. Hy neem nooit die geestelike gawes wat Hy vir ons gegee het terug nie. As Hy dit nie doen nie, moet ons ook nie. Hoe moet ons ‘n broer of suster hanteer wat die pad byster geraak het? Met sagmoedigheid! ‘Liewe broers en susters, wanneer iemand iets doen wat verkeerd is, moet julle wat deur die Gees gelei word, daardie persoon nederig reghelp. Wees baie versigtig dat jy nie ook versoek word nie. Help ander gelowiges wat swaarkry, en gee só uitvoering aan Christus se liefdeswet’ (Galasiërs 6:1-2 NLV). Is dit soms morsig om beskadigde mense te herstel? Ja. Is dit maklik? Nee. Hulle is egter steeds deel van ons geestelike familie. Die wêreld kyk hoe ons hulle behandel. As ons diegene wat struikel weggooi, hoekom sal die wêreld dink dat ons nie dieselfde met hulle sal doen nie? Dink daaroor. As jy nie genade in die familie van God kan kry nie, waar kan jy dit dan kry?
Sielskos: Heb 1-4; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 18:1-29; Spr 11:19-21
