2019-03-13
Mark 10:14 NIV
Can you imagine how these children felt when Jesus rebuked His own disciples for pushing them away, and said, “Come unto me”? How many destinies were changed that day because He loved these little ones and took time for them? He gave them something every child needs and deserves – self-worth and the dignity of their own thoughts and opinions. When you listen to me, it means that what I say matters. And more importantly, I matter to you. After years spent hearing words like, “Don’t bother me…Shut up!…I don’t have time,” something important in a child begins to die – creativity and confidence. Can you imagine facing life without those qualities? You say, “But I’m so busy.” That may be so, but you’re certainly not busier than Jesus, and He made time for children. Parent, are you listening? The pressure is on. Today our prisons are full of children who committed adult crimes. And, generally speaking, when we study them we find that because they never learned to express their emotions in constructive ways, they ended up exploding! As a child he took a hammer and pounded his toy to pieces; now as a man he drives his fist through walls or batters his wife. His shirt size has changed, but the messages inside his head are still the same – nobody listens, nobody understands, nobody cares. This is serious business. If you think we’re making too much out of too little – think again. Rearrange the priorities in your home. Do it right and you’ll live with wonderful memories. Do it wrong and you’ll live with regrets.
Soul food: Job 8-10; Luke 17:1-10; Ps 115; Prov 8:1-3
2019-03-12
Jonah 1:12 NIV
When Jonah boarded a ship going in the opposite direction to God’s will, the crew discovered there’s a high price to pay for allowing the wrong person into your life. So what’s the point? It’s this: God hasn’t authorized you to be somebody else’s life support system. Especially if they’re running from Him, and using you to do it! With Jesus on board you’ll make it through any storm. But when you allow Jonah on board he’ll turn your life upside down, and before it’s over you’ll risk losing everything. Do you seriously think you can fix your Jonah? No. “The Lord…prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah” (v. 17). Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is to wake them and throw them overboard. As long as you keep rescuing them, you get in God’s way. It’s pride that makes us think we can do what only God can do! Look at Jonah – while the crew was desperately throwing stuff overboard, he was sleeping! He didn’t want to be corrected, he wanted to be comfortable! Do you know someone like that? The reason they haven’t changed is because they’re not ready to! Jonah was so stubborn that he stayed in the belly of the huge fish for three days before he prayed. If that had been you, the moment you spotted “Jaws” you’d have been on your knees calling on God, right? This may be hard to hear, but sometimes the best thing you can do for your Jonah – and yourself – is to throw them overboard and let God rescue them.
Soul food: Job 5-7; Luke 16:19-31; Ps 26; Prov 7:26-27
2019-03-11
1 John 3:5 NIV
When you refuse to confront your sins and deal with them, you become a well-marked target for the Enemy. And by looking at someone else and saying, “I would never do that,” you fail to build a safeguard against it. “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT). You never thought you could get that angry, or have an affair, or lie to your boss, or cheat in your finances. And because you never thought you could, you did nothing to protect yourself against it. As sure as fish swim and birds fly, your sinful nature will lead you astray unless you deal with it decisively and scripturally. Paul wrote, “As they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God …[he] gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:28 NIV). The worst thing God could do is to give you over to your own carnal impulses and say, “Have it your way!” It’s amazing how we compare our sins with other people’s sins, and conclude ours aren’t as bad. The Bible says, “All have sinned, and come short” (Romans 3:23). If you try to jump over a deep chasm, it doesn’t matter if you miss the other side by one foot or one hundred feet, you fall just as far and land just as hard. But there’s good news: “He was manifested to take away our sins.” Today Jesus will forgive your sins, declare you righteous, and give you strength if you come to Him with a repentant heart and receive His mercy and grace.
Soul food: Job 1-4; Luke 16:1-18; Ps 24; Prov 7:24-25
2019-03-10
Romans 12:2 NLT
Sometimes our culture markets misinformation and half-truths. And since our parents grew up in that culture, they handed us the same guide for interpreting life. As a result we may have arrived at these three mistaken conclusions: (1) There’s a special person out there who will make me happy. Only God can do that! Hurting people only hurt other people. “Out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 NKJV). (2) When I attain a certain position or accumulate a specific amount of money, I’ll be happy. That’s the old “as-soon-as” myth, and it breeds a life of discontent (See Luke 12:15). (3) I can’t help it; it’s just the way I am. That’s the “I’m-not-responsible” lie, and it will stop you dead in your tracks. If you want to be happy, examine the excuses you keep coming up with to justify your behavior. Here are a few of them: “I’m not the only one!” So what? If everybody does it, does that mean God doesn’t take it seriously? Like a kind of group-sin? “I don’t see any harm in it.” And who gave you the authority to write the rules and play God? “I’ll just try it once.” So if you just try it once, does that mean there’ll be no consequences? What are the lies behind your excuses? Examine them. They’re keeping you in spiritual bondage, and they must be unearthed and removed! The Bible calls this “renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Jesus said once you know the truth, your old belief systems will be exposed and you’ll be set free (See John 8:32). Imagine being free to become all God wants you to be! Isn’t that worth pursuing?
Soul food: Ps 51; Mark 8:34-38
2019-03-09
Zechariah 7:11 NIV
Accept it – some people simply aren’t ready to change! They’ll demand your time and energy, but when you get right down to it, they won’t pay the price for progress. Who are they? (1) People who want to talk but not listen. James speaks about two kinds of people – hearers and doers. “Be…doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). Instead of striving endlessly to meet other people’s needs, try to connect them to the One who can. They should be dependent on the Lord, not you. (2) People who don’t think you’re qualified to help them. Jesus wasn’t respected in His hometown, yet He was the very person they needed (See John 1:11-12). Opportunity doesn’t always knock; sometimes it stands by, waiting to be recognized! When people are unwilling to accept your help and advice, chances are they may not be ready to grow and deal with their problems. (3) People who want what you have, but not what you know. These folks want to be rescued but not instructed; comforted but not corrected. And when you keep bailing them out instead of teaching them how to live, you’re not really helping them. David said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71). Often people have to experience the pain of what’s wrong before they appreciate the wisdom of what’s right. So when it comes to helping people – be discerning.
Soul food: Exo 39-40; Luke 15:11-32; Ps 135; Prov 7:21-23
2019-03-08
Jeremiah 32:33 NIV
There are people you can’t help – at least not right now. Notice what God said about the Israelites: “Though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond.” Now, if God Himself can’t help them, what chance do you have? Let’s look at these people who usually can’t be helped: (1) People who keep making excuses. Excuses are a crutch for lack of commitment and a smoke-screen for self-justification. You can’t help someone until they’re willing to take responsibility for their life and apply the solutions of Scripture. Think: If they won’t listen to God, what difference will your opinion make? (2) People who move in the wrong circles. The Bible says, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT). There are people who simply don’t belong in your life, and you can’t move forward until you break the link that connects you. The company you keep influences your conduct and character, and those two things decide your future. (3) People who blame God for their problems. When trouble comes, they ask, “Why did God allow this to happen to me?” The fact is, you’ll never see God as your solution until you stop seeing Him as your problem. God laid it on the line for His people: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19). If you want to keep from getting discouraged, love people and pray for them, but spend your time with those who are willing to be helped.
Soul food: Exo 36-38; Luke 15:1-10; Ps 27; Prov 7:10-20
