2019-04-16
Luke 23:33 NKJV
The word “Calvary” appears only once in the New Testament, but what happened there changed our destiny. In spite of the myths and misunderstandings, the truth is clear and life-changing. Let’s look at it. First, Calvary was voluntary. Those who watched it thought Jesus was a victim of circumstances beyond His control: the collusion of Jewish hatred and Roman might. How wrong! Jesus rejected Peter’s well-intentioned but misguided defense, saying, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 NIV). Jesus could have chosen to live without hardship, pain, or death. No one coerced Him into going to the cross. He said, “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again” (John 10:18 NLT). Calvary was certainly unjust and unfair. But it wasn’t assassination, it was atonement! His enemies intended Calvary to end His life, but Jesus intended it to save us from a lost eternity. And after they had done their worst and failed to stop Him, Peter confronted them on the day of Pentecost with this victorious truth: “In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him” (Acts 2:23 GNT). Even the Father didn’t force Him. Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all [people]” (1 Timothy 2:6 NIV) – including you!
Soul food: Dan 11-12; Luke 22:63-71; Ps 16; Prov 10:15
2019-04-15
Psalm 56:4 AMPC
David said, “On God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?” And David should know, because God enabled him to defeat a lion, a bear, and a giant. The story is told about the man who approached a farmhouse and every few yards he noticed signs that read, “Beware of Dog.” When he finally reached the farmhouse, he discovered the dog was a tiny Chihuahua. “You mean to tell me that little dog keeps people away?” he asked. The farmer smiled and said, “No, but the signs do!” Fear roars like a lion, but much of the time when we confront it, it’s just a Chihuahua! The truth is, you can face anything when you know God has promised: “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13). So instead of fearing the worst, start believing God for the best. And you do that by personalizing His promises: “[There is nothing to fear], for I am with you…I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; I…will hold you up” (Isaiah 41:10 AMPC). “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose” (Romans 8:28 AMPC). Don’t let fear get the upper hand. Instead of giving in to it, stand on the Word of God and believe He’s going to bring you through your circumstances and make you stronger.
Soul food: Dan 8-10; Luke 22:54-62; Ps 103:13-22; Prov 10:14
2019-04-14
Nehemiah 4:6 AMPC
In San Diego there’s a famous attraction called SeaWorld. If you go there you can see ducks on roller skates. But when you get close to them, you realize that their hearts aren’t in it! You may smile, but a lot of people are like that – just going through the motions. Don’t be one of them! If you want your life to count, find a cause greater than yourself and give your all to it! Do you recall the story of Nehemiah? He risked life and limb in order to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Even though faced with threats and obstacles, he finished the job in record time. How did it happen? Because “the people had a heart…to work.” An 1828 copy of Webster’s Dictionary defines “courage” as “that quality which enables us to face difficulty and danger…without fear or depression.” Then Webster adds the words of Moses as he transferred leadership of the nation to Joshua. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (See Joshua 1:9 NKJV). At age one hundred and twenty, Moses was still telling the people of Israel, “Ya gotta have heart!” Why? Because anything worth having is worth fighting for! It takes “heart” to deal with a child’s willful defiance, or face your own fears, or pick up the pieces of your life and start over. It’s easy to talk about what’s wrong, but it takes “heart” to do something about it. And where does that kind of courage come from? God! So talk to Him today.
Soul food: Ps 118:19-29; Matt 21:1-16
2019-04-13
Psalm 103:7 NIV
Let’s listen again as Moses talks to God. “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13 NIV). Israel was in a crisis that threatened their relationship with God, but what did Moses pray for? Not, “Lord, You’ve got to resolve it for me!” Instead he prayed, “Teach me Your way so I may know You.” He wanted more than just information about God, he wanted intimacy with Him: to know His heart and mind – how He thought and felt about the situation. Why? Because knowing God and having His favor would bring all the other things he needed, including a solution to the crisis. And God gave him what he asked. “He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.” God responded to Moses’ request, saying, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV). In the Hebrew text “you” is singular. God promised to accompany Moses and give rest to only him. Anybody else would have accepted gladly, but not Moses! His prayer surpassed his own concerns: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (v. 15 NIV). In other words: “Lord, it’s not me I’m praying for, it’s us!” Question: Are your prayers bigger than yourself and your own needs? The Bible says, “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). So pray that your family, your town, and a lost world will not perish but have everlasting life!
Soul food: Dan 5-7; Luke 22:47-53; Ps 103:1-12; Prov 10:13
2019-04-12
Exodus 33:12 NIV
We’ve witnessed Moses talking with God like a friend, saying what he truly felt and thought, and God wanted it that way. Let’s listen in on their conversation. When Moses said, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people’…You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me'” (v. 12), he was mirroring back to God what God had just said to him. Do you remember saying to your spouse or friend, “You were the one who said [fill in the blank]”? That’s what Moses was doing here – reminding God of His own words. The truth is, God wants you to remember His promises and speak them in prayer. Not because He needs reminding, but because we do; plus His Word is the only word He’s obligated to fulfill (See Jeremiah 1:12). When you verbalize God’s Word in prayer, you’re praying in His will and you’re guaranteed a favorable hearing. So memorize Scriptures that relate to your needs and desires. Clothe your petitions in His promises. For example, when you say, “Lord, You said whatever I ask for in prayer, believing that I have received it, You will do it for me” (See Mark 11:24 NIV), it empowers your praying. The more you learn of God’s Word, the more your prayer time will conform to His will and the more closely aligned you’ll feel with Him. Keep your Bible handy when you talk to God so He can direct your thoughts to the words He wants you to pray.
Soul food: Dan 3-4; Luke 22:39-46; Ps 130; Prov 10:12
2019-04-11
Exodus 33:11 NLT
When you talk to a friend, you’re unguarded and relaxed. No need to “mind your P’s and Q’s.” You can say what you think without fear of being judged. That’s how Moses and God talked to each other – like two friends who were trusting and transparent. They said what they felt and thought. The Israelites had just created a golden calf to worship, and God was angry enough to disown them and pick some new friends. Moses had a major crisis on his hands, and he engaged God in a serious conversation. In essence he told God, “You see it one way and I see it another way. And your perspective is making me very uncomfortable.” Sounds like a candid exchange between friends, right? He wasn’t being disrespectful, he was opening his heart. God and Moses knew each other well enough to speak “face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Do you pray like that? No posturing; just a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend you trust and feel close to. That’s what God wanted with Moses, and what He wants with you! Religious-sounding clichés and the usual run-of-the-mill prayer request list can undermine your opportunity to connect deeply and personally with God. Open up to Him instead. Get down to the nitty-gritty where you talk honestly about where you’re coming from and what you feel, think, and desire. That’s what being friends with God is all about!
Soul food: Dan 1-2; Luke 22:24-38; Ps 127; Prov 10:11
