2019-01-24
Proverbs 29:17 NKJV
If a corrected child gives you rest, an uncorrected one will give you no rest. You can’t take them anywhere, or leave them anywhere. Solomon says, “He who loves [his son] is careful to discipline him” (Proverbs 13:24 NIV). Child abuse is reprehensible – and so is child neglect. Without discipline, you condition your child for a life of heartache. When they’re stopped by the police for speeding or contacted by the bank for defaulting on a loan, throwing a tantrum won’t get them off the hook. Please think of their future! God disciplines His children; are you wiser than He is? The Bible says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but…Later…it produces…righteousness and peace” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV). A two-year-old shouting “No!” may seem cute today, but wait until he’s seventeen and cursing you out like a drunken sailor. The Bible says, “A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away” (Proverbs 22:15 NLT). Rebellion is part of their DNA, and it’s your job to drive it out. When a parent says, “This is hurting me more than you,” what does a rebellious child think? “Then let’s change places!” Yes, it’s hard to discipline them when your time with them is so limited; but their future is in your hands. A child without boundaries is like a house without walls. It’s like living in a carport; there’s no protection from outside influences. Nobody feels safe. So talk to God today. He’s a father – He has children of His own and He will help you to raise yours right.
Soul food: Rom 9:17-11:36; Luke 5:27-39; Ps 100; Prov 3:7-8
2019-01-23
2 Peter 1:13 NIV
A pole vaulter only discovers how high he can jump when he clears the bar. Then he sets it higher. God does that too. He stretches your faith to what seems like your breaking point. Pastor and author Jon Walker says: “At one point I sensed God stretching my faith. Specifically, He told me to stop receiving a regular paycheck and start living by faith…So with radiant certainty that God would provide because He told me He would, I did what He said and started looking for His provision. I kept a log of every way God took care of me, and the list grew joyfully impressive. God was moving me from a tentative ‘I hope it will happen,’ to a certain ‘I know this will happen.’ Yet within months I was literally staggered with doubt. I’d lost my focus…and started scrambling for ways to generate income…believing it was my responsibility to make things happen because God may or may not come through…You may be further along than I am in learning to trust God; then again, you may have experienced exactly what I’m describing.” Understand this: A faith that cannot be shaken comes only from a faith that has been so severely shaken that it is now sure, certain, and steadfast. Our greatest concern is getting our needs met, but God’s greatest concern is developing our faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). That’s why Peter wrote, “I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth…It is right to refresh your memory” (2 Peter 1:12-13 NIV). So, keep reminding yourself that God is faithful.
Soul food: Rom 7:1-9:16; Luke 5:12-26; Ps 96; Prov 3:5-6
2019-01-22
Mark 5:17 NLT
The Bible says when “those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs…the crowd began pleading with Jesus to…leave them alone” (vv. 16-17 NLT). They had just witnessed an astounding miracle, yet here they were “pleading with Jesus to leave them alone.” Maybe they were afraid He’d interfere with their livelihood, like He did with the owner of the pigs. Or they thought He was so powerful and unpredictable they didn’t want Him messing with their lives. Either way, they wanted no part of what Jesus had to offer. “Leave me alone, God!” Maybe you haven’t used those exact words, but are there areas in your life you’d just as soon He didn’t get involved in? Pastor Mark Roberts says: “If we put into words our secret thoughts, mightn’t they sound something like this: ‘You can have me when it comes to my family life, but leave me alone at work.’ Or, ‘You’re welcome to touch my public actions, but don’t mess with my daydreams.’ Or, ‘I’m willing to give You a tithe of my income, but leave the rest of my money alone.’ Or, ‘I’m happy to have You in my life, Jesus, but don’t ask me to forgive my parents.’ Or, ‘I want You to be my Lord…but I want to hang on to certain areas of behavior…to keep on sinning in certain ways and resist You when it comes to certain relationships.” God wants all, not just a part of you. He wants to be Lord of every aspect of your life – including those areas where you’d like to be left to your own devices.
Soul food: Rom 3:21-6:23; Luke 5:1-11; Ps 91; Prov 3:3-4
2019-01-21
Psalm 90:1 NKJV
David wrote: “Some of you were lost in the scorching desert, far from a town. You were hungry and thirsty and about to give up. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord, and he rescued you…he brought you to a town” (Psalm 107:4-7 CEV). Our souls need a place where we’re at rest; a place where we can lay down our worries, weariness, and frustrations. “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2 NIV). Recognizing that our souls need a place to call home, Jesus said, “Live in me. Make your home in me” (John 15:4 TM). Notice, He doesn’t invite you as a visitor, but a family member enjoying all the benefits that go with it. “How do I enter into this dwelling place?” you ask. If someone gave you a beautiful home, how would you take possession of it? You’d make sure the giver was serious, inspect the necessary paperwork, then move in and enjoy it. Is the Lord serious when He says to us, “Live in me”? Yes. Is your name on the required biblical “paperwork”? Yes. Then by an act of your faith, pack up and move in today. Poet S. T. Coleridge wrote, “Faith is an affirmation, and an act, that bids eternal truth be present fact.” Turn your faith into “present fact” and declare, “The Lord is now my permanent, secure dwelling place.” Repeat it as often as needed. Claim the promise: “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.”
Soul food: Rom 1:1-3:20; Luke 4:31-44; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 3:1-2
2019-01-20
1 John 1:7 NKJV
Blood is the one element that reaches every part of the body. Its precious cargo of oxygen and nutrients carries life, energy, nourishment, and healing. The white cells function like paramedics, cleansing wounds and healing disease. They serve as a militia fighting off potential attackers. There’s a spiritual lesson here! We each need the life-giving blood of Jesus to cleanse us, protect us, and sustain us. And we need it every day. The Bible says, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light…the blood of Jesus Christ…cleanses us from all sin.” That means as you continue to walk with Jesus, His blood continues to cleanse you from all your sin. Ask any doctor: Blood determines who a child’s real father is. And the blood of Jesus proves you are God’s redeemed child; otherwise you’re just a pseudo-heir trying to receive promises reserved for members of the family. Every one of our heavenly Father’s blessings flows to His children through the blood. It’s what enables each of us to stand before Him, righteous and qualified to receive His blessings. Thank God for the emphasis on the Holy Spirit today. But unless we understand that God accepts us because He sees us through the blood, we’ll be empowered but insecure, using our spiritual gifts but living under needless condemnation. Counselor, tell your hurting clients that by the power of Jesus’ blood they can tear down every stronghold in their family and break every chain that links them to the past. Take a moment today to thank God for the blessings of Jesus’ blood.
Soul food: Judg 16:23-31; 2 Cor 12:3-10
2019-01-19
Philippians 3:13 NLT
In order to move forward with confidence on your life’s journey, you need a reliable road map. In the Bible this is called a dream or a vision. For Moses, it was leading God’s people out of slavery and into the Promised Land. For Florence Nightingale, it meant bringing healing and hope to wounded and dying soldiers in Crimea. For Thomas Edison, it was illuminating the world with incandescent light. The fact is, anyone who ever made a difference in life started with a dream, and eventually it became their life’s passion. For the publishers of this devotional, it’s putting God’s Word into the hands of as many people as possible in every nation on earth! How can you tell if your vision is from God? It will bless you and benefit others. Now, if your dream is only to live in a mansion and accumulate a fortune for yourself, don’t count on God to underwrite it. Furthermore, your dream is worth only what you’re willing to pay for it. Inspiration without perspiration is just a daydream. Forty percent of the people you meet have great ideas, but all they do is talk about them. Another 40 percent work hard and would be willing to give their all for a great dream – but they don’t have one. Only the remaining 20 percent have a dream and the faith to make it come true. And even if you’re part of that group, there are no guarantees you’ll succeed. But you have a good chance – better than 80 percent of those around you. So go ahead – dare to dream.
Soul food: Isa 63-66; Luke 4:14-30; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 2:21-22
