2025-12-01
Hebrews 4:15 MSG
Emotions – we all have them. Some we enjoy, some we endure. The question is, what does God say about how we should handle them? “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2 NKJV). “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger… be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31 NKJV). “Be… full of sympathy toward each other” (1 Peter 3:8 TLB). God has appointed designated seasons for us to weep, laugh, mourn, love – and even hate (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
Does He demand that we instantly and completely control all our emotions? No. Instead He makes Himself available to transform our hearts and character, so we can manage our emotions in ways that exalt Him. Rather than providing a manual on emotional self-management, He comforts, encourages, convicts, and reorients us by patiently inviting us to do this: “Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you” (1 Peter 5:7 TLB).
Even painful feelings can provide opportunities to develop a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father. It also helps to remember that we’re created in the image of an emotional God, and His Word indicates that He sees our feelings as fundamentally good. Even anger, an emotion commonly deemed pejorative, can glorify Him when we handle it in unselfish ways. It’s not about what we feel, it’s how we handle those feelings. And God can give us the grace to turn any emotion into an attribute that glorifies Him.
Soul food: Josh 16:1-19:23; John 16:1-11; Ps 130; Prov 28:21-24
2025-11-30
Proverbs 29:20 NIV
When you speak too quickly, you can send the wrong signal and get results you don’t want. This is particularly so when you’re negotiating for the best deal. Speaking impulsively, and overtalking, are not signs of strength but of weakness and insecurity.
Here is a story that illustrates the point: A young computer salesman named Kurt was delighted when one of his business clients expressed interest in buying a used computer system – one that Kurt had installed two years ago but that had recently been replaced with an upgrade. After careful consultation with his head office, Kurt fixed a price of $800,000.00 for the used system and documented in writing all his reasons for requesting that amount. As he sat down to negotiate, he heard an inner voice saying, “Wait. Let them do the initial talking.”
The buyers quickly filled the silence with a long rundown of their own research about this particular computer system’s strengths and weaknesses, the age of the equipment, and the need for new software. “Can you throw upgraded software into the deal?” one of the buyers asked. “Sure,” Kurt offered. The buyers then said, “We will give you $950,000.00 for the system, but not a penny more.”
Less than an hour later, the paperwork was signed, and Kurt walked away with a much better deal than he ever imagined, having said little more than thank-you. The apostle James writes, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19 NIV).
Soul food: Jer 31:31-37; Heb 8:1-13
2025-11-29
Proverbs 25:28 NIV
In Bible times cities were built with high walls around them for protection. Why? Because an enemy strong enough to tear down those walls was strong enough to take the city. Now you understand this Scripture: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
An anonymous poet wrote “The Man in the Glass.” Here it is: “When you get what you want in your struggle for self, and the world makes you king for a day, just go to the mirror and look at yourself, and see what that man has to say. For it isn’t your father or mother or wife who judgment upon you must pass, the fellow whose verdict counts the most in your life is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum and call you a wonderful guy, but the man in the glass says you’re only a bum if you can’t look him straight in the eye. He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, for he’s with you clear to the end. And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test, if the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life and get pats on the back as you pass, but your final reward will be heartaches and tears if you’ve cheated the man in the glass.”
The Bible says, “The fruit of the Spirit is… forbearance [self-control]” (Galatians 5:22 NIV). And the best way to have self-control is to submit to “Spirit control.”
Soul food: Josh 14-15; John 15:18-27; Ps 65; Prov 28:17-20
2025-11-28
Matthew 9:36 NKJV
Was God telling him to stay in London rather than go to China? Thomas Barnardo had come to London for missionary training, only to have a ten-year-old child show him a rooftop where eleven homeless boys were sleeping. Barnardo was “moved with compassion,” and set out to find temporary lodging for them. Other midnight tours revealed more homeless youths – as many as seventy-three in one night. China would have to wait; God had given him London.
Barnardo sold some three hundred thousand copies of the Scriptures in public houses and marketplaces to raise money for his work among the children. He was often persecuted for defending them, even sustaining physical injury. When a cholera epidemic hit London in 1866, he worked tirelessly, only to see thousands die. Some would have quit in discouragement, but not Barnardo. He eventually opened a Home for Destitute Boys, and later, a Village for Girls. Through the next several decades, he built numerous homes and villages that cared for some sixty thousand abandoned children, and became known as “the father of nobody’s children.” And happily, he lived long enough to see seventeen of the young people he rescued enter the ministry and take the gospel to foreign lands.
You say, “How can I be sure God is calling me to a particular need?” Because you will be moved with compassion. “When He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said… ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest'” (vv. 36-38 NKJV).
Soul food: Josh 11-13; John 15:5-17; Ps 14; Prov 28:13-16
2025-11-27
Romans 8:12 NLT
“Heavenly Father, your Word says: ‘The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore… you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live’ (vv. 11-13 NLT).
I’m tired of struggling with this habit, and acknowledge that I’m powerless over it. So, I make a commitment now to surrender my will to you. Give me power to not only say no to Satan’s temptation, but to say an even stronger yes to you and your plan for my life. You know the void I’m trying to fill. Take away my desire for this habit, and help me to withstand the cravings. Teach me how to walk in triumph day by day instead of thinking I can solve this problem right away.
Your Word says if the Son makes me free, I shall be free indeed (See John 8:36). Your Word says I can be more than a conqueror through Him who loved me (See Romans 8:37). Your Word says, ‘Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires’ (Romans 13:14 NLT). Clothed in your presence and power, I will begin to walk in victory over this habit each day.”
Soul food: Josh 8:30-10:43; John 14:26-15:4; Ps 146; Prov 28:9-12
2025-11-26
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Here are four benefits of a true friendship: First, a true friend is someone who, when you feel like you have made a mess out of things and a fool out of yourself, still believes in you and reassures you that you haven’t done permanent damage. The Bible says, “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NLT).
Second, a true friend is someone who is there when the good times are not. The Prodigal Son discovered to his hurt that when your money runs out, many of your so-called friends go with it.
Third, a true friend is someone who gets in your way when you are on your way down. James writes: “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins” (James 5:19-20 NLT). Solomon writes, “An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5-6 NLT).
Fourth, a true friend is someone who comes in when the world walks out. The Bible says, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need” (Proverbs 17:17 NLT).
If you have friends like this in your life, treasure them – they’re a gift from God. And don’t just be a taker, be a giver. Go out of your way to be a true friend to someone else.
Soul food: Josh 5:1-8:29; John 14:15-25; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 28:5-8
