2018-12-24
Luke 2:18 NIV
To fully appreciate the story of Christmas, you must look at three things: (1) Who God called to tell the story. Shepherds! In first-century Palestine they were considered to be the lowest in society. Yet God picked them to tell the greatest story. Perhaps that’s because some of us would have debated the story or even denied it. Not them: “They spread the word” (v. 17 NIV). This answers the question, “Could God use someone like me?” Yes, you don’t need to be a scholar. Just tell people what you’ve seen and heard, and the change Jesus has made in your life. (2) The response of those who heard the story. “All who heard it were amazed.” The grace of God is amazing: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV). The gospel is not good advice, it’s good news! Your sin debt is cancelled; your books are reconciled, and now you can have a personal relationship with God by putting your trust in Christ. It doesn’t get any better! (3) Mary’s part in the story. “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 NIV). She wanted to understand what God was doing, and how it related to her. And you need to do that too. God doesn’t change, but He moves, and you have to stay in step with Him. There were many things Mary didn’t understand about God’s will, but she accepted and obeyed it. And that’s what God is asking of you too.
Soul food: Job 21-23; Luke 1:67-80; Ps 128; Ecc 10:5-9
2018-12-23
Galatians 2:20 NIV
If you could change through self-effort, you wouldn’t need the Lord. Plus, any attempt on your part to earn or merit His grace disqualifies you. Why is that? Because you’re striving to be the source of your own salvation, or your own significance, or your own strength. If you want to know what really upsets God – that will do it every time! “So how on earth am I supposed to become more Christlike?” you ask. Die to “self” and allow Christ to live through you! Take a moment to ponder these Scriptures: “Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life…If God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed…God…won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells – even though you still experience all the limitations of sin – you yourself experience life on God’s terms. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself?” (Romans 8:5-11 TM). How can you tell that Christ is alive and working in you? When others look at you they will see Him. When they listen to you they will hear Him. And when they walk with you they will be following Him. “How long does it take to become Christlike?” you ask. It happens a day at a time, over a lifetime.
Soul food: Matt 1; Matt 2
2018-12-22
Psalm 18:28 NIV
God not only redeemed you and called you to serve Him, He also equipped you. Everything you need to fulfill your assignment is in your life right now, just waiting for you to recognize it. Anything that’s unrecognized becomes unappreciated; and anything that’s unappreciated becomes unrewarded; and anything that’s unrewarded eventually leaves your life. During the days of the California gold rush a young couple became obsessed with the quest for gold. They sold their farm and everything they owned and went out West to search for it. Failure after failure, they eventually ended up bankrupt and moved to Europe. Many years later they returned to America and decided to visit their old farm. But when they arrived they found it surrounded by security guards and a high wire fence. When they inquired, they discovered that under their old farm was the second-largest gold reserve in America – and it was now owned by the government. God has placed resources and people all around you that you’re not seeing. Some of the biggest gifts in your life have yet to be recognized because they’re in seed form. And your failure to recognize them is costing you dearly. Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers saying, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Ephesians 1:18 NIV). And David prayed, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18 NIV). Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. There’s treasure in you and around you that you’ll never see until God reveals it to you. And He will, if you seek Him.
Soul food: Job 18-20; Luke 1:57-66; Ps 47; Ecc 10:1-4
2018-12-21
Psalm 56:3 NLT
Underlying your deepest fears – are thoughts. They may be expressed publicly or entertained privately. Either way, you must arrest them and change them. If you don’t, they will capture and control you. One of the most powerful weapons God has given you for conquering fear and worry is the ability to personalize His promises. Here are just a few: “Don’t be afraid…you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression…the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God” (Isaiah 43:1-3 TLB). And what should your response to God’s promise be? “I will be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. I will not be afraid, neither will I be dismayed, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go” (See Joshua 1:9 AMPC). “The Lord’s eye is upon me because I fear him [revere and worship him with awe] and because I trust in his mercy and loving kindness” (See Psalm 33:18 AMPC). “When I am tempted to have a fearful and hasty heart, I will say to myself, be strong, fear not! My God will come…and save me” (See Isaiah 35:4 AMPC). “The Lord is my light and my salvation…whom shall I fear?…when troubles come. He will hide me. He will set me on a high rock out of reach of all my enemies. Then I will…sing his praises with much joy” (Psalm 27:1, 5-6 TLB). Do you want to overcome your fears and worries? Personalize God’s promises!
Soul food: Job 15-17; Luke 1:39-56; Ps 12; Ecc 9:10-12
2018-12-20
2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV
When a pattern of evil passes from one generation to the next, the Bible refers to it as a “stronghold.” David had a problem with lust, which resulted in an affair with another man’s wife. That same spirit passed on to David’s son Amnon, and he raped his sister (See 2 Samuel 13). When David heard about it he was angry, but he did nothing. What could he say? Abraham lied to a heathen king, saying his wife was his sister in order to save his own neck (See Genesis 20). Amazingly, his son Isaac did exactly the same a few chapters later (See Genesis 26). Experts report that children of alcoholic parents are four hundred times more likely to become alcoholic, and over 80 percent of child abusers were themselves abused children. Sometimes you can actually see the pattern coming at you from both sides of the family. But there’s good news. God heals dysfunctional families – and the healing can begin with you! Just because your parents were emotionally frozen doesn’t mean your children have to grow up without affection. God can teach you how to break that stronghold in your family so you can give your kids what you yourself never received. Gideon tore down the altar his idol-worshiping father built (See Judges 6:25) and by God’s grace you can do the same in your family! Pray over your children. Lay your hands on them and declare that the past will not invade the present; that God’s blessings will flow through you to them. Go ahead, do it and see what happens.
Soul food: Job 11-14; Luke 1:26-38; Ps 67; Ecc 7:19-22
2018-12-19
Ephesians 1:11 TM
God’s will isn’t simply for you to survive, but to thrive (See Psalm 35:27 NKJV). Satan will attack you, but he can’t separate you from God’s love or keep Him from blessing you. Satan will lie and say he can, but he can’t. Imagine his frustration over that! When you know God has promised you something, it gives you strength to overcome things others can’t. All the water in the sea won’t drown you as long as it doesn’t get into the boat. It’s what you allow in that hurts you! So guard your heart. Keep your vision alive and it will keep you alive. If you want the prize, be willing to pay the price. The reason many of us fail is because we trade what we want most for what we want now. No; the greater the challenge, the greater the reward that awaits you beyond it. Paul the apostle had his eye on the prize when he wrote, “Stand your ground. And…don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time” (1 Corinthians 15:58 TM). The only thing life owes you is an opportunity to grow. Moses walked away from a palace, Elisha walked away from a farm, and Luke walked away from a medical practice in order to follow God. It’s what you’re willing to walk away from that determines what God can entrust you with. So keep turning the pages, keep pushing ahead, tighten your grip on your God-given purpose. What you don’t have now can be yours in the future if you keep growing, stay focused, and remain faithful.
Soul food: Job 8-10; Luke 1:19-25; Ps 57; Ecc 7:13-15
