2019-02-15
Galatians 2:20 NIV
We live in a time of commitment-phobia. We want to get as much as we can while giving back as little as possible. We want to be there for others in good times but not bad ones. And our lack of commitment is reflected in the statistics. The marriage rate is down while the divorce rate is up. Involvement in church and participation in compassionate causes are both down. We’re becoming a society that fears putting itself on the line or being pinned down by responsibility and obligation. To escape the awkwardness and embarrassment of saying no, we avoid our obligations and responsibilities by simply being elsewhere when we’re needed. And we’re a “sound bite” generation with attention spans geared to fifteen-second commercials. We prefer our sermons simple, entertaining, and above all, short! Radical commitment is rare – but it’s what God wants from us! The Bible says, “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it” (Ecclesiastes 5:5 NIV). How about commitment to marriage? God doesn’t see it as a 50/50 arrangement, but one where both sides give 100 percent. It’s a sacred covenant made before God between a man and woman, “for better or worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; until parted by death.” And it works best when both partners have learned to say with Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” That’s radical commitment, and it’s the way to a great marriage.
Soul food: Gen 40-41; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 28; Prov 5:3-6
2019-02-14
1 Thessalonians 5:12 NLT
If you want to encourage your pastor: (1) Cut the criticism. Most workers are evaluated each year based on their job performance; pastors are evaluated every week. Remember, if a particular sermon doesn’t scratch where you itch, chances are somebody else needs to hear it. (2) “Remember your leaders who taught you the word” (Hebrews 13:7 NLT), and pray for their spiritual growth. Goethe said, “If you treat a person as he is, he’ll stay that way. But if you treat him as what he ought to be, he’ll become what he ought to be and could be.” (3) Write a note. Especially when something your leader says or does ministers to you. Verbal encouragement is good, but a note can be read many times over. (4) Put your talents to work. For example, if you’re mechanically inclined, service the pastor’s car. If you’re technologically savvy, help them improve their computer skills. Instead of saying, “You need to do this,” say, “I’d like to help by doing.” Ask where your skills are most needed and become an active participant. (5) Squash gossip. James said, “If you…don’t control your tongue…your religion is worthless” (James 1:26 NLT). Counter negative talk with positive comments, and correct misinformation with truth. If all else fails – walk away! (6) Be openly responsive. Nothing encourages leaders like seeing people respond to their preaching and teaching. (7) Lose the measuring stick. Instead of expecting them to be a mirror image of their predecessor, thank God for your pastor’s individual style to minister to those in need.
Soul food: Gen 37-39; Luke 10:1-12; Ps 5; Prov 5:1-2
2019-02-13
James 4:8 NKJV
Author Reimar Schultze writes: “No man can become much like God, accomplish much for God, be intimate with God, be used much of God, unless he has learned to be much alone with God…and what a classroom you’ll find yourself in. You won’t become a carbon copy of other Christians, because there’ll be no one in the class but you and God. In church you can say, ‘This isn’t for me; perhaps it’s for someone else’…Here time is designed to meet your particular needs, to equip you in your unique calling…to fine-tune you…to draw the foolishness out of you…and mold you into His likeness. He may start with a chisel, but eventually He will only need sandpaper…Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear my voice and…follow me’ (John 10:27). He’ll not only teach you to hear His voice…He’ll show you what’s hindering you from hearing it. He’ll teach you as quickly as you surrender to Him, yet slowly enough so you don’t miss a lesson. He’ll teach you what it means to be yoked together with Him and to walk at His pace and in His time. Of course the Devil will fight you every step of the way. He’ll give you rational and religious excuses to delay [but you don’t have to act on them]. Resist him! He’s a liar and a deceiver…There’s a price to be paid for neglecting God. Some have lost children and grandchildren to the world, endured hardships, disappointments, financial crisis, and marital breakups…Some of our lives revolve around getting ahead, instead of getting around God…Repent and start doing the right thing now – you’ll never regret it.”
Soul food: Gen 35-36; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 149; Prov 4:25-27
2019-02-12
Romans 5:20 NIV
Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, once visited an attorney who was a hardened alcoholic. Confined to bed because of violent behavior, the man had no choice but to listen to their stories of recovery. But as soon as they started talking about a “Higher Power,” the attorney shook his head and said, “It’s too late for me. I still believe in God but I know He no longer believes in me.” How sad – and misguided! Are you worried that God won’t accept you because of your sins? You don’t have to be! Paul says, “Where sin increased, grace increased…more.” And he should know, because before his Damascus Road conversion he was “Public Sinner Number One” (1 Timothy 1:15 TM). Afterwards God used him to reach the world with the gospel (See Acts 17:2). “Grace” was so central to Paul’s message that he mentions it in the very beginning of all his Epistles. That’s because he understood that by trying to stand on your own merit before a Holy God, every time you mess up you feel like a failure – unloved, unworthy, and unaccepted. Psychologists say we try to conform to the image of us that’s seen by the most important person in our lives. So can you imagine what would happen if you started seeing yourself as God sees you? The truth is, you’re His redeemed child and He sees you through the blood of Jesus, which cleanses all your sins (See 1 John 1:9). There’s nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make Him love you less! And that’s the good news!
Soul food: Gen 32-34; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 145:14-21; Prov 4:23-24
2019-02-11
Numbers 14:24 NIV
If Caleb was alive today there’s a good chance he’d qualify for “Person of the Year,” someone who has done the most to influence circumstances for the better. Here’s his story in his own words: “I was forty years old when Moses…sent me…to explore the land… I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed…God wholeheartedly…that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance’…So here I am today, eighty-five years old…as strong…as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me…Then Joshua blessed Caleb…and gave him Hebron as his inheritance…because he followed the Lord…wholeheartedly” (Joshua 14:7-14 NIV). You can learn valuable lessons from a man like Caleb. His life can be summed up in four sentences: (1) He had “a different spirit” from those around him. He was positive, a glass-half-full kind of person. (2) He believed that with God’s help every giant that stands in your way can be conquered, even when others say they can’t. (3) He had a vision that neither age nor circumstances could diminish. And he was willing to wait and work for it even though it took forty-five years to fulfill. (4) In old age he remained young at heart and totally committed to God. So ask God to give you the spirit of Caleb.
Soul food: Gen 30:25-31:55; Luke 9:37-45; Ps 145:1-13; Prov 4:20-22
2019-02-10
Psalm 75:7 NLT
If you don’t find your significance and self-worth in your relationship with God, you’ll be tempted to spend your life trying to promote yourself. And that will make you insecure – and dangerous. Why? Because when others get promoted ahead of you, you’ll become resentful; you may even try to tear them down. In God’s kingdom you don’t achieve success on your own, you receive it from God. “God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another” (KJV). While David’s brothers were striving to be Israel’s next king and “get the nod” from the prophet Samuel, David just kept tending his sheep and doing the job God gave him. Let others compete and compare! Just stay faithful in what God has given you to do – and when the time is right He’ll come and get you! Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Note the word “easy.” When you try to promote yourself, you have to sweat, strain, and struggle, but when you trust God and do things His way, it comes “easy.” That doesn’t mean you won’t have to work hard or sacrifice in order to succeed. It just means you won’t have to strive to get it, or keep it. Why? Because when God sets “before you an open door” (Revelation 3:8 NIV), He’s the only one who can shut it. And He won’t do that unless, like King Saul, you’re rebellious, resentful, or refuse to repent. Knowing God is in control takes the strain out of serving Him. When you think about it – it’s the only way to live.
Soul food: Gen 28:1-30:24; Luke 9:28-36; Ps 141; Prov 4:18-19
