2019-01-28
Romans 6:1 NKJV
How should we answer those who say that talking too much about God’s grace causes people to think they have a license to sin? By pointing them to God’s Word: “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (vv. 1-2 NKJV). Note the words “died to sin.” As you feed your new nature and starve your old one, it begins to die. You become less interested in pleasing yourself, and more interested in pleasing God. Paul said, “For the love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NKJV). Paul was not compelled by the fear of losing his salvation, but by the need to respond to God’s grace which he had experienced. He said, “The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14 NAS). The Greek word for “world” is kosmos, or “order.” A revelation of God’s grace caused the world order to lose its appeal to Paul, and he to lose his appeal to them. When properly understood, the grace of God does not prevent godliness, but produces more of it. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14 NKJV).
Soul food: Ecc 1-4; Luke 6:27-36; Ps 107:1-9; Prov 3:13-18
2019-01-27
James 1:8 NKJV
If you’re afraid to make a decision in case it’s wrong, read this Scripture: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally…and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (vv. 5-8 NKJV). President Reagan enjoyed telling the story of how he learned to make firm decisions. When he was a boy, his aunt sent him to a cobbler to have a new pair of shoes made for him. When the shoemaker asked, “Do you want a square toe or a round one?” he hemmed and hawed, so the cobbler said, “Come back in a day or two and tell me what you want.” Later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked what he had decided about the shoes. “I haven’t made up my mind yet,” he answered. “Very well,” the cobbler said, “your shoes will be ready tomorrow.” When Reagan got the shoes, one had a round toe and the other a square toe! Reagan said, “Looking at those shoes every day taught me a lesson. If you don’t make your own decisions, somebody else will make them for you.” Worst case: If you get it wrong, you’ll learn what not to do next time. Bottom line: To succeed in life you must pray for wisdom, and then make a decision.
Soul food: Eze 47:1-12; Rev 21:22-22:5
2019-01-26
Matthew 28:19 NKJV
Unless you are committed to following Christ in every area of your life, baptism just means you go down into the water dry and come up wet and unchanged. Note carefully what Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (vv. 19-20 NKJV). In baptism you publicly declare that you are trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for your salvation. But it means more than just being immersed in water. It calls for: (1) Being immersed in the principles of Christ. “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Note the words “all things.” This is not an à la carte menu where you pick what’s palatable to you and leave the rest. Incomplete obedience – is disobedience. (2) Being immersed in the purposes of Christ. “Go…and make disciples.” The new birth can take place in an instant, but discipleship requires that you follow Jesus twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year. (3) Being immersed in the presence of Christ. “Lo, I am with you always.” This calls for cultivating a sense of His presence in all you do. His abiding presence should govern you, motivate you, and focus you on doing His will.
Soul food: Rom 15-16; Luke 6:17-26; Ps 104:24-35; Prov 3:11-12
2019-01-25
Exodus 4:12 NIV
Sometimes we excuse someone’s critical attitude by saying, “Oh, his bark is worse than his bite.” True, a dog’s bite can hurt, but so can a dog’s bark. It can traumatize a child and leave them filled with fear. Think about the comparison; do you want to be likened to a dog? Sometimes it’s necessary to confront someone in order to set healthy boundaries for your own good, or to keep them out of harm’s way. But Jesus spoke with compassion much more often than He spoke with confrontation or condemnation. Writing about her early experience as a believer, Karen Casey Arneson says: “I reentered the kingdom scarred and bleeding, hoping to find healing for my wounds. And I did find some who bathed my bite marks and bound up my old wounds. I also found out there were cannibals in Christendom…though you mightn’t recognize us…we’re the sweetly smiling sisters who bite your back when you turn away…The nosy Nancys who come sniffing around for the scent of some juicy morsel of gossip…God warns, ‘If you bite and devour one another…you [will] be consumed by one another’…Strength to resist our natural appetites comes through satisfying our hunger at another source…The Psalmist says, ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8). The nature we feed is the nature that grows strong…and without vigilance we can easily fall into old habits. A little snacking on this one, a little taste of that one…and before we know it – we’ve unleashed the cannibal within. While we’re called to help our brothers and sisters caught in sin, we’re also cautioned to ‘watch…or you also may be tempted’ (See Galatians 6:1 NLT).”
Soul food: Rom 12-14; Luke 6:1-16; Ps 104:1-23; Prov 3:9-10
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
