2018-11-30
1 Peter 1:7 NLT
The tests we face reveal both our weaknesses and our strengths. When the Bible speaks of “a refiner’s fire” (Malachi 3:2), we’re inclined to think of the negative things God wants to remove from our character. But we also have inner strengths and gifts that need to be refined but we’re not aware of them because a demand hasn’t been placed on them. In 1 Kings 17, when the widow and her son met Elijah there was a famine in the land, and he asked her to share their last meal with him. Maybe you’re thinking, “Typical preacher!” Don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions! One of the best days in this woman’s life was when God placed a demand on her faith. Her response changed her future and saved her family. So when you’re faced with a need, how do you respond? Do you withdraw? Withhold? Give from a sense of obligation? Or do you see it as an opportunity to obey God and change your future? You can actually give your way out of trouble! (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). When God sent Moses to Pharaoh, He said, “The king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him” (Exodus 3:19 NIV). And today God may be permitting the Enemy to test you in order to reveal: (1) how much He cares for you; (2) how you’ll act when your back’s against the wall; (3) who you’ll believe when God says, “I will bring you out with a mighty hand,” and the Enemy is saying, “I won’t let you go.” That’s what this test is about.
Soul food: Gen 24:1-25:18; John 14:15-25; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 31:14-17
2018-11-29
Proverbs 13:22 NKJV
The word “inheritance” is used 203 times in the Bible, so God must think it’s important. Solomon writes, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” In man’s kingdom your “net worth” is the sum total of all you own. But in God’s kingdom your net worth equals the sum total of all you’ve given away. What you don’t share is lost forever, but what you put into God’s hands becomes an eternal keepsake. Moses Montefiore was the first Jew to hold high office in London. He was knighted Sir Moses by Queen Victoria in 1837 – the same year he was elected Sheriff of London. In later life he became famous for his philanthropy. He made seven trips to the Holy Land, the last at age ninety-one. His love for the Holy Land was evidenced by his financing of a textile factory, a printing press, a windmill, and several agricultural colonies in Palestine. On his one hundredth birthday the London Times devoted its editorials to his praise. He amassed a fortune through business ventures and real estate acquisitions. But when a reporter asked him about his net worth, he named a figure that was much less. “Surely your net worth must be more than that!” the reporter said. Sir Moses replied, “You didn’t ask me how much I own, you asked me how much I’m worth. So I calculated how much I have given to charity. We are worth only what we are willing to share with others.” What’s your net worth? In God’s eyes, it’s the sum total of all you have given away.
Soul food: Job 36-38; Luke 2:34-40; Ps 139:1-12; Ecc 11:4-6
Hebrews 12:2 MSG
Concerning Jesus, the Bible says: “Because he never lost sight of where he was headed…he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever…When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again” (vv. 2-3 TM). It’s your vision that fuels your passion. Ever notice how God often transforms the worst of sinners into His greatest servants? That’s because they’re passionate, and once that passion is harnessed and redirected they become effective in His kingdom. Now you understand why the Enemy has tried so hard to destroy you. He knows once you line up your passion with God’s plan, there will be no stopping you. Passion is spiritual energy; without it you’re as limp as a wet noodle and as bland as hospital food. So instead of trying to stifle your passion, let God redirect it. Jesus told the end-age church, “You are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!” (Revelation 3:15 NLT). Who is He speaking to? Professing Christians who live, marry, have children, buy cars, accumulate stocks, and do all the things their modern-day counterparts do, but without passion. They were simply going through the motions! The Bible says, “Taste and see” (Psalm 34:8); in other words, step up to the plate and swing the bat! So what if you miss? The fact is you’ll miss for sure if you don’t swing! Your instinct for self-preservation can rob you of the only chance you may ever get at life. So if you’re down today, get back up. If you failed, try again. Ask God to rekindle the fires of passion within you.
Soul food: Gen 20-23; John 14:1-14; Ps 118:10-18; Prov 31:10-13
2018-11-28
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
To succeed in life you need two things: (1) The right people. Sometimes the first step toward getting out of discouragement is finding somebody who can lift you. Don’t be like the guy who was about to jump off a bridge when a policeman approached him and said, “Surely nothing could be that bad. Tell me about it.” When the guy got through talking – they both jumped! You may smile, but the company you keep will either lift you up or pull you down. Paul wrote, “God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:6 NIV). You need a Titus in your life, and you need to become a Titus to others. The Bible says, “Bear…one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). (2) The right perspective. Over half of all salespeople fail because they don’t go back a second or third time. About 58 percent make one call and stop. Twenty-five percent make two calls and stop. Fifteen percent make three calls and stop. The 12 percent who go back again and again and again make 80 percent of all sales. That’s the group you belong in. Don’t settle for failure; get up and try again! God will work with you (See Philippians 1:6). Missionary and theologian E. Stanley Jones said, “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.” Refuse to accept defeat. Remember, you’ll be rewarded for what you finished, not for what you started. Sometimes the last key on the ring is the one that opens the door, so ask God for the strength to keep persevering until you win!
Soul food: Gen 17-19; John 13:31-38; Ps 118:1-9; Prov 31:6-9
2018-11-27
Proverbs 18:24 MSG
One day two cows looked over a fence and saw these words on a passing milk truck: “Pasteurized, Homogenized, Vitamin A added.” One cow said to the other, “It makes you feel a bit inadequate, doesn’t it?” Seriously, is that how you feel today? There’s too much to do, and not enough of you to do it? Or you don’t think you have the skill or resources? Remember the old Beatles song: “When I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody’s help in any way…Help me if you can, I’m feeling down, and I do appreciate you being round. Help me get my feet back on the ground; won’t you please, please help me?” In a perfect world Adam still couldn’t make it by himself, so God said, “I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18 NIV). Sometimes the solution requires more than prayer or counseling; it requires a friend who understands – especially one who has fought the same battles and won. In Acts chapter three God used Peter and John to bring about the healing of a lame man sitting at the temple gate. But there was another miracle earlier that day. Peter had just denied Jesus, fallen flat on his face, and decided to return to his old fishing job. But John refused to let go of him. As a result, Peter was restored, a lame man was healed, and three thousand people were won to Christ. You don’t need a lot of people in your life; you just need the right people. So ask God for a “true friend” who will stick by you; then you do the same for someone else.
Soul food: Gen 13-16; John 13:18-30; Ps 114; Prov 31:1-5
2018-11-26
2 Kings 2:9 NKJV
In the Old Testament, “Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?’ Elisha said, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’ So he said, ‘You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so'” (vv. 9-10 NKJV). Elisha received his “double portion,” and went on to perform twice as many miracles as his mentor Elijah. The key phrase here is: “If you see me when I am taken from you!” In other words, “Stay close to me and you can have it.” Notice the four places to which Elisha followed Elijah: (1) Gilgal. That’s where the Israelites were circumcised, which involves “cutting off the flesh” (See Joshua 5:8). You must be led by God’s Spirit and say no to your carnal nature – that’s “a hard thing” to do. (2) Bethel. That’s where Jacob had a heavenly vision (See Genesis 28:19). Unless you have a vision that’s born of God, you’ll drift aimlessly through life. (3) Jericho. That’s where Joshua had a face-to-face encounter with God and prayed, “What saith my Lord unto his servant?” (Joshua 5:14). It’s only when you surrender to God that you experience victory. (4) Jordan. Because the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea, it represents death. So be prepared to attend your own burial – every day (See 1 Corinthians 15:31). Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20 NIV). Do you want a double portion of God’s spirit? You can have it if you meet the conditions.
Soul food: Gen 10-12; John 13:1-17; Ps 95; Prov 30:29-33
