2019-01-22
Mark 5:17 NLT
The Bible says when “those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs…the crowd began pleading with Jesus to…leave them alone” (vv. 16-17 NLT). They had just witnessed an astounding miracle, yet here they were “pleading with Jesus to leave them alone.” Maybe they were afraid He’d interfere with their livelihood, like He did with the owner of the pigs. Or they thought He was so powerful and unpredictable they didn’t want Him messing with their lives. Either way, they wanted no part of what Jesus had to offer. “Leave me alone, God!” Maybe you haven’t used those exact words, but are there areas in your life you’d just as soon He didn’t get involved in? Pastor Mark Roberts says: “If we put into words our secret thoughts, mightn’t they sound something like this: ‘You can have me when it comes to my family life, but leave me alone at work.’ Or, ‘You’re welcome to touch my public actions, but don’t mess with my daydreams.’ Or, ‘I’m willing to give You a tithe of my income, but leave the rest of my money alone.’ Or, ‘I’m happy to have You in my life, Jesus, but don’t ask me to forgive my parents.’ Or, ‘I want You to be my Lord…but I want to hang on to certain areas of behavior…to keep on sinning in certain ways and resist You when it comes to certain relationships.” God wants all, not just a part of you. He wants to be Lord of every aspect of your life – including those areas where you’d like to be left to your own devices.
Soul food: Rom 3:21-6:23; Luke 5:1-11; Ps 91; Prov 3:3-4
2019-01-21
Psalm 90:1 NKJV
David wrote: “Some of you were lost in the scorching desert, far from a town. You were hungry and thirsty and about to give up. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord, and he rescued you…he brought you to a town” (Psalm 107:4-7 CEV). Our souls need a place where we’re at rest; a place where we can lay down our worries, weariness, and frustrations. “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2 NIV). Recognizing that our souls need a place to call home, Jesus said, “Live in me. Make your home in me” (John 15:4 TM). Notice, He doesn’t invite you as a visitor, but a family member enjoying all the benefits that go with it. “How do I enter into this dwelling place?” you ask. If someone gave you a beautiful home, how would you take possession of it? You’d make sure the giver was serious, inspect the necessary paperwork, then move in and enjoy it. Is the Lord serious when He says to us, “Live in me”? Yes. Is your name on the required biblical “paperwork”? Yes. Then by an act of your faith, pack up and move in today. Poet S. T. Coleridge wrote, “Faith is an affirmation, and an act, that bids eternal truth be present fact.” Turn your faith into “present fact” and declare, “The Lord is now my permanent, secure dwelling place.” Repeat it as often as needed. Claim the promise: “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.”
Soul food: Rom 1:1-3:20; Luke 4:31-44; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 3:1-2
2019-01-20
1 John 1:7 NKJV
Blood is the one element that reaches every part of the body. Its precious cargo of oxygen and nutrients carries life, energy, nourishment, and healing. The white cells function like paramedics, cleansing wounds and healing disease. They serve as a militia fighting off potential attackers. There’s a spiritual lesson here! We each need the life-giving blood of Jesus to cleanse us, protect us, and sustain us. And we need it every day. The Bible says, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light…the blood of Jesus Christ…cleanses us from all sin.” That means as you continue to walk with Jesus, His blood continues to cleanse you from all your sin. Ask any doctor: Blood determines who a child’s real father is. And the blood of Jesus proves you are God’s redeemed child; otherwise you’re just a pseudo-heir trying to receive promises reserved for members of the family. Every one of our heavenly Father’s blessings flows to His children through the blood. It’s what enables each of us to stand before Him, righteous and qualified to receive His blessings. Thank God for the emphasis on the Holy Spirit today. But unless we understand that God accepts us because He sees us through the blood, we’ll be empowered but insecure, using our spiritual gifts but living under needless condemnation. Counselor, tell your hurting clients that by the power of Jesus’ blood they can tear down every stronghold in their family and break every chain that links them to the past. Take a moment today to thank God for the blessings of Jesus’ blood.
Soul food: Judg 16:23-31; 2 Cor 12:3-10
2019-01-19
Philippians 3:13 NLT
In order to move forward with confidence on your life’s journey, you need a reliable road map. In the Bible this is called a dream or a vision. For Moses, it was leading God’s people out of slavery and into the Promised Land. For Florence Nightingale, it meant bringing healing and hope to wounded and dying soldiers in Crimea. For Thomas Edison, it was illuminating the world with incandescent light. The fact is, anyone who ever made a difference in life started with a dream, and eventually it became their life’s passion. For the publishers of this devotional, it’s putting God’s Word into the hands of as many people as possible in every nation on earth! How can you tell if your vision is from God? It will bless you and benefit others. Now, if your dream is only to live in a mansion and accumulate a fortune for yourself, don’t count on God to underwrite it. Furthermore, your dream is worth only what you’re willing to pay for it. Inspiration without perspiration is just a daydream. Forty percent of the people you meet have great ideas, but all they do is talk about them. Another 40 percent work hard and would be willing to give their all for a great dream – but they don’t have one. Only the remaining 20 percent have a dream and the faith to make it come true. And even if you’re part of that group, there are no guarantees you’ll succeed. But you have a good chance – better than 80 percent of those around you. So go ahead – dare to dream.
Soul food: Isa 63-66; Luke 4:14-30; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 2:21-22
2019-01-18
1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV
Jack Eckerd, founder of the Eckerd drugstore chain, which was the second-largest drug chain in America at the time, became friends with Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship. He introduced Colson to various influential groups in Florida in an effort to bring about change in the state’s prison system. During their travels together, Chuck had an opportunity to share with Jack his new-found faith in Jesus Christ. He gave some books to Jack, including his own, and eventually prayed with him to become a Christian. Shortly after, Jack happened to be walking down the magazine aisle in one of his stores when he noticed two pornographic magazines on the rack. The presence of the magazines had never bothered him before, but now it did! Jack called the president of his company and told him, “Take those magazines out of my stores.” The president argued, “But we make a profit of three million dollars a year on those magazines.” Jack insisted, “Take ’em out.” And so it was that all such magazines were removed from his seventeen hundred drugstores in one day. When Chuck Colson asked Jack about his decision, he replied, “Why else would I give away three million dollars? The Lord wouldn’t let me off the hook.” And when you are committed to following Christ and living by the principles of Scripture, God won’t let you off the hook either. So let it be said of you, what Paul said of the believers in Thessalonica: “Your faith…has become known everywhere…how you turned…from idols to serve…God.”
Soul food: Isa 58-62; Luke 4:1-13; Ps 89:1-14; Prov 2:20
2019-01-17
2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV
There are two kinds of criticism: constructive criticism and destructive criticism. One builds you up and the other tears you down. Be wise in how you respond to unfounded criticism and gossip. When your critic wants to remain anonymous, they’re not worthy of your response. The story’s told of a pastor who received a letter that contained only one word – FOOL! Next Sunday he held it up and said to the congregation, “I received the strangest letter this past week.” He read the one-word text and said, “Somebody wrote it and forgot to sign it!” You say, “But they are attempting to hurt my reputation.” D. L. Moody said, “If I take care of my character, God will take care of my reputation” (See Isaiah 54:17). Any time you’re involved in a worthy cause, people will not only try to beat you down, but keep you down. In training Timothy for ministry, Paul told him to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Difficult people are placed in our path not to defeat us, but develop us. Leaders know this, so they stay and finish the job regardless of the cost. Just like the captain goes down with the ship, the true leader stays until the work is done. You say, “Then how should I respond?” By praying for them! Jesus said, “Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you…and you will be sons of the Most High” (Luke 6:28, 35 NKJV).
Soul food: Isa 53-57; Luke 3:21-38; Ps 84; Prov 2:16-19
