2018-12-10
Hebrews 12:3 NIV
Do you remember the old hit song by Elvis Presley, “Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes”? You won’t get too far in life before somebody does that very thing, and steps on your toes. But before you get discouraged and throw in the towel, take another look at the life of Jesus. Though He was perfect in all ways, He was criticized continually. His enemies called Him a “glutton and a drunkard” (Matthew 11:19 NIV). They even accused Him of being possessed by a demon (See John 8:48). Yet He never allowed bitterness or discouragement to defeat Him. To Him, every obstacle was an opportunity to demonstrate grace and grit. His heart was broken by those He loved, yet He understood and comforted others. He saw disease as an opportunity to heal those who were sick; hatred as an opportunity to love His enemies; temptation as an opportunity to overcome the carnal impulses we all deal with; and offenses as an opportunity to forgive. He went through life turning trials into triumphs – and He’s our example. The Bible says, “Consider him who endured such opposition…so…you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Pick up your Bible and reread His teachings. In His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst…Live generously and graciously toward others” (Matthew 5:43-48 TM). That’s how Jesus lived – and that’s how He wants you to live too.
Soul food: Gen 42-43; John 18:19-40; Ps 148:1-6; Ecc 5:1-3
2018-12-09
Ephesians 4:31 NKJV
In 1882 a New York businessman named Joseph Richardson owned a narrow strip of land on Lexington Avenue. It was 5 feet wide and 104 feet long. Another businessman, Hyman N. Sarner, owned a normal sized lot adjacent to Richardson’s skinny one. He wanted to build apartments that fronted the avenue, so he offered Richardson a thousand dollars for the slender lot. Richardson was deeply offended by the low offer and demanded five thousand dollars. Sarner refused, and Richardson called him a tightwad and slammed the door on him. Sarner assumed the land would remain vacant and instructed the architect to design the apartment building with windows overlooking Richardson’s land. But when Richardson saw the finished building, he resolved to block the view; no one was going to enjoy a free view over his lot! So seventy-five-year-old Richardson built an apartment building on it, 5 feet wide, 104 feet long, and four stories high. Upon completion he and his wife moved in. Only one person at a time could ascend the stairs or pass through the hallway. The dining table was eighteen inches wide. A newspaper reporter of some girth once got stuck in the stairwell, and after two tenants were unsuccessful in pushing him free he exited only by stripping down to his undergarments. The building was dubbed “the spite house.” Richardson and his wife spent the last fourteen years of his life there. In 1915 it was torn down. Revenge builds a lonely house with only enough space for one person. The lives of its tenants are reduced to one goal: Make someone miserable. They do. Themselves!
Soul food: Matt 4:21-22; Matt 17:1-9; John 19:25-27; John 21:20-24
2018-12-08
Romans 12:6 AMPC
God has given you certain relationships, skills, experiences, and attributes that He wants you to use to fulfill His purposes. He used a beauty pageant to position Esther as Queen of Persia and stop the genocide of the Jews. He used Nehemiah’s diligence as the king’s cupbearer to position him for royal favor that would parlay into rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. He used David’s musical ability to give him access to the king of Israel. He used Joseph’s imprisonment and his ability to interpret dreams to save two nations from famine. He used the zeal of a mass murderer named Saul of Tarsus to spread the gospel via three missionary journeys while writing half the New Testament. And if God used them, He will use you too. And He wants to. In fact, He’s cultivating talents within you that will serve His kingdom purposes in ways you are unaware of right now. It may be your God-given athletic abilities or music proclivity that God uses to give you a platform to give Him praise. It may be your creative genius. It may be your idiosyncrasy. It could just be your good old-fashioned work ethic. No matter what it is, it’s a gift from God that is to be used for God. Success is doing the best you can, with what you have, where you are. It’s not based on circumstances, wealth, power, or platform. It’s not based on past experience or future potential. It’s stewarding every opportunity, in every way, every day. So today, use what God has given you.
Soul food: Gen 40-41; John 18:1-18; Ps 147:12-20; Ecc 4:9-12
2018-12-07
Isaiah 50:7 NLT
In a small Wisconsin town on the southern shore of Lake Superior, the annual dogsled derby was about to begin. The racers were all children – from older boys with several dogs and big sleds, to one little boy who had only a small sled and a dog. On the signal, the sleds took off and the little fellow was soon so far behind that he hardly seemed to be in the race at all. Then about halfway through the race when the second-place team tried to move into first place, the sleds got too close and the dogs began to fight. As each of the other sleds in the race came upon the fight, more dogs got involved. The scene was soon one big seething knot of kids, sleds, and dogs. All thought of racing had vanished from the minds of the racers. However, the one little guy and his dog managed to skirt the others and went on to win the race. RightPath founder and business coach Jerry Mabe tells employers that when they hire managers, they should look out for “shiny object” people. Why? Because like children, they are easily distracted by other things and the job suffers under their watch. To succeed you must stay focused on what’s important, and pursue your goals without wavering or hesitating. Keep your eyes on the finish line, trusting God to help you. He will. His Word says so: “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.”
Soul food: Gen 37-39; John 17:1-26; Ps 147:1-11; Ecc 3:5-8
2018-12-06
Habakkuk 3:18 NKJV
Pastor Jim Penner says: “I’ll never forget…as an eight-year-old sitting on the step when my mother opened the door to two men who handed her some papers…As tears rolled down [her] cheeks it didn’t take me long to figure out what happened. Money was tight…the bank hadn’t been paid and…our car was repossessed. I also carry with me another image I cherish to this day of my mother praying in her room. In the face of fear two words came through…’Thank You! Thank You!’ I thought, ‘Thank you? You just lost your car; we have no money; what’s going to happen to us?’ Her prayer continued, ‘Thank You, God, for what You’ve provided…and that we have something to eat tonight’…So it went…fifteen minutes, maybe more. Looking back, I gained a lifetime of wisdom in those precious minutes. My mother taught me an attitude of gratefulness in the midst of adversity that I’ll never forget…The tough times didn’t end overnight…but in the years to come God blessed my mother for her steadfast faith.” Gratitude isn’t a natural response to adversity; it’s a discipline you develop. The Psalmist said, “Forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). In the midst of trouble, when you don’t think God has blessed you, sit down and recall His faithfulness and you’ll end up filled with joy. Habakkuk said, “Fig trees may not grow…there may be no grapes on the vines…no olives…no food growing in the fields…no sheep in the pens and no cattle in the barns. But I will still…rejoice in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NCV). When you take time to give thanks for the blessings in your life, it will change your outlook and attitude.
Soul food: Gen 35-36; John 16:19-33; Ps 2; Ecc 3:1-4
2018-12-05
1 Peter 5:7 TLB
In the movie Limitless, actor Bradley Cooper discovers a wonder drug that opens up the entire capacity of his brain. He can learn languages and complex math in a fraction of the time it takes normal people. He can recall almost anything he’s read or seen. He can analyze more quickly and more in-depth than the best financial gurus. He is limitless. And he leverages his ability to earn millions of dollars and achieve great success. You’re probably thinking, “Where can I get some of those pills?” Seriously, today over 50 percent of people are stressed out by their relationships. Over 60 percent are stressed out by their work. Over 70 percent are stressed out by money. If you’re saying, “I’ve hit the trifecta!” here’s the word for you today: “Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” You say, “If you saw my schedule, you’d know why I’m at the breaking point.” Who sets your schedule each day? One of three people will. Either somebody else is going to set your schedule, or you are going to set your schedule, or you can go to God and ask Him to set your schedule. One of the reasons God allows us to reach the breaking point is to force us to come to Him for guidance, for strength, and for direction. There’s plenty in life that you can’t handle, but there’s nothing in life you and God can’t handle together. The secret is in handling only the things God wants you to handle, and entrusting the rest to Him.
Soul food: Gen 32-34; John 16:1-18; Ps 130; Prov 31:28-31
