2018-10-14
John 8:27 NKJV
The people in Jesus’ day found it hard to grasp the concept of God as a Father. Lord, king, judge, they understood – but not Father. The Old Testament rarely speaks of God as Father, whereas the New Testament mentions it often. Until Jesus came and revealed the Father, He remained a mystery. “No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27 NIV). And many of us still don’t comprehend His fatherhood and the rich blessings we have in Him. “Father,” God’s all-inclusive name, incorporates everything we could ever need, while disclosing how He feels toward each one of us. It exemplifies every trait of the best father imaginable. Think what a loving, all-powerful father would do for a needy child. Your heavenly Father will do all that for you – and then some! When you recognize God as your Father, your fears dissolve and you start to believe that all your needs will truly be met. Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid…it gives your Father great happiness to give you the [benefits of His] Kingdom” (Luke 12:32 NLT). It makes God happy to offer you the resources of His kingdom! Why? Because He loves you as much as He loves His Son Jesus! Jesus prayed you’d know with confidence that your Father “loved [you] in the same way [He has] loved me” (John 17:23 TM). As His redeemed child, you have all the benefits that come with membership in “the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19 KJV).
Soul food: Heb 11:22; Gen 39:1-23; Gen 45:1-11; Gen 50:15-26
2018-10-13
Song of Solomon 4:12 NCV
A farmer’s fruit tree consistently produced bumper crops and became a real money-maker for him, so he put all his efforts into marketing and never noticed that the tree was dying. Then one day he woke up and realized the root had dried up. He’d been so focused on the fruit that he neglected the root. How about you? Are you focusing on numbers and outcomes, or are you focusing on the purpose, people, innovation, culture, and root of your success? Nurture the root and you’ll always have fruit. Ignore the root – say goodbye to the fruit! One author writes: “Like a plant constrained in the same pot, our roots become bound and twisted. Over time we’re unable to be fully nourished. We can’t grow beyond the limits of our environment. In the words of Scripture, we become ‘like a garden locked up…a walled-in spring, a closed-up fountain.’ But God sees the person inside…the one with potential to become everything He created you to be. He sees the impending bloom of the locked garden, the refreshment of the inner spring, and the sound of the running fountain. He knows you’re inhibited and closed, and He wants to set you free. Some hardships like death and divorce cause a necessary replanting…an opportunity to establish deeper roots and realize our potential in a new container. Ask God to replant you…to gently remove you, free you from captivity, and find the perfect place for you to grow. Let Him nourish your roots so they extend into the rich soil of newfound freedom.
Soul food: Exo 19-21; John 2:12-25; Ps 110; Prov 26:13-16
2018-10-12
Luke 6:46 NIV
Jesus told a story of two men who built a house. The wise one built his house on solid rock; the foolish one built his on sand. When a storm hit both houses, only the wise man’s was left standing. Now, Jesus wasn’t comparing wisdom with foolishness, because we’re all apt to be wise at times and foolish at others. And He didn’t say the house that survived was a believer’s house while the one that was destroyed belonged to an unbeliever, though that’s implied. He was comparing the two foundations (See Matthew 7:24-27). So, what is your life founded upon? When things get bad; when your back is against the wall; when your survival is on the line; when you’ve used up your last ounce of strength – what is it that gets you through? Certainly not your wisdom or your church affiliation. Faithful believers sometimes flounder in the midst of life’s storms: an abusive relationship, a financial collapse, an unfaithful partner, an irreversible loss, the illness of a child, psychological and physical disability, etc. Jesus’ point was this: When the storms of life come, the only way to get through them is to do what He says! Because God always honors His Word, your obedience aligns you with His Word, His will, and His power to act on your behalf. As you walk in obedience God will enable you to come through this storm, no matter how long and hard it rages.
Soul food: Exo 16-18; John 2:1-11; Ps 23; Prov 26:10-12
2018-10-11
Galatians 6:5 TM
Sally managed a small marketing company, and when problems arose she automatically looked for a scapegoat. At sales meetings she berated and criticized her co-workers, choosing to call her tirades “pep talks.” Her associates began to resign in droves, and when company revenues declined Sally blamed it on the slow economy, inefficient staff, and bad working conditions. Finally her boss had enough and fired her. Blame-shifting was how Sally survived. It never occurred to her that she may have contributed to the problem, in even a small way. Blaming others undermines your ability to “take responsibility for…your own life.” One expert writes: “Instead of becoming stronger you become weaker. People think if they admit to being part of the problem it means they’ve failed in some way. In reality the opposite is true. It takes strength to concede that everyone involved played a part. Another side effect of blame throwing is self-righteousness. In your mind you become unassailable, different, and better than others. You think you’re the strong one and other people are flawed. Nothing could be further from the truth; the Bible says, ‘The bigger the ego, the harder the fall” (Proverbs 16:18 TM). When you blame others you lose your ability to see what’s really going on. And you’re shocked when you lose a relationship or a job because you never saw it coming…When you stop blaming others you develop compassion. You realize mistakes are natural and inevitable – and they’re just mistakes. They can be corrected. It doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you or other people.” So: “Take responsibility for…your own life.”
Soul food: Exo 13-15; John 1:43-51; Ps 131; Prov 26:7-9
2018-10-10
Romans 14:12 KJV
Ever seen a flamethrower in the movies? It’s a fiery torch designed to destroy people. “Blame throwers” do the same. When life doesn’t go their way, instead of taking responsibility for their decisions and actions they blame others. And there’s no shortage of scapegoats. For example: My business would have succeeded if the banker had loaned me more money…I wanted to be part of the ministry team but my husband didn’t like the idea…The doctor botched the operation. But when it comes to blame-shifting, there’s no wiggle room as far as God’s Word is concerned: “Every one of us shall give account of himself.” The problem with blame-shifting is that it stops you from taking constructive action and moving on with your life. As psychologist Dr. Brenda Shoshanna observes: “Each person you blame is holding on to a piece of your personal power and self-respect…Taking responsibility for what’s happening in your life is one of the most empowering things you can do. New choices become available…your anger is reduced…you see people and events with new eyes. Remember, responsibility can also be read as response-ability: the ability to respond instead of reacting.” No question – it can be intimidating to take charge of your life, but you’ll be amazed at the joy and freedom it brings. Will you make mistakes along the way? Of course! Will you stumble and fall? Sure! But there’s nothing like that feeling of stepping out in faith, and with God’s help taking the next step.
Soul food: Exo 10-12; John 1:29-42; Ps 29; Prov 26:4-6
2018-10-09
Exodus 3:5 NKJV
Jewish scholars used to debate why God revealed Himself to Moses in the middle of the desert. Why not a highly populated or religiously significant place? The consensus was that God wanted to show “that no place on earth, not even a thorn bush, is devoid of God’s presence.” Pastor and author A. W. Tozer wrote: “God is above, but He’s not pushed up. He’s beneath, but He’s not pressed down. He’s outside, but He’s not excluded. He’s inside, but He’s not confined. God is above all things presiding, beneath all things sustaining, outside all things embracing, and inside all things fulfilling.” And here’s the best part: “God…works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 NKJV). Today God is living within you, working within you, and giving you a desire to do the things that please Him. And here’s an interesting thought. Since God lives within you, don’t go anywhere that you know He wouldn’t be pleased to go, or get into situations you know He wouldn’t be pleased to be in. When you feel wrong about being with a certain person, or in a certain place, pay attention. It may be the Holy Spirit telling you that you don’t belong there and you shouldn’t be doing that. Is God being narrow-minded? No; He wants only the best for you, so He’s protecting you from harm. The Bible says, “For the Lord God is a…shield…no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11 NKJV). Today wherever you go, remember that God is there!
Soul food: Exo 7-9; John 1:14-28; Ps 92; Prov 26:1-3
