2018-09-14
Romans 12:18 NIV
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 NKJV). Notice, God promised to bless peacemakers, not peace lovers. There’s a difference. Peacemakers pay the price; peace lovers enjoy the benefits. Sometimes you’ve got to confront people before you can comfort them. Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple because they were charging unfair exchange rates to those who bought lambs and turtledoves to offer as sacrifices to God. In most cases these were people who could least afford it, so Jesus decided to get involved. One of the names given to God is Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord is our peace” (See Judges 6:24). “Shalom” doesn’t denote the absence of trouble, but the peace of God in the midst of it. When we have an issue with someone, Jesus said we should take certain steps. First, go and try to resolve it privately. If that doesn’t work, take someone with you who can help. If that fails, take it to the church leadership. And if the person still refuses to be reconciled, then love them and leave them in God’s hands (See Matthew 18:15-17). It may not be a How-to-Win-Friends-and-Influence-People approach to conflict resolution, but it’s God’s way. Paul said, “If…possible…live at peace with everyone.” For example, Paul was willing to forgo eating certain foods that were offensive to others (See 1 Corinthians 8:13), but he wasn’t willing to tolerate troublemakers in the church (See Romans 16:17). So you must know when to make waves, and when to make peace.
Soul food: Neh 1-4; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 23:26-28
2018-09-13
2 Corinthians 10:12 TM
If you’ve lost your joy in serving the Lord, maybe it’s because you’re comparing yourself to others and trying to be like them. Paul said, “Do your own work well…don’t compare yourself” (Galatians 6:4 CEV). Paul continually dealt with critics. And his response was always the same: Avoid comparisons, resist exaggerations, and seek only God’s commendation. He refused to be distracted by criticism, or compare his ministry, or engage in fruitless debates. Author John Bunyan said if his life was fruitless it didn’t matter who praised him, and if it was fruitful it didn’t matter who criticized him. Speaker and writer Anne Peterson adds: “Kill the dragons of comparison… When I see something that ruffles my feathers I pray for that person. It’s easier when I’m honest with God – He knows how I feel anyway. Then I begin to praise Him…I sing old hymns…they’re loaded with truths about the Lord. Instead of wondering when I’ll attain the thing I’m working toward, I dwell on the wonderful things God has already done. Contentment is available as long as we keep our eyes on the King of Kings.” An unknown poet wrote: “The stick I made for measuring, I used most every day. It helped me to compare myself with others on my way. I watched all those behind me, or further down the road, and I would readjust my pace or lighten up my load. The most important drawback with how I ran my race, was watching everything around – except my Savior’s face!”
Soul food: Col 3-4; Philemon; Luke 21:1-11; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 23:22-25
2018-09-12
Galatians 6:4 CEV
Nothing will destroy your peace of mind faster than comparing. It shows a lack of understanding and makes you “behave unwisely” (2 Corinthians 10:12 AMPC). Cain measured himself against his brother Abel, and it ended in murder. When the disciples compared notes to see who among them would suffer and who would be spared, Jesus told them, “That is not your business” (John 21:23 NCV). Observe: (1) Comparisons can make you feel superior, which leads to pride. Remember the Pharisee who made a great show of thanking God because he was better than everybody else? (See Luke 18:11). Pride was Satan’s downfall; that’s why he loves it when you struggle in the same trap. (2) Comparisons can make you feel inferior, which leads to low self-esteem and keeps you focused on yourself. You overlook the truth that “God doesn’t play favorites” (Acts 10:34 GWT) and start believing He’s withholding things that are rightfully yours. Society creates a sense of entitlement; then Satan reminds you of all the people who’ve already attained what you want, which propels you further down the road to discontentment. Anne Peterson says: “Satan’s lies have a little truth mixed in, which makes them harder to recognize. We need to refute them by saturating ourselves with the truth…it’s only by learning the Scriptures that we can sort them out.” (3) We attempt to bring God down to our level by comparing how He’s working now with how He worked in the past. Stop trying to figure God out, and trust Him! “The way [God] work[s] surpasses the way you work, and the way [He] think[s] is beyond the way you think” (Isaiah 55:9 TM). Instead of comparing, start using and appreciating what God has blessed you with.
Soul food: Col 1-2; Luke 20:41-47; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 23:19-21
2018-09-11
Philippians 2:7 NLT
Jerusalem was surrounded by walls, and one of the ways into it was through Valley Gate. When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls, we’re told: “The people…rebuilt Valley Gate” (Nehemiah 3:13 CEV). In the Christian life there has to be a place for both “mountaintop experiences” and “valley experiences.” Let’s take another look at a well-known Scripture: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles [that’s elevation]; they shall run, and not be weary [that’s acceleration]; and they shall walk, and not faint [that’s duration]” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV). And when you don’t have the strength to do any of these things, Paul says, “Having done all…stand” (Ephesians 6:13 KJV). There’s a season in your life for all these experiences and you must embrace it. The Bible says Jesus “took the humble position…Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor” (vv. 7-9 NLT). Luke records that Jesus “took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them” (Luke 24:30 KJV). Blessed and broken – that’s still God’s pattern. Why? So you can handle His blessings and remain humble. You’re in trouble when you’re more conscious of your image than of your need for God. That’s why He allows you to walk through situations that bring you to the place of utter dependence on Him. You have to be taken, blessed, and broken, before you can be given away in service to others. In God’s Kingdom the way up is down!
Soul food: Josh 22-24; Luke 20:27-40; Ps 27; Prov 23:16-18
2018-09-10
2 Peter 3:18 KJV
There are two things that help determine personal growth: (1) Your relationships. The Bible says, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (Amos 3:3 NLT). The company you keep will lift you, level you, or lower you. A lady wrote this letter to an advice columnist: “In my last year of school my English teacher took an essay I’d written and tore it apart in front of the class. I was humiliated – I felt dumb. That was years ago, and I’ve never forgotten it.” In a few short seconds the wrong person diminished this woman’s sense of self-worth for a lifetime. (2) Your reflections. When a Sunday school teacher asked a little girl, “Who made you?” she replied, “God made part of me.” The teacher asked, “What do you mean?” The little girl replied, “God made me little – and I growed the rest of myself.” God holds us responsible for our personal growth. The Psalmist wrote, “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:99 NKJV). The word “meditation” means “reflective thinking.” Like a crock pot, meditation allows your thoughts to slowly simmer until they’re done. Most of us would rather act than think. But as Socrates observed, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Reflective thinking is uncomfortable for a variety of reasons. For instance, we have difficulty staying focused. We find the process dull, and we don’t particularly enjoy spending time reflecting on difficult issues. But if you don’t carve out time for reflection and meditation, you won’t mature. You won’t grow in the “grace and…knowledge” you need to succeed. It’s that simple.
Soul food: Num 29:1-6; Matt 24; Rev 11:15-19; 1 Cor 15:50-58
2018-09-09
Matthew 6:1 AMPC
Jesus reserved His harshest condemnation for those who did good deeds “in order to be seen.” He flipped on the spotlight and exposed every self-righteous mole and pimple. He called them hypocrites, the original Greek for “actor.” First-century actors wore masks. So a hypocrite is someone who puts on a mask, a false face, and performs for the applause of others. Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t do good works.” Nor did He say, “Don’t let your good works be seen.” We must do good works, and some of them must be seen in order to have impact. So let’s be clear. To do a good thing is a good thing. To do good to be seen is not. In fact, to do a good thing to be seen is a serious offense. Here’s why. Hypocrisy turns people away from God. When God-seekers see singers strut like Las Vegas entertainers…when they hear the preacher – a man of slick words, dress, and hair – play to the crowd and exclude God…When church attendees dress to be seen and make much ado over their gifts and offerings…When people enter a church to see God yet they can’t see God because of the church, don’t think for a second that God doesn’t react. Jesus was clear on this issue: “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding” (Matthew 6:1 TM). Today let God be seen – not you.
Soul food: John 14:6-11; Acts 4:8-12; Acts 16:22-34; John 3:13-21
