2018-08-27
Daniel 6:27 NLT
One Bible teacher writes: “There have been times when I wanted God to rescue me from certain pits, but He didn’t. Why? Because He wanted me to learn that His grace was sufficient in the pit. The question is never, ‘What will God do when all around me spells destruction?’ The question is, ‘What will I do?’ I may not be able to conquer the lions, but I don’t have to – that’s God’s job. Daniel said, ‘My God sent his angel, and…shut the mouths of the lions…because I was found innocent in his sight’ (v. 22 NIV). I may not be able to stop legislation from being enacted against me, but like Daniel, I can call on my God. ‘He prayed three times a day’ (v. 10 NLT). Stop exhausting yourself fighting the Enemy and the conditions around you; they are too many. Just lean on God and be innocent of the charges made by those who are jealous or afraid because of your position with God and man. God didn’t rescue Daniel from the pit; He delivered him from the power of the enemy while he was in the pit. The lions were still there when Daniel left, waiting for their next victim. But they had no power over him – and as a redeemed child of God they have no power over you either. Daniel went on to prosper in the kingdom, and that’s what God plans for you too.” The Bible tells us, “He rescues and saves his people…He…rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” When you walk with God you can count on Him to protect you.
Soul food: 2 Chr 25-28; Luke 17:11-19; Ps 119:129-136; Prov 22:8-10
2018-08-26
Acts 2:17 NKJV
Jesus was called a “friend of…sinners” (Matthew 11:19). Why? Because He didn’t analyze and label people. He didn’t seek out the well-heeled and well-behaved. He included them, but He didn’t limit Himself to their company. He sought out those who were marginalized and ostracized by society, and reached out to them with God’s love. “But what about their sinful practices?” you ask. “Mightn’t it look like we’re excusing their lifestyle?” One day the Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus, saying, “This woman was caught in adultery, in the very act” (John 8:4 NKJV). Notice what Jesus did; He stooped down to her level and brought her back up to His! Only then did He say, “Go and sin no more” (v. 11 NKJV). The fact is, if people could clean up their act before coming to the Lord, they wouldn’t need Him. The church was born when God’s Spirit was poured out on people from every race, culture, tradition, and background. You can’t have a genuine outpouring of the Spirit where people are alienated and excluded. When the world sees us coming together in unity under one anointing, they’re going to run again to the Upper Room crying, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Paul wrote: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first (the insiders) and also… the Greek (the outsiders)” (Romans 1:16 NKJV). As believers we have the formula for making broken people whole. But before we can share it with them and have credibility, we must first be united by the Spirit.
Soul food: John 10:1-18; Rev 7:13-17; Ps 23; Luke 15:1-7
2018-08-25
2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV
Contrary to what you may think, the ideal environment for your children is not one that’s devoid of problems and trials. Though it’s hard to accept at the time, your children need the minor setbacks and disappointments that come their way. How can they learn to cope with problems and frustrations as adults, if their early experiences are totally without them? Nature tells us this. A tree that’s planted in a rain forest is never forced to extend its roots downward in search of water. As a result, it remains poorly anchored and can be toppled by even a moderate wind. By contrast, the mesquite tree that’s planted in a dry desert is threatened by its hostile environment. How does it survive? By driving its roots down thirty feet or more into the earth, seeking for water. By adapting and adjusting to harsh conditions, the well-rooted tree becomes strong and steady against all assailants. Our children are like these two types of trees. Children who have learned to conquer their problems are better anchored and better able than those who have never faced them. So your task is not to eliminate every challenge your child faces. Rather, it’s to serve as a confident ally on their behalf, encouraging them in their distress, intervening when the threat becomes overwhelming, and being available when the crisis comes. You need to give them the tools with which to handle the inevitable problems and pressures of life. Paul expresses it this way: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us.” Bottom line: We are trained by our troubles.
Soul food: 2 Chr 22-24; Luke 17:1-10; Ps 119:121-128; Prov 22:4-7
2018-08-24
Ephesians 5:18 NLT
Sometimes people get drunk to try to fill an emptiness on the inside. But it doesn’t work. Like the Irishman quipped, “It’s champagne tonight and real pain in the morning!” Recognizing that His disciples wouldn’t survive without Him when He left, Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit” (John 14:16 NIV). Once you understand what the Holy Spirit can do, you won’t want to live a single day without His help. Observe: (1) He will plant your feet on the path of truth (See John 16:13). (2) When you doubt your salvation, He will confirm that you are truly God’s redeemed child (See Romans 8:16). (3) In difficult situations when you don’t know what to say, He will give you the right words at the right time (See Acts 1:8). (4) He will reproduce His nature in you (See Galatians 5:22). This is referred to as “the fruit of the Spirit,” not the efforts of your flesh. Fruit doesn’t struggle to grow; it simply draws life from the tree to which it’s connected and thrives. Paul writes, “Don’t be drunk with wine…that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” You can generally spot someone who is drunk by the way they slur their words and wobble when they walk. When it happens, we say they are “under the influence.” Paul’s point is clear: As a believer, your walk and your talk should be “under the influence” of the Holy Spirit. So today ask God to fill you with His Spirit – and stay topped-up by reading His Word and praying daily.
Soul food: 2 Chr 19-21; Luke 16:19-31; Ps 119:113-120; Prov 22:1-3
2018-08-23
Genesis 37:5 NKJV
First, dreamers are willing to make tradeoffs. When God puts a dream in your heart you’ll have to make certain tradeoffs, like forfeiting popularity for the pursuit of excellence and short-term pleasure for long-term fulfillment. Paul understood this principle: “The Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me” (Acts 20:23-24 NKJV). Second, dreamers aren’t always appreciated. “Joseph had a dream…he told it to his brothers; and they hated him.” Some people won’t appreciate your dream because it reminds them of the dream they never had, or one they abandoned. And when they try to talk you out of your dream, often they’re trying to talk themselves back into their comfort zone. They will present you with every “rational” excuse they’ve ever given themselves. So how should you respond? Love them, help them if you can, but don’t be influenced by those who have given up on their dream. Author John Mason says, “If you move with God you’ll be critiqued. The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing and be nothing.” Third, dreamers are overcomers. Joseph’s dream enabled him to overcome temptation at the hands of Potiphar’s wife, betrayal by his family, false imprisonment, and a lot of other things that cause us to quit. God’s purpose alone should be the stuff of which your dream is made. To discover your dream, get to know yourself: your strengths and weaknesses. Observe where God has placed you, seek His counsel, and look for opportunities and “kingdom connections.” When you do, He will give you a dream for your life and help you fulfill it.
Soul food: 2 Chr 16-18; Luke 16:1-18; Ps 119:105-112; Prov 21:28-31
2018-08-22
Proverbs 23:22 NLT
You don’t learn how to be a parent in school or college, you learn it “on the job.” And you make lots of mistakes, ones you sometimes look back on and cringe. But through it all, you love your children and want only what’s best for them. What’s the point here? If your parents failed you, then you probably have wounds that need to be healed. And God says, “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26 KJV). But don’t fall into the trap of self-pity by buying into the idea that you came from a “dysfunctional family.” Some families are better than others, but all of them have areas of dysfunction. Look back and consider your parents’ circumstances and some of the challenges they faced while raising you, and perhaps you’ll be able to view the mistakes they made with a little more compassion. They are human beings, just as you are; they make mistakes, just as you do. Nobody’s perfect. By showing compassion toward them you’ll be better able to show compassion toward yourself when you inevitably make mistakes with your own children. And – this is important – when your children see you extending grace toward your parents, they’ll be better able to extend it toward you. So if you need to forgive your parents, do it today and move on. Don’t keep bringing it up. Would you like God to keep reminding you of the sins He’s forgiven you for? No? Then try to show that same grace and compassion. And pray for them. Why? Because when you pray for somebody it’s hard to complain about them!
Soul food: 2 Chr 12-15; Luke 15:11-32; Ps 119:97-104; Prov 21:24-27
