2018-08-15
2 Samuel 6:9 NKJV
In the Old Testament the most recognized symbol of God’s presence was the ark of the covenant. Wherever the ark was, God’s presence was there. But Israel allowed the Philistines to steal it. There’s an important lesson here. Satan is out to rob you of your sense of God’s presence! Israel lost the ark for one reason – disobedience. You always lose your sense of God’s presence at the point of disobedience. What is God telling you to do, or stop doing? He won’t negotiate, compromise, or overlook disobedience; you must deal with it before you can go forward. David asked, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” because all efforts to bring it back to Israel had failed. Somebody suggested putting it on a new cart. Somebody else suggested they get Uzzah (whose name signifies strength) and Ahio (whose name denotes brotherliness) to drive the cart (See v. 3 NKJV). Most folks thought this was a great plan, but God didn’t. So much for people’s opinions! David had the best of intentions, but they didn’t line up with God’s will. God had already told Israel that the ark must be carried on the shoulders of anointed priests. In other words, those who knew how to: (a) walk in balance; (b) walk in love and unity; (c) walk in obedience. Are you getting the message? If you treasure God’s presence in your life and want to protect it, apply these principles.
Soul food: 1 Chr 19:1-23:20; Luke 13:1-17; Ps 119:49-56; Prov 21:4-6
2018-08-14
Matthew 7:11 KJV
The cross proves how much God loves you. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not…freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). And “all things” means all things! If it’s promised in God’s Word, it’s God’s will – so refuse to settle for less. But you must be single-minded in your approach or it won’t work (See James 1:6-8). The Psalmist said, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after” (Psalm 27:4 KJV). Tell God exactly what you want. And if you’re walking in obedience and seeking to please Him, be confident when you come before Him. “If our heart condemn us not …we [have] confidence towards God” (1 John 3:21 KJV). But be careful; guilt undermines faith! When you permit sin into your life you become uncomfortable in God’s presence, and it’s hard to believe for the results you want. So deal with it immediately. Miracles happen to the believing – so get back into a position where you can confidently believe God for the thing you need. He hasn’t changed His plans for your life. Circumstances and seasons change, but “God’s word of promise…is for ever settled in heaven and is always fulfilled” (See Isaiah 40:8). Jesus said, “How much more shall your Father…give good things to those that ask him.” Note the words “good things.” That sounds like another Bible promise. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11 KJV). And if God says no, it’s because it wouldn’t be “good” for you. Trust Him – He has something better in mind for you.
Soul food: 1 Chr 16-18; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 119:41-48; Prov 21:1-3
2018-08-13
Psalm 37:23 NKJV
Elijah’s destiny was to stand on Mount Carmel, call down fire from heaven, and deliver Israel from idolatry. But he could only get there one step at a time. That’s how God works. First God sent him to a brook at Cherith (which means “covenant”). At some point in your spiritual journey you must discover that God is a covenant-making, covenant-keeping God. He miraculously dried up the Jordan River, made an axe-head float, and caused fish to swim into an empty net – proving that when He makes a promise He keeps it. When God sent Elijah to Cherith, He told him, “I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there” (1 Kings 17:4 KJV). Had Elijah gone elsewhere, God wouldn’t have met his needs. Why? Because a covenant is two-sided; when you do your part God does His. Next God sent Elijah to Zarephath, saying, “I have commanded a widow…to sustain thee” (v. 9 KJV). Think about it: God used a flesh-eating bird and a penniless widow to feed Elijah, so stop trying to second-guess Him! The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” So here’s the question: If you truly believe that Scripture, why are you complaining, worrying, and trying to figure everything out instead of trusting Him? “Zarephath” means “a crucible,” a place where metal is refined. If you’re going through a fiery trial today, rejoice – God is separating the gold from the impurities in your character. When you’ve passed the test at Cherith and Zarephath, you’ll be ready for the blessing of Mount Carmel!
Soulfood: 1 Chr 12:23-15:29; Luke 12:35-48; Ps 119:33-40; Prov 20:28-30
2018-08-12
Proverbs 23:15 NKJV
Since there are no perfect people, there can be no perfect parents. So though you love your children dearly, at times you’ll get tired, frustrated, disappointed, and irritable. The secret is to make such times the exception rather than the rule. A Christian psychologist writes: “A few years ago I asked one thousand mothers and fathers to describe their greatest frustrations in raising kids. I heard many humorous stories about sticky telephones and wet toilet seats and knotted shoestrings. One mother actually wanted to know why toddlers never throw up in the bathroom…But in our poll parents didn’t merely laugh about their frustrations – they tended to blame themselves. They said they were overwhelmed and were losing confidence in their ability to do the job. Many were having trouble just coping from day to day. How sad it is that this ancient responsibility of raising children has become so burdensome and laden with guilt. Actually, the facts won’t support that self-condemnation in the majority of cases. Most moms and dads are doing a creditable job at home – and it’s time someone patted them on the back for their commitment and sacrifice. Someday when the frustrations of toddlerhood and the turmoil of adolescence have passed, they’ll enjoy the sweet benefits of being very good and loving parents. Hang in there, Mom and Dad; you’re more skilled than you think you are.” Solomon spells out the parent’s true reward: “My son [and daughter], if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice.”
Soul food: Exo 16:1-18; John 6:1-15; John 6:25-40; 1 Cor 11:23-24
2018-08-11
Psalm 120:2 KJV
When you deliberately create a false impression, the Bible calls it dealing in “falsehood…error, deception, cheating” (Revelation 22:15 AMPC). That may sound harsh, especially if all you had in mind was making an extra dollar, sparing someone’s feelings, or trying to make yourself look better. No human being would set such a standard, but God does. And He’s serious about it. Case in point: Ananias and Sapphira. When this couple tried to create a false impression about their giving, they dropped dead in the presence of the apostles. As a result, “No one else dared join them” (Acts 5:13 NIV). How long would you have lasted in that church? Peter said, “You have not lied to men but to God” (v. 4 NIV). That puts a whole new slant on it, doesn’t it? The story’s told of a guy who went fishing and caught nothing. So he stopped by the market on his way home and bought three fish. Then he told the shop assistant, “Throw them to me – that way when I get home I can tell my wife I caught them.” Solomon said, “My mouth speaks what is true…All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse” (Proverbs 8:7-8 NIV). Some of the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves, and end up believing. And another thought: A liar’s biggest problem is they can’t believe anybody else, because “how you live your life is how you judge your neighbor.” So if you have a problem telling the truth, pray, “Deliver my soul…Lord, from lying lips, and…a deceitful tongue.”
Soul food: 1 Chr 10:1-12:22; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 119:25-32; Prov 20:25-27
2018-08-10
Genesis 21:10 NKJV
When Abraham tried to hurry the plan of God and fulfill it through well-intentioned but misguided human effort, Ishmael was born. Perhaps you have tried something similar yourself. We all have our “Ishmaels” – a good idea that wasn’t a God idea. And it can complicate your life. So God told Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son.” In other words: “It’s time to deal with your past and clean out your closet. This thing is holding you back, and until you deal with it you can’t move forward to your destiny. Get it out of your life and don’t look back!” Sometimes your miracle (Isaac) and your mistake (Ishmael) can live together for a while under the same roof. Things can be so good in one area of your life, yet so bad in another. But there comes a time when God says, “Because of the plans I have for you, you must put this thing out of your life.” And that’s not easy. It’s painful letting go of what your flesh craves or cherishes. But you have only two options: Be led by your emotions and miss out on God’s best, or say, “As much as I love this person or thing, I love the Lord more.” When you’re willing to walk away from something you thought you had to have because you love God more, that’s called “the sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). And when you offer it up to God, you position yourself to experience a new level of His blessing. Is God speaking to you today about something similar in your life? If so, let it go!
Soul food: 1 Chr 7:20-9:44; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 119:17-24; Prov 20:22-24
