2018-09-18
2 Corinthians 4:18 TM
We enjoy the blessings of change, but not the process of change. We’re creatures of habit. We form our habits, and our habits form us. Then we start to see things exclusively from our own perspective. And when that happens – we stagnate. The truth is, without change there is no growth. When you have the right attitude every experience – positive and negative – becomes an opportunity for progress. Think about it: Trees need more than sunshine to produce fruit. Rainy seasons are productive seasons too, and they always precede the harvest. You don’t have to like rain, you just have to understand its purpose and benefits. The Bible says that every day “the Lord…makes us more and more like him…we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). But to become like Jesus you must follow wherever He leads. That means following Him through the wilderness of temptation, the pain of rejection, the forfeiting your reputation, the surrendering your will, and being ready to go to the place of crucifixion where you die to all forms of self-centred living. Following Jesus may mean being in a different location tomorrow than you are today. Once you grasp this principle, you’ll stop fearing and resisting the changes taking place in your life and start seeing God at work in them. Paul says: “Even though on the outside it…looks like things are falling apart…on the inside…God is making new life…The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 TM).
Soul food: Neh 11-13; Luke 22:14-23; Ps 78:56-64; Prov 24:6-10
2018-09-17
2 Corinthians 4:8 CEV
Before you quit and walk away, read the story of how Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just fifty-two days: First, he sought God’s help. “We prayed to our God” (Nehemiah 4:9 NIV). Second, he protected his vision. “We…posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (v. 9 NIV). Third, he refused to quit. “Should a man like me run away?…I will not” (Nehemiah 6:11 NIV). Gandhi said, “You may never know what results come from your action, but if you do nothing there will be no results.” In spite of the obstacles, the enemy, and the pressure – Nehemiah refused to give up. And God honors people with such a spirit. Paul said, “Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 CEV). Thomas Edison gave the world electric light, microphones, storage batteries, sound films, phonographs, and a thousand other inventions. Here are the principles he lived by: (1) Work to obtain all the knowledge you can about what you want to achieve. (2) Fix your mind on your purpose. Persist! Seek! The trouble with most people is they quit before they start. (3) Keep searching, no matter how many times you meet with disappointment. (4) Refuse to be influenced by the fact that someone else tried the same thing and failed. (5) Stay “sold” on the idea that somewhere a solution to the problem exists, and you’ll find it.
Soul food: Neh 8-10; Luke 22:1-13; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 24:1-5
2018-09-16
1 Corinthians 4:5 AMPC
Prejudice – is pre-judging. It makes you see those who don’t endorse what you believe as enemies. You attribute commendable qualities to the circle you move in, and negative ones to those outside it. That’s not what Jesus did. He befriended and fellowshipped with sinners and societal outcasts – without compromising who He was or endorsing their lifestyle. The Bible cautions against “hasty…premature judgments,” and reminds us that “the Lord…will…bring to light…things that are […hidden]…aims, (motives and purposes) of hearts” (v. 5 AMPC). He’s the only one qualified to “discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 ASV). So if you’re inclined to jump “to conclusions…before all the evidence is in” (1 Corinthians 4:5 TM), here’s some food for thought: (1) Face your prejudice. List all the people you don’t count as friends, people you actually go out of your way not to have a relationship with, and start loving them “by…actions and true caring” (1 John 3:18 NCV). (2) Drop the mask. Look inside your heart and ask yourself what it is about the other person that bothers you. Are there similarities between you? Are they expressing something you’re hiding from? (3) Get to know the other person. Paul said, “I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT). Whether or not you decide to continue the relationship, you’ll discover the power of your mind to obstruct, delude, and turn something into what it’s not. Plus you’ll have a better chance of winning others to Christ, because “love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJV).
Soul food: Heb 11:23-28; Exo 3:1-22; Exo 33:7-23; Exo 34:29-35
2018-09-15
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Until you realize the power of God that’s within you, you won’t use it. One of the greatest healing forces in the world is God’s Word, and it’s at your fingertips! For example, when you or a loved one gets sick, the Bible says, “These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will…lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV). That’s a power-filled promise. When Jesus returned to Capernaum, the Bible says, “It was noised that he was in the house” (Mark 2:1 KJV). And before He left there, a paralyzed man got up and walked. So: If Christ lives in you, shouldn’t people feel His presence when they’re in your presence? If you’re on the church board, shouldn’t the church be blessed? Shouldn’t you be a change agent solving problems and helping the church grow? The church isn’t perfect. Nobody said it was. It’s a hospital, not an Ivy League club. But whatever is wrong with the church is man’s doing, not God’s. When God is behind even the smallest thing it becomes mighty; it must succeed because His power is absolute, unchanging, and available! It’s time to “use God’s mighty weapons…to knock down the strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT). It’s time to force the issue by telling the Devil to take his hands off everything that concerns you! Jesus said, “All power is given unto me…Go ye therefore” (Matthew 28:18-19 KJV). He has given you the power – use it!
Soul food: Neh 5-7; Luke 21:25-38; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 23:29-35
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
