2018-05-05
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about all the things in life he tried and found to be disappointing: the intellectual pursuit of knowledge, the physical pursuit of pleasure, and the material pursuit of wealth. In the last chapter of Ecclesiastes he bottom-lines it: “Everything is meaningless” (v. 8 NIV). In other words: “Been there, done that – and it’s just the ‘same ol’, same ol’.” Now, penning his last divinely-inspired thoughts, he wraps up his life’s message with these words: “Here is the conclusion of the matter.” This is big stuff! Solomon is about to give us his bottom-line evaluation of a life well-lived. What is it? “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment” (vv. 13-14 NIV). The words “fear God” simply mean to reverence, love, and serve Him, and live your life according to the precepts laid down in His Word. The songwriter put it this way: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Author John Mason writes: “Is more money, a higher position, or more influence your goal? These are not goals; they are the by-product of true goals…Seek not success, but truth, and you will find both. Work to become, not acquire. Measure wealth by the things you have which you would not exchange for money.” When you wake each morning, pray this simple prayer: “Lord, above all else help me to spend this day loving You and carrying out Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Soul food: Deut 8-10; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 37:8-15; Prov 11:27-29
2018-05-04
1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV
Not only did Jabez have great ambition, he had a growing faith and a deep trust in God. He had enough faith to pray and expect an answer. He was like the pioneer missionary William Carey, who said, “Expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God.” There’s no mention of Jabez having any special ability or talent. The Bible doesn’t say he was wealthy or educated. He was simply a common man with an uncommon faith. Don’t worry about what you don’t have – if you have faith! God will give you the necessary power. He loves to use ordinary people who are willing to trust Him, and see them succeed. Lots of super-talented people sit on the sidelines while ordinary people with faith score the goals and win. And you can be one of them. Another interesting fact about Jabez is he apparently had some type of handicap or disability. In the Hebrew language “Jabez” means “painful.” Jabez caused his mother so much grief during childbirth that she named him Painful. How would you like to go through life with that name? He may have been unwanted and unloved. But he was stronger than his handicap, and his faith kept him going. His eyes weren’t on the past, they were on the future. He believed that if God blessed him, then his future would be greater than his past. What’s your handicap? Is it physical? Is it spiritual? Is it an unhappy childhood? Is it a frustrating job or a broken marriage? Whatever it may be, Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NIV).
Soul food: Deut 5-7; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 37:1-7; Prov 11:24-26
2018-05-02
1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV
Jabez prayed that God would bless him in three specific ways: (1) “Enlarge my territory.” He had a dream of owning more land, and he asked God to bless that dream. When you stop dreaming you lose direction. When you stop setting goals you stop growing. You must have something you’re pushing toward. As long as your horizon is expanding, you’ll be spiritually and emotionally healthy. (2) “That Your hand would be with me.” God’s hand represents His power. Jabez realized that if he got more territory it meant he would have more responsibility. He would have greater demands and more pressure, and he would really need God’s help in his life. So he requested God to be with him. And when you ask for God’s presence in your life, you can be sure He’ll answer. (3) “That You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” Jabez asked God for His protection. Why? Because in those days the more land you owned, the more influence you had, and the better known you were. And that made you a bigger target. It’s still like that today. The more successful you are, the more critics you have. The more territory you own, the more your enemies will attack you. The closer you grow to the Lord and the stronger you become as a Christian, the more the Devil will harass you because he doesn’t want you to grow. But you can be sure, as Jabez was, that with God’s protection you don’t have to fear anyone or anything. Do you want to break out of mediocrity? Then pray the prayer that Jabez prayed.
Soul food: Deut 1-2; Mark 6:1-6; Ps 35; Prov 11:19-21
2018-05-01
1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV
In the book of First Chronicles the Bible tells us about a man named Jabez. The first nine chapters consist of genealogies, listing more than six hundred names. And right there in the middle of all those names, God singles out one man for special recognition, and his name is Jabez. There are only two verses in the entire Bible about this man, yet he’s given honorable mention above the six hundred other people mentioned in the chapter. Why did God single him out? What did Jabez do that caused his name to be preserved for over four thousand years? What made him above average? For the next few days, let’s see what we can learn about him. “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers” (v. 9 NKJV). So, what set him apart? He dared to ask and believe God for great things: “Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, that You would enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.” God wants you to ask Him for great things! He told Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV). Paul tells us that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). You can’t out-ask or out-dream God, so start asking Him for what you want – and believe He will give it to you!
Soul food: Acts 27-28; Mark 5:31-43; Ps 94:12-23; Prov 11:16-18
2018-04-30
Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV
The word vocation comes from the Latin word vocare, which means “spiritual calling.” Every vocation, regardless of what it is, is a calling from God. And once you start to see your job in that light, you’ll find it easier to believe God wants to bless you on the job. So with that in mind you need to: (1) Pursue work compatible with your gifts. “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised” (1 Peter 4:11 NIV). (2) Learn everything possible about your job. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning” (Proverbs 1:5 NIV). (3) Recognize God as your true employer. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does” (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV). (4) See work as God’s gift, not punishment. “When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV). (5) Use criticism to your advantage. In fact, make it work for you. Ask for suggestions and correction. “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured” (Proverbs 13:18 KJV). (6) Do more than what’s expected. “Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him [two]” (Matthew 5:41 KJV). (7) See the Lord as your work partner. Stay Christ-conscious throughout the day as you perform your duties, and “the Lord shall command blessing on you…and in all to which you set your hand.”
Soul food: Acts 24-26; Mark 5:21-30; Ps 94:1-11; Prov 11:14-15
2018-04-29
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
Paul writes: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” (vv. 24-27 NLT). Unless you take control of your life, you will always live knowing that you don’t belong to yourself. In other words, you belong to whoever and whatever is controlling you. In order to improve, you must keep these three things before you at all times: (1) Reading. David said, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97 NKJV). Discipline yourself to read something each day that will help you spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and career-wise. And put the Bible at the top of your “books to read” list. (2) Rewards. Author Mike Delaney remarked, “Any business or industry that pays equal rewards to its goof-offs and its eager beavers, sooner or later will find itself with more goof-offs than eager beavers. What you reward, good or bad, in yourself and in others, you’ll keep getting more of.” (3) Results. The next time you’re facing a must-do task, and thinking of doing what’s convenient instead of paying the price, change your focus. Count the benefits of doing what’s right, and dive in. Instead of focusing on the “work,” focus on the “reward.”
Soul food: Gal 5:22; Luke 10:25-37; Eph 4:31-32; Rom 2:4
