2018-06-14
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Pray: “Lord, I join with the psalmist David and ask: ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight’ (Psalm 19:14). I realize that the words I speak have tremendous power, both in my own life and in my relationships. Your Word says, ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue’ (Proverbs 18:21). Teach me to always speak words that are true to Your Word and glorify You. Help me to be careful to speak words that build others up and not tear them down, that edify rather than criticize, that are spoken in love and truth and not twisted by my own desires and expectations, and that bring confidence and not discouragement. Where I have spoken words that are negative or harmful about anyone else, forgive me. Keep me from saying things that hurt or cut others down in any way. I want to be kind with my words and have the tongue of the wise that promotes healing and blessing (See Proverbs 12:18). Help me to have such faith in Your Lordship over my life that I can ‘do all things without murmurings and disputings’ (Philippians 2:14). Help me not to speak negative things about myself. And every time I start to say a critical word, help me to stop immediately and keep a lid on it. Your Word says, ‘Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt [in good taste], so that you may know how to answer everyone.’ Today let my words honor and glorify You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Soul food: Ezek 27:25-30:26; Mark 15:33-47; Ps 143; Prov 15:8-10
2018-06-13
2 Chronicles 26:4 NIV
The punch line in a cartoon reads, “No matter what we teach our children, they insist on behaving just like us!” We smile, but it’s a very serious matter. One expert says, “We teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are.” Your children may sometimes doubt what you say, but they will always believe what you do. So: (1) If you want them to have a quiet time with God, you have one. (2) If you want your children to be in church, take them, don’t send them. (3) If you don’t want your children using foul language, watch what comes out of your mouth. (4) If you don’t want your children to smoke, drink, or do drugs, you leave them alone. When you say one thing but do another your children may still love you, but eventually they’ll lose respect for you. And what’s worse, they’ll think, “If the principles you preach don’t work for you, why should I try them?” Your example will have more impact than all your exhortations. Read these two Scriptures carefully. The first is found in the Old Testament: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father…had done.” The second is found in the New Testament: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV). Thousands of years separate those two Scriptures, but the truth they teach is timeless: so set the right example!
Soul food: Ezek 24:1-27:24; Mark 15:21-32; Ps 132:11-18; Prov 15:5-7
2018-06-12
Isaiah 40:29 NKJV
We say things like “As long as there’s life there’s hope,” or “Hope is tying a knot in the rope and holding on,” believing that things will get better. But when hope seems delayed or denied, mental and emotional illness can cause some people to look for a way out. Is suicide wrong? Yes. It’s wrong because it excludes God. When you take your life there’s nothing more He can do for you. It’s wrong because it leaves a legacy of unresolved pain that will live on in the hearts of your loved ones. For generations Christian leaders have debated and disagreed on the question of suicide. But every one of them believes these words: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression” (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV). And depression, left undealt with, can end in self-destruction. It may not be the result of a bullet or a drug overdose; it may be a decision to stop eating, or overeat, or stop reaching for help because the help they’ve received has not worked. But the end result is the same. A national mental health organization estimates that women are twice as likely to get depressed as men. People in low-income families are reportedly less likely to be treated for this disorder because they cannot afford to get help. Does the Bible have an answer? Yes. “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV).
Soul food: Ezek 22-23; Mark 15:1-20; Ps 132:1-10; Prov 15:1-4
2018-06-11
Proverbs 13:12 NKJV
Depression can cause you to give up on life. When the job got too big for Moses, he told God, “Kill me here and now…and do not let me see my wretchedness!” (Numbers 11:15 NKJV). Certain that Jezebel would make good on her threats to kill him, Elijah asked God to take his life. It’s said the book of Job covers a span of only nine months, but Job’s losses were so devastating that he said, “My soul loathes my life” (Job 10:1 NKJV). Solomon said, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Instead of arguing over the question, “Will a Christian who takes their own life go to heaven?” we need to ask God for wisdom to know when a loved one has become so hopeless or emotionally ill that they can’t take another day of it. Who are these people? Young people who cut themselves as a cry for help. War veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who can’t escape the demons of war, and can’t expel them. Sexual abuse victims who overeat, drink, and drug themselves to death. Good people who struggle with sexual issues but are terrified to talk about it. Fifty-eight million Americans battle depression every day. They sleep in mansions and under bridges. Some of them are Christians with thoughts of suicide, who dread hearing that they’re weak and don’t have enough faith. A quick Scripture, a brief prayer, and sending them away with a “God bless you” only throws them to the wolves. Jesus said, “I am sending you,” because you have the Word, the Spirit, and the power to help them.
Soul food: Ezek 20-21; Mark 14:66-72; Ps 48; Prov 14:33-35
2018-06-10
Romans 5:3-4 NLT
Michael Phelps captured the gold for his country in the Beijing 2008 Olympics and brought home a record eight best-time gold medals. But it won’t just be the number of medals we’ll remember, but his invincible spirit when things turned drastically against him in the 200 meter butterfly. As he touched the wall, winning the race, nobody knew what he’d undergone to accomplish it. As Michael pulled off his goggles and the world watched, incredulous, water poured out of them. He’d swum 200 meters almost blind, an experience swimmers dread. Counting strokes, looking desperately for any marks on the pool floor, he finally touched the finish wall, an Olympic conqueror in every sense. Phelps used his frustration to increase his stamina and determination to win. Paul says: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know…they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope…And this hope will not lead to disappointment” (vv. 3-5 NLT). What a catalog of amazing benefits God provides us when we face problems! Endurance: a commitment to draw on His grace and keep moving forward regardless of circumstances. Strength of character: inner fortitude based on personal integrity. Confident hope: a deep conviction that whatever it takes, ultimately we’ll make it. And to crown it all, we’re guaranteed success in our God-appointed mission because “this hope will not lead to disappointment”! When you can’t see clearly what’s coming, stretch yourself – the finish wall is just ahead!
Soul food: Matt 5:3; Luke 18:9-14; Isa 57:14-21; 2 Sam 7:18-29
2018-06-09
2 Peter 3:18 NIV
Jesus told His disciples, “Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow” (John 13:14-15 NLT). Whose feet did He wash? Peter, who denied Him; Thomas, who doubted Him; Judas, who betrayed Him; and all the others, who would desert Him. In other words, “Give the grace you’ve been given.” You don’t endorse the deeds of your offender when you do. Jesus didn’t endorse your sins by forgiving you. Grace doesn’t tell the daughter to like the father who molested her. It doesn’t tell the oppressed to wink at injustice. The grace-defined person still sends thieves to jail and expects an ex-spouse to pay child support. Grace isn’t blind. It sees the hurt full well. But grace chooses to see God’s forgiveness even more. It refuses to let hurts poison the heart. The Bible says, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15 NIV). Where grace is lacking, bitterness abounds. Where grace abounds, forgiveness grows. Peter writes, “Grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord.” Growing in Bible knowledge is a lot easier than growing in grace toward those who hurt you. The first requires a good memory; the second requires a Christlike character. So how do you “grow” in grace? By practicing it with everybody you meet, in every situation you find yourself.
Soul food: Ezek 16:53-19:14; Mark 14:53-65; Ps 1; Prov 14:29-32
