2025-11-01
Hebrews 11:1 TLB
Faith has little to do with religion or what church you attend. The Greek definition of the word “faith” is pistis, which means a firm persuasion, a conviction based on hearing and learning. Some other words that help to define faith are trust, confidence, and believing.
And for good measure, here are a few scriptural descriptions of faith: “The confident assurance that something we want is going to happen… the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” The Bible tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (v. 6 NIV). It also tells us, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17 NIV). And the apostle James writes, “Faith… not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17 NIV).
Faith, though it may be felt, isn’t a feeling at all. The fact is, you can have faith and feel nothing, and you can feel nothing and still have faith. Nor is it related to intellectual or theological knowledge. Your IQ and level of education have nothing to do with your capacity to exercise faith. Effective faith calls for an act of your will. It’s a choice you make to fully embrace what God says in His Word. When that happens, it creates a heart climate that motivates you to act in keeping with what you choose to believe. That’s faith in a nutshell!
Soul food: 1 Chr 17:1-20; Heb 11:4-12:3; Ps 18:20-29; Prov 4:18
2025-10-31
Proverbs 15:6 NIV
In order to overcome your fear of investing, you must do these three things:
(1) Get savvy. Before you start investing, you need to learn the language and nuances of the stock market, real estate, mutual funds, and other transactions. There is a wealth of information available on the internet. Yes, your savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts are great ways to protect your money while earning a modicum of interest. But, if you want to make a higher return, you have to take some risk. And the higher the risk, the higher the return.
(2) Get counsel. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (v. 22 NIV). A good financial consultant will help you plan based on your age, risk tolerance, and investment objectives. Talk to friends and relatives who have made investments; learn from their experiences. And be sure to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is called “counsellor” because He can guide you in every area of your life (See John 14:26 AMPC).
(3) Get moving. Time is money. You can go broke trying to save for big things like your kids’ college education or your retirement if you don’t take advantage of the high returns offered by the stock market and other investments over an extended period.
And be sure to stand on God’s Word and trust Him: “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV). As long as your motive is to do God’s will and bless others, you can pray for God to bless you with success, and He will.”
Soul food: Deut 18:9-18; Dan 2; Isa 47:5-15; Acts 16:16-34
2025-10-30
Proverbs 21:20 NKJV
The Bible teaches two things about getting ahead financially. (1) You must be wise when you invest. When someone offers you a return on your money that’s too good to be true – it usually is! (2) Don’t just work for money; make your money work for you. “There is desirable treasure… in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it” (v. 20 NKJV).
And there is more than one way to squander your money. If inflation is running at 3 percent annually, but the interest on your savings is only earning 1 percent, you’re losing 2 percent of your purchasing power. So, your fear of investing can actually cause the very loss you dread. Job said, “What I dreaded has happened to me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes” (Job 3:25-26 NKJV).
If that’s how you feel about investing, read this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths… Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of… trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught” (Proverbs 3:5-6, 23-26 NKJV).
Not only does God want to meet your needs, He wants to meet the needs of others through you. And for that to happen, you must have wise investment strategies.
Soul food: 1 Chr 6:1-7:19; John 8:21-30; Ps 86; Prov 25:8-12
2025-10-29
Matthew 25:19 NKJV
Jesus said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability… Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents… And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one… dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them” (vv. 14-19 NKJV).
How does this story turn out? Well, the two men who doubled their money received their master’s highest commendation: “Well done” (vv. 21, 23 NKJV). But the one who was risk averse was called “wicked and lazy” (v. 26 NKJV). His master told him: “You ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away” (vv. 27-29 NKJV).
Practically speaking, here is what this parable teaches us: When the cost of living increases an average of 2.5 percent yearly, your savings must earn at least 2.5 percent yearly, or you will lose money rather than earn it. And one more thought. Since the Bible tells us to invest wisely, you can pray and be confident God will give you sound investment strategies.
Soul food: 1 Chr 3-5; John 8:1-20; Ps 6; Prov 25:1-7
2025-10-28
Isaiah 35:3-4 NLT
Every one of us needs encouragement (support that inspires confidence and a will to continue). The words we speak can either build up or tear down the people around us.
Author Rebecca Barlow Jordan writes: “One of the first questions I like to ask Jesus when I wake up each morning is, ‘How can I encourage someone today? And who?’ He’s always faithful to answer, often through His Word. One morning after asking that question, I read Isaiah 35:3-4 (NLT) and found a practical answer. First, ‘strengthen those who have tired hands.’ That might include teachers, hair stylists, moms, writers… missionaries, pastors, and parents… Next, the passage mentions encouraging those who have ‘weak knees.’ I envisioned grandparents and senior citizens, veterans, and even athletes with wear and tear on their bodies. But the last category, the ‘fearful,’ could probably include everyone. These needed to hear the words, ‘be strong, and do not fear.’…
For me, finding people to encourage is not a problem. Remembering to listen and follow through with Jesus’s answers is where I need work. And the amazing thing is, when I try to lift up someone else, I’m the one who ends up encouraged. Ask Jesus to help you encourage someone today. Invite Him to speak through you, and be prepared for His answers.”
Paul said, “Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10 AMPC). As you fill your mind thinking of ways to strengthen the faith of others, you will be amazed by how much you get energized and blessed in the process.
Soul food: 1 Chr 1-2; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2025-10-27
Ephesians 5:25 NLT
There is an old story where a chief executive officer and his wife are traveling, and they stop to get gas. The CEO goes inside, and when he comes out, he notices his wife talking to the service station attendant. He asks her why; it turns out that she knew the attendant and used to date him. Feeling smug, he says, “I’ll bet you’re thinking you’re glad you married me, a CEO, and not a service station attendant.” She said, “No, I’m thinking if I’d married him, he would be a CEO and you would be a service station attendant.”
Before God created Eve and brought her to Adam, He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (Genesis 2:18 NLT). Stop and think about the many ways in which your wife complements, completes, helps, and is just right for you. You say, “My wife already knows that I love her.” Perhaps, but she loves to hear you say it, and you could never say it too often. Say it with flowers from time to time.
Pay attention to the little things she does to make your life better and compliment her. When she talks, give her 100 percent of your attention, and let her know that her thoughts and feelings matter to you. Have a weekly date. As the years add wrinkles and extra pounds, treasure her and the life you have built together.
Paul sets the standard for husbands, and it’s a high standard: “Husbands… love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT).
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; John 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Prov 24:29
