2025-10-26
Proverbs 24:16 NKJV
Thomas Edison conducted thousands of experiments with various kinds of materials in his search for a filament he could use in carbon incandescent lamps. As each fibre failed, he would throw it out the window until, eventually, his pile of failures stretched all the way up to the second story of his house. Then about thirteen months after his first failure, he succeeded in finding a filament that could stand the stress of electric current.
And here is how it happened: He nonchalantly picked up a tad of lampblack, mixed it with tar, rolled it into a delicate thread, and wondered, “Why not try a carbonized filter?” He worked for five hours straight to craft a fibre, but it broke into two pieces before he detached the mould. He used up two spools of cotton thread before developing a perfect strand, only to damage it when he attempted to put it inside the glass tube. He stayed awake for two days and nights before he succeeded in slipping one of the carbonized threads into a vacuum-sealed bulb. Then, turning on the current, he observed the glow of electric light that we now take for granted.
A failure doesn’t need to suggest the end; it can mean you’re one step closer to the triumph you desire. If something you have attempted has failed, try again. Consider a new perspective. Allow time for an idea to sit and simmer. Take notes. Never give up the goals and dreams you believe in. God is with you through the detours and delays (See Hebrews 13:5-6). When you make determination your friend, patience your servant, and God your partner – you will succeed!
Soul food: Num 9:15-23; Exo 24:15-18; Matt 17:1-8; Acts 1:9-11
2025-10-25
Proverbs 14:8 NIV
Solomon writes: “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.” “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3 NIV). “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5 NIV). What you are today was determined by decisions you made in the past. If you want to change your future, learn to make better decisions. Let these ten principles guide you:
(1) Never make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. If you do, when things change, you may regret it.
(2) Don’t let your emotions blind you to reason. Pray, weigh things carefully, and base your decisions on mature judgment.
(3) Surround yourself with sharp people, then draw on their gifts without being intimidated by their expertise.
(4) Take time to consider all your options. What looks good to you today may not look so good tomorrow.
(5) You can’t fight successfully on every front, so choose your battles carefully. Some things are not worth fighting for.
(6) Take time to get all the facts; otherwise, you can end up in trouble.
(7) Consider the consequences of each action. Ask yourself, “Am I ready to handle this right now?”
(8) Make sure your expectations don’t exceed your potential and your resources. Focus on what God has gifted you to do, for that’s where you will succeed.
(9) Time is your most valuable resource; use it wisely.
(10) Never quit. Be willing to make mistakes, learn from them, and start over as often as necessary in order to succeed.
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; John 7:14-24; Ps 104:19-26; Prov 24:28
2025-10-24
Psalm 141:3 NLT
If you’re inclined to gossip, read this carefully: “I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious, and I gather strength with age. The more I’m quoted, the more I’m believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless; they can’t protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I’m nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it’s never the same. I topple governments, wreck marriages, and make innocent people cry. Who am I? My name is gossip!”
Solomon said, “Rumours are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart” (Proverbs 18:8 NLT). When it comes to the sin of gossip, note carefully what Jesus said: “Every idle word… men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV).
One day we will stand before God to be evaluated and rewarded. Revelation 20:12 says, “And the books were opened.” The word “books” indicates there will be several. So might there be a “book of words”? If you believe there could be, you won’t break someone’s heart by spreading their secrets, betraying their confidence, ruining their good name, and undermining their self-esteem with ridicule and innuendo. You simply won’t do it! David prayed, “Control… what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” And that’s a prayer each of us needs to pray on a regular basis.
Soul food: Ezra 9-10; John 7:1-13; Ps 104:1-18; Prov 24:26-27
2025-10-23
Psalm 23:4 NKJV
A pastor writes: “The great preacher Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, whose first wife died, was driving his kids from the funeral. One of the kids said, ‘Daddy… where did Mommy go? I don’t understand what it means that she died.’… Just then, a truck passed by and cast a shadow over the car. He… said, ‘Kids, would you have rather been hit by the truck or hit by the shadow?’… Then he said, ‘Kids, when you die without Christ, you are hit by the truck. When you die with Christ, you are only hit by the shadow.'”
Paul writes: “We want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT).
Soul food: Ezra 6-8; John 6:52-71; Ps 114; Prov 24:23-25
2025-10-22
Genesis 2:24 NIV
In Eight Ways In-laws Can Break Up a Marriage it offers examples that should make every in-law stop and think.
“(1) When your child decides to marry, show hostility toward the person they chose. After all, it means less love for you, so you have a right to resent them.
(2) Expect them to spend weekends and holidays with you, and act hurt if they don’t.
(3) If they have problems with their mate, encourage them to come home. And when they do, listen to their complaints, and point out other shortcomings they may have missed. Remember, one drop of water after another can wear away a rock.
(4) If they’re having financial problems, rescue them. Beg, borrow, or steal, but let them know that as long as you’re around, they’ll never go without.
(5) If they have a drinking or drug problem, tell them their mate drove them to it. After all, everybody needs someone to blame.
(6) If they have an opportunity for career advancement that takes them to another city, tell them ‘family’ is more important than money and God will punish them for not honouring the commandment ‘honour thy father and thy mother.’
(7) If there are grandchildren involved, spoil them. And if the parents object, tell them to stay out of it; after all, what are grandkids for?
(8) If your child has an argument with their mate, fan the flames. Family loyalty is a beautiful thing; with a little work, you can turn a minor argument into a major hassle and break up a marriage.”
Soul food: Ezra 3-5; John 6:35-51; Ps 127; Prov 24:19-22
2025-10-21
Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Dr. D. James Kennedy wrote: “A proper epitaph for most people… today would be ‘Hurried, worried, buried’… Many times we wish we could wash our hands of all our responsibilities and worries. The executive of one small company decided he would. Even though his company was headed for bankruptcy, he decided to quit worrying about it. So [he] called in his first vice-president and said, ‘I have had it with worrying about this company. If you’ll take over and handle all my worrying for me, I’ll add $50,000 to your salary.’ Startled and perplexed by this generous offer (and knowing the financial condition of the company), the vice-president asked, ‘But where are you going to get an extra $50,000?’ The boss replied, ‘That’s your first worry!’
William Gladstone, [one of England’s] greatest prime minister[s], was a fine Christian man who served the Lord. On the wall of his bedroom hung a plaque embroidered with this text: ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.’ It was the first thing Gladstone saw when he awoke in the morning and the last thing he saw before retiring at night. There is the secret of peace!
We can have this peace because we know that the One upon whom we’ve stayed our minds is the One who works all things together for our good. Is the frantic pace of modern life robbing you of peace today? If so, slow down and refocus on the Lord. Realize He’s with you and He’s in control no matter what comes your way. Stay your mind on Him and let Him grant you, His peace.”
Soul food: Ezra 1-2; John 6:25-34; Ps 98; Prov 24:15-18
