2017-12-31
Philippians 3:13 NKJV
Be honest: How many of last year’s resolutions did you keep? They say, “Procrastination is the thief of time.” We keep promising ourselves we’ll do better. But “resolutions” only happen when you’re “resolute.” That means having a mind that’s made up. So here are four resolutions you need to make up your mind to keep this year: (1) Take time for what really matters. Get up earlier in order to read your Bible and pray before entering the day. Make more time for your family. Start exercising and eating right. Take better care of your body; it’s God’s temple (See 1 Corinthians 6:19). (2) Tackle one thing at a time. Taking on too many things at once dilutes your focus and makes it harder to stick with things. When you start too much, you finish too little. So start where you are and build on your successes by mastering and maintaining one thing at a time. (3) Start small. Don’t try to swallow the whole enchilada in one bite; baby steps are the name of the game. Talk in terms of what you will do instead of what you won’t. For example, instead of saying, “I’m not going to be so critical,” try saying, “Today I’m going to look for something good in everyone I meet” (See Philippians 4:8). (4) Record your progress or lack of it. You can’t manage what you can’t measure. By facing the truth you’ll see how far you’ve come, and what you still need to work on. The Bible says, “Throw yourself into your tasks so…everyone will see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 NLT).
Soul food: Job 40-42; Luk 3:21-38; Ps 119:97-104; Prov 9:10-12
2017-12-30
Acts 16:10 TLB
The Bible says, “Next Paul and Silas travelled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’ So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there” (vv. 6-10 NLT). God has an “open-door policy.” When He opens a door, you’re supposed to walk through it. Note, however, that when God kept Paul from going into Asia, he didn’t hang around asking, “Why, Lord?” He kept moving. For Paul, trying something and having it not work out was no big deal. He believed that his gift to God was his willing heart and his mobility, and God’s gift to him was that He’d always guide him to where he needed to be. What God prevents is as much divine guidance as what He permits. Every door that didn’t open, every opportunity you didn’t get, and every call that didn’t come were as much God’s leadings as those that did. So knowing you can’t stay where you are right now may be the starting point for God’s leadings in your life. And such leadings often begin with a stirring and restlessness in your soul.
Soul food: Job 38-39; Luk 3:11-20; Ps 27; Ecc 12:13-14
2017-12-29
Revelation 12:11 NKJV
Irene Park became a committed Christian. Her story is remarkable. She was once a high witch in the state of Florida, seducing boys and girls into occult activities. She stated that the children she could never reach were those whose parents protected them by praying over them in the name of Jesus, standing on the merits of Christ’s atoning blood. Today the occult has made its way into some of our public school systems under the guise of “pluralism” and “free speech.” If you’re a parent, you should be concerned! It’s wise to give your child a cell phone or pager so they can stay in touch with you. But the most powerful defence you can give them is praying over them in the name of Jesus and standing on the merits of His shed blood. Jesus defeated Satan at the cross. And today He’s saying to you, “My victory is your victory, and My authority is your authority – use it!” You must acknowledge the existence of the Devil, but you must not be afraid of him because “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). To deny the existence of Satan or underestimate his power gives him the advantage over you. But God has given you the key to overcoming Satan’s power in your life: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Start declaring what the blood of Jesus has done on your behalf. When you do, you’ll begin to walk in victory.
Soul food: Job 35-37; Luk 3:1-10; Ps 116; Ecc 11:7-10
2017-12-28
Matthew 7:20 NKJV
When we speak about “the fruit of the Spirit,” we are talking about these nine qualities of character: “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). These fruits are not for “show,” they are for sharing with others; otherwise they’re no better than fruit that was never grown in the first place. Suppose you drive up to a roadside produce market with your heart set on buying fresh vegetables. You see home-grown tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and several varieties of peppers – everything you need and more. Just as you start to select your items, the farmer who owns the stand says, “Sorry, this produce isn’t for sale. I just like to grow it and enjoy looking at it until it rots. Then I throw it away.” Huh? Now you likely haven’t encountered such an absurd situation, and probably never will. That’s because farmers and customers know that produce is for consuming. Sure, it’s beautiful to look at, but its God-ordained purpose is to bring nutrition and health to people. If all we do is go to church and preach about fruit, analyse fruit, and examine each other’s fruit, we are failing miserably. It’s not enough to bear fruit, we must share that fruit with others so they can be blessed and impacted by the kingdom of God. Paul writes, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). Bearing fruit and sharing fruit are two sides of the same spiritual coin.
Soul food: Job 32-34; Luk 2:41-52; Ps 139:13-24; Ecc 11:4-6
2017-12-27
Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
William Carey is referred to as “the father of modern missions.” But the number of his accomplishments in India was almost equalled by the number of obstacles he overcame just to get there. He was told by a group of ministers, “If God wants to save the heathen, young man, He will do it without your help or ours.” Carey was not a career missionary. He was a young Englishman in poor health with a pregnant wife and small children. He was just like the rest of us – trying to make ends meet and keep life together. But he had something else, a burning question he could not escape: “Who will reach the lost in India, if I don’t go?” Looking back later, Carey realized that the challenges he overcame at home were what qualified him to succeed in his God-given assignment abroad. The same thing happened to Isaiah the prophet: “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’ And He said, ‘Go, and tell this people'” (vv. 8-9 NKJV). But before Isaiah was qualified to go, he needed a life-changing encounter with God. “Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is purged'” (vv. 6-7 NKJV). Do you sense God preparing you and getting ready to send you? If so, say yes.
Soul food: Job 29-31; Luk 2:34-40; Ps 139:1-12; Ecc 10:20-11:3
2017-12-26
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Good leaders will tell you there are times when they’re not sure; when they don’t know all they’d like to know. And if they’re really frank they’ll admit, “I’m glad the people I’m supposed to lead don’t know how much I don’t know!” Whether you’re a leader or a follower, the Bible says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” But let’s be honest; sometimes we know what God wants us to do but we don’t like it. So we pray hoping He’ll change His mind and rubber-stamp what we want. But it’s not going to happen. God can’t bless you beyond your last act of disobedience. In the book of Hebrews we read, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV). When you follow God, most times you’ll go out not knowing as much as you’d like to. Counsellors, study groups, success manuals, committees, business plans, and projections can help you. But there comes a time when you have to leave your comfort zone and move in the direction God is pointing. Will you have answers to all your questions and clarity about all your concerns? No. Just like your car’s headlights don’t shine round the next corner, God will give you instructions on a “need-to-know basis.” And it’s the only way to live! It keeps you dependent on Him, helps you to remember who’s in charge and who deserves credit for your successes. And by the way, God’s leadings take a lifetime to learn, so don’t get discouraged.
Soul food: Job 24-28; Luk 2:21-33; Ps 97; Ecc 10:15-19
