2017-11-15
Ephesians 5:25 NIV
The story’s told of a mother who woke her son one Sunday morning and said, “Get up – you’re late for church!” He replied, “I don’t want to go. I’ve no friends there, the music’s awful, and the sermons are boring!” The woman replied, “You’ve got to go – you’re the pastor!” Seriously, why should you go to church? Because “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish” (vv. 25-27 NIV). Pastor and President Emeritus of Taylor University Dr. Jay Kesler gives us five reasons for going to church: (1) It’s the only organization that still deals with issues like salvation, death, judgment, grace, purpose, heaven, and hell. (2) It adds value and dignity to human life. We live in a secular culture that contributes to our sense of inner worthlessness. The church counteracts this negative message by preaching God’s love and acceptance. (3) It provides a moral and spiritual compass. Society has revised, resisted, and rejected absolutes, embracing relativism, but the church stands on the timeless bedrock of God’s Word. (4) It’s where you find compassion, healing, and community. There – we’re all on par. There – God’s Spirit is working to knit us together as believers, guaranteeing us all “equal access to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18 TM). (5) Unlike other institutions, it has motivated the most lasting, unselfish, essential, courageous endeavours on earth. Things like missions, schools, hospitals, food pantries, rehab centres, and orphanages. Why go to church? Because Jesus loves the church – and so should you.
Soul food: Rom 12-14; John 9:13-23; Ps 8; Prov 30:5-6
2017-11-14
Hebrews 13:3 NIV
The Bible tells us, “Keep on loving each other as brothers” (v. 1 NIV). Then it gets specific: “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” On April 18, 2007, three Christians in Turkey were killed for their beliefs. Necati Aydin was one of them. He was a thirty-five-year-old pastor in the city of Malatya, and Max Lucado tells his story: “By the time Necati reached the office, his two colleagues had already received visitors; five young men who’d expressed an interest in the Christian faith. But the inquisitors brought more than questions. They brought guns, bread knives, ropes, and towels. The attackers brandished their weapons and told Necati to pray the Islamic prayer of conversion: ‘There is no God except Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.’ When Necati refused, the torture began. For an agonizing hour the assailants bound, interrogated, and cut Christians. Finally, with the police pounding on the door, they sliced the throats of their victims. The last word heard from the office was the cry of an unswerving Christian: ‘Messiah! Messiah!’ Such stories have a way of silencing us. This morning’s traffic jam is no longer worth the mention…Such stories make us ask ourselves: ‘Would I make the sacrifice? Would I cry out, Messiah! Messiah? Would I give up my life?'” When we complain about frivolous things, you have to wonder. The Bible says you’re to pray for your fellow Christians around the world who are suffering “as if [you yourself] were suffering.”
Soul food: Rom 9:17-11:36; John 9:1-12; Ps 23; Prov 30:1-4
2017-11-13
Hebrews 13:6 NIV
Let’s look at two more common fears: (1) Fear of not being good enough. It’s not about being as good as others; it’s about being yourself! Stop comparing yourself to other people and instead spend your time discovering your God-given strengths. You were born for a purpose, and that purpose may be unlike anything you’ve ever encountered. (2) Fear of not being accepted. This is one of the greatest sources of loneliness in society today. And the Internet hasn’t solved the problem because deep down we all long for intimacy, not information. You’d be surprised at how many people go home to an empty apartment, eat dinner for one, watch television, and climb into bed alone. Even when we’re surrounded by a crowd we still feel isolated – like an island in the middle of the sea. But, in truth, it doesn’t have to be that way – particularly if you’re a member of God’s redeemed family. The key to being accepted is to reach out and accept other members of your family. When you allow them into your private world, you’ll find they welcome you into theirs. Take a look at your life today. Nobody’s looking, and the person who’ll benefit most from it is you! Insecure people can be the most difficult to reach because they’re desperate to hide what they perceive as inadequacies and failures. If you need the help of a professional counsellor, doctor, or pastor, reach out and get it! You owe it to yourself! Rise up today and say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid of rejection, or of not being good enough.”
Soul food: Rom 7:1-9:16; John 8:42-59; Ps 83:9-18; Prov 29:23-27
2017-11-12
Psalm 112:7 NIV
Let’s take a look at some of our most common fears and how we can overcome them. Fear of failure. This is the most common fear of all, and it keeps us from fulfilling any vision God may give us. If you look closely at the actual consequences of failure, chances are you’ll laugh at the power it wields. Not only are your mistakes survivable, they’re teaching tools that sharpen and make you a better person. So what if you make a mistake during your presentation? Nobody’s going to shoot you, right? So what if you miss the mark on the project, or make a mistake in your calculations? We all want to be perfect, but the fact is we’re all flawed. In reality, your irrational fear of failure and your refusal to embrace mistakes create far more errors in the long run. When people refuse to accept the possibility of making a mistake, often they’re reluctant to have someone else check their work or review the project they’re working on. Consequently they end up making more poor choices and mistakes, which in turn feeds their existing insecurities. The path to success is through multiple failures. Failing doesn’t make you a failure, quitting does; not learning from it does; refusing to get back up when you fall does. The Psalmist says, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Using the gifts God has given you, step out and take a risk based on faith, trusting Him for success. If you do, “You will have good success” (Joshua 1:8 NKJV).
Soul food: 2 Kings 5:1-27; Matt 6:19-34; Acts 5:1-11
2017-11-11
Job 11:18 NIV
Famous people throughout history have suffered from phobias. Napoleon was crippled by ailurophobia, an irrational fear of cats. Queen Elizabeth I was terrorized by [anthophobia], an abnormal fear of flowers (she particularly feared roses). Billionaire Howard Hughes was practically incapacitated by mysophobia, a pathological fear of germs. Edgar Allen Poe, Harry Houdini, and Adolph Hitler suffered from claustrophobia. Even the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, grappled with agoraphobia, a fear of crowds and public places. The trouble is that many of us deny dealing with any kind of overwhelming fear, and rarely consider it a serious problem. But the fact remains that our fears hinder us on our journey toward change, and unless we face them we’ll never reach our God-given potential. Maybe you don’t view the thing that’s bothering you as a fear at all. It could be a feeling or situation you habitually avoid, or leave to others to handle. Whatever it is, the only way to overcome it is to call it what it is, confront it, draw on God’s strength, and make a decision to change. And today He offers you His strength to do it. Here’s a promise you can stand on: “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and…rest in safety.” Where does that promise originate? The Bible – God’s infallible Word! And here’s another “fear not” promise: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).
Soul food: Rom 3:21-6:23; John 8:31-41; Ps 83:1-8; Prov 29:19-22
2017-11-10
2 Timothy 3:15 NIV
There’s a story about a woman who came to her pastor and said, “How early should I start the spiritual training of my child?” The pastor asked, “How old is the child?” She answered, “Five.” He replied, “Lady, get busy – you’re already five years late!” Psychologists confirm that your child’s capacity and hunger for knowledge begins at infancy. So while they are in the listening stage, you should be in the teaching stage. Take every opportunity to read the Bible to them. Use everyday experiences to teach them what God’s Word has to say about the Golden Rule, how to be polite, how to forgive, and how to confess and repent of sin. Never underestimate God’s ability to develop spiritual character and teach spiritual truths to your children, even at a very early age. While their heart is still young and tender, introduce them to Jesus. Some of the greatest Christians in history were saved at an early age. Jonathan Edwards, whose ministry shook New England for God, was saved at the age of eight. Charles Spurgeon, “the prince of preachers,” was saved at the age of twelve. Matthew Henry, the great Bible commentator, was saved at the age of eleven. Timothy was an apostle by the time he was seventeen. Paul writes, “From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Yes, your child can understand the basic truths about salvation. And they can come to know Christ at an early age.
Soul food: Rom 1:1-3:20; John 8:12-30; Ps 133; Prov 29:15-18
