2017-11-09
Isaiah 5:20 NKJV
Did you know that God Himself gets angry? The Bible says, “The Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice” (1 Kings 11:9 NKJV). Often change begins with righteous anger. Aristotle once said: “Anybody can become angry; that’s easy. But to be angry with the right person…to the right degree…at the right time…for the right purpose, and in the right way …that’s not easy.” But it is possible! A person who always gets angry is a fool, but a person who never gets angry is lacking in moral courage. Henry Ward Beecher said: “A man who doesn’t know how to be angry, doesn’t know how to be good. A man who doesn’t know how to be shaken to his heart’s core with indignation over things evil, is either a fungus or a wicked man.” Here are four things that we ought to get angry over: (1) A sex-crazed, profanity-filled movie and television industry that’s polluting the minds of young and old alike. (2) Cowardly politicians who do what’s politically expedient instead of what’s morally right. (3) Injustice done to others because of the colour of their skin or their economic status. (4) Your children when they openly defy you. However, a word of warning: “Don’t go to bed angry” (Ephesians 4:26 CEV). So, clearly explain the rules of the house, consistently enforce those rules, but make sure that your child knows you love them and have only their best interest at heart. They may not understand it at the time, but they will appreciate it later.
Soul food: Isa 63-66; John 8:1-11; Ps 99; Prov 29:11-14
2017-11-08
Ephesians 4:26 NKJV
There’s a right way and a wrong way to handle your anger. Moses handled his anger the wrong way and it cost him the Promised Land. Jesus handled His anger the right way, and those who took advantage of the poor were exposed and thrown out of the temple. The Scripture, “Be angry, and do not sin,” means instead of just complaining about the problem, you’re supposed to do something about it. Instead of walking around on a slow burn and keeping those around you on pins and needles, get to the core of your anger and express it the right way. Pastor and author Dr. Jack Hyles wrote about how his child was assigned to read a book in school – one that was filled with foul language and questionable situations. The more Dr. Hyles perused the book, the angrier he got. Eventually he marched up to the principal’s office and politely but firmly said, “My son is not going to read this book: he’ll be assigned a different book to read, and he will not be marked down because of it.” The principal, taken aback and attempting to argue with Dr. Hyles, said, “But…” Dr Hyles interrupted and said softly but sternly, “No ifs, ands, or buts about it. He will not be forced to read this book, and he will be assigned another one. Is that clear?” The principal replied, “All right, Dr. Hyles, but I don’t understand the fuss. After all, the language in that book is no worse than what’s written on the bathroom walls.” Dr. Hyles smiled and said, “Yes, and when that becomes required reading – I’ll be back!”
Soul food: Isa 58-62; John 7:45-53; Ps 115; Prov 29:7-10
2017-11-07
Psalm 1:2 NIV
Butterflies cover more ground, but bees gather more honey. That’s because the butterfly just flies over the flowers, whereas the bee lands on each one and stays there long enough to extract the nectar. That’s the difference between merely reading your Bible for a few hurried minutes, and taking time to meditate on what you’re reading. Meditation isn’t something difficult and mysterious that only scholars and “spiritual” people do. It’s just thinking deeply and continuously about a passage of Scripture, memorizing it, letting it take root, and “owning it” until it becomes a life force operating within you each day. The point isn’t how much Scripture you memorise, it’s what happens to you in the process. Meditating on God’s Word clarifies your understanding and corrects your conduct. It enriches your thinking and equips you by making you think different thoughts than if you were watching TV, for example, or texting, or talking on your cell phone, or shopping at the mall. The Psalmist writes: “The Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. These people succeed in everything they do” (vv. 2-3 CEV). Meditating on God’s Word is the cure for moral and spiritual weakness; for a life with no focus; for a lack of intimacy with God; for chronically weak faith that causes you to fail and keep missing God’s best. So open your Bible, read it, and pray, “Lord, what are You saying to me?” Then meditate on His answer.
Soul food: Isa 53-57; John 7:33-44; Ps 15; Prov 29:4-6
2017-11-06
Ecclesiastes 11:1 CEV
The Dead Sea has such high mineral concentrations that even non-swimmers can stay afloat in it. The only problem is the smell. Because it has no outlets, any fresh water that comes in quickly becomes contaminated. There’s an important biblical principle at work here: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NLT). God never intended you to be a reservoir that just takes in, but a river of blessing that flows out to others. The Bible says: “A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT). So if you need a job, volunteer at a soup kitchen while you’re looking for work. If you’re praying for an increase in your business, pour your best into someone else’s business and ask God to prosper them. Solomon writes, “Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Divide your gifts among many, for in the days ahead you yourself may need much help” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 TLB). Even if you don’t have a specific need right now, sow a seed of kindness anyway. God knows what the future holds, and one day when you need it most, it will come back to you as a harvest.
Soul food: Isa 49-52; John 7:25-32; Ps 123; Prov 29:1-3
2017-11-05
1 Thessalonians 4:3 NIV
When God created Adam and Eve, He told them to “multiply and replenish the earth” (See Genesis 1:28). That helps explain why sex is one of our strongest drives. But it can also propel you into making decisions that mess up your life and destroy your relationships. The Bible says: “It is God’s will that you should…avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the heathen” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NIV). Why did God say this? Because when there’s physical intimacy without true commitment, somebody’s going to get hurt. You need to heed what God says on this issue. And you need to do it now, before you get into situations where you’re tempted to compromise your character, because by then it’s too late. We all struggle with our sexuality, particularly in a culture where “sex sells.” Sex is such an integral part of us, and guilt about it has a way of making us feel separated from God like nothing else can. In order to determine your values and establish some ground rules, you need to pray: “Lord, I’m not going to allow my impulses to dictate to me, or sin to separate me from You. I choose to keep Your standards, to rely on Your Spirit to give me strength day by day. And if I do sin, to seek Your forgiveness, get back up, and move closer to You.” That’s a prayer God will answer!
Soul food: 2 Kings 6:1-7; Matt 14:22-33
2017-11-04
Judges 3:31 NIV
If Shamgar had focused on the fact that he was going up against six hundred Philistines, he would probably have given up before he even started. Understand this: Satan will try to discourage and defeat you by making you feel overwhelmed by the problem. That’s when you need to counterpunch, by breaking down your goals into smaller steps. You may not be able to overcome your addiction, anxiety, or anorexia for the rest of your life, but with God’s help you can win the battle today. Don’t worry about next week or next year. Live in day-tight compartments. Can you resist temptation for twenty-four hours? Can you win the battle for one day? You know you can. And so does the Enemy. So take it one day at a time. We spend far too much energy focusing on the very thing we can’t control – the outcome. You say, “What if I fall back into my bad habit? What if my romantic efforts aren’t reciprocated? What if I don’t hit my target weight or get my dream job?” Jesus said, “Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time” (Matthew 6:34 TLB). The manna the Israelites received in the wilderness arrived daily, not weekly or monthly. Why? Because God wanted them to live in total dependence on Him. God’s grace, not your own works, is the key to victory. The word for you today is: “His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his lovingkindness begins afresh each day…therefore I will hope in him” (Lamentations 3:21-24 TLB).
Soul food: Isa 45-48; John 7:14-24; Ps 30; Prov 28:25-28
