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
2017-12-25
John 1:29 NIV
Scholars disagree as to the exact date of Christ’s birth. Nor do they know that the Church of the Nativity that’s visited every day by pilgrims in Bethlehem, is the exact location of His birth. Nor can any of us comprehend how by the Holy Spirit, a virgin girl could conceive a child. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to know when, where, or how Jesus was born, you just need to know why. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Only four things matter: (1) If Christ had not come, God would be unknown to us. (2) If Christ had not come, our sins would be unforgiven. The name Jesus means “Jehovah saves!” John the Baptist called Him “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (3) If Christ had not come, our prayers would be unanswered. In Bible days you needed a priest to petition God on your behalf. And Jesus is our High Priest who “understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT). (4) If Christ had not come the first time, we would have no assurance that He will come the second time and catch us away to heaven to be with Himself.
Soul food: Isa 7:14; Luk 2:1-20; Mic 5:2-5a; Isa 9:6-7
2017-12-24
Romans 8:39 CEV
That first Christmas, God did something extraordinary. Max Lucado puts it this way: “Stepping from the throne, He removed His robe of light and wrapped Himself in skin: pigmented human skin. The light of the universe entered a dark, wet womb. He whom angels worshiped nestled Himself in the placenta of a peasant, was birthed into the cold night, and then slept on a cow’s hay. Mary didn’t know whether to give Him milk or give him praise, so she gave Him both – since He was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didn’t know whether to call Him junior or father. But in the end he called Him Jesus, since that’s what the angel said, and since he didn’t have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms.” Lucado continues: “Don’t you think their heads tilted and their minds wondered, ‘What in the world are You doing, God?’ Or better phrased, ‘God, what are You doing in the world?’ ‘Can anything make Me stop loving you?’ God asks. ‘You wonder how long My love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That’s Me you see up there, your Maker, your God…That’s how much I love you.'” Paul asks, “Can anything separate us from the love of Christ?” (v. 35 CEV). Then he answers his own question: “Nothing can separate us from God’s love – not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love” (vv. 38-39 CEV). And that’s what Christmas is all about!
Soul food: Ps 103:8-18; John 3:16-18; Mat 18:21-35
2017-12-23
Romans 15:1 NIV
If you think you’ve nothing of real value to offer others, consider the words of an unknown poet: “One song can spark a moment; one flower can wake a dream. One tree can start a forest; one bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship; one handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea; one word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation; one sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness; one laugh can conquer gloom. One step can start a journey; one word can start a prayer. One hope can raise our spirits; one touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom; one heart can know what’s true. One life can make a difference; you see…it’s up to you.” Author Jon Walker says: “Encouragement is part of God’s nature. The New Testament word for encouragement is the same word Jesus used for the Holy Spirit who comes alongside us as an advocate…constant comforter…resident reminder…holy helper…indwelling guide… supplier of courage. Another way God encourages us is when other believers come alongside us as agents of encouragement. Encouragers offer affirmation and confirmation to those who see God’s hand working in their lives (See 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4); exhortation and reassurance to those who walk through trials and tribulations (See 1 Thessalonians 5:14); and reconciliation and restoration to those who stray (See Galatians 6:1). While there are many ways to bring out the best in others, in reality it only takes one: a willingness to ‘bear with the failings of the weak and not…please ourselves.’ That’s how we strengthen them in the faith. It’s called ‘people-building.'”
Soul food: Job 21-23; Luk 1:67-80; Ps 117; Ecc 10:10-14
