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
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
