2017-08-27
Psalm 143:10 NIV
As you look back on your life, the thing that will bring you the greatest joy is knowing you’ve done the will of God. But in order for that to happen, you must really want to do God’s will. Jesus said, “If any one is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17 NAS). Note the words “willing to do His will.” More than completing your education, or getting married, or getting your house paid off, or anything else in life, you must want to do God’s will. Chuck Swindoll writes: “There have been times when I said I wanted to do His will but I really didn’t. That’s a tough thing to confess, but looking back with 20/20 hindsight, I realize that at times I resisted His will. And I’ve learned that serious consequences follow selfish resistance.” Paul writes: “Doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does” (Ephesians 6:6-8 NIV). Note the phrase “doing the will of God from your heart.” That’s about as deep as it gets. More than pleasing people, more than acquiring creature comforts and status, more than staying safe, your greatest desire should be to please God. The Psalmist prayed, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 NIV). Your prayer should be: “In all I do this day, Lord, my desire is to please You and do Your will.”
Soul food: Jos 1:7-8; 2 Tim 3:14-17; Ps 119:1-16
2017-08-26
Ephesians 5:17 NIV
When you know you’re in the centre of God’s will for your life, you have peace in spite of adverse circumstances. You have confidence to go to God at any time, knowing that He’ll provide what you need. You ask, “But how can I tell if I’m in the will of God?” By knowing these two things, which are clearly laid out in the Bible: (1) You must be a Christian. Paul tells us, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14 NAS). Only as a believer do you have the Spirit’s presence within you. And you must have this inside help if you’re going to follow the will of God and enjoy the blessing it brings. (2) You must exercise wisdom. “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV). The famous theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards entered Yale University in 1716 at age thirteen, and at seventeen he graduated at the head of his class. By age twenty he “resolved never to lose one moment of time; but to improve it the most profitable way I can.” At twenty-six he pastored one of the largest Congregational churches in Massachusetts. And when God decided to visit New England in the “Great Awakening,” He chose to use Jonathan Edwards because he was prepared and ready. Doing the will of God calls for staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit and living in a state of perpetual readiness. So, how are you doing with that?
Soul food: 2 Chr 32-34; Mark 8:1-13; Ps 119:161-168; Prov 22:17-19
2017-08-25
Proverbs 11:30 NIV
The Bible says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15 NIV). But some of us act like loving the Lord more requires loving those around us less. We may feel awkward around them, or lose touch with them, or not know how to communicate with them, or we give off signals that we are spiritually superior to them. The Contemporary English Bible puts it this way: “If you act wisely, others will follow” (Proverbs 11:30 CEV). You are called to bring joy to people, not judge them. God has already established a time and a place for judging, and you won’t be on the throne when He does it! Jesus is called “the good shepherd” (John 10:11), and the Greek word for good literally means “engaging, attractive, fetching.” Christ was so magnetic that people were automatically drawn to Him. Are they drawn to you? Jesus said we are called to be salt and light. Salt makes the taste of food more enjoyable, and light shed on their path shows people the right way to go. Because they were wise and winsome, Isaiah the prophet spoke into the lives of kings, the three Hebrew children changed the politics of Babylon, and Joseph the economist saved Egypt from famine. Yes, Satan is at work taking Christ out of Christmas, prayer out of schools, and God out of government. But he won’t win, and he knows it (See Revelation 12:12). His strategy, however, is to convince us that he can. So today endeavour to be wise and winsome so you can lead people to Christ.
Soul food: 2 Chr 29-31; Mark 7:24-37; Ps 119:145-160; Prov 22:14-16
2017-08-24
Matthew 7:25 NIV
Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock… The winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (vv. 24-25 NIV). When the storms of life come – and they will – it’s too late to lay a solid foundation. That’s when you discover what kind of foundation your life is built on, so don’t short-change yourself by using shoddy materials or taking shortcuts. Be willing to acknowledge your weaknesses and work on them. Some of the strongest people you know needed help overcoming weaknesses at one time. The pastor of a megachurch recalls his early days, when he prayed that God would increase the size of his ministry. He writes: “After days of silence the Lord answered by saying, ‘You’re concerned with building the ministry but I’m concerned with building the man. Woe to the man whose ministry becomes bigger than he is!’ Since then I’ve concerned myself more with praying for the minister than the ministry. I’m still amazed at who I’m becoming as I put my life daily into His hands. He’s changing me – and He’s not finished yet. There’s so much more that needs to be done. Every day I see more immaturity in me. But what a sharp contrast I am to what I was… and I trust God more than ever.” So work on your relationship with God. Build the truths of His Word into your life’s foundation, and when the storms come you’ll be able to stand.
Soul food: 2 Chr 25-28; Mark 7:14-23; Ps 119:137-144; Prov 22:11-13
2017-08-23
Psalm 73:2 TLB
If you’d met Asaph, who wrote some of the psalms, you’d probably have thought he hadn’t a care in the world. But you’d have been wrong: “I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping and I was almost gone.” Then at the end of the psalm he does a one-eighty, and writes, “My health may fail, and my spirit grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever” (v. 26 NLT). Despite his problems, he chose to speak words of courage. When you have an opportunity to encourage someone, do it. You never know what a person is going through – that’s true whether they live in a mansion or a mud hut. Here’s an important principle to keep in mind: People tend to become what the most important people in their lives think of them! So think the best, believe the best, and express the best toward them. You say, “But they need to stop making the same stupid mistakes!” Change happens by inches, not miles. Even when it seems simple, it’s rarely easy. The only way we can break old habits is to form new ones, and that takes time and practice – lots of it. You can’t tell people something once and expect them to get it; they need to hear it over and over before they can make the adjustment. And how you tell them can determine whether they freeze in fear or soar above the obstacles. Be persistent. Never give up trying to help them improve. Acknowledge every step of progress they make. The way to get lasting results is through patience, love, and encouragement.
Soul food: 2 Chr 22-24; Mark 7:1-13; Ps 119:129-136; Prov 22:8-10
2017-08-22
Acts 20:24 NLT
To miss out on your assignment in life is to miss out on why God put you on earth. You’re gifted and called by God, and you need to take it seriously. The question is not what are you running from, but what are you moving toward? To succeed you must know God’s will and concentrate on fulfilling it. Having a powerful “why” will provide you with the necessary “how.” Purpose, not money and talent, is your greatest asset. To help you discover your life’s assignment, answer these questions: (1) What’s your temperament and what’s your talent? Psychologist and motivational speaker Charles Garfield said, “Peak performers are people who are committed to a compelling mission. It is very clear that they care deeply about what they do, and their efforts, energies, and enthusiasms are traceable back to that particular mission.” (2) Why do you do what you do? There’s a big difference between doing something because you believe God’s called you to do it, and doing what your parents, friends, or ego wants you to do. (3) What do you not do well? Knowing what you’re called to do often starts with discovering what you’re not called to do. When you can accept your limitations, you’re on the road to understanding your life’s assignment. When you pretend to be something you’re not, you live with a chronic sense of inadequacy and set yourself up for frustration. Don’t do that. Be open to the truth about yourself. Discover your God-given assignment, then give yourself to it.
Soul food: 2 Chr 19-21; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 119:121-128; Prov 22: 4-7
