2025-11-28
Matthew 9:36 NKJV
Was God telling him to stay in London rather than go to China? Thomas Barnardo had come to London for missionary training, only to have a ten-year-old child show him a rooftop where eleven homeless boys were sleeping. Barnardo was “moved with compassion,” and set out to find temporary lodging for them. Other midnight tours revealed more homeless youths – as many as seventy-three in one night. China would have to wait; God had given him London.
Barnardo sold some three hundred thousand copies of the Scriptures in public houses and marketplaces to raise money for his work among the children. He was often persecuted for defending them, even sustaining physical injury. When a cholera epidemic hit London in 1866, he worked tirelessly, only to see thousands die. Some would have quit in discouragement, but not Barnardo. He eventually opened a Home for Destitute Boys, and later, a Village for Girls. Through the next several decades, he built numerous homes and villages that cared for some sixty thousand abandoned children, and became known as “the father of nobody’s children.” And happily, he lived long enough to see seventeen of the young people he rescued enter the ministry and take the gospel to foreign lands.
You say, “How can I be sure God is calling me to a particular need?” Because you will be moved with compassion. “When He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said… ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest'” (vv. 36-38 NKJV).
Soul food: Josh 11-13; John 15:5-17; Ps 14; Prov 28:13-16
2025-11-27
Romans 8:12 NLT
“Heavenly Father, your Word says: ‘The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore… you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live’ (vv. 11-13 NLT).
I’m tired of struggling with this habit, and acknowledge that I’m powerless over it. So, I make a commitment now to surrender my will to you. Give me power to not only say no to Satan’s temptation, but to say an even stronger yes to you and your plan for my life. You know the void I’m trying to fill. Take away my desire for this habit, and help me to withstand the cravings. Teach me how to walk in triumph day by day instead of thinking I can solve this problem right away.
Your Word says if the Son makes me free, I shall be free indeed (See John 8:36). Your Word says I can be more than a conqueror through Him who loved me (See Romans 8:37). Your Word says, ‘Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires’ (Romans 13:14 NLT). Clothed in your presence and power, I will begin to walk in victory over this habit each day.”
Soul food: Josh 8:30-10:43; John 14:26-15:4; Ps 146; Prov 28:9-12
2025-11-26
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Here are four benefits of a true friendship: First, a true friend is someone who, when you feel like you have made a mess out of things and a fool out of yourself, still believes in you and reassures you that you haven’t done permanent damage. The Bible says, “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NLT).
Second, a true friend is someone who is there when the good times are not. The Prodigal Son discovered to his hurt that when your money runs out, many of your so-called friends go with it.
Third, a true friend is someone who gets in your way when you are on your way down. James writes: “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins” (James 5:19-20 NLT). Solomon writes, “An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5-6 NLT).
Fourth, a true friend is someone who comes in when the world walks out. The Bible says, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need” (Proverbs 17:17 NLT).
If you have friends like this in your life, treasure them – they’re a gift from God. And don’t just be a taker, be a giver. Go out of your way to be a true friend to someone else.
Soul food: Josh 5:1-8:29; John 14:15-25; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 28:5-8
2025-11-25
Psalm 40:1 NLT
Have you ever watched a hamster running on a wheel? The hamster looks outside his glass cage and sees freedom, so he decides to make a run for it. But after a while, he realizes that he is not getting anywhere, so he runs faster. He runs until he is exhausted and can run no more.
Can you identify with the hamster? You have been trying for years to break a habit, yet today you’re still in the same place, or worse. You have made New Year’s resolutions to quit your bad habits or have a better marriage or work on getting fit or improving your finances. Yet, you’re still in the same position. Why? Because you’re using the wrong method! You cannot change yourself.
The only way for a hamster to find freedom is if his owner reaches down inside the cage and lifts him out. He needs somebody bigger than himself, with greater power. David said: “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord” (vv. 1-4 NLT).
The way to get off the treadmill is to cry out to God, and He will set you free.
Soul food: Josh 1-4; John 14:1-14; Ps 118:10-18; Prov 28:1-4
2025-11-24
James 1:25 NLT
Going to heaven is based solely upon having a relationship with Christ; one in which you place your total trust in Him. This relationship also involves rules you live by and guidelines that make you more godly. A tennis player isn’t free to play tennis if there is no baseline to let him or her know whether the ball is “in or out.” A baseball player isn’t free to play baseball without a foul line. A football player is not free to play football without sidelines.
You cannot be truly free without restraints. For example, a fish is not free to wander through the jungle, and a lion is not free to dwell in the ocean. Neither was made for that. Freedom is having the benefits accumulate to you that you were created to receive. Freedom doesn’t mean no boundaries. Freedom “in Christ” means that within the right boundaries, you get to experience “life more abundant” (See John 10:10). James writes, “If you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says… God will bless you for doing it.”
On top of the Statue of Liberty is a crown with seven spikes depicting the seven seas and seven continents, meaning wherever you are, you can come to America. At the bottom of the statue is a broken chain, meaning you can come to America and find freedom. But when you come, you must agree to honour the rules that govern the relationship.
Soul food: 3 John; Jude; John 13:31-38; Ps 118:1-9
2025-11-23
2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV
God is not hesitant or indifferent when it comes to showing Himself strong. Rather, He is looking “throughout the whole earth” for people who are loyal to Him so He can reveal His power through their lives! Here are three things you need to know about God:
(1) He is always at work in supernatural ways in our world, and He has a lot He wants to accomplish.
(2) He is actively searching for loyal partners – people who steadily care about what He cares about.
(3) He is consistently nudging people to respond, but most people miss it or say no.
Question: What would it look like in your life if you began to say yes? A minister writes: “A life marked by the miraculous is not just possible, not even just desirable, but is at the very centre of God’s will for every one of us. When we settle for less, our lives lose delight, fulfillment, and purpose. Personal needs of people we meet get overlooked. Extreme needs in our communities and around the world go unmet. When a whole generation settles for less, the character and motives of God get called into question. His shining presence seems to fade in the world.”
But you can do something about it. You were born to be God’s ambassador, making Him visible each day (See 2 Corinthians 5:20). God desires to show Himself strong in you, for you, and through you, because every person you encounter has a need that only God can meet.
Soul food: Ecc 11:7-12:1; Ps 39:4-13; 2 Tim 4:6-8
