2017-08-06
Genesis 1:1 NKJV
To say that true science and the Bible are contradictory is simply not so. If there’s even one chance in a million that God, heaven, and hell are true, wouldn’t you want to know? After all, one day you’re going to die. What then? And furthermore, since our children and grandchildren are increasingly exposed to the thoughts of unbelieving educators, don’t you want to be able to answer their questions when they come home from school or college, and steer them in the right direction? Well, guess what? Science proves the Bible true! For the next few days let’s talk about it: (1) The Bible tells us the earth floats in space. There was a time when people believed it sat on a large animal or giant. Seriously! But fifteen hundred years before Christ, the patriarch Job said, “He… hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7 KJV). Think about that: You can’t even hang your hat on nothing! The fact is, science didn’t discover that the earth hangs upon nothing until 1650 AD. (2) The Bible tells us the earth is composed of atoms. “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen are not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3 NKJV). Only in recent years has science discovered that everything we see is composed of things we can’t see – namely, invisible atoms. Yet the Bible, written more than two thousand years ago, said it was so. Now, the Bible doesn’t need science to prove that it’s true – it just so happens that it does.
Soul food: Josh 1; Ps 27:11-14; 2 Tim 2:1-13
2017-08-05
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Are you feeling stressed? Is your mind besieged with worries? If so, God wants to relieve your stress. Read the following Scriptures slowly and prayerfully: “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed” (Psalm 57:1 NIV). “You have been a refuge for the poor… for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm” (Isaiah 25:4 NIV). “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go… I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15 NIV). “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV). “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). “Even to your old age… I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4 NIV). So here’s God’s prescription for stress relief: (1) Believe God truly “cares for you.” (2) Make a conscious decision to “cast all your anxiety on him.” If you’re on overload, ask God for wisdom to change your schedule. When the problem you’re facing is too big for you to handle, give it to Him – and don’t take it back. Let Him think His thoughts through you, and allow His peace, power, and patience to take charge of your mind. Practice doing this at the beginning of each day, and as often as you need to throughout the day. It’s God’s remedy for stress!
Soul food: 1 Chr 4:24-5:26; Mark 2:13-22; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 20:19-21
2017-08-04
Proverbs 11:13 NLT
If you need help with a problem in your personal life, your family, or your career, keep the following things in mind: (1) Bad news is often remembered longer than good news. Long after you have resolved the issue and moved on with your life, the wrong people will continue to focus on it and talk about it. That’s why God’s Word says, “Those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” (2) Be careful who advises you. “The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful” (Proverbs 12:5 NKJV). Be sure you reach for the right person. There are many sources of wisdom in this world, “but the wisdom that is from above is… pure… peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and… hypocrisy” (Jas 3:17 NKJV). Note the words, “the wisdom that is from above.” Confide only in a counsellor who walks according to the principles of God’s Word. (3) Make sure the person you trust isn’t confiding in others you wouldn’t trust. They say you can tell a man by the company he keeps. And it’s true! The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps 1:1 NKJV). (4) “Problem talk” can portray you as a victim instead of an overcomer. Nobody wants to back a loser. When Job lost everything, almost everybody avoided him. It was only after God doubled Job’s blessings that they returned to participate in his life and bring him gifts. It’s always wise to control your mouth, your thoughts, and your focus. Remember, silence can never be misquoted.
Soul food: 1 Chr 3:1-4:23; Mark 2:1-12; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 20:15-18
2017-08-03
James 1:22 NIV
Shame grows in the dark, but once you expose it to the light of God’s Word, it loses its grip on you. Feelings can be so fickle. And often they’re triggered by everyday things like a familiar song, the mention of someone who hurt you, an anniversary, a birthday, a holiday such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day. That’s why James tells us, “Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.” One counsellor writes: “Shame can hold us back, hold us down, and keep us staring at our feet… Many systems and people are controlled by it and want us to play their game… Compulsive behaviours, sexually addictive behaviours, overeating, chemical abuse, and addictive gambling are all shame-based behaviours… Our past experiences, and the brainwashing we may have had, put shame on us. ‘Don’t think… don’t feel… don’t grow or change… don’t feel alive… be ashamed!’ Be done with shame! Attack it. Go to war with it. Learn to recognize and avoid it like the plague.” The Bible says, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” (Romans 8:33 AMP). Whether you committed the offense or the offense was committed against you, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 NKJV). Note the word “all.” Instead of talking about how you feel, start talking about what you know! God’s Word, which is God’s opinion of you, is the greatest healing force on earth. So read it, believe it, speak it, and stand on it. As you do, you’ll begin to rise above your shame-based thinking.
Soul food: 1 Chr 1-2; Mark 1:35-45; Ps 78:65-72; Prov 20:11-14
2017-08-02
Romans 12:2 CEV
When you’ve been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, it undermines your self-worth. You think, “If someone did that to me, there must be something wrong with me.” You feel like your soul is soiled; like you’re “damaged goods.” But you’re not! These two Scriptures are from God’s lips to your heart: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3-4 NIV). “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past… I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV). What happened to you was bad, but you are not bad! Today God says: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God” (Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV). Shame and depression go hand in hand. And while doctors can prescribe medication for depression, there’s no remedy for shame – except the medicine of God’s Word. So instead of believing your thoughts and emotions, stand on God’s Word regardless of how you feel. Being ashamed of who you are is like being perpetually punished – except you’re doing it to yourself. What’s the solution? “Let God change the way you think.”
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; Mark 1:21-34; Ps 78:56-64; Prov 20:7-10
2017-08-01
Genesis 2:15 NKJV
The Bible says God put Adam into the garden “to work it and take care of it” (NIV). So even when you have a great home environment, you’ve still got to “work it and take care of it.” Left unattended, the best garden in the world will eventually turn into a weed patch. Similarly, if you devote all your time and energy to your career and none to your marriage and family, your home life will become a trouble zone. The Hebrew word for keep is the same as our English word meaning “to guard” or “protect.” Adam’s job was to guard and protect his home. “From what?” you ask. “After all, didn’t he live in a perfect environment?” Yes, but Satan was about to show up and wreak havoc! It’s been said that “the Devil is in the details.” Look closely, and chances are you’ll see him at work in your family in certain areas of dysfunction and stress. As couples, we fuss and fight, convinced that the other person is the problem. And that’s what the Devil wants us to think! He knows you’ll never solve the real problem when the person you’re fighting isn’t the real problem. You have a spiritual problem brought on by your selfish nature, which gives Satan an entry point into your home. Marriage was instituted by God. So when you see things from His viewpoint and start operating according to His rules, you’ll have the productive, purposeful, and peaceful relationship He wants you to have.
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; Mark 1:9-20; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 20:4-6
