2025-06-11
1 Timothy 4:15 NKJV
Recognize that without change, there can be no progress. Now, we’re not advocating change for its own sake. That can be a characteristic of restlessness and a symptom of inner conflict. Change can represent great opportunities as well as potential losses. Although all progress produces change, not all change produces progress. But as leadership expert Max DePree observed, “We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” If you want to grow, you must be willing to change.
General Douglas MacArthur, hero of the Pacific War, said, “Life is a lively process of becoming. If you haven’t added to your interests within the past year, if you are thinking the same old thoughts, relating the same personal experiences, having the same predictable reactions, rigor mortis of the personality has set in.” Did you get that last sentence? Rigor mortis is the physical rigidity that sets in after death. And it can happen to you relationally, careerwise, and spiritually.
In 1 Timothy 4, Paul is mentoring his spiritual son Timothy to take over leadership in the church when Paul is no longer around. And he was letting Timothy know he couldn’t inherit the mantle of leadership simply because Paul loved him; rather, he would have to work for it. And that meant working on himself! “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”
Opportunities in life come to all of us, but they’re only recognized and grasped by those who are prepared. And that means being willing to grow, adapt, and change.
Soul food: 2 Ki 21-23; Mark 14:1-11; Ps 73:1-16; Prov 13:17-19
2025-06-10
Acts 6:2 NIV
The New Testament church grew so fast that the apostles became overwhelmed with the challenge of administering it. What did they do? “So, the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word'” (vv. 2-4 NIV). And the result? “The word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (v. 7 NIV).
You can improve the quality of your life by learning to delegate. Here is how you do it:
(1) Start with a task you currently perform that could be handed off to another.
(2) Identify a person with the capability (not just the willingness) to do it.
(3) Take time to write the steps and to go over them with the person.
(4) Describe why the task is essential and its importance in the whole scheme of things.
(5) If the task is time sensitive, then set definite dates.
(6) State your expectations.
(7) Evaluate the person’s progress on a recurring basis until you’re assured they can handle the job without your involvement. Assist them for a while and check in with them to make sure they’re doing the job right. The saying is true: You don’t get what you expect; you get what you inspect.
Soul food: 2 Ki 18:17-20:21; Mark 13:24-37; Ps 80:12-19; Prov 13:13-16
2025-06-09
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
When we read the verse, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” we tend to think it’s about capturing sinful thoughts and getting them out of our minds. And it is. But it’s also about capturing creative thoughts and keeping them in our minds. This Scripture also means stewarding every word, every thought, every impression, and every revelation inspired by God’s Spirit.
A pastor writes: “The Aramaic word for ‘prayer’ means ‘to set a trap.’ We often think of prayer as nothing more than words spoken to God, but maybe it’s more than that. Prayer is also when God speaks to us through dreams and desires and promptings and impressions and ideas. Prayer is the mechanism whereby God ideas are conceived and captured. And it’s our capacity for prayer that will ultimately determine our creative potential. One way to set prayer traps is by keeping a prayer journal… Journaling is one of the most overlooked and underappreciated spiritual disciplines in our multitasking culture.”
Your journal captures your journey. It shows you how far you have come and how far you still have to go. It reminds you of God’s grace when you stumbled and His faithfulness that brought you back to the right road after you had taken the wrong one. When you set a prayer trap, you capture each experience and wring the wisdom out of it to be better and stronger. You need to “write down the revelation” (Habakkuk 2:2 NIV). Some of us do this digitally, and others with pen and paper. What matters is that you are recording what God is doing in your head, in your heart, and in your life.
Soul food: 2 Ki 16:1-18:16; Mark 13:12-23; Ps 80:1-11; Prov 13:11-12
2025-06-08
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Every day, people “read” you. The question is: What kind of message are they getting? Here is what they’re supposed to get: “We… are being transformed into his image” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV). “We have renounced secret and shameful ways” (2 Corinthians 4:2 NIV). “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). In other words, your letter should make it clear that you’re no longer the person you once were because:
(1) Christ has changed you spiritually. Once you didn’t enjoy God’s Word or obey His commands. Now you hear, receive, love, and obey His Word and revel in it. (See Psalm 119:97-106 AMPC).
(2) Christ has changed you morally. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul lists many of the sins that once characterized our lives. He mentions those who are immoral, thieves, greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers, etc. Then comes this wonderful verse: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed… sanctified [set apart for God’s use]… justified [just-if-I’d never sinned]” (v. 11 NIV). In other words, God has transformed your character qualities.
(3) Christ has changed you mentally. “Be… transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Now you look at life, yourself, others, your challenges, your options, and opportunities in the light of God’s thoughts instead of your own. You see possibilities where before you saw only problems. Your mind, which was once frazzled by worry, is now filled with confidence and peace. In essence, your letter should transmit this message to the people you meet: “Christ has changed my life for the better, and if you let Him, He will change yours too!”
Soul food: Lev 23:15-22; Acts 2:1-18
2025-06-07
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
You have probably heard the old saying about doctors and their prescriptions, “They can read writing, but they can’t write reading.” A letter must be easily read and understood. Incomprehensible writing distorts the message and discourages the reader. The purpose of a letter is to convey the writer’s thoughts. When it doesn’t, the reader stops reading or fails to get the message. And since “you are like a letter written by Christ” (v. 3 CEV), here are some common distortions you need to avoid:
(1) Dishonesty on the job. That includes things like inflating your expenses, stealing company time, and taking home items you think won’t be missed.
(2) A bad attitude. For example, resentment when a friend, fellow worker or boss asks you at an inconvenient time to help them and go the extra mile.
(3) Substandard work reflected in shoddy products and services.
(4) Unreliability and inconsistency. Can you be counted on to be where you’re supposed to be and to fulfil your obligations?
(5) Being a killjoy. Christians who lack a sense of humor and act like they are joy impaired hurt the cause of Christ instead of helping it.
(6) Touchiness. How do people “read” you? Do you wear your feelings on your sleeve? Are you easily upset? Do you overreact to unintended offenses?
(7) Temper tantrums. Are you crabby, grumpy, and complaining when things don’t go your way?
(8) Self-righteousness. This can make you speak in supercilious, religious tones that turn people off.
Remember, you’re “known and read by everyone” (v. 2 NIV), so make sure your attitude and conduct reflect well on your faith and your Lord.
Soul food: 2 Ki 13-15; Mark 13:1-11; Ps 143; Prov 13:9-10
2025-06-06
2 Corinthians 3:3 CEV
Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: “You are our letter… for everyone to read and understand… a letter written by Christ and delivered by us. But you are not written with pen and ink or on tablets made of stone. You are written… by the Spirit of the living God” (vv. 2-3 CEV). Usually, when we get mail, we sort it into two piles: important mail and junk mail. How do we make that determination? By answering these two questions:
(1) Who is the letter from? The source determines your interest level. And you are a letter to the world from Christ, and about Christ, “for what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus… as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5 NIV). Religious folks often promote their denomination, but we’re called to promote Christ – and Him alone. Are people really interested? Yes, Jesus promised, “I, when I am lifted up… will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NIV). Nothing is more needed today than a living portrait of Jesus reflected in the lives of His redeemed people. So, deliver your love letter to whoever crosses your path.
(2) Who is the letter addressed to? The Bible answers that question: “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). Dr. David Yonggi Cho built the world’s largest church in Seoul, South Korea: almost a million people. That’s bigger than many towns and cities. But as a young Buddhist, he was led to Christ by a lady he only met once. What if she had decided to remain silent?
Your life is a letter from Christ with the potential to change someone else’s life, so make sure you deliver it.
Soul food: 2 Ki 10-12; Mark 12:28-44; Ps 132:11-18; Prov 13:7-8
