2025-05-03
Proverbs 24:16 NCV
Here are two more keys to bouncing back:
(1) Instead of complaining about what you can’t change, change what you can. When you can’t change your situation, you can change your attitude toward it. How do you do that? By reprogramming your mind with God’s Word. The Bible says, “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe [trust in God]” (1 John 5:4-5 NLT).
(2) Instead of grumbling about your pain, grow through it. At the peak of her career, when photographer Linda Joy Montgomery learned she was going blind, an inner voice said, “This isn’t the end; it’s the beginning.” She began writing poetry, discovered her calling as a motivational speaker, and created the True Vision Institute, teaching kids to tap into their inner resources. Finding purpose in your pain isn’t a new idea. Survivors of life-threatening illnesses, natural disasters, and the Holocaust, and parents of chronically ill children, continually demonstrate how overcomers find the proverbial silver lining by reinventing themselves.
Meeting challenges helps you develop a can-do attitude that says, “Been there, done that, and I will survive.” Basketball star Michael Jordan said, “I’ve missed over 9000 shots in my career… lost over 300 games… 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” And you can too.
Soul food: Num 27-29; Mark 4:26-41; Ps 44:1-8; Prov 11:9
2025-05-02
Psalm 129:2 NCV
When resilient people hit bottom, they don’t break, they bounce back. The apostle Paul was such a person: “We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 CEV). So, how can you bounce back instead of breaking? By doing two things:
(1) When you can’t control your circumstances, take control of your life. When a back injury paralyzed Angela Madsen from the waist down, she vowed to do whatever it took to get back up. As a result, she started training to be the first woman with a disability to row across the Atlantic. Journalist Denise Foley writes: “Madsen is what researchers call ‘resilient’ – …able to rebound from whatever difficulty life brings. She is one of those people who… make us wonder how we would fare if our own mettle were tested. Would we bounce back?”
(2) Instead of complaining about the wrong people being in your life, start looking for the right people. Ned Hallowell grew up with a bipolar father, an abusive stepfather, an alcoholic mother, and two learning disabilities – a history that’s often a precursor to jail or a mental institution. But he went on to become a prominent psychiatrist, a happily married father, and a successful author. It happened largely because, at a boarding school, he attached himself to teachers who cared about him and took him under their wing.
So, when times are tough, lean on God, take control of your life, and look for the right people.
Soul food: Num 25-26; Mark 4:13-25; Ps 37:32-40; Prov 11:7-8
2025-05-01
Psalm 90:10 NKJV
Do you ever wonder how long you will live? The Bible says, “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (v. 10 NKJV). Why do some of us live longer than others? Paul answers, “Our knowledge is partial and incomplete” (1 Corinthians 13:9 NLT). But here are three things you can be sure of:
(1) You can lengthen your life by obeying God and shorten it by disobeying Him. Fighting illness and facing death, Hezekiah prayed, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully… with wholehearted devotion and… done what is good in your eyes” (2 Kings 20:3 NIV). God answered, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you… I will add fifteen years to your life” (2 Kings 20:5-6 NIV). So, does God still heal today? Yes, His Word says, “Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil…and the Lord will make you well” (James 5:14-15 NLT).
(2) When their work on earth is done, the redeemed go to heaven. Paul describes heaven in two words: “far better” (Philippians 1:23 KJV). And the architect, builder, and designer of your heavenly home is Jesus, the One who said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2 KJV). At home with Jesus – try to imagine what that will be like.
(3) If you’re worried about death, claim God’s promise: “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16 NIV).
Soul food: Num 22-24; Mark 4:1-12; Ps 37:25-31; Prov 11:5-6
2025-04-30
1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT
When you share your faith with someone and they don’t seem to “get it,” don’t be disappointed, don’t be upset, and don’t be impatient. In Scripture, God’s Word is referred to as “seed” (Luke 8:11), so that makes you a sower. Yes, we would all like to sow and then reap as quickly as possible. But sowing and reaping each have their own season.
When the finger of God began to write King Belshazzar’s fate on the walls of his palace and none of his wise men could interpret it, they called for Daniel the prophet. Up until then he was basically persona non grata. But Daniel was ready when his time came, and you must be too.
Here are two Scriptures you must keep in mind when you share your faith with someone: (1) “People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them… for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT).
(2) “If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT).
God has called you to share the truth of His Word with others, but only the Spirit of God can help them to “get it.” You have not been called to convince, convict, convert, or change anybody, but to sow the seed of God’s Word each opportunity you get and to leave the rest to God’s Spirit. And when you do your part, you can trust God to do His part.
Soul food: Num 19-21; Mark 3:20-35; Ps 37:16-24; Prov 11:4
2025-04-29
Mark 6:11 NKJV
Let’s be honest, each of us wants others to love, respect, and accept us. But when people are unready or unwilling to change or haven’t experienced the joy and fulfillment in Christ that you have, you will often experience rejection. Indeed, when you follow Jesus, rejection is guaranteed.
What should you do? Here is what Jesus told His disciples to do: “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them… So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them” (vv. 10-13 NKJV).
When their circumstances change tomorrow, some of those who reject you today will be open and ready to receive what you have to share. People fear what they don’t understand, and some even fight against it. So when you bump into people who “will not receive you nor hear you,” love them, pray for them, shake it off, and move forward. Don’t allow those who are not ready to receive what you have to share keep you from taking it to those who are ready. One of Paul’s first converts in Macedonia was Lydia. Note what the Bible says: “The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul… she and her household were baptized” (Acts 16:14-15 NKJV).
Try to remember this: You are the messenger, and the Lord is the “heart opener.” Do your part, and He will do His.
Soul food: Num 16-18; Mark 3:7-19; Ps 37:8-15; Prov 11:3
2025-04-28
Romans 10:20 NLT
The Bible says, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.” You say, “What does this Scripture mean?” That even though you’re looking for answers in the wrong places, asking the wrong questions, and heading in the wrong direction, Jesus will intercept you, redirect you, and meet your deepest needs.
When the woman at the well met Jesus, she was looking for the answer in relationships. She had been through five failed marriages and was living with man number six (See John 4:18). When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was looking for the answer in material things. “Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was” (Luke 19:2-3 NKJV). When Paul met Jesus, he was looking for the answer in religion. Here is his résumé: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:5-6 NKJV).
Multiple relationships didn’t satisfy the woman at the well, riches didn’t satisfy Zacchaeus, and religion didn’t satisfy Paul. And these things won’t satisfy you either. What will? A relationship with Jesus! Today He is saying to you: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). Today, Jesus is the answer.
Soul food: Num 14-15; Mark 3:1-6; Ps 37:1-7; Prov 11:1-2
