2025-02-05
Luke 11:1 NKJV
Demonstrating an uncommon level of honesty, a well-known pastor says: “Prayer is the biggest struggle I have… It’s difficult to maintain a consistent prayer life, and especially difficult to sustain the conviction that it does any good at times.” Prayer doesn’t come naturally for the majority of us. We know it’s supposed to be a dialogue, but often it feels like a monologue. There is nothing worse than trying to talk with someone who won’t talk back. We don’t like to admit it, but often what we are really wondering about prayer is, “How can I pray so that God will give me what I want?” One little boy was asked if he said his prayers every night. He replied, “No, some nights I don’t need anything.”
Prayer is not about the particular words you use or the length of time you spend praying. It’s about getting acquainted. It’s about building a relationship. If you have something to talk to someone about, you may say, “We need to find somewhere we can talk.” You want to make sure you’re heard, and that you hear what the other person has to say. When you eliminate the noise of this world, you maximize your ability to hear God. It shows God you’re taking your relationship with Him seriously.
The psalmist said, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1 NKJV). Do you have a “secret place” where you can be alone with God? It can be anywhere. But you need a place where you can go and show you mean business with God.
Soul food: Gen 17-19; Luke 8:26-39; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
2025-02-04
Genesis 11:31 NIV
The Bible says, “Terah took his son Abram… and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there” (v. 31 NIV). A Christian author writes: “Terah accompanied Abram for part of the journey to Canaan, but then he stopped… Terah and his family begin their story in Ur, the great center of wealth and education and the land of idols. Then they begin on this road, which passes through the city of Harran and then down into Canaan… For Terah, the father of Abram, the road ends in Harran. Now we know from other passages in the Bible that Harran was a city a lot like Ur. There was a lot of wealth there. There were idols there. What’s going on? It may well be that… Terah thinks to himself, ‘If I were to go any farther than this, I could lose everything I have. For sure, I would have to give up my idols.’ So he chooses comfort. But Abram chooses to say yes to his calling.”
That’s a choice you will have to make too. And you will have to make it more than once. As your circumstances change, and the seasons of your life progress, you will have to decide whether to walk with God into the unknown or settle for the security of what you know. Terah settled; Abram moved on. What are you going to do? You don’t have to do anything to be worthy of God’s love and grace; those are gifts. But to walk in God’s blessing, you have to choose your calling over your comfort.
Soul food: Gen 13-16; Luke 8:16-25; Ps 120; Prov 3:33-35
2025-02-03
Matthew 25:23 NKJV
Jesus begins the parable of the talents with these words: “For the kingdom of heaven is like” (v. 14 NKJV). And one of the strongest points He makes is the importance of being faithful. Whether God gives you five talents, two talents, or one talent, the thing that matters to Him is your faithfulness. “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'” (v. 21 NKJV).
You will notice that He did not say, “Well done, popular servant,” or “brilliant servant,” but “faithful servant.” Christ is talking about those who are often unnoticed but indispensable to His purposes. He is talking about those who blow no trumpets, wave no banners, and demand no applause. He is talking about those who show up day after day and use the talents God gives them, to do the job He has assigned to them. Unnoticed by men, but noticed and rewarded by God!
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10 NKJV). These words describe those who shun the limelight and are happy to serve in the shadows. They describe those who not only start the race but run the race day after day, who don’t stop until they reach the finish line. Others may not think that you make much of a difference, but God does. While others make much out of skill levels and success levels, God measures you by your faithfulness.
Soul food: Gen 10-12; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 108; Prov 3:31-32
2025-02-02
2 Corinthians 3:5 AMPC
Before his 1971 fight with Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali said: “There’s not a man alive who can whup me. [He jabbed at the air with his blinding left.] I’m too smart. [He tapped his head with his glove.] I’m too pretty. [He showed the cameras his profile, like a bust on a pedestal.] I am the greatest! I am the king! I should be a postage stamp – that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked!” Guess what happened in that fight? To the amazement of all, especially himself, Ali lost to Frazier.
When confidence in your own ability and resources becomes pride, and then becomes arrogance, you’re headed for trouble. The Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV). So, how do you find balance? By remembering that every gift, ability, talent, and resource that you have comes from God. Confidence is essential to success. There is nothing wrong with recognizing the gifts God has given you.
But the difference between self-confidence and Christ confidence is found in who gets the credit. A good way to keep this thought in the forefront of your life is to practice the art of thanksgiving each day. It’s hard to be too self-confident when you acknowledge that you are nothing without God’s grace, which is His unmerited, unearned, undeserved favour. The Bible says: “All of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6 NKJV).
Soul food: Exo 16:1-35; John 6:30-40
2025-02-01
Ecclesiastes 1:14 NIV
Are you thinking that if you had more money or greater success, you would be happy? Tennis star Boris Becker said: “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed… It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace.”
Solomon made the same discovery. “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Solomon tried religion, education, money, public works projects, fame, creative writing, and sensual pleasure: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labour… Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 NIV).
Finally, in the last chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon finds what he is looking for: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV). Solomon discovered that life is not built on things but on relationships. And the first and foremost relationship you must have is a relationship with God.
You say, “How do I find God?” Through Christ! Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). Today, you can have a life-changing relationship with God by putting your trust in Jesus Christ.
Soul food: Gen 7-9; Luke 7:36-50; Ps 111; Prov 3:29-30
2025-01-31
Proverbs 17:17 NLT
Jonathan was the rightful heir to the throne of his father, Saul, but David had been called by God to succeed Saul as Israel’s next king. From day one, they were on a collision course. They had everything to lose by becoming friends, because ultimately only one of them could reign. So how did they handle it? Were they competitive, or suspicious, or jealous of one another? No, because neither was interested in promoting himself. The Bible says, “Jonathan made a solemn pact with David… by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt” (1 Samuel 18:3-4 NLT).
These were his most treasured personal possessions. He was willing to risk his life for David despite his father Saul’s warnings that Jonathan’s throne would never be established as long as David was alive (See 1 Samuel 20:31). Likewise, David jeopardized his life fighting the Philistines to help Saul and Jonathan establish their kingdom. The point of the story is this: A true friend is “there for you,” even when they would rather be somewhere else.
As one celebrity said, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” Solomon said, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” When was the last time you thanked God for the true friends in your life? What is it that makes them so special? Don’t assume they know how much you appreciate them. Tell them! And one more thought: If you want to have true friends – become one!
Soul food: Gen 4-6; Luke 7:24-35; Ps 107:33-43; Prov 3:27-28
