2022-02-12
Proverbs 13:18 NLT
We don’t enjoy confrontation, but it’s impossible to grow without it. Healthy confrontation calls for ‘speaking the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15 NIV) to the people we value. Just as God confronts each of us in the areas where we need to grow, He expects us to do the same for others. It isn’t easy. But here’s some advice and guidance to help when we’re faced with confronting someone:
1) Talk to the person, not about them. Healthy confrontation should be direct and, whenever possible, done in private. It calls for thoughtful words that we deliver firmly but graciously. When people are hurting, we need to treat them with love and care.
2) Don’t exaggerate. Instead of generalising, we should give specific examples. When Nathan the prophet confronted King David about his sin with Bathsheba, he was specific. We also need to keep our own emotions in check. That might call for waiting until any anger we feel has faded (which might take a lot of prayer on our part!).
3) Don’t guilt-trip them; help them. We should leave the person we’ve confronted with a clear direction on how to improve. Leaving them confused, hurt, and criticised isn’t fair, isn’t constructive, and can lead to more intense issues and unwanted complications. The best approach is to calmly identify the problem and suggest ways it can be resolved. Our goal isn’t to expose somebody but to show them a better way.
4) Don’t be critical; be compassionate. If we’re over-critical, we’ll find ourselves condemning rather than confronting. In all honesty, every one of us is travelling on a bumpy road with lots of potential for mishaps, so we should approach others with love and concern.
Isa 30-33; Luke 9:37-45; Ps 145:1-13; Pro 4:20-22
2022-02-11
Acts 10:38 NIV
Jesus was a problem solver. People were spiritually hungry so He said, ‘I am the bread of life’ (John 6:35). They were sick so He ‘went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.’ They needed guidance, so He said, ‘Come, follow me’ (Mark 1:17 NIV). They were mentally and physically exhausted, so He promised, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28 NLT). He discerned what someone needed, knew what He could do to meet that need, and provided it for them. He looked for solutions.
Everything God makes is to meet a need and solve a problem. And He made each one of us. We’re not here by accident. God told Jeremiah, ‘Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations’ (Jeremiah 1:5 NCV). God created each of us to fulfil a unique purpose. Jeremiah’s was to be ‘a prophet to the nations’.
What are you called and gifted to do? That’s where you’ll find your highest level of joy! If you’re not sure what your calling is yet, try starting here: What could you offer to help others and meet some of their needs? Think of your contribution to others as an assignment from God. And in the meantime, keep listening, talking and praying to God about your calling. At the right time, He’ll reveal it to you and show you the steps you need to take.
Isa 26-29; Luke 9:28-36; Ps 141; Pro 4:18-19
2022-02-10
Luke 22:10 NLT
At Oscar time, Hollywood gives awards to the best actor, producer, director, editor, costume designer, and so on. But a big part of their success is down to the people we don’t see. Without the supporting cast and all the work done behind the scenes by the technical and artistic crews, there would be no place for the big stars and the best movies. The Oscars remind us that the brightest stars can only shine because of the supporting stars that go unrecognised.
Scripture tells us that God also has a supporting cast; people who are happy to work behind the scenes. They’re the ones who go about serving quietly, gladly, and faithfully, doing thousands of little things that make a huge difference. The Bible’s filled with behind-the-scenes people, like the unnamed ‘man carrying a pitcher of water’ who led Peter and John to the upper room for Jesus’ meeting with His disciples on the evening before His crucifixion. Or people like ‘James the less’ (Mark 15:40 KJV), a relatively unknown disciple who’s often overlooked by people, but never by God.
So whatever you do, even if you think it’s small and insignificant, here’s a promise from the Bible: ‘God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love for him by caring for other believers’ (Hebrews 6:10 NLT). God appreciates everything we do in His name. Jesus said, ‘I am coming soon! I will bring my reward with me and I will repay each one of you for what you have done’ (Revelation 22:12 NCV). People may not appreciate the little things we do, but nothing is too small to escape God’s notice.
Isa 22-25; Luke 9:18-27; Ps 138; Pro 4:14-17
2022-02-09
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
Andrew Newberg is a neuroscientist who specialises in studying the relationship between spiritual phenomena, religion, and the human brain. His research has led to the discovery that there are areas in our brains that can be shown to respond to prayer, reading and meditating on sacred texts, group worship, hymn singing, and empathy for other people. The brain’s frontal lobe is used in focusing attention, rational thinking, and decision-making. It responds to prayer and meditation by helping to reduce stress levels, enhance our memory, and increase our capacity for compassion.
Newberg’s research suggests that praying for even just a few minutes a day could help to slow the natural decline in our brains as we reach old age, and prayer and reading Scripture also appear to deactivate areas in the brain associated with anger, guilt, anxiety, depression, fear, resentment, and pessimism.
The Bible tells us that God designed us to have a relationship with Him and that we need to ‘pray without ceasing’, and Newberg’s research seems to back that up. Let’s allow the word of Christ to dwell in us richly (see Colossians 3:16 KJV), and join with the psalmist in praising our ingenious and loving Father: ‘Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous’ (Psalm 139:14 NLT). He wants to have a relationship with us so much that He hard-wired us for that exact purpose. That’s how much He loves us.
Isa 17-21; Luke 9:1-17; Ps 134; Pro 4:5-13
2022-02-08
Proverbs 25:28 NLT
Tests and challenges, disagreeable people, and frustrating circumstances are potentially upsetting, but they’re not going to go away anytime soon. However, the good news is that we don’t have to carry these problems with us. The truth is, it’s not what happens to us that determines our mood; it’s what happens in us! The way we respond is a choice.
We can imagine that life would immediately change for the better if we could change people and circumstances. What we forget is that even then, there would be new people and new circumstances to deal with that hadn’t occurred to us. We can’t control the world on the outside, but we do have some control over the world on the inside. Proverbs tells us, ‘A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls’; in other words, a city that’s open to attack. The only way to be certain of feeling secure is to forget about controlling people and things, and to focus on maintaining our own protective walls of self-control.
People and circumstances can make us feel inadequate and vulnerable, but the Bible tells us that ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ (1 Peter 5:5 NRSV). In fact, recognising our own inadequacies is the first step on the journey to wholeness. The second step is accepting that only God can empower us with self-control (see Philippians 2:13). Step three lies in understanding that self-control doesn’t come from our own determination; it’s a product of the Holy Spirit – a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). When we submit to the Spirit who lives within us, He’ll strengthen our walls of self-control and empower us to stand strong against the enemies of temptation, anger, and frustration.
Isa 12-16; Luke 8:40-56; Ps 125; Pro 4:3-4
2022-02-07
Matthew 6:34 MSG
When we’re feeling anxious about the future, we should take a moment to stop and remind yourselves that two of God’s names are ‘Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end’ (Revelation 22:13 KJV). Wherever we’re going, God’s already there! Jesus said, ‘The sheep hear his voice…he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice’ (John 10:3-4 NKJV). Sheep get to know the shepherd’s voice by spending time with him. ‘He goes before them’, which means that God can and will direct us.
Each time we reach a breaking point, we have a choice: either give up, or trust God’s guidance and persevere. Long-distance runners use the expression ‘hitting the wall’. When they’re exhausted and feel like giving up, they know if they push through the pain, they’ll get their second wind, which will carry them over the finish line.
There are times we need to just push on through the challenges to reach victory in our lives. It isn’t an easy thing to do, but we can be sure Jesus is with us every step of the way, encouraging us and cheering us on.
If we’ve picked up burdens that aren’t ours to carry, let’s put them down and leave them for God. If the burdens we do need to carry feel too heavy, let’s give them to God. ‘He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there’ (Psalm 22:24 MSG). The more we trust God, the less room there’ll be for stress.
Isa 8-11; Luke 8:26-39; Ps 67; Pro 4:1-2
