2021-08-09
John 21:5 NLT
Sometimes God uses failure to get our attention and draw us closer to Him. In John 21 the disciples ‘went out in the boat, but…caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”‘ (John 21:3-7 NLT).
We learn three things about Jesus in these verses: 1) He can do what we can’t. As long as we think we can handle things on our own, He’ll let us try. As long as what worked in the past is still working, we won’t reach for His help. It’s only when we run out of our own answers that we discover the truth of Zechariah 4:6: ‘”You will not succeed by your own strength or…power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD’ (NCV).
2) He can do more than we can. He told the disciples, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ It didn’t sound right, but by obeying Him they entered a level of blessing and abundance they never dreamed possible.
3) He wants a relationship with us. After eating breakfast with the disciples, Jesus told Peter, ‘Take care of my sheep’ (see John 21:17). Now fishermen don’t take care of sheep – shepherds do! So what just happened? Jesus introduced Peter to his true calling – and He’ll do the same for us.
1 Pet 1-5; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 119:25-32; Prov 17:11-15
2021-08-08
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Solomon said, ‘Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.’ And Paul wrote: ‘Take captive every thought…make it obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV).
We all have different things that can tempt us away from God. When we’re aware these things drawing us down the wrong path, we need to make a conscious effort to turn away from them, before they can infect our thoughts and our hearts.
We can learn a lot about the process of temptation from David’s story in 2 Samuel 11:2-4. First, he saw Bathsheba. Sometimes we can’t help seeing something that could tempt us, but when we do, we should try to walk away immediately and stop it getting any further into our thoughts. Second, he asked who she was. When we’re faced with temptation, we shouldn’t allow it to take a firmer grip on us by dwelling on it or finding out more about the thing that’s tempting us. Third, he sent for Bathsheba. Temptation is strongest when we make the choice to bring it within our reach; we can’t rely on our willpower to carry us through safely, because it often isn’t powerful enough.
Throughout the story, David had opportunities to break the process of temptation, but his choices and actions led to it getting more and more of a hold on him. That’s why we need to carefully guard our hearts and keep focused on God and His path – that way, we can turn our backs on temptation as soon as it comes our way.
Est 4:13-5:3; Matt 6:16-21; Mark 2:18-22
2021-08-07
Romans 15:2 MSG
Albert Schweitzer once said, ‘I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.’
Are people generally drawn to you and want to spend time with you? If not, it might be because of one of these things: a) Pride. Nobody wants to be around someone who thinks they’re better than everyone else. b) Insecurity. If we’re uncomfortable with who you are, others will be too. c) Moodiness. When people never know what to expect from us and feel like they’ve got to tread careful around us, they stop expecting anything at all and avoid us. d) Perfectionism. Others respect the desire for excellence but dread unrealistic expectations. e) Cynicism. People don’t want to be rained on by someone who sees a cloud around every silver lining.
So, how do we build people up? 1) Change our focus. If we’re self-centred, we can’t strengthen and encourage others. Pay attention to your interactions with people during the next few days. As you talk to them, notice how much of your conversation is about you. If it tends to be most of the conversation, determine to tip the balance in favour of focusing on others.
2) Try to make a good first impression. The next time you meet someone, learn their name, focus on their interests, listen to them without interrupting, and be encouraging.
The Message paraphrase says, ‘Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”‘
Deut 32:29-34:12; Luke 12:1-12; Ps 119:17-24; Prov 17:7-10
2021-08-06
Ephesians 4:29 MSG
The apostle Paul writes, ‘Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them’ (Ephesians 4:29 NLT). Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way: ‘Say only what helps, each word a gift.’ Think of the people you most enjoy spending time with. How would you describe them? You probably aren’t thinking of words like grumpy, bitter, or negative. In general, the people who we prefer to be around and leave us feeling uplifted and enthusiastic are not the complainer, but celebrators who are passionate about life. As we go about our day, everyone we meet, will be left either: 1) better off; 2) worse off; or 3) unaffected.
The way to build others up is to see them as opportunities instead of obstacles or obligations. One leadership expert writes: ‘One of the best things you can do for people – which also attracts them to you – is to expect the best of them. I call it putting a “10” on everyone’s head. It helps others think more highly of themselves, and at the same time it also helps you.’
Benjamin Disraeli, one of Britain’s prime ministers, put it this way: ‘The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.’ And we can do that by appreciating, encouraging, and helping others to reach their potential. Hope is one of the greatest of all possessions. Let’s take every opportunity to share the gift of hope with others, build them up, and help them discover their true value and potential in God’s eyes.
Deut 30:1-32:28; Luke 11:45-54; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
2021-08-05
Mark 4:39 NLT
‘Jesus said to his disciples: “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out…But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back…with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke…he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”…”Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”‘ (vv. 35-41 NLT).
Following Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll avoid life’s storms, so we need to: 1) Remind ourselves that Jesus is with us. If Jesus can calm the storm, He can prevent it. But He allows us to go through storms to prove that there’s no problem He can’t solve. We might be powerless in the situation, but He’s not. By going through the storm, we’ll come to know and trust Him in a way we never have before. His goal is to bring us out stronger on the other side.
2) Trust what He’s said. When Jesus says, ‘Let’s cross to the other side,’ we won’t encounter a wave big enough to drag us under. The truth is, we can’t stand in the storms of life based on someone else’s faith. We must trust Jesus and be completely assured in our own hearts and minds. So when storms come our way, let’s stand in the strength of Jesus.
Deut 28-29; Luke 11:29-44; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
2021-08-04
Isaiah 52:12 NKJV
When we’re under pressure and feeling tempted to move too quickly, if we stop and pray we’ll hear God saying: ‘You shall not go out with haste…for the LORD will go before you, and…be your rear guard.’ What an awesome promise! God goes before us to prepare the way and comes behind us to correct our mistakes and redirect our steps. When we’re about to make a wrong turn, His Word says, ‘We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps’ (Proverbs 16:9 NLT).
If we trust God and allow His will to rule us, He’ll reroute us if we head off in the wrong direction. When we think we don’t have what it takes to finish a task, His promise is: ‘The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring…you will be known as a rebuilder…and a restorer’ (Isaiah 58:11-12 NLT).
When we’ve run out of answers and don’t know what to do, He reassures us: ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’ (Psalm 32:8 NLT). When the load we’re carrying is too much to bear, we’ll hear His voice saying: ‘Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall’ (Psalm 55:22 NLT).
In order to hear His voice, we have to put Him first, sacrifice things that aren’t from Him, and tune out other voices. It can be difficult, but we must do these things, because nothing is more important and peace-bringing than knowing God’s guiding every step we take.
Deut 25-27; Luke 11:14-28; Ps 78:65-72; Prov 17:1-2
