2018-08-24
Ephesians 5:18 NLT
Sometimes people get drunk to try to fill an emptiness on the inside. But it doesn’t work. Like the Irishman quipped, “It’s champagne tonight and real pain in the morning!” Recognizing that His disciples wouldn’t survive without Him when He left, Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit” (John 14:16 NIV). Once you understand what the Holy Spirit can do, you won’t want to live a single day without His help. Observe: (1) He will plant your feet on the path of truth (See John 16:13). (2) When you doubt your salvation, He will confirm that you are truly God’s redeemed child (See Romans 8:16). (3) In difficult situations when you don’t know what to say, He will give you the right words at the right time (See Acts 1:8). (4) He will reproduce His nature in you (See Galatians 5:22). This is referred to as “the fruit of the Spirit,” not the efforts of your flesh. Fruit doesn’t struggle to grow; it simply draws life from the tree to which it’s connected and thrives. Paul writes, “Don’t be drunk with wine…that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” You can generally spot someone who is drunk by the way they slur their words and wobble when they walk. When it happens, we say they are “under the influence.” Paul’s point is clear: As a believer, your walk and your talk should be “under the influence” of the Holy Spirit. So today ask God to fill you with His Spirit – and stay topped-up by reading His Word and praying daily.
Soul food: 2 Chr 19-21; Luke 16:19-31; Ps 119:113-120; Prov 22:1-3
2018-05-17
Genesis 22:9 NKJV
Abraham considered Isaac to be a special gift from God. But God-given gifts are wonderful things – and dangerous things. Why do we say that? Because as you cultivate the gifts God has given you, you can begin to rely on them more than you rely on God. And at that point your greatest strength becomes your greatest weakness. It was God who gave Lucifer a beautiful form and a beautiful voice. Those gifts were originally used to glorify God. Then Lucifer started looking in the mirror, started reflecting on his own beauty. He glorified the gift he had been given instead of glorifying God. The lesson in Lucifer’s fall is this: Whatever you don’t turn into praise turns into pride. And that’s a problem, because “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NKJV). Instead of deflecting praise to God, Lucifer let it feed his ego. It was his sinful desire to be lifted up that led to Lucifer’s downfall. What are your greatest God-given gifts? What are your most significant God-ordained opportunities? What God-sized dreams has the Holy Spirit conceived in your spirit? That’s your “Isaac.” And you should love your Isaac and celebrate him, but he must never be permitted to take the place of God in your life. Sometimes God-ordained dreams aren’t just born, they have to be reborn. If they become more important to you than God, you have to sacrifice them for the sake of your soul. You have to put them on the altar and raise the knife. Sometimes your dream must die before it can be resurrected for God’s glory.
Soul food: 1 Pet 1-5; Mark 9:14-29; Ps 49; Prov 12:20-22
2018-04-15
Isaiah 6:3 NKJV
The distinction between sacred and secular is a false dichotomy. All things were created by God and for God – no exceptions. Every note of music, every color on the palette, every flavor that tingles the taste buds. Arnold Sommerfeld, the German physicist and pianist, observed that a single hydrogen atom which emits one hundred frequencies, is more musical than a grand piano which emits only eighty-seven frequencies. So every single atom is a unique expression of worship. According to composer Leonard Bernstein, the best translation of Genesis 1:3 is not “And God said.” He believed a better translation is “And God sang.” The Almighty sang every atom into existence, and every atom echoes that original melody in three-part harmony by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Super-sensitive sound instruments have discovered that earthworms make faint staccato sounds, while whale songs can travel thousands of miles under water. Lewis Thomas put it this way: “If we had better hearing and could discern the descants of seabirds, the rhythmic timpani of schools of mullets, and even the distant harmonies of flies hanging over meadows in the sun, the combined sound might lift us off our feet.” And some day they will. Glorified eardrums will hear this Scripture fulfilled: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'” (Revelation 5:13 NIV). Today make it your goal to glorify God in all that you do.
Soul food: Gal 5:22; Luke 2:8-20; Prov 3:13-18; Ps 119:161-168
2018-04-02
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 CEV
It’s not easy being a Christian parent in a world where peer pressure feels as if it’s crushing down on you at a million pounds per square inch; where values are at an all-time low and immorality at an all-time high. But with God’s help you can do it! To lead your children to Christ, do these five things: (1) Begin when they’re young, and read Bible stories to them each night. Let them hear you pray for them to know Jesus personally, constantly thanking Him for dying for their sins. (2) As you take them to church, explain what the various rituals and seasons (Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Easter, and Christmas) represent, and why they’re observed and celebrated. (3) Be sensitive to every spiritual question they ask, and take the time to answer their questions in a way they can understand. (4) Buy them Christian DVDs and cartoons that will present Bible truths on their level. (5) Trust the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom at the right time to present the gospel to them, and pray for their salvation continuously. On one occasion D. L. Moody reported “two and one-half conversions” at a service he conducted. Someone said, “I suppose you mean two adults and one child.” “No,” Mr. Moody replied. “I mean two children and one adult. The children can give their whole lives to God, but an adult has only half a life left to give.” And remember, the things we learn best are the things we hear most. So: “Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over.”
Soul food: Jer 14-17; Matt 28:11-15; Ps 69:1-18; Prov 8:27-29
2017-12-23
Romans 15:1 NIV
If you think you’ve nothing of real value to offer others, consider the words of an unknown poet: “One song can spark a moment; one flower can wake a dream. One tree can start a forest; one bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship; one handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea; one word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation; one sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness; one laugh can conquer gloom. One step can start a journey; one word can start a prayer. One hope can raise our spirits; one touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom; one heart can know what’s true. One life can make a difference; you see…it’s up to you.” Author Jon Walker says: “Encouragement is part of God’s nature. The New Testament word for encouragement is the same word Jesus used for the Holy Spirit who comes alongside us as an advocate…constant comforter…resident reminder…holy helper…indwelling guide… supplier of courage. Another way God encourages us is when other believers come alongside us as agents of encouragement. Encouragers offer affirmation and confirmation to those who see God’s hand working in their lives (See 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4); exhortation and reassurance to those who walk through trials and tribulations (See 1 Thessalonians 5:14); and reconciliation and restoration to those who stray (See Galatians 6:1). While there are many ways to bring out the best in others, in reality it only takes one: a willingness to ‘bear with the failings of the weak and not…please ourselves.’ That’s how we strengthen them in the faith. It’s called ‘people-building.'”
Soul food: Job 21-23; Luk 1:67-80; Ps 117; Ecc 10:10-14
