2022-03-07
2 Corinthians 12:15 NLT
Helping people brings great fulfilment. When we spend our day serving others, we can draw joy from the fact that we’re demonstrating God’s love. And even if we’ve so far spent a lot of our lives being selfish and forgetting others, it’s not too late to have a change of heart. Even Charles Dickens’ Scrooge discovered you can turn your life around and make a difference for others.
That’s what Alfred Nobel did. He was shocked when he saw his obituary in a newspaper. His brother had died, but the editor mistakenly named Alfred and printed an uncomplimentary statement about his life because the explosives his company produced and profited from had killed many people. So Nobel vowed to spend the rest of his life promoting peace and acknowledging contributions to humanity. That’s how the Nobel Prizes came into being!
When we get outside of oursleves and make a contribution to others, we really begin to live. Unselfishness is its own reward; it’s not dependent on the response of others. This is the principle that guided the apostle Paul: ‘I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me’ (v.15 NLT).
Of all the qualities we can wish for and pursue, unselfishness seems to make the biggest difference towards cultivating other virtues. It goes against human nature, so being unselfish and servant-hearted can be a struggle at first. But if we can learn to think unselfishly and become givers, it becomes easier to develop other virtues, such as gratitude, love, respect, patience, and discipline.
Exo 25-27; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 136:13-26; Pro 6:32-35
2022-02-28
2 Corinthians 12:15 NLT
Helping people brings great fulfillment. When you spend your day serving others, you can lay your head down at night and sleep soundly. And even if you have spent much of your life chasing selfish gain, it’s not too late to have a change of heart. Even Charles Dickens’ Scrooge discovered you can turn your life around and make a difference for others.
That’s what Alfred Nobel did. He was shocked when he saw his obituary in a newspaper. (His brother had died, and the editor mistakenly named Alfred instead in an uncomplimentary statement, because the explosives his company produced and profited from had killed many people.) So, Nobel vowed to spend the rest of his life promoting peace and acknowledging contributions to humanity. That’s how the Nobel Prizes came into being!
When you get outside of yourself and make a contribution to others, you really begin to live. Unselfishness is its own reward; it’s not dependent on the response of others. This is the principle by which the apostle Paul lived: “I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me” (v. 15 NLT).
When you see a four-year-old, you expect selfishness. But when you see it in a forty-year-old, it’s not very attractive, is it? Of all the qualities you can pursue, unselfishness seems to make the biggest difference toward cultivating other virtues. Yes, it goes against the grain of human nature. But if you can learn to think unselfishly and become a giver, it becomes easier to develop other virtues, such as gratitude, love, respect, patience, and discipline.
Soul food: Exo 7-9; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 61; Pro 6:16-19
2021-11-01
Philippians 4:7 CEV
Mother Teresa is attributed with saying, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!” Is that how you feel today? Like there is too much to do and not enough of you to do it? Let Romans chapter fifteen, verse thirteen, percolate in your mind: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV). The way to have peace in the midst of a troubled situation is by staying filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do you do that? By developing a spiritual hunger and letting God fill you. He can give you a sense of serenity when you’re surrounded by stress. So, if you’re in over your head today, pray this: “Father, you said no weapon formed against me shall prosper (See Isaiah 54:17). I can’t keep the Enemy’s weapons from being formed, but I know you will keep them from prevailing against me. You said if I ask anything according to your will, you will grant my request (See 1 John 5:14-15). You said when I walk in obedience, I will be blessed when I come in, when I go out, when I lie down, and when I get up (See Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalms 1:2; 3:5). You told me to turn all my troubles over to you and you will take care of me (See 1 Peter 5:7). So here they are! Today I’m standing on your promises. You said it! I believe it! That settles it! Amen.”
Soul food: 1 Chr 17:1-20; Heb 11:4-12:3; Ps 18:20-29; Prov 4:18
Philippians 4:7 CEV
Someone once said, ‘I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!’ Is that how you’re feeling today? When it feels like there’s too much to do or the things we’re facing are too big to handle, let’s try to focus on these words of peace and let our minds rest in them: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13 NIV).
We won’t find true and lasting peace from anything external. The peace that stays with us through troubles and challenges only comes when we let God fill us with His Holy Spirit. He can satisfy our spiritual hunger and give us a sense of calm and serenity even when we’re sounded by stresses and strains.
If you feel overwhelmed at the moment, and in need of God’s peace, here’s a prayer of encouragement: ‘Father, You said there’s no weapon that’ll succeed when used against me (see Isaiah 54:17). I can’t stop the enemy’s weapons being use, but I know You’ll stop them winning against me. You said that if I ask for anything in line with Your will, You’ll grant my request (see 1 John 5:14-15). You said that when I walk in obedience, I’ll be blessed when I come in, when I go out, when I lie down, and when I get up (see Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalms 1:2; 3:5). You told me to give all my worries and troubles to You and You’ll take care of me (see 1 Peter 5:7). So here they are. Today I’m trusting in Your promises. You said it, so I believe it’s true. Amen.’
1 Chr 17:1-20; Heb 11:4-12:3; Ps 18:20-29; Prov 4:18
2021-10-05
John 14:27 NIV
God rarely sends us into situations where our comfort level is high. Instead He promises to be with us in spite of our fear. It’s God’s presence, not comfortable circumstances, that strengthens our faith and brings out the best in us.
God told Abraham to leave a wealthy, well-known family, and go to a land he didn’t know. He explained that Abraham would give birth to a new nation that would bless the world. Abraham went, and a nation was born. God told Moses to confront Pharaoh, the most powerful man on earth, and that God Himself would use Moses to deliver His people. Moses confronted, and God delivered. God told Joshua that if he’d be strong and courageous when everybody wanted to return to slavery, God would go with them and give them the land. Joshua was strong and courageous, and God Himself went with them and gave them the land.
Over and over we see this pattern repeated in Scripture. David faced the giant Goliath, Elijah faced the prophets of Baal, Daniel faced a den of lions – and always there was God in the midst of their fear. And He’s still there for us today – there are so many testimonies from ordinary people who tell how God was right there with them when they were facing their most fearful moments.
Here are Jesus’ words for when we’re feeling afraid and don’t know where to turn: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
1 Sam 27-31; Luke 24:45-53; Ps 63; Prov 22:17-23
