2020-05-12
Philippians 4:8 KJV
We all need “an attitude adjustment” from time to time. It’s crucial to maintain the right attitude when the going gets rough. No matter what happens in your life, determine to go through it with the right attitude. In fact, determine beforehand to keep a positive mindset in the midst of every negative situation that arises. If you make this a conscious decision and meditate on it during the good times, when difficulties arise you’ll already be prepared. Paul writes: “Whatsoever things are true…are honest…are just…are pure…are lovely…are of good report; if there be any virtue…any praise, think on these things…and the God of peace shall be with you” (vv. 8-9). Some of the greatest writers and composers in history created masterpieces during the worst times of their lives. Beethoven’s most famous symphonies were written when he was almost totally deaf and experiencing great sorrow. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to think, “I could never be like those people.” If you think like that, you’ll be defeated before you even try. Maintaining a right attitude is always much easier than regaining a right attitude. So as soon as you sense yourself becoming negative, make an immediate attitude adjustment. The Bible says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7KJV). The moment the Enemy sends negative thoughts into your mind, stop them midstream. Discipline yourself to stand strong with a positive attitude in every circumstance. When you do, “the God of peace shall be with you.”
Soul food: Num 25-26; Mark 8:14-26; Ps 57; Prov 11:14
2020-05-05
Proverbs 3:24 NLT
Insomnia is a miserable thing. At any given time it affects 30 to 50 percent of the population. You dread bedtime, toss and tumble all night, and walk around exhausted the next day. And when it continues for weeks or even months, it can depress you and rob you of your joy. Is that what’s happening to you right now? Then let God help you. His Word says He “gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT). His promise is “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.” And if you’re addicted to sleeping pills, the Great Physician can heal you. Make this your prayer today: “Father, shine Your light on the root cause of my sleeplessness. Whatever anxieties are stopping me from entering into a state of restorative slumber, I cast them all on You as instructed, knowing You care for me (See 1 Peter 5:7). Calm my racing thoughts and restless mind. Help me to be still and know You are my God (See Psalm 46:10). I submit to Your command not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything instead. I bring my needs to You, and thank You for all You have already done. Your Word assures me that if I do this I’ll experience Your peace, which is more wonderful than the human mind can understand, and that it will guard my heart and my mind (See Philippians 4:6-7). By faith I will lie down tonight without fear or anxiety and enjoy pleasant dreams. Yes, I will lie down in peace and sleep because You…Lord, will keep me safe (See Psalm 4:8). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Soul food: Num 8-10; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 37:16-24; Prov 11:4
Proverbs 3:24 NIV
We all know that it’s challenging to try and get through the day when we’ve had no sleep. We can become overly emotional or easily irritated. We can lack motivation for the tasks of the day, and can find it hard to concentrate. When we’re afraid, anxious, overwhelmed, or too busy, our sleep can be impacted. So what can we do about it? God wants us to rest in Him. He wants us to trust Him when we have too many thoughts in our minds. The Bible says: ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding’ (Proverbs 3:5 NIV). We can hand over all our concerns to Him, and rest in the knowledge that He’s in control. The psalmist wrote, ‘Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you’ (Psalm 55:22 NIV). Every night when we’re ready to go to bed, we need to spend time handing over all our worries and burdens to God. He promises that ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.’ So let’s make this our prayer today: ‘Father, whatever anxieties are stopping me from resting peacefully, I cast them all on You, knowing You care for me (have a read of 1 Peter 5:7). Calm my racing thoughts and restless mind. Help me to be still and know You are my God (take a look at Psalm 46:10). I bring my needs to You, and thank You for all You have already done. Help me experience Your perfect peace which will guard my heart and my mind (have a read of Philippians 4:6-7). By faith I will lie down tonight without fear or anxiety. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.’
Num 8-10; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 37:16-24; Prov 11:4
2020-05-02
Psalm 16:7 NCV
When we have a problem we can’t solve, where do we automatically go to for help? Do we speak to friends and family? Do we ask for advice on social media? Do we search the internet looking for answers? Or do we go straight to God? God’s wisdom is far above the wisdom of anyone, or anything, else. The Bible says: ‘The wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest’ (James 3:17 NCV). And the great thing is, we have access to this wisdom all the time. We can always approach God and ask for His help. God said: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV). We can call to Him anytime, and He’ll reveal things to us. He’s waiting to guide us, advise us, and give us the wisdom we need to make decisions and solve the issues in our lives. James wrote: ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you’ (James 1:5 NIV). Sometimes God will help us by speaking directly into our situation and showing us what we need to do. Other times, He gives us the wisdom we need to figure out what we should do ourselves. The psalmist said, ‘I praise the LORD because he advises me. Even at night, I feel his leading.’ We can hand all our problems and worries over to Him, and ask for His wisdom and peace in exchange.
Num 4:34-6:27; Mark 6:1-13; Ps 37:1-7; Prov 11:1-2
2020-03-20
Psalm 119:165 NLT
When we know we’re doing something we shouldn’t, we can feel uncomfortable and guilty. We lose our peace of mind. And the longer we disobey God, the less peace we feel. This happened to Jonah. God had told Him to go to Nineveh and tell them that He wasn’t happy with the way they were living. But Jonah decided to head to Tarshish on a boat instead. It might have made Jonah feel better initially, but a storm soon started and His peace was taken away. Eventually he said: ‘Throw me into the sea…and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault’ (Jonah 1:12 NLT). Even though Jonah was doing what he wanted to do, he wasn’t at peace because he knew that he should be doing what God wanted him to do. Also his actions caused other people to lose their peace too. The storm came because of his disobedience, and it caused the sailors to be afraid. If we’re not doing what’s right, we can not only cause problems for ourselves, but we can have a negative impact on those around us. If we want to experience peace, we need to be following God’s call on our lives. The Bible says: ‘Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.’ When we know what God wants us to do, and we obey Him, we experience ‘great peace’. This peace also comes from keeping our eyes fixed on God, no matter what our situation. In Isaiah we’re told, ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!’ (Isaiah 26:3 NLT). When we’re completely surrendered to God, and focused on Him, we will experience His perfect peace.
Job 8-10; Matt 24:15-25; Ps 116:12-19; Prov 8:10-13
