2023-03-10
Psalm 23:5 NKJV
Next time you sit down at your table to eat a delicious meal, stop and think about all the people it took to make it possible. A farmer grew it or raised it; a food processing company prepared and packaged it; a trucking company shipped it; a grocery store sold it; then someone paid the price to buy it, cook it, and set it before you to eat.
There are many links in this chain, but the first link is God. He made the soil, the seeds, and the livestock. Without Him, you would go hungry. That’s why each time you come to your dining table, it’s proper to “say grace,” or offer thanks to Him. When someone sets food for your enjoyment and nourishment in front of you, common courtesy alone should require that you respond by saying, “Thank you.” Here is a memo from heaven: “Everything you have came from me. Signed: God.” (See James 1:17).
Perhaps you’re thinking, “But I worked hard for what I have.” Then you’re to be commended for your work ethic and your effort. But that’s not the end of the story; here is the rest of it: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18 NKJV). When God says be “ready to give, willing to share,” He is simply saying, “Just as I have been the provider of all your blessings, now go out and share those blessings with others.”
Soul food: Exo 33-35; Luke 15:1-10; Ps 112; Prov 7:6-9
2023-03-02
Philippians 2:13 NIV
Remember the childhood game Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Winning in that game was “a-stab-in-the-dark” process. And for many of God’s children, determining His will and purpose for their lives amounts to a similar method. But it doesn’t have to. Here are some scriptural steps that take the guesswork out of it.
(1) Commit yourself to obeying God’s will. Understanding God’s will is impossible until you commit yourself unreservedly to doing it. Any desire to retain your own will blinds you to His. You don’t need a detailed map; it’s a journey of faith. Be confident that God loves you and wants only the best for you, and that when you submit yourself to Him, “You will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect” (Romans 12:2 NCV).
(2) Listen for the Shepherd’s voice and trust it. Jesus doesn’t leave you alone to figure out His will for your life. He is our Good Shepherd, and His “sheep recognize his voice… He… leads them… and they follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:3-4 NLT). Note the words, “recognize his voice.” With time and experience, you will learn to know when God is speaking to you.
Like Abraham who submitted to God’s will without knowing where he would be led, you’re called to surrender your will without knowing where He will lead you. God promises wisdom, insight, and understanding – not to the spiritually smart, but to any person who lacks wisdom (See James 1:5-6). So believe that His wisdom is yours!
Soul food: Exo 13-15; Luke 12:35-48; Ps 66:13-20; Prov 6:23-25
2023-01-25
Amos 3:3 NLT
There is no definitive test that can predict how a date will ultimately work out, but here are five questions you should always ask yourself:
(1) What’s my first impression of this person? For example, who do they hang out with? What kind of events do they enjoy? Do they lie? Steal? Swear? Do drugs? This kind of information can save you untold heartache down the road. And, not to judge a book by its cover, until you really get to know somebody, what else can you go by?
(2) How well do I know them? Isn’t it wiser to date someone you have known for a while instead of a stranger?
(3) Are they gracious toward others? Nothing is worse than a man who brags about his previous conquests, or a woman who constantly criticizes her ex. Would you trust that kind of person with your reputation and your heart?
(4) Do we share the same values? The Bible says, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” Opposites may attract, but that’s not a good rule when it comes to values. You need to know that your date is a committed Christian who lives by his or her convictions. What kind of standards do they have about things like money, morals, and movies?
(5) Can I trust them to keep their word? In previous relationships did they flirt, or cheat, or remain loyal? Count on it, a promise breaker will inevitably become a heartbreaker.
If you’re dating, here is some sound advice: “Seek [God’s] will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:6 NLT).
Soul food: Gen 1-3; Luke 5:27-39; Ps 100; Prov 3:7-8
2023-01-24
1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV
One of America’s most successful telephone companies created a TV commercial using the slogan, “Can you hear me now?” It shows a man talking on the phone, but the person on the other end can’t hear him. So, he repeatedly asks, “Can you hear me now?” The ad was designed to convey the message that this particular phone company delivers a high-quality signal and doesn’t drop calls. When your phone drops a call, you know it. And what’s your immediate reaction? Annoyance? Frustration? Anger?
In Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, Dr. John Maxwell writes: “When I interact with people… I know I’ve connected when I sense extra effort – people go the extra mile; unsolicited appreciation – they say positive things; unguarded openness – they demonstrate trust; increased communication – they express themselves more readily; enjoyable experiences – they feel good about what they’re doing; emotional bondedness – they display a connection on an emotional level; positive energy – their emotional ‘batteries’ are charged by being together;… unconditional love – they are accepting without reservation.
Anytime I interact with people and I see evidence of these signals, I know I’m connecting. I’ve learned what it takes to connect… and… to gauge when I’m succeeding. How are you doing when it comes to connecting? When you interact one-on-one with someone important in your life, do you receive these signals?… Even if connecting with others isn’t something you’re good at today, you can learn how to do it and become better tomorrow.” But first, you must genuinely care about the person you are trying to connect with. That’s why Paul writes, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow.”
Soul food: Ecc 9-12; Luke 5:12-26; Ps 96; Prov 3:5-6
2022-06-04
Philippians 3:10 NLT
Paul said, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death.” Let’s take an in-depth look at this verse.
(1) “I want to know Christ.” In Scripture, the word “know” indicates physical intimacy between two people who love one another. For example, “Adam knew Eve… and she conceived and bore Cain” (Genesis 4:1 NKJV).
(2) “And experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.” What’s dead in your life that needs to be raised? There is no problem that Christ’s resurrection power can’t handle. And how do you access it? When you make intimacy with Christ your top priority, you tap into His power. Some of us would be more comfortable if the verse ended after the words, “the mighty power that raised him from the dead.”
But the truth is, if you want intimacy with Christ, you must be willing to “suffer with Him.” Here, the word “suffer” isn’t referring to a bad allergy season or a losing streak on the stock market. For Paul, it meant being beaten, betrayed, and beheaded. But it brought a level of intimacy with Jesus that can’t be experienced any other way. If you have ever suffered deeply with another person, you understand this principle. You will never experience true intimacy with somebody by telling them, “I only want to share the good times with you.” Often, the strongest relationship bonds come from the suffering we go through together; trials that cause us to know, love, and trust each another in a newer, deeper dimension.
Soul food: 1 Kings 16:1-18:15; Matt 14:13-21; Ps 121; Pro 12:23-24
