2020-01-03
Isaiah 1:19 NKJV
In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria became tired of his responsibilities as king, the pressures of international politics, and the mundane worldliness of court life. He made an application to Prior Richard at a local monastery to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in prayer and meditation. Prior Richard responded, “Your Majesty, do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That it will be hard, since you have been a king?” Henry said, “I understand. The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you.” Prior Richard said, “Then I will tell you what to do. Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you.” After Henry died, this statement was written in his honor: “The king learned to rule by being obedient.” Today, and every day, you have these decisions to make: (1) Live by your own impulses, or live according to the instructions God has given you in His Word. (2) Go according to your own best thinking, or submit yourself to the rule and the leading of the Holy Spirit who lives within you. When you think about it, the answer is clear! Obeying God leads to peace, progress, protection, and promotion. His Word says, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” Note the words “willing and obedient.” Obedience is an act of your will, not a reflex of your emotions. So this year – do what God says, for He has “good” things in mind for you.
Soul food: 1 Cor 5-8; Matt 4:1-11; Ps 90:7-12; Prov 1:5-7
2019-11-29
Matthew 25:23 NIV
In 1975 a low-level Hewlett Packard engineer called Steve Wozniak, whom nobody had ever heard of, shared a dream with his pal, Steve Jobs. It was about building and selling an easy-to-use personal computer to the masses around the world. The pair worked round the clock to create their compact PC. But when they offered it to Hewlett Packard, one of the world’s great companies, the powers-that-be failed to see its incredible potential and gave it the thumbs down. So Wozniak and Jobs went off on their own and founded a little company called Apple Computers – and revolutionized the computer industry! There’s no shortage of people who will tell you, “It can’t be done” or “It won’t work.” There’s a name for those people: “dream killers” – and if you listen to them you’ll give up before you even begin. Behind every major accomplishment you’ll find ordinary people with dreams, who are willing to take responsibility and risks. They are the people who enjoy the rewards! Jesus wrapped up one of His parables with these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” In spite of your failures, your struggles, and your limitations, if you’re willing to disregard the naysayers, step out in faith, and use the gifts God has given you, He will see to it that you succeed.
Soul food: Josh 11-13; John 15:5-17; Ps 14; Prov 28:13-16
2019-05-12
John 4:4 NKJV
Why does the Bible say Jesus “needed to go through Samaria”? To redeem a damaged woman who was called to introduce the gospel to Samaria for the first time. Think about the situation Jesus faced; the heat was smoldering, the journey was long, and He was on foot. He knew He wouldn’t be welcome there because of a long-standing animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Women in those days veiled their faces and were forbidden to speak to men outside their own family. This woman was already the talk of the town because she’d been through five divorces. So why did Jesus feel He “needed to go through Samaria”? Because He saw her as a diamond in the rough. He looked beyond her problem and saw her potential for His kingdom. The Bible says, “Many of the Samaritans…believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified” (v. 39 NKJV). There’s an important lesson here. The schedule didn’t control Jesus; the will of God and the needs of hurting people did. He was willing to go out of His way, turn tradition on its ear, and break new ground to do it. Notice what Jesus told His disciples afterwards: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (vv. 35-36 NKJV).
Soul food: Exo 20:13; Gen 4:1-15; Matt 5:21-22
2019-02-09
Acts 8:35 CEV
In Acts chapter eight we read the story of a high-profile leader who was won to Christ. This man held a position similar to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain and the Secretary of the Treasury in the United States. And he was led to Christ by a low-profile person called Philip, a church deacon (See vv. 26-40). Let’s look at how it happened and see what we can learn: (1) Philip was ready. When this man needed someone to explain the gospel to him, Philip was ready to do it. Could you have done that? When God has a job that needs to be done, could He call on you? Would you be prepared? And willing? “If anybody asks you why you believe as you do…tell him” (1 Peter 3:15 TLB). (2) Philip was wise. He didn’t barge in and start preaching, or put this man on the spot by asking “gotcha” questions. Note two things about Philip: (a) He was led by God’s spirit (See Acts 8:29 CEV). (b) He recognized the right moment (See v. 35 CEV). Good soul-winners are sensitive and strategic. (3) Philip was clear. Instead of a vague dialogue about religion, he spoke directly about Jesus. That’s what people need – a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ! They need to know He’s alive, and that He loves them. That He’s powerful enough to run the universe, yet personal enough to forgive their sins, break their habits, and resolve their doubts. Your job is to extend the invitation, and let Jesus do the rest. Do you need a soul-winning strategy? Try this one – it works!
Soul food: Isa 53:1-12; Acts 8:26-40
2019-01-19
Philippians 3:13 NLT
In order to move forward with confidence on your life’s journey, you need a reliable road map. In the Bible this is called a dream or a vision. For Moses, it was leading God’s people out of slavery and into the Promised Land. For Florence Nightingale, it meant bringing healing and hope to wounded and dying soldiers in Crimea. For Thomas Edison, it was illuminating the world with incandescent light. The fact is, anyone who ever made a difference in life started with a dream, and eventually it became their life’s passion. For the publishers of this devotional, it’s putting God’s Word into the hands of as many people as possible in every nation on earth! How can you tell if your vision is from God? It will bless you and benefit others. Now, if your dream is only to live in a mansion and accumulate a fortune for yourself, don’t count on God to underwrite it. Furthermore, your dream is worth only what you’re willing to pay for it. Inspiration without perspiration is just a daydream. Forty percent of the people you meet have great ideas, but all they do is talk about them. Another 40 percent work hard and would be willing to give their all for a great dream – but they don’t have one. Only the remaining 20 percent have a dream and the faith to make it come true. And even if you’re part of that group, there are no guarantees you’ll succeed. But you have a good chance – better than 80 percent of those around you. So go ahead – dare to dream.
Soul food: Isa 63-66; Luke 4:14-30; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 2:21-22
