2019-11-26
Jeremiah 45:3 NLT
Some of the people we admire in Scripture experienced times when they felt “worn out,” yet unable to rest. Jeremiah said, ‘”I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest'” (v. 3 NLT). The psalmist put it this way: “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13 NKJV). Then he goes on to say: “I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” (Psalm 61:2-4 NLT). If you’re feeling overwhelmed today, take a minute to pray this prayer: “Lord, it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders and I know this isn’t Your will. Teach me to cast my worries and concerns on You, knowing that You have promised to take care of me (See 1 Peter 5:7). Give me courage to change the things I can, grace to accept the things I can’t, and wisdom to know the difference. Never let me become so busy that I forsake my quiet time with You. Teach me to be still and know that You’re my God (See Psalm 46:10). Thank You for being my refuge; a very present help in this time of trouble (See Psalm 46:1). In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
Soul food: Josh 1-4; John 14:1-14; Ps 118:10-18; Prov 28:1-4
2019-11-19
2 Corinthians 11:28 NIV
Let’s take another look at why over 50 percent of pastors quit the ministry. They love the crowd, but can’t handle the pressure. We like to talk about the power of the New Testament church, but what about its problems? The church is made up of human beings, and human beings have unresolved issues. The New Testament church had: (1) Moral problems. One man was sleeping with his stepmother, and nobody in the church seemed particularly upset about it (See 1 Corinthians 5:1-2). (2) Doctrinal problems. Some Jewish converts thought the Gentile converts needed to be circumcised. The dispute became so heated that it almost split the church down the middle (See Acts 15). (3) Immaturity and “personality-itis” problems. Paul writes: “I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it…For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly?…when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 NIV). He goes on to say, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV). Then he adds, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil” (2 Timothy 4:14). If you’re a pastor, here’s the bottom line: If you can’t feel the pain, you can’t heal the pain! Hidden in your everyday problems and people pressures, you’ll find the wisdom to minister effectively. So don’t get discouraged – keep going!
Soul food: 2 Chr 22-24; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 27:7-9
2019-11-14
Numbers 6:27 NLT
God’s Word is impregnated with life, wisdom, truth, power, and potential. When He created the world, He simply said, “Let there be.” Every word He speaks – contains the power to create whatever He says. Every promise He makes – contains the seeds of its own fulfillment. Those seeds have a scheduled season for fulfillment in your life, and when they’re watered with confident, faith-filled prayer, standing squarely on the Scriptures and patiently awaiting God’s timing – His Word cannot fail. Once you grasp this truth, the words “God bless you” become loaded! Speaking them releases God’s blessing into our lives. When you say, “God bless you,” God backs you up. “Whenever [you] bless…people…in my name, I myself will bless them.” So if you want to bless your loved ones, speak these words of blessing to them: “The Lord bless you and protect you…and be gracious to you…show you his favour and give you his peace” (vv. 24-26 NLT). Asking someone, “How are you?” is an expression of courtesy and care. And when you say, “Have a nice day,” you sincerely mean it. But when you say, “God bless you,” and understand the scriptural truth behind those words, God’s blessing can change that person’s life! Author Kate Nowak says: “It should be a habit, this business of blessing others…I’ve come to realize it’s one of the most powerful and practical ways for reconnecting with each other, our world and life itself…the most phenomenal way possible to lead us to happiness and success. A blessing is a sweet release from pain…an ancient key to a successful and fulfilling life.”
Soul food: 2 Chr 8-11; John 11:17-27; Ps 8; Prov 26:23-26
2019-10-18
Proverbs 2:10 NLT
One Friday morning an eager young Stanford University student stood before Louis Janin, a well-known mining engineer. He was seeking employment. Janin informed him, “All I need right now is a stenographer.” The young man said eagerly, “Fine, I’ll take the job.” Then he added, “But I can’t come back until Tuesday.” Janin agreed, and the next Tuesday the young man reported for work as scheduled. Janin asked him, “Why is it that you couldn’t come back before Tuesday?” The young man replied, “Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn how to use it.” The young typist was Herbert Hoover, whose can-do attitude eventually led him through the doors of the White House to become one of America’s presidents. By taking shortcuts – you risk shortchanging your future. Your unwillingness to learn today will leave you unprepared for tomorrow’s opportunities. No skill you learn will ever be lost. Gleaning knowledge and learning new skills builds confidence and sharpens your mind. Successful people have one thing in common: They never quit learning! Furthermore, God calls prepared people, so prepare yourself. The Bible says: “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver…Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy” (Proverbs 2:2-10 NLT).
Soul food: 1 Tim 1-3; John 5:16-30; Ps 5; Prov 24:8-9
2019-08-02
2 Timothy 2:2 NLT
Here’s a bit of time-tested wisdom that will help get you the results you want in life: Become a good communicator. Whether you lead in the church, the workplace, or the home, you must take the time to communicate clearly with people in order to succeed. One of the things virtually every employee wishes he or she had with superiors is better communication. Unfortunately, when those employees become managers, they forget to communicate with those they manage. This isn’t the case of Sally Frame Kasaks, who became CEO of the Ann Taylor clothing store franchise. She placed a new emphasis on quality products and on “more and better communication with employees at all levels.” Within a year, sales rose over 30 percent. Paul Kahn had a similar agenda when he became chairman and CEO of Safeguard Services. He had his head of operations, Richard Interdonato, change the internal company strategy to emphasize three things: (1) Open doors. Leadership became more accessible to employees. (2) Visibility. Interdonato spent about 40 percent of his time “just talking with people.” (3) Sharing information through a daily newsletter and frequent open forums with employees. It worked. Within a year, earnings increased by 13.1 percent. When you’re on top, always remember the issues that are important to those below you. Why? Because no matter how great your vision may be, without the cooperation and commitment of those below you, your vision will never be fulfilled. Paul, who was a great communicator, wrote, “Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Soul food: Deut 28-29; Matt 13:47-58; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
