2017-08-05
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Are you feeling stressed? Is your mind besieged with worries? If so, God wants to relieve your stress. Read the following Scriptures slowly and prayerfully: “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed” (Psalm 57:1 NIV). “You have been a refuge for the poor… for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm” (Isaiah 25:4 NIV). “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go… I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15 NIV). “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV). “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). “Even to your old age… I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4 NIV). So here’s God’s prescription for stress relief: (1) Believe God truly “cares for you.” (2) Make a conscious decision to “cast all your anxiety on him.” If you’re on overload, ask God for wisdom to change your schedule. When the problem you’re facing is too big for you to handle, give it to Him – and don’t take it back. Let Him think His thoughts through you, and allow His peace, power, and patience to take charge of your mind. Practice doing this at the beginning of each day, and as often as you need to throughout the day. It’s God’s remedy for stress!
Soul food: 1 Chr 4:24-5:26; Mark 2:13-22; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 20:19-21
2017-08-04
Proverbs 11:13 NLT
If you need help with a problem in your personal life, your family, or your career, keep the following things in mind: (1) Bad news is often remembered longer than good news. Long after you have resolved the issue and moved on with your life, the wrong people will continue to focus on it and talk about it. That’s why God’s Word says, “Those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” (2) Be careful who advises you. “The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful” (Proverbs 12:5 NKJV). Be sure you reach for the right person. There are many sources of wisdom in this world, “but the wisdom that is from above is… pure… peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and… hypocrisy” (Jas 3:17 NKJV). Note the words, “the wisdom that is from above.” Confide only in a counsellor who walks according to the principles of God’s Word. (3) Make sure the person you trust isn’t confiding in others you wouldn’t trust. They say you can tell a man by the company he keeps. And it’s true! The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps 1:1 NKJV). (4) “Problem talk” can portray you as a victim instead of an overcomer. Nobody wants to back a loser. When Job lost everything, almost everybody avoided him. It was only after God doubled Job’s blessings that they returned to participate in his life and bring him gifts. It’s always wise to control your mouth, your thoughts, and your focus. Remember, silence can never be misquoted.
Soul food: 1 Chr 3:1-4:23; Mark 2:1-12; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 20:15-18
2017-07-30
1 Corinthians 7:33 NLT
When four-year-old Sarah attended her first wedding, she had lots of questions. At the reception her mom explained there were two cakes – a groom’s cake and a bride’s cake. “What’s the matter, Mom?” Sarah asked. “Haven’t they learned to share yet?” Seriously, the Bible says, “A married man has to think about his…wife…a married woman has to think about…her husband” (vv. 33-34 NLT). If you devote more time to your career than your relationship, there’s a good chance it won’t last. That’s why 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Understand this: When you marry someone, you marry everything they are and everything they’ve been through. It’s a package deal! And if you ask God, He will give you the wisdom and grace to enable both you and your spouse to “grow in grace.” It may not happen right away. As Shakespeare said, “What wound did ever heal but by degrees?” It takes time for even a small cut to heal. But if you let Him, God will give you the oil of compassion and the wine of love to pour into your spouse’s wounds. Never become so available at work that you’re unavailable at home. Your first calling is to your family. Your priorities should start there, then spread to your vocation and other pursuits. In effect, Paul is saying, “I release those who are married from the level of consecration I expect from those who are single, so they’ll be able to spend time working on their relationship” (vv. 32-35 paraphrase). You say, “But I need to spend time with God.” You’re called to love the Lord – and your spouse!
Soul food: Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110; Heb 5:5-11
