2021-02-04
2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV
God doesn’t just love; He lavishes us with love (See 1 John 3:1 NIV). He doesn’t dole out wisdom; He “gives generously to all without finding fault” (James 1:5 NIV). The Prodigal Son got the fattest calf, the guests at the wedding in Cana got the best wine, and Peter caught so many fish that his boat started to sink.
Paul tells us God “supplies seed to the sower” (2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJV), and the Greek word for “supplies” comes from two roots. The first means “to dance,” and the second means “to lead.” It literally means “to lead a dance.” So when God gives to you, He dances for joy. He strikes up the band and leads the giving parade. He loves to give!
One day Peter said to Jesus, “We have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27 NKJV). Seems like a good opportunity for Jesus to chastise Peter’s “what’s in it for me?” mentality. But He didn’t. Instead, He assured Peter that we shall receive a hundredfold in this life and inherit eternal life too (See Matthew 19:29). Jesus promises a gain of 10,000 percent! If someone gave you ten thousand dollars today for every hundred dollars you gave them yesterday, you might call that person “God-generous.”
God dispenses His goodness not with an eyedropper, but with a fire hydrant; not with a teacup, but with the Mediterranean Sea. You simply can’t contain it. So let it bubble over. Spill out. Pour forth. “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).
Soul food: Isa 58-62; Matt 12:22-37; Ps 108; Prov 3:31-32
2021-02-02
Acts 19:18 NCV
Speaking about the church at Ephesus, Paul writes: “Many of the believers began to confess openly and tell all the evil things they had done…. So in a powerful way the word of the Lord kept spreading and growing” (vv. 18-20 NCV). Spiritual healing happens in churches like this one. So if you find yourself trapped in a pattern of repeated sin and failure, seek out mature, committed Christians who aren’t shocked by your problem, who won’t divulge your confidence, and who know how to pray for you and with you.
Jesus gave His followers the authority to hear confessions and proclaim grace. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:23 NKJV). A spiritual catharsis takes place when someone looks you in the face and says, “God forgives you, I forgive you, now forgive yourself and walk in God’s forgiveness!” Forgiveness is such a powerful force that it can actually facilitate healing.
James writes: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:14-16 NIV). And if you’re not sure who you should talk to, or who you can trust, start with your pastor.
Soul food: Isa 58-62; Matt 12:22-37; Ps 108; Prov 3:31-32
2021-01-22
2021-01-15
Matthew 6:34 NCV
When we’re worried about things, one of the Bible verses that people might remind us of is Matthew 6:34. At first glance, it doesn’t seem all that encouraging – ‘Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries’ – it almost sounds like it’s reinforcing our fears of what the future holds. But let’s take a look at the previous verse: ‘Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well’ (Matthew 6:33 NCV).
When we’re pursuing God’s will, following His guidance, and living His way, He promises to provide the things we need. We tend to think about this in terms of material things, such as food, shelter, or money, but God will also provide us with things like wisdom to handle a difficult situation, or strength to face a challenge. God enables us to focus on seeking Him and living the way He wants us to live by taking care of everything else that we’re concerned about. Whether we’re anxious about what’s happening to us now, or what’s going to happen in the future, whether our worries are big or small, we can confidently hand every single one over to God and trust Him to help us through.
Peter puts it like this: ‘Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]’ (1 Peter 5:7 AMP). Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34 are an encouragement to simply take one day at a time and remember that the loving God who’s taking care of us today will still be taking care of us tomorrow.
Exo 33-35; Matt 7:15-29; Ps 79; Prov 2:9-10
2020-10-30
Proverbs 15:23 NLT
William Penn, founder of the British colony of Pennsylvania in 1677 (the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is named in his honour), formulated six principles for conversation:
“(1) Avoid company where it is not profitable or necessary, and on those occasions, speak little, and last. (2) Silence is wisdom, where speaking is folly; and always safe. (3) Some are so foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer, which is uncivil, as well as silly. (4) If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it. (5) Better to say nothing, than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit to speak. (6) In all debates, let truth be your aim, not victory or unjust interest; endeavor to gain, rather than to expose your critic.”
In short: Never speak without thinking! Give yourself time to incorporate wisdom into your words, avoiding those that make others feel intimidated or inferior. One of the best ways to persuade others is by listening to them.
A gossip talks about others and a bore talks about himself, but a good conversationalist talks about what interests you, and listens attentively to what you have to say. The truth is, sometimes the more you speak, the less people remember. And they’re more likely to remember your words if they feel like you care enough to listen to their thoughts and concerns. The Bible says, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”
Soul food: Ezra 3-5; John 7:25-44; Ps 108; Prov 24:29
