2022-12-06
Philippians 1:3 NLT
Paul often acknowledged those who helped him. “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God… for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News” (vv. 3-5 NLT). “You Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help…No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness” (Philippians 4:15-17 NLT).
He writes to the believers in Thessalonica: “We can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering” (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NLT).
Author Barbara Glanz tells about a gentleman who remembered his eighth-grade literature teacher. He wrote to her and received this reply: “You will never know how much your letter meant. I’m 83 years old, and… living all alone. My friends are all gone. My family’s gone. I taught school 50 years and yours is the first ‘thank you’ letter I have ever gotten from a student. Sometimes I wonder what I did with my life. I will read and reread your letter until the day I die.” Ironically, she was the teacher students talked most about at class reunions, but nobody ever told her.
Showing appreciation costs so little in terms of time and money, but it can mean the world to somebody. So today, who do you need to express your appreciation to?
Soul food: Josh 1-4; John 13:31-38; Ps 130; Prov 28:21-24
2022-12-05
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
Every family has generational “issues” they struggle with. These are things our parents and grandparents passed to us like addiction, abuse, anger, anxiety, lust, fear, etc. Often we say, “It just runs in my family, I can’t do anything about it.” Yes, you can! You may not be able to do anything about your family’s past, but by God’s grace, you can change the future for yourself and your children.
The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). Note the words “in Christ.” By yourself you can’t change your family’s dysfunction, but “in Christ” you receive the power needed to go in a new direction. If your computer can be reprogrammed, your mind can too. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 NKJV).
You say, “How do I renew my mind?” By saturating it in the Scriptures! Just like soaking your body in water removes sweat and grime, soaking your mind in the Scriptures cleanses and corrects your thinking. The old saying goes: “Watch your thoughts for they become your words. Watch your words for they become your deeds. Watch your deeds because they become your habits. Watch your habits because they become your character. Watch your character because it becomes your destiny.” God told Gideon, “Tear down the [old] altar of Baal that your father has” (Judges 6:25 NKJV). In its place Gideon built a new altar to the Lord, and the lives of he and his family were changed forever. And by programming your mind with God’s Word, you can do the same!
Soul food: 3 John; Jude; John 13:18-30; Ps 65; Prov 28:17-20
2022-12-04
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
How would you describe yourself? Are you naturally positive, or negative? Are your decisions driven by faith in God, or by the fear of failure, rejection, or lack? Do you feel good about yourself, or do you put yourself down and feel like a loser? Whatever your answer may be, this much is certain: The patterns and attitudes that rule your life were not formed overnight—so don’t expect an overnight cure. But you can make a start by obeying this Scripture: “Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things)” (Colossians 3:2 AMPC).
The Bible refers to the Christian life as a “walk.” “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1 KJV). “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV). “Let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 KJV). “Walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2 KJV).
Notice, walking is the slowest mode of transportation there is! God doesn’t invite you to fly with Him but to walk with Him. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep walking day by day. When are we most apt to slip and fall? (1) When we are learning to walk. (2) When we are in circumstances we didn’t create and over which we have no control, such as ice and snow. (3) When we feel drained, tired, and weak. (4) When we get careless and don’t keep our eyes open and stay focused.
Your challenge is twofold: adopting the right mindset and maintaining it. And if you seek God faithfully, He will help you to do both these things successfully.
Soul food: 1 Kings 17:17-24; Mark 5:21-43; John 11:1-45
2022-12-03
Colossians 3:2 AMPC
What’s your biggest challenge right now? Breaking a bad habit, or putting a new one in place? Launching a new business, or turning an old one around? Recovering from a bad marriage, or making a good one better? Getting out of depression, or keeping yourself from falling into it? Paul gives us two powerful keys: (1) Set your mind in the right direction. (2) Keep your mind set in the right direction.
Setting your mind is the easy part, keeping it set calls for a daily commitment. Anybody can make a start, but you need the heart of a finisher. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:2-3 NKJV).
The word “souls” could be translated “feelings and emotions.” That’s where you’re susceptible to “become weary and discouraged.” A sober driver will get you safely to your destination, but a drunk one won’t! What’s driving your life? Your feelings? Your impulses? Your moods? Here are two life-changing Scriptures: (a) “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things… And the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:8-9 NIV).
Soul food: 2 Chron 35-36; 2 John; John 13:1-17; Ps 14; Prov 28:13-16
2022-12-02
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
When God gives you a vision, be prepared to shed some tears over it because every vision comes with a price tag. The road to triumph is through tests and trials. Nobody gets a free pass. But God has promised that there will be a harvest: “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest” (Psalm 126:5-6 NLT).
That Scripture teaches us two things: (1) There is a season for weeping. This is not an excuse for passivity, or a posture of weakness that reduces you to tears because life is not fair, and things are tough. Nehemiah was moved to tears over Jerusalem’s ruins. Then he developed a plan, put together a team, and rebuilt it. What moves you? What do you feel passionate about?
(2) There is a season for reaping. Everything in life has a reason and a season (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). When you understand the reason and maximize the season, you become “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season” (Psalm 1:3 NIV). Note the words “in season.” Fruit won’t grow before its time. That’s why you must discern your life’s changing seasons and adjust to them.
That’s particularly true when it’s harvest time. You need to know when it’s time to stop weeping and start reaping; otherwise, you will miss your harvest. Tears are for the sower, but joy is for the reaper. So, when your season changes, harvest your fields with joy. You have paid your dues; now it’s time to enjoy what God has promised you.
Soul food: 2 Chron 32-34; John 12:37-50; Ps 146; Prov 28:9-12
2022-12-01
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Are you self-controlled, or a controller? Let’s find out: Controllers blame things like the devil, people, or circumstances for their problems and respond by blaming, resenting, or projecting frustration. They manipulate people and circumstances to their own advantage. But it doesn’t work; their attempts intensify their pain and turn their relationships into power struggles. The more they try to control, the worse they feel; and the worse they feel, the more they try to control. God doesn’t want you to live that way.
The self-controlled understand that the devil can do nothing to you without your cooperation, and you don’t have to give it (See Luke 10:17). They understand that people and circumstances aren’t the problem either – how we deal with them is. So, they respond by reminding themselves of three things:
(1) The person I need to control is myself.
(2) Sometimes I must turn people and circumstances over to God and allow Him to deal with them.
(3) I must draw daily on the Holy Spirit’s power in order to control my reactions and follow the “sound mind” principles of Scripture for staying in charge of my life (See 2 Timothy 1:7).
As a result, the self-controlled avoid engaging in blame games, self-inflicted pain, and turning relationships into battle zones. Knowing that “the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives… self-control,” they understand that the Spirit won’t control them, or help them to control others, but He will empower them to control themselves. Spirit-empowered people are freed from being part of the problem and become part of the solution.
Soul food: 2 Chron 29-31; John 12:20-36; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 28:5-8
