2022-09-13
Isaiah 55:8 NCV
God said, “My thoughts are not like your thoughts… Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my… thoughts higher than your thoughts” (vv. 8-9 NCV). Until you come to terms with the fact that God doesn’t think like you, you will question His ways and even doubt His love. We try to avoid pain, but often God uses it to bring us peace. We want comfort, but He is more interested in character. We pursue stuff that doesn’t last, whereas He tells us to build our lives on that which endures for eternity.
The fact is, God dwells in a dimension we can’t begin to fathom: Solomon said, “No one can really build a house for our God. Not even the highest of heavens can hold him” (2 Chronicles 2:6 NCV). What controls you doesn’t control God, and what worries you doesn’t worry Him.
Ask yourself: Is an eagle agitated by traffic? No, he soars above it. Is a whale disturbed by a hurricane? Of course not; he dives beneath it. Is a lion flustered by a mouse standing in his way? No, he walks over it. How much more is God able to soar above, dive beneath, and walk over the troubles of earth? What is impossible with man is possible with God (See Matthew 19:26). God can be everywhere at once, and He can hear and answer all the prayers that come to Him.
Think about it: God works according to a plan and a purpose, He’s on the throne and in control of everything – yet He still watches over every detail of your life. Let that truth comfort you today.
Soul food: Ezek 24:1-27:24; Mark 12:13-27; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 20:15-19
2022-09-12
Psalm 11:4 NCV
The psalmist asked, “When the foundations for good collapse, what can good people do?” (v. 3 NCV). Then he goes on to answer his own question: “The Lord sits on his throne in heaven.” When sickness comes, when your marriage fails, when your children suffer, when death strikes, what are you to do? Remember that God is still on the throne, and He is watching over you. No detail escapes His notice or care. He works according to a plan, and it’s not usually a plan we can understand when we’re going through hard times. Only in looking back do we realise that His goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives (See Psalm 23:6).
Joseph landed in prison. Moses spent forty years in the desert. Daniel ended up in chains. These were dismal moments. Who could possibly have seen any good in them? Who could have known that Joseph the prisoner was only a single promotion away from becoming Joseph the prime minister? Who would have thought God was providing Moses forty years of wilderness training in the same desert through which he would lead the people? Who would have imagined that Daniel the captive would soon become the king’s counselor? God carries out His plans like that.
He did it for Joseph, Moses, and Daniel – and He will do the same for you – so trust Him. He will give you the grace you need to get through this situation. When you ask, “God, where are you?” He answers, “I am with you and will watch over you… I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15 NIV).
Soul food: Ezek 22-23; Mark 12:1-12; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 20:11-14
2022-09-11
Proverbs 13:3 NIV
Harsh words can “chop off” a person’s ability to hear what you’re saying. When Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He didn’t retaliate even though He could have called twelve legions of angels to His defense (See Matthew 26:53). Then the mob came, laid hands on Him, and arrested Him. At that point, Peter drew his sword and chopped off the high priest’s servant’s ear. He was probably thinking, “We don’t have to take this!” But Jesus said that’s not how you handle things! Then, “He touched the man’s ear and healed him” (Luke 22:51 NIV).
Peter had a tendency to talk when he should have been listening and got into things he had no business getting into. He needed to learn how to wait on God and exercise humility and discernment. God had great plans for him, but if he wanted to fulfill them, he couldn’t do it by chopping off peoples’ ears when they upset him.
There is a lesson here. You can’t fly off the handle whenever you feel like it. You must become sensitive to God’s Spirit: If He tells you, “Say nothing,” then you must stand there quietly even if it means letting someone think they’re right when you know they’re not. You must learn that God doesn’t owe you an explanation. You can hinder your spiritual growth or God’s blessing in your life when you don’t control what you say. Perhaps you think that compared to adultery or stealing, this is no big deal. Think again: “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3 NIV).
Soul food: 2 Kings 6:8-20; Eph 1:15-23
2022-09-10
Romans 12:8 NLT
As a leader, here are three things you shouldn’t do: (1) You shouldn’t be afraid to try something new (See Isaiah 43:19). When you put someone into a new role, they will make mistakes; it’s inevitable, but it’s how they learn. While locking them into the same routine takes the wind out of their sails, being a leader means risking their failures and biting your lip as you let them toddle out into the unknown. Like a parent who prays harder when their teen takes the family car out for their first drive, you must accept that the challenges which frighten you are actually liberating to others.
(2) You shouldn’t confuse individual loyalty with team building (See 1 Corinthians 3:9). It’s good to work closely with key individuals, but it’s also important to stay “connected to each other” (Romans 12:5 GWT). You must make sure that everybody gets to be on the team, feels valued, and learns how to interact with one another.
(3) You shouldn’t try to micromanage people (See 2 Corinthians 7:16 GWT). There is a difference between managing people and leading them. Managing people requires an eye for detail, whereas leading them involves vision sharing, goal setting, and motivating. And you must know the difference. When you micromanage rather than lead, morale plummets, because people need clear objectives and the freedom to figure out how to reach them. Don’t micromanage; it diminishes the sense of ownership those under you and around you need for good team dynamics and problem-solving. President Eisenhower once said, “Pull the string, and it will follow you wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere.”
Soul food: Ezek 20-21; Mark 11:27-33; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 20:7-10
2022-09-09
Psalm 69:9 NLT
Question: Are you passionate about God, or merely passive? Notice the steps that led to Peter’s denial of Jesus. Step one: “Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32 NLT). Jesus warns Peter he is a target, but Peter doesn’t believe Him.
Step two: “They arrested [Jesus] and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance” (v. 54 NLT). Peter was one of Christ’s closest disciples, but you’ll notice, now he is following Him “at a distance.”
Step three: “A servant girl… said, ‘This man was one of Jesus’ followers!’ But Peter denied it. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘I don’t even know him!'” (vv. 56-57 NLT).
Step four: “That moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’ And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly” (vv. 61-62 NLT).
Here is how it works: First you assume you won’t fall, so you’re unprepared for Satan’s attack when it comes. Next you allow the problems and pressures of life to make you forget that your first commitment must always be to the Lord. Finally, you end up spiritually defeated. You say, “That will never happen to me.” That’s what Peter said! The reason “Satan hath desired to have you” (v. 31 KJV) is because he knows when you become passionate about doing God’s will, you will be unstoppable. So, never lose your passion for God.
Soul food: Ezek 16:53-19:14; Mark 11:12-26; Ps 27; Prov 20:5-6
2022-09-08
James 3:18 NKJV
Satan knows that God’s Word can only be received by a heart and mind that are at peace, so he will do everything he can to keep you upset. He loves it when you get into an argument just before church and spend the entire service feeling bad. That’s why you must do whatever it takes to keep your peace. There is power in peace! If the devil can’t get you upset, he has no power over you. He only “gains” control when you “lose it.” He keeps you upset in order to steal your peace, confuse you, and make you run in circles. Don’t let him do it!
Next time you get worked up about some issue, stop and ask yourself, “What’s the Enemy trying to do here? If I give in to these emotions, what will the result be?” When you’re stressed out, you lose your joy. And when you lose your joy, you lose your strength, because “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV). So it’s essential that you exercise self-control and try to keep your peace.
James writes, “The wisdom that is from above is… peaceable” (James 3:17 NKJV). In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases this Scripture: “Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterised by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings… You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other” (vv. 17-18 MSG). Now getting along with others can be hard work, but it’s worth it to have peace.
Soul food: Ezek 14:1-16:52; Mark 11:1-11; Ps 112; Prov 20:1-4
