2022-02-18
Psalm 119:18 NIV
The key to Bible study is to do it daily, systematically, and prayerfully. The psalmist prayed, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” This involves three things:
(1) God will show you the truth about Himself. You will discover His nature, His opinions, and what He values. And if you grew up with an absent or abusive parent, you will discover that your heavenly Father is entirely different – lovingly different!
(2) God will show you the truth about others. You will begin to understand and appreciate their places in your life. You will also learn to recognize and anticipate their needs and the role God wants you to play in helping them. You see, when God blesses you, it’s always to make you a blessing to others (See Genesis 12:1-2).
(3) God will show you the truth about yourself. You will start to grasp and appreciate how important you are to Him. Yes, He will point out your problems and weaknesses. But He will do more than that. He will show you the possibilities He sees in you and the plans He has for you (See Jeremiah 29:11).
So, set aside time each day to study your Bible. And spend part of it simply reading, without trying to delve into complex theological concepts. Read and absorb what God has to say, and let His Spirit speak to your heart. And here is an additional thought: Since the Bible is the only book God ever wrote, and one day you’re going to stand before the author Himself, wouldn’t you like to be able to tell Him you have read His book?
Soul food: Isa 45-48; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 28; Pro 5:3-6
2022-02-17
James 3:16 NCV
When a well-known pastor was asked by a skeptic, “Do you believe there is such a thing as a real devil?” he smiled and replied, “Have you ever been to an annual church business meeting?” Seriously, if you have been a church member for any length of time, you know that strife rears its ugly head in the family of God just like it does everywhere else.
Paul and Barnabas, a brilliant ministry team, allowed their differences over John Mark to separate them to where they could no longer work together. Later Paul changed his mind, but the die was already cast. He appealed “to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News” (Philippians 4:2-3 NLT).
Strife hinders our prayers, takes our focus off lost souls, and makes us ineffective in our ministry. We must learn to respect each other’s talents, perspectives, and positions instead of envying them. In other words, learn to disagree without being disagreeable. The Bible says: “Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:16-18 KJV).
God blesses peacemakers (See Matthew 5:9), so when strife arises in your church, make it your mission to sow seeds of peace!
Soul food: Isa 42-44; Luke 10:1-12; Ps 5; Pro 5:1-2
2022-02-16
Proverbs 8:9 NLT
King Solomon wrote: “Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding” (vv. 6-9 NLT).
We usually embellish the truth in order to get these two things: the attention and the approval of the listener. But eventually, it backfires. Over time, people discover your propensity to stretch the truth, and you lose your credibility with them. And once you lose that, it takes a long time to get it back – if ever. Sweeping statements like “Everybody does it,” or “You never,” or “You always” cause people to discount you and eventually slot you as untrustworthy.
It’s okay to say something with enthusiasm but avoid exaggeration. Stick to the facts and resist the urge to be the center of attention by engaging in this form of lying. Joseph’s brothers resented the favor of God that was on his life. So, they threw him into a pit, dipped his coat in blood, then took it back home and showed it to their aging father. They didn’t say a word. They simply let the old man conclude that his son had been devoured by a wild beast. And what’s more, they allowed him to live with that cruel lie for years.
Revelation 22:15 says, “Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” is lumped together with “sorcerers…whoremongers…murderers, and idolaters” (KJV). So, unless that’s the company you want to be identified with, tell the whole truth. Today make your prayer, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and…a deceitful tongue” (Psalm 120:2 NKJV).
Soul food: Isa 38-41; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 149; Pro 4:25-27
2022-02-15
Matthew 5:13-14 NKJV
Do the people you work with know that you are a follower of Christ? What do they think of your attitude toward those in authority? How about the people who work under you – are you critical or complimentary toward them? How is your timekeeping? Do you arrive to work on time and give 100 percent? Do you demonstrate a commitment to personal growth and excellence on the job? In other words, on the job, are you making Jesus look good?
When you begin to think seriously about it, the eternal destiny of some of the people you work with may be riding on your performance. Right now, they may not be too interested in what you have to say when it comes to the things of God. But all of that can change in an instant.
When people face a crisis in life like death, divorce, sickness, or unemployment, they want someone with real answers. That’s when they seek out the boys they threw into the fiery furnace and the lions’ den, because nobody else around them has answers that work.
Jesus said: “You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?…Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill…I’ve put you…on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God” (Matthew 5:13-16 MSG).
Soul food: Isa 34-37; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 145:14-21; Pro 4:23-24
2022-02-14
1 Samuel 20:17 NIV
Hoping to save their relationship, a woman dragged her husband to see a counselor. During their session, the counselor asked him, “Do you tell your wife you love her?” The man growled, “I told her when we got married, I loved her – and that if I ever changed my mind, I’d let her know.”
Seriously, people know you love them when you show them and when you tell them. The relationship between Jonathan and David was so strong that they were willing to lay down their lives for one another. Yet the Bible says, “Jonathan had David reaffirm his…love for him.”
When you lose a loved one, you realize that relationships are much more important than possessions. We tend to forget that, in our scramble to get to the top of the heap. There is something about knowing you have a short time to live that radically alters your perspective. It makes you want to fill every precious moment with important words you have left unsaid and important things you have neglected to do. Don’t let self-centeredness masquerading as ambition or religious zeal stop you from expressing your love to the people in your life who need to hear it. Make that call. Send that e-mail. Buy those flowers. Say, “I love you.”
Most times, people don’t need our opinions and solutions; when we give them our love and support, they usually find their own solutions. Yes, it’s important to fulfill your God-given assignment in life, but not at the cost of the people who really matter. Three little words people never get tired of hearing are “I love you.” It’s not complicated – it just requires thought.
Soul food: Eph 5:21-33; S of S 2:1-7; Ps 45; Pro 5:15-19
2022-02-13
Hebrews 12:11 ESV
Healthy confrontation calls for putting the other person’s well-being above your own interests. So how do you confront someone in the right way? By doing these three things:
(1) Be sure. There must be a good reason to confront. And it should be a rare event, not an everyday one. You shouldn’t relish the experience. If you do, you need to examine your motives. Are you feeling superior? Are you redirecting your anger toward this person over a completely different issue? Are you lifting yourself up by putting them down? Before confronting someone, you must answer these questions truthfully.
(2) Be specific. Vagueness leads to an uncertain outcome, no matter how tactful and gracious your words may be. Make sure you know the reason for the confrontation; then make it clear to the other person.
(3) Be sensitive. Every situation is different, so a season of soul-searching and prayer should precede any face-to-face encounter. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for problems, and the other person will sense uncertainty and uneasiness in your words. Don’t run that risk. If you haven’t taken the time to pray and get counsel beforehand, don’t jump into the situation on your own. We have all seen this type of Clint Eastwood “Go ahead, make my day” approach. Without fail, it leaves confusion, resentment, and a trail of wounded souls. Make sure your words and tone of voice are attuned to the person you’re dealing with. And try to keep your personal agenda in check; none of this is about you! Pay close attention to timing, choose your words carefully, and, for sure, pray for guidance. Remember, Christlike confrontation brings the right result every time.
Soul food: Isa 9:1-7; Luke 2:1-7; Matt 4:12-16
