2021-12-16
Acts 26:16 NLT
A “servant” focuses on doing his master’s will. And a “witness” testifies to what he or she has seen and personally experienced. And as a redeemed child of God, you’re called to do both. Let’s look at each one individually.
(1) You’re God’s servant. That means your ears must be attuned to what He wants you to do, when He wants you to do it, in the way He wants it done. Doing His will should be the most important item on your daily agenda.
(2) You’re His witness. The value of a witness depends on how close they were to an event when it happened, and what they observed. John writes, “We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands….Now we testify” (1 John 1:1-2 NLT).
Remember the old adage “you become like the company you keep”? Well, when you spend time with Jesus each day, others will be influenced by your life. The Bible says, “He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). When it comes to sharing your faith, you must show wisdom, tact, and grace. Chances are, many people you meet have had at least one bad experience with Christians and church, so you must be “wise.”
And how do you do that? By letting them know Jesus is the Great Physician who heals broken hearts. That the church is a hospital where some are doing well while others are still in critical care. Properly understood and presented, this will draw people to Jesus instead of driving them away. So…what’s your assignment? To be His servant and His witness!
Soul food: 2 Tim 1-4; John 20:1-9; Ps 105:37-45; Prov 30:20-23
2021-12-15
Ephesians 1:11 NKJV
God can make the wrong decisions of the people around you to work in your Favour. So instead of looking for someone to blame, try to see the hand of God at work in your situation. Joseph discovered three things: (1) When God wants you in a palace, nobody can keep you in a prison. (2) Your future isn’t in the hands of others; it’s in the hands of God. (3) Your God-given assignment in life doesn’t call for the cooperation or approval of everyone, but it does require the cooperation of one person – you.
Joseph’s brothers made a wrong decision by resenting him. Potiphar’s wife made a wrong decision by falsely accusing him. And the butler made a wrong decision by turning his back on him. But God did the right thing by him! He arranged every step Joseph took, all the way to the throne. After years apart, Joseph stood face-to-face with those who had treated him so badly, and said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).
Try to understand this: The purposes of God will eventually overcome the plans of men. No one can prevent God from using you, blessing you, and giving you success, except you. So keep your heart and your attitude right! Paul writes, “Long before we first heard of Christ…he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone” (Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG). So look for the hand of God in “all things.”
Soul food: Micah 5-7; John 19:30-42; Ps 105:23-36; Prov 30:15-19
2021-12-14
Hebrews 2:1 KJV
Your highest priority should always be your relationship with God and fulfilling His will for your life. Don’t let that priority “slip.” There is a sobering illustration of this in the Old Testament. A soldier was given custody of an important prisoner. He was told, “If by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver” (1 Kings 20:39 NKJV). In spite of the warning, he allowed his prisoner to escape. How did it happen? Through carelessness and busyness. “‘While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.’ Then the king of Israel said to him, ‘So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it'” (v. 40 NKJV).
Keeping your spiritual priorities in place is your responsibility and no one else’s. If you don’t do it, you will pay a high price. “But I pray each morning,” you say. That’s good, but do you take time to listen to God and get direction before you rush into your day? Some of us have deleted from our Bibles and our thoughts those Scriptures that command us to “wait on God.”
There is a work going on in your life right now. You may not be fully aware of it, but without it you will never be qualified to handle what God has in mind for you. The Bible says, “Jesus often withdrew…and prayed” (Luke 5:16 NIV). Spending time with God is the price you pay for hearing from Him and doing His will. Spiritually speaking, there is no shortcut to any place that’s worth going.
Soul food: Micah 1-4; John 19:17-30; Ps 105:16-22; Prov 30:10-14
2021-12-13
Ephesians 4:25 MSG
Many people have no one who loves them enough to tell them the truth. That’s because it’s easier to say nothing when others are messing up. But it’s not the loving thing to do! The Bible says, “Giving an honest answer is a sign of true friendship” (Proverbs 24:26 CEV). Usually we know what needs to be said, but fear keeps us from saying it. However, if you knew the brakes on a car weren’t functioning properly, would you allow a loved one to drive it? No?
Well, in a similar vein, Paul writes, “If someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again” (Galatians 6:1 NCV). That’s what “spiritual” people do! More often than not, when an issue arises that might cause tension, it’s glossed over to preserve the peace. We don’t want to ruffle any feathers, so it never gets resolved. Here is how Paul addresses this: “No more pretense. Tell…the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected…When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself” (Ephesians 4:25 MSG).
Now let’s be clear here. Frankness doesn’t give you license to be rude and say whatever you want. Thoughtless words can wound people. “Never use harsh words when you correct an older man…talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as if they were your brothers, older women as if they were your mothers, and younger women as if they were your sisters” (1 Timothy 5:1-2 GWT).
Bottom line: When a difficult issue comes up, caring means getting involved in an honest and loving way.
Soul food: Neh 11-13; John 19:1-16; Ps 105:8-15; Prov 30:5-9
2021-12-12
Philippians 1:9 NLT
When you find yourself in a crisis, having the right attitude makes the difference between despair and determination. Dr. Jeffrey Rossman offers these six steps: (1) Look for ways to find meaning. Resilient people use their experience to help others. “[God] comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NCV).
(2) Examine your priorities. “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have” (Psalm 90:12 CEV). How would you like to spend your time differently now? Who would you most like to spend it with? How can you use your strengths in the service of what is important to you? If you had only a year to live, what conversations would you want to have? What kind of person would you want to be?
(3) Believe you can bounce back. A crucial aspect of resilience is faith in your ability to cope. Even if you have the practical skills to deal with the issue at hand, unless you believe in your emotional flexibility, you will waiver.
(4) Get moving. Physical exercise boosts your energy and mood. It reinforces your ability to take charge of your health and well-being.
(5) Step out of your comfort zone. “Keep…growing in knowledge and understanding.” Learn a new language or computer program; begin a project at home or work. Embracing the unfamiliar strengthens your confidence and capacity to handle new situations. The more you require of yourself, the more resilient you will become.
(6) Clear the weeds that are choking your optimism. When you start thinking pessimistic or cynical thoughts, step back and reframe your perspective by looking for concrete steps to solve the problem.
Soul food: Eccl 11:7-12:1; Ps 39:4-13; 2 Tim 4:6-8
2021-12-11
Psalm 142:3 NKJV
How you handle a crisis can determine whether you end up feeling overwhelmed or come out stronger. Dr. Jeffrey Rossman suggests five ways to do it: (1) Acknowledge your feelings. David said, “When my spirit was overwhelmed…You knew my path.” God already knows how you feel, and stifling your emotions just saps your energy, leaves you tense, depressed, and slows the healing process.
(2) Confide in someone. That doesn’t mean pouring your heart out to everybody and anybody; it means opening up to those who love and care about you. The Bible says, “A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17 AMPC). Numerous studies have confirmed the power of social support to help us through crises and stay healthy.
(3) Start a journal or a blog. Writing about a traumatic event is a way of letting it out. It minimizes your chances of becoming sick or depressed; the more you write, the more your negative responses to the memory diminish.
(4) Refuse to play the blame game: “It’s the other guy’s fault,” or “The doctor botched the procedure,” or “The boss never gave me a chance.” Blame-shifting makes others responsible for your pain, and more often than not, it results in lingering grudges that prolong your misery. Let go of toxic bitterness and judgment. Stop feeling like a doormat; you can forgive while taking steps to make yourself less vulnerable next time.
(5) Forgive yourself. Surprise – you’re human like everybody else! Acknowledge you made a mistake, ask God for forgiveness, then forgive yourself and move on. God’s Word says when He forgives, He doesn’t “keep a list of your sins” (Isaiah 43:25 MSG). Neither should you.
Soul food: Neh 8-10; John 18:25-40; Ps 105:1-7; Prov 30:1-4
