2021-10-24
2 Timothy 3:5 NIV
Here are three more important lessons from the seven sons of Sceva: (1) Those around you aren’t necessarily with you. Just because somebody hangs out with you, admires you, and tries to emulate you, doesn’t mean they’re with you. These men followed Paul, studying his every move and trying to do what he did. But they had the wrong motives. They were never “with” him at all! Are you concerned about losing certain people? Are you always trying to keep them happy? Do you wonder if you can make it in life without them? John writes, “They went out from us, but they were not of us” (1 John 2:19 NKJV). When God removes a person who doesn’t belong in your life, trust Him; He knows what’s best.
(2) Greater numbers don’t always mean greater effectiveness. These seven men together couldn’t do what one spirit-empowered apostle did. And remember, their father was a chief priest, so they knew how to “do church.” They fulfilled the Scripture: “Having a form of godliness, but denying its power.”
(3) Success isn’t as easy as it looks. Sceva’s sons showed up toward the end of Paul’s career. They weren’t there in the beginning when he was humbled on the Damascus Road, or trained for three-and-a-half years in the Arabian Desert. These guys were looking for shortcuts. Just because someone writes a book about success, doesn’t mean you can achieve overnight what took years of life experience on the part of the author. It’s not that God can’t give you instant success; it’s that you need time, training, and in some cases a major overhaul to prepare you for it.
Soul food: Exo 34:29-35; Mark 9:2-27; 2 Cor 3:7-18
2021-10-23
1 John 4:4 KJV
From the seven sons of Sceva we learn two very important things: (1) Satan knows who you are. The demons in this man spoke to the sons of Sceva, saying, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts 19:15 NKJV). Question: Do you have the kind of relationship with God that causes Satan to know your name, and acknowledge that you’re a force to be reckoned with? When God asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant, Job?” he replied, “Yes, and every time I come up against him I hit a force field I can’t penetrate” (Job 1:8-12 paraphrased). Maybe you’re preoccupied with your own inadequacy, thinking you’re not up to the job, or you’re not good enough. Understand this: it’s not you the enemy’s afraid of – it’s God’s Spirit within you!
(2) When “the evil day” comes, you discover if you have what it takes. Paul said, “Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13 NKJV). The demons in the man recognized the weaknesses in the seven sons of Sceva and stripped them of their pretense. You will only survive if your faith is genuine, because one day you’ll have to walk with God when you can’t understand or explain where He’s taking you. Your techniques and talents won’t get you through. You’re going to have to stand on His Word when it doesn’t look like it’s working for you. That’s when you discover it’s “‘not by might nor…power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV).
Soul food: Zeph 1-3; John 6:1-24; Ps 85; Prov 24:11-14
2021-10-22
Acts 19:17 NKJV
The Bible says: “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’
Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and…they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (vv. 11-17 NKJV).
This story should act as a warning to those who think, “If they can do something, I can do it!” Not so. Unless God calls and equips you to do it, the chances are that you’ll fall flat on your face! God doesn’t empower you to do your own thing; He empowers you to do His thing!
The truth is, you can only use the name of Jesus effectively: (a) When you acknowledge Him as your Saviour and Lord. (b) When you have an intimate relationship with Him. (c) When you stand on His word and practice its principles in your everyday life. When you do that, every time you use the name of Jesus, you’re protected and indemnified by the authority that’s in His name.
Soul food: 1 Tim 4-6; John 5:31-47; Ps 126; Prov 24:10
2021-10-21
Isaiah 46:10 NLT
One day a businessman called his wife to say that he was bringing a foreign visitor home for dinner. His wife had three children in school and one preschooler at home, so she had a full workload. But she consented, and the meal she prepared was both delicious and graciously served. The foreign guest, an important official in Spain, had a delightful time and thanked the couple repeatedly for inviting him and treating him to a home-cooked meal and an evening of family warmth and fellowship.
Years later, friends of this family went to Spain as missionaries. But their work was brought to a standstill by government regulations. When this particular Spanish official got word that the missionaries were friends of the couple who’d hosted him in such a gracious manner, he used his influence to clear away the restrictions on their behalf. As a result, a vibrant and growing church was built in that province of Spain and people were won to Christ. Why? Because a busy wife and mother was willing to set an extra plate for a guest at her dinner table, and that guest proved to be a “kingdom connection.”
Like a wise businessman, God sets the goal, then determines the plan required to reach it. In His Word He tells us: “I am God…declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure'” (vv. 9-10 NKJV). In other words, God connects the dots.
Soul food: 1 Tim 1-3; John 5:16-30; Ps 5; Prov 24:8-9
2021-10-20
Proverbs 23:15 NLT
If you succeed in making a good living but fail to teach your children how to live “right,” your success will be empty, and you’ll end up living with regrets. The average child spends six to seven hours each day on the internet, or watching television, or interacting with their peer group. And every minute of it is creating their value system and molding them into the person they will become. So be there for them! If you have to sacrifice materially in order to develop them spiritually, it’s a trade-off you’ll always feel good about.
Dorothy Lawe Nolte wrote words that every parent should carry with them: “If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty. But, if a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate. If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice. If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.”
Solomon, who was a father, put it this way: “My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice!”
Soul food: Hab 1-3; John 5:1-15; Ps 15; Prov 24:7
2021-10-19
Luke 6:38 NKJV
In the late nineteenth century, a Member of Parliament went to Scotland to make an important speech. He travelled to Edinburgh by train, then took a horse-drawn carriage southward to his destination. But the roads were bad and the carriage became mired in mud. A Scottish farm boy came to the rescue of the team of horses and helped to pull the carriage loose. The Member of Parliament asked the boy how much he owed him. “Nothing,” the lad replied. “Are you sure?” the politician pressed, but the boy declined payment. “Well, is there anything I can do for you? What do you want to be when you grow up?” The boy responded, “I want to be a doctor.” The Member of Parliament offered to help the young Scot go to university, and sure enough he followed through on his pledge.
More than a half century later Winston Churchill lay dangerously ill with pneumonia; stricken while attending a wartime conference in Morocco. A new “wonder drug” was administered to him, a drug called penicillin that had been discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming. You’ve guessed it: Fleming was the young Scottish lad who came to the aid of the Member of Parliament. And the Member of Parliament was none other than Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s father.
Yes, what goes around comes around. Jesus told the truth when He said, “Give, and it will be given to you.” So, when God tells you to sow a seed of kindness into the life of someone else, it’s because He has a harvest of blessing waiting for you somewhere down the road.
Soul food: Nahum 1-3; John 4:39-54; Ps 41; Prov 24:5-6
