2021-08-03
Philippians 4:8 NLT
Let’s face it, we don’t have to look very far to find things to complain about. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Paradise where they had everything they needed to be happy. But what did they focus on? The one tree they couldn’t have!
God miraculously divided the Red Sea, guided the Israelites through the wilderness and provided food from heaven each day so they’d never go hungry. And did they appreciate it? Yes, for a while. “They…sang his praise. But…soon forgot what he had done” (Psalm 106:12-13 NIV). This is why Paul writes: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise…Then the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9 NLT).
General Robbie Risner described the seven years he spent as a prisoner-of-war in a Vietnamese camp as “the essence of despair.” But he survived. How? He pried the cover off a floor drain in his cell and saw a solitary blade of grass, the only smidgen of color in his colorless world. Calling it “a blood transfusion for the soul,” Risner began each day in prayer, lying on the floor with his head down the vent focusing on that single blade of grass.
When things aren’t going well in your life you have to choose what you’ll focus on: fear or faith, despair or hope, problems or solutions. Even when the problem isn’t solved to your liking, when you focus on God, He lifts you above your circumstances and gives you peace in the midst of them.
Soul food: Deut 22-24; Luke 11:1-13; Ps 78:56-64; Prov 16:33
2021-08-02
1 John 1:9 NCV
Sunday school teacher Ranai Carlton writes: “I was trying to teach the children that we all need God’s forgiveness. So, I asked one of the girls, ‘Lisa, when is a time you might need God’s forgiveness?’ Her blank stare prompted a response from my son, ‘It’s okay, Lisa. You don’t have to tell her.’ Then he turned to me and said, ‘We don’t have to tell you our problems. This isn’t the Oprah Winfrey Show.'” You don’t have to tell others about your sins, but you do have to tell God. David said, “When I kept silent about my sin…Your hand was heavy upon me” (Psalm 32:3-4 NAS).
Confession does four things: (1) Lets you experience God’s forgiveness. He already knows your sin, but He can’t forgive you when you blame-shift and make excuses. “If we confess…he will forgive our sins.” The first move is up to you.
(2) It restores your emotional and physical energy. Nothing’s more draining than denial, and nothing’s more invigorating than a clean slate. David said, “My strength…failed because of my iniquity” (Ps 31:10 NAS). Reflecting on his affair with Bathsheba, he said, “When I kept silent…my vitality was drained…I acknowledged my sin…You forgave the guilt” (Psalm 32:3-5 NAS).
(3) It lets you move on. Confession lets you hit the “reset” button and start again. It’s important to draw a line between the past and the future in case you’re tempted to regress.
(4) It lets you grow. Thomas Edison said failure taught him 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb. Making failure work for you instead of against you, starts with confessing it to God and accepting His forgiveness.
Soul food: Deut 18-21; Luke 10:38-42; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 16:32
2021-08-01
Proverbs 24:3 NLT
The storms of life will test whether or not you’ve done a good job with your family. And an important key to succeeding at home is communication.
So, ask yourself these four questions: (1) How well do I communicate with the people I love? You may unwittingly have adopted a style that doesn’t work well for you. For example, do you retaliate? That has a degrading effect. Do you dominate? That has an intimidating effect. Do you isolate? That has a frustrating effect. Or do you co-operate? That has an encouraging effect. If you’re in the habit of using any communication style other than a cooperative one, you must work to change it if you want to build a good relationship with your family.
(2) Have I identified my communication killers? The Internet, cell phones, texting and TV are among the chief culprits. Would it surprise you to know the average couple spends less than an hour a week in meaningful conversation, and approximately five hours a day watching television?
(3) Do I encourage everyone to speak their mind? And when they do speak freely do you criticize, pout, or retaliate? Differences of opinion can be healthy. The Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV). Handled respectfully, different opinions can make things better for everyone.
(4) Do I think creatively? Do you spend time together as a family? Do you call your mate during the day and try to meet sometimes for lunch? Do you drive your kids to school or soccer practice so you can talk to them? Communication can happen anywhere, but it only happens when you make it a priority.
Soul food: Lev 24:17-22; Deut 15:7-11; Matt 5:38-48
2021-07-31
2 Thessalonians 3:11 NLT
Scan any tabloid or watch any TV talk show and you’ll discover that “meddling” has become a multibillion-dollar business. But it’s not the kind of business a follower of Christ should be in. And while mothers-in-law sometimes have a reputation for being meddlers, they haven’t cornered the market. Men, relatives, coworkers, and well-meaning friends also tend to interfere.
Unlike gossips, meddlers like to elicit personal information directly from their subjects. “How can you afford such an expensive car?” “What size is that outfit you’re wearing?” “How much did you pay for your house?” “How long can you afford to be off work?” Often these kinds of questions serve no purpose other than to satisfy a shallow mind. Yes, some folks genuinely want to help, or even pray about your situation – but not meddlers. So learn to keep your inquisitiveness within the bounds of what’s appropriate.
Solomon said, “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears” (Proverbs 26:17 NKJV). A dog’s ears are among the most sensitive areas of its body. And if you pull them, the dog may bite you. Likewise, when you stick your nose where it doesn’t belong, it may get bitten off.
God classifies meddling as a sin – right up there with murder and stealing: “If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs” (1 Peter 4:15 NLT). A wise person quipped that the reason people who mind their own business are so successful is because they have so little competition. So don’t meddle!
Soul food: Deut 14-17; Luke 10:25-37; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 16:31
2021-07-30
Genesis 24:19 NKJV
The story of Rebekah teaches us a very important truth about life: When opportunity knocks, make sure you’re ready to answer the door. Rebekah didn’t think about the extra effort and time required to water ten thirsty camels. She didn’t say, “I don’t do that kind of work, that’s not in my job description.” She lived by the principle: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV). She didn’t suddenly develop a work ethic when Eliezer showed up, she practiced one every day. And there came a day when it paid off. Faithfulness in small things brings great rewards.
God is your boss; He’s watching your attitude and actions in small things. Big moments don’t come to people who wait for them; they come from faithfulness in small moments, in daily routines and non-glamorous service. And you’ll notice something else. Rebekah didn’t quote the Torah or ask Eliezer what his religion was. Instead of trying to be “super spiritual” she decided to be nice. As a result she got his attention, earned his respect and ended up in the family of Abraham. It doesn’t get any better! When Rebekah took Eliezer home to meet her family they wanted her to wait for ten days before going to meet Isaac. That was customary. But Rebekah said, “I will go” (Genesis 24:58 NKJV).
When God opens the door don’t delay. And don’t say, “Others are more qualified than me.” If God has called you then you’re the right person, so step over your fears and move in the direction He is leading you.
Soul food: Deut 11-13; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 16:26-30
2021-07-29
Genesis 24:19 NKJV
One day Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for his son Isaac. Standing by a small town well, Eliezer prayed, “Let the woman who offers to water my camels be the one you have chosen.” Suddenly Rebekah shows up and says, “I will draw water for your camels also” (See Genesis 24:13-14 NKJV). Rebekah had no idea that Eliezer would change her life. She didn’t know that her act of kindness would open the door to great blessing.
In the Old Testament it was customary to offer water to a stranger. It was called the law of hospitality. The Hebrews believed the words: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2 NKJV). But who on earth offers to water thirsty camels? One camel can drink forty gallons, and Eliezer had ten of them. That’s a half-day project!
Rebekah was generous to a stranger, seeking nothing but the joy of serving. What she didn’t know was, these camels would transport her back to Isaac, make her his bride, shower her with great wealth and put her in the lineage of Christ.
So if you want to succeed, show up early, stay late, work hard, and be a problem solver instead of a problem causer. Live by Christ’s saying, “Go the extra mile” (See Matthew 5:41 NKJV). The key to success in life is in doing not only what is expected, but in doing a little more. Yes, camels are obnoxious and ugly, but out of that ugly situation came the most beautiful thing that ever happened to Rebekah.
Soul food: Deut 8-10; Luke 10:1-12; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 16:25
