2019-01-23
2 Peter 1:13 NIV
A pole vaulter only discovers how high he can jump when he clears the bar. Then he sets it higher. God does that too. He stretches your faith to what seems like your breaking point. Pastor and author Jon Walker says: “At one point I sensed God stretching my faith. Specifically, He told me to stop receiving a regular paycheck and start living by faith…So with radiant certainty that God would provide because He told me He would, I did what He said and started looking for His provision. I kept a log of every way God took care of me, and the list grew joyfully impressive. God was moving me from a tentative ‘I hope it will happen,’ to a certain ‘I know this will happen.’ Yet within months I was literally staggered with doubt. I’d lost my focus…and started scrambling for ways to generate income…believing it was my responsibility to make things happen because God may or may not come through…You may be further along than I am in learning to trust God; then again, you may have experienced exactly what I’m describing.” Understand this: A faith that cannot be shaken comes only from a faith that has been so severely shaken that it is now sure, certain, and steadfast. Our greatest concern is getting our needs met, but God’s greatest concern is developing our faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). That’s why Peter wrote, “I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth…It is right to refresh your memory” (2 Peter 1:12-13 NIV). So, keep reminding yourself that God is faithful.
Soul food: Rom 7:1-9:16; Luke 5:12-26; Ps 96; Prov 3:5-6
2019-01-11
Hebrews 11:26 NIV
Moses discovered that when you’re not fulfilling your God-given dream, a king’s palace won’t make you happy. “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God…because he was looking ahead to his reward…he persevered because he saw him who is invisible” (vv. 24-27 NIV). When God gives you a dream, you’ll be able to see things that are “invisible” to others. This brings us to the next dream killer: Lack of imagination. Humorist Robert Orben said, “Always remember that there are only two kinds of people in this world – the realists and the dreamers. The realists know where they’re going. The dreamers have already been there.” God gave you the gift of memory to replay the past, and the gift of imagination to pre-play the future. Moses “saw” the Promised Land long before he got there. It’s what sustained him through forty long years in the wilderness. God didn’t make a mistake when He gave you imagination. Because of it you can stand in the middle of your dream and envision it before it comes to pass, even when others doubt it. So if you’re a dreamer who has already been there in your imagination, trust God and put your dream to the test. If you come from a discouraging background, or don’t think of yourself as an especially imaginative person, don’t lose hope. You can still discover and develop a dream. God has put that ability within you!
Soul food: Isa 34-37; Luke 2:21-33; Ps 71:17-24; Prov 2:3-5
2018-10-19
Genesis 19:17 NKJV
One time in the West Indies five ships, one of them British, were anchored in the harbor when a monster storm rolled in. The British captain immediately raised anchor and sailed out to meet it. Two days later, battered but still intact, he returned to the harbor and discovered that the ships that hadn’t sailed for fear of the storm had all been driven ashore and destroyed. Generally speaking, as a leader the best way forward is to face challenges head-on and “not look behind you.” Author Jon Gordon points out six important things: (1) Who you are makes a difference. People follow the leader first and his vision second. (2) It’s all about relationships. Pastor Andy Stanley said, “Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.” You can implement all the rules in the world, but if you don’t develop a relationship with the people you’re leading, they’ll rebel. (3) It’s not just about what you do, but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do. You bring out the best in people by sharing the best in yourself. (4) Lead with optimism, enthusiasm, and positive energy. Guard against negativity and teach people to focus on solutions, not complaints. (5) Recognize that you don’t have all the answers, and build a team of people who either have the answers or will find them. (6) Accept that success is a process, not a destination. John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, recognized that winning was an offshoot of great leadership, teamwork, focus, commitment, and implementing the basics.
Soul food: Exo 33-35; John 4:27-38; Ps 32; Prov 27:1-3
2018-10-18
Matthew 25:21 TLV
Nicole Unice, director of women’s ministries for Hope Church, says: “There are ideas I know would be beneficial, yet I hesitate to share too much or dream too big. What if they don’t work? Or people don’t like them? What if the people above me second-guess hiring me? One day I scrawled on my office wall: So what if it fails? Question: What are you yearning to try and haven’t because you’re afraid you’ll fail? What programs do you keep alive even though they aren’t serving their purpose? What technology are you avoiding? What learning are you circumventing because you feel old and rusty? If you don’t have anything on the horizon that might fail, you’re failing as a leader. Unless you push for innovation and creativity you’ll keep attracting the same people. When you ‘Begin the…tasks [God] assigned to you’ you’ll have to push boundaries and try things that might fail.” John Mason writes: “Don’t be afraid to fail…if you’re not failing you’re not growing. When successful people stop growing and learning, it’s because they become less willing to risk failure. Failure is delay, not defeat. A temporary detour, not a dead-end street. We all make mistakes – especially those who do things. As Paul says, ‘God…gives us the victory through…Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV), and failure is often the first step toward success. Unless you’re willing to take a risk, you won’t get the chance to succeed.” Today trust God and step out in faith!
Soul food: Exo 30-32; John 4:13-26; Ps 100; Prov 26:27-28
2018-08-14
Matthew 7:11 KJV
The cross proves how much God loves you. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not…freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). And “all things” means all things! If it’s promised in God’s Word, it’s God’s will – so refuse to settle for less. But you must be single-minded in your approach or it won’t work (See James 1:6-8). The Psalmist said, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after” (Psalm 27:4 KJV). Tell God exactly what you want. And if you’re walking in obedience and seeking to please Him, be confident when you come before Him. “If our heart condemn us not …we [have] confidence towards God” (1 John 3:21 KJV). But be careful; guilt undermines faith! When you permit sin into your life you become uncomfortable in God’s presence, and it’s hard to believe for the results you want. So deal with it immediately. Miracles happen to the believing – so get back into a position where you can confidently believe God for the thing you need. He hasn’t changed His plans for your life. Circumstances and seasons change, but “God’s word of promise…is for ever settled in heaven and is always fulfilled” (See Isaiah 40:8). Jesus said, “How much more shall your Father…give good things to those that ask him.” Note the words “good things.” That sounds like another Bible promise. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11 KJV). And if God says no, it’s because it wouldn’t be “good” for you. Trust Him – He has something better in mind for you.
Soul food: 1 Chr 16-18; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 119:41-48; Prov 21:1-3
