2023-08-23
Psalm 46:10 NIV
If Job had a weakness, it was his tongue. He talked excessively. Not that you could blame him. After being hit by calamity, there wasn’t a wall standing in his house or a loved one living. And his wife, empathetic soul that she was, told him to “curse God, and die” (Job 2:9 KJV). Then his four friends with the bedside manner of drill sergeants told him he had probably brought all this trouble on himself. We’re thirty-seven chapters into the book of Job before God speaks a word. Chapter 38 begins, “Then the Lord answered Job.” And after God got through speaking, Job said, “I am not worthy; I cannot answer you anything, so I will put my hand over my mouth” (40:4 NCV).
Notice, before he heard from God, Job couldn’t talk enough. But after he heard from Him, he couldn’t talk at all. The only thing Job got right was: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (13:15 NKJV). Sometimes the best way to handle your problem is to trust and not talk. To submit and not speak. Job didn’t know it at the time, but God’s plan was to give him twice as much in the end as he had lost. And it happened when he stopped focusing on his own problems and started praying for his friends (See 42:10).
So, be still. Be open and willing. God is still on the throne. He is in control of every detail of your life. Even in the worst of circumstances, He has your best interest at heart. “The Lord will vindicate me” (Psalm 138:8 NIV). That’s all you need to know!
Soul food: Judg 9:34-11:40; Mark 7:14-23; Ps 119:113-120; Prov 20:25
2023-07-04
Proverbs 24:10 NLT
For the last few days, we have talked about how to handle Satan’s attacks when they come. So, if you’re under attack today, do these:
(1) Be tough. Life is a collection of battles, which means it can also be a collection of victories. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4 KJV). Reach within and draw on God’s strength. Go ahead; He longs to show you what He can do for you. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV). Did you get that? “He hath said… so that we may boldly say!” There is power in His Word when you speak it, believe it, and act on it.
(2) Depend on God’s wisdom. Jesus said, “Don’t worry… about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply” (Luke 21:14-15 NLT). God has given you two things that always work: your mouth and His wisdom. When unexpected things arise, the Holy Spirit within you will rise to the occasion and speak through you, so start depending on Him.
(3) Trust God to stop the attack. The Bible says, “He causes wars to end throughout the earth” (Psalm 46:9 NLT). God is in control, He is bigger than whatever you’re dealing with, and you’re on His mind this very moment. Your tears, your fears, and your pain have been noticed by Him – and He will move on your behalf.
Soul food: Jer 22-24; Matt 23:23-39; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 14:35-15:2
2023-07-03
2 Corinthians 4:8 TLB
Satan can attack you anytime, anywhere. If you want to defeat him, here are some tried and true biblical principles you need to follow:
(1) Guard your mind. You will never be defeated as long as you’re victorious in your mind; that’s the birthplace of everything you do. Satan knows that, and he will try to get your thoughts so scattered you won’t be able to concentrate on what’s important. Don’t let him do it. Get back into focus. Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3 KJV).
(2) Love people, but trust God. Live by the Scripture: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). When the Devil wants to hurt you, he will often use a person to do it. Your “enemy” is anyone who attempts to thwart the will of God in your life, so identify such people and avoid them. God never commanded us to trust people; He commanded us to love people – and trust Him. Understand the difference, for your victory depends on it.
(3) Never give up. Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NIV). Your dreams and goals are worth any fight, any price, and any waiting period. Your faith is what defeats Satan. Remember Joseph? Every day of adversity was just another stepping-stone toward the throne. So, keep walking and believing, for there is victory ahead!
Soul food: Jer 18-21; Matt 23:13-22; Ps 98; Prov 14:34
2023-03-12
Job 42:2 NIV
Job lost his wealth, his health, and his children. The book he wrote is a conversation between himself and God. At the beginning of it, Job says, “Hear now my argument” (Job 13:6 NIV). He is asking, “Why has all this happened to me?” At this point he is totally self-focused. But by the middle of his book, Job has grown spiritually and now he takes a different approach.
Instead of reasoning, he decides to stand on God’s Word: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:10-12 NIV).
By the last chapter in his book, Job has decided to trust God completely: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted… My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:2, 5 NIV). Job has finally arrived at the place where he can say, “I trust God; there is no need to worry!” After nine months of worrying, questioning, and reasoning, he decides he doesn’t need answers to all his questions, he only needs to know that God cares for him. And his story ends in these words: “The Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (v. 10 NIV). There you have it; the steps to overcoming your worries!
Soul food: Acts 2:1-21; Joel 2:23-32
2023-02-15
Philippians 4:6 CEV
Paul writes: “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel” (vv. 6-7 CEV). Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair; it’s always in motion and it keeps you busy, but it never actually gets you anywhere. In fact, if you do it too long, it wears you out!
One medical expert says that we create about thirty thousand thoughts per day, and through an uncontrolled thought life, we create favourable conditions for illness; we make ourselves sick! Another medical researcher estimates that 87 percent of illness is connected to wrong thought patterns.
The cause of worry is simple: It’s the failure to trust God to take care of the various situations in your life. Most of us have spent our lives trying to take care of ourselves, so it takes time – lots of it – to learn how to trust God instead. And the only way you learn that is by doing it. Each time you pray and turn the problem over to God, you experience His faithfulness. That makes it easier for you to trust Him next time.
And when it comes to life’s problems, there will always be a “next time.” So each time you begin to feel anxious, say, “I trust God completely; there is no need to worry!” The more you think about this truth, the more you will find yourself choosing trust over worry.
Soul food: Gen 47-49; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 145:14-21; Prov 4:23-24
