CPC-Christian Progressive College

CPC DAILY WORD

GETTING OLDER, AND BETTER

Thursday 19th January 2023

‘For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of My people; My chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.’ Isaiah 65:22 NIV

In 1968 a scientist discovered a six-hundred-year-old necklace in a Native American grave. It was made up of seeds which had been strung together. He planted one of those seeds, and guess what happened: it sprouted and grew. Although the seed had been dormant for six hundred years, it still had the potential for life.

How much time do you spend with your grandparents? Do you think they are old and have nothing to teach you? Think again! They have accumulated years of wisdom and knowledge. They are a goldmine of information that you may be missing out on because you simply don’t ask them. The Bible says, ‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree… planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock.”’ (Psalm 92:12–15 NIV)

Did you know that a palm tree produces its greatest harvest of fruit in its final years? Maybe it’s time to start spending more time with your grandparents. ‘For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of My people; My chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.’ That Scripture means poor eyesight, arthritis, and baldness is no measure of a person’s usefulness. Your grandparents might not be able to move as fast as they used to but nothing would give them more pleasure than to share their knowledge with you. And if your grandparents are no longer in your life, there are plenty of other people’s grandparents that would love to share their time with you.

SoulFood: Isa 58-62 Luke 4:1-13 Ps 89:1-14 Pro 2:20
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EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY

Wednesday 18th January 2023

‘Two are better than one.’ Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV

Being a lone ranger was never God’s intention for us. Loneliness is a killer. Companionship makes life sweeter. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about the value of human relationships in a challenging and difficult world. ‘Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.’ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 CSB

No one realises his or her best potential on their own. God’s Word and life itself teach us that living is designed to be a team sport. In the very beginning, God established this principle: ‘It is not good for the man [or woman] to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ (Genesis 2:18 NIV)

Teacher, Philip De Courcy tells us that Biblical wisdom embraces ‘a theology of we’ and ‘rejects a theology of me’ (see Philippians 2:4). To win in life, we need to commit ourselves to:

(a) resisting the ‘go-it-alone’ spirit that often characterises our culture;

(b) cultivating meaningful relationships and learning to treasure our friends;

(c) staying closely connected to the members of the body of Christ;

(d) reaching out to the lonely and the fallen; and

(e) going out of our way to demonstrate the nature of real friendship (see Proverbs 17:17; Hebrews 10:24–25; Luke 10:25–37; John 15:13).

Blazing your own trail is a dead-end street. A life shared is a life fully lived!

SoulFood: Isa 53-57 Luke 3:21-38 Ps 84 Pro 2:16-19
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CPC DAILY WORD

STRESS DOTS

Tuesday 17th January 2023

‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!’ Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Have you heard of stress dots? They are little pressure-sensitive dots that you place on your hand. As adrenaline changes in your body, the dots change colour and reveal if you are under stress. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a tiny internal warning light that informed us every time our focus was off the Lord? Or if we had a small beep or signal light that cautioned us we were out of tune with God? We do! It’s known as tension.

Becoming tense is a sure indication that we have taken our eyes off the Lord and set them on circumstances. We are staring at the problem rather than the solution. And when we do that, we are going to get tense. When you think about it, stress can be God’s way of saying, ‘Get your focus in line: look at Me.’ The Bible says, ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!’ You have the choice of focusing on your troubles or focusing on the One who holds the solution.

Corrie ten Boom wrote: ‘The blacker the night around us grew, the brighter and truer and more beautiful burned the Word of God. If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at God, you’ll be at rest.’

It’s what you concentrate on that decides your amount of peace. So when trouble comes, focus on God’s presence; He is with you, and He has promised that He will never leave you (see Hebrews 13:5).

SoulFood: Isa 49-52 Luke 3:11-20 Ps 81 Pro 2:11-15
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ARE YOU PRODUCING FOR GOD?

Monday 16th January 2023

‘I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.’ John 15:16 NIV

Ever wonder how some people are able to accomplish so much? What makes them so productive? Fast-forward to the end of your own life. What will it take for you to be able to say, ‘I led a productive life. I accomplished what I set out to do’?

What do you consider to be a productive life? More importantly, do you know God’s definition of a productive life? Let’s consider what it means to be a fruitful Christian. The word ‘fruit’ occurs sixty-six times in the New Testament. Three different kinds of fruit are referred to: the kind we eat—figs and grapes; biological fruit—infants; and spiritual fruit—Christ-like character. The Bible defines this spiritual fruit as nine things: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22–23).

Now you know the kind of fruit that God wants produced in your life. That’s how He defines a productive life. Jesus said, ‘This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.’ (John 15:8 NIV) The proof that you are a disciple of Jesus is that you bear spiritual fruit.

Perhaps you’re a good ‘fruit inspector’ when it comes to examining the lives of others. But what kind of fruit is growing in your own life? Are you growing more carnal or more Christ-like? To know how fruitful you are, examine what’s growing in your life. If you like what you see, keep doing what you’re doing. If you don’t, get down on your knees and pray, ‘Father, help me to bring forth fruit that glorifies You.’

SoulFood: Isa 45-48 Luke 3:1-10 Ps 79 Pro 2:9-10
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RESPONDING LIKE JESUS

Sunday 15th January 2023

‘He did not retaliate.’ 1 Peter 2:23 NIV

When someone disappoints or upsets you, what do you do? Pull out your big guns and react? Do you say, ‘You make me so mad!’? When you say that, you’re admitting someone else is controlling your emotions. You’re acknowledging you have given that person the power to determine your feelings and reactions. No one can take control from you—you give it away the moment you start reacting!

The Bible says, ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Romans 12:21 NIV) To retaliate is to react. But to forgive is to act. It’s saying, ‘I choose the way I respond.’ Do other people control your emotional state? Do you let them raise your happiness level or plunge you into worry, fear, or anger?

‘Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.’ (Proverbs 16:32 NLT) The person who can control their moods and reactions is stronger than a walled city. But a person who cannot control their own spirit is defenceless, like a city with no walls around it. That person has no defence; they are at the mercy of whatever anyone wants to do to them.

Strength is found in gentleness, and gentleness has the ability to handle hurt without retaliating; it can absorb the blow without needing to strike back. Jesus called it ‘turning the other cheek’ (see Matthew 5:39).

You say, ‘That’s not easy to do.’ No, it’s not; sometimes it’s almost impossible.

You say, ‘To respond that way is not natural.’ You’re right, it is supernatural; it is the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22–23).

You need God’s power to live this way.

SoulFood: 1 Cor 13 Dan 6:1-24
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Creating spaces to groom Talent

CPC DAILY WORD

MAKING WISE DECISIONS

Saturday 14th January 2023

‘Listen to the words of the wise.’ Proverbs 22:17 NLT

Think about the major decisions we make over our lifetime: choosing a mate, deciding where to live, and what career to pursue. Looking back, can you say you have consistently made the wisest choices?

Jennifer Winquist writes, ‘We make choices based on what feels best, what’s easiest, fastest, makes our kids happy, shuts up the boss, stops our problem for the moment. We buy wants instead of saving for necessities. We marry Mr Right-Now instead of waiting for Mr Right. We eat a bag of chips instead of a bag of carrots. We don’t plan to fail, but unless we plan to win by making wise choices, we can end up getting the short end of the stick. Wise choices aren’t usually quick fixes, selfish, or short-term; they involve planning, hard work, sacrifice, and resilience. But the rewards are huge.’

James says, ‘If any of you lack wisdom… ask… God… and it shall be given.’ (James 1:5 KJV) The world spends billions of dollars seeking wisdom but, as God’s children, we have the wisdom of the Creator of the universe at our disposal. Furthermore, when you develop the patience and maturity to make the wise choice instead of the easy one, you never have to live in fear of the outcome.

John Mason says growing in wisdom means fearing God, pleasing Him, hearing from Him, looking to Him, choosing His way, staying humble before Him, taking His advice, receiving His correction, maintaining a prayer connection with Him, and knowing His Son personally (see Psalm 111:10; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Proverbs 2:6; 3:13; 8:10–11; 11:2; 13:10; 29:15; Ephesians 1:16–17; 1 Corinthians 1:30).

So… how are you doing with that so far?

SoulFood: Isa 42-44 Luke 2:41-52 Ps 74:12-23 Pro 2:7-8
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GOD WILL HELP YOU TO SUCCEED

Friday 13th January 2023

‘All his companions were astonished at the catch of fish.’ Luke 5:9 NIV

‘[Jesus] said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch… Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they… left everything and followed Him.’ (Luke 5:4–11 NIV)

Here are seven life-changing truths you need to learn:

(1) Jesus will come to where you are and help you;

(2) When what you are doing is not working, He will show you a better way;

(3) Even though it may not make sense at the moment, do what He tells you;

(4) The success He has in mind for you is greater than anything you can envision for yourself;

(5) Your existing systems may not be able to handle what He has in mind, so be willing to change how you do things;

(6) When you experience His goodness, you’ll fall at His feet and acknowledge Him as your Lord;

(7) When you realise what He has in mind for you, you’ll leave everything and follow Him.

SoulFood: Isa 22-25 Luke 1:67-80 Ps 42:6-11 Pro 1:28-31
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MEDITATE—PERCOLATE (5)

Thursday 12th January 2023

‘The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.’ Psalm 19:8 NKJV

‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.’ (Psalm 19:7–8 NKJV)

‘More to be desired are they than gold… sweeter also than honey… by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.’ (Psalm 19:10–14 NKJV)

This prayer shows that the psalmist regarded meditation as an utter necessity to his spiritual life. And if that was true for him in his day, how much more vital is it for you today! You need to bathe your mind each day in the waters of God’s Word so that your words and thoughts are pleasing in His sight. Choose a time during your day, whether it’s the start of the day, at coffee break, during your lunchtime, coming home from school / work, or before falling asleep at night to reflect upon the truth of God’s Word. The greatest changes in your life will come through the process of meditating on the Scriptures—just letting the Word of God filter and percolate through your mind and into your life. First-class Bible reading calls not for snapshots but for timed exposures.

SoulFood: Isa 34-37 Luke 2:21-33 Ps 71:17-24 Pro 2:3-5
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MEDITATE—PERCOLATE (4)

Wednesday 11th January 2023

‘Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.’ Psalm 119:97 NKJV

Bible meditation is different from meditation as we know it in our society. Meditation, as popularly taught by the Eastern philosophies, tells you to empty your mind. That’s the exact opposite of what the Scriptures say! Bible meditation means filling your mind with the truth God has revealed. David was a king. Imagine the pressures and problems, demands and decisions he faced each day. Yet he said, ‘Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.’

Have you observed that we waste so much time doing mundane things such as waiting on hold on the phone, queueing, or driving to work? Some city dwellers often spend an hour or more commuting to work. If this adds up to ten hours a week, that’s forty hours a month and four hundred and eighty hours a year. That’s an extraordinary amount of time! The question is, what are you doing with your mind during this time? Will you drive along with your mind in neutral or listen to the radio, or get angry at all the drivers around you?

Instead, think of it as a great opportunity to get your mind into gear to grow spiritually and mentally! What exercise does for your body; meditation does for your soul. The Bible says, ‘For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.’ (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV) An office sign reads: ‘You are not what you think you are. But what you think—you are!’ If you want your life to be different, start thinking differently; meditate on God’s Word!

SoulFood: Isa 30-33 Luke 2:8-20 Ps 71:1-16 Pro 2:1-2
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MEFITATE—PERCOLATE (3)

Tuesday 10th January 2023

‘You shall meditate on it day and night.’ Joshua 1:8 NASB

Bible meditation has fallen out of favour. Why? Because we live in an instantaneous society, and a preoccupied society. We have so much stuff coming at us from TV, mobile phones, email, texts, snail mail, satellite links, cable news feeds, and podcasts that we hardly have a moment to react—much less reflect.

Get real! You can’t download spiritual maturity by hitting a few keys on a computer. That’s why the Scriptures speak so often about meditation. God, the author of the Bible, gave Joshua the formula for succeeding in your career and prospering in whatever you put your hand to: ‘Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.’ (Joshua 1:8 NIV)

To succeed in life, you must do something. Do what? Meditate in God’s Word! How often? Day and night. So, what portion of Scripture were you thinking about this morning as you started your day? Or while driving to and from school or work? For that matter, when was the last time you consciously reflected on any Bible truth or principle? If you can’t remember, start making some changes right away. Paul told Timothy: ‘Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.’ (1 Timothy 4:15 NKJV) And that’s still the rule!

SoulFood: Isa 26-29 Luke 2:1-7 Ps 46 Pro 1:32-33
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