The Word for Today, Thursday, 31st August, 2017

HAS SOMEONE HURT YOU?

'Don't rejoice when your enemies fall.' Proverbs 24:17 NLT

In life you'll make foes as well as friends. It can't be avoided; it just comes with the territory. The issue isn't will you make enemies, the issue is how will you treat them? Our friends bring out the best in us, and oh, how our foes bring out the worst in us!

But if you are a follower of Christ, there are three things you can't do: resent your enemies, retaliate against them or rejoice when they seem to get their comeuppance. The Bible says: 'Don't rejoice when your enemies fall; don't be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. Don't fret because of evildoers; don't envy the wicked. For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out' (Proverbs 24:17-20 NLT). Don't allow bitterness and resentment to destroy you. It's better to take your medicine now than to agonise later. Never wish ill on your enemy. Leave revenge to God. Revenge is God's business, not ours. You may know what the person did to you, but God alone knows why they did it. Paul put the matter succinctly yet firmly when he said: 'Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to...God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord' (Romans 12:17-19 NLT).

Has someone hurt you? Forgive them!

The Word for Today, Friday, 1st September, 2017

GROWING THROUGH LIFE'S TESTS
01 September, 2017


'So that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.' James 1:4 CEV

James writes: 'Be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything. If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given you...But when you ask...you must have faith...Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all' (James 1:2-8 CEV).

Note three things in this Scripture: (1) Your faith grows when it's tested. You'll never know the strength of your anchor until you feel the blast of the storm. (2) God will give you wisdom to handle the test. Now, he won't answer all your 'whys.' So instead of questioning him, you need to pray, 'Lord, how do you want to use this trial to develop me spiritually? How can I cooperate with you to reap the maximum benefit? What changes do you desire to bring about in my life?' Those are questions God will answer. (3) You must be willing to obey. It's possible to ask God for wisdom, then debate, stall or mess around trying to decide whether or not to obey him. 'If you're that kind of person...don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all' (James 1:7-8 CEV). When God gives you his wisdom, your first response should be: 'Speak, for your servant is listening' (1 Samuel 3:10 NIV).

Soulfood: Josh 8:30 - 10:43, Mark 9:30-37, Ps 111, Prov 23:4-6

The Word for Today

GOD'S UNDESERVED KINDNESS TO YOU
02 September, 2017


'I will surely show you kindness.' 2 Samuel 9:7 NIV

In Bible times, when a new king ascended to the throne, he usually killed or banished every member of the old king's family. Here's the story. Jonathan, King Saul's son, and David, whom Saul hated, were close friends. So close they made a covenant to protect one another with their lives. After Jonathan and Saul died in battle, Jonathan had one remaining son called Mephibosheth. So David had him brought to the palace, saying, 'I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.' Mephibosheth was living in Lo Debar, which means 'the land of nothing...the place of no bread' (2 Samuel 9:4-5 NIV).

That's significant, because when your self-esteem is nonexistent, your surroundings usually reflect it. You either give up completely, or go to the other extreme by striving to be perfect. But you don't have to do either. The Bible says, 'God, for Christ's sake has forgiven you' (see Ephesians 4:32). Your acceptance with God isn't based on who you are, but whose you are! Mephibosheth was lame in both feet and couldn't walk properly. And spiritually speaking, you couldn't either! Yet Mephibosheth 'ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet' (2 Samuel 9:13 NIV). His lame feet couldn't be seen because they were hidden under the king's table. And God does the same for you too! He wraps you in the righteousness of Christ and puts all your sins under the blood.

That means you're always acceptable in his sight including this very moment.

Soulfood: Josh 11-13, Mark 9:38-50, Ps 142, Prov 23:7-9

The Word for Today

BE OPEN TO ADVICE

06 September, 2017


'The wise listen to advice.' Proverbs 12:15 NIV

When you 'don't know what you don't know,' you're vulnerable to making mistakes. You may know a lot, but you don't know all there is to know. So you should always seek and be open to good input.

Professional golfers play with a caddy. And the caddy is more than just a carrier of clubs; he or she is there for support and valuable advice. Tommy Bolt was one of the greatest golfers of all time. But he had a major flaw: a terrible temper. One year when he was playing in a tournament in Southern California, he was still angry because of a bad round he'd had the day before. So he told his caddy only to say, 'Yes, Mr. Bolt,' or 'No, Mr. Bolt,' if he was asked a question. Otherwise he was to keep quiet. Bolt hit his first tee shot and it appeared to come to rest behind a tree. When he reached the spot, he asked his caddy, 'Do you think I should hit a five-iron?' The caddy, obeying orders, simply replied, 'No, Mr. Bolt.' Bolt hit the five-iron anyway, and made an unbelievable shot that landed on the green a few feet from the hole. He turned to his caddy and proudly said, 'What do you think about that shot?' As the caddy picked up the bag and headed toward the green, he simply said, 'That wasn't your ball, Mr. Bolt.'

If you don't want to finish up making mistakes you will regret, be open to advice - and follow it. The Bible says, 'The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice' (Proverbs 12:15 NIV).

Soulfood: Josh 19:24 - 21:45, Mark 10:23-34, Ps 27, Prov 23:16-18

THE WORD FOR TODAY


SATURDAY, 09 SEPTEMBER, 2017


HUSBANDS AND WIVES 1



'She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.' Genesis 3:6 NKJV

In Genesis, before Eve was created God warned Adam not to eat the forbidden fruit, and it was his responsibility to communicate that to his wife. Clearly, he didn't do a very good job. As a result he lost his job and they ended up losing their home.

Notice, the devil first approached Eve with the idea of disobeying God. 'When the woman saw that the tree was good...She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate' (Genesis 3:6 NKJV). Question: Where was Adam when Eve was being deceived? 'With her.' So here's an important lesson: When a man fails to listen to God and obey Him, he can't be the leader his wife and family need. he literally opens the door to Satan and allows him to come in and cause chaos in the family. When Satan was trying to sell Eve a bill of goods, Adam stood silently by instead of speaking up and saying, 'That's not right. Unless we follow the path God has laid out for us, we'll lose everything.'

On of the issues in marriage isn't about who's the boss; it's about honouring the structure God created so everyone in the family can walk in his blessing. The Bible says Satan comes to 'steal, kill and destroy' (John 10:10). But when a husband is truly submitted to Christ, he can protect his family. So if you're a husband, you need to step up to the plate. And if you're a wife, you need to encourage your husband to walk with God and let him know that it's an honour and privilege to follow such a man.

Soulfood: Col 3-4 + Philem, Mark 11:12-26, Ps 78:17-31, rov 23:26-28

THE WORD FOR TODAY


HUSBANDS AND WIVES 2


10 September, 2017


'Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman.' 1 Corinthians 11:3 NAS

Paul writes, 'I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ' (1 Corinthians 11:3 NAS). There is an order to how God operates. Just as Christ was submitted to God, husbands are supposed to be submitted to Christ, and wives are supposed to be submitted to godly husbands. Note the words, 'the man is the head of the woman' - not all women. This arrangement doesn't apply in the workplace or in other relationships.When we fail to honour God's structure, Satan can enter our homes just as he entered the first home in Eden. 'Submission' is an unpopular word today. But when we understand it from a biblical perspective, we see that it's a positive force to accomplish good, not a negative force to subject women to an inferior status. The Greek word for submission, hupotasso, means to willingly place oneself under the authority of another. It doesn't involve coercion, but rather a willingness to take who and what God made you, and submit it to the authority of another. In the husband's case, to God, and in the wife's case, to God and to her husband.Paul writes, 'Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Ephesians 5:25 NIV). When a husband loves his wife that way, and gives himself to her, she will gladly submit to his leadership in the home. It's her husband's love and protection that releases her into the fullness of her God-given potential.

Soulfood: Dan 6:1-24, Acts 12:1-19

THE WORD FOR TODAY


REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD


15 September, 2017


'The blood of Jesus Christ...cleanses us from all sin.' 1 John 1:7 NKJV

Going to church, doing your best, and subscribing to fuzzy notions about God won't get you into Heaven. Here's the testimony of those already in Heaven: 'To him who loves us...freed us from our sins by his blood, and...made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father...be glory and power for ever and ever' (Revelation 1:5-6 NIV)!

There's an interesting story behind a broken rope on display at the Matterhorn Museum in Zermatt, Switzerland. Some climbers who scaled the Matterhorn used it to rope themselves together for the return descent. But one climber slipped. The other team members braced for the shock on the rope linking them all together, expecting it to halt their companions' fall. But the tug came, and to everyone's horror the rope snapped, dragging the others with him into the abyss and plunging them to their deaths. Nobody knows why an inferior rope was used. But they do know it wasn't genuine Alpine rope, which is guaranteed and distinguished by a red strand running through it.

There's a lesson here. From Genesis to Revelation the Bible has a red strand running through it, and it represents the only thing that can save you - the blood of Jesus. Old Testament believers looked forward to the cross, and New Testament believers looked back to it. By trusting in Christ's finished work, you're accepted by God, and one day the door of Heaven will open and you'll live with him forever. And it's all based on this truth: 'The blood of Jesus Christ...cleanses us from all sin' (1 John 1:7 NKJV). No more is required, and nothing less will get you through the door!

Soulfood: Mic 1-4, Mark 13:1-11, Ps 24, Prov 24:15-18

THE WORD FOR TODAY


BECOME A GOOD THINKER


16 September, 2017


'For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.' Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

With practice, you can become a good thinker. Observe two things: (1) Good thinkers have foresight. 'The plans of the diligent lead to profit' (Proverbs 21:5 NIV). The word diligent means 'to work, study, and plan.' You don't stumble into success and figure it out afterward. Whether you're in business or ministry, your level of success will increase dramatically if you place a high value on good thinking.

Novelist Victor Hugo wrote, 'A small man is made up of small thoughts.' People who don't practice good thinking usually find themselves at the mercy of circumstances - or other people's thoughts. Unable to solve problems, they find themselves facing the same obstacles over and over. And because they don't think ahead they're habitually in reaction mode. An old German proverb says, 'Better an empty purse than an empty head.' Good thinkers overcome difficulties, including lack of resources, that often leave poor thinkers at the mercy of good thinkers.

In As a Man Thinketh, James Allen says, 'All that a man achieves, or fails to achieve, is a direct result of his thoughts.' Do you believe that? If you do, you'll place a high value on good thinking and make it a priority in your life. (2) Good thinkers look for the best, not the worst. They live by this scriptural principle: 'Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things' (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Soulfood: Mic 5-7, Mark 13:12-23, Ps 19, Prov 24:19-22

THE WORD FOR TODAY


ARE YOU BEING STRETCHED


17 September, 2017


'All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize.' 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

When you're being stretched spiritually, your faith in God grows. When you're being stretched mentally, your old ideas are challenged and replaced with new ones. When you're being stretched relationally, selfishness dies and love grows.So, are you being stretched right now? God allows us to have stretching experiences that prepare us for the race he has called us to run in life - and every so often your soul will 'hit the wall.' No amount of strength and no amount of pressing will move the problem. This is soul stretch! Often, these moments aren't the real test; they are just warm-ups that prepare us for future challenges. They are points of reference designed to keep us from panicking when we're in the midst of the real race. Remember that God never allows a person to run for him, or with him, who hasn't been stretched in their thinking, their faith, and their ability to live and love. So when you face a problem that just won't move, remember to take a deep breath and remind yourself that God is stretching you. It's the stretching of the soul that enables us to face situations we think will kill us, but don't; to endure times when we think we won't make it, but do. Sooner or later we will all face difficult times and relationships, but they are just the deep knee bends of life.So when it feels like you're being stretched to breaking point, don't quit. See it for what it is - preparation for running and winning your God-assigned race in life.

Soulfood: 2 Kings 6:8-20, Eph 1:15-23

THE WORD FOR TODAY


FREE FROM PEOPLE'S APPROVAL


19 September, 2017


'We are not trying to please men but God.' 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

There's a world of difference between performing for people's approval, and being free to minister to their needs because you know you already have God's approval. Striving for approval is like any other drug; you can never get enough of it. And like all junkies, you go crazy when it's withheld. It places you at the mercy of other people's opinions and, as a result, you live on an emotional roller coaster.

That's not how God wants you to live! Paul was free to speak the truth in love: to confront people or to be gentle with them. When someone told Paul they didn't like him, he didn't lose sleep over it because his security and self-worth weren't built on their acceptance. 'We speak as men approved by God' (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV). Paul didn't go around comparing himself with others, demonstrating his superiority by trying to be top dog or the one who's always in charge. Knowing he already had God's approval set him free from such anxiety and meant he could enjoy the life God called him to. When we're immature, we worry about what others think of us. But as we become more mature, we realise that most of the time they aren't thinking about us at all. They're too busy thinking about themselves - or worrying about what we think of them!

Knowing you have God's approval gives you the strength to deal with criticism and conflict because you're secure in your identity. And your identity is this: you're redeemed, called and approved by God.

Soulfood: Zech 1-4, Mark 14:1-11, Ps 39, Prov 24:26-28

THE WORD FOR TODAY


KNOWING WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST


20 September, 2017


'You are mine.' Isaiah 43:1 NIV

We hear about people being released from prison after serving time for a crime they didn't commit. It was a case of mistaken identity. Identifying someone means having the ability to recognise and say exactly who they are. Satan wants you to identify with who people say you are, versus who God says you are. And unless you know who you are in God's eyes, Satan will hammer you with feelings of condemnation and unworthiness.

God's grace and unconditional love for you is the only secure foundation on which to base your salvation and self-worth. Today he says to you: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine' (Isaiah 43:1 NIV). Jesus identified with God's opinion only: 'I know where I came from and where I am going' (John 8:14 AMP). People said terrible things about Jesus, yet here's what God said about him: 'The stone...the builders rejected has become the...cornerstone' (Psalm 118:22 NKJV).

Sometimes we're so busy telling people what to do that we neglect to tell them who they are. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you confidence to hold your head high. You are 'complete' because of your relationship to Christ (see Colossians 2:10). God sees you clothed in Christ's righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Once you accept that, you stop feeling like you constantly fall short. When you have money in the bank and you need to withdraw it, you don't feel pressured because you know it's in an account with your name on it. Likewise, you don't have to struggle for other people's approval when you know you're loved and accepted by God.

Soulfood: Zech 5-8, Mark 14:12-26, Ps 34

THE WORD FOR TODAY


UNDERSTANDING SATAN'S ROLE 1


21 September, 2017


'God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.' 1 John 4:4 NCV

Satan is a fallen angel who wasn't satisfied to worship God; he wanted to occupy his throne. Angels, like humans, were made to serve and worship God. And they were given free will; otherwise, how could they worship? But Satan said, 'I will make myself like the Most High' (Isaiah 14:14 NIV). That got him evicted from Heaven: 'You are brought down to...the depths of the pit' (Isaiah 14:15 NIV).And Satan hasn't changed. He's as self-centered now as he was then, and he's just as limited now as he was then. Even when his heart was good, he was inferior to God. God knows everything; angels only know what he reveals. God is everywhere; angels can only be in one place. God is all-powerful; angels are only as powerful as God allows them to be. So Satan is still subservient to God. And every time he tries to advance his cause, he ends up advancing God's cause.In The Serpent of Paradise, pastor and author Erwin Lutzer writes: 'Satan has different roles to play, depending on God's counsel and purposes...We must bear in mind that he does have frightful powers, but knowing that those can only be exercised under God's discretion and pleasure, gives us hope. Satan is simply not free to wreak havoc on people at will.' Satan doesn't want you to know that; he'd rather you be deceived into thinking of him as an independent force with unlimited power. But he's not. And he'd rather you'd never read these words: 'God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil' (1 John 4:4 NCV).

Soulfood: Num 29:1-6, Mt 24, Rev 11:15-19

THE WORD FOR TODAY

UNDERSTANDING SATAN'S ROLE 2

22 September, 2017


'A messenger of Satan, to torment me.' 2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV

Satan's attack can drive you closer to God. That was true in Paul's life. Think of Paul's r?sum?: a personal audience with the resurrected Christ, a participant in heavenly visions, an apostle chosen by God, an author of the Bible. He healed the sick, traveled the world, and penned some of history's greatest documents. Few could rival his achievements. And maybe he knew it. But God loved Paul too much to allow pride to destroy him. 'To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me' (2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV). We aren't told the nature of the thorn, but we're told its purpose - to keep Paul humble. We are also told its origin - a messenger of Satan. The messenger could have been a pain, a problem, or a person who was a pain. We don't know. But we do know that the messenger was under God's control.

Note what Paul says next: 'Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong' (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV).

Here's a truth that can transform every test into a potential triumph: Satan and his forces are simply a tool in the hand of God to strengthen you.

Soulfood: Zech 9-11, Mark 14:27-42, Ps 52, Prov 24:32-34

THE WORD FOR TODAY


UNDERSTANDING SATAN'S ROLE 3


23 September, 2017


'The trouble the Lord has brought on him.' Job 42:11 NCV

Satan's attack can strengthen your faith. The devil dared to question the stability of Job's faith, so God gave him permission to test Job. 'The Lord said to Satan, "All right then. Everything Job has is in your power, but you must not touch Job himself"' (Job 1:12 NCV). Notice, God set both the permission and the parameters of the struggle. Job passes the test and Satan complains that Job would have fallen had he been forced to face pain. Again God gives permission, and again he sets the parameters: 'Job is in your power, but you may not take his life' (Job 2:6 NCV). Though the pain and the questions are abundant, in the end Job's faith and health are greater than ever.

Again, we may not understand the reason for the test, but we know its source. Read this verse from the last chapter of the book of Job. The family of Job 'comforted him and made him feel better about the trouble the Lord had brought on him' (Job 42:11 NCV). Satan has no power except that which God gives him. Even when Satan appears to win, he loses. Martin Luther was right on target when he described the devil as God's tool, a hoe he uses to care for his garden. The hoe never cuts what the Gardener intends to save, and never saves what the Gardener intends to weed. Surely a part of Satan's punishment is the frustration he feels in unwillingly serving as a tool to create a garden for God.

So be encouraged today: Satan's attack will strengthen your faith, refine it, and take it to greater heights.

Soulfood: Zech 12-14, Mark 14:43-52, Ps 54, Prov 25:1-3

THE WORD FOR TODAY

UNDERSTANDING SATAN'S ROLE 4


24 September, 2017


'Hand that man over to Satan.' 1 Corinthians 5:5 CEV

Satan's attack can be a wake-up call. Do you know that when you refuse to acknowledge your sin and repent of it, the wall of protection around you is breached and Satan is free to come in and attack you?Paul writes to the Corinthian church: 'I have heard terrible things about some of you. In fact, you are behaving worse than the Gentiles. A man is even sleeping with his own stepmother. You are proud, when you ought to feel bad enough to chase away anyone who acts like that' (1 Corinthians 5:1-2 CEV). Then Paul instructs the leaders of the church, 'You must then hand that man over to Satan. his body will be destroyed, but his spirit will be saved when the Lord Jesus returns' (1 Corinthians 5:5 CEV). Later the man repented of his sin and Paul said he should be restored to fellowship in the church. So what Paul was saying, in essence, was: 'Let him be driven to despair that he might be driven back into the arms of God.' Again Paul writes: 'Some people have made a mess of their faith because they didn't listen to their consciences. Two of them are Hymenaeus and Alexander. I have given these men over to the power of Satan, so that they will learn not to oppose God' (1 Timothy 1:19-20 CEV).Does God enjoy seeing us suffer? No more than a parent enjoys disciplining a child. But holy love makes tough choices. (Remember, discipline should result in mercy, not misery.) Some of us are awakened by a tap on the shoulder, while others need a two-by-four on the head. And whenever God needs a two-by-four, Satan gets the call.

Soulfood: 1 Kings 3:4-28, James 1:2-8

THE WORD FOR TODAY

UNDERSTANDING SATAN'S ROLE 5

25 September, 2017


'Satan has demanded the right to test each one of you.' Luke 22:31 CEV

Luke writes: 'Jesus said, "Simon, listen to me! Satan has demanded the right to test each one of you, as a farmer does when he separates wheat from the husks. But Simon, I have prayed that your faith will be strong. And when you have come back to me, help the others"' (Luke 22:31-32 CEV).

Satan's attack proves you have an important part to play in the plan of God. That's why he's trying so hard to defeat you. The truth is, the intensity and duration of his attack is an indication of your value to God and the level of blessing that God has planned for you on the other side of the attack. So if you belong to Christ, view the attack as a sign of respect. And remember who is in control. Satan needed God's permission to attack Job. Jesus said, 'All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me' (Matthew 28:18 NIV). And this is proof. The purpose of this test is to provide you with a testimony to God's goodness. Jesus was allowing Peter to experience a trial so that he could encourage his brothers. Perhaps God is doing the same with you. He knows that the church, and the world, need living testimonies of his power. So your difficulty may be preparing you to be a voice of encouragement to others who are struggling. Remember what Joseph said to his brothers: 'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good' (Genesis 50:20 NAS).

Since God loves you and is in control of your life, good things will come from the difficulties you are going through right now.

Soulfood: 1 Cor 1-3, Mark 14:53-65, Ps 13, Prov 25: 4-8

THE WORD FOR TODAY


LEARN TO BE CONTENT


'I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.' Philippians 4:11 NIV

Discontentment is a trap that can ensnare you and rob you of joy and fulfillment. That's why the Bible says you must learn to be content 'whatever the circumstances' (Philippians 4:11 NIV). The notion that a bigger car or a bigger house or a bigger salary will bring you contentment is a myth. There will always be something 'bigger and better' out there. There will always be people who have more than you, so you'll never be able to get off the treadmill. That's not to imply you should be satisfied with being enslaved to debt or destructive habits, or settle for complacency and mediocrity and not fulfill the call of God on your life. Not at all! You must keep working to improve yourself, while remaining totally dependent on God to bless you, promote you and meet your needs.

Contentment means not coveting another person's position, possessions or personality. Your security and self-worth should be based on who you are in Christ, not what you have in material assets. What a great way to live! Paul lived like that. he said, 'I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength' (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV).

Each day you have a choice to make regarding your attitude. So the word for you today is: Learn to be content.

Soulfood: 1 Cor 4-6, Mark 14:66-72, Ps 91, Prov 25:9-12

THE WORD FOR TODAY


BE PASSIONATE, PROACTIVE AND PERSISTENT


28 September, 2017


'Do not merely listen to the word...Do what it says.' James 1:22 NIV

When Nehemiah first saw the ruins of Jerusalem, he wept. Then he rolled up his sleeves and went to work. In the face of overwhelming odds and relentless opposition, he rebuilt the walls in just fifty-two days. How? Because it was his vision and his passion!

Question: Are you afraid to say, 'Lord, I'll do anything you want me to do,' in case he sends you somewhere you don't want to go, or asks you to do something you don't feel ready or qualified to do? You've got it wrong! The Bible says God's will is 'good, and acceptable, and perfect' (Romans 12:2 KJV). Now, while God's will is 'good,' it's not necessarily easy. But he will give you a passion for it. When Jeremiah tried to stop speaking about the Lord, he said God's Word became 'like a fire shut up in my bones' (Jeremiah 20:9 NAS).

A God-given vision sets your heart on fire. You begin to see things you never saw before and get excited about them. You may have failed in the past, but God can take your chapters of failure and write a story of success. But it won't happen if you're just sitting on the sidelines. The Bible says, 'Do not merely listen to the word...Do what it says' (James 1:22 NIV). You'll get a passion for God's will once you start doing it! And when it happens, you will say, 'This is what I was made for.' When you have a compelling reason for doing something, and you know God is watching and smiling on you, it makes all the difference in the world. So the word for you today is: Be passionate, proactive, and persistent!

Soulfood: 1 Cor 10-11, Mark 15:12-20, Ps 68:19-35, Prov 25:17-20

THE WORD FOR TODAY


YOU CAN CHANGE


29 September, 2017


'We are the clay, and you are the potter.' Isaiah 64:8 NLT

Ever watch a lump of clay being transformed into something beautiful? The clay can't change itself; the power to do that lies in the hands of the potter. Isaiah says, 'We are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all formed by your hand' (Isaiah 64:8 NLT). That means you don't have to live the rest of your life with your phobias and hang-ups; God can change you. Even if you've been a worrier all your life, you don't have to worry for the rest of your life. So, what if you were born in poverty or prejudice? You don't have to die that way.

Where did you get the idea that you can't change? What's the source of comments such as 'It's just my nature to worry,' or 'I'll always be pessimistic; I'm just that way,' or 'I come from a family of alcoholics and addicts so I'll never be free'? Would you make the same statement about your physical body? 'It's just my nature to have a broken leg. I can't do anything about it.' Of course not. If your body malfunctions, you seek help. Shouldn't you do the same with your sinful appetites, sour attitudes, and selfish tirades?

What the world sees as trash, God sees as treasure. And like the potter, he can take you, mould you, and make you into a vessel of honour (see 2 Timothy 2:21). All you have to do is place your life in his hands. We sing, 'Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way. Thou art the potter, I am the clay.' When you stop trying to change yourself and surrender to God, true and lasting change takes place.

Soulfood: 1 Cor 12-14, Mark 15:21-32, Ps 60, Prov 25:21-22

THE WORD FOR TODAY


GOD IS REAL


30 September, 2017


'The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?' Psalm 27:1 NIV

What hope or help does the atheist or agnostic have? None!Writer and editorialist W. O. Saunders said in American Magazine: 'I'd like to introduce you to one of the loneliest and unhappiest individuals on earth...the man who doesn't believe in God. I can introduce you to such a man because I myself am one, and in introducing myself you shall have an introduction to the agnostic or skeptic in your own neighbourhood, for he is everywhere in the land. You'll be surprised to know that the agnostic envies your faith in God, your settled belief in a Heaven after life, and your blessed assurance that you'll meet with your loved ones in an afterlife where there'll be neither sadness nor pain. He'd give anything to be able to embrace that faith and be comforted by it, but for him there is only the grave and the persistence of matter.

After the grave all he can see is the disintegration of the protoplasm and psychoplasm of which my body and personality are composed, but in this materialist view, I find neither ecstasy nor happiness...He may put on a brave front but he isn't happy...He sometimes yearns for a staff on which to lean. He, too, carries a cross. For him, this earth is but a tricky raft adrift in the unfathomable waters of eternity with no horizon in sight. His heart aches for every precious life upon the raft - drifting, drifting, drifting, whither no one knows.'But when you put your trust in Christ, you can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear' (Psalm 27:1 NIV).

Soulfood: Lev 16, Lev 23:26-32, Heb 9:1-14

THE WORD FOR TODAY


THINGS CUT OFF THINGS CUT BACK


01 October, 2017


'So [you] will produce even more.' John 15:2 NLT

Jesus said the vine dresser 'cuts off every branch...that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes [cuts back] the branches that do bear fruit so they...produce even more' (John 15:2 NLT).Notice two things: (1) God cuts some things off. 'What kind of things?' Things you're comfortable with but that stand in the way of your progress. Things he hasn't chosen for you. Things that will bring you trouble. Things that refuse to change. Things that have served their purpose. (2) God cuts some things back. A fruit tree that's just been pruned certainly doesn't look its best. And when God starts cutting back certain things in your life in order to redirect your energies, for a while you may not look so good either. Sometimes this means letting go of things you thought would always be there, or reprioritising your life, or making do with less for a while, or not being able to explain to your loved ones why you're going through the pruning process. But life-giving sap flowing into a barren branch with no potential for fruitfulness is a waste! And so is time, attention and energy taken from first things and given to second and third things.

Understand this: God knows what needs to be cut off in your life, and he knows what needs to be cut back. And although you may not understand what he's doing, pray: 'Send whoever you will and take away whoever you will. I'll praise you when they come and I'll praise you when they go, because your approval is my reward and your purpose is my reason to live.'

Soulfood: Eph 5:21-33, S of S 2:1-7, Prov 5:15-19, Prov 5:15-19

THE WORD FOR TODAY


TREAT YOUR ENEMY WITH KINDNESS


03 October, 2017



'You will heap coals of fire on his head.' Proverbs 25:22 NKJV

It's not enough to simply leave your enemies alone; you must demonstrate God's love toward them. 'If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you' (Proverbs 25:21-22 NKJV).

What does it mean to 'heap coals of fire on his head'? Charles Swindoll explains that in ancient days, homes were heated and meals were fixed on a small portable stove, somewhat like our outside barbecue grills. Frequently, a person would run low on hot coals and need to replenish his or her supply. The container was commonly carried on the head. So as the individual passed beneath second-story windows, thoughtful people who had extra hot coals in their possession would reach out the window and place them in the container atop their head. Thanks to the thoughtful generosity of a few people, they would arrive at the site with a pile of burning coals on their head, and a ready-made fire for cooking and keeping warm. 'Heaping burning coals on someone's head' came to be a popular expression for a spontaneous and courteous act one person would voluntarily do for another. When you treat an enemy this way, the Bible promises, 'The Lord will reward you' (Proverbs 25:22 NKJV).

You have a choice. You can experience the short-term satisfaction of retaliating and get into trouble with God for doing it, or show mercy and kindness and be rewarded by God for doing it. So the word for you today is treat your enemy with kindness.

Soulfood: Ex 1-3, Mark 16:1-8, Ps 63, Prov 25:26-28

THE WORD FOR TODAY


STOP WORRYING ABOUT IT


04 October, 2017



'Let him have all your worries and cares.' 1 Peter 5:7 TLB

Author John Mason writes: 'I couldn't feel at peace. Unless I had everything figured out, I became anxious, restless, nervous, worried and grouchy...similar to a drug addict who needs a fix. The severity wasn't the same but the symptoms were. I was a Christian and supposedly walked by faith. I trusted Jesus for salvation, but in other areas I trusted myself.' Are you living that way? Inspirational author William Ward wrote: 'Worry is faith in the negative, trust in the unpleasant, assurance of disaster, and belief in defeat. It's a magnet that attracts negative conditions. Faith is a more powerful force that creates positive circumstances. Worry is wasting today's time, and cluttering up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles.'

When an old man was asked what had robbed him of joy in his life, he replied, 'Things that never happened.' Do you remember the things you worried about a year ago? Didn't you expend a lot of energy on them? And didn't most of them turn out to be fine after all? Almost 99 percent of the things we worry about don't happen. Did you know that a dense fog covering seven city blocks thirty metres deep is composed of less than one glass of water? Just one glass! But it can blot out practically all vision. And a cupful of worry can do the same thing. The Bible says, 'People's lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps' (Jeremiah 10:23 NIV).

Stop trying to control every possible outcome. Life goes better when you decide to stand on God's Word and trust him to take care of you.

Soulfood: Ex 4-6, Mark 16:9-20, Ps 92, Prov 26:1-3

THE WORD FOR TODAY

WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU'RE WAITING


06 October, 2017


'I waited patiently for the Lord; he...heard my cry.' Psalm 40:1 NIV

Anything that's built well is put together slowly and carefully. Impatience is a sign of immaturity; children can't wait for anything. Try to understand this: your impatience won't move God faster. He works according to his own timetable. Paul writes, 'We know that all things work...according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28 NKJV). Just because the door hasn't yet opened doesn't mean that God has changed his mind. The timing may not be right for him to get maximum glory, and you to get maximum benefit.

So, what should you do while you're waiting? Two things: (1) Pray for God's will. And don't permit things to come into your life that are contrary to it, especially hurry and worry. Know how to allocate your time, your energy and your money, including whom you should and shouldn't spend time with. God says, 'I make known the end from the beginning' (Isaiah 46:10 NIV). Before God starts anything, he has a clear picture of the end goal, and he ordains the steps that lead you to it. (2) While you're waiting - rejoice. 'Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour' (Habakkuk 3:17 NIV).

Start thanking God today for what he's already done, and for what he's going to do in the future on your behalf. Because he will - he absolutely will come through for you.

Soulfood: Ex 7-9, John 1:1-13, Ps 29, Prov 26:4-6

THE WORD FOR TODAY


FRIENDSHIP 1


07 October, 2017


'A man of too many friends comes to ruin.' Proverbs 18:24 NAS

With few exceptions, your success in life depends on your ability to establish and maintain relationships with the right people. According to a report by the American Management Association, the overwhelming consensus of two hundred managers who participated in a survey was that the most important skill of an executive is his or her ability to get along with people. They rated this ability as more vital than intelligence, decisiveness, knowledge or job skills.

Quite frankly, none of us makes very many true friends in life - at least, we better not! Solomon warns, 'A man of too many friends comes to ruin' (Proverbs 18:24 NAS). Friendship requires time, energy, sacrifice and investing yourself. And not every so-called friend will prove to be one, as Jeremiah warned King Zedekiah: 'They misled you and overcame you - those trusted friends of yours. Your feet are sunk in the mud; your friends have deserted you' (Jeremiah 38:22 NIV). The wrong friend may betray you, as Judas proved with Jesus. So here's a good rule of thumb: 'Be friendly to everyone, but don't have everyone as a friend.' Solomon said, 'The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray' (Proverbs 12:26 NLT).

Charles Spurgeon said, 'A man is known by the company he shuns, as well as the company he keeps.' One Hebrew word for 'choose' is tur, and in the Old Testament it refers to a man like a surveyor who searches out land. So if you're wise, you'll explore and evaluate your friendships before you enter into them. You say, 'But I'm lonely.' As George Washington said, 'It is better to be alone than in bad company.'

Soulfood: Ex 10-12, John 1:14-28, Ps 131, Prov 26:7-9

THE WORD FOR TODAY


IF IT'S GOD'S WILL YOU CAN HAVE IT


Wednesday, 18 October, 2017


'If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.' 1 John 5:14 NIV

Once upon a time, three men were marooned on a desert island with little hope of being rescued. One day they were walking around the island when one of them picked up an old, tarnished lamp. When he rubbed it, a genie appeared and offered to grant each man one wish. The first man said, 'I wish I was back in my office in Boston.' Puff! He was there. The second said, 'I wish I was home with my family in London.' Puff! He was there. The third man looked around and said, 'It's so lonely here, I wish my friends were back with me.' The problem with wishing is that genies and magic lamps don't exist.But God does exist! And since he is in control of your life and he's more powerful than any genie, when your wishes become prayers that line up with his will, they can become a reality. 'Does the Bible teach that?' you ask. Yes; it says: 'This is the confidence we have in approaching God...if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him' (1 John 5:14-15 NIV). But even when your wish is in line with God's will, you need one more thing - faith. Faith does two things: (a) It opens your eyes to see that God's promises are for you personally. (b) It acts like a magnet, drawing the fulfillment of his promise into your life.So, what are you wishing for? If it's God's will - you can have it.

Soulfood: Ex 36-38, John 4:13-26, Ps 41, Prov 27:7-9

THE WORD FOR TODAY


CONFESSING OUR SINS


Friday, 20th October, 2017


'I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord." And you forgave me!' Psalm 32:5 NLT

When you deliberately sin, you're rebelling against God's rule in your life - and you'll feel bad about it. And feeling bad is evidence that you truly are a redeemed child of God; otherwise your sin wouldn't bother you. Picture a teenager saying to his dad, 'I'm truly sorry, but I took your credit card and bought beer for my buddies with it.' Now, the chances are his father may never have discovered it, especially if he wasn't a good bookkeeper. But his son's troubled conscience brought it to the surface and he said, 'Dad, I shouldn't have bought the beer; I shouldn't have lied about my age; I shouldn't have used your credit card to do it. You trusted me and I let you down. I'm sorry, and I won't do it again.' That's confession. That's what we must do in our prayers.

The Greek word translated as confession means 'to agree with God.' When we confess our sins, we are agreeing with God concerning the sin in our lives as revealed through his Word and by the Holy Spirit. When we confess, we verbalise our sin and receive cleansing and forgiveness. Yes, confession is often painful, but it keeps our fellowship with our heavenly Father clear, open and close. It's not that God stops loving us, but that we no longer feel we can approach him with confidence.

Do you have a sin to confess? 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9 NKJV).

Soulfood: Is 1-3, John 4:39-54, Ps 5, Prov 27:13-16

THE WORD FOR TODAY


LEARNING TO LEAD 1


Saturday, 21st October, 2017.


'You cannot handle it alone.' Exodus 18:18 NIV

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, 'The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.' Bottom line: Unless you learn to delegate, your leadership will deteriorate and your vision will stagnate.

In Exodus, Moses was wearing himself out physically, emotionally and spiritually trying to keep up with the demands of two million Israelites and be 'the answer man' for every problem. That's when his father-in-law told him, 'You cannot handle it alone. Listen...to me and I will give you some advice' (Exodus 18:18-19 NIV). It takes wisdom, maturity, and humility to ask for help. And it's a sign of strength, not weakness. That's hard to come to terms with, for those of us who take pride in our ability to 'do it all.' The truth is, what Moses was doing was neither good for him nor the people depending on him. As a leader, it's easy to overestimate your own importance and competence. That's why Paul cautions, '[Don't] think you are better than you really are. Use good sense' (Romans 12:3 CEV).

God has placed people around you who have certain gifts and talents. When you recognise and involve these people, they're fulfilled and the job gets done right. God created us to be interdependent, not independent. Delegating authority to the right people strengthened Moses for the task of leading as God intended. When you try to be 'all things to all people,' you end up frustrated. You're not called to do it all, but to get it done through others. That's what leadership is about.

Soulfood: Is 4-7, John 5:1-15, Ps 126, Prov 27:17-19

THE WORD FOR TODAY


LEARNING TO LEAD 3


Monday, 23rd October, 2017


'Correct, rebuke and encourage.' 2 Timothy 4:2 NIV

When you crave acceptance and approval, you end up being controlled by those you're supposed to lead. Paul recognised this. That's why he instructed Titus: 'Teach...and encourage your people...correcting them when necessary as one who has every right to do so. Don't let anyone think that what you say is not important' (Titus 2:15 TLB). Afraid of causing upheaval in the ranks, insecure leaders agonise over decisions and assume responsibility for other people's emotional reactions. They don't realise that when you're doing what you should be doing and others don't agree, that's their problem, unless you make it yours.A mature leader deals with disappointment and keeps a good attitude; they're willing to face the music even when they don't like the tune. Think: When you warn your children about putting their hand on a hot stove, it's not your responsibility to make them enjoy hearing it, right? Hopefully, as they mature they'll understand. But the truth is, some people won't like hearing the word 'no' regardless of how old they get! But we all need to hear it from time to time; otherwise, we'll never be happy with anything other than getting our own way - and that means getting nowhere, or getting into trouble.Paul, who was training Timothy for leadership, told him, 'Correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.' Correct people when they're wrong, rebuke them when they're stubborn, encourage them when they struggle, be patient as they learn and grow, and make sure your instructions are clear and understandable. That's what good leaders do - and the only way you learn it is by doing it.

Soulfood: Is 8-11, John 5:16-30, Ps 85, Prov 27:20-22

THE WORD FOR TODAY


LEARNING TO LEAD 4


Tuesday, 24th October, 2017


'If it is leadership, let him govern diligently.' Romans 12:8 NIV

How will you know you have the gift of 'leadership'? Because you'll know where God wants you to go, and be able to show others the value of going with you. There are many talented people who never become effective leaders. Why? Because they're more interested in themselves than in those they lead. What's interesting, however, is once they go through the school of hard knocks, they become sensitised to other people's needs. But good leaders don't wait for that to happen. They realise that ideas are a dime a dozen, but people who can implement them are priceless.

Legendary football coach Bear Bryant used to say, 'I'm just a plow-hand from Arkansas, but I've learned to hold a team together. How to lift some men up, how to calm others down, until finally they've got one heartbeat together. There are just three things I'd ever say: If something goes bad, I did it. If it goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it.' When you have the gift of leadership, you'll also be approachable. You won't fly off the handle, you won't let minor problems poison your outlook, and you'll sandwich every slice of criticism between two layers of praise.

Robert Louis Stevenson said, 'Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others.' There are people who knock the heart out of you, and people who put it back in. Paul was such a leader: 'Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God...for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News' (Philippians 1:3,5 NLT). That's the kind of leader you should aspire to be.

Soulfood: Is 12-16, John 5:31-47, Ps 98, rov 27: 23-24

THE WORD FOR TODAY


RESPECT DON'T REJECT


Wednesday, 25th October, 2017


'I try to find common ground with everyone.'1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT

For any relationship to work, we must accept each other's differences. Within our family we must respect each other's unique perspectives. We don't need to agree on every issue, but we must always honour where the other person is coming from. Paul did that: 'I try to find common ground with everyone' (1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT).

Some of us who claim to follow Christ have a hard time with views and values that differ from our own. We think 'compromise' is a dirty word. Some of us have turned from the most immoral lives to faith in Christ, yet after our conversion we won't associate with anyone who doesn't agree with us and adopt our newfound values. Sometimes our families fall apart because we try to force our opinions on the people we love, and set boundaries to keep nonconformists out. What a terrible misuse of Christianity! Jesus didn't condemn the people who crucified him; he prayed, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34 NKJV). He didn't view them as morally bad, but spiritually blind. He told his disciples, 'No one can come to me unless the Father...draws him' (John 6:44 NKJV).

It's your job to love people, and it's God's job to change them! So stop trying to do what only God can do! If you invest patiently in your relationships, respect other people's perspectives, and sow good seed, you'll reap a pleasant harvest in the long term. Your love, not the force of your argument, can give hope to the most severely damaged among us that there's healing for the broken places of the human soul.

Soulfood: Is 17-21, John 6:1-15, Ps 127, rov 27: 25-27

THE WORD FOR TODAY


WHO'S YOUR SAUL


Friday, 27th October, 2017


'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name.' Acts 9:15 NIV

Saul of Tarsus was the last person on earth you'd ever have expected to become a Christian, much less the author of half the New Testament. Describing his life before he met Christ, he wrote, 'I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it' (Galatians 1:13 NKJV).So when God called Ananias to go and pray for Saul, Ananias wasn't too keen on the idea: 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.' But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel' (Acts 9:13-15 NIV). Ananias knew what Saul had done to the church. What he was about to learn, however, is that God was at work in Saul's heart. Within a few short years God would use Paul to touch the world, but first he used Ananias to touch Paul.

Has God given you a similar assignment? Has he given you a Saul? If so, don't give up on him or her. When other people write them off, give them another chance. Ananias didn't know about Paul's encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road. God can go where you can't, and get through to a person when you're unable to reach them. Always remember: God never sends you where he hasn't already been. So by the time you reach your Saul, who knows what you'll find?

Soulfood: Is 26-29, John 6:25-34, Ps 104:1-23, Prov 28:5-8