Pastor's Corner

Daily Bible study is essential to your spiritual growth. Professor Howard Hendricks writes: ‘When our kids were youngsters growing up, we set up a growth chart on the back of a closet door. As they grew, they begged us to measure how tall they’d gotten and record it on the chart. It didn’t matter how small the increments were, they bounced up and down with excitement to see their progress. One time after I measured one of my daughters, she asked me the sort of question you wish kids wouldn’t ask: “Daddy, why do big people stop growing?” How could I explain that big people don’t stop growing—we just grow in a different direction? I don’t know what I told her, but to this day the Lord is still asking me, “Hendricks, are you growing old, or are you growing up?”’

How about you? How long have you been a Christian? Nine months? Thirty-nine years? The real issue is how much have you grown up? Step up to God’s growth chart and measure your progress. That’s what the apostle Peter meant when he wrote, “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” Just as a baby grabs for the bottle, you grab for the Bible. The baby has to have milk to sustain its life physically; and you have to have the Scriptures to sustain your life spiritually. So the first reason for studying the Scriptures is that it’s a means of spiritual growth. It is God’s primary tool to develop you as an individual.

From The Word for Today.

Many of us fail, not because we aren’t talented, determined, or passionate, but because we get ‘sidetracked’. God told the prophet Habakkuk, ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.’ (Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV)

Unless you have a clearly defined goal and keep it before you at all times, you won’t run in the direction you should. As motivational speaker Sam Horn said: ‘It’s hard to stay on purpose, if we don’t know what our purpose is.’

In his book One Big Thing, Phil Cooke writes: ‘I’ve never been a fan of the person who invented the “open door policy”. Sure, we want to be accessible to employees and co-workers, but at some point it’s time to shut the door and get to work. After your next interruption by a visitor, make a note of how long it takes to get back to your previous level of intensity and focus. You’ll be shocked at how much time that steals from your day… Too often other people’s needs come before our dream. Obviously we need to care for our children, honour our spouses, and deal with our primary responsibilities around our families or jobs. But the first step in achieving our dream is to take responsibility for it. That means scheduling it, and “unscheduling” the lesser needs of co-workers and friends. These daily commitments chip away at our time, and before long our dream gets lost in the shuffle. Stop doing what other people think is urgent, and start focusing on what matters to you.’

And more importantly, what matters to God!

From The Word for Today.

With regard to Samson, the Bible tells us, ‘The hair of his head began to grow again.’ The process of renewal was starting. Samson repented, God gave him back his strength, and he ended his life with an act of heroism.

Maybe you feel like you’ve messed up so badly that God will never love you and use you again—but remember Samson! God never gave up on him, and He hasn’t given up on you. He sees your potential and remembers why He made you: you were created for great things. It’s only as you move into the centre of God’s will that you discover why you were made. When you do, things will begin to fall back into place.

There is something very encouraging about Samson. He’s included in God’s hall of fame—the panorama of people of great faith detailed in Hebrews 11. Why? Because God can take a person who seems like a total failure and use them to accomplish great things. If He only used people who were perfect, nothing would ever get done. Instead, He uses ordinary people with weaknesses, who sometimes fail in big ways.

So what should you do if you’re a Samson? Turn your life over to the Lord. Give Him all the pieces and let Him put them together. He can give you the power to break loose from the things that are tying you down and preventing Him from working in your life. Only God knows your potential, and you will never bring it out on your own. He must do it in His strength— so let Him start today!

From The Word for Today.

You’re asking for trouble when you choose the wrong friends. Somebody wisely said, ‘If you want to soar with eagles, you can’t run around with turkeys.’ Eventually you become like the people you spend the most time with; that’s why it’s so important to choose your friends wisely.

The psalmist said, ‘Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take.’ (Psalm 1:1 NIV)

Samson developed unhealthy relationships and they led him astray. So here’s the question: are your friends keeping you from living 100% for God? Do they tear you down or build you up? When you’re with them, do you find yourself conforming to things that violate your convictions and your conscience—things you don’t feel good about doing? The book of Proverbs warns us repeatedly about negative associations: ‘If sinners entice you, do not consent.’ Constant exposure to wrong attitudes and values will eventually take its toll on your life. It is always easier to pull someone down than it is to lift them up.

So, what kind of friends should you keep? The kind who bring out the best in you, who lift you up, who encourage you, and make you a better person. ‘But aren’t we supposed to love everybody?’ you ask. Yes, but you’re not supposed to lean on them, listen to them, learn their wrong ways, and become like them.

When it comes to choosing your friends, here’s the Scriptural rule you should live by: Lord, ‘I am a friend to anyone who fears [respects] You—anyone who obeys Your commandments.’ (Psalm 119:63 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

Samson had incredible potential, but he threw it all away. Why? For several reasons.

He failed to control his impulses. He was physically strong, but morally weak. He deliberately ignored God’s principles, and his life became a pathetic cycle of failures. He never learned; he kept making the same mistakes over and over. For him it was a kind of game: ‘How close can I get to the fire without getting burned?’

Delilah, a Philistine woman, kept nagging him about the source of his strength, and each time she got a little closer to the truth. Samson was playing with temptation by toying with her, and eventually he fell into the trap. And we do the same thing when we say things like: ‘It can’t hurt… just this one time.’

The truth is, not one of us plans to be a failure. It comes naturally—and gradually. It’s a step-by-step process, as little by little we become weakened. Our whole lives don’t fall apart in one day. Problems build up over a period of time, because we refuse to learn from our mistakes.

Maybe you’re thinking, ‘But this is an area of my life I have no control over. It’s just the way I am.’ That’s the wrong answer.

Here’s the right one: ‘He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.’ (Isaiah 40:29 NKJV)

When Samson finally faced the truth, God broke his cycle of failure and gave him the power to do what he should do, and made him victorious. And God will do the same for you when you turn to Him!

From The Word for Today.

The Bible teaches that one day God will evaluate and reward each of us according to how we treat those around us who are hurting and needy. And that’s why you need to get serious about helping them.

Thomas Barnardo believed that, and he became one of the great Christian heroes of the 1800s. During his work among the poor and homeless in London’s East End, he built a home for destitute children that housed four hundred boys and girls. He turned the Edinburgh Castle Gin Palace and Music Hall into the Coffee Palace, a centre for evangelistic and Christian activities. He built a village for girls that served more than nine thousand of them during his lifetime. In all, more than sixty thousand children benefited from the vocational training centres and homes he built.

In extreme cases where he found children in the hands of cruel people, he would ‘abduct’ them—a policy which, where parents were involved, was against the law. But he felt bound by a higher law—God’s law. This made him vulnerable to criminal charges and bitter custody battles, but eventually the law of the land was changed, not Barnardo.

His successful ‘graduates’ included lawyers, doctors, musicians, naval commanders, businessmen, and colonial ministers of state, all of whom had once been destitute and were rescued. How do you change the world? Starting today, you can do it—one life at a time.

From The Word for Today.

As you move into your forties, fifties, and sixties, you’ll tend to become more sedentary. One woman made a lifelong commitment not to sweat. Another one joked that the only reason for jogging was to look better at her funeral. A driver put this bumper sticker on his car: ‘I’m pushing fifty, and that’s enough exercise.’

The Bible says, ‘Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.’ Does that mean taking care of your body isn’t important? No, it means you must stay in balance! What’s the point of working to develop the virtues of a saint if you die before your time with blocked arteries? You say, ‘But I don’t like jogging or lifting weights.’

Then here’s some good news. A medical study found if you spend forty-five minutes a day doing household chores such as mowing the lawn, you’ll enjoy greater longevity than those who are inactive. It’s even better if you do some push-ups and sit-ups, but it’s not necessary. If you fail to maintain your car, you have no right to blame the manufacturer. And if you fail to maintain your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, you have no right to blame God.

You say, ‘But I believe in divine healing.’ And God promises it to you in His Word (see James 5:14–15). But He expects you to use faith—and wisdom. So put down the remote, get off the sofa, and do a little home clean-up or repair. Not only will your house look better, but you’re likely to live longer.

From The Word for Today.

It’s always nice to be appreciated for the work you do, and when that doesn’t happen, it can affect your sense of self-worth. That’s why the Bible says, ‘As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters… our eyes look to the Lord our God.’

Your true worth comes from God, not your boss. And when you forget that, you set yourself up for frustration in the workplace. Taken to the extreme, you become less effective on the job because you’re not willing to make decisions and take risks in case it negatively affects what others think about you. In essence, you become a ‘yes’ man or woman who nods and agrees with everyone just to please them and have them like you. Consequently, your value to the company plummets because you’re not utilising your God-given gifts to the fullest.

Whatever your position, it’s only a small part of who you are, a spoke radiating from the centre of your identity as a son or daughter of the King of kings. You’re not the hub turning the wheel. Knowing who you are, apart from what you do, is as essential to your success in the workplace as your credentials and your skill set. When others know that you constantly need approval, it empowers them to manipulate you, define you, and influence your self-worth. That’s too much power to give anybody! It doesn’t matter what your job entails, remember: ‘Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

Let’s look at arrested relational development. God’s plan for your life requires connecting with the right people—and disconnecting from the wrong ones. Sitting beside Jesus at the Last Supper were John, who loved Him, and Judas, who betrayed Him.

It’s imperative to know who is sitting at your table! So to that end pray: ‘Lord, I pray for the people You’ve brought into my life and placed on my heart. Bless the healthy relationships, and give me wisdom to handle the difficult ones in a way that pleases You. If there are friendships I need to walk away from, ones that will be harmful no matter what I do, show me what to do and give me the grace and courage to do it. If there are relationships that are draining and distracting me from Your plan and purpose, I trust You to bring them to an end or change them for the better. And when I’m the one who needs to change, show me, and work in my life by Your amazing power. I need Your wisdom to recognise the friends and acquaintances I should choose. Help me to steer clear of relationships that lead me away from the path You’ve laid out for me. Send people into my life who are godly and wise, and help us to bless, encourage and contribute to the quality of each other’s lives. Show me the friendships that are worth fighting for, and I’ll gladly do it. Be Lord of all my relationships so that they will be what You want them to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.’

From The Word for Today.

Let’s talk about arrested emotional development. When you don’t get help for your past emotional hurts, you’ll find yourself ‘acting out’, treating others like you were treated, and repeating your past in your present. Indeed, you may end up hurting the most important people in your life, maybe even destroying those relationships without knowing why.

You’ll blame the failure of the relationship on your partner’s habits, looks, attitudes, and way of going about things. And in so doing, you will remain emotionally stuck, trapped by the unhealed, unrecognised sources of your dysfunction. What you’re dealing with here is ‘emotional baggage’: regrets over past mistakes, grudges over being wronged, and all the other hurts you hide under clouds of anger, cynicism, and reclusiveness. You will never know what you have, or what you truly need, until you get rid of your emotional baggage. How do you do that?

The answer can be found in God’s Word and God’s presence: ‘Prepare your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety… and many will look to you for help.’ (Job 11:13–19 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

John Grisham, author of blockbuster books that become blockbuster movies, has been called ‘a straight arrow making his way along a very crooked path’. His novels often depict sleazy lawyers, corrupt politicians, and trigger-happy police—the underbelly of a world of wealth and respectability. His heroes, on the other hand, are generally the innocent or children, such as the eleven-year-old boy in The Client.

Grisham said he would rather be a nice guy than resort to filling his books with sex and gore. He refuses to write anything that would offend or embarrass either his mother or his children. Contrary to what many in the publishing world might have predicted, his approach has paid off. The Firm now has over twenty million copies in print. So far, the oldest fan to write to him is ninety-six years old, the youngest ten years old. Most of his readers commend him for leaving out graphic violence, obscenities, and profanities.

The Bible says, ‘Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.’ Note the words ‘seasoned with salt’ or in good taste.

Jesus said: ‘Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things… every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’ (Matthew 12:34–37 NKJV)

So, speak ‘in good taste’.

From The Word for Today.

When difficulties come to us in life and in our relationships, as they inevitably will, it’s easy to succumb to the ‘dominoes of despair’. First, we become disappointed with an event or relationship. Then as the trial lingers, we topple into discouragement and surrender our expectations that things will change. Finally, as we feel the impossibility of moving the object against which we lean, we succumb to the last domino of despair.

We feel powerless and hopeless, and don’t know how to see our way clear. Instead of running our life’s race, it feels like we’re swimming below the surface in an ocean of jelly. Often when we can’t understand life’s circumstances, we limit our expectations of who God is and what He can do. We think there’s only one good outcome—the one we want!

Instead, we need to trust our heavenly Father because He may have bigger and better things in mind. We must try to see Him at work in whatever trials come our way. Remember, God’s expectations are bigger than our own, and only our heavenly Father and His purposes, no matter how painful they seem at the moment, truly satisfy our souls.

James writes: ‘Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.’ (James 1:2–4 NLT)

Keep that truth uppermost in your mind today, and you won’t give in to despair.

From The Word for Today.

Have you ever heard of the Great Boston Molasses Flood? On 15 January 1919, a steel vat containing 8.7 million litres of molten molasses burst. A 10-metre-tall wave of hot syrup drowned people and horses, destroyed buildings, and crushed freight trains, wagons, and cars. The enormous tank, 15 metres tall and 73 metres around, had been poorly designed. Company officials had reacted to the constantly leaking cracks by repainting the tank to match the colour of the molasses; their philosophy was ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

These officials knew the vat was dangerous but they did nothing about it. The disaster, described by one author as the ‘Dark Tide’, killed 21 people and injured 150 others. There are two important lessons in this story.

First, pay attention to the cracks in your character; what you ignore today, you may drown in tomorrow.

Second, no matter how badly broken you may be, if you turn to God, He’ll restore you. Isaiah said, ‘A bruised reed He will not break.’ These words portray the gentleness and grace of God as He stoops to restore and make us whole.

Maybe you think your sin is too great and you’re too far gone. No. God said, ‘I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.’ (Exodus 34:6 NLT)

‘I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away.’ (Hosea 14:4 NKJV)

‘He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us and will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea.’ (Micah 7:18–19 NKJV) Today God will forgive and restore you.

From The Word for Today.

The Bible assures us that God isn’t poor. ‘“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the Lord Almighty.’ (Haggai 2:8 NIV) ‘Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.’ (Psalm 50:10 KJV)

Now ask yourself: if you were a billionaire, would you be happy seeing your children running around ragged and hungry? No? Well, neither is God! Paul writes, ‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.’ (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV)

Maybe you’ve read this Scripture and thought Paul was talking about being spiritually rich but not financially rich. Let’s read the verse in that context and see if it makes sense: ‘He who was spiritually rich, for our sakes became spiritually poor, that through his spiritual poverty, we might become spiritually rich.’ That’s not what it says! Question: when was Jesus ever spiritually poor? No, the verse says what it means and means what it says: ‘That you… might become rich.’

But let’s be careful. The word ‘rich’ means different things to different people. In some countries you’re considered rich if you have a roof over your head, three meals a day, and a bicycle to ride to work. In fact, right now would be a good time to discuss the much abused and widely misunderstood Bible word ‘prosperity’. Prosperity simply means ‘having enough to do the will of God for your life.’ Does God have a will for your life? Yes. Does He want you to have enough money to fulfil His will for your life? Yes.

That’s God’s plan!

From The Word for Today.

When it comes to God and your money:

(1) When you do what pleases Him, He will bless you. Why? Because your actions prove that doing His will is more important to you than doing your own thing. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.’ (Matthew 25:23 NIV)

But there’s another side to the coin. When you knowingly don’t do what pleases God, He will stop blessing you. ‘Take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.’ (Matthew 25:28–29 NKJV)

(2) God will show you how to make more money. He taught Joseph how to prosper in the midst of a worldwide famine, and bless the needy nations around him. And when they could not catch fish, Jesus showed the disciples where to find a boatload of them. On one occasion, they actually caught a fish with enough money in its mouth to pay their taxes! (See Matthew 17:27.) God works through unlikely channels, and He wants you to depend on Him as the source for everything you need.

The Bible says, ‘Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.’ The word ‘power’ encompasses ideas, strategies, plans, relationships, and investments. Yes, God might prompt someone to send you an unexpected cheque in the mail that will solve your problem temporarily, but you should believe Him for a plan that’ll solve your problem long-term.

From The Word for Today.

What you believe about God and your money will determine how you pray and what you believe Him for. You say, ‘But money is the root of all evil.’ No, the Bible says, ‘The love of money is the root of all evil.’ (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV) That means if you’re a miser, God won’t give you more.

‘But haven’t some preachers used the Bible to enrich themselves?’ you ask. Absolutely—and you wouldn’t want to stand in their shoes when they answer to God! But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. The best way to tell if a fifty-dollar note is counterfeit is to place it beside a genuine one.

So here’s the question: are you looking for a reason to doubt God’s promises, or a reason to believe them? The Bible says, ‘No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.’ (Psalm 84:11 NIV) We all agree that providing for your family, getting a promotion, educating your children, and meeting other people’s needs are all ‘good’ things.

So when you ‘do what is right’ before God, you can expect Him to bless you—though it may not always be in the way you expect. John wrote, ‘Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.’ (3 John 1:2 NKJV)

Only when our children reach maturity and demonstrate responsibility do we entrust them with the keys to the family car, right? So maturity must precede prosperity. When you demonstrate maturity, you can go to God with confidence, knowing He’ll meet your needs and bless you. Which raises the question: are you growing and maturing spiritually?

From The Word for Today.

When the battle continues to rage with no end in sight, you grow weary. Is that where you are today? Are things that once ran smoothly no longer working? Have you done all you know to do but it hasn’t helped?

What should you do? Spend more time with God in prayer, and listen to Him as He speaks to you through His Word. As long as you don’t give up within, victory is assured without. It’s a matter of replenishing your strength by drawing on God’s strength, refocusing your faith towards victory, and calling God’s promises ‘to remembrance.’ (Psalm 77:6 NKJV)

When you feel overwhelmed by trouble in your marriage, your business, your health, your job, or your finances, stand on these two Bible promises: ‘He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.’ (Isaiah 40:29–31 NLT)

‘We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and… thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God… And He did rescue us… We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us.’ (2 Corinthians 1:8–10 NLT)

Instead of trying to escape the situation, seek God and He will give you strength and a strategy to come out of it stronger.

From The Word for Today.

There’s a difference between confessing your sin and repenting of it. In Scripture, the word ‘repentance’ means ‘to turn away from sin’. By confessing your sin you acknowledge what you have done; by repenting you turn away from it. And the good news is that there’s no limit to God’s forgiveness. The moment you ask for it, you receive it.

However, God doesn’t intend you to keep repeating your sinful patterns over and over again. That’s where ‘godly sorrow’ comes in. Paul writes, ‘You sorrowed in a godly manner: what diligence it produced in you.’ (2 Corinthians 7:11 NKJV) The purpose of godly sorrow is to make you more diligent when it comes to changing behaviour. When you allow sin into your life, you violate your core of righteousness.

‘For [God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.’ (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV) At the point of salvation God literally made you ‘the righteousness of God in Christ’.

You’re a regenerated spirit living in an unregenerated body, and when you permit sin into your life, it violates the very core of who you are! And that will cause you godly sorrow, leading to repentance and turning away from sin.

Don’t settle for saying, ‘This is a habit I can’t break. But it’s ok because God will forgive me.’ Yes, He will forgive you, but He doesn’t want you to settle for a cycle of sin, repentance, forgiveness, and then repeating the same sin. He wants you to be strong and effective in His service. That’s why He’s calling you to a higher level.

From The Word for Today.

God called David ‘a man after My own heart.’ (Acts 13:22 NKJV) But David struggled with a weakness in his life. What was it? A lustful spirit that surfaced from time to time, and the people closest to him knew about it. When he grew old and his body cold, they brought a young girl to lie beside him in bed so he could ‘get warm.’ (1 Kings 1:1 NKJV) They figured if that didn’t get David’s circulation moving he had to be dying!

That’s a sad indictment. But there’s something even sadder going on here. David had passed on his weakness to his son Amnon, who’d ended up raping his sister. And although David was angry about it, he didn’t confront or punish him. After all, what could he say? Like father, like son?

Lust isn’t just a whim or a passing fancy, it’s a sin. And when it passes from one generation to the next it becomes a ‘stronghold’. Today psychologists refer to it as ‘a genetic predisposition’. Maybe somewhere in your family tree there’s a workaholic father, a mother who was emotionally unavailable, or a brother or sister who drank too much, and now you’re wrestling with the same issues. Don’t be discouraged! Paul says, ‘The weapons we fight with… have divine power to demolish strongholds.’

So before you run off to a divorce court or a rehab centre, name your stronghold, then pray, believing God to break its stranglehold on your life. Do it before it infects the next generation. Don’t pass it on—call on the power of the Cross and say, ‘This stops with me!’

From The Word for Today.

God gave Joseph a dream that one day he’d be in a high-profile leadership position. But when he finally arrived at Pharaoh’s palace, he didn’t walk in and announce, ‘God told me I was to be the boss round here!’ No, he had to work for it! There was about to be a worldwide famine and Joseph gave Pharaoh a plan not only to survive it, but to prosper because of it.

Notice what Pharaoh said about Joseph: ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’ (Genesis 41:38 NIV) So what’s your dream? And what’s your plan? Your dream and your talent are important, but long-term success won’t happen without a plan.

The Bible says, ‘A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.’ (Proverbs 18:16 KJV) Your talent may bring you to the attention of key people, but you’ll have to be able to answer the question ‘What’s your plan?’ A plan takes your dreams and talents and maximises them by bringing structure to the concept. It involves being committed to a budget; it means constantly working on specific goals and details.

Joseph gave Pharaoh a specific plan with a time line: seven years. He told him, ‘This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine.’ (Genesis 41:36 NIV) So here’s what you need to do: write down your plan, which includes specific actions and deadlines to fulfil it. Will God bless your plan? Yes, but you must have the right plan in place before He can bless it.

From The Word for Today.

Some people miss all the good things in life by focusing only on what’s wrong. They miss the flowers in the garden and point out the weeds. Who are they? They’re the ‘Yes, but’ people. In order to help them and to deal with them the right way, you must:

(1) Be discerning. Recognise that often their outward bravado masks a deep inner insecurity. It lets them shift the focus off their own fears and onto the faults of others.

(2) Be accepting. Our first inclination is to ignore and isolate difficult people. That’s a mistake. Difficult people often want to be ignored, and avoiding them just provides the emotional distance for them to hide. Plus, it confirms their belief that you don’t care and won’t listen because you think they’re wrong and you’re right.

(3) Be interested. Show genuine concern for their family, their work, and their well-being. ‘Yes, but’ people usually struggle with giving and receiving love; they’re inclined to elevate opinion and loyalty above communication and reconciliation. And nowhere is it more evident than in their personal lives. So be prepared to pray with them about the trail of broken relationships you’re likely to find.

(4) Be kind. The Bible says, ‘Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV)

Avoiding ‘Yes, but’ people doesn’t work; neither does arguing with them or trying to straighten them out. You can’t change the habits of a lifetime in one or two conversations. But given enough time, the one strategy that never fails is love.

From The Word for Today.

Misdirected prayers. Some people turn the blessing at mealtime into a public airing of their frustrations. Others bounce their prayers off God, hoping to hit the person across the table—the one they’re trying to win to Christ. Don’t do that. God gets enough bad press without you adding to it! Jesus said, ‘When you pray, don’t be like the play-actors.’ (Matthew 6:5 PHPS)

Judgmental prayers. In one church a childless couple was praying for a baby. The prayer group arbitrarily decided the husband wasn’t ‘godly’ enough to be a father, so they spent their time asking God to change him. If God gave children only to perfect parents, the human race would be extinct! The Bible says, ‘We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of Your mercy.’ (Daniel 9:18 NLT)

Quorum-based prayers. You think there’s a better chance of getting your prayers answered if you involve a lot of people, like having a quorum at a business meeting. With God, what matters is the faith with which you pray, not the number of people. Jesus said, ‘Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’ (Mark 11:24 NIV) Now, when you face a situation that’s too big to handle alone, it’s wise to reach for someone who really knows God and can pray in agreement with you.

Which raises the question: do you have prayer partners you can call on? Are you a prayer partner for someone else? If not, then begin praying for Him to send someone to come alongside you.

From The Word for Today.

When someone hurts us, our natural response is to either hurt them back or hope they will suffer for what they have done to us. Yet as redeemed children of God, we know this is the wrong response. That is when we discover forgiving someone doesn’t come naturally or easily; it requires supernatural grace on our part. And where do we get that? Through prayer! Jesus said, ‘When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins.’ Recalling God’s grace towards you leaves you no choice but to extend that same grace towards someone who hurts you.

Lewis Smedes said, ‘Forgiveness is a decision to set a prisoner free, and then discovering that the prisoner is you.’ So if you have a desire to forgive someone, get excited; the Holy Spirit has already done half the job. To complete the other half, humble yourself and pray: ‘Father, I turn from every desire I have to avenge this wrong. You saw the situation before it happened, and in Your infinite wisdom You allowed it to be so. Your Word says that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28 KJV)—even this for my good—so from this moment on, with the help of Your Holy Spirit, I forgive them. I will not dwell on the situation but will declare Your Word instead.’

That’s called ‘a prayer of release’. And you’re not just releasing your offender; you’re releasing and repositioning yourself to walk in God’s blessing. That’s why you must forgive them!

From The Word for Today.

If you think your boss is hard to get along with, imagine working for David’s boss, King Saul. The more David tried to help him, the more Saul tried to kill him. So what did David do? Every time his boss flew into a jealous rage and threw spears at him, David ducked and kept on serving him. Why?

(1) Because David knew God had called him to be king, and what better place to learn the ropes than in the king’s employ? The truth is, sometimes you can learn more from mistakes and failures than from the achievements of success. So David kept his head down and kept on learning and growing.

(2) David recognised that because Saul had been called by God to the position he held, it was God’s job, not his, to remove him. Was that hard to do? Yes. But David understood that how you treat others when they’re in trouble determines how God treats you when you’re in trouble. And before his life was over, David got into lots of trouble and needed God’s mercy big-time!

Paul writes, ‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.’ Instead of murmuring and complaining, work to excel on the job and pray for favour. Remember: ‘The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.’ (Proverbs 21:1 NKJV) Because David acted with grace and integrity while serving under a boss who was a nightmare, God made him the boss! And when you honour God on the job, He can do the same for you.

From The Word for Today.

In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died after being hurled into the icy water below. News of the disaster got worse when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn’t a technical problem like radar malfunction, or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness. Each captain was aware of the other ship’s presence and both could have steered clear. But according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other, because each was too proud to yield. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.

If you’re a tough-minded, strong-willed, make-it-happen kind of person, think about what you’ve just read. If by winning the argument you hurt or lose the relationship, what have you gained? If you save face but lose the relationship, you end up in the loss column. So here’s the word for you today: ‘Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another… Be of the same mind towards one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men… Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Romans 12:10–21 NKJV)

From The Word for Today.

People pleasing does two things:

(1) It makes you neglect your own needs in order to meet other people’s.

(2) It causes you to make decisions based on their approval.

Either way, you can end up feeling like a doormat. Maybe you became a people pleaser early in life to get the attention you craved and couldn’t get any other way. Or maybe you never learned to trust your own judgment. The Bible says, ‘Fearing people is a dangerous trap’ (Proverbs 29:25 NLT), because it always backfires. Not only do others get upset with you, you end up disappointed with yourself when things don’t work out.

Peter struggled with people-pleasing. The night before the crucifixion when ‘a servant girl… said… “You were one of those with Jesus”… Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”’ (Matthew 26:69–70 NLT) Afterwards he ended up weeping over his failure.

When Samuel confronted Saul about his decision not to completely destroy the Amalekites: ‘Saul admitted…“I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.”’ (1 Samuel 15:24 NLT) Paul, on the other hand, wrote, ‘I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.’ It’s good to be considerate, loving, and patient, but you can’t let yourself be intimidated and manipulated: ‘God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power.’ (2 Timothy 1:7 NASB)

When you yield to the fear of others you allow them, not God, to control your life. God doesn’t want you to serve people out of fear, but out of love for them—and Him.

From The Word for Today.

Here are two enemies that threaten your spiritual life:

(1) Boredom. Missionary and educator Frank Laubach said, ‘If you’re weary of some sleepy form of devotion, probably God is as weary of it as you are.’ Walking with God is the most rewarding life possible. ‘In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ (Psalm 16:11 NKJV)

(2) Busyness. Jesus told Martha, ‘You are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it.’ (Luke 10:41–42 NLT) And what was Mary doing? Sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him! Martha loved Jesus and she couldn’t do enough for Him. But she was so busy serving Him that she didn’t know how to relax and enjoy being with Him.

Maybe like Martha, you think that unless you do the job yourself, it won’t get done properly. And you may be right. But God will never ask you to do anything that takes His place in your life. He wants to be your top priority. Sometimes we approach God with a list of requests the length of our arm because we’re more interested in His presents than His presence. David said, ‘The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple.’ (Psalm 27:4 NLT)

Can you imagine having ‘one thing’ at the top of your agenda at all times: needing and desiring to spend time with God? Think how that could revolutionise your life.

From The Word for Today.

To succeed in life, you need wise and competent people around you, informed people with a proven track record who can assist you. But be advised: the best people with the most knowledge will challenge, stretch, and confront your previously held viewpoints. That doesn’t mean you should avoid them. On the contrary—that’s exactly why you need them! You must get over your fear of people who are smarter, more talented, and more experienced than you are, and learn from them instead. What stops many of us from approaching competent people is that we feel ignorant when we’re around them. It’s ok to be ignorant—but it’s not ok to stay that way! Don’t keep running back to familiar, mediocre interactions with people who don’t challenge you to grow.

The more you move into new arenas in life, the more you need ‘the multitude of counsellors’ who will push you to be more than you are, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. Go where they are, listen to what they say, and evaluate their opinions. If you’re going to build yourself up spiritually, emotionally, and financially, you must go outside your comfort zone. If you don’t, you won’t have the information you need to move beyond the familiar and attain your future goals. Only those who are willing to be stretched achieve their dreams. And remember, the people you need most are usually busy people. Generally speaking, they won’t reach for you, so you must reach for them. And be prepared; some of them may turn you down, while others, recognising your hunger for wisdom and knowledge, will respond and help you to succeed.

From The Word for Today.

If you’re not careful, it’s easy to speak words of doubt that contradict what God says in His Word. Paul writes of the word that saves, ‘“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim.’ So, speak God’s Word over your situation and watch Him go to work on your behalf, setting things right for you.

The word ‘confession’ is related to the Greek word homologia, which means ‘to come into agreement with, or say the same thing’. That means you must come into agreement with God’s Word and learn to say what He says, no matter how bad things look at the time. If it’s not what God is saying, it’s counterproductive. But if it is, your words become powerful weapons.

The Bible says, ‘How forcible are right words!’ (Job 6:25 KJV) This word ‘forcible’ comes from the Hebrew word marats which means ‘to press’. Just like a king’s signet ring pressed his seal of authority onto a document, your confession of faith seals the matter before God. Jesus said: ‘Assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore… whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’ (Mark 11:23–24 NKJV)

Don’t just speak to God about your mountain—speak to your mountain using God’s Word! When you make God’s Word your word, your mountain will begin to move.

From The Word for Today.

Without a plan for your life, life just ‘happens’ to you. Some of us plan our lives one day at a time. We wake up, make our to-do list, and dive into action. Some of us even plan our lives one week at a time. We review the calendar for the week, check our appointments, review our goals, and then get to work.

Leadership expert John Maxwell writes: ‘At the beginning of every month, I spend a half day working on my calendar for the next forty days. Forty days works for me rather than just thirty. That way, I get a jump on the next month and don’t get surprised. I begin by reviewing my travel schedule and planning activities with my family. Then I review what projects, lessons, and other objectives I want to accomplish during those five to six weeks. Then I start blocking out days and times for thinking, writing, working, meeting with people, etc. I set times to do fun things such as seeing a show, watching a ball game, or playing golf. I also set aside small blocks of time to compensate for the unexpected. By the time I’m done, I can tell you nearly everything I’ll be doing, almost hour by hour, during the coming weeks. This is one of the reasons I have been able to accomplish so much.’

The thought of planning forty days at a time may overwhelm you, so start by planning your day. Then aim for a week, a month, a year, etc. And if you consult God, ‘He will show you which path to take.’ (Proverbs 3:6 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

God dying on the cross for our sins sounds like ‘foolishness’ to some people. Their philosophy is: ‘If I cannot understand it, I won’t accept it.’ That’s where they get it wrong. They want to understand a mystery. But salvation comes through faith alone—so that even tiny children, who lack understanding, can have it. ‘Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.’ (Matthew 18:3 NIV) Simple, childlike faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross is all that’s required.

There’s a story about a student who scored zero on a test. Upset, he said, ‘I don’t deserve this grade.’ The professor nodded and said, ‘I agree, but zero is the lowest grade I can give.’

That’s how God feels about our wisdom. ‘The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.’ (1 Corinthians 3:19 NKJV) One day a man stood on the roof of his house during a flood, and prayed, ‘God, please save me.’ Soon a rowboat came by and offered to take him to safety. But he said, ‘No, God will take care of me.’ The waters kept coming up until they were almost at his waist. Suddenly a helicopter appeared overhead and a rope ladder was lowered down. ‘Oh no, God will take care of me.’ Soon after that the man drowned. When he stood before God, he said, ‘Why didn’t you save me?’

God responded, ‘I sent you a rowboat and a helicopter. What else did you want?’

At the cross, God did everything required to save you. All you have to do is trust in Christ and receive the gift of eternal life.

From The Word for Today.

Paul writes: ‘For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.’ (1 Corinthians 1:22–24 NKJV) There’s no Jewish way to be saved, or Gentile way to be saved. There’s only one way to be saved—that’s the way of the cross!

We all have the same need. We need to know what’s right and do what’s right. We need the wisdom to know what to do, and we need the power to do it. And Christ offers us both through the cross.

In his early ministry, when Billy Graham preached to a great crowd in Dallas, Texas, there was very little response to his message. As he was leaving the platform, an old man told him, ‘Your message was good, but you didn’t preach the cross.’

Billy went to his room, wept, and resolved, ‘There will never be a sermon that I preach unless the cross is central.’ Starting that day, God used him to win more people to Christ than almost any other preacher in history. There’s just enough ego in each of us to want to ‘contribute’ to our salvation by doing good works. But we cannot.

The hymn-writer Robert Lowry wrote: ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.’

From the Word for Today.

It’s interesting that in the Bible Jesus doesn’t ask us to remember His birth or His resurrection, although we know we should, but He tells us to remember His death. When He instituted the Lord’s Supper, He said, ‘This do in remembrance of Me.’ (Luke 22:19 KJV) Paul said, ‘God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.’

The cross is an instrument of death. So why glory in it? Because of what took place there. When Jesus said, ‘It is finished,’ all your sins from the cradle to the grave were paid for. So the cross is God’s first and last word when it comes to salvation. It’s His first word because Jesus was ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’ (Revelation 13:8 KJV) And the cross is God’s last word about salvation, for in Heaven they will sing, ‘You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’ (Revelation 5:9 ESV)

There is no ‘plan B’ for salvation. The only road that goes to Heaven goes through Calvary. You can’t bypass the cross or go around it if you want to be saved. The Bible says, ‘Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.’ (Hebrews 9:22 ESV) As you look at the cross today, you’ll see the curse of sin, the cost of sin, and the cure for sin. And as you look at the cross, remind yourself: ‘He did it for me.’

From The Word for Today.

Imagine the agony a single parent goes through when they are required by a court order to send their child for an extended visit with the other parent. Yes, it’s necessary and it’s fair, but it can be painful.

One single mum described her feelings this way: ‘I feel an incredible sense of loss. The loneliness immediately starts to set in, I worry constantly about their safety, but I resist the urge to call every hour to see how they’re doing. And when they do call me to tell me how much fun they’re having, I grieve over the fact that they’re having a life completely separate from my own. My only consolation is knowing that they’re coming home soon. But I’m haunted by the fear that they won’t want to come home to me.’

For the single parent who identifies with this hurting mother, there’s a way to get through the painful period of waiting. Instead of seeing this time alone as a period of isolation and deprivation, view it as an opportunity to recharge your batteries and reinvigorate your spirit. Spend time with friends. Read your Bible and pray. Return to a hobby you’ve set aside. Fill your hours with things that are impossible amid the responsibility of childcare, recognising that your children will benefit when you do. They’ll return to a re-energised you, instead of one coming off a time of depression. God says, ‘My grace is all you need.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT) Today draw on His grace.

From The Word for Today.

When you label something as being ‘impossible’, three things happen:

(1) By giving in to the fear of failure you kill your own faith and motivation.

(2) You risk settling for less than God wants you to have.

(3) By excluding God from the equation you cut yourself off from the greatest power in the universe.

When oil prices went through the roof in the 1970s, car manufacturers were ordered to build more fuel-efficient cars. One manufacturer asked a group of senior engineers to drastically reduce the weight of the cars they were designing. They worked on the problem and searched for solutions, but they finally concluded that making lighter cars couldn’t be done, would be too expensive, and would present too many safety concerns.

What was the car manufacturers’ solution? They gave the problem to a group of less experienced engineers, and the new group found ways to reduce the weight of the companies’ cars by hundreds of kilograms. Why? Because they believed solving the problem was possible—and it was. Every time you remove the label of impossible from a task, and include God in it, you raise your potential from ‘average’ to ‘off-the-charts’. George Bernard Shaw said, ‘Some men see things as they are and say, “Why?” I dream of things that never were and say, “Why not?”’

Jesus said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’ In the natural world, you may not be able to accomplish it. But when you step into the realm of the supernatural, God adds His ‘super’ to your ‘natural’, and what seems impossible becomes possible.

From The Word for Today.

When your spouse breaks your marriage vows, it can break your heart. And after the initial shock wears off, your driving desire can be to hurt them in return. So what should you do instead?

(1) Take time to process your emotions. A quick, ‘I forgive you,’ or just sweeping things under the rug, will sabotage any hope of rebuilding a strong relationship.

(2) If your spouse is a habitual betrayer who wants to live as he or she pleases, God’s Word gives you the right to be set free from them. But don’t move too quickly. Ask yourself if work and family pressures may have caused you to neglect each other. Did you inadvertently open a door for the enemy? These are hard questions—but they must be answered, because the decision you make is one you will live with for the rest of your life.

You may not believe it right now, but God can make a good marriage out of a bad mess. Yes, it will take time—trust can only be rebuilt slowly. And that means:

(a) Learning to be sensitive to one another.

(b) Acknowledging that your spouse may need detailed accountability, and you may have to go the extra mile to rebuild the trust that was lost. But it can happen. ‘The righteous cry out…the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.’ (Psalm 34:17–18 NKJV) God can turn your situation around. If you’ll work with Him—He’ll work with you.

From The Word for Today.

When it comes to forming relationships, read the fine print. Somewhere in the fine print of meeting, dating, and interacting with someone, it warned you, albeit ever-so-slightly, that they were going to be a certain way. The red flags were always there, even though they started out as a lovely shade of pale pink. You saw how quickly he got angry. You knew she was always late when you picked her up. He invariably went into a panic checking every line item on the restaurant bill. She never failed to flirt with the waiter—and anyone else who looked her way. You noticed, but you didn’t listen to the little voice inside of you.

Before you order something, it’s always wise to read the fine print to make sure you can afford the payments. Maybe the fine print became obvious when you saw how he interacted with his family—or didn’t! Maybe it was in the way his eyes lingered on every woman who walked by. Or in the phone calls she took out of earshot when you were around. Chances are you saw it, but you didn’t pay attention. You overlooked the temper tantrums, the possessiveness, the jealousy, and lack of integrity, thinking you could change the other person, or that they’d change for you. Now you know better.

There’s a reason the Bible asks, ‘Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?’ Yes, the God who gives ‘beauty for ashes’ can change your partner’s heart (see Isaiah 61:3). But if you’re dating or considering a long-term relationship, pray about it and read the fine print.

From The Word for Today.

In 1962, in a classic study called Cradles of Eminence, Victor and Mildred Goertzel investigated the family backgrounds of more than 400 highly successful people. They sought to identify the early experiences that may have contributed to their remarkable achievements in life. They included people like Einstein and many others who are famous and admired. Their backgrounds proved to be very interesting. Three-quarters of them came from troubled childhoods, enduring poverty, broken homes, or parental abuse. One-quarter of them had physical disabilities. Most of those who became well-known writers or playwrights watched their parents embroiled in one crisis after another.

Here’s what the researches concluded: The need to compensate for disadvantages was a major factor in their drive towards personal achievement. These people had one thing in common—the overcoming attitude: ‘This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.’ (1 John 5:4 NKJV) When you have faith in God and yourself, you can end up doing things that astound you. The problem that seems so formidable today, can become the very thing that launches you into greatness tomorrow.

The Bible puts it this way: ‘There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold… So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour.’ (1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

The Bible says: ‘Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and… when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop… the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’”’ (Matthew 13:24–28 NKJV)

We all need a spiritual wake-up call from time to time. Sometimes the problem we are dealing with isn’t of human origin.

Jesus said, ‘While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.’ Yes, it’s foolish to blame everything on the devil, but it’s even more foolish not to recognise when he is at work. Paul writes: ‘Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but… against the powers of this dark world and… spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.’ (Ephesians 6:11–13 NIV) He goes on to say, ‘Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ (Ephesians 6:16 NIV) So the word for you today is: recognise when Satan is at work, stand up to him, and he will flee! (See James 4:7.)

From The Word for Today.

When you lose someone you love, you go through a grieving process. And God will comfort you and walk you through it. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’ (Matthew 5:4 NIV) Grieving is the healthy way to process your emotions, to express your pain and move beyond it. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight; it happens in proportion to the size of your loss. Only small losses are healed quickly.

Zig Ziglar says: ‘The longest twenty hours of my life were those right after my daughter’s death. When making her funeral arrangements, I had to listen to a salesman who was an incessant talker, and who told me thirty times that he wasn’t a salesman. Twice I had to leave the room; I simply couldn’t handle him. The night before, half asleep and half awake, I kept thinking my daughter was wondering when her daddy was coming to get her. The next morning I took a walk, praying and crying the whole way. When I returned, the Lord spoke to me in such a distinct way: “She’s fine. She’s with me, and you’re going to be fine too. I’m all you need. Keep walking. Keep talking. Keep praying. Keep crying.”’

Grief and loss can’t be solved, but they are experiences you don’t have to go through alone. The best-known Psalm in Scripture says, ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.’ (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)

The sun will shine again. ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.’ (Psalm 30:5 NKJV) Your joy will return—God promises it!

From The Word for Today.

Daniel was forced to decide if he was going to be a conformer or a transformer. What’s the difference? Pressure controls a conformer. If you place enough pressure on them, they’ll cave. If you put enough pressure on them, they will smoke the first joint, they will take the first drink, they will do what everybody else is doing. But principle governs a transformer.

You say, ‘Living that way is very demanding.’ Yes; and it’s very protective. God knows better than we do how to avoid pain, frustration, and destruction in our lives. Because He sees the cliff’s edge clearer than we do, He places guardrails next to the drop-off. And when we follow His commands we avoid heartache, pitfalls, and the loss of our reputation. Refusing to eat the king’s meat was not a matter of diet, but of dedication to God.

Now, we’re not advocating the idea: ‘let conscience be your guide’. Your conscience is not always a good guide. Because you don’t think something’s wrong doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think it’s wrong. Your conscience can be damaged and it can be burned. The Bible speaks of people who have ‘their conscience seared with a hot iron.’ (1 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

Paul writes, ‘My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.’ Nevertheless, the conscience question is the first you should ask when faced with a difficult decision. Rarely do you make a good choice to do something, if you know doing so will take your conscience on the dreaded guilt-trip. So, live by your convictions.

From The Word for Today.

The Bible says, ‘Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank.’ This particular food and wine was offered to pagan gods as an act of worship, and for Daniel that was unacceptable. He was being asked to compromise his character, and he wouldn’t do it. Daniel would have had good reasons if he had chosen to say yes. He was far from home and could do as he pleased. Nobody back home would ever know it. Plus, if he didn’t eat it, he would be insulting the king—not a good move!

Daniel knew God’s Word was clear when it came to idol worship, and God blessed him for it. He ended up being protected, preserved, promoted, and prospered in unthinkable ways. His philosophy was: ‘When God says yes, I say yes. And when God says no, I say no.’ And it seems likely he had established his convictions before he got to Babylon.

Question: have you decided what your core convictions are? Have you spent the good times determining what you will and won’t do during the hard times? If not, you need to. Daniel’s friends probably told him, ‘Nobody will know.’ But his thinking was: ‘God will know, and so will I. I don’t have to live with you, but I’ve got to live with me.’ Your thoughts and ideas must always be open to change and improvement, but your core convictions must be non-negotiable. So, live by your convictions.

From The Word for Today.

When God says no to sin, He’s not being demanding—He’s being protective. The Bible explains the dangers and subtleties of sin this way: ‘Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived.’ (James 1:14–16 NKJV)

Today some folks are advocating the idea of legalising certain drugs for recreational use. But the idea has already been tried, and it failed disastrously. In the late 1980s, the Swiss set aside some city property in Zurich, where addicts could legally shoot up and where free needles were provided. They were hoping to slow the spread of AIDS. The area of Platzspitz became known as ‘Needle Park’.

So how did the experiment work out? Almost overnight the number of drug users visiting the park soared from 200 to 20,000. Ten thousand ‘consumption events’ occurred per day, as users from all over Switzerland came to get in on the fun. They soon outnumbered the local population. The death rate went through the roof, as health officials sought to resuscitate as many as fifty overdose cases per day. And the crime rate, instead of decreasing, went through the roof too. City officials finally called off the experiment and closed the park. Almost immediately the crime rate dropped to its former levels, and the programme ended in total failure.

When God says to you, ‘Don’t go there,’ it’s because He loves you and wants only the best for you. So be wise, listen to Him, and don’t go there!

From The Word for Today.

There are only two ways you can become ‘righteous’. The first is through trying, and the second is through trusting. When you try to earn God’s approval by your performance, you can never rest because you can never really be sure you’ve done enough to please Him. But when you place your trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross, the Bible says you enter into God’s ‘rest’ (see Hebrews 4:3).

Paul writes, ‘If anyone is in Christ, the new creation (something that didn’t exist before) has come: The old (appetites and actions) has gone, the new (appetites and actions) is here!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) You don’t have to struggle to be seen as righteous in God’s eyes. The moment you placed your trust in Jesus, God made you ‘the righteousness of God [in Christ].’ (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

Why did He do it that way? Because any righteousness you could achieve through good works and keeping rules falls so far short of what He requires that He sees it as ‘filthy rags’ (see Isaiah 64:6). So God credited His righteousness to you (see 2 Corinthians 5:18). Paul writes: ‘David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight… whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”’ (Romans 4:6–8 NLT)

Hymnist Edward Mote wrote these words: ‘Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.’ Rejoice! That’s how God sees you—made righteous by faith!

From The Word for Today.

Here’s a story every parent needs to read and remember.

‘One day my husband and I got into an argument and ended up yelling at each other. I retreated to the porch and sat with my head in my hands, crying. Our two-year-old overheard the argument. “I love you, Mum,” she said, as she sat beside me and put her arms around me.

“I love you, too,” I said.

She rested her head on my shoulder, hugging me hard. “I wish you could love my daddy too,” she said.

Talk about ripping your heart out! “But I do love your daddy. We just had a disagreement.” At that, my daughter smiled, got up, and walked away. “Where are you going?” I asked her.

She replied, “I’m going to tell Daddy you love him!”’

If you expose your children to your anger, make sure that they’re around when you extend grace and forgiveness to each other. Teach them how to deal with the issue, without attacking the person. Let them know that a difference of opinion can lead to a decision that makes things better for everyone. And that you can be wrong on an issue and still be respected and loved. Often that means teaching them what you yourself were never taught. If that’s the case, learn from the mistakes your parents made and pass that knowledge on to your children. Forgive when you’re hurt, and don’t take your resentments to bed (see Ephesians 4:26). Jesus said you must forgive ‘so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you.’ (Mark 11:25 NIV)

Remember, parent, your children are watching you!

From The Word for Today.

The secret to ‘perfect peace’ lies in this Scripture: ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!’ It’s not your circumstances, but how you think about them that robs you of peace. Focusing on your circumstances just causes more anxiety, because circumstances constantly change and often spin out of your control. However, God never changes, and nothing ever spins out of His control. Peace and worry are mutually exclusive. Worry throttles your confidence, chokes your perspective, and suffocates your spirit. It robs you of the peace that comes from knowing the God who can handle anything, and through whom all things are possible. The reason we worry so much is because we engage in exactly the opposite behaviour to that which brings peace.

Worry is like a ‘no-confidence’ vote in God. You may not intend it that way, but every time you give in to worry, in essence, you’re saying: ‘I don’t believe God can or will handle this for me. I’m not sure I can trust Him in this matter, so I’ll just have to carry this burden and take care of the problem myself.’ God is either the object of your trust or just a part-time helper you call on when you can’t handle things on your own. It’s reminiscent of the elephant and the mouse who were walking together over a bridge. When they got to the other side, the mouse said, ‘Man, we sure shook that bridge!’ When you begin to see God as playing the major role and you the minor one, you’ll begin to find the peace which has eluded you for so long.

From The Word for Today.

Eugene G. Grace, president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1916 to 1945 said: ‘Thousands of engineers can design bridges, calculate strains and stresses, and draw up specifications for machines. But a great engineer is the man who can tell you whether the bridge or the machine should be built at all, where it should be built, and when.’

Asking why before how forces you to think about your core motivations and the source of your vision. There is much talk these days about ‘purpose’. And that’s a good thing, because a life of purpose is more rewarding than a life of popularity or power. But your purpose must come from God.

‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord.”’ When God is the source of your vision, He will resource it. That’s why the most important question you can ask is not, ‘What’s the best way to do this?’ but, ‘Why am I doing it at all?’

Ultimately God will make the final ruling on what you have given your life for. ‘Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work… endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss.’ (1 Corinthians 3:13–15 NKJV)

Missionary and cricketer CT Studd wrote: ‘Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.’

From The Word for Today.

Isaiah writes: ‘The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.’

Let’s face it; if you told a person everything you thought, you would hurt them or they would leave you. There are private parts of you. Maturity means you don’t have to say everything you think. Indeed, much of what you think hasn’t been thoroughly thought through! That’s why you need to pray and ask God for ‘a well-instructed tongue’.

Read these three Scriptures carefully: ‘Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.’ (Proverbs 13:3 NIV)

‘Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.’ (Proverbs 21:23 NIV)

‘Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.’ (James 1:26 NIV) There are two occasions in particular when your tongue can get you into trouble:

(1) When you’re angry. Emotional outbursts usually result in harmful comments you don’t mean and will regret later.

(2) When you’re tired. Exhaustion lowers your guard, and at such times thoughtless comments can slip out. Always wait until your judgment is clear and you can think things out before you speak. Paul said, ‘Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.’ (Colossians 4:6 NIV) What does salt do? It flavours, preserves, cleanses, and heals. And that’s how your words should be.

From The Word for Today.

We all need time to rest and recharge our ‘batteries’. God took time out: ‘On the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day.’ (Genesis 2:2 KJV) Now, the Bible says that God ‘neither slumbers nor sleeps’ (see Psalm 121:4). So if He took a day off in the week, you need one too! Not so long ago most families went to church on Sunday morning, came home and ate lunch together, and spent the afternoon resting and enjoying one another’s company. Other families respectfully observed the Sabbath on a different day.

But now we huff and puff seven days a week, hurtling down the road towards burnout or even an early demise. Scientists say that our bodies are genetically wired to require one day out of every seven for physical, emotional, and spiritual restoration in order to perform at our highest potential.

When Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant in 1946, The Dwarf House, he established the tradition of closing on Sundays. Back then that was an accepted practice, but now it’s extremely unusual, especially for a restaurant chain with hundreds of outlets. But Cathy, a committed Christian, never wavered. And rather than costing him, it paid huge dividends. He built one of the most popular and profitable food chains in the USA—Chick-fil-A.

God knows that the fastest way to burn out is to try and burn the candle at both ends. That’s why the Bible says, ‘The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work.’ (Exodus 20:10 NKJV) Every week you need to observe this directive of God. So consult the Holy Spirit about when to take your Sabbath and then do it!

From The Word for Today.

Today God may be saying to you what He said to His people Israel: ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left.’ (Isaiah 54:2–3 NKJV) Most people automatically stay within lines, even if those lines have been arbitrarily drawn or are terribly out of date. Remember, most limitations we face are not imposed on us by others; we place them on ourselves. Lack of creativity often falls into that category. If you want to become more creative, challenge your boundaries.

One inventor said, ‘All human development, no matter what form it takes, must be outside the rules; otherwise, we would never have anything new.’ When you want something you don’t have, you must be willing to do something you haven’t done yet. You say, ‘But I don’t have his education,’ or ‘I don’t have her talent.’ You don’t need someone else’s talent or education. When God made you, He deposited within you everything required to fulfil your destiny; you just need to unlock it and put it to work.

‘Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness”… Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over… every living thing that moves on earth.”’ (Genesis 1:26–28 NKJV) Note the word ‘likeness’. You’re an image-bearer of God. You have divinely ordained DNA. You’re capable of being creative, so lift the limitations on yourself.

From The Word for Today.

Why does the Bible say, ‘Husbands, love your wives… as Christ… loved the church and gave Himself for her’? Because your wife needs to know you love her, think about her, include her in your plans, and that you consider her opinions, needs, and desires. And if you don’t tell her, she won’t know it! So let’s look at how Jesus loved the church, which began with twelve disciples who were flawed human beings, and learn how you should love your wife.

(1) He loved them unconditionally. Was it always easy? No. But instead of nagging His disciples about what they were or were not, He rejoiced, thinking about what they would become when His grace had worked in their lives. Stop and remember the qualities you saw in your wife that initially attracted you to her. Over the years she may have gained a few kilos, added a few new wrinkles, and sometimes seems to be buried under a mountain of housework. But she’s still the same wonderful person you fell in love with. That’s easy to forget, so you must constantly remind yourself—and her—of it. When roses are exposed to frost, they wither and die, but given the right amount of sunshine and rain—they flourish.

Describing an ideal wife, Solomon writes, ‘Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.’ (Proverbs 31:28 NKJV) Why did these children praise their mother? Because they saw their father do it! So if you’ve been too busy, too self-absorbed, or too distracted, change your ways—and tell your wife how much you love her. (And by the way, wives—that principle works both ways!)

From The Word for Today.

Jesus told His disciples, ‘Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ (Matthew 26:41 NKJV) What did He mean by that? He meant that without the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, which He’d just told them they’d soon receive, they weren’t equal to the challenges they were about to face. It wasn’t a matter of His doubting their devotion and willingness to serve Him; He just knew they couldn’t do it by themselves. And you can’t either. So the sooner you stop trying, the better off you’ll be!

God isn’t looking for educated, sophisticated, well-meaning flesh, or any other kind of ‘flesh’, for that matter. He will only bless you when you acknowledge your total dependence on Him. That means praying and leaning on Him before you start, and continuing to pray and lean on Him until you reach the finish line. It also means that if God doesn’t send you and you insist on going, or if He tells you to do something and you try to accomplish it in your own strength, you’ll surely fail. And what’s more, He will allow you to keep failing until you reach the place where you can say like Paul: ‘Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent.’

It’s when we reach the end of our resources that God’s power kicks in. So the word for you today is: instead of leaning on your own strength and resources, depend wholly and solely on God.

From The Word for Today.

With God’s help, King Jehoshaphat overcame not just one army, but three! And his victory teaches us how we can win life’s battles. First, identify the enemy. Many of us have no clue who the real enemy is. We think it’s the person who is interested in taking our job, our spouse, or our money. But many times the enemy is our own attitude! It’s not so much what’s happening that gets us down, it’s our response to the situation.

Before you can win on a personal level, you must identify the enemy. Note how Jehoshaphat reacted when he heard ‘a vast army’ was coming against him. He was ‘alarmed’. (2 Chronicles 20:2–3 NIV) It’s a fairly typical human response. We see a big problem, panic, and become fearful about what’s going to happen to us. And in truth, fear isn’t all bad unless we deal with it in the wrong way. We can use it to motivate us to conquer the problem and drive us closer to God.

It’s when we get discouraged, give up, get angry, and start asking, ‘Why me, Lord?’ that fear defeats us. If you’re in a situation that’s filling you with fear and anxiety today, remember—God doesn’t respond to need; He responds to faith. So stake your faith on His unshakeable Word and stand on His promise: ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV) Unshakeable trust in God’s Word is what brings His help.

From The Word for Today.

In an old Peanuts comic strip, Lucy announces, ‘Boy, do I feel crabby today.’ Her little brother Linus, always the peacemaker, responds, ‘Maybe I can help. Why don’t you just take my place in front of the TV and I’ll fix you a nice snack? Sometimes we all need a little pampering to make us feel better.’ A few minutes later, Linus brings Lucy a sandwich, some chocolate-chip cookies, and milk. ‘Is there anything else I can get you? Anything I haven’t thought of?’ he asks. ‘Yes,’ snaps Lucy, ‘There’s one thing you haven’t thought of. I don’t want to feel better!’

The truth is that some people don’t want to feel better—they just want attention, and complaining is how they get it. Do you know anyone like that? The Bible repeatedly tells us to stay away from complaining. It takes gut-level honesty to ask yourself: ‘How much of what I say focuses on complaining about the situation instead of trying to improve it? Have I built my life around people who feel the same, people who’d probably be upset if I decided to grow and adopt a better attitude? Am I living in the past, nursing old wounds, refusing to forgive others and myself?’ Time alone doesn’t heal—insight does! Jesus said knowing the truth sets us free (see John 8:32). Once you’re willing to face the truth about your attitude and do something about it, your life will start to improve. And one more thought: Paul says, ‘Rejoice always… give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NIV)

This is God’s will—so do it!

From The Word for Today.

There are some people in life we get along with well, and others we don’t. And in some cases, we’re not supposed to! Now let’s be clear: we’re not talking about being unloving, insensitive, or divisive. Paul says, ‘Do all… you can to live in peace with everyone.’ (Romans 12:18 NLT) We’re talking about people God specifically tells us to break away from. When it comes to those who don’t belong in your life, here are two things to consider.

First, there’s the revelation. The Bible says: ‘They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us… if they had… they would have remained… but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.’ Just like you can’t fit a square peg in a round hole, or mix oil and water, there are people who simply don’t belong in your life.

Second, there’s the separation. Paul said: ‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers… what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?… what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them… walk among them… be their God, and they will be My people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate… and I will receive you.”… “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters.”’ (2 Corinthians 6:14–18 NIV)

Bottom line: when God tells you a relationship is not right for you, listen, and obey Him.

From The Word for Today.

It’s a mistake to cling to someone when God is telling you to let them go. Until you obey God, the storm you’re in will keep getting worse, as in the case of Jonah. The Bible says: ‘The sea was growing more tempestuous. And [Jonah] said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know… this great tempest is because of me.” Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous… Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.’ (Jonah 1:11–15 NKJV)

God has a plan for the ‘Jonahs’ you’re dealing with, and it may require them to hit the bottom before they rise again. And as long as you keep trying to rescue them, God’s plan is being thwarted and delayed. Jonah’s problem wasn’t that he didn’t love God, it was that he didn’t want to do God’s will. So God resorted to extreme measures to get his attention, push him towards his destiny, and save the city of Nineveh. You have no idea what God has in mind for the person He’s asking you to let go of. If they are His redeemed children, He wants to prosper them (see Jeremiah 29:11). That’s why He wants to save them—so let them go!

From The Word for Today.

When it comes to Christ-like compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things.

(1) Relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, ‘Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do.’ (Hebrews 4:14–15 NLT) Jesus understands—how comforting! Whatever situation, challenge, or adversity we find ourselves in, Jesus is saying, ‘I can relate. I’ve been there.’ Pressure? Rejection? Pain? Temptation? Slander? Lies? False accusations? He understands because He’s been there.

(2) Responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognise and relate to the needs of others. You’ve been called to action on a practical level; otherwise, your compassion is meaningless. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the Gospel. Compassion has no limits. It sponsors a hungry child, helps change a tyre for someone stranded on the side of the road, brings a meal to someone who’s grieving, and listens patiently to someone who needs a friend. Compassion gets its hands dirty; it donates readily; it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule, desires, and dreams to meet the needs of another.

The Bible says: ‘God anointed Jesus… with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.’ (Acts 10:38 NKJV) What’s your main concern in life—looking good or doing good? If you want to be more like Jesus, you already know the answer to that question!

From The Word for Today.

Two-thirds of your adult life will be spent earning a living, and God wants you to enjoy it: ‘To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.’ Try to realise that God has a purpose for your being where you are. ‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.’ (Psalm 37:23 NKJV) When you understand that, you begin to rejoice on the job rather than resent it, and believe that God has a plan for your future. It may be a different job, a promotion in your present job, or improving your skill set, which will result in your feeling fulfilled, knowing you are a valued and contributing team member.

So with one eye on the present and another on the future, your goal should be to perform your responsibilities with efficiency and professionalism, and glorify the One whose name you carry. Learn all you can from your current position—both in skill-building and in character-building. Prepare yourself for what God has in mind.

So what if others overlook or undervalue you? David’s family didn’t think he was qualified to be Israel’s next king, but God had a different opinion. He also had the last word. There’s an important lesson here for you. Be faithful and seek to excel where God has placed you, and when the time is right He will bless you and promote you—but it may not be in the way you expect. ‘It is God alone who judges; He decides who will rise and who will fall.’ (Psalm 75:7 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

Why isn’t every sick person who is prayed over healed? We don’t know, and God doesn’t tell us. We know that doubt and unbelief can hinder His miracle-working power in our lives. When Jesus returned to His hometown to those who knew Him best, we read: ‘He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.’ (Matthew 13:58 NIV)

But there are aspects of healing we will never fully understand. Paul writes, ‘I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.’ (2 Timothy 4:20 NIV) Why would Paul, who raised the dead, leave a friend sick instead of praying and seeing him healed?

There are many things about God we don’t know, but here’s one thing we do know: ‘I am the Lord, who heals you.’ And since He said, ‘I am the Lord, and I do not change’ (Malachi 3:6 NLT), and ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8 NIV), we can go to Him for healing based on His Word. One of the last statements Jesus made before leaving earth was: ‘These signs will follow those who believe… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ (Mark 16:17–18 NKJV)

Do you believe God still heals people today? If you do, then obey this Scripture: ‘Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.’ (James 5:14–15 NKJV) The word for you today is: don’t give up—believe God for your healing.

From The Word for Today.

You can put on your best brave face in an attempt to convince others you’re doing better than you are. However, deep inside you know the areas where you’re most often tempted and fail. In fact, if you are gut-level honest, chances are you keep a mental score-card. Others may give you an A or B on your report, but you give yourself a failing grade. And when that happens often enough, you reach the place where you start thinking, ‘What’s the point in asking God for forgiveness? I’m just going to repeat the same sins over and over and have to go back to Him again.’

There’s a solution. Jesus told His disciples, ‘Pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’ (Matthew 26:41 NIV) In other words, pray before the temptation comes and you’ll be strengthened and fortified to handle it. ‘But I have prayed!’ you reply. Then increase the dosage and pray more!

Before Jesus calmed the storm on Galilee, He spent the whole night in prayer. Turn off your TV, your computer, your phone, and any other outside connections, and spend time with God. What did the old-timers mean when they talked about ‘praying through’? Simply this: you can reach a point in prayer where you ‘know’ God has given you the strength you need and victory is assured.

Paul said, ‘Let us… approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:16 NIV) What do you need when you keep failing? God’s grace to forgive you—and His help to overcome temptation. So pray before temptation comes, and God will make you an overcomer.

From The Word for Today.

The place where you live is your home, or ‘habitation’. So when you praise God, you’re saying, ‘Make Yourself at home, Lord.’

Where does God dwell? He has many different addresses and one of them is ‘praise’. Just as we enjoy a deeper level of intimacy with those we share our lives with at home, praise creates a sense of intimacy between God and us. Just as words spoken in love and appreciation draw two people together, words of praise draw you closer to God.

The New King James Bible says, ‘You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.’ Note the word ‘enthroned’. The Japanese have a wonderful way of translating this. Recalling how their emperor was once carried on a throne and those around him would stop and bow down, they say, ‘When we worship God we create a seat, and He comes down and sits in it.’

Five times in two back-to-back Scriptures we are commanded to ‘sing praises’ to God. ‘Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding.’ (Psalm 47:6–7 NKJV) When God repeats the same thing five times in two verses, it’s because He wants to be sure you get the message. You say, ‘But I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.’ Listen to a praise song and hum along.

The psalmist wrote, ‘Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.’ (Psalm 63:3–4 NKJV)

From The Word for Today.

As you examine your mistakes, you realise it was your thinking at the time that caused them, and that’s why you need to keep challenging your own thinking. ‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning.’ How do you do that? By learning to appreciate how others think and by continually exposing yourself to people who are different from you. You will think like the people you spend the most time with. When you spend time with people who think outside the box, you’re more likely to break new ground.

Let’s face it, any time we find a way of thinking that works, our greatest temptation is to rely on it repeatedly—even if it doesn’t work in new situations. When your goal is to protect the success you already enjoy, you put the brakes on the process that can lead you to even greater success. Holding on to a good tradition is a good thing. But you need to remember that every tradition was originally a good idea, perhaps even a revolutionary idea, but every tradition may not be a good idea for the future.

When you cling to what’s already in place, you resist change—even change for the better. That’s why it’s important to challenge your own thinking. If you’re too attached to how things are done now, nothing will change for the better. Dr John Maxwell writes: ‘In your early years you won’t be as wrong as people think you are. In your later years you won’t be as right as people think you are. And all through the years you will be better than you thought you could be.’

From The Word for Today.

Samson went too far. He wound up with his eyes gouged out, mocked by his captors in a Philistine dungeon. Why? Because of two unguarded areas: pride and sex.

David also struggled against temptation. In a moment of weakness he fell prey to lust and paid dearly. But he didn't die in prison like Samson. Instead he died as ‘a man after God's own heart.’ What made the difference?

Repentance!

In brokenness and humility David called on the Lord and found mercy and grace to get back up. Stop and ask yourself, ‘Am I living a secret life that only God and I know about? Have I allowed myself to become so addicted to my sin that I fear there’s no possibility of turning back?’

It’s never too late to start doing what’s right. You cannot sink so deep that Christ is unable to lift you. Repentance is the place to start. Repentance means turning from your sin, confessing your failure and acknowledging your inability to change on your own. It means asking for God’s strength. Stop rationalising what you’re doing; you’re only fooling yourself. You may have kept it a secret so far, but ultimately you’ll be found out. Don’t go another day without falling on your knees before God and praying, ‘Cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart, O God.’ (Psalm 51:2;10 NIV)

Did you pray that prayer? If so, reach for those who can strengthen and encourage you. Don’t try to battle it alone; you won’t succeed. Then what? Get back in the race and run like never before!

From The Word for Today.

When someone has broken your heart. When somebody you love breaks your heart and betrays your trust, you’re in a vulnerable place. And the Enemy will use the experience to get you to do four things that will hurt you even more, derail you spiritually, and rob you of God’s blessing:

(1) Isolate yourself, alienate and avoid others.

(2) Lose your sense of trust, and suspect the motives of everyone you meet.

(3) Cause a root of bitterness to spring up that will impact your relationship with your family and those in your circle of influence (see Hebrews 12:15).

(4) Make you strike back and get even, rendering evil for evil (see 1 Thessalonians 5:15). Don’t do it!

Instead, stand on God’s Word: ‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.’ (Psalm 34:18 NLT)

‘I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.’ (Jeremiah 31:13 NLT)

‘The Spirit of the Lord… has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor… heal the broken-hearted… proclaim liberty to the captives… recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.’ (Luke 4:18 NKJV)

‘Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.’ (Ephesians 4:31–32 NLT)

Has someone done you wrong? Forgive them—and keep on forgiving them until you’re free in your mind. It’s a daily walk that sometimes feels like three steps forward and two back. But if you keep your eyes on Jesus—you’ll get there.

From The Word for Today.

When you are eating too much. Studies confirm that today over half the population of the western world is eating too much. If you are one of the many people battling a problem of overeating, here’s the good news: God can help you win the battle! Often it’s not about what you are eating, it’s about what’s eating you.

We overeat to find comfort and relief from stress and anxiety, but it’s a short-term fix and it doesn’t work. The psalmist went directly to the root of his problem: ‘Search me… and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.’ (Psalm 139:23–24 NLT) God can relieve the ‘anxious thoughts’ within you.

The Holy Spirit is the greatest therapist in the world. When you surrender and ask Him to take up residence within you, you discover that ‘the fruit of the spirit is… self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22–23 NIV) He can give you the power to control your appetite, and start living by the Scripture: ‘Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT)

So make this your prayer today: ‘O Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone.’ (Jeremiah 17:14 NLT) The word for you today is—with God’s help you can avoid eating too much.

From The Word for Today.

When you are in pain. Sometimes God lifts you out of your situation. Other times, He carries you through and makes you stronger by proving His love and faithfulness to you. Sometimes He relieves you of the pain; other times He sustains you in the midst of it.

If you’re in pain today, read these promises from God’s Word and stand on them: ‘Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.’

‘Let Your unfailing love comfort me, just as You promised me, Your servant. Surround me with Your tender mercies so I may live.’ (Psalm 119:76-77 NLT)

‘Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble.’ (Psalm 25:16–18 NLT)

‘The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!’ (Psalm 34:17–20 NLT)

‘Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.’ (Jeremiah 17:14 NKJV) Notice, God’s promises revive and comfort us in all of our troubles. Your Bible is a prescription from the Great Physician Himself, and the label on the bottle reads: ‘Take as often as needed for pain.’

From The Word for Today.

Cain cultivated the ground, planted the seed, gathered the harvest, and offered God the fruits of his labours. It seems likely that he thought God would be impressed, and that He would feel obligated to bless him. But that’s not how it works!

Abel, on the other hand, obviously had a different attitude. Perhaps he told God, ‘I did nothing. You created the lamb I’m offering. I’m just giving You back what’s Yours, and asking You to bless it.’ And God did!

You can tell a lot about somebody by how they approach God. Some of us act like God owes us something. Others among us are so impressed with our spiritual status and accomplishments that we feel the need to approach Him with lofty phraseology and high-sounding ‘thees’ and ‘thous’. But God isn’t impressed, so let’s get real!

‘The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.’ Clearly Abel wasn’t seeking credit for anything. He wanted God to have all the glory. That’s the kind of offering that moves God’s heart and invites His richest blessing upon our lives. So what are you offering God today? Your achievements? Your denominational credentials? Your self-reliance? Your shallow emotion?

If you are, don’t bother! The only thing He asks is that you humbly open your heart and let Him recreate you in the likeness of Jesus. When you do that, something wonderful happens. By downplaying your own self-interests and giving God an acceptable offering, not only will He receive and respect it, He will bless you and equip you to bless others too. That’s how it works!

From The Word for Today.

When you ask parents about their future hopes for their kids, you’ll hear words like happy, secure, and self-confident. Those are nice sentiments, but not guarantees. But what makes that kind of adult? A childhood filled with trophies and good grades? A life in the country, far away from the crime-ridden city? Enriching pastimes like travel and music? The truth is, not one of these things predicts later happiness.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t encourage children to study and excel; having parents who value knowledge makes a difference. The important qualities, however, aren’t external, they’re internal. Psychologist Dr Edward Hallowell says to feel secure, your children need to develop two crucial skills:

(1) The ability to overcome adversity.

(2) The capacity to sustain joy.

He says, ‘Life is full of disappointments. Only by failing the first time and learning to try, try, and try again will a person get the most out of their abilities.’ But how do you teach your kids to be joyful in the face of adversity? There’s only one way to do it: introduce them to the source of joy.’

Isaiah said, ‘My soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation.’ (Isaiah 61:10 NIV)

David said, ‘In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ (Psalm 16:11 ESV)

Jeremiah said, ‘Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.’ (Jeremiah 15:16 NASB)

God never promised us a life without problems, but His Word says, ‘The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives… joy.’ (Galatians 5:22 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

What we consume determines our performance. That’s why you need to be careful what you feed your body, your children, your pets, and even your car. But what you feed your mind is equally important, especially when you consider these two laws that operate in life:

(1) The law of cognition. Your thoughts influence your emotions and your behaviour. The Bible says, ‘As he thinks in his heart, so is he.’ (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV) Jesus said a good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit (see Matthew 7:18). In other words, good thinking can’t produce bad results, just as bad thinking can’t produce good results.

(2) The law of exposure. The Bible says, ‘Do not… be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking.’ You’ll always think about what you are exposed to the most. And given the violence, lust, and greed portrayed by the media, it’s not surprising that crime and immorality are on the rise. You can’t just say, ‘I’m going to read this magazine, watch this programme, listen to this music, but it won’t affect me.’ Social science now confirms what God said all along—it does affect you! Where you go, what you read (or don’t read), what you watch, and the dreams you entertain all shape your mind.

Paul writes, ‘Remember what Christ taught, and let His words enrich your lives and make you wise.’ (Colossians 3:16 TLB) So when you need the right mind-fuel, remember: ‘God and the message of His grace… is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself.’ (Acts 20:32 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

An ox and a donkey each have a tail, two eyes, and four legs. But if you harness them together, they won’t get along or work well together. Actually, they will pull in different directions. That’s because God made them with very different natures and attributes!

With that picture in your mind, here’s some advice on dating you’d be wise to heed. Looks soon fade, so choose someone who has other, less obvious attributes. For example:

(1) Consider their manners and how they treat the waiter at the restaurant.

(2) What type of interests do they have?

(3) Do they share your spiritual values and beliefs?

(4) Do they show genuine interest in what you have to say?

(5) How do they treat people they’re not trying to impress?

Once the newness of the initial attraction wears off, there must be something more, or the relationship is doomed. And make sure you’re the chooser, and not the chosen. Think about what you really want, and don’t entrust your heart to someone without first ascertaining their suitability. The only way to do that is to ask questions and ask God for discernment so you can learn to read their motives through their mannerisms. If you’re going to make an informed decision about sharing your life with this person, and share the most intimate, vulnerable parts of yourself literally and figuratively, you must open your eyes, along with all your senses, and really see the other person. Stop. Look. Listen. Pray. That’s the Bible’s formula for making a wise decision when it comes to choosing a mate for life.

From The Word for Today.

If you want God’s will to be done in your life, don’t rush things. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, did that. As a result Ishmael was born, and that brought all sorts of strife and family complications—that still trouble us, even in the twenty-first century.

Remember: ‘Flesh gives birth to flesh but the Spirit gives birth to spirit’ (John 3:6 NIV), so be sure your plans are conceived by God’s Spirit. Don’t try to salvage anything flesh-based. God said, ‘My covenant I will establish with Isaac.’ (Genesis 17:21 NIV)

Isaac was born as a result of God’s will, done God’s way, in God’s time. Everything that’s conceived in you comes from one of two sources: the flesh or the Spirit. So be careful. People will try to involve you in all kinds of schemes to promote yourself. God doesn’t need anybody’s help to bless you; He can do it all by Himself! That’s why whenever Satan attacks you, you need to be able to point him to your spiritual birthplace and remind him that you didn’t begin this project and you don’t have to finish it.

‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.’ And here’s another thought. If God’s dealing with you about carnality, pride, or some other obstacle in your path, don’t resist, don’t run, and don’t get in His way. Like a drowning man frantically trying to save himself—until you stop flailing around God can’t do anything for you. So the word for you today is: ‘Try less and trust more!’

From The Word for Today.

‘Seven times a day I praise You. (Psalm 119:164 NIV)

‘His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ (Psalm 34:1 KJV) When you are overwhelmed by circumstances, the last thing you feel like doing is praising God. But it’s the first thing you should do, because praise gets your attention off yourself and onto God’s miraculous power.

Jehoshaphat faced an army he had no hope of defeating. But when he started to praise God, his enemies destroyed each other while he looked on in amazement. When Paul and Silas praised God in prison, their chains broke and the doors opened. It’s normal to focus on the problem and forget to praise God, but praise solves problems. Peter writes: ‘The tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ (1 Peter 1:7 ESV) Start to acknowledge the power of praise and choose to exalt God regardless of how you feel. Praise brings you into God’s presence and positions you for His favour and blessing.

You say, ‘But I don’t understand how praise works.’ Think about it like this: you don’t have to understand aerodynamics in order to fly. You just get on the plane and the pilot takes you where you need to go. It’s the same when you praise God—just do it and you’ll get results.

From The Word for Today.

David was a giant killer, a psalm writer, and Israel’s most popular king. But when the stresses of life brought him to his breaking point, he wrote, ‘I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’

Are you at your breaking point today? When you get to that place, one of two things happens: you either break down or break through! It all depends on what you do. David experienced a breakthrough because he knew the right formula: ‘Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.’ (Psalm 27:14 NKJV)

There’s an old saying—‘The same sun that melts the butter hardens the clay.’ When trouble comes, you can turn against God because you’ve served Him faithfully and don’t understand why He’s permitting you to go through such a hard time, or you can turn to Him for the answer! Nothing catches Him off guard, and nothing is too hard for Him.

He said, ‘I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”’ (Isaiah 46:9–10 NKJV) You may be in a state of shock right now—but God isn’t. Your circumstances can actually become a platform for Him to demonstrate His unfailing love and care for you. So don’t lose heart; He’s going to bring you through this storm and bring glory to His name in the process.

From The Word for Today.

Remember the reality tv show Undercover Boss? In it, the company owner goes undercover disguised as a regular staff member, and works alongside the other employees. He or she gets to experience their daily pressures and problems, becomes familiar with their strengths and weaknesses, and finds out what is and isn’t working. Some of the discoveries are truly eye-opening, and lead to major changes that end up making the organisation a more efficient, more profitable, and a more enjoyable place for everyone to work.

A good definition of the word understand is ‘to stand in another person’s shoes’. That’s what happened to the prophet Ezekiel. He writes: ‘Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles… I was overwhelmed and sat among them for seven days. After seven days the Lord gave me a message. He said, “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman.”’ (Ezekiel 3:15–17 NLT) When did God give Ezekiel a message for others? After he’d spent seven days and nights sitting with people who had lost everything, people in deep despair and in need of answers.

Referring to Jesus, the Bible tells us, ‘This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do.’ (Hebrews 4:15 NLT) Your most effective ministry to others can come out of some of the experiences you’re going through right now, especially the painful ones you’d like to escape and don’t even feel comfortable talking about. The truth is, your greatest mess can turn out to be your greatest message. So let God work on you until He gets you to where you need to be.

From The Word for Today.

Put your goals in writing. God told the prophet Habakkuk, ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain…so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time…Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’ (Habakkuk 2:2–3 NIV)

Note the word ‘delay’, because it’s not one we particularly like. God can give you a vision overnight, but usually it won’t be fulfilled overnight. You’ll face disappointments, discouragements, and delays. Because your vision always costs more than you estimated, and takes longer than you planned, it can become ‘blurred’ by your circumstances and emotions. That’s why it’s so important to write it down and keep it in front of you! Why did God tell Abraham that his children would be as numerous as the stars in heaven? Because stars are something you can physically look at and count. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish [languish and waste away].’ (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)

The word ‘perish’ suggests something that’s slowly decaying, and that’s what happens when you don’t keep your God-given vision in front of you. If you’ve dreamed of losing weight, post a picture that inspires you on your refrigerator. If you dream of one day owning your own home, stick a picture of it on your message board. And if your goal is to give a certain amount to God’s work, write a cheque for that amount and place it where you’ll see it every day. With a clear-cut written goal, you’ll always know where you are and remember what God has called you to do.

From The Word for Today.

Depend on God more than on others. That doesn’t mean you don’t need other people. You do. When God calls someone to do a job, He calls others to stand alongside them. God’s promise is: ‘I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.’ So ask Him who belongs in your life.

In Exodus chapter 17, as long as Moses held his hands up, Israel’s armies prevailed in battle, but when his hands grew tired the battle went the other way. So Aaron and Hur stood by Moses and held up his hands until victory over the Amalekites was complete. You need people who know how to hold up your hands and strengthen you.

Paul wrote, ‘I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves… Timothy has proved himself.’ (Philippians 2:20–22 NLT) In fact, Paul took an entire chapter of the Bible to acknowledge and thank all those who made it possible for him to succeed in his calling. He writes about people ‘who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches.’ (Romans 16:4 NKJV)

Some of us are stubborn and self-centred; we subscribe to the philosophy, ‘It’s my way or the highway.’ We burn through people, leaving wreckage in our wake. Don’t do it! When God sends gifted people into your life, acknowledge them, respect them, train them, motivate them, and reward them. When you do that, not only will you fulfil your goal, you will create a win/win for everybody.

From The Word for Today.

Trust in God more than in yourself. That doesn’t mean you should go through life doubting and second-guessing yourself, or being afraid to move in case you make a mistake. When you recognise and embrace God’s plan for your life, you tap into the power you need to fulfil it. False humility will handicap you spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and keep you from moving forward.

When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, he protested, ‘I am only a child.’ (Jeremiah 1:6 BSB) But listen to what God told him: ‘Do not say, “I am only a child.”’ (Jeremiah 1:7 BSB) As surely as ‘the tongue can bring death or life’ (Proverbs 18:21 NLT), you must learn to speak God’s Word over the vision He has given you.

Yes, it’s a mistake to think you can play God’s role or that He will play yours. But once you understand your personal assignment and tap into His power, you can start believing for success, regardless of what obstacles may stand in your way. When you know you’re in the will of God, doing what He told you to do, you can stand confidently on these Scriptures: ‘“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.’ (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV).

‘One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised.’ (Joshua 23:10 NKJV)

‘In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.’ (Psalm 138:3 NKJV)

You’re not alone today—God is with you!

From The Word for Today.

We’ve all been given individual gifts and goals in life, and God is the giver of both. Jesus said, ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ (John 3:6 NKJV) When you have a desire that’s ‘born of the flesh’, don’t expect God to fulfil it.

It’s ok to admire and learn from gifted, successful people, as long as you don’t try to duplicate them. It’s okay to emulate their good character qualities and seek their input as long as you go to God, the architect of each of our lives, and ask Him to show you His blueprint for your life. Even though David’s desire was to build the temple, God told him his son, Solomon, would ultimately build it. David’s job was to raise the money and materials for the project. If you’re a ‘make-it-happen’ sort of person, that kind of thinking will go against your grain.

So read this and think about it: ‘They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Gospel to them.’ (Acts 16:6–10 NKJV)

So let God set your goals and you’ll be heading in the right direction.

From The Word for Today.

The Bible tells us that fear is a ‘spirit’. This spirit has a mind that thinks and a voice that speaks, and if you allow it to—it will control you. Today if you’re battling a ‘spirit of fear’, make this your prayer: ‘Lord, Your Word says when I seek Your face, You’ll hear me and deliver me from all my fears (see Psalm 34:4). So I cast down every anxious thought that rises up against what I know about You and Your power (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). I stand on the promise that You’ll never leave nor forsake me (see Hebrews 13:5). I rest in the truth that nothing is too hard for You (see Jeremiah 32:17). I rejoice in the assurance that You’ve already given Your angels responsibility for keeping and protecting me in all my ways (see Psalm 91:11). I resist the spirit of fear, and command it to flee in Jesus’ name (see James 4:7). By faith I decree that Your peace, which passes human understanding, will guard my heart and mind (see Philippians 4:7). Therefore, I will not let my heart be troubled or afraid (see John 14:27). In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.’

Now instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the Problem-Solver—God! That may not immediately resolve your difficulty, but it’ll keep you in a peaceful state of mind while you wait for God to work.

Isaiah said, ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!’ (Isaiah 26:3 NLT) Note the word ‘fixed’. As you go through this day with your mind ‘fixed’ on God, you’ll have ‘perfect and constant peace’ (AMPC).

From The Word for Today.

Have you lost your job? Are you facing the possibility of losing your home or going bankrupt? Are you in the toughest place you’ve ever been? Paul ‘suffered the loss of all things’ (Philippians 3:8 NASB), but he didn’t stay there. He went on to say, ‘My God shall supply all your need.’ (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)

And God can do that for you—with or without a salary or some other anticipated source of income. The psalmist said, ‘Those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.’ One of the things you have to watch out for is Satan’s worst-case-scenario talk. If you allow him, he will paint mental images of you living in a cardboard box, under a bridge.

Stand on God’s Word today and declare: ‘Lord, You said if I’m willing and obedient, I will enjoy the best You have to offer (see Isaiah 1:19). You promise to surround me with favour (see Psalm 5:12). Your Word says that You can do more than anything I could even ask or think, according to Your power that works within me (see Ephesians 3:20). Even though nothing seems to be going right for me just now, give me faith to believe You for good things and better days. Your Word tells me to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to You. That Your peace, which surpasses human understanding, will guard my heart and mind (see Philippians 4:6–7). Lord, honour Your Word today, in the name of Jesus, Amen.’

From The Word for Today.

Moses began his ministry when he was eighty. Esther started hers as a teenage girl. When she heard the words of Mordecai—‘Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’—she could easily have said, ‘Give me time to grow up, get married, have children, and fulfil my dreams before asking me to put my life on the line to save the Jewish people.’ But she didn’t. She said, ‘I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ (Esther 4:16 AMPC)

Often what God does in you while you’re waiting is more important than the thing you’re waiting for. Sometimes you think you’re ready but God knows you’re not, so He puts you into the school of faith. That’s where you learn to listen to ‘the teacher’ (the Holy Spirit), study your lessons, pass the tests, and graduate so that God can use you. It’s not a comfortable place to be, but God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

Missionary Nancy Cockrell writes: It was God’s plan all along to bring you here to serve Him, by using your gifts to minister to others—for such a time as this. He has given you the grace to reflect the love and character of Christ, to be a light in a darkened world—for such a time as this. You have a unique place of service in God’s Kingdom, touching lives as only you can do—for such a time as this.’

So here’s the question: is God telling you today—your time has come?

From The Word for Today.

It’s good to read about what Jesus did when He walked among us. But when you see someone living the way He did, it’s called ‘putting skin on Jesus’. Instead of just being an historic figure, His lifestyle becomes a reality. And isn’t that what people are looking for?

Gandhi once said if he could meet Christians who were like Christ, he’d become one too. Unfortunately, the Christians he knew carried weapons and subjected him and his people to servitude. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus said, ‘Whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.’

Maybe you’re wondering how we could possibly do greater works than Jesus. Here’s how: He was one man confined to one place, whereas His redeemed family is capable of multiplying His works throughout the world. So what was Jesus like? For starters, He was compassionate, not condemning. Remember the woman caught in the act of adultery? When the Pharisees wanted to stone her, He said, ‘Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’ (John 8:7 NLT) Ouch! Who was Jesus talking about? The Pharisees or the religious hierarchy? No, He was talking about Himself! He was the only one without sin and He had no stones to throw! If you want to know what ‘putting skin on Jesus’ looks like, the Bible lists these nine ‘fruits’ (or Christlike qualities) that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in your life: ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22–23 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

For a redeemed child of God, nothing in life should be more important than discovering and doing His will. But you have four options:

(1) You can remain ignorant of it. Chances are this isn’t you, or you wouldn’t be reading this daily devotional right now. Clearly you have a desire to know God’s will for your life and He will help you find it (see Isaiah 30:21).

(2) You can know it and choose to disobey it. Jonah knew God’s will, but he ran from it and ended up in the biggest storm of his life. What was his problem? He didn’t like the assignment God gave him. Is your problem that you know God’s will but you just don’t like it?

(3) You can know it but settle for less. The truth is you can sing in the choir and serve on church committees, yet deep in your heart know you’re settling for less than God’s will.

(4) You can settle for nothing less than God’s will. There are moments when God’s will seems too difficult, too prolonged, and too unrewarding. Your own ideas seem easier, quicker, and more enjoyable. In the end, you find that His plan was better than yours and there will never be an exception to this rule. So you may as well decide from now on to yield to God’s will, do things His way, and believe Him for His best. Today get down on your knees and say with the psalmist, ‘I delight to do Your will, O my God… Your law is within my heart.’ (Psalm 40:8 NKJV)

From The Word for Today.

Paul writes: ‘The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.’ (Romans 8:26–27 NASB) So what is this ‘weakness’ in prayer that we are subject to? It’s that sometimes we don’t know how to express the depth of our desires and feelings, nor do we even realise what we need. Sometimes we’re so exhausted in spirit, mind, and body, that we can hardly muster the energy to open our mouths. There are instances when discouragement has taken such a strong hold of your heart that you can’t imagine a way out of your circumstances. That’s when you need to ask for the Holy Spirit’s help! When you are a believer, the Holy Spirit supplies you with the two things you can’t live without:

(1) The ability to know what God is saying to you. Sometimes you can’t trust your own wisdom or the advice of those closest to you.

(2) How to have an intimate relationship with God. One of the most wonderful things Jesus said was, ‘I have called you friends.’ (John 15:15 KJV) But friendships aren’t built on a hit-and-run basis; they take time and communication. Jesus described His relationship with the Father like this: ‘The Father loves the Son and shows Him everything.’ (John 5:20 NLT)

And not only does the Holy Spirit show you what to do, He empowers you to do it. So seek His help today.

From The Word for Today.

Did you know that over half of those who enter the ministry leave before retirement? Why? There are lots of reasons—here is one of them: They discover that great revelation is accompanied by a ‘thorn’. The apostle Paul, who wrote half the New Testament, says: To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 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 12:7–10 NIV)

There are 168 hours in your week. The hour you spend in ministry preaching a sermon, teaching Sunday school or leading a small group showcases you in the areas of your gifting and strength. So your challenge will always be to remember that it is God’s Word and God’s power, not yours, that changes lives and gets the job done. Notice what Paul said: ‘To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh.’ Paul’s thorn came in the form of ‘weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties.’ What’s your thorn? You can only stand strong before people if you discipline yourself to spend time before God in prayer and Bible study. That’s how to stay effective and finish strong in ministry!

From The Word for Today.

The apostle Paul wrote, ‘I don’t want what you have—I want you… I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.’ (2 Corinthians 12:14–15 NLT) Paul found his greatest fulfilment in giving, not receiving. For him, giving was its own reward. For him, being successful meant making others successful. For him, being joyful meant bringing joy to others. That’s because he didn’t look to people for his reward, but to God: ‘Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do.’ (Ephesians 6:8 NLT)

The hardest thing for most of us to do is to fight our natural tendency to put ourselves first. That’s why it’s important to continually examine your motives and make sure you’re not sliding backwards into selfishness. If you want to check your motives, follow the example set by Benjamin Franklin. Every day he asked himself two questions. When he got up in the morning he would ask, ‘What good am I going to do today?’ And before he went to bed he would ask, ‘What good have I done today?’ If you can answer those questions with selflessness and integrity, you can keep yourself on track. Seeing those in need, and giving to meet that need, keeps your priorities and your perspective right. It increases the quality of life for both the giver and the receiver. The truth is, there is no life as empty as the self-centred life, and there is no life as centred as the self-empty life.

From The Word for Today.

Consider these words: ‘I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon if I can. I seek opportunity, not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the company look after me. I want to take the calculated risk, to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfilment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor dignity for a hand out. It is my heritage to think and act for myself, to enjoy the benefits of my creations, to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”’

That sounds like another man who wrote, ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness.’ (2 Timothy 4:7–8 NIV)

But I'm disadvantaged,’ you say. Ever see the movie Rain Man? Dustin Hoffman plays a savant: a person who, in a sea of disabilities, has an island of genius. In the movie, he's incredibly gifted with numbers.

Other savants have amazing abilities in art and music. The truth is, all of us arrived equipped and empowered to do something special. You have an island of genius inside you. God's given you a gift. Believe it! Discover it! Develop it! Cherish it! Use it! Gift it! That's what it means to have a glorious inheritance from God.

From The Word for Today.

The first mention of anger in Scripture is when Cain got so angry with his brother Abel that he murdered him. In Australia in 2018, three people died each week at someone else’s hand.

Anger not only kills others, it can kill you. Dr Redford Williams, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science at Duke University, states: ‘The hostility and anger associated with Type-A behaviour is a major contributor to heart disease. People who struggle with anger are five times more likely to suffer coronary heart disease, and people with heart disease more than double their risk of a heart attack when they get angry.’

Of course, there’s a difference between anger and mere aggravation. A little girl asked her father to explain that difference. So he picked up the phone, dialled a number, allowed his daughter to listen in, and when the other person answered, he said, ‘Hello. Is Melvin there?’

Back came the answer, ‘There’s no one here named Melvin. Why don’t you look up numbers before you dial them?’

The father waited a moment, then re-dialled the number. ‘Hello. Is Melvin there?’

The man yelled, ‘I just told you there’s no Melvin here! Don’t call this number again!’ then slammed down the receiver.

The father looked at his daughter and said, ‘Honey, that was anger. Now let me show you aggravation.’ He dialled the number again.

A voice roared back, ‘Hello!’

And her dad calmly said, ‘Hi. This is Melvin. Have there been any calls for me?’

The word anger is only one letter short of the word danger. So ask God to help you manage your anger. He will!

From The Word for Today.

The Bible says that the greater the offence, the greater the need to forgive your offender in order to go on with your life. Remember when you were growing up, how your parents would tell you to close the door? That’s because in winter you were letting in the cold and in summer you were letting in the insects.

Forgiveness shuts the door on your past! Paul, who martyred Christians before becoming one, writes, ‘This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching… unto those things which are before.’ Only when you release your grip on the past can you secure your grip on the future. Forgiving is a decision, one you sometimes have to make daily or even hourly. Bottom line: you need to forgive every time the issue that’s hurting you rears its head (see Matthew 18:21–22).

Complete healing can take months or years. When someone hurts you deeply, you must purpose in your heart to keep forgiving them until you’re free from their influence. No matter what they took from you through abuse, abandonment, betrayal, manipulation or deceit, the fact is that bitterness will take more! Like making a rod for your own back, unforgiveness lets the person who hurt you keep on doing it. So until the issue is resolved, you may have to get down on your knees every day and pray, ‘Lord, by an act of my will, I forgive ________ and ask You to bless them. I’m turning them over to You and getting on with my life.’

There’s no shortcut—it’s the only path to freedom!

From The Word for Today.

One of the most effective ways to teach is through ‘teaching moments’. Jesus did that. When a fig tree didn’t produce fruit, He cursed it and it immediately withered up. That got the disciples’ attention (see Matthew 21:18–22). Then He explained that unless you stay filled with God’s Spirit, you won’t be fruitful in His service.

He could have taught this same lesson in the synagogue. But then His listeners would’ve had to imagine a fig tree, and the message would have been diluted depending on the ability of the hearer. When three drunken high-school students crashed their car into a tree, the wreck sat in front of their school for several days. Every day the students had to look at it. That’s called a ‘high-impact teaching moment’.

It’s said timing is everything. That’s certainly true when it comes to learning the important lessons in life, so don’t miss them! If you’re a parent, it’s futile to constantly ‘preach’ at your kids. If you’re a leader, it’s a mistake to keep ‘lecturing’ the people who are answerable to you. Let the experience speak! Then ask for their thoughts, and listen without interjecting! People learn more through discovery than dialogue. That’s why God instructed Joshua to build a monument of twelve stones on the other side of Jordan after He miraculously parted its waters so they could cross over (see Joshua 4:1–9). What He was really saying was, ‘When your children ask what this monument is all about, use it as a teaching moment about My love and faithfulness.’

From The Word for Today.

If you have a tendency to remind people of all the good things you do and the sacrifices you make, read what Jesus said: ‘When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say…“We have done what was our duty to do.”’ We all deserve recognition for the good we do, and we thrive on appreciation. But lots of times we don’t get it, so we’re left with three choices:

(1) We can succumb to self-pity and go around complaining about how the world doesn’t treat us right or give us a fair deal.

(2) We can give way to resentment, walk around with a chip on our shoulder, and end up wondering why people don’t want to be around us.

(3) We can adopt the attitude Jesus taught and say, ‘I’m only doing what God expects of me. And knowing He is pleased with me is reward enough.’ If you try to run on the fuel of other people’s encouragement and praise, when it doesn’t come you’ll have no joy. And that’s bad because ‘the joy of the Lord [the joy that comes from knowing you walk under the smile of His approval] is your strength.’ (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV)

Living this way will make you a self-starter and a successful finisher. And when that happens, you’ll find favour at home and on the job, and end up with more friends than you know what to do with. Plus your real reward, the one that matters most, is guaranteed when you stand before the Master one day and hear the words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ (Matthew 25:23 KJV)

From The Word for Today.

The word ‘anoint’ means ‘to pour on and rub in’. In the Old Testament a priest had oil poured over his head, symbolising the Spirit of God resting on him as he carried out his duties each day.

Now fast forward to the age we are living in and read it again: ‘The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you.’ The word ‘abide’ simply means ‘to take up residence and live in’. In other words, you’re a container for God’s Spirit. And when His Spirit lives within you, it affects every area of your life. Try to imagine the advantage this gives you when it comes to your relationships, your career, your health, your decisions, your struggles, your marriage, and your ministry. Imagine what it does when you’re under stress and handling overwhelming problems. And furthermore, the anointing of God’s Spirit that ‘abides’ in you is transferable to others. When you speak Scriptural words of kindness and encouragement to someone, those words are still at work long after you’re gone because they’re infused with the presence of God.

In Psalm 23:5 NIV, David says: ‘You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.’ ‘Overflows’ means it’s spilling out to friends, family, colleagues, strangers.

The psalmist said, ‘I shall be anointed with fresh oil.’ (Psalm 92:10 KJV) Every morning when you wake up, pray, ‘Lord, anoint me afresh today.’ Then go out and touch others with that anointing!

From The Word for Today.

Paul’s ministry began when he met Jesus on the Damascus Road. In that humbling encounter, the Lord said to him: ‘Get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as My servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen Me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light.’ (Acts 26:16–18 NLT)

Before Paul could be successful in his calling and minister effectively, he had to be delivered from the fear of people. That included those who knew him well, and those he had yet to meet who didn’t know him at all. He had to be detoxed from the need for approval. In essence, God was saying to Paul, ‘You’re just the postman. Some days people will like what you deliver, other days they won’t. You have to deliver the post anyway. So I’m setting you free from the fear of their rejection and the need for their acceptance.’

Has God called you to do a particular job? Are you afraid you’ll make mistakes? Count on it—you will! Are you worried you’ll be criticised? It comes with the turf! People will disappoint you in 101 different ways, but if you’re determined to do the will of God, pray, ‘Lord, deliver me from people pleasing, so I can share with them what You’ve given to me.’

Then get on with the job!

From The Word for Today.

One morning, a businessman saw a fisherman lounging on his boat drinking coffee. ‘You’re back early,’ he shouted.

The sailor replied, ‘I’ve caught enough. I’m through for the day.’

The businessman said, ‘Why not go out again? If you keep going out you can catch more fish and increase your income, buy a second boat, hire a crew, and become rich like me.’

The man replied, ‘Why should I do that?’

The businessman said, ‘So you’ll be free to do what you want and enjoy life.’

Grinning, the fisherman said, ‘But that’s exactly what I’m doing right now!’

The Bible says, ‘Be satisfied with what you have,’ yet many of us base our self-worth on what we own or achieve. We only feel good about ourselves when we’re involved in certain relationships or live in certain areas or reach certain goals. We tell ourselves, ‘When I earn more money, or become CEO, or get fitter, etc., I’ll be ok.’

So, what’s the basis of your self-worth today? If you’re not sure, ask yourself, ‘What can I not live without?’ Is there somebody you’re afraid will leave you? A job you’re too involved in? Is there something you need to accomplish before you feel complete? It is both Scriptural and wise to have goals for your life, but don’t undermine yourself by believing that you’re ‘less than’ because you’ve achieved or acquired less than someone else. The Scriptures teach that when you make God’s purposes your number one priority, ‘He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern… For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.’ (Luke 12:31–32 TLB)

From The Word for Today.

When you go beyond simply reading your Bible and take the time to meditate each day on its truths, you begin to think like God. And when that happens your life changes for the better. Peter was so dependent on the words of Jesus that he said, ‘To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ (John 6:68 NKJV) And Job said, ‘I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.’ (Job 23:12 NIV)

Question: How often do you set aside time to meditate on the Scriptures? As you meditate on God’s Word you develop a mindset that enables you to rise above your fears. ‘My word… will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ (Isaiah 55:11 NIV) Did you get that? God’s Word will accomplish God’s purposes in your life! That’s why Satan will battle you over finding time to read your Bible.

The truth is, you don’t find time, you make it! The prophet Isaiah said, ‘Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will.’ (Isaiah 50:4 NLT) In a world that’s often devoid of commitment, God promises: ‘I won’t give up on you. I’ll keep working on you until you’re clear in your perceptions, strong in your faith, and balanced in your spiritual walk. As you meditate on My precepts, you’ll start to move in a new direction. And when that happens, your life will begin to prosper.’

From The Word for Today.

One Friday morning an eager young Stanford University student stood before Louis Janin, a well-known mining engineer. He was seeking employment. Janin informed him, ‘All I need right now is a stenographer.’

The young man said eagerly, ‘Fine, I’ll take the job.’ Then he added, ‘But I can’t come back until Tuesday.’

Janin agreed, and the next Tuesday the young man reported for work as scheduled. Janin asked him, ‘Why is it that you couldn’t come back before Tuesday?’

The young man replied, ‘Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn how to use it.’

The young typist was Herbert Hoover, whose can-do attitude eventually led him through the doors of the White House to become one of America’s presidents. By taking shortcuts—you risk short-changing your future. Your unwillingness to learn today will leave you unprepared for tomorrow’s opportunities. No skill you learn will ever be lost. Gleaning knowledge and learning new skills builds confidence and sharpens your mind. Successful people have one thing in common: they never quit learning! Furthermore, God calls prepared people, so prepare yourself.

The Bible says: ‘Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver… Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.’ (Proverbs 2:2–10 NLT)

From The Word for Today.

The only way to avoid criticism is to say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing. When you attempt anything of value or significance, people are going to talk about you. Nehemiah’s enemies tried to stop him from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem by using gossip and innuendo: ‘It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true… Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: “There is a king in Judah!”’ (Nehemiah 6:6–7 NIV) Notice, no source was given of the accusations against Nehemiah. ‘It is reported.’ Always be prepared when someone comes to you and says something like this: ‘I heard…’ or ‘somebody said…’ or ‘the word on the street is…’

Never receive a criticism from someone who is bringing it on behalf of someone else, someone they won’t even name, someone who won’t say it to your face. Not even slander could keep Nehemiah from the work he was doing. Note how he responded: ‘I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”’ (Nehemiah 6:8 NIV) In other words: ‘I don’t care what you think, or say, or like. I’m going to keep building this wall until the job is done.’ And that must be your attitude too. Most of the time your friends don’t need an explanation, and your enemies wouldn’t believe one if you held them at gunpoint. So stay focused and get the job done.

From The Word for Today.

The story of Joseph the prisoner becoming Joseph the prime minister teaches us that we can rise above the circumstances, overcome the challenges, and live in the fullness of our God-given potential. His journey was a long one, and yours may be too. But if you don’t take the first step, you’ll remain stuck where you are.

Sometimes your ‘stronghold’ was established early in life. Family pain is the deepest pain, because it’s inflicted so early and involves people who should have been trustworthy. You were too young to process the mistreatment. You didn’t know how to defend yourself. Your dad, mum, uncle, big brother—they towered over you, usually in size, always in rank. When they judged you falsely, you believed them. All this time you were operating on faulty data: ‘You’re stupid… slow… dumb like your father… fat like your mother…’ Decades later those voices of defeat still echo in your subconscious. But they don’t have to!

‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’ Use the ‘reject and repeat’ strategy and you’ll win the victory in your thinking. When negative, fearful, guilt-ridden, inferior, condemning thoughts arise, reject them and begin to repeat what God says about you in His Word. As God’s Word comes to life within you, your old thoughts will begin to die and lose their control over you. Today pull down that stronghold and let your healing begin.

From The Word for Today.

There’s an ancient legend that says the apostle John had a partridge he enjoyed feeding and tending. One day a hunter visited him and was astonished to see him playing with the bird. ‘I’m surprised to see you engaged in such amusement when there are great matters related to the Gospel with which you could be busy.’

John replied, ‘Do you always keep your bow bent?’

The hunter said, ‘No, that would render it useless. I loosen the string unless I am hunting.’

The apostle nodded and said, ‘Me too; I unbend my mind for the same reason.’

Guess who said, ‘Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ Jesus, the most-in-demand person Who ever lived. Why did He say it? The Bible tells us, ‘There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to eat.’ And Jesus is our example.

One summer a pastor announced he wasn’t going to take a holiday, since the devil never goes on holiday. Some of his congregation laughed; others thought he was very ‘spiritual’. One man went home, however, to see if Jesus had the same attitude. He found that in His three years of active ministry Jesus had ten periods when He got away from the crowds, in addition to His nightly rest and Sabbath day rest. Next Sunday he asked his pastor, ‘Are you following the devil’s example or the Lord’s example?’ Recreation is just that: re-creation, a time to renew your energy and nurture your most valuable relationships. So, take time to rest.

From The Word for Today.

Before you discover your God-given purpose in life, you’ll often experience a series of adversities that cause you to relinquish what’s temporal and to grasp what’s eternal. For Paul it meant the loss of every earthly possession. For others it can mean the heat of battle in a divorce court. When the person you thought was ‘everything’ walks away, suddenly you’re stripped down to what you had before. Look at Job; his home was a shambles, his marriage seemed a joke, and his children were dead. That’s when he discovered you can be stripped of the temporal, but not the eternal; stripped of your wealth, friends, and fame, but not of your character and your faith in God—those things survive the strippings of life.

The Bible says of Job after these disasters happened: ‘Then he fell to the ground in worship.’ (Job 1:20 NIV) True worship is born in the fire of sacrifice. When you can lay upon the altar something you thought you had to have because you realise it was God’s all along—that’s worship. Look at Abraham’s altar. God didn’t want the slain body of Isaac; He wanted to know if there was anything Abraham loved more than Him. That’s it—reaching the place where you can pray: ‘Lord, here are my grudges and unforgiveness, my need to impress, my time, talent and treasure, anything I’m wrapped up in that hinders me from being completely Yours. You’ll never have to take these things from me, for I gladly give You all it takes to be what You want me to be.’

Can you pray that prayer today? It’s not easy, but it’ll change your life.

From The Word for Today.

Focus on one thing at a time. Are you being pulled in different directions? People constantly tried to do this to Jesus and distract Him from His goal in life. The Bible says, ‘At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for Him and when they came to where He was, they tried to keep Him from leaving them.’ (Luke 4:42 NIV) Jesus was about to leave and they tried to make Him stay.

Here’s how He responded: ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’ He refused to be distracted by less important matters. Indeed, He was a master at this. Everybody tried to interrupt Him. Everyone had a Plan B for His life. But in essence He responded, ‘No, I must keep moving towards My goal.’ And He kept right on doing what He knew God had told Him to do. He was determined. He was persistent. He was focused.

So when you have a dozen different things to do, pick the most important one and stick with it until it’s complete. Then pick the second most important and do the same thing, until you’ve completed the list. When we diffuse our efforts we’re ineffective; when we concentrate our efforts we’re more successful. Diffused light produces a hazy glow, whereas light that’s concentrated produces fire. Jesus didn’t let interruptions prevent Him from concentrating on His goal. He didn’t let others make Him tense or stressed or irritated. And He is your example!

From The Word for Today.

Know who you are trying to please. Jesus didn’t try to please everybody, so isn’t it foolish for you to try to do something even God doesn’t do? It was a settled issue with Jesus: ‘I’m going to please God, full stop!’

And God replied, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ (Matthew 3:17 KJV) When you lose sight of who you’re trying to please you’ll always cave in to three things:

(1) Criticism, because you’re overly concerned about what others think of you.

(2) Competition, because you’re afraid somebody will get ahead of you.

(3) Conflict, because you’re threatened by anyone who disagrees with you.

Jesus said, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’ (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) By focusing on God’s will you simplify your life! You’ll always be doing the right thing, the thing that pleases Him, regardless of what anybody else thinks. We love to blame stress on other people and on our obligations: ‘You made me do… I have to… I’ve got to.’

Actually, there are few things in life apart from our jobs that we must do. So what we’re really saying is, ‘I choose to [fill in the blank] because I don’t want to handle the consequences otherwise.’ Rarely does anybody make us do anything, so we can’t blame other people for our stress. When we feel pressured, we’re choosing to let others put us there. The fact is, we’re not victims unless we allow ourselves to be pressured by outside demands.

From The Word for Today.