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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Keep your spiritual priorities in place
14 DECEMBER 2021

‘We ought to give…more earnest heed to the things…we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.’
Hebrews 2:1 KJV

Your highest priority should always be your relationship with God and fulfilling His will for your life. Don’t let that priority ‘slip’. There is a sobering illustration of this in the Old Testament. A soldier was given custody of an important prisoner. He was told, ‘If by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver’ (1 Kings 20:39 NKJV).

In spite of the warning, he allowed his prisoner to escape. How did it happen? Through carelessness and busyness. ‘“While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” Then the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it”’ (v. 40 NKJV). Keeping your spiritual priorities in place is your responsibility and no one else’s. If you don’t do it, you will pay a high price. ‘But I pray each morning,’ you say.

That’s good, but do you take time to listen to God and get direction before you rush into your day? Some of us have deleted from our Bibles and our thoughts those Scriptures that command us to ‘wait on God’. There is a work going on in your life right now.

You may not be fully aware of it, but without it you will never be qualified to handle what God has in mind for you. The Bible says, ‘Jesus often withdrew…and prayed’ (Luke 5:16 NIV). Spending time with God is the price you pay for hearing from Him and doing His will. Spiritually speaking, there is no shortcut to any place that’s worth going.

Jonah 1-4, Revelation 7

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Look for the hand of God in ‘all things’
15 DECEMBER 2021

‘Who works all things according to the counsel of His will.’
Ephesians 1:11 NKJV

God can make the wrong decisions of the people around you to work in your favour. So instead of looking for someone to blame, try to see the hand of God at work in your situation. Joseph discovered three things: 1) When God wants you in a palace, nobody can keep you in a prison. 2) Your future isn’t in the hands of others; it’s in the hands of God. 3) Your God-given assignment in life doesn’t call for the cooperation or approval of everyone, but it does require the cooperation of one person – you.

Joseph’s brothers made a wrong decision by resenting him. Potiphar’s wife made a wrong decision by falsely accusing him. And the butler made a wrong decision by turning his back on him. But God did the right thing by him! He arranged every step Joseph took, all the way to the throne. After years apart, Joseph stood face-to-face with those who had treated him so badly, and said, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good’ (Genesis 50:20 NIV). Try to understand this: the purposes of God will eventually overcome the plans of men.

No one can prevent God from using you, blessing you, and giving you success, except you. So keep your heart and your attitude right! The Message paraphrases Paul’s words, ‘Long before we first heard of Christ…he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone’ (Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG). So look for the hand of God in ‘all things’.

Micah 1-3, Revelation 8

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

How to solve your problems
16 DECEMBER 2021

‘The Holy Spirit…will teach you all things.’
John 14:26 NKJV

First, listen to the Holy Spirit within you. He will constantly remind you of God’s plan and show you how to carry it out. He will ‘teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you’ (v. 26 NKJV).

What has God’s Word instructed you to do? Have you done it yet? Obedience is the doorway to blessing. Second, spend time with God in prayer daily: ‘In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion’ (Psalm 27:5 KJV). A ‘pavilion’ was a secret chamber in a king’s palace, and it was so well fortified that even if an enemy found it, they couldn’t penetrate it. All hell could have been breaking loose and it didn’t make a difference; in the secret place there was peace.

Are you letting things that don’t really matter overwhelm you? Are you upset over things that should be dismissed as trivialities? Get alone with God and let Him restore your perspective. Third, never be too proud to seek advice and assistance. The Bible says those of us who are strong ought to bear the burdens of the weak (see Romans 15:1).

There are times when we need to lift others, and times when we need to be lifted. Jesus healed a woman who had been bowed down by sickness for eighteen years and ‘could in no way raise herself’ (Luke 13:11 NKJV). Sometimes you need help because you can’t help yourself. David understood this, and he turned to the men of Issachar because they ‘had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do’ (1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV). God has provided help – reach for it!

Micah 4-5, Revelation 9

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

You can get back what you have lost!
17 DECEMBER 2021

‘Pursue…overtake…recover all.’
1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV

While David and his men were off fighting, the Amalekites destroyed their homes and took their families captive. First, David’s army wept. Second, they looked to David for guidance. Third, David sought God, saying, ‘“Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”’ Notice four important points: 1) Satan will attack your loved ones to get to you. It may be big stuff like your husband losing his job or your wife discovering a lump in her breast, or little stuff like low-grade family tension and lack of consideration for each other.

You need to stay alert and discern Satan’s attacks so you can defend yourself against them. 2) Love people but lean only on God. The people David fought side by side with one day turned against him the next day. That’s why your strength, strategies, and solutions for living must come from God, not others. 3) Talk to yourself in the right way. ‘David encouraged himself in the Lord’ (v. 6 KJV). If you want to end up discouraged, talk about your situation. If you want to be encouraged, talk to the One who can change your situation – the Lord.

The Bible says, ‘A wholesome [uplifting, positive, inspiring] tongue is a tree of life’ (Proverbs 15:4 NKJV). So learn to talk to yourself in the right way. 4) You can get back what you have lost. God told David, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.’ And what God did for David and his men that day, He will do for you if you seek Him.

Micah 6-7, Revelation 10

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Pray for discernment (1)
18 DECEMBER 2021

‘The sons of Issachar…had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.’
1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV

Who said, ‘I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad soldiers; we will settle the matter by lunchtime’? Napoleon Bonaparte over breakfast with his generals just before the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Who rejected an offer from Alexander Graham Bell to purchase the patents for the first telephone? William Orton, president of Western Union. Who said, ‘I don’t need bodyguards’? Jimmy Hoffa, a month before his disappearance in 1975.

What did all these men have in common? Lack of discernment – and it cost them dearly. When it comes to seeing life’s opportunities and solving life’s problems, you need discernment. It enables you to see what others don’t, fill in the missing pieces, and get to the heart of the matter. If you can see the root cause of a problem, you have a much better chance of solving it.

That means when you stay in the area of your core gift, your discernment will be stronger. So if you want to tap into your discernment potential, work from the areas of your strength. But do more. Pray for discernment. It’s one of the nine ‘gifts of the Spirit’ promised to us in Scripture (see 1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Some of Israel’s greatest victories were won when David was king.

And when we study the makeup of his army, we read, ‘The sons of Issachar…had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.’ Discernment enables you to see doors of opportunity where others see only brick walls. It will save you from life’s pitfalls and show you what you ‘ought to do’ – so pray for discernment.

Nahum 1-3, Revelation 11

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Pray for discernment (2)
19 DECEMBER 2021

‘Give to Your servant an understanding heart…that I may discern between good and evil.’
1 Kings 3:9 NKJV

‘The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream…and…said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”’ (v. 5 NKJV). Solomon said, ‘Give…Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil’ (v. 9 NKJV). Next, we read, ‘The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing’ (v. 10 NKJV). But God wasn’t through talking to Solomon: ‘I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honour, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days’ (v. 13 NKJV). Discernment made Solomon one of the greatest kings who ever reigned.

You have probably heard the saying ‘Go with your gut!’ Management consultant Robert Heller adds this advice: ‘Never ignore a gut feeling, but never believe that it’s enough.’ Discernment doesn’t rely on intuition alone, nor does it rely solely on intellect or experience. The writer of Proverbs says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).

There are two kinds of discernment: natural discernment and spiritual discernment. One can fail you – the other won’t. When natural discernment can’t take you a step further, spiritual discernment enables you to keep going with faith and confidence. How will you recognise the difference? James tells us, ‘The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy’ (James 3:17 NKJV). Can you imagine such a life? The good news is – you can have it!

Luke 24:1-35, Psalms 136-142

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Pray for discernment (3)
20 DECEMBER 2021

‘Those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.’
Hebrews 5:14 NKJV

In the 1940s, Switzerland manufactured 80 per cent of the world’s watches. Then in the 1960s, when an inventor presented a concept for a new type of watch to the leaders of a Swiss company, they rejected it. All the other Swiss companies he approached did the same.

They lived by the philosophy, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ Believing that his design had merit, the inventor took it to a company in Japan. The name of the company was Seiko, the design of the watch was digital, and guess what? Sales of digital watches soon outstripped the traditional analogue watches.

One discernment-driven decision can change the course of your entire life and bless others. One expert says, ‘Smart leaders believe only half of what they hear. Discerning leaders know which half to believe’ (emphasis added).

Here are two things you need to know about God-given discernment: 1) It’s shaped by Scripture. ‘For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word…But solid food belongs to those who are of full age [spiritually mature], that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil’ (vv. 13-14 NKJV). 2) It’s sharpened by use.

The more you use it, the more seasoned you become. Will you sometimes make mistakes when it comes to exercising discernment? Yes, but like any muscle, the more you flex it, the stronger it grows. And here is an additional thought: the Bible refers to ‘discerning of spirits’, or attitudes and motivations (see 1 Corinthians 12:10). What a great advantage to have in life!

Habakkuk 1-3, Revelation 12

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Handling your money wisely (1)
21 DECEMBER 2021

‘The blessing of the LORD makes one rich.’
Proverbs 10:22 NKJV

There are about five hundred Bible verses on prayer, and more than two thousand on handling money and possessions. It’s a make-or-break issue! It’s no surprise that money-related issues are often cited as a reason for divorce. And there’s good reason for this: money and stress often go hand in hand. The Bible says, ‘The blessing of the Lord makes one rich.’ Not only does God expect us to make money, but when we honour Him, He will help us to make more. But there is a right and a wrong way to do it.

The Bible teaches that money should come by hard work. ‘He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich’ (Proverbs 10:4 NKJV). ‘Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labour will increase’ (Proverbs 13:11 NKJV). God expects those who ‘labour’ to give a good day’s work, just as He expects those in management to pay a good day’s wage. Both labour and management are to make money.

Labour helps management make a profit, while management helps labour make a salary. A profit well-earned and a salary honestly made are both pleasing to the Lord. But your money must also be made by honest work. ‘He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches…will surely come to poverty’ (Proverbs 22:16 NKJV). That’s a warning to those who rip people off by charging extortionate interest rates. Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way: ‘Switching price tags and padding the expense account are two things God hates’ (Proverbs 20:10 MSG). God makes it plain: winners never cheat, and He will make sure cheaters never win!

Zephaniah 1-3, Revelation 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Handling your money wisely (2)
22 DECEMBER 2021

‘God…gives you power to get wealth.’
Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV

Next to teaching your children how to walk with God, you will never teach them a more important life lesson than how to handle their money wisely. Dr James Merritt writes: ‘We began teaching our kids early these principles of industry, honesty, and responsibility. Here are a few methods we used, which I recommend to you. 1) Give your kids some jobs early on without pay, such as making up their beds, picking up their toys, and cleaning their rooms.

Inspect their room each time, encouraging them as much as possible, but also letting them know the standard of quality that’s expected (no sloppy bed, toys left on the floor, etc.). This will begin to teach them the value of work, the fulfilment of doing a job well, and the discipline of following the commands of someone in authority. 2) As your kids get older, choose some jobs they’re capable of doing (polishing shoes, washing the car, vacuuming the floor, etc.) and settle on fair compensation. This will begin to instruct them in the value of money and reinforce the rewards of a job well done.

Again, have an understood standard of quality that’s expected, and don’t pay them until the job’s completed properly. 3) Don’t give allowances or teach your children to expect them. Rather, teach them that money is earned through working for it.

There’s nothing wrong with giving your child money out of love or as a reward (such as for good grades), but kids must learn the relationship between honest labour and just compensation.’ Bottom line: those are three principles that will stand them in good stead throughout their entire lifetime.

Haggai 1-2, Revelation 14

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Handling your money wisely (3)
23 DECEMBER 2021

‘He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house.’
Proverbs 15:27 NKJV

J. Paul Getty’s estate exceeded four billion dollars. He was considered the richest man on earth. The Los Angeles Times quoted something Getty wrote: ‘I have never been given to envy, save for the envy I feel toward those people who have the ability to make a marriage work and endure happily. It’s an art I have never been able to master. My record: five marriages, five divorces.

In short, five failures.’ The newspaper article continues: ‘He termed the memories of his relationship with his five sons “painful”. Much of his pain has been passed on with his money. His most treasured offspring, Timothy, a frail child born when Getty was fifty-three, died in 1958 at the age of twelve, of surgical complications after a sickly life, spent mostly separated from his father who was forever away on business. Other members of the Getty family also suffered from tragic circumstances. A grandson, J. Paul Getty III, was kidnapped and held for a ransom of $2.9 million.

When Getty refused to pay, they held the boy for five months and eventually cut off his right ear. Getty’s oldest son apparently committed suicide amid strange circumstances. Another son, Gordon Paul Getty, has been described as living a tortured existence.

He was ridiculed in correspondence by his father and was the least favoured son. Similar sorrow has followed other members of this unfortunate family.’ Putting money first and family second make you nothing more than a wealthy failure. So if you have been sacrificing your family for your career, start making changes! Don’t look back, rich but regretting, having lived for the wrong things.

Zechariah 1-2, Revelation 15