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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

How to be financially secure
23 JUNE 2022

‘The righteous give generously.’
Psalm 37:21 NIV

Your desire for financial security can discourage you from giving. Why? Because each pound you give away feels like it’s no longer available for your protection. But the opposite is true. Our sense of freedom and security actually increases when we give, because giving is a declaration that our security rests someplace other than the bank or our own earning capacity. Giving is an act of confidence in God, and it’s the only way to overcome financial insecurity.

Think of all the things in life over which we have little or no control. Illness. Accidents. Job losses. Economic conditions. No wonder we’re insecure! The Bible says: ‘One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed’ (Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV). To the rational mind it sounds counterintuitive, but to the kingdom mind it makes good sense.

Paul writes: ‘“A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest.” Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others’ (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 CEV). In your hand, a pound will never be worth more than a pound. But when you sow it into God’s kingdom, it begins a harvest you can reap when you have a need. Giving is truly the key to financial security.

2 Chronicles 4-6, Acts 20:17-38

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Don’t withhold it – give it!
24 JUNE 2022

‘Because you have…not withheld…I will bless you.’
Genesis 22:16-17 NKJV

God won’t ask you for what you don’t have, but sometimes He will ask for the thing you really want to keep. Why? To see if there is anything you value or depend on more than Him. Abraham was tested like nobody else in history. But he passed the test and was blessed like very few others in history.

Imagine having God say to you, ‘Take now your son, your only son…whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you’ (v. 2 NKJV). Can you envision the questions that would swirl through your mind? Little wonder Abraham was called ‘the friend of God’ (James 2:23 NKJV) and ‘the father of all them that believe’ (Romans 4:11 KJV). And when the test was over, God said this: ‘Because you have done this thing, and have not withheld…your only son…I will bless you, and…multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore… In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice’ (Genesis 22:16-18 NKJV).

So here is the question: what is God asking of you? Are you wrestling with it? Are you withholding what He wants, or are you ‘all in’? Isaac was the hardest seed Abraham ever had to sow. But that seed produced a harvest of blessing greater than anything Abraham ever dreamed or thought possible. What is God asking you to do today? When you say yes to Him, you will experience a whole new level of blessing in your life. Try it and see.

2 Chronicles 7-9, Acts 21:1-17

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Sparrows
25 JUNE 2022

‘Your heavenly Father feeds them.’
Matthew 6:26 NKJV

Jesus said: ‘Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?…These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need’ (vv. 26-33 NLT).

If you need some more scriptural promises to stand on, here they are: ‘Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need’ (Psalm 34:9 NLT). ‘Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house…He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord’ (Psalm 112:1-7 NKJV).

God recorded these promises in His Word so that you could read them over and over, and in reading them, rise above worry and live your life with joy and confidence.

2 Chronicles 10-12, Acts 21:18-40

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

When you fail, Jesus prays for you
26 JUNE 2022

‘I have prayed for you.’
Luke 22:32 NKJV

‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren’ (vv. 31-32 NKJV). Are you involved in things you never thought yourself capable of doing? You never thought you would have an affair. You never thought you would cheat, steal, and lie to get ahead. You never thought you would become jealous and resentful of someone else’s success. You never thought you would neglect or mistreat your family. You never thought you would get hooked on pornography. You never thought you would become addicted to drugs and alcohol. You’re not alone!

Peter swore that he would never deny Jesus, but he did. And not just once but repeatedly. Did Peter love the Lord? Absolutely. But because he was weak, he turned his back on Him. What a load of guilt to carry. No wonder he ‘went out and wept bitterly’ (v. 62 NKJV). But Jesus knew in advance it would happen and told Peter that He would be praying for him.

Here is an amazing thought: when you sin, Jesus prays for you! ‘Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them’ (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV). Picture this: you’re struggling with a sinful habit, while at the same time, Jesus presents His cleansing blood to the Father and petitions Him for help and mercy on your behalf. Will Jesus’ prayers on your behalf be answered? Of course. And like Peter, however long it takes, He will work with you until you’re restored.

Luke 12:1-31, Psalms 68-69

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Jesus knows your potential
27 JUNE 2022

‘I am come that they might have life.’
John 10:10 KJV

Have the experiences you have been through made you a different person from the one God intended you to be? Have the people, pursuits, and pleasures you chose resulted in a feeling of hopelessness about your future? When you lose your sense of worth, it’s hard to believe God could love you – but He does. He knows that hidden inside you is a person who can do great things for Him. That’s why He is stirring your heart and letting you know He is moving in your life. So respond to Him in faith. Dare to believe that He can make you ‘a new creation’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). Shift your confidence from your own weakness to His power. Trust in Him rather than in yourself. Whether your wounds were self-inflicted or caused by others, Jesus will heal you and raise you up again.

You say, ‘But you don’t know the things I have done, and the people I have hurt.’ Jesus does. And He wants to straighten out the crooked places in your heart and make you whole. But you must allow Him access to every area of your life. When He comes into your heart, you will never be the same broken person again.

David’s sins became a national scandal. But when God forgave and restored him, he wrote: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things’ (Psalm 103:2-5 NKJV). Notice the potential benefits of committing your life to Christ: forgiveness, healing, freedom from destructive habits, mercy, and satisfaction.

2 Chronicles 13-14, Acts 22

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Wait on God!
28 JUNE 2022

‘Wait on the LORD.’
Psalm 27:14 NKJV

When we become impatient and react without thinking, we can do damage to ourselves and others. Sometimes when we pray and God doesn’t respond quickly enough, we decide to take matters into our own hands and things get worse as a result. When God tells you to wait, He is saying, ‘Trust me with the timing, the ways and means, and you will get a better result.’

David 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. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!’ (vv. 13-14 NKJV). It can be tough to wait on the Lord. It’s much easier in the heat of the moment to lose your calm. Stop and look back. How did the hasty and prayerless decisions you made in the past turn out? Do you think this situation will be different? Not a chance! What do you want? Temporary relief or a permanent solution? Haste makes waste! When you act in haste, you do things you end up regretting and having to apologise for. Or worse, justifying!

Impulsiveness got King Saul into serious trouble. Instead of waiting for the prophet Samuel to arrive and the priests to offer a peace offering to God ensuring their victory over the Philistines, Saul grew impatient, usurped the role of a priest, and offered the sacrifice himself. When Samuel asked him why, he replied, ‘I felt compelled’ (1 Samuel 13:12 NKJV). And the result? ‘Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly…now your kingdom shall not continue”’ (vv. 13-14 NKJV). So, wait on God.

2 Chronicles 15-16, Acts 23:1-15

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Mind your mind
29 JUNE 2022

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

When we’re young, we’re told, ‘Mind your manners.’ When we launch out into a career, we’re told, ‘Mind your business.’ Well, here is some wise counsel that applies to all of life: ‘Mind your mind!’ When you lose out in that arena, you lose out everywhere else! In Proverbs 23, Solomon outlines six principles to live by when it comes to thinking:

1) Your thoughts determine your character. ‘For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.’ Before you tell a lie, you first entertain it and think like a liar. Before you commit adultery, you first entertain a fantasy. So if you don’t want to do something, stop dwelling on it!

2) Don’t waste your thoughts on people who don’t value them. ‘Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words’ (v. 9 NKJV).

3) The first person you must learn to lead is yourself. ‘Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge’ (v. 12 NKJV). As long as you keep growing, you can keep leading.

4) Be sure your role models are people of principle and integrity. ‘Do not let your heart envy sinners’ (v. 17 NKJV).

5) Remain confident that the vision God has given you will come to pass. ‘Be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off’ (vv. 17-18 NKJV).

6) Remain steadfast in what you know is right. Don’t get side-tracked. ‘Hear…and be wise; and guide your heart in the way’ (v. 19 NKJV).

Bottom line: mind your mind.

2 Chronicles 17-18, Acts 23:16-35

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

How are you treating your family?
30 JUNE 2022

‘Is it not my family God has chosen?’
2 Samuel 23:5 NLT

Whether in church or in the workplace, if you’re ‘the person in charge’, here is a question you need to seriously address: if you don’t love and take care of your own family, why should the people who look to you for direction think you will love and take care of them? Does that question make you uncomfortable? Does it cause you to react by saying, ‘My personal life is nobody else’s business’? Well, that’s where you’re wrong! You lead by example. And while the people around you may not feel free to tell you what they think of you, that doesn’t keep them from thinking it or voicing it to others.

In your quest for success, are you taking your family with you or are you leaving them behind? Are you giving them the time and attention they deserve, or are they routinely subjected to your frustrations at the end of a trying day? Are they more important to you than your career, your success, or your personal happiness? They should be. If you win every accolade and award available in the workplace and fail on the home front, what have you gained? Who will celebrate with you?

Psychologist William James said, ‘In every person…there is a deep craving to be appreciated.’ And the shallow comments of fellow workers who praise your talent and accomplishments won’t meet that need. It can only be met in a home where acceptance, love, and encouragement bonds each family member together. Your home should be your haven – the place where you find shelter from the storms of life. What are you doing to make it like that?

2 Chronicles 19-20, Acts 24

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Happy New Month


TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

God will provide ‘all things’ you need
01 JULY 2022

‘Will he not also…graciously give us all things?’
Romans 8:32 NIV

The Bible says, ‘He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?’ One author gives this analogy:

‘Suppose a man comes upon a child being beaten by thugs. He dashes into the mob, rescues the boy, and carries him to a hospital. The youngster is nursed to health. The man pays for the child’s treatment. He learns that the child is an orphan and adopts him as his own and gives the boy his name. Then one night, months later, the father hears the son sobbing into his pillow. He goes to him and asks about the tears. “I’m worried, Daddy…about tomorrow. Where will I get food to eat? How am I going to buy clothes to stay warm? And where will I sleep?” The father is rightfully troubled. “Haven’t I shown you? Don’t you understand? I risked my life to save you. I gave my money to treat you. You wear my name. I’ve called you my son. Would I do all that and then not meet your needs?”

'Honestly, now. Did God save you so you would fret? Would He teach you to walk just to watch you fall? Would He be nailed to the cross for your sins and then disregard your prayers? Come on! Is Scripture teasing us when it says, “He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11 NCV)?’

You know better, don’t you? So stop worrying, and stand securely on His promise that He will ‘graciously give us all things’.

2 Chronicles 21-22, Acts 25

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Try to slow down (1)
02 JULY 2022

‘You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the LORD will go ahead of you…[and] protect you from behind.’
Isaiah 52:12 NLT

Have you heard of ‘hurry sickness’? Those who have it zoom in and out of lanes in congested traffic; try to be the first off the plane, even though they must wait forever at baggage claim; honk at you if you don’t take off like a racehorse when the traffic light turns green; tap their fingers against anything they can find when they have to wait; punch the lift button repeatedly to attempt to move it faster.

They remind us of hummingbirds. These tiny birds can fly forward, then hover in mid-air going nowhere. Their tiny wings can move up to seventy-five times each second! The trouble is, their average life span is only three years compared to an eagle that lives thirty years. What’s the difference? The eagle has learned to conserve its energy by riding the God-given wind currents. The message here is simple: when you draw on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, you last longer and go higher than you ever dreamed.

One pastor said he was a ‘stress-distributing machine’ when he was younger, and everybody around him felt it. One day one of his kids said to him, ‘Daddy, I’ll try to hurry up and tell you this.’ He replied, ‘It’s okay, honey, you can speak slowly.’ After a long pause, he had an ‘aha’ moment when his child said, ‘Then – listen – slowly!’ Deciding to move at a slower pace will definitely improve the quality of your life and your relationships.

2 Chronicles 23-24, Acts 26