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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Thoughts on good leadership
11 OCTOBER 2022

‘If a bugle call isn’t clear, how would you know to get ready for battle?’
1 Corinthians 14:8 CEV

No matter how great your vision is, if you’re not someone people are willing to follow, it will never be realised. Who you are matters! The most important message you can share is yourself. Here are six thoughts on good leadership:

1) Trust connects people to a leader’s vision; without it, they will be disconnected. With it, they will get on board and help move the vision forward.

2) Leadership isn’t just about what you do; it’s about inspiring and encouraging others. Good leaders bring out the best in people by sharing the best in themselves.

3) Just because you’re the leader, don’t run people over! Abraham Lincoln said, ‘Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.’ With power comes the responsibility to serve, develop, and empower others. By helping them grow, you grow.

4) Rules without relationship lead to resistance. You can have all the rules you want, but if you don’t invest in people and develop a relationship with them, they will rebel.

5) Paul says, ‘If a bugle call isn’t clear, how would you know to get ready for battle?’ So lead with optimism, enthusiasm, and positive energy, and weed out pessimism and negativity. Focus on solutions, not complaints. Philosopher Nicholas Murray Butler said, ‘Optimism is essential to achievement, and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.’

6) Good leaders don’t have all the answers, but they build a team that has – or can get them.

Success is a process, not a destination. Winning is a by-product of teamwork, focus, and commitment. To succeed, focus on the people and the process, not the outcome.

Jeremiah 12-14, 2 Thessalonians 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Signs of the times
12 OCTOBER 2022

‘He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”’
Revelation 21:5 NIV

It’s said that the Titanic sank because of cheap rivets and poor planning. Faced with a shortage of quality bolts, the shipbuilders used substandard ones that popped when the ship hit the iceberg. So, how sturdy are the bolts of your faith? Reinforce them daily with God’s Word, seasons of in-depth prayer, and fortifying fellowship. Describing signs of the end times, Jesus said, ‘All these are the beginning of birth pains’ (Matthew 24:8 NIV), and birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The midwife says, ‘This will hurt for a while, but it’s going to get better,’ and Jesus offers us the same assurance about end-time events. We’re in the final hours – just a few pushes away from delivery.

John said: ‘I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and…the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be…their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”’ (Revelation 21:1-5 NIV).

People everywhere are searching for answers. So don’t isolate, engage! Your goal isn’t to get out of this world in one piece; it’s to take as many people as you can to heaven along with you.

Jeremiah 15-17, 1 Timothy 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

First, you must care about others
13 OCTOBER 2022

‘Love cares more for others than for self.’
1 Corinthians 13:5 MSG

When you focus on what you have to offer instead of the needs of others, they discern it and quickly lose interest. Even in an endeavour as noble as sharing your faith, you can become so engrossed in your presentation and in ‘getting results’ that you leave the other person cold.

In his book Presenting to Win, Jerry Weissman points out that when people communicate, they focus too much on the features of their product or service instead of answering the question, ‘Can you help me?’ The key, says Weissman, is to focus on the benefits, not the features. He writes: ‘A feature is a fact or quality about you or your company, the products you sell, or the idea you’re advocating. By contrast, a benefit is how that fact or quality will help your audience. When you seek to persuade, it’s never enough to present the features of what you’re selling; every feature must be translated into a benefit. Whereas a feature may be irrelevant to the needs or interests of your audience, a benefit, by definition, is always relevant.’

Caring about the other person must always be your motive and starting point. Paul writes: ‘If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate…If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love’ (vv. 1, 3 MSG). Bottom line: first, you must care about others.

Jeremiah 18-19, 1 Timothy 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Problem solving (1)
14 OCTOBER 2022

‘When we are knocked down, we get up again.’
2 Corinthians 4:9 CEV

Every problem you face in life introduces you to yourself. It shows you how you think and what you’re made of. People basically respond to problems in three ways: 1) they refuse to accept them, 2) they accept them and then endure them, or 3) they accept them and try to improve things. Which of the three people are you?

Paul was a problem solver. He knew that with God on his side, he would prevail. ‘We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again’ (vv. 7-9 CEV).

So when it comes to having problems, what should you do?

1) Anticipate them. Since problems are unavoidable, prepare for them spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. If you pray for God’s best and anticipate Satan’s worst, you will find yourself in a good position to solve the problems that come your way.

2) See the big picture. You can’t afford to be overcome by emotion. Nor can you permit yourself to get bogged down in the minutiae and lose sight of what’s important.

3) Handle one thing at a time. Richard Sloma said, ‘Never try to solve all the problems at once – make them line up for you one-by-one.’ And if you’re facing lots of problems, make sure you actually solve the one you’re working on before moving on to the next one.

Jeremiah 20-21, 1 Timothy 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Problem solving (2)
15 OCTOBER 2022

‘By my God I can leap over a wall.’
Psalm 18:29 NKJV

Author John Maxwell writes: ‘When you come face-to-face with a problem, how do you react? Do you ignore it and hope it will go away? Do you feel powerless to solve it? Have you had such bad experiences trying to solve problems in the past that you’ve just given up? Or do you tackle them willingly? The ability to solve problems effectively comes from experience facing and overcoming obstacles. Each time you solve another problem, you get a little better at the process. But if you never try, fail, and try again, you’ll never be good at it.’

Author George Matthew Adams stated: ‘What you think means more than anything else in your life. More than what you earn, more than where you live, more than your social position, and more than what anyone else may think about you.’ Most of King David’s problems were enemies who wanted to defeat him. But he had confidence in God: ‘For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall’ (v. 29 NKJV).

To improve your problem-solving abilities, do the following:

1) Find the right strategy. Sometimes we have a hard time solving the problem because we don’t know how to tackle it. Try using the acronym T.E.A.C.H.: Time – take the time required to discover the real issue. Exposure – find out how others have solved similar problems. Assistance – don’t try to do it all alone, let others help you. Creativity – brainstorm numerous solutions. Hit it – execute the best solution.

2) Surround yourself with problem solvers. ‘He who walks with wise men will be wise’ (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV).

Jeremiah 22-23, 1 Timothy 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Walking by faith
16 OCTOBER 2022

‘For we walk by faith, not by sight.’
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

Jesus said: ‘I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world’ (John 16:33 MSG). Life keeps handing us problems that test our faith. How do you know how much weight a bridge can handle? By testing it.

Daniel’s success made him a target. Knowing he prayed regularly, his enemies persuaded King Darius that all prayers should be made to him as the king. Yet Daniel kept praying each day – in front of an open window, no less. When the king heard about it, he threw Daniel into a lions’ den. But God turned the tables. Next morning Daniel came out, his enemies went in, and the king announced, ‘Daniel’s God…is the living God’ (Daniel 6:26 MSG). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the king’s idols. Even when they were warned to bow or burn, they said, ‘God…is able to deliver us…But if not…we will not serve thy gods’ (Daniel 3:17-18 KJV). And because they walked by faith, God delivered and promoted them.

Facing Goliath, David refused to wear the king’s armour. He said, ‘I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them’ (1 Samuel 17:39 KJV). So what did he go with? ‘The name of the Lord’ (1 Samuel 17:45 KJV), and the rest is history. Now, chances are you will never find yourself in a lions’ den, a fiery furnace, or facing a giant, although some days it will feel like it. But when you’re under attack, 1) pray and claim God’s power, 2) walk by faith, and 3) go ‘in the name of the Lord’.

Luke 20:1-26, Psalms 107-109

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

How to live wisely and well
17 OCTOBER 2022

‘Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.’
Job 12:12 NLT

An elderly lady says, ‘One benefit of living so long is sharing what I’ve learned. So make my day by letting me share three secrets that can make your life better.’ Then she offers us some great counsel:

1) ‘Time is precious; don’t waste it. After my husband died, I was staying with friends. One evening they started arguing and eventually stopped speaking to one another. Now, I know arguments happen; my husband and I had several doozies. But at that moment, I understood as never before that the time we have together is precious. Don’t waste it bickering about things that won’t matter when your loved one is gone. Do everything you can to live in harmony and show your love. Why? Because no matter how long you have together, it’s never enough.

2) You’re making memories; make them good ones. Looking back, I thank God for so many unforgettable moments. The day my husband died we kissed (as we always did when we parted), at noon. By five-thirty that evening, he was dead. I’ve always been glad about that final kiss. So create memories – not regrets!

3) It’s not what happens, but how you respond that counts. Every day holds new challenges that will test your love and resolve. You have the power through Christ to make each test an occasion for growth. Life is full of seemingly unpleasant events. Try to handle them in such a way that when you’re old, you will be able to look back and say, “I thank you, God, for that experience; it helped me grow.”’ And that’s how to live wisely and well!

Jeremiah 24-26, 1 Timothy 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Try tithing!
18 OCTOBER 2022

‘Try it! Put me to the test!’
Malachi 3:10 NLT

Beware of developing a sense of entitlement where you think your money is something you earned all by yourself. Anytime you struggle to give God what is rightfully His according to Scripture, it’s because you have become more attached to the gift than the giver. If you have never tried tithing, read this: ‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…If you do…I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!’ (v. 10 NLT).

A pastor received this letter from a couple in his church: ‘We were behind with our rent and car payments. We were forty thousand dollars [about £30,000] in debt, we’d no food in the fridge, and we’d just started a construction business. So when you challenged us to tithe as part of our Christian commitment, we thought, “How can we give what we don’t have?” Nevertheless, we decided to go ahead and honour God by giving Him the first tenth of our income. The very first week we met a contractor who asked us to build a house, with more to follow. Now we no longer questioned how we’d fulfil our commitment to God; in fact, we increased our giving! And if the story ended there, it would still be a good one. But you can’t outgive God. Through a series of divinely orchestrated events, we went from being renters to being homeowners. Today, we’re enjoying financial blessing. And even though this story is all about trusting God, on reflection we’re still trying to answer one question: “What exactly was it we sacrificed?”’

Jeremiah 27-29, 1 Timothy 6

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Feed your faith daily
19 OCTOBER 2022

‘God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.’
Romans 12:3 NKJV

It’s easy to give in to negative thoughts and fears about how things will turn out based on your past experiences. As Jesus pointed out, we live in a ‘faithless’ generation (Matthew 17:17 NKJV). That means you must constantly fight the defeatist attitude portrayed by the culture, the media, the educational system, the workplace – and sometimes your own friends. Unless you recognise this, it can wear you down by diluting your faith. That’s why you need to feed your faith daily on God’s Word.

Jesus said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move”…and it will’ (Matthew 17:20 NKJV). Notice, Jesus isn’t referring to a mountain you encountered years ago. He said, ‘Say to this mountain.’ He wants you to exercise your faith today! He said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you’ (v. 20 NKJV). A mustard seed is so tiny, it can get stuck between your teeth. But Jesus said although it’s ‘the least of all the seeds,’ it grows into a tree big enough for the birds to nest in (see Matthew 13:32 NKJV).

You say, ‘I don’t have any faith.’ Yes, you do. Paul says, ‘God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.’ And when it’s activated, miracles happen. Even if you have only an ounce of faith left, you have what you need to prevail. But faith only works when it becomes the language you speak and the attitude you maintain. The Enemy doesn’t want you to know that, because when you do, you won’t just think about what’s happening, you will start thinking about what’s possible!

Jeremiah 30-31, 2 Timothy 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Conquering bad habits
20 OCTOBER 2022

‘You shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.’
Deuteronomy 7:2 NKJV

American author Henry Van Dyke says, ‘As long as habit and routine dictate the pattern of living, new dimensions of the soul will not emerge.’ Habits are like machines; they consistently turn out the same product. They can’t do anything else; they’re designed to produce that specific result. Change requires new behaviours, thoughts, relationships, and a willingness to do battle with old ways of thinking. And that calls for a strong relationship with God!

Upon entering the Promised Land, God told His people to ‘utterly destroy’ their enemies; otherwise, their enemies would live to eventually destroy them. So when God tells you it’s time to declare war on your bad habits, don’t say, ‘Everybody’s doing it,’ or ‘It’s no big deal.’ Anything that keeps you enslaved and prevents you from enjoying the freedom Jesus purchased for you at Calvary is a very big deal. Instead of resisting and making excuses, pray, ‘Lord, show me the root of this problem and how to deal with it. I’m ready for positive change in my life today.’

Have you ever noticed that whenever you have had a mountaintop experience with God, the Enemy is always waiting for you at the foot of the mountain? After their experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus’ disciples were approached by a man whose son was caught in a cycle of self-destruction where ‘frequently he [fell] into the fire and…water’ (Matthew 17:15 AMPC). Anytime you keep falling into the same traps, making the same mistakes, jumping into the same relationships, getting hooked on the same habits, it’s time to take your problem to Jesus and ask Him to help you. And He will!

Jeremiah 32-33, 2 Timothy 2