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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

What an insurance policy!
27 FEBRUARY 2023

‘All the days of my life.’
Psalm 23:6 NKJV

Most insurance companies are trustworthy. They will cover you through most of the seasons and adversities of life. But not all insurance companies are that way. In some cases, the moment you make a claim against them, they either hike your premiums through the roof or cancel your policy. But the insurance policy you have with God is awesome. The premiums were paid in the crimson cash of Jesus’ blood when He spoke these words: ‘It is finished,’ which means ‘paid in full’.

There are different kinds of insurance that cover things like fire, property, theft, health, vehicles, and death. But the only insurance policy that can cover you beyond death is the one God offers. And you don’t have to worry about reading the ‘fine print’, because He will not cancel it. Paul lays it out for us: ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:35, 37-39 NKJV).

Have you repented of your sins? Have you placed your trust in Christ to be your Saviour? Then you’re covered for time and eternity. ‘Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.’

Leviticus 23-24, Mark 1:1-22

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Home sweet home!
28 FEBRUARY 2023

‘I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’
Psalm 23:6 NIV

For some of us, the love of God doesn’t feel real. Why is that? Because we have tried to make this earth our home. And as a result, we live with worry and frustration. Only when you have the right view of there will you have the right view of here. When you understand your true home, death is never a full stop; instead, it’s a conjunction.

Less than one second after you die, you will be escorted into the presence of God. You won’t even be dead long enough to know you died. You don’t expire; you transfer. Quicker than you can blink, you move from one dimension to another. You go from living in this time to dwelling ‘in the house of the Lord forever’.

Most of us will not die suddenly of a heart attack, or a stroke, or in a car crash. For most of us, death will come gradually as we wear down over time. You will feel your body deteriorating and atrophying, and you will know you’re nearing death. Then God will put you into transition mode. He will make heaven look much more appealing than earth so that you will be thinking, ‘I wish God would just hurry up and take me home.’ He may even give you a little preview of glory and let you see your Saviour waiting to welcome you. When you glimpse those arms wide open, you will want the trip to hurry up and take place. You will say like David, ‘As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness’ (Psalm 17:15 NKJV). Home sweet home!

Leviticus 25, Mark 1:23-45

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™


Start fresh every day!
01 MARCH 2023

‘A quick-tempered person does foolish things.’
Proverbs 14:17 NIV

You overslept, the car wouldn’t start, you were late for work, your computer crashed! These things can make you angry, but only if you let them. Solomon said, ‘A quick-tempered person does foolish things,’ so if you fly into a rage, expect a rough landing! The Bible says, ‘Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city’ (Proverbs 16:32 NCV). Anger always comes back to bite you and ends up doing more damage than the thing that triggered it. David said, ‘Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar’ (Psalm 5:3 MSG). Start by offering your day to God, then you will be less likely to react in anger when things go wrong.

One pastor writes: ‘Our time here is short. What a shame to let something that happened – twenty years or twenty minutes ago – ruin your day. I’ve made up my mind to enjoy every single one. I may make mistakes; things may not go my way. I may be disappointed, but I’m going to live my life happy. I’m not going to let what does or doesn’t happen steal my joy. Every morning I say, “Father, this is going to be a great day. I thank you that I have discipline, self-control; that I make good decisions. I may not have done what I could have yesterday, but that day is gone. I’m going to do better today.”’

Ever wonder why a car’s windscreen is big and its rear-view mirror small? Because what’s behind isn’t nearly as important as what’s ahead. So keep looking ahead, and no matter what happens today, don’t lose your peace.

Leviticus 26-27, Mark 2

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HAPPY NEW MONTH TO EVERYONE



The third( number 3) is very
significant as it represents
the " FATHER, SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
so, join us as we celebrate the new
month,
March to appreciate the Lord
and bless his holy name for how
far he's kept and preserved us.


Happy New month, brethren, and may the good Lord bless you beyond measure in the new month in Jesus' name!






TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Don’t even THINK about giving up!
02 MARCH 2023

‘We don’t give up and quit.’
2 Corinthians 4:8 TLB
We give up because of these:

1) We fear failure. Past hurts and mistakes haunt us, and we think it’s better not to try again than risk failing. Don’t spend your life digging up bones! We all have things in our past we would rather forget. Put them behind you. Paul writes, ‘Forgetting those things which are behind…[reach] forward to those things which are ahead’ (Philippians 3:13 NKJV).

2) We worry what people will say. ‘Fear of human opinion disables’ (Proverbs 29:25 MSG). How you respond to criticism is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. There will always be people who won’t like or understand you. Get over it!

3) We listen to the wrong voices. Satan is the Father of Lies, and he will do everything he can to discourage you. Paul says, ‘Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). When a thought comes, examine it. If it’s from God, receive it; if it’s from Satan, ‘demolish’ it.

4) We lose focus. As believers, we’re to walk by faith, not by sight (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). That means making every decision based on what God says and not what you see with your natural eyes.

5) We lose touch with other believers. When the apostles got out of jail, they went back to ‘their own company’ (Acts 4:23 KJV). To stay strong, you need fellowship with other Christians. Too many people give up on the verge of success; don’t be one of them.

There is only one degree of difference between hot water and steam – so keep going, and don’t even think of giving up!

Numbers 1-2, Mark 3:1-19

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

What are you hiding behind?
03 MARCH 2023

‘He is hiding among the baggage.’
1 Samuel 10:22 NLT

When Samuel went to present Israel’s first king to the people, Saul was discovered ‘hiding among the baggage’. The Hebrew word for baggage symbolises the self-imposed limitations that hinder you from tackling the job God appointed you to do. Things like these:

1) Feelings of inadequacy. Saul’s first response when he learned he had been chosen as king was, ‘Am I not…from the smallest tribe of Israel,…the least of all?’ (1 Samuel 9:21 NIV). When you fail to figure God into the equation, you will always feel ‘less than’. Instead of focusing on your own weaknesses and inabilities, concentrate on ‘the incredible greatness of God’s power’ (Ephesians 1:19 NLT).

2) Fear of what others might think. The writer of Proverbs tells us ‘fearing people is a dangerous trap’ (Proverbs 29:25 NLT). And Saul fell into it headfirst! When Samuel confronted him for failing to obliterate the Amalekites, he replied, ‘I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded’ (1 Samuel 15:24 NLT). God’s Word assures us, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So…we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper…I will not fear what man shall do unto me’ (Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV). Once you take hold of that truth and act on it, you will find there is nothing to be afraid of.

3) Being overly pragmatic. The Bible says, ‘A double minded man is unstable in all his ways’ (James 1:8 KJV). And Saul fit the bill to a tee! When he didn’t hear from God, he took matters into his own hands and consulted a psychic. And after promising not to harm David, he repeatedly hunted him down. Adaptability is commendable, but God requires consistency and commitment.

Numbers 3-4, Mark 3:20-35

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Getting beyond the guesswork (1)
04 MARCH 2023

‘God…works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.’
Philippians 2:13 NIVUK

Remember the childhood game Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Winning in that game was ‘a-stab-in-the-dark’ process. And for many of God’s children, determining His will and purpose for their lives amounts to a similar method. But it doesn’t have to. Here are some scriptural steps that take the guesswork out of it.

1) Commit yourself to obeying God’s will. Understanding God’s will is impossible until you commit yourself unreservedly to doing it. Any desire to retain your own will blinds you to His. You don’t need a detailed map; it’s a journey of faith. Be confident that God loves you and wants only the best for you, and that when you submit yourself to Him, ‘You will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect’ (Romans 12:2 NCV).

2) Listen for the Shepherd’s voice and trust it. Jesus doesn’t leave you alone to figure out His will for your life. He is our Good Shepherd, and His ‘sheep recognise his voice…He…leads them…and they follow him because they know his voice’ (John 10:3-4 NLT). Note the words, ‘recognise his voice’. With time and experience, you will learn to know when God is speaking to you.

Like Abraham who submitted to God’s will without knowing where he would be led, you’re called to surrender your will without knowing where He will lead you. God promises wisdom, insight, and understanding – not to the spiritually smart, but to any person who lacks wisdom (see James 1:5-6). So believe that His wisdom is yours!

Numbers 5-6, Mark 4:1-20

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Getting beyond the guesswork (2)
05 MARCH 2023


‘The Spirit…will guide you…He will tell you things.’
John 16:13 NKJV
Always do these two things:

1) Recognise God’s Word as the final authority for deciding God’s will (see Isaiah 8:20). The Bible speaks clearly on life’s important issues. Every other source of guidance must agree with it. And you don’t need a theological degree; just let God speak to you through His Word before seeking anybody else’s opinion. For example, to tell a lie is unacceptable because God insists, ‘You shall not…lie’ (Leviticus 19:11 NKJV). Likewise, having an extramarital affair is wrong because the Bible clearly says, ‘You shall not commit adultery’ (Exodus 20:14 NKJV). End of discussion. No other opinion is needed when God’s Word is clear.

But a word of caution: the Bible is a book of principles, not a multiple-choice do-it-yourself manual. Picking isolated Scriptures leads to confusion, not clarity. For instance, ‘all things are yours’ (1 Corinthians 3:21 NKJV) isn’t permission to choose whatever you want! Principles are established as Scripture is supported by Scripture. But what if you search the Bible without finding principles that settle your issue? Consider the following step.

2) Recognise the inner impressions of the Holy Spirit. How can you know your impressions are from the Holy Spirit? By knowing you have fully submitted your will in the matter to God. Your ‘impressions’ must not contradict other biblical principles. Here is the Holy Spirit’s assignment: ‘When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…he will shew you things to come’ (John 16:13 KJV). Don’t be in a hurry. If it’s from God’s Spirit, it will become stronger and clearer with time and prayer. If not, it will dissipate. So wait prayerfully!

Luke 4:31-44, Psalms 26-28

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Getting beyond the guesswork (3)
06 MARCH 2023

‘When I open a door, no one can close it.’
Revelation 3:7 CEV
Here are two more ways to know God’s will for your life:

1) Providential circumstances. When God is leading, the way will open up for you. When He sends you, He goes before you (see John 10:4). His Word says, ‘When I open a door, no one can close it. And when I close a door, no one can open it.’ Who opens the right doors? God. Who closes the wrong doors? God. The right doors lead to blessing, but the wrong doors lead to pain and loss. Plus, nothing but unbelief can keep a door closed once God commands it to open. The only help God needs from you is: ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you’ (Exodus 14:13 B 1995).

2) Inner ‘traffic lights’. The old-timers in the faith would say, ‘I always watch for the “checks” in my spirit!’ You’re a new creature with a new spiritual nature that’s ‘alive unto God’, equipped to sense God moving within you (see Romans 6:11). And while the counsel of wise and mature Christians can help, the last word must be spoken in your own heart. ‘It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose’ (Philippians 2:13 NIVUK). If your will is surrendered to God, He is at work in you directing your will and behaviours. Believe it, because He declares it! He will give you the ‘red light’ when He wants you to stop, and the ‘green light’ when He wants you to go. Don’t go on red! Don’t stop on green!

Numbers 7-8, Mark 4:21-41

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

It’s time to pray (1)
07 MARCH 2023

‘Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.’
Psalm 51:7 NIVUK

Do you remember when most restaurants had opening and closing hours? It was their schedule, and not your appetite, that decided whether you ate or went hungry. Not anymore: now you can pop into many of your favourite eating places anytime your appetite hits. That’s how God operates; He is available 24/7. And although praying isn’t limited to set times, there are certain times when it’s vital that you talk to God. Here are two:

1) When you have sinned. Your emotions of guilt and shame, plus Satan ‘the accuser’, will tell you to avoid God. But turning to Him is the only solution to sin. Burdened by adultery, deception, and murder, David realised he needed to confess his sin to God. ‘Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow…Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’ (vv. 7, 10 NIVUK). John said God is ‘faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9 NIV). Have you sinned? A fresh beginning is only a prayer away.

2) When you’re worried and afraid. You don’t have to look too far to find things to worry about; they’re all around you. Financial, professional, health, and family concerns can make you stressed-out and anxious. Where to turn? Prayer is God’s answer to fear and anxiety. ‘Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in…thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds’ (Philippians 4:6-7 PHPS).

Numbers 9-10, Mark 5:1-20

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

It’s time to pray (2)
08 MARCH 2023

‘In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord.’
Psalm 77:2 KJV
Here are two important prayer principles:

1) Talk to God when troubles surround you. If you’re like most people, good times can make you trust in yourself instead of God. It’s the troubled times that drive you to your knees – a bad medical report, a child hooked on drugs, a lost job, or a troubled marriage. That’s God’s intention in allowing troubled times! He allows trouble to afflict us – not to make us miserable, but to bring us to Himself. Hosea the prophet said, ‘In their misery they will earnestly seek [God]’ (Hosea 5:15 NIV). God’s fatherly heart wants above all that we abide and confide in Him. And if it takes trouble to do it, He loves us enough to permit it. But when we turn to Him in our troubles, we discover that He is ‘our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble’ (Psalm 46:1 NLT).

2) Talk to God at all times. In his widely-read classic, The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence speaks of prayer as a continual conversation with God – a practice for all times, places, and circumstances. While cooking and washing dishes, he found conversing with God as satisfying as in his allotted prayer times. He counsels us: ‘That we may accustom ourselves to a continual conversation with Him…in simplicity. That we need only to recognise God intimately present with us, and to address ourselves to Him every moment.’ That sounds like Paul’s instructions on the subject: ‘Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people’ (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).

Numbers 11-12, Mark 5:21-43