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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


To advance, you must overcome adversity
17 AUGUST 2021


‘In everything and in every way we show that we truly are God’s servants.’
2 Corinthians 6:4 CEV


The Christian life comes with blessings – and battles. You can’t have one without the other. Paul describes it this way: ‘In everything and in every way we show that we truly are God’s servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and gone without sleep or food.

But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. We have spoken the truth, and God’s power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right. Whether we were honoured or dishonoured or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves.

But some people said we did not. We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich.

And though we own nothing, everything is ours’ (vv. 4-10 CEV). God will fight for you on your battlefield, take you through your storm, and turn your season of adversity into a season of advancement. When your faith is under fire it attracts His power and brings His grace into your situation. The Bible says, ‘Even Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered’ (see Hebrews 5:8). So rejoice, you’re not losing – you’re gaining!

Proverbs 8-9, 1 Corinthians 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Have you consulted God about it?
18 AUGUST 2021


‘But they didn’t ask GOD about it.’
Joshua 9:14 MSG


When you consult God before making decisions, it keeps you out of all sorts of trouble. Joshua learned this the hard way. He had just conquered Jericho, the biggest city in the Promised Land. Flushed with victory, the Israelites felt like they didn’t need to consult God concerning their next move.

But over-confidence can be deadly! The Gibeonites, one of the enemy nations in the Promised Land, realised they couldn’t win against God’s people, so they sent negotiators in to make peace with them. And it worked. Even though the Gibeonites were lying, Joshua presumed they were telling the truth and signed a treaty.

And it proved to be one of the biggest mistakes of his life. From that day on the Gibeonites became a constant thorn in Israel’s side. Joshua lived to regret that he ‘didn’t ask God about it’. Some of the oldest hymns contain the greatest truths. Here’s one: ‘O what peace we often forfeit; O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.’ Are you a ‘make-it-happen-in-your-own-strength’ kind of person? There’s a fine line between God-given assurance and self-sufficiency, and when you cross that line it can cost you dearly.

If you’ve a tendency to move too quickly or operate in your own strength and skill, read these words carefully and prayerfully: ‘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. Do not be wise in your own eyes’ (Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV).

Proverbs 10-12, 1 Corinthians 14:1-19

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your ‘Euroclydon’
19 AUGUST 2021

‘A tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.’
Acts 27:14 NKJV

The ship Paul was sailing on to Rome was wrecked by a storm named Euroclydon, meaning typhoon, tempest, or cyclone. Here are some valuable lessons we can learn from his experience. 1) God can make a bad situation work for your good. Because of this shipwreck, Paul ended up on Malta, where the people heard the gospel for the first time.

Plus, when he and his followers ‘departed, they provided such things as were necessary’ (Acts 28:10 NKJV). Sometimes your problem can provide a platform for God to work in ways that’ll amaze you. Your future isn’t, nor ever will be, in the hands of people.

It’s in God’s hands, and what He owns He protects and provides for. 2) To reach your God-ordained destination you’ll have to sail through storms. Paul said, ‘All hope that we would be saved was finally given up’ (Acts 27:20 NKJV). There’ll be days when you wonder how you’re going to make it, but by God’s grace you will (see Psalm 37:34). 3) Storms reveal how well you know the Lord.

Paul said, ‘Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul”’ (Acts 27:23-24 NIV). In hard times you discover the strength of your connection to God. 4) He can bring success from what looks like failure. Notice two particular things in this story: a) You may have to throw some things overboard to reach your destination (see v. 18). b) Despite your best efforts, occasionally you’ll run aground (see v. 26). That’s when you must remember what God promised you – and stand on it (see v. 25).

Proverbs 13-15, 1 Corinthians 14:20-40

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Thinking of yourself less
20 AUGUST 2021

‘Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.’
James 4:10 NKJV

Here’s a true saying: ‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.’ That doesn’t mean being a doormat for people to walk on or being spineless with no convictions and opinions.

True humility is acknowledging God as the source of all you have, and all you need, and always remembering to give Him credit for both. The Bible says, ‘God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life’ (Genesis 2:7 NKJV).

God’s intention for mankind was to live in Paradise and enjoy His presence every day. But we disobeyed Him and decided to live by our own rules instead of His. And the result? God said, ‘For dust you are, and to dust you shall return’ (Genesis 3:19 NKJV).

Let’s face it, on our best day we’re just dignified dirt! In fact, one estimate suggests that each of us is worth less than four pounds. So when you die and your components return to dirt, that’s your physical value. Pretty humbling, eh? So when you drive your luxury car, remember that less than four pounds is driving it. Less than four pounds is living in the suburbs.

Less than four pounds is wearing designer clothes. Less than four pounds has more money in the bank than you’re actually worth. Paul defines humility in these words: ‘Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves’ (Romans 12:3 NLT). Do you want to know what makes you valuable? ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27 NKJV).

Proverbs 16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


A Spirit-controlled mind
21 AUGUST 2021

‘The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.’
Romans 8:6 NIV

The Bible says: ‘Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace’ (vv. 5-6 NIV). In other words, the Holy Spirit is the non-anxio,us presence of God working in your life. You either give your mind over to the control of external influences and circumstances, or you give it over to the control of the Holy Spirit. What would a life like that look like? Well, imagine not being so fearful anymore.

Imagine facing financial difficulties or an irate boss with inner poise and resolve. Imagine receiving bad news and generating constructive ways to solve the problem rather than spiralling through the worst-case scenarios. Imagine facing rejection and obstacles without giving in to discouragement. Imagine acknowledging the mistakes you’ve made and moving confidently into the future. And imagine doing all this with God as your partner.

Imagine people around you coming to you when they’re upset or discouraged because your peace of mind is contagious. That’s part of what God’s called you to do every day. When you bump into people who are stressed and transmitting that stress to others, you’re supposed to be a peace disseminator. Jesus carried peace with Him wherever He went.

When the disciples were terrified by the storm, He simply said to the waves, ‘Peace, be still!’ (Mark 4:39 NKJV), and it happened. Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake with no storms; it comes from knowing Jesus is on your boat, and with Him on board no storm can take you under.

Proverbs 19-21, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


How to approach Bible reading
22 AUGUST 2021


‘The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.’
Psalm 19:8 NIV


How you approach reading the Bible is crucial. You must do two things: 1) Approach it with integrity. When a new Christian in a Bible study group said, ‘I’ve had a hard time believing some parts of the Bible,’ the others smiled and applauded. They didn’t do it because unbelief is good news; they did it because he’d finally been honest enough to admit his doubts.

Don’t worry; God’s not upset with you. Until you’re willing to talk about your doubts, you can’t resolve them. When Thomas questioned the resurrection, Jesus showed up just to convince him. And He will show up for you too! It’s a mistake to try to force yourself into believing something or avoid reading it so you don’t get disturbed.

Jesus said, ‘When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you’ (John 16:13-14 NIV). 2) Read it with expectancy. Once you’ve been to a book signing, met the author and got his autograph, you feel very different about the book. You treasure it.

And when you read the Bible with an expectant heart, the author shows up. As you read His words you begin to sense His presence and realise He is speaking to you personally. Jesus said, ‘The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life’ (John 6:63 NIV). When you come to the Scriptures with a hunger and an expectancy, you never go away disappointed.

Luke 15:11-32, Psalms 84-86

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Strive for excellence (1)
23 AUGUST 2021

‘Understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.’
Daniel 5:14 NKJV

Even though Daniel lived in captivity, he refused to settle for mediocrity. This brought him to the attention of the king of Babylon who said, ‘I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.’ What a CV. What a reputation.

And what a rebuke to those who ‘just want to get by’. The Bible says, ‘Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people’ (Proverbs 22:29 NLT).

The way to get noticed and to get ahead in life is to study, grow, and sharpen your skill set. Question: Do you have a mediocre attitude towards your work, your relationships, and your life in general? If so, consider the level of frustration you’d experience if the people who served you had a ‘that’ll do’ attitude.

What if a waiter served your food cold and your drink in a dirty glass? Do you think you’d complain? If so, imagine how people feel when you give them shoddy workmanship and a ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude.

They say ‘excellence is its own reward’. Yes, you’ll be rewarded for excellence, but your biggest reward will come from knowing you did your best. Aristotle said, ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.’ Observe the lives of people who excel in their fields.

Study their habits and learn from them. Identify their character traits and seek to develop them. Bottom line: only when you have done your best, can you trust God to do the rest.

Proverbs 22-24, 1 Corinthians 16

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Strive for excellence (2)
24 AUGUST 2021

‘That you may approve the things that are excellent.’
Philippians 1:10 NKJV


Excellence requires two things: extra time and extra effort. It calls for going ‘above and beyond’ what is required of you by others, because you consider it a matter of character and integrity. Now we’re not talking about striving for perfection. That can drive you crazy, and everybody else around you. Perfectionism is based on self-centredness.

It seeks approval and applause. Your goal should be to perform every assignment or endeavour as if God Himself required it of you and will be evaluating and rewarding your performance. The old adage, ‘Out of sight, and out of mind,’ does not apply to God; He is mindful of your every activity. ‘Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ’ (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV).

That means doing the best possible job, even when the boss is not around. And here’s an important thought: avoid people with poor work habits, or who pooh-pooh your efforts to be excellent. Do you really want to be like them? Are you achieving the kind of results in life that you desire for yourself? If God is your heavenly Father, then you carry His name. ‘O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth’ (Psalm 8:1 KJV).

Today pray: ‘Father, give me the desire for excellence in all my endeavours. Help me to live with a constant awareness of your evaluating and loving eye, so that I may do everything as unto you and not unto man. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.’

Proverbs 25-26, 2 Corinthians 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



How to find your calling
25 AUGUST 2021


‘Separate…Barnabas and Saul.’
Acts 13:2 NKJV


The Bible says: ‘As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted…prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away’ (vv. 2-3 NKJV). Notice three things: 1) Barnabas and Saul were in church when God called them. And the Holy Spirit still speaks to us when we gather to pray, worship, and hear God’s Word.

One reason we don’t have clear direction for our lives, is because we aren’t in the place where God can speak to us objectively through His Word, and subjectively through His Spirit. 2) Their calling was confirmed by proven leadership. Those who laid hands on Paul and Barnabas confirming their calling, were leaders who took time to pray, fast, and seek God’s will. Such people are a gift.

They won’t necessarily tell you what you want to hear, but they’ll tell you what you need to hear. They’ll counsel, correct, and comfort you when you need it, and confirm God’s will for you.

So, do you have such relationships in your life? If not, get busy and find some. 3) God doesn’t play hide-and-seek with His will for your life. God called Paul and Barnabas by name.

Yes, He knows your name, where you live, and the circumstances you’re in. Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress (to hide it from the Midianites) and Peter was out fishing when God called them. Your lack of ‘ministry’ experience doesn’t limit God. That’s because He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. So wait on God, and when the time is right He will call you.

Proverbs 27-29, 2 Corinthians 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Change your thinking!
26 AUGUST 2021

‘You will spread out to the right and to the left.’
Isaiah 54:3 NIV

God told His people: ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV). So, if you’re asking God for a vision, or to enlarge the one He’s already given you, you need to make room mentally. ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

For you will spread out to the right and to the left’ (Isaiah 54:2-3 NIV). Somebody said dreams always come a size too big so you can grow to fit them. Don’t settle for mediocrity in your work, your relationships, or your walk with God. Mark Twain said: ‘Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than by the ones you did. So throw off the bow lines.

Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the wind. Explore. Dream. Discover.’ Even if you come from a background of addiction, poverty, depression, abuse, and low self-esteem, God can enable you to rise up and put an end to that old mind-set of defeat. In biblical times, animal skins were made into wine containers. At first they were flexible and easy to work with, but over time they grew rigid and lost their ability to expand.

That’s why Jesus said, ‘No one pours new wine into old wineskins. [It] would…burst the old skins…New wine must be put into new wineskins’ (Matthew 9:17 CEV). Throw out your old wineskins! God won’t infuse a fossilised mind with fresh ideas, but He will change your life when you line up your thinking with His.

Proverbs 30-31, 2 Corinthians 3