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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Leadership responsibility (1)
13 APRIL 2022

‘Satan…incited David to take a census of Israel.’
1 Chronicles 21:1 NIV

Fresh from a major victory over the Philistines, King David made a major mistake. Instead of trusting God for his next battle, he conducted a census designed to measure his military power and determine his chances of winning. As a result, seventy thousand Israelites perished.

This story teaches us three very important lessons about leadership responsibility:

1) As a leader, you’re Satan’s special target. He knows that in order to get to others, he must go through you, so he will use every strategy he has to bring you down. ‘Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census.’ The average board of directors would probably have considered it a good idea, but God saw it as an act of arrogance and unbelief.

2) Don’t be presumptuous. Don’t let your last victory make you overconfident about your next battle. There will never be a time when you don’t need God! The fact that God had just granted David a great victory should have made him more, not less, dependent on God. Paul wrote, ‘Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent’ (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV).

3) Listen to wise counsel. Joab, one of David’s generals, warned him he was making a grave mistake. ‘The king’s word, however, overruled Joab’ (1 Chronicles 21:4 NIV). You may have great gifts, but you don’t have all the gifts. Where you have blind spots, others often have 20/20 vision. ‘In the multitude of counsellors there is safety’ (Proverbs 11:14 KJV), so listen to the people God put in your life to guide and protect you.

Judges 4-6, John 5:31-47

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Leadership responsibility (2)
14 APRIL 2022

‘Our competence comes from God. He has made us competent.’
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV

David was ‘on a roll’. He kept winning battle after battle. He had the Midas touch; everything he touched turned to gold! But success can go to your head, and David wasn’t exempt. He started wondering, ‘Just how strong are we?’ At that point, he conducted a census and discovered he had ‘one million one hundred thousand [fighting] men’ (1 Chronicles 21:5 NIV). That could tempt any of us to think, ‘With an army this size, and given our track record of success, who needs to pray for God’s help or ask Him for a plan?’ That was the point at which God stepped in and judged David, and seventy thousand Israelites died needlessly (see v. 14 NIV).

So here is another aspect of leadership you need to be aware of: your mistakes have the potential to hurt others. You’re not just accountable to those who are over you; you’re responsible for those under you. After all, if your good decisions have the ability to bless and guide people, your bad decisions have the potential to harm them.

‘David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong…let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people”’ (v. 17 NIV). God graciously answered David’s prayer, and judgment was lifted from Israel. So, you need God’s guidance for your own sake, the sake of the people around you, and to give you the grace to accept responsibility when you fail. Don’t try to hide your failures, blame others, or run from God. Acknowledge them, grow through them, and go on to become wiser.

Judges 7-8, John 6:1-21

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

He did it with you in mind
15 APRIL 2022

‘They made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head.’
Matthew 27:29 CEV

The hymnist Isaac Watts wrote, ‘See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?’

Jesus wore a crown of thorns so you could wear a crown of glory. Thorns in Scripture represent sin. In Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed, God said, ‘The ground will be under a curse…[…it] will produce thorns’ (Genesis 3:17-18 CEV). Later He told Israel that unless they purged the land of their enemies, ‘they will be like…thorns in your sides’ (Numbers 33:55 NCV). Solomon cautioned: ‘Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road’ (Proverbs 22:5 NLT). And Jesus warned, ‘You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You need never confuse grapevines with thorn bushes’ (Matthew 7:16 TLB).

A well-known author writes: ‘The crown of thorns Jesus wore represented all our sins. As we were caught in the brambles of envy, anger, shame, discouragement, guilt, bitterness, and unforgiveness, so Jesus, who knew no sin, became “an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10 NIV). Not once did Christ use His supernatural powers for personal comfort. With just a word He could have transformed the hard earth into a soft bed…hurled the spit of His accusers back into their faces…and paralysed the hand of the soldier who braided the thorns. But He didn’t. Instead, “He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to Christ’s cross”’ (Colossians 2:14 NLT). And He did it with you in mind. Amazing!

Judges 9-10, John 6:22-44

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

The resurrection; God’s ‘sting’ operation
16 APRIL 2022

‘O Death, where is your sting.’
1 Corinthians 15:55 NKJV

In a ‘sting’ operation, law enforcement agents set the bad guy up in order to bring him down. That’s what God did to Satan at the cross. For three days it seemed as though Satan had won. Then Jesus rose from the dead and turned his plans upside down: ‘He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross’ (Colossians 2:15 NLT). The thing Satan feared most, the birth of a church with the power to change the world through the gospel, had come to pass.

‘The rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord’ (1 Corinthians 2:8 NLT). Christ’s enemies even tried to stop the truth of the resurrection from getting out: ‘They decided to give the soldiers a large bribe…“You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body’”…So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say’ (Matthew 28:12-15 NLT).

Normally hatred for a person ends when they die. So why then do some people hate Jesus? Because the resurrection is the ultimate proof that He is Lord! Indeed, you cannot be saved unless you believe in the resurrection: ‘If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation’ (Romans 10:9-10 NKJV).

Judges 11-12, John 6:45-71

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

The resurrection calls for a decision
17 APRIL 2022

‘He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.’
1 Corinthians 15:4 NLT

‘Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time…Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all…I also saw him’ (See 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NLT).

Some of history’s greatest intellectuals started as atheists and ended up putting their trust in Christ. Why? They examined the evidence! If Jesus was who He claimed to be, God incarnate, taking upon Himself human form, dying for our sins and rising again, then they knew they had a life-changing decision to make: either accept Him or reject Him. And you must make that same decision.

Peter told his listeners on the day of Pentecost: ‘You nailed him to a cross…But God…raised him back to life’ (Acts 2:23-24 NLT). They said, ‘What should we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God’ (Acts 2:37-38 NLT). That day three thousand souls were won to Christ and the church was launched. Bottom line, Jesus died for your sins and rose again to represent you as an advocate before the throne of God. If you are wise you will accept Him as your Lord and Saviour knowing that He will give you an abundant life now, and eternal life in heaven.

Luke 7:31-50, Psalms 40-42

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Forgive and forget
18 APRIL 2022

‘Put up with each other.’
Colossians 3:13 CEV

Building a successful relationship calls for focusing on the other person’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Concerning marriage, Benjamin Franklin said, ‘Keep your eyes wide open beforehand and half shut afterwards.’ It’s a mistake to rush into a lifetime relationship without taking time to get to know the other person. Without due diligence on the front end, you are sure to have problems on the back end. But an important relationship principle lies in learning to forgive and forget. American politician Edward Wallace Hoch is attributed with saying, ‘There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly behooves any of us, to talk about the rest of us.’

Forgetting can be harder when the offence is great. Small offences can usually be forgiven quickly; big ones involve a healing process. But until you decide to forgive and forget, the process can’t even start. Paul writes: ‘Be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Put up with each other…forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything… It is what ties everything…together’ (vv. 12-14 CEV).

One author puts it this way: ‘If you don’t like something, change it. If you can‘t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.’ In other words, when it comes to facing facts you can’t change, pray for grace and learn to live with them. Why do we need to forgive and forget? Because God says so! You are not designed to carry the physical and mental stress that comes with harbouring resentment. Added to which, ‘You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out’ (Galatians 6:1 MSG).

Judges 13-15, John 7:1-27

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

It’s time to end the standoff
19 APRIL 2022

‘God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.’
2 Corinthians 5:19 NIJ

God created us to enjoy unbroken fellowship with Him and each other. That’s why Satan’s first ploy was to separate us from God – and from each other. Using things like pride, stubbornness, confusion, resentment, and selfishness, he drives wedges and polarises relationships. What starts out as a misunderstanding often ends in angry stand-offs or toxic silences that last for hours, days, and sometimes years.

Furthermore, we delude ourselves by thinking it’s nobody else’s business. The fallout can’t be contained. It affects every relationship in our lives – all because we’re determined to prove we’re right and the other person is wrong. And it’s not just a psychological problem; it’s a sin problem in need of a divine solution!

Here is how God handles polarised relationships. Paul writes, ‘God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.’ Sin destroyed our relationship with God. Yet He took the initiative by giving Jesus ‘as a ransom [price paid] for many’ (Mark 10:45 NIV), in order to reconcile us to Himself. Reconciling means bringing back together what belongs together! Notice this: God doesn’t count ‘people’s sins against them’. Neither does He trivialise or ignore our sin debt. He cancelled it at the cross and stopped holding it against us.

And it didn’t end there. He ‘made us agents of…reconciliation’ (2 Corinthians 5:19 PHPS) by calling us ‘to settle our relationships with each other’ (v. 19 MSG). Sometimes that means eating humble pie, becoming the reconciler, taking the initiative, and ending the stand-off. Are you ready to do that today?

Judges 16-18, John 7:28-53

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

It’s all about getting up again!
20 APRIL 2022

‘Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.’
Proverbs 24:16 NIV

If you have ever seen a child learning to walk, you know that falling down is an important part of the process. Getting back up again is crucial to developing the child’s balance and muscle development. Likewise, a boxer isn’t disqualified because he gets knocked down; he’s disqualified because he doesn’t get back up. Boxers know they will go down, so they focus on the art of falling safely and getting up quickly. Children and boxers both learn this: it’s all about getting up again.

The Bible tells us that falling is common to both the righteous and unrighteous. It’s getting up again that sets them apart: ‘If good people fall…they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that’s the end of them’ (v. 16 CEV). The unrighteous stay down – the righteous get up again!

In Scripture, some of God’s greatest servants fell into personal failure. Abram lied to Pharaoh about his wife, Sarai (see Genesis 12:11-17). Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s birth-right (see Genesis 27:17-29). In anger, Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock (see Numbers 20:7-12). Yet instead of being disqualified, they ‘were all commended for their faith’ (Hebrews 11:39 NIV). How come? Because they acknowledged their sin and received God’s forgiveness. In other words, they fell, but they got up again. And when you fall, you can get up again too. That’s the ‘faith’ part of your journey. Staying down is failure accepted – getting back up is faith activated!

Judges 19-21, John 8:1-27

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Immediately following death – glory!
21 APRIL 2022

‘Everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all.’
John 11:26 MSG

At the graveside of His friend Lazarus, Jesus told his grieving sisters Mary and Martha two all-important things:

1) ‘Your brother will rise again’ (John 11:23 NASB 1995 edition).

2) ‘Everyone who lives believing in me does not…die at all. Do you believe this?’ (v. 26 MSG).

So, what’s going to take you beyond death and into your heavenly home? Sterling character? Charitable giving? Going to church? No. While those are all commendable, only by placing your trust in Christ can you have the assurance of resurrection and eternal life. You see, Jesus conquered death and the grave for you. You may be reading these words today fighting tears of sorrow. Perhaps you have lost your spouse of many years, or your child to a tragic accident, or a loved one to some dreaded disease. Like no other, Jesus understands your grief. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (see Hebrews 4:15).

Or perhaps you sense that death is near to you. If you haven’t placed your trust in Christ, you must take care of that right away. Don’t wait for a more convenient time. Do it today, and you will be saved; that means that when you breathe your last breath, you will pass from death to life – heavenly life. When you trust in Christ, there is no reason to fear what lies beyond the grave. He is already there. And He has prepared a place for you. It’s ready! Inexplicable, unending joy will be yours forever, thanks to Jesus. You can exclaim with Paul, ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’ (1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV). Think about it: immediately following death – glory!

Ruth 1-4, John 8:28-59

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Make the most of it
22 APRIL 2022

‘When it prospers, you will…prosper.’
Jeremiah 29:7 GWT

Are you at a place in your life and you’d rather not be there? Well, God has a word for you, but it may not be one you want to hear.

It’s the same word Jeremiah brought to his people when they were slaves in Babylon, far from everything near and dear: ‘You’re not going home anytime soon, so change your attitude, dig in and make the best of it. Buy homes, plant gardens, let your children get married…and in addition, pray for the peace and prosperity of the city where you’re living because when it prospers, you will prosper’ (Jeremiah 29:5-7, paraphrased).

The Israelites were in exile because God had allowed them to be taken captive. So, could it be that you are where you are today because God placed you there to bless those around you? Instead of putting your life on hold waiting for circumstances to change, start sowing into other people’s lives what you want to come back as a harvest in your own. Why? Because when they are blessed, you’ll be blessed too! How do we know? Because Jesus said, ‘Give, and it will be given to you…the measure you use…will be measured to you’ (Luke 6:38 NIV).

Martha Washington said, ‘I’m determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be. I’ve learned that the greater part of happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.’ That sounds just like Paul: ‘I have learned [to be] content in any and every situation’ (Philippians 4:12 NIV). If you want to go from surviving to thriving, make the most of where God placed you.

1 Samuel 1-3, John 9:1-23