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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Ask God for wisdom
29 NOVEMBER 2022

‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.’
James 1:5 NIV

Solomon said: ‘Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch! Never walk away from Wisdom – she guards your life; love her – she keeps her eye on you. Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding! Throw your arms around her – believe me, you won’t regret it’ (Proverbs 4:5-8 MSG).

There are many ways to gain wisdom:

1) Gleaning from the collective knowledge of others. ‘By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom’ (Proverbs 13:10 NKJV).

2) Thinking outside the box. Statements like, ‘This is the way we have always done things around here,’ warrant scrutiny when they’re used to defend ways that no longer work.

3) Writing down and reflecting on what you have learned through experience.

4) Not rushing to closure. Growth is always a work in progress. Creativity is untidy and can be unnerving. The ability to stay focused and faith filled in the midst of change is a hallmark of growth and maturity.

But the ultimate source of wisdom is God’s Word! ‘For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding’ (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). ‘The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy’ (James 3:17 NKJV). ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you’ (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).

Refuse to live an unexamined life. Refuse to live an uncommitted life. Refuse to live an unguided life. Today, ask God for wisdom.

Daniel 8-10, 1 John 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

What’s consuming you?
30 NOVEMBER 2022

‘As they went, they were cleansed.’
Luke 17:14 NLT

‘Ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”’ (vv. 12-15 NLT). There is a spiritual parallel between leprosy and life; both can consume you. Is that what’s happening to you today? If so:

1) Take your problem to Jesus. He can restore what you have lost and give you back your peace and joy. Cry out to Him. Forget about looking dignified; desperate people do desperate things, and God responds to desperate prayers: ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV).

2) Whatever He tells you, do it! Don’t lay down terms to God. And don’t seek an identical experience to somebody else. Jesus told these ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. Why didn’t He just heal them like He did others? Faith doesn’t demand explanations!

3) Be prepared to walk it out. ‘And as they went, they were cleansed.’ Sometimes when God gives you the answer, you have to walk it out in faith, each step bringing you closer to your deliverance. But nothing happens until you take that first step.

4) Don’t forget to thank Him. Only one of the ten lepers returned to give thanks, and Jesus noticed it. He still does! You can go to Him with confidence for your next answer when you remember to give Him thanks for your last one.

Daniel 11-12, 1 John 3

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HAPPY NEW MONTH BRETHEN AND MERRY CHRISTMAS IN THE MAKING







TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

The controller, and the self-controlled
01 DECEMBER 2022

‘The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…self-control.’
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Are you self-controlled, or a controller? Let’s find out. Controllers blame things like the devil, people, or circumstances for their problems and respond by blaming, resenting, or projecting frustration. They manipulate people and circumstances to their own advantage. But it doesn’t work; their attempts intensify their pain and turn their relationships into power struggles. The more they try to control, the worse they feel; and the worse they feel, the more they try to control. God doesn’t want you to live that way.

The self-controlled understand that the devil can do nothing to you without your cooperation, and you don’t have to give it (see Luke 10:17). They understand that people and circumstances aren’t the problem either – how we deal with them is. So, they respond by reminding themselves of three things: 1) The person I need to control is myself. 2) Sometimes I must turn people and circumstances over to God and allow Him to deal with them. 3) I must draw daily on the Holy Spirit’s power in order to control my reactions and follow the ‘sound mind’ principles of Scripture for staying in charge of my life (see 2 Timothy 1:7).

As a result, the self-controlled avoid engaging in blame games, self-inflicted pain, and turning relationships into battle zones. Knowing that ‘the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…self-control,’ they understand that the Spirit won’t control them, or help them to control others, but He will empower them to control themselves. Spirit-empowered people are freed from being part of the problem and become part of the solution.

Hosea 1-4, 1 John 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

You must know your season
02 DECEMBER 2022

‘For everything there is a season.’
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

When God gives you a vision, be prepared to shed some tears over it because every vision comes with a price tag. The road to triumph is through tests and trials. Nobody gets a free pass. But God has promised that there will be a harvest: ‘Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest’ (Psalm 126:5-6 NLT). That Scripture teaches us two things:

1) There is a season for weeping. This is not an excuse for passivity, or a posture of weakness that reduces you to tears because life is not fair, and things are tough. Nehemiah was moved to tears over Jerusalem’s ruins. Then he developed a plan, put together a team, and rebuilt it. What moves you? What do you feel passionate about?

2) There is a season for reaping. Everything in life has a reason and a season (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). When you understand the reason and maximise the season, you become ‘like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season’ (Psalm 1:3 NIV). Note the words ‘in season’. Fruit won’t grow before its time. That’s why you must discern your life’s changing seasons and adjust to them. That’s particularly true when it’s harvest time. You need to know when it’s time to stop weeping and start reaping; otherwise, you will miss your harvest. Tears are for the sower, but joy is for the reaper.

So, when your season changes, harvest your fields with joy. You have paid your dues; now it’s time to enjoy what God has promised you.

Hosea 5-6, 1 John 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Having the right mindset (1)
03 DECEMBER 2022

‘Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things).’
Colossians 3:2 AMPC

What’s your biggest challenge right now? Breaking a bad habit, or putting a new one in place? Launching a new business, or turning an old one around? Recovering from a bad marriage, or making a good one better? Getting out of depression, or keeping yourself from falling into it? Paul gives us two powerful keys: 1) Set your mind in the right direction. 2) Keep your mind set in the right direction.

Setting your mind is the easy part, keeping it set calls for a daily commitment. Anybody can make a start, but you need the heart of a finisher. ‘Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls’ (Hebrews 12:2-3 NKJV). The word ‘souls’ could be translated ‘feelings and emotions’. That’s where you’re susceptible to ‘become weary and discouraged’. A sober driver will get you safely to your destination, but a drunk one won’t! What’s driving your life? Your feelings? Your impulses? Your moods?

Here are two life-changing Scriptures: a) ‘We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.…And the God of peace will be with you’ (Philippians 4:8-9 NIV).

Hosea 7-8, 2 John

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Having the right mindset (2)
04 DECEMBER 2022

‘We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

How would you describe yourself? Are you naturally positive, or negative? Are your decisions driven by faith in God, or by the fear of failure, rejection, or lack? Do you feel good about yourself, or do you put yourself down and feel like a loser? Whatever your answer may be, this much is certain: the patterns and attitudes that rule your life were not formed overnight – so don’t expect an overnight cure. But you can make a start by obeying this Scripture: ‘Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things)’ (Colossians 3:2 AMPC).

The Bible refers to the Christian life as a ‘walk’. ‘Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called’ (Ephesians 4:1 KJV). ‘We walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV). ‘Let us also walk in the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:25 KJV). ‘Walk in love’ (Ephesians 5:2 KJV). Notice, walking is the slowest mode of transportation there is! God doesn’t invite you to fly with Him but to walk with Him. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep walking day by day.

When are we most apt to slip and fall? 1) When we are learning to walk. 2) When we are in circumstances we didn’t create and over which we have no control, such as ice and snow. 3) When we feel drained, tired, and weak. 4) When we get careless and don’t keep our eyes open and stay focused. Your challenge is twofold: adopting the right mindset and maintaining it. And if you seek God faithfully, He will help you to do both these things successfully.

Luke 23:1-25, Psalms 123-125

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Having the right mindset (3)
05 DECEMBER 2022

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

Every family has generational ‘issues’ they struggle with. These are things our parents and grandparents passed to us like addiction, abuse, anger, anxiety, lust, fear, etc. Often we say, ‘It just runs in my family, I can’t do anything about it.’ Yes, you can! You may not be able to do anything about your family’s past, but by God’s grace, you can change the future for yourself and your children.

The Bible says, ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). Note the words ‘in Christ’. By yourself you can’t change your family’s dysfunction, but ‘in Christ’ you receive the power needed to go in a new direction. If your computer can be reprogrammed, your mind can too. ‘Be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12:2 NKJV). You say, ‘How do I renew my mind?’ By saturating it in the Scriptures! Just like soaking your body in water removes sweat and grime, soaking your mind in the Scriptures cleanses and corrects your thinking.

The old saying goes: ‘Watch your thoughts for they become your words. Watch your words for they become your deeds. Watch your deeds because they become your habits. Watch your habits because they become your character. Watch your character because it becomes your destiny.’ God told Gideon, ‘Tear down the [old] altar of Baal that your father has’ (Judges 6:25 NKJV). In its place Gideon built a new altar to the Lord, and the lives of he and his family were changed forever. And by programming your mind with God’s Word, you can do the same!

Hosea 9-10, 3 John

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Never forget those who helped you
06 DECEMBER 2022

‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.’
Philippians 1:3 NLT

Paul often acknowledged those who helped him. ‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God…for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News’ (vv. 3-5 NLT). ‘You Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help…No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness’ (Philippians 4:15-17 NLT).

He writes to the believers in Thessalonica: ‘We can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering’ (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NLT).

Author Barbara Glanz tells about a gentleman who remembered his eighth-grade literature teacher. He wrote to her and received this reply: ‘You will never know how much your letter meant. I’m 83 years old, and…living all alone. My friends are all gone. My family’s gone. I taught school 50 years and yours is the first “thank you” letter I have ever gotten from a student. Sometimes I wonder what I did with my life. I will read and reread your letter until the day I die.’ Ironically, she was the teacher students talked most about at class reunions, but nobody ever told her.

Showing appreciation costs so little in terms of time and money, but it can mean the world to somebody. So today, who do you need to express your appreciation to?

Hosea 11-12, Jude

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Seven Scriptures you should stand on
07 DECEMBER 2022

‘His faithful love endures forever.’
Psalm 118:2 NLT

Do yourself a favour – read Psalm 118! 1) ‘In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me’ (v. 5 NLT). What are you battling today? A destructive habit? A crippling fear? A sense of worthlessness? God wants to set you free.

2) ‘The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear’ (v. 6 NLT). Your future doesn’t rest in the hands of people, but God; a good God who has good plans for you.

3) ‘He will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me’ (v. 7 NLT). When people try to put you down, God will raise you up. When they withhold from you, He will supply all your needs.

4) ‘I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done’ (v. 17 NLT). We will all die someday; but you don’t have to die before your assignment is complete and you have brought glory to God.

5) ‘The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die’ (v. 18 NLT). Is God correcting you? Rejoice; His correction is not rejection. It’s protection against future mistakes.

6) ‘This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it’ (v. 24 NLT). Whether yesterday was a triumph or a tragedy, God is giving you a new day. Seize it. Rejoice in it!

7) ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever’ (v. 29 NLT). You may experience days without enough money, but you will never have a day without God’s mercy.

These seven Scriptures are for you, so stand on them today.

Hosea 13-14, Revelation1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

The importance of sleep
08 DECEMBER 2022

‘I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me
Jeremiah 31:26 NKJV

Sometimes the most ‘spiritual’ thing you can do is get to bed earlier and wake up refreshed so you’re ready to fulfil God’s purposes for the day. When you constantly run on low battery power, it shows up in your attitudes, your relationships, your performance, and your health. That’s why the Bible talks about the importance of sleep:

1) ‘It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones’ (Psalm 127:2 NLT).

2) ‘In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe’ (Psalm 4:8 NLT).

Sleep is an act of trust: when you go to sleep, you acknowledge that the world is in God’s hands, not yours. And it will get along very well, even if you’re not awake to control things. And when you awaken tomorrow morning, just like God giving Israel fresh manna, He will give you what you need for the day. Jeremiah said, ‘I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me.’

Have you ever tried to pray when you were suffering from a sleep deficit? It’s hard to do. Before Elijah was able to spend prolonged time in prayer, the angel of the Lord made him take not one, but two long naps. Contrast that with the disciples in Gethsemane who couldn’t pray because they kept falling asleep. It’s hard to think, feel, and act like Jesus when you lack sleep. That’s why the Bible says, ‘God gives rest to his loved ones’ (Psalm 127:2 NLT).

Joel 1-3, Revelation 2