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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Don’t neglect your faith
09 DECEMBER 2022

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

You can’t sit back and do nothing, believing that God will do everything for you. You have a part to play. Paul says God gives each of us ‘a measure of faith’. Jude says you develop spiritually by ‘building [yourself] up on your most holy faith’ (Jude v. 20 NIV).

Faith under attack is just faith under construction. It’s in the battles of life that you discover whether you have nurtured faith or neglected faith. In Bible times, many Roman soldiers used a scutum, a shield that protected them from head to toe. It was made of wood and upholstered with thick layers of canvas and leather. Its curved shape meant the flaming arrows of the enemy would glance off and fizzle out before they could harm the soldier. Now you understand what Paul meant: ‘Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one’ (Ephesians 6:16 NIV). Satan’s arrows can’t penetrate your heart when it’s pure, saturated in Scripture, and fortified by faith. That’s why Jesus told Peter, ‘Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail’ (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV).

It’s your faith that’s under attack! It’s your faith that needs to be fed! It’s your faith that sustains you in life’s battles! Jesus told us to ‘have faith in God’ (Mark 11:22 KJV). Note, Jesus didn’t tell you to have faith in something bigger than yourself. No, He said to have faith in God. It’s the time you spend with God in prayer and the Scriptures that strengthens your faith to win life’s battles.

Amos 1-3, Revelation 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

‘God Is Able’
10 DECEMBER 2022

‘Being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.’
Romans 4:21 NKJV

The reason we don’t turn to God more often is because at some basic and unconscious level we are not ‘fully convinced’ He is able and willing to move on our behalf. Being able to admit that to yourself is humbling; it’s also the point at which you begin to deal with your lack of faith in God. Nothing in your life will change until you pray, ‘Lord, help me. I say things with my lips that I don’t follow through in my behaviour.’ Once you begin to pray that way you can start walking through your Bible, rediscovering that ‘God is able’.

He’s able to provide for you when you’re in a wilderness. He’s able to defeat the giants that stand in your way. He’s able to go through fiery trials with you and bring you out unharmed. He’s able to promote you when you’ve been overlooked or opposed. ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us’ (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).

Whatever it takes to own the words, ‘God is able,’ do it; otherwise you won’t be able to pray with confidence. You’ll make a few wishes on your knees, but you won’t be able to persevere in prayer until you know in your heart of hearts that God is able – and that He’s willing! Nothing is too difficult for Him. He’s just waiting for you to recognise that, and come to Him in faith asking for help.

Amos 4-6, Revelation 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

‘God Is Able’

Today be kind to others
11 DECEMBER 2022

‘Clothe yourselves with…kindness.’
Colossians 3:12 NIV

When you get up in the morning, you must not only clothe yourself physically but spiritually and emotionally too. You must ask yourself, ‘What sort of attitude am I going to wear today? Will I be controlling or cooperative? Positive or negative? Complimentary or critical? Selfish or serving?’ You say, ‘But when I’m kind, people take advantage of me.’ Yes, sometimes that will happen. But that’s the difference between taking the low road or the high road. Which do you want to walk on?

Despite the risks, here are two reasons to be kind: 1) ‘Because of [God’s] kindness you have been saved’ (Ephesians 2:8 TLB). Grace and kindness go together. Always! Poet Robert Burns said that the kind heart most resembles God. 2) Because you want people to be kind to you and treat you right. Jesus said, ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you’ (Matthew 7:12 NIV). If you are rude, people are going to be rude to you. But if you are kind, most people will desire to respond the same way. ‘Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly’ (Proverbs 21:21 GNT).

And here is another reason to be kind: ‘Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel’ (Proverbs 11:17 TLB). So when you are kind to others, you are really doing yourself a favour. Let’s read it again: ‘As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’ (Colossians 3:12 NIV). Now go out and try living that way for one whole day.

Luke 23:26-56, Psalms 126-128

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Be sensitive to others
12 DECEMBER 2022

‘Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.’
Philippians 2:4 NIV

Often in a relationship or friendship, we are unaware the other person’s needs. We become calloused. We stop listening. We’re oblivious to the pressure they’re under. Simply stated, the root of many problems in a relationship is insensitivity. Everyone you meet needs kindness. The people who sit around you in church have major hurts; you’re just unaware of them.

We find a great example of sensitivity in the life of King David. David’s friend, Jonathan – Saul’s son – had been killed. Now, safely enthroned for several years, David made a rare request. He asked if anyone was left in Saul’s family that he could help. He discovered Saul’s grandson – Jonathan’s son – Mephibosheth, who was injured in both feet. When David sent for him, Mephibosheth almost certainly thought, ‘I’m going to be killed because I am a member of the enemy’s family, the old dynasty.’ But notice David’s words: ‘Don’t be afraid…for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table’ (2 Samuel 9:7 NIV).

Mephibosheth’s reaction is interesting: ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’ (v. 8 NIV). He felt like a dog and expected to be treated like one. But the point you need to notice is this: David took time, made the effort, and was sensitive to his needs. One of the dangers of success is that the pressures that accompany it can make you insensitive towards others. Question: to whom do you need to become more sensitive today?

Amos 7-9, Revelation 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Today build people up
13 DECEMBER 2022

‘The lips of the godly speak helpful words.’
Proverbs 10:32 NLT

How do you feel when someone tries to put you down? Then don’t do it to others! ‘Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit’ (Proverbs 15:4 GNT). You can crush someone with what you say, so be careful. Some of the people you meet each day need an emotional lift, so encourage them. ‘Righteous people know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt’ (Proverbs 10:32 GNT). Don’t be the kind of person who pounces on a weakness in someone. Maybe you do it in a joking way, but you do it, and you enjoy doing it.

In a cartoon, Charlie Brown is talking on the phone to a girl who says, ‘Guess what I’m running for? The Queen of the May at our school.’ Charlie Brown says, ‘That’s very interesting. Lucy has always been chosen at our school.’ The girl on the phone responds, ‘Your school has pretty low standards, huh, Chuck?’ After Charlie Brown hangs up, he looks at Lucy and says, ‘She says, “Congratulations!”’ Now, that’s diplomacy! It’s also supportiveness.

How supportive are you? If God gave you a pound for each kind word you said and took away a pound for each unkind word you said, would you be wealthy or poor? When the brothers who betrayed Joseph knelt before him in Pharaoh’s palace, he held the power of life and death over them. But he forgave them, was gracious towards them, and promised to take care of them. Supportive words can build a bridge in a strained relationship. So the word for today is – build people up.

Obadiah, Revelation 6

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Believe in what you do
14 DECEMBER 2022

‘Make sure they are…gifted with knowledge…and are suited to serve.’
Daniel 1:4 NLT

When Daniel arrived in Babylon, he was a slave. But he rose to the top because of these qualifications: ‘Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve.’ To be promoted in any job, you must first prove yourself. The Bible says, ‘Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings’ (Proverbs 22:29 NIV). Unless you believe in what you’re doing, you won’t give yourself fully to it; therefore, you have no right to expect to succeed.

Have you ever walked into a room and felt love, energy, and excitement? Your thoughts have a presence; they’re like currents moving through the air, capable of drawing people to you or driving them away. Your attitude is always sensed. That’s why in order to succeed, you must believe in what you do. If you don’t – pray and ask God to relocate you someplace where you can put your whole heart into it.

Jesus totally believed in His product. He told the woman at the well, ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst’ (John 4:13-14 KJV). You must take the time and make the effort to know your business. You may be anxious to sell, pocket the profit, and get on with your life. But success doesn’t happen that way. Jesus spent time praying in order to renew His understanding of His purpose. So the word for today is – pray and believe in what you do!

Jonah 1-4, Revelation 7

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Lavish Grace
15 DECEMBER 2022

‘Forgiveness…in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.’
Ephesians 1:7 NIV

Peter asked, ‘“How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered: “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!”’ (Matthew 18:21-22 CEV). But we shouldn’t stop there. If God gave each of us only seventy-seven ‘forgiveness passes’, we’d be in trouble! You can’t bankrupt your ‘forgiveness account’ with God. But when you refuse to forgive others, you’re overlooking the fact that ‘You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out’ (Galatians 6:1 MSG).

The Message paraphrases Jesus’ words: ‘Forgive – only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean’ (Mark 11:25 MSG). Whether it’s seven, seventy-seven, or seven thousand times, you always reap what you sow (see Galatians 6:7). We’re all human, and when somebody hurts us we want justice. But God wants you to forgive the wrongdoer before they ask or show any sign of remorse. Does that mean they will escape the consequences of their actions? No, it just means you’re not responsible for making it happen – God is. Harbouring grudges is spiritually, emotionally and physically draining; forgiveness energises and frees you to move on.

Remember, you’ve been forgiven ‘in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us’ (Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV). But it comes with the requirement that you forgive others! When you think about the debt God forgave you, anything anyone could ever do to you pales by comparison, right? Annie Johnson Flint wrote: ‘His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.’ Now that’s lavish grace!

Micah 1-3, Revelation 8

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Who advises you? (1)
16 DECEMBER 2022

‘Wisdom is found in those who take advice.’
Proverbs 13:10 NIV

To win in life, you must become a lifelong learner. And learning requires submission; a quality of character we sometimes think doesn’t apply to us. We think submission is ‘just for those other people who need to be led’. This is particularly true in our early years when we’re sure that we know it all and use every opportunity to prove it. Reaching for a good adviser requires humility of heart. The truth is, if you’re not teachable, your future is already decided!

The more you think you know, the less likely you are to place yourself under the influence of those who really know and can help you. This is especially true when you view yourself as more capable, passionate, and talented than others around you. The wise always seek counsel. If you’re wise, you will acknowledge your limitations; only a fool believes he or she has none. Only the naive are foolish enough to operate under the assumption that they can make all the right calls without good input. But they can’t.

Here are three Scriptures from the book of Proverbs you need to stop and consider today: 1) ‘The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice’ (Proverbs 12:15 NIV). 2) ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed’ (Proverbs 15:22 NIV). 3) ‘Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise’ (Proverbs 19:20 NIV). It’s not just what your adviser knows, it’s what they see that makes them valuable to you. They are extra eyes and ears. Why would you want to live without them?

Micah 4-5, Revelation 9

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Who advises you? (2)
17 DECEMBER 2022

‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.’
Proverbs 15:22 NIV

A good adviser does three things: they observe you, instruct you, and motivate you. At first, the thought of having someone evaluate you may be intimidating. But think about it; people are watching you anyway, so why not have a good adviser among the crowd?

Here is a list of some areas in which you might consider inviting an adviser to evaluate you. These things are not options, they’re essentials: spiritual development, personal discipline, family relationships, decision making, handling finance, conflict resolution, picking the right people, breaking bad habits and establishing good ones, goal setting and planning for the future.

If you’re serious about succeeding, look for an environment where you will be mentored, not just paid. Initially, what you learn is more important than what you earn, because what you learn early determines what you earn later. What you don’t know can hurt you and put a lid on your potential. Opening doors of evaluation is something you owe to yourself and those who depend on you. And don’t let it stop with you. Pass on what you’ve been given to somebody else. Jesus said, ‘Freely ye have received, freely give’ (Matthew 10:8 KJV).

‘But I’m too young, nobody is going to take me seriously,’ you say. Paul told Timothy, ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example’ (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV). You’re not responsible for knowing everything; you’re just responsible for sharing what you know with others. As you pour into them what God and others have poured into you, they will go further and faster too. So ask God for a good adviser and become one to somebody else.

Micah 6-7, Revelation 10

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

All you will ever need
18 DECEMBER 2022

‘Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.’
Psalm 62:8 NKJV

Life can feel overwhelming when you’re responsible for mortgage or rent payments, maintenance bills, clothes for the family, escalating food and fuel expenses, university fees, plus the reality of preparing for your retirement! And the pressure is even greater if you’re underemployed or unemployed. Where can you turn? Surrounded by enemies, David turned to God: ‘My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation…I shall not be moved’ (vv. 5-6 KJV).

Where does your ‘expectation’ lie? In the hope for an improved economy or job market? Or the promise of better times to come? David’s hope was more certain: he expected the answer to be found in the unchanging character and faithfulness of God. When anxiety arises, we sometimes resort to our BGWI list – ’But God, what if?’ We focus on our fears, feel inadequate, and give in to despair. Being aware of your needs is being responsible but being overwhelmed by them is evidence you’re looking to the wrong source for answers.

George MacDonald said, ‘We look upon God as our last and feeblest resource. We only go to Him when we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.’ Remember David? ‘My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.’ By Himself, plus nothing, God is your adequate source. Since He gave us His Son, you have all the evidence you need that He will also ‘freely give us all things’ (Romans 8:32 GNT).

Luke 24:1-35, Psalms 129-139