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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Five leadership issues you must deal with
08 OCTOBER 2023

‘Then [Elisha] arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.’
1 Kings 19:21 NKJV

To get the job done right, you must surround yourself with the right people. That’s why good leaders are continually on the lookout for good people. But the person you get isn’t always determined by what you want but by who you are. In most instances, you attract people who possess many of the same qualities you do. Not only was Elisha like Elijah, he wanted a double portion of the Spirit that was upon Elijah. Who you are, is who you will attract. It’s possible to go out and recruit people unlike yourself, but it’s crucial to recognise that those who are different from you may not naturally be attracted to you. Furthermore, if you’re not entirely happy with the kind of people you attract, it may be time to improve yourself. You need to be aware of these five tendencies in yourself, and when you see them, deal with them:

1) Pride. Nobody wants to follow someone who thinks they’re better than everyone else.

2) Insecurity. If you’re uncomfortable with who you are, other people will be too.

3) Moodiness. If people never know quite what to expect from you, they stop expecting anything.

4) Perfectionism. People respect the desire for excellence, but they don’t like unrealistic expectations.

5) Cynicism. Others don’t want their parade rained on by someone who sees a black cloud around every silver lining.

These five hang-ups are so damaging that if you’re wise, you will surround yourself with people who are willing to point them out and help you become a more effective leader.

Luke 19:1-27, Psalms 105-106

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

God: the source of your confidence
09 OCTOBER 2023

‘Those who trust in the LORD…cannot be shaken.’
Psalm 125:1 NIV

People are naturally attracted to leaders who convey poise and self-assurance; they won’t follow one who lacks self-confidence. An excellent illustration of this is an incident that took place in Russia during an attempted coup. Army tanks encircled the government building that held President Boris Yeltsin and his prodemocracy supporters. As the army moved into position, Yeltsin strode from the building, climbed up on a tank, stared the commander in the eye, and thanked him for turning to the side of democracy. Later the commander admitted that although he hadn’t intended to go over to Yeltsin’s side, the Russian leader appeared so confident, the soldiers decided to join him.

Great achievers exhibit confidence regardless of circumstances. But true confidence doesn’t come from having the approval of people around you. The Bible says, ‘The Lord will be your confidence’ (Proverbs 3:26 NKJV); it’s about knowing He has called you and equipped you to do the job. Paul wrote, ‘We feel certain before God…It is God who makes us able to do all that we do’ (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NCV). Even though others may not believe in you, knowing God believes in you enables you to believe in yourself. David wrote, ‘Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me…the One who lifts my head high’ (Psalm 3:2-3 NIV).

A confident leader can say to those who follow him or her, ‘I have confidence in the God who called me. I have confidence in you. I believe that together we can accomplish what God wants done.’

Jeremiah 6-8, 2 Thessalonians 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Are you totally committed?
10 OCTOBER 2023

‘He sought…God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.’
2 Chronicles 31:21 NIV

Change, improvement, growth, success, and victory don’t happen because they’re admirable concepts or desirable options. No, they happen because you’re totally committed and willing to pay the price. When King Hezekiah came to the throne, Israel was in bad shape. The doors of God’s house were shut, the Law of the Lord was not being observed, and the people were worshipping the same gods as the heathen nations around them. If you’re ‘a turnaround expert’, you would benefit from studying Hezekiah’s life and his strategy. The Bible says, ‘In everything that he undertook…he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly’ (v. 21 NIV). The cost of commitment involves these:

1) A change in lifestyle. Hezekiah broke the family mould, refusing to live the way his father before him had lived.

2) Loneliness. Hezekiah was the first to turn to God. In order to do it, he had to stand alone.

3) Criticism. People don’t take kindly to change, and Hezekiah faced a barrage of harsh questions from the older generation.

4) Hard work and money. He was willing to give up time, energy, and money to reach his goal.

5) Daily discipline. Changing a culture and the mindsets of the people who are part of it can be difficult. Every day Hezekiah taught and instilled God’s principles into the minds of the people.

6) Constant pressure. The people who went along with the changes Hezekiah was making expected to see results, and they weren’t necessarily patient. But Hezekiah ‘sought his God…worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.’

The principles Hezekiah used will work for you too, so today begin to apply them.

Jeremiah 9-11, 2 Thessalonians 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Spiritual growth takes time
11 OCTOBER 2023

‘If it dies, it bears much fruit.’
John 12:24 ESV

God takes two days to grow a mushroom but sixty years to grow an oak tree. So, would you like to be a mushroom or an oak tree?

Spiritual growth takes time. Have you been wondering, ‘Why is it taking me so long to improve? I am still struggling with many of my weaknesses.’ Why? Because spiritual growth, like natural growth, takes some time. The best fruit ripens gradually. Jesus said, ‘Truly, truly…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (v. 24 ESV). When Jesus says, ‘Truly, truly,’ He means, ‘Now understand this! Listen! This is very important.’

The point Jesus stresses here is that just like a grain of wheat has to die to produce fruit, so we also must die to ourselves to produce spiritual growth. And dying to our own self-absorption takes a while. Our inclination is to unearth the seed periodically to monitor its progress instead of trusting God to perform His work in our lives. Christ will produce fruit in our lives if we stay in Him. Jesus said, ‘Abide in me’ (John 15:4 KJV). The word ‘abide’ means ‘to live in’. Abiding in Christ means staying in contact with Him, depending on Him, living for Him, and trusting Him to finish His work in our lives in His perfect timing.

Wait for God’s promised harvest and, in the meantime, delight in His presence in your life. God is happy with you at every phase of your spiritual growth. He is not waiting until you’re perfect to begin loving you. He will never love you one drop more than He already does.

Jeremiah 12-14, 1 Timothy 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

What babies know
12 OCTOBER 2023

‘The father [and mother] shall make known Your truth to the children.’
Isaiah 38:19 NKJV

A researcher at Johns Hopkins University informed us that children as young as eight months old are capable of hearing and remembering words, good or bad. ‘Little ears are listening,’ said Dr Peter Juscyzk. Babies in this study, which appeared in the esteemed journal, Science, were exposed to three taped stories for about ten days. Two weeks afterward, they were tested in a lab and clearly identified the words in the stories while failing to react to words they hadn’t heard.

Professor Emerita Robin Chapman, a language specialist at the University of Wisconsin at the time, emphasised the importance of this study. It demonstrates that very young children do pay attention to the sounds of language and are able to select those that are familiar. No, they may not fully understand them, but their brains are wired to record them and replay them later on. So, taking the time to talk to tiny children not only teaches them language skills but sows seeds of truth that can bloom later in life. This shouldn’t surprise us; mothers have known it intuitively for thousands of years. Words are formative; they are creative!

The first words your child hears will be spoken by you. The first music your child listens to, will be chosen by you. Your child is a precious lump of clay, and you are the potter God has called to mould them. In Scripture we read about vessels of ‘honour’ and vessels of ‘dishonour’ (see 2 Timothy 2:20 NKJV). As a parent, you help to shape the kind of vessel they become. If you’re wise, you will begin the godly moulding process as early as possible.

Jeremiah 15-17, 1 Timothy 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Getting the most out of your Bible (1)
13 OCTOBER 2023

‘Search for it as for hidden treasure.’
Proverbs 2:4 NIV

When you think about it, studying the Bible is like prospecting for gold or silver. It involves two things:

1) You must look for it. Solomon writes, ‘If you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand…and find the knowledge of God’ (vv. 4-5 NIV). Simply stepping into a mine and glancing around won’t cut it. If you want to get the gold or the silver, you must be searching for it. Any miner will inform you that gold doesn’t strike you – you strike gold. The purpose of this devotional isn’t to replace regular Bible reading but to whet your spiritual appetite for it. According to the Barna Research Group, only 9 per cent of Christians read the Bible every day. The question is, are you one of them?

2) You must dig for it. The Spirit of God within you speaks to you as you read His Word. The story is told about a man who loved to study the Bible. Every time he came to something he didn’t understand, his friend Charlie would pop into his mind. Charlie was a great Bible student; he just seemed to ooze with biblical wisdom. So whenever the first man encountered a Bible question, he would go to Charlie and say, ‘What does this verse mean? What is God trying to say here?’ One day as he was reading, the Holy Spirit spoke to him and said, ‘Why don’t you just ask me? I’m the one who teaches Charlie.’

So, expect God to speak to you today as you read His Word, and He will.

Jeremiah 18-19, 1 Timothy 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Getting the most out of your Bible (2)
14 OCTOBER 2023

‘The unfolding of your words gives light.’
Psalm 119:130 NIV

President Woodrow Wilson said: ‘I am sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day; I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and of the pleasure. It is one of the most singular books in the world, for every time you open it, some old text that you have read a score of times suddenly beams with a new meaning. There is no other book that I know of, of which this is true; there is no other book that yields its meaning so personally, that seems to fit itself so intimately to the very spirit that is seeking its guidance.’ If you want to get the most out of your Bible, ask these questions:

1) Is there a warning to heed?

2) Is there a promise to claim?

3) Is there a sin to forsake?

4) Is there a command to obey?

5) Is there a lesson to learn?

6) Is there a principle to apply?

7) Is there an example to follow? ⬇️⬇️⬇️

As you ask yourself these seven questions, keep a journal to write down the answers God gives you, and you will be amazed at the wisdom you glean. You will be thrilled by the success principles you learn. Your anxieties will begin to lift, your mind will clear, and you will experience peace. John writes, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1:1 NIV). Notice the phrase ‘the Word was God’. The more you read your Bible, the more of God’s presence and power you will experience. You might even adopt this old advertising slogan: ‘Don’t leave home without it.’

Jeremiah 20-21, 1 Timothy 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

]We know’
15 OCTOBER 2023

‘We know that all things work together for good to those who love God.’
Romans 8:28 NKJV

This is one of the most often quoted and comforting Scriptures in the Bible: ‘We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’ (v. 8 NKJV). This verse is to believers; to redeemed children of God who love the Lord and walk according to His purposes and operate according to scriptural principles.

Interestingly, the Bible translates our English word ‘know’ from a Greek word meaning we know ‘intuitively’. Something within us says, ‘I don’t understand it and can’t explain it, but I know that God is at work and something good will come out of it.’ Note the words ‘things work together’. Would you enjoy eating baking soda? Or flour? No. But when you put them together, add a few other ingredients, mix them up, and place them in the oven, they come out as something ‘good’. When the Bible says, ‘All things’, it includes things that are painful, unfair, and difficult.

The path to the throne of Egypt led Joseph through betrayal, slander, false imprisonment, and disappointment. But looking back, he could say, ‘But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day’ (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). In ways you cannot see or understand right now, what you are going through is working for your good. Do you love God? Do you believe that He has a plan and purpose for your life? Are you endeavouring to please Him? Then trust Him to work ‘all things’ out for your good.

Luke 19:28-48, Psalms 107-109

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Dealing with death the right way
16 OCTOBER 2023

‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.’
Psalm 23:4 NKJV
Here is the truth about death:

1) It’s a sure thing. The story is told of a hypochondriac who put these words on his gravestone: ‘Now maybe you’ll believe I was sick.’ Seriously, if you’re wise, you won’t obsess about death, but you will prepare for it.

2) It’s a sojourn. The word ‘walk’ means each step you take brings your departure date one day closer. The word ‘through’ tells you it’s only a temporary passage and not your final destination. The word metamorphosis pictures a humble caterpillar being transformed into a beautiful butterfly that can soar. Likewise, the Bible describes your new body in these words: a) ‘Incorruptible’, meaning you will never again contend with pain or sickness (see 1 Corinthians 15:53). b) ‘Immortal’, meaning you will be ageless and incapable of dying (see v. 53). c) ‘Shadow’. Now, a shadow might frighten you, but it cannot harm you. Indeed, the only way to have a shadow is to have a light shining.

Don’t you find it interesting that many of the people who have died and come back tell others about emerging from a tunnel into a bright, celestial light? No wonder we need ‘fear no evil’. Why? Because the Lord is with us, and He has conquered death, hell, and the grave. Jesus said, ‘I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death’ (Revelation 1:18 NKJV).

Rejoice; the key to your eternal destiny is not in your own hands or anybody else’s but in the hands of the One who loves you.

Jeremiah 22-23, 1 Timothy 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

]God’s plan for your money
17 OCTOBER 2023

‘You will be enriched in every way.’
2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT

One church leader told his congregation, ‘The good news is, we have enough money here this morning to build a new church.’ Then he added, ‘The bad news is, it’s still in your pockets!’ Some of us grew up believing it was wrong to ask God for money because that was a sign of greed and selfishness. And it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. When you pray, ‘Lord, bless me financially so that I can give to your work and fulfil your plans,’ you’re in proper spiritual alignment with God.

In part, the explosive growth of the New Testament church was due to some Christians who were willing to sell their assets in order to finance the will of God. Barnabas was one of them: ‘He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles’ (Acts 4:37 NLT). And Barnabas wasn’t the only one: ‘Those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles’ (vv. 34-35 NLT). Among those who followed Christ were women married to wealthy and powerful men. As a result, Jesus needed a treasurer to take care of their funds.

Scripturally speaking, here is the bottom line when it comes to money: if you honour God, He will honour you, and if you put His work first, He will bless your work. Jesus said, ‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need…don’t worry about tomorrow’ (Matthew 6:33-34 NLT). Here is God’s will for you: ‘You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous’ (2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT).

Jeremiah 24-26, 1 Timothy 6