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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Spirit-filled living
18 OCTOBER 2023

‘Do not be drunk with wine…but be filled with the Spirit.’
Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

The Christian life isn’t only a changed life but an exchanged life. At the moment of conversion, we give our old life to God and He gives us a new life in its place. But He does more; He comes to live within us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul made the contrast between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit. One causes you to be out of control, while the other enables you to be in control. One is counterproductive, while the other is productive. One makes you powerless, while the other empowers you. One brings you sorrow, while the other brings you joy. This Scripture is not a promise or even an option, it’s a command: ‘Be filled with the Spirit.’ And Paul gives us three evidences of a Spirit-filled life:

1) ‘Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord’ (v. 19 NKJV). This song isn’t induced by circumstances but despite them. ‘At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed’ (Acts 16:25-26 NKJV). Praising God can open doors and break chains.

2) ‘Giving thanks always for all things to God’ (Ephesians 5:20 NKJV). Spirit-filled people have troubles like everyone else. But they don’t focus on their troubles; they count their blessings and stay positive, upbeat, and grateful.

3) ‘Submitting to one another in the fear of God’ (v. 21 NKJV). Spirit-filled people are ‘others focused’. They know that what you make happen for someone else, God will make happen for you (see Ephesians 6:8).

Jeremiah 27-29, 2 Timothy 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Don’t give in to resentment; forgive them
19 OCTOBER 2023

‘Resentment kills a fool.’
Job 5:2 NIV

For reasons known only to God and Satan, Job lost his money, his children, and his health. If ever a man had cause to be resentful, it was him. But Eliphaz advised him, ‘Resentment kills a fool.’ In other words, ‘The only thing that can hurt me more than what has already happened is allowing resentment to rule my mind and dictate my actions.’

You say, ‘But I want justice!’ How much justice? Imagine your enemy for a moment. Picture him strapped to a whipping post. The strong-armed man with a whip turns to you and asks, ‘How many lashes?’ And you give a number. The whip cracks, the blood flows, and the punishment is inflicted. Your foe slumps to the ground, and you walk away. Are you happy now? Do you feel better? Are you at peace? For a little while, but soon another memory will surface, and another lash will be needed.

When does it all stop? It stops when you take seriously the words of Jesus: ‘If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins’ (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV). When you pray, ‘Treat me as I treat my neighbour’ (see Matthew 6:12), are you aware of what you’re really saying to God? ‘Give me what I give them. Grant me the same peace I grant them. Let me enjoy the same tolerance I offer them.’

If you want peace, make peace. If you want God’s generosity, be generous to others. If you want the assurance of God’s forgiveness, extend forgiveness to others.

Jeremiah 30-31, 2 Timothy 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Your prayers can change the situation
20 OCTOBER 2023

‘Remember the solemn promise you made.’
Exodus 32:13 CEV

If you’re not sure your prayers can change the situation you’re in right now, read the story of Moses interceding with God not to destroy the Israelites because of the golden calf and committing idolatry: ‘Moses tried to get…God to change his mind…Remember the solemn promise you made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You promised that someday they would have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and that you would give them land. So even though the Lord had threatened to destroy the people, he changed his mind and let them live’ (vv. 11, 13-14 CEV).

Moses was on his face one minute, and in God’s face the next. For the lives of his people, he was on his knees, pointing his finger, raising his hands, crying tears, tearing his cloak, and wrestling like Jacob at the brook. Notice how he prayed. He reminded God of His covenant promises. He stood on the Word! And if there is one thing that will get God’s attention and cause Him to respond to your needs, it’s standing on His Word.

God’s word in the matter is always God’s will in the matter. ‘We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for’ (1 John 5:14-15 NLT). You are similar to electric wire through which God’s power and presence can flow into any situation, and in prayer you flip the switch. So instead of complaining about the situation, begin to pray about it.

Jeremiah 32-33, 2 Timothy 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Don’t just pray, believe!
21 OCTOBER 2023

‘You can pray for anything, and if you believe…it will be yours.’
Mark 11:24 NLT

The Bible says, ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God’ (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). God’s greatest desire is to be believed. You can pray regularly and ritually, and even feel closer to God as a result, yet not expect Him to answer your prayers or for your situation to change.

Peter had been put in prison and sentenced to death, and his execution was scheduled for the next day. So, the church prayed all night for his release. And it happened miraculously. God put the guards to sleep, opened Peter’s prison door, and set him free. Yet when he appeared on the doorstep of the house where the believers were praying, they couldn’t believe it: ‘A servant girl…told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel”’ (Acts 12:13-15 NLT).

Even the early disciples struggled to believe God would hear them. Even when the answer knocked on their door, they still hesitated. And we do too, don’t we? We struggle with prayer. We forget to pray, and when we remember, we rush through prayers with insincere words. Our thoughts disperse like a covey of quail. Why does this happen? You can pray anywhere, at any time, using your own words, and God promises to answer. So, what’s the problem? We need to realise the incredible power and potential of one praying believer: ‘Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places’ (2 Corinthians 10:4 NCV).

So don’t just pray; believe God for the answer. Then talk and act like you believe!

Jeremiah 34-36, 2 Timothy 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

God has a good plan for you
22 OCTOBER 2023

‘I know the plans I have for you.’`
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Read this Scripture: ‘“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen…I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes”’ (vv. 11-12, 14 NLT). The Israelites went through a long period of suffering because of their sins – seventy years of captivity. But God said, ‘I still have a plan for you.’

Have you sinned and gone through a season of correction and now you’re wondering if God has turned His back on you? God may correct you, but He will never reject you!

Two chapters later, God says to the same group of people, ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you’ (Jeremiah 31:3-4 NLT). Note the word ‘rebuild’. Your life may have fallen apart, but God can rebuild it. The Bible’s theme is restoration. King David committed adultery and murder, but when he repented, God fully restored him. And the Bible says, ‘After David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors’ (Acts 13:36 NLT). How would you like to have those words on your gravestone? You can! The Prodigal Son’s older brother was angry with their father because he forgave and restored his younger brother. But his father restored him anyway.

You cannot undo the fact of your past sins, but God can heal you from the effects of them. Just come to Him today; take that first step!

Luke 20:1-26, Psalms 110-112

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Not self-control but Spirit control
23 OCTOBER 2023

‘Let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.’
Galatians 5:25 NLT

Do you have an out-of-control appetite when it comes to money, food, nicotine, alcohol, drugs, sex, or…(you fill in the blank). Have your repeated efforts to gain control left you with a sense of shame, failure, and hopelessness? Have all your attempts at self-control failed? Try Spirit control!

‘Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions…But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives’ (Galatians 5:16-17, 22-25 NLT).

The secret of walking in victory is in realising these two things:

1) Self-control is not something you do for God, it’s something God does for you.

2) Self-control is not a one-time work but a daily walk.

Each time you say no to self and yes to God, His Spirit comes to your aid and empowers you. By choosing to obey God instead of your impulses, you activate the power that brings victory.

Jeremiah 37-39, Titus 1

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An amazing promise
24 OCTOBER 2023

‘I will…show you…things, which you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

Read this: ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’ (v. 3 NKJV). Who said that? The God of the universe! What do you think your chances are of getting through on the phone to a president or prime minister? Zero! Yet regardless of your education, sophistication, ethnic background, or financial status, you can talk to God and He will talk back to you. And He doesn’t just promise to answer your prayers but to ‘show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’.

Sometimes we say, ‘It’s the not knowing that scares me.’ Companies close and workers get laid off. Routine medical check-ups reveal life-threatening challenges. Terrorists threaten our safety, and politicians betray our trust. The little boy prayed, ‘Lord, bless Mummy, Daddy, baby, and me. And, Lord, take care of Yourself, because if anything happens to You, we’re all sunk!’

You say, ‘But I’m not sure God has ever spoken to me.’ If you’re a Christian, He has spoken to you at least once. And if He will speak to you once, He will speak to you twice. But you have to talk to Him and let Him talk to you through His Word and His indwelling Spirit. Sometimes God waits before He answers you because He is working on both ends of the line. He is working on the thing you prayed about, and He is working to get you ready for it. And sometimes the second thing takes longer than the first. ‘O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!’

Jeremiah 40-42, Titus 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

You can overcome your fears
25 OCTOBER 2023

‘Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you.’
Isaiah 41:10 AMPC

The first lady to win a Nobel Prize was French physicist Madame Marie Curie. She said, ‘Nothing in life is to be feared, only understood.’ So:

1) Get the facts about what you fear to take away the mystery and misinformation from it.

2) Instead of focusing on your phobia, focus on God’s promises: ‘Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice’ (v. 10 AMPC). Note the words ‘I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties’. As your faith in God grows stronger, the threat of your fears will grow weaker.

3) Relax. Imagine yourself peaceful and free of the bondage of fear. Envision the positive effect on your life when you are delivered.

4) Confront each one of your fear-triggering circumstances with baby steps. Every single hurdle you conquer strengthens you.

So, commit yourself to overcoming the fears that have wreaked havoc on your peace of mind. Jesus said, ‘My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ (John 14:27 NKJV). Note the words ‘let not’. Don’t let fear rule you! Become proactive and arm yourself with the promises of God. Run towards your fears as David ran towards Goliath, knowing that in the name of the Lord you will win.

Jeremiah 43-45, Titus 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Sometimes forgiving requires focus and energy
26 OCTOBER 2023

‘I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.’
Philippians 3:13 NLT

Forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply is one of the most difficult things you will ever be asked to do. You know you must forgive, for nursing a grudge is like nursing a baby; anything you feed and nurture will continue to grow. But that doesn’t make forgiving easy. Try to understand this: forgiveness is a decision, not an emotion. If you wait until you feel like forgiving, you risk remaining trapped in the torture of resentment. When Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone who had offended him, Jesus replied, ‘Seventy times seven’ (Matthew 18:22 KJV). In other words, forgive, and keep on forgiving until you get beyond it. But note four things:

1) Forgiveness doesn’t mean you must resume a relationship with the offender, especially if they are unrepentant and refuse to change their behaviour.

2) It doesn’t mean condoning what they did or agreeing with them.

3) It doesn’t let them off the hook; it lets you off the hook and enables you to get on with your life.

4) It doesn’t mean you won’t be able to remember it, but that you will have the power to think about it differently; graciously rather than resentfully.

And one more thought: don’t let Satan convince you that you haven’t forgiven just because you still remember. The ability to forgive is a learned behaviour. The more you practise it, the better you get at it. It happens when you look for ways to extend understanding to your offender and find something to be compassionate about.

Jeremiah 46-48, Philemon

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Jesus is coming back again!
27 OCTOBER 2023

‘Come, Lord Jesus!’
Revelation 22:20 NKJV

The last promise in the Bible is, ‘Surely I am coming quickly’ (v. 20 NKJV). The last prayer in the Bible is, ‘Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!’ (v. 20 NKJV). And the last major prophecy concerning Christ’s return was fulfilled in 1948 when the nation of Israel was reborn (see Amos 9:14). Since then, the clock of Bible prophecy has been ticking and the countdown is on. Cynics and critics sometimes say, ‘Christians have been telling us for hundreds of years that Jesus will return, but it hasn’t happened.’ That is additional proof of Christ’s return.

‘In the last days scoffers…will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same”…But you must not forget…A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise…No, he is being patient…He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along…But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness’ (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-13 NLT).

Jesus is coming back again – be sure you’re ready.

Jeremiah 49-50, Hebrews 1