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WORD FOR YOU!

Take the initiative (2)
28 NOVEMBER 2021

‘The person who trusts in the LORD will be blessed.’
Jeremiah 17:7 NCV

Next, we need to take action. Initiators don’t wait for others to motivate them. They know it’s their responsibility to move themselves forward beyond their comfort zone, and they make it a habit. The Bible says, ‘Trust in the Lord and do good. Live in the land and feed on truth’ (Psalm 37:3 NCV). If we stay where we are, waiting for someone else to move us out of our comfort zone, we won’t experience the amazing things that can happen when we step out in faith and trust God. We then need to learn from our failures and keep moving forward. The good news for initiators is they make things happen. The bad news is they make lots of mistakes along the way. The greater our potential, the greater our chance for failure. It’s not about ‘if’ we make a mistake, but ‘when’. Nobody likes to fail, but we’ve only really failed if we refuse to get up again and learn from our mistakes. Take a minute to think about and answer these questions: Are you constantly on the lookout for opportunity, or do you wait for it to come to you? Are you willing to pray and take a step of faith, or do you endlessly analyse everything? When was the last time you initiated something substantial in your life? If these questions reveal that you haven’t moved yourself forward out of your comfort zone lately, you might have to rekindle your initiative. The Bible says, ‘You who respect the Lord should trust him; he is your helper and your protection’ (Psalm 115:11 NCV). That means God will help us to succeed. And if we fail, He’ll support, protect and redirect us.

What Now?

What’s God prompting you to do that you’re unsure about? Today, make the decision to take a step of faith and start that task. Don’t wait for someone else to initiate it – trust that God will help you every step of the way.

Luke 22:39-71, Psalms 119:89-176

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WORD FOR YOU!

Take the initiative (3)
29 NOVEMBER 2021

‘If you trust the LORD, you will be safe.’
Proverbs 29:25 NCV

Next, we may need to change our mindset. If we can see what needs to be done, but we’re reluctant to take the initiative ourselves, it’s important that we try and discover what’s holding us back – otherwise, we won’t be able to move forward. Maybe we’re scared by risk, discouraged by past failures, or worried about what others will think of us. ‘Being afraid of people can get you into trouble, but if you trust in the Lord, you will be safe.’ We shouldn’t let our fears rule our lives; instead, we should hand them over to God and trust Him to see us through. We also shouldn’t wait for opportunities to come to us. Opportunity doesn’t very often just land on our plates. We have to go and look for it. It’s a good idea for us to spend time assessing our skills, talents, and resources. Doing this will give us a more accurate picture of our potential. Maybe you think that there’s nothing particularly unique about you, or that you don’t really have any special skills. But nothing could be further from the truth: ‘We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us’ (Romans 12:6 NCV). Finally, take the next step. It’s one thing to notice an opportunity; it’s another to act on it. We should choose the best opportunity we see, pray about it, do the best with it that we can, and keep going until we’ve done everything possible to make it happen. And when we’ve done our best – trust God to do the rest. ‘Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock’ (Isaiah 26:4 AMP).

What Now?

Is there something you need to start but you just can’t manage to take that first step? Today, have an honest talk with God about anything that’s holding you back, and ask for His wisdom and guidance on moving forwards.

Daniel 8-10, 1 John 2

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WORD FOR YOU!

A time of testing
30 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.’
Psalm 105:19 NLT

God might not respond in the exact way and at the exact time we want Him to, but His timing is always perfect. ‘The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right’ (Psalm 84:11 NLT). It’s difficult to watch God blessing others while we’re forced to wait. The Bible tells us, ‘Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.’ God’s plan was for Joseph to live in a palace, but for years he lived in a prison, charged with crimes he never committed. But it was there that he met a butler who had the ear of Pharaoh, and through this connection, Joseph was promoted to the number-two spot in Egypt. When we walk with God, our opportunities are regulated by His plan, not by someone else’s actions. And preparation always comes before promotion. When Elijah called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel, everybody admired and applauded him. But then he spent years living through a famine, and the only friend he had was an impoverished widow. Together they had to trust God for every meal. That’s when Elijah learned important lessons about humility, divine guidance, and trusting God in times of need; things that don’t necessarily make sense to our human minds at first. When God is going to build something great, He takes time to lay a strong foundation. ‘Jesus grew…in favour with God and man’ (Luke 2:52 NIVUK). If you’re in a season of waiting at the moment, embrace it, because God’s doing important work within you. Allow yourself time to grow and let Him build a firm foundation under you that will sustain and strengthen you in the years ahead.

What Now?

Try to turn times of waiting into times of praise and joy. Whenever you’re waiting for a bus, in a checkout queue, waiting for the microwave to ping, and so on, spend the time praying and praising God.

Daniel 11-12, 1 John 3

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WORD FOR YOU!

Discontented
01 DECEMBER 2021

‘They have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!’
Jeremiah 2:13 NLT

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul encourages us to be thankful and joyful whatever situation we find ourselves in: ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’ (v.16-18 NIV). That doesn’t mean we have to like our circumstances, or that we have to be thankful for them. But even when things are going well, when it’s easier to live out Paul’s words, we can feel discontented and dissatisfied with life. So today, let’s try to unpick some of the reasons we might feel this way. 1) We’re looking for happiness in the wrong places. God said: ‘My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me – the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!’ (Jeremiah 2:13 NLT). There’s an emptiness within us that only God can fill, and He will, if we invite Him in. 2) Neglecting to serve others. How we treat others can be a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. Refusing to forgive others might stem from a refusal to forgive ourselves, or we might be more inclined to be kind to others when we treat ourselves kindly. 3) Comparing ourselves with others. When we resent someone else’s achievements or level of blessing, our own joy drains away. The Message paraphrases Romans 12: ‘We are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around…So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves…or trying to be something we aren’t’ (v.4-6 MSG).

What Now?

Do any of the three points in today’s reading resonate with you? Re-read the point (or points) that you would like to work on, and then pray about any thoughts or promptings that it’s brought up for you.

Hosea 1-4, 1 John 4

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WORD FOR YOU!

When you need encouragement
02 DECEMBER 2021

‘Listen…you will be encouraged.’
Judges 7:11 NIV

Before the battle with the Midianites, God said to Gideon, ‘If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterwards, you will be encouraged to attack the camp’ (v.10-11 NIVUK). God wanted Gideon to hear what the Midianites were saying, and to encourage him. When they arrived, a soldier was telling a friend about his dream: ‘“A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon…God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshipped’ (v.13-15 NIVUK). Listening to those who oppose us isn’t usually something we consider doing, but sometimes it can lead to encouragement. Think of it this way: if they’re talking about you, you must be making a difference – otherwise, they wouldn’t even notice you! For every battle, problem, and opposition we face, God has a strategy for victory. And a God-given vision will always be greater than the person who is called to fulfil it, so we need His help. The Bible says, ‘If the Lord doesn’t build the house, the builders are working for nothing’ (Psalm 127:1 NCV). God knows how much you can handle, the materials you need, and how it will all fit together in your life. So if He’s speaking to you and, like Gideon, you’re afraid to act, stand on this verse: ‘God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory’ (Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV).

What Now?

Are you feeling scared of stepping into the task God’s given you? Ask Him to bless you with a definite sign of encouragement. Then keep your eyes and ears open so you don’t miss it!

Hosea 5-6, 1 John 5

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WORD FOR YOU!
Devoted

Devoted
03 DECEMBER 2021

‘Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.’
1 Timothy 4:15 NIV

How much of your heart have you handed over to God? Are you wholeheartedly seeking Him, or has He lost His place as priority in your life? God wants us to be devoted to Him. That means God should be more to us than any other person or thing. It means we surrender to Him and His plans for our lives. It means we let Him lead us rather than trying to do life our own way. David was someone who was devoted to God. He still made mistakes, like we all do, but his heart was in the right place. In fact when talking about David, the Bible says: ‘The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14 NIV). David was a man after God’s heart. He wanted to seek God and be close to Him. He wanted to be devoted to serving Him. David actually prayed: ‘Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name’ (Psalm 86:11 NIV). Is your heart undivided? There are many things that can try and steal parts of our heart away. We might focus on things like our relationships, work, family, and hobbies. They can all try to distract us from God. It’s not bad to have these things in our lives, but God still needs to be our priority. We should love God above everything else. In the New Testament, we’re told: ‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful’ (Colossians 4:2 NIV). We should be longing and desiring to spend time with God in prayer. It’s a great way to deepen our relationship with Him. We shouldn’t be praying only when we need something, but because we want His company and long to spend time talking and listening to Him.

What Now?

Draw a large heart shape on a piece of paper, then inside it, write all the things that you love about God. Pray that your love for Him will grow stronger each day.

Hosea 7-8, 2 John

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WORD FOR YOU!

Discovering your vision (1)
04 DECEMBER 2021

‘They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.’
Jeremiah 23:16 ESV

We don’t get to decide God’s purpose; instead, we discover it. He has a unique plan for each one of us, and to find out what it is, we need to stay close to Him through prayer and Bible study. We may feel overwhelmed with problems, unsure, and unworthy of God’s plan, but He sees our potential. David’s family didn’t think he would amount to much. But where they saw a shepherd boy, God saw a king. Looking back, David wrote: ‘You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me…I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!’ (Psalm 139:16-18 NLT). You’re unique – and so is God’s plan for you. It’s encouraging to read stories and listen to great achievers and think, ‘If they can do it, so can I!’ But their purpose isn’t yours; the secret is to learn from others without trying to replicate them. It’s not enough to have a good idea; it must be the will of God. He had this to say about the prophets in Jerusalem: ‘They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.’ We don’t get to decide what our vision will be; we discover it by asking God for direction. And His Word says He’ll tell us which way to go: ‘If you go the wrong way – to the right or to the left – you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the right way. You should go this way”’ (Isaiah 30:21 NCV).

What Now?

Has God given you a vision for your life yet? If not, spend a bit of time today asking for His guidance in what He wants you to do. And if He has, take time to thank Him for seeing the potential in every single person.

Hosea 9-10, 3 John

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WORD FOR YOU!

Discovering your vision (2)
05 DECEMBER 2021

‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’
Acts 9:6 NKJV

Paul believed he was doing God’s will by imprisoning and killing Christians. And when he discovered his true calling, it was in a dramatic way. ‘As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do”’ (vv. 3-6 NKJV). On that day Paul’s ministry began, and it was a ministry that would change the world. As Paul’s life neared its end, he could say, ‘I obeyed that vision from heaven’ (Acts 26:19 NLT). Our vision must not spring from a need to impress others or be like them. We’re called to do God’s will, not our own, and not someone else’s. ‘It is better to trust the Lord than to trust people’ (Psalm 118:8 NCV). We must let our vision come from God’s divine guidance, not from the thoughts or influence of other people, so we can pray with confidence, ‘Lord, You gave me this vision, and I’m trusting You to provide what I need.’ The apostle John wrote, ‘This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us’ (1 John 5:14 NKJV).

What Now?

If you have a vision for your life, or if you’ve had guidance on the direction to take, spend some time today asking God for confirmation so you can be sure it’s really come from Him.

Luke 23:1-25, Psalms 120-128

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WORD FOR YOU!

Discovering your vision (3)
06 DECEMBER 2021

‘The Lord called to him in a vision.’
Acts 9:10 NIV

Maybe you think that because you haven’t been to Bible college or studied theology, God would never give you a vision. But that’s completely untrue. The Bible says this: ‘In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vison, “Ananias!.” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”…Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised, and after taking some food, he regained his strength’ (Acts 9:10-12, 17-19 NIVUK). Ananias was the right man, in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude, and God used him to lead the apostle Paul to Christ. But what’s interesting is this: after that account, Ananias is never mentioned again in Scripture. He was an ordinary person who was willing to say yes to God, and this attitude meant that he played a key role in God’s plan. That single act of listening to God in that moment had an impact that was bigger than he could have imagined. And if God gave Ananias a vision and used him greatly, He can do the same for you. Keep listening and keep trusting.

What Now?

Today, try to be extra conscious of any moments where God prompts you to do something, especially if it’s a small, easy thing that might seem insignificant.

Hosea 11-12, Jude

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WORD FOR YOU!

Discovering your vision (4)
07 DECEMBER 2021

‘He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”’
Acts 10:3 NIV

When God wants to change the current circumstances, He often starts by giving someone a vision. That’s what broke a centuries-old barrier and allowed the Gentiles (anyone who wasn’t Jewish) to hear the gospel preached for the first time. Sadly, it’s possible to be a Christian and be prejudiced. We can be believers, but still be biased against people we don’t really know or understand because we’ve avoided them and made unfair judgments about them. Jesus told His disciples, ‘This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’ (Matthew 24:14 NIV). Peter was present when Jesus said this, but either he wasn’t listening, or he didn’t like what he heard. In those days, Jews and Gentiles were bitter enemies. The divide between them was vast. Jews would often shun the Gentiles and call them offensive names. But God told Peter to go to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, and preach the gospel, a person Peter would have considered to be ‘unclean’. Prejudice is the product of a closed mind. It’s a type of pride that must be humbled. So how did God change Peter’s heart? It needed not one, but two different visions! God gave Cornelius a vision in which He told him to invite a Jewish preacher named Peter into his home to preach the gospel. And at the same time, He gave Peter a vision in which He told him, ‘If I accept someone, don’t you dare reject them!’ The truth is, when God wants to change things, He starts the process by giving someone a vision – and that person could be you!

What Now?

Today, pray that you would be open to any vision, big or small, that God gives you. Ask Him to fill you with confidence in Him so you can take whatever steps are necessary, at the right time, to fulfil it.

Hosea 13-14, Revelation 1