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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Be willing to look foolish
17 December 2024

‘God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.’
1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT

A pastor writes: ‘Poll after poll has found that most people’s number one fear is speaking in public. Death ranks number two. That means some people would rather die than speak in public. Why? It’s the fear of looking foolish…But faith is the willingness to look foolish. Noah looked foolish building an ark in the desert. Sarah looked foolish buying maternity clothes at ninety. The Israelites looked foolish marching around Jericho blowing trumpets. David looked foolish attacking Goliath with a slingshot…The wise men looked foolish following yonder star. Peter looked foolish stepping out of the boat in the middle of the lake. And Jesus looked foolish hanging half naked on the cross. But that’s the essence of faith. And the results speak for themselves. Noah was saved from the flood. Sarah gave birth to Isaac. The walls of Jericho came tumbling down. David defeated Goliath…The wise men found the Messiah. Peter walked on water. And Jesus rose from the dead…The greatest breakthroughs, miracles, and turning points in Scripture can be traced back to someone who was willing to look foolish.’

Why? Read this Scripture: ‘“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts”’ (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV).

So here is your choice: live by earthly thoughts and ways and be accepted by people, or live by heavenly thoughts and ways and be accepted by God. When you see it from that perspective, your choice is clear.

Micah 6-7, Revelation 10

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

A heart for others
18 December 2024

‘Blessed is he who considers the poor.’
Psalm 41:1 NKJV

On 18 December 1933, a curious ad appeared in a Canton, Ohio, newspaper: ‘Man Who Felt Depression’s Sting to Help 75 Unfortunate Families. Anonymous Giver Known only as “B. Virdot”, posts $750 to Spread Christmas Cheer.’ All the reader had to do was describe their plight in a letter and mail it care of ‘general delivery’. The appeals poured in. Oddly, no one knew a ‘B. Virdot’, and people wondered if such a person even existed. Then within a week, cheques began arriving in homes all over the area. Most were modest, about five dollars, and all were signed ‘B. Virdot’.

Throughout the ensuing years as the story was told, the identity of the philanthropist remained unknown. Then in 2008, long after his death, his grandson opened a tattered black suitcase collecting dust in his parent’s attic. That’s when they found the letters dated December 1933, along with 150 cancelled cheques. Turns out that B. Virdot was really Samuel J. Stone, and the pseudonym was a hybrid of Barbara, Virginia, and Dorothy, the names of his daughters.

Interestingly, there was nothing privileged about Sam Stone. He was fifteen when his family emigrated from Romania and settled in a Pittsburgh ghetto. Sam’s father hid his shoes so he couldn’t go to school, forcing him and his six siblings to roll cigars in the attic. Eventually, Sam left home to work on a barge and then in a coal mine. By the time the Great Depression hit he owned a small chain of clothing stores, and lived in relative comfort. Nevertheless, he had a heart for others – and his actions proved it. Can that be said about you?

Nahum 1-3, Revelation 11

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Are you called to go or to stay?
19 December 2024

‘Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them.’
Isaiah 42:16 NIV

Sometimes following God involves leaving a secure and lucrative career. Moses left a palace, Elisha left a farm, James and John left their fishing boats. But sometimes, following God means staying where you are and maximising every opportunity He gives you to promote His kingdom. When David returned from battle with the spoils, some of his soldiers didn’t want to share them with those who had remained behind. But David said, ‘The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike’ (1 Samuel 30:24 NIV). What you must seek God about is, ‘Am I called to go or to stay?’

It’s amazing how many people you meet who don’t like what they do for a living. Why do they do it? Because we all have to make a living. But what if God is calling you to do something different? It’s a risk making a change from what you’re currently doing to what you believe God wants you to do. You might not succeed. Or discover you don’t like it to the extent you expected. Or not make as much money. But the greater risk is staying when God calls you to go. Why? Regret! Knowing you never attempted to do what God had called you to do.

You may say, ‘I have many unanswered questions, and there is much I don’t know.’ Read this Scripture: ‘Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These…things I will do; I will not forsake them’ (Isaiah 42:16 NIV).

Habakkuk 1-3, Revelation 12

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Doing God’s will
20 December 2024

‘I delight to do thy will, O my God.’
Psalm 40:8 KJV

Doing God’s will can be difficult, but it always brings a sense of fulfilment and reward. David experienced resentment from his family, betrayal by his boss, and rejection by his friends. Yet he could say, ‘I delight to do thy will, O my God.’ To fulfil your God-given destiny, you need to be passionate. Passion gives you an advantage every time. One person with passion is more effective than ninety-nine who only have an interest. Passion gives you energy and keeps you going when others give up. Indeed, it keeps you going when you want to give up!

Not only will God give you a passion for His will, but you will also discover abilities you didn’t know you had. They may be undeveloped, but they’re there waiting to be tapped. Some of us have inherent abilities, and we know who we are and what to do. Others must work hard to make these discoveries. Your goal should be to waste as little of your life as possible.

There is a big difference between having a God-given dream that pushes you to achieve and pulling a concept out of thin air that has no relation to who you are and what you’re called to do. Just as a soldier on the front line must stay in communication with headquarters, you must pray daily and search God’s Word. When you know that you’re doing what God has called you to do, you experience joy in the midst of sorrow, peace in the midst of conflict, and confidence when everything around you is falling apart. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than knowing you’re doing the will of God.

Zephaniah 1-3, Revelation 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Reach for your potential
21 December 2024

‘Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would
increase abundantly.’
Job 8:7 NKJV

Your personal potential is what you may be – the person you can become. God, who sees the end from the beginning, knows your potential and will help you to reach it. But you have a part to play. You must desire growth and commit yourself to it each day. Growth is a pathway that never ends: ‘They go from strength to strength’ (Psalm 84:7 NKJV).

Just as your DNA differs from every other person, so does your personal growth pathway. To discover your God-given purpose, you must grow in spiritual awareness. To become a better person, you must grow in character. To progress in your career, you must develop your skills. To be a better spouse or parent, you must grow in your relationship skills. To achieve your financial goals, you must grow in your understanding about how money works. The aspects of growth differ from individual to individual, but the principles are alike for every person.

And if you’re serious about growth, you must integrate what you’re learning into your routine. You cannot change your life until you change something you do every day. Growth only takes place when knowledge becomes experience. That’s why keeping a growth journal is so important. It helps you to see how far you have come, what you have learned, the extent to which you have changed, and how far you have to go. If you continue to learn and grow daily for many years, you will be amazed at how far they will take you. ‘Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.’

Haggai 1-2, Revelation 14

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

‘Do not disturb’
22 December 2024

‘Preach the Word!…[Whether it is convenient or inconvenient…].’
Timothy 4:2 AMPC

In training Timothy for ministry, Paul says, ‘Preach the Word!…[Whether it is convenient or inconvenient…you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong].’ Most hotels have a sign you can put on your bedroom door that says, ‘Do Not Disturb’. That sign on your door means you want to relax, sleep, or not be bothered. Hanging that sign on your hotel room door is acceptable, but putting it on your life isn’t.

Have you ever noticed that God doesn’t always do things on our timetable or in ways that are convenient for us? Paul told Timothy that when it came to serving the Lord, he was called to do it ‘whether the time is favourable or not’ (NLT) and ‘whether it is convenient or inconvenient’. We need to remember that whatever God asks us to do, it’s always worth any inconvenience or difficulty we face in the process. And He will always make a way for us to accomplish His will when we are obedient to Him.

The Bible says, ‘So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him’ (Romans 8:8 AMPC). Notice, this ‘life of the flesh’ doesn’t please God. This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us. What it does mean is that He is not satisfied, nor will He accept behaviour ‘catering to the appetites and impulses of their [our] carnal nature’. So take down your ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign and commit to walking in obedience, for it’s the pathway of blessing.

Luke 24:1-35, Psalms 138-143

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Lessons from the life of Joseph (1)
23 December 2024

‘Joseph…did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.’
Matthew 1:24 NKJV

You can search the Gospels and you won’t discover a single word spoken by Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. But he is irreplaceable in the story of Jesus’ birth. Here is why: God used Joseph to protect and preserve the life of the Saviour. So today, let’s look at the lesson we draw from the life of Joseph:

You are responsible to protect God’s unborn purposes and promises in your life. Right now, there is a part of God’s will that is yet unknown and to be experienced in your life. A promise yet to be fulfilled. A word yet to be realised. A ministry yet to be launched. A family member yet to be saved. They are divine purposes that are presently unseen and unborn, and they must be watched over and protected so that they can come to pass. Just as Herod ordered the death of every Hebrew baby boy under two years of age in order to eliminate Jesus, Satan will do everything he can to stop God’s plan and purpose from being accomplished in your life and in the lives of your loved ones. This will help you to understand that the battle is not over your past or your present – but over your future.

What should you do? First, be on guard. ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). Second, put a prayer covering over your life and your loved ones: ‘I looked for someone…who would…stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land’ (Ezekiel 22:30 NIV).

Zechariah 1-2, Revelation 15

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Lessons from the life of Joseph (2)
24 December 2024

‘Joseph…decided to break the engagement quietly.’
Matthew 1:19 NLT

Joseph’s life of silent action gives us three keys to living in God’s promises. Today, let’s look at the first key: mercy. We are introduced to Joseph in the middle of a personal crisis. He is in love with Mary. And he believed that she loved him…until he heard she was pregnant. How should he respond? Openly shame her? Or surrender her to a public stoning as the law of Moses required? No, he chose mercy over malice and anger and revenge.

The mercy of Joseph preserved the life of Mary and protected the unborn child Jesus so that He could fulfil His destiny and become our Saviour. And this understanding, forgiving, and merciful carpenter helped to raise an understanding, forgiving, and merciful Son. A Son who would confront prejudice and hatred; who would rise above the discrimination of His culture and treat a Samaritan woman as an equal; who would release ‘the woman at the well’ from a lifetime of failure and emptiness, and also bring hope and salvation to an entire city; who would tell a guilty woman caught in adultery and about to be stoned by a religious mob, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’ (John 8:11 NKJV). A Son who would accept sinners not as bad, but as lost.

One of Joseph’s other sons, James, would one day grow up to believe in Jesus and write one of the books of the Bible in which he said, ‘But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds’ (James 3:17 NLT). Has someone hurt you? Follow the example of Joseph and show mercy.

Zechariah 3-4, Revelation 16

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Lessons from the life of Joseph (3)
25 December 2024

‘An angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream.’
Matthew 1:20 NKJV

In Joseph’s life we see three keys to experiencing the fulfilment of God’s purpose and promises in our lives. The first is mercy. Let’s look at the second: faith. ‘While he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit”’ (v. 20 NKJV). Joseph had intended to privately divorce Mary. Then God told him the divine plan. What was Joseph’s part? To exercise faith in a most difficult set of circumstances. To trust God when the situation could not be understood or explained rationally. God showed him four things:

1) God reminded Joseph of his identity: ‘Joseph, son of David.’ God wants you to know who you are ‘in Christ’ (see Ephesians 1:18-19). You have a special identity as a member of His redeemed family.

2) God assured Joseph that he didn’t have to be afraid. What enabled Joseph to overcome his fear and move forwards? Hearing from God. Having a word from the Lord to stand on. That’s what you need too (see Isaiah 30:21).

3) God gave Joseph direction. He was to take Mary as his wife, be a father to the child, and name Him Jesus. And what’s the lesson for you? Be teachable and follow God’s instructions. It’s by faith and obedience that you will reach your God-given destiny.

4) God assured Joseph that He was at work in the situation. When you know that, you experience peace of mind and a new perspective.

Zechariah 5-6, Revelation 17

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Lessons from the life of Joseph (4)
26 December 2024

‘Joseph…did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.’
Matthew 1:24 NKJV

There are divine purposes that must be faithfully watched over and protected in order to be fulfilled. Joseph gives us three keys to seeing God’s promises fulfilled. The first is mercy, and the second is faith. Let’s look at the third: obedience. ‘Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus’ (vv. 24-25 NKJV).

Joseph obeyed God when humanly speaking the circumstances didn’t make sense. He obeyed God when his mind was challenged with doubts. He obeyed God when his emotions were in an uproar. He obeyed God when it meant leaving home to live in Egypt until Herod died. For Joseph it meant leaving behind an established trade and business, and their family and friends. It meant living in a land where he did not understand or speak the language. And he didn’t know how long they would be there: weeks? months? years?

Though Egypt was a hard place to be, it was a place of obedience. And God’s promises are protected – in places of obedience. God’s promises to us are fulfilled – in places of obedience. God reveals His will to us – in places of obedience. Miracles happen – in places of obedience. Provision comes – in places of obedience. We are safe – in places of obedience. Are you waiting for a promise to be fulfilled? Are you looking for an answer to prayer? Use the keys of mercy, faith, and obedience.

Zechariah 7-8, Revelation 18