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WORD FOR YOU

Red lights and green lights (3)
28 OCTOBER 2021

‘This is the road! Now follow it.’
Isaiah 30:21 CEV

Someone once said, ‘When Columbus set out, he didn’t know where he was going. When he arrived, he didn’t know where he was. And when he returned home, he didn’t know where he’d been.’ We all need help to know what direction to go; whether or not to apply for a certain job, commit to a relationship, make a large purchase, and so on. The good news is that God will direct us, and when we make a wrong turn, He'll redirect us. Here are three ways in which He does it: 1) Through wise counsel. Others have been in a similar situation we find ourselves in; ‘Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith’ (Hebrews 13:7 NRSV). When we have a problem or an important decision to make, we should talk to others who have experience in that area and ask for help. It's also helpful to find someone we trust to mentor us regularly. Solomon said, ‘The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice’ (Proverbs 12:15 NIV). 2) Through prayer and listening for His voice. Jesus said, ‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me’ (John 10:27 NIV). And Isaiah wrote, ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.”’ That’s the kind of assurance we need. So, ‘Instead of worrying, pray’ (Philippians 4:6 MSG). 3) Through Scripture. Paul said, ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom’ (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). One author wrote: ‘The Bible is to God what a surgical glove is to a surgeon. He reaches through it to touch deep within you.’ But that means we must read it, personalise it, and act on it.

What Now?

Your third prayer point while waiting at traffic lights is to thank God for every ‘green light’ He gives you. Pray that you wouldn’t hesitate when He tells you to take action.

Jeremiah 50, Hebrews 1

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WORD FOR YOU

29 OCTOBER 2021
‘What can I give the LORD for all the good things he has given to me?’
Psalm 116:12 NCV

In the classic book Little Women, Mrs March tells this story to her daughters: ‘Once upon a time there were four girls who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, yet they were not contented. These girls made many excellent resolutions; but they were constantly saying, “If we only had this,” or “If we could only do that.” So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy and she said, “When you feel discontented, think over your blessings and be grateful.” They decided to try her advice, and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldn’t keep shame and sorrow out of rich people’s houses; another found she was a great deal happier with her youth, health and good spirits than a certain fretful, feeble old lady who couldn’t enjoy her comforts; a third that, disagreeable as it was to help get dinner, it was harder still to have to go begging for it. So they agreed to stop complaining and enjoy the blessings they already possessed.’ God is a loving Father, but that doesn’t mean He’ll give us everything we want (or everything we think we need). He doesn’t indulge our every whim, cultivate a sense of entitlement within us, or teach us that the world owes us anything. Being His child doesn’t mean we won’t need to work for things, or that we’ll avoid discipline and sacrifice. Instead, He lets us experience the satisfaction of a job well done, and encourages us to find joy in what we do and appreciate every blessing that comes our way. ‘What can I give the Lord for all the good things he has given to me?’ The answer is: gratitude.

What Now?

Get together with some friends or have a video call with them. Share the things you’re all grateful for at the moment, and then collectively thank God and praise Him for His goodness.

Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 2

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WORD FOR YOU

Conquering giants (1)
30 OCTOBER 2021

‘I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy.’
Luke 10:19 NLT

When David went out to fight Goliath he said, ‘You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord…and he will give you to us!’ (1 Samuel 17:45, 47 NLT). Nobody in King Saul’s army seemed to have included God in the equation, but David didn't talk about anything else. He saw what they didn’t see, and he refused to be intimidated by what they did see. He believed that the God he served was bigger than the giant he faced. We need to see God as bigger than our problems, too. When we're in a situation where there doesn't seem to be any way out, instead of dwelling on our own weaknesses and wishing things were different, we should stand on God’s Word and start talking about His power. We won’t win if we fight only in our own strength, so we shouldn't even try it. David said, ‘This is the Lord’s battle’ (v.47 NLT). And God has never lost a battle. That means we can confront our giants in the name and strength of God and declare: ‘Giant of fear, you aren’t coming near me. Giant of worry, you won’t conquer me. Giant of insecurity, of addiction, of doubt, God's taking you down.’ The Bible says, ‘When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [flag of victory] against him’ (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV). There are three things Satan can’t withstand: God’s Word, Christ’s blood, and the name of Jesus. When we use those things, we'll bring him down every time – just like David toppled Goliath.

What Now?

Memorise these words from today’s reading: ‘God has never lost a battle.’ Say them to yourself any time you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to handle a problem.

Lamentations 1-2, Hebrews 3

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WORD FOR YOU

Conquering giants (2)
31 OCTOBER 2021

‘Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head.’
1 Samuel 17:46 NLT

Goliath’s ancestors were Israel’s long-standing enemies. And when Joshua entered the Promised Land, he annihilated them all, except the inhabitants of Gath where Goliath hailed from. It's important to remember that, because it shows that if we don't completely destroy the issues we're facing, they'll rise to fight again. David put ‘five…stones from a stream…into his shepherd’s bag’ (v.40 NLT) because he didn’t know how many he’d need to finish the job. And there are certain ‘stones’ we need to take with us to conquer the giants in our lives. 1) Be relentless. It might take more than a day, a month, or even a year to see results. But with God’s help we’ll win if we persevere. 2) Get God involved. David declared, ‘There is a God in Israel’ (v.46 NLT). He made sure to bring God right into the centre of the situation, and God came through for Him. 3) Keep praying and believing God for victory. ‘Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare’ (Ephesians 6:18 MSG). Replaying and going over our hurts again and again won’t heal them, and ignoring our problems won’t solve them. But prayer will. 4) Remember earlier victories. David announced, ‘God, who delivered me from the…lion and…bear, will deliver me from this Philistine’ (1 Samuel 17:37 MSG). When we’re afraid of the future, we should try to call to mind God’s past faithfulness to us: ‘Remember the wonders he…performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given’ (1 Chronicles 16:12 NLT). With God’s help, we can conquer any giants that life throws at us.

What Now?

What ‘giant’ are you facing at the moment? Take some time out today to tell God about it and ask Him to get involved in your battle. Listen to His instructions and follow through on any action He wants you to take.

Luke 20:27-47, Psalms 110-112

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WORD FOR YOU


God’s still in control
01 NOVEMBER 2021

‘This peace will control the way you think and feel.’
Philippians 4:7 CEV

Someone once said, ‘I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!’ Is that how you’re feeling today? When it feels like there’s too much to do or the things we’re facing are too big to handle, let’s try to focus on these words of peace and let our minds rest in them: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13 NIV). We won’t find true and lasting peace from anything external. The peace that stays with us through troubles and challenges only comes when we let God fill us with His Holy Spirit. He can satisfy our spiritual hunger and give us a sense of calm and serenity even when we’re surrounded by stresses and strains. If you feel overwhelmed at the moment, and in need of God’s peace, here’s a prayer of encouragement: ‘Father, You said there’s no weapon that’ll succeed when used against me (see Isaiah 54:17). I can’t stop the enemy’s weapons being used, but I know You’ll stop them winning against me. You said that if I ask for anything in line with Your will, You’ll grant my request (see 1 John 5:14-15). You said that when I walk in obedience, I’ll be blessed when I come in, when I go out, when I lie down, and when I get up (see Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalms 1:2; 3:5). You told me to give all my worries and troubles to You and You’ll take care of me (see 1 Peter 5:7). So here they are. Today I’m trusting in Your promises. You said it, so I believe it’s true. Amen.’

What Now?

Find some more Bible verses about the protection and peace God brings. Try writing your own personal prayer with them, based on the one in today’s reading.

Lamentations 3-5, Hebrews 4

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WORD FOR YOU

His servant and His witness
02 NOVEMBER 2021

‘I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness.’
Acts 26:16 NLT

A ‘servant’ focuses on doing their master’s will. And a ‘witness’ testifies to what they have seen and personally experienced. And we’re called to be both. Let’s take a look at each one individually. 1) We’re God’s servants. That means we need to be tuned in to what He wants us to do, when He wants us to do it, and the way He wants it done. Doing His will should be the most important item on our to-do lists for each day. 2) We’re God’s witnesses. The value of a witness depends on how close they were to an event when it happened, and what they observed. John wrote, ‘We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands...Now we testify’ (1 John 1:1-2 NLT). When we spend time with Jesus each day, we become closer to Him and allow His influence to fill our lives – and then other people can be positively influenced by our lives. The Bible says, ‘the wise person teaches others how to live’ (Proverbs 11:30 NCV). When it comes to sharing our faith with others, we must do it with wisdom, tact, and grace. Chances are, many people we meet have had at least one bad experience with Christians and church, so we need God’s wisdom in being sensitive to their needs. One way we can do this is by letting them know Jesus can heal broken hearts, and that the church as He intended is a hospital for souls, where people can come for care, love and support. Our assignment as His servants is to draw people to Jesus, and as His witnesses, we can fulfil this assignment by sharing our own testimonies of what God has done for us.

What Now?

Do you know someone who’s hurting at the moment? Try sharing a story of something that God has done in your life, to encourage them that He can do the same for them. You don’t need to preach, just simply state the facts as you experienced them.

Ezekiel 1-2, Hebrews 5

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WORD FOR YOU

We need each other
03 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.’
Romans 1:12 NCV

Next time you walk in the woods or go past a park, have a think about what’s taking place underground. As the roots of the trees connect with each other, they form a support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, and another to sunlight. No single tree has everything, but when they work together they can grow, thrive, and withstand storms. This is a good illustration of how we should share and cooperate with others. ‘Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love’ (Ephesians 4:15-16 CEV). But this can be difficult, especially when we’re inclined to be independent. We want to fly solo, but sooner or later we’ll crash. It’s at that point we realise our need for these three things: 1) Encouragement. Even Paul needed cheering on: ‘Everyone in Asia has turned against me, especially Phygelus and Hermogenes. I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up and wasn’t ashamed of me when I was put in jail. Then after he arrived in Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me’ (2 Timothy 1:15-17 CEV). 2) Sympathy. ‘Be sympathetic’ (Colossians 3:12 GWT). We all need to be understood and have our feelings validated. But sometimes we’re in such a hurry to ‘fix’ people, we don’t have time to sympathise with them. 3) Grace. ‘Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others’ (Colossians 3:13 NLT). God’s grace to us should be our motivation for showing grace to others. We’ll never be asked to extend more grace to someone than God has already extended to us.

What Now?

Do you know anyone who’s struggling with something that’s going on in their life and could use some support? Today, try to make some time to offer them the three things mentioned in the reading: Encouragement, sympathy, and grace.

Ezekiel 3-4, Hebrews 6

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WORD FOR YOU

God is our home
04 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Lord, you have been our home since the beginning.’
Psalm 90:1 NCV

Even though the Israelites were God’s people, they ‘wandered in the desert lands. They found no city in which to live. They were hungry and thirsty, and they were discouraged’ (Psalm 107:4-5 NCV). If you’re feeling like that today, maybe your soul needs a ‘home’ – a place where it’s at peace, secure, and nurtured; a place where you can put down your worries, weariness, and frustrations, and simply bask in God’s presence. David said, ‘My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God’ (Psalm 84:2 NIV). The good news is that Jesus wants to be your home. The Message paraphrases His words: ‘Live in me. Make your home in me’ (John 15:4 MSG). We sometimes treat Him more like an emergency shelter that’s only used in times of trouble, but what we really need to do is make Him our permanent dwelling place. So how can we do that? The first thing we need to do is commit to spending time with Him each day. This may not come naturally to us at first, so it’ll take a conscious decision and effort on our part. But as we get to know Him better and our relationship with Him grows, those moments when it’s just us and God will become very precious and our desire to be with Him will get stronger. We also need to study the Bible and allow God’s Word to influence and guide us. As we learn to trust what He says, we’ll seek His opinion more and more, and discover that He’s our place of peace, safety and rest (take a look at Isaiah 32:18).

What Now?

If you don’t already, set a time each day that’s devoted to God. Even if you can only manage 5 or 10 minutes to begin with, take that first step to spending time alone with Him every day.

Ezekiel 5-7, Hebrews 7

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WORD FOR YOU

Prepare through prayer
05 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour?’
Matthew 26:40 CEV

In Gethsemane, Jesus ‘came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak”’ (Matthew 26:40-41 CEV). Jesus was just hours from the cross, and He asked His disciples to pray for Him. He must have been so disappointed when He found them all fast asleep. We can be shocked that on such an important night, the disciples couldn’t spend just one hour praying for Jesus. It’s easy for us to be judgmental and to think things like ‘I wouldn’t have fallen asleep. If Jesus had asked me to pray for Him, nothing would have stopped me.’ But we’ve all been victims of tiredness at some point. Maybe the disciples didn’t get enough rest the night before, or they were worn out from a day of hard work. They might have thought that Jesus would simply perform another miracle and find a way out of the task that lay ahead, so their prayers didn’t really matter. But sadly, the disciples not only missed a great opportunity to encourage and strengthen Jesus in His hour of need, they also missed an opportunity to strengthen themselves in preparation for the terrible hours ahead. There are so many distractions that can sneak in and steal our quiet times with God, and the things we choose to do over spending time with Him don’t even need to be bad things, but if they’re taking priority over God, we need to reassess our priorities! We don’t know what each day holds, but through prayer and spending time in God’s Word, we can prepare our hearts for whatever life throws at us.

What Now?

Think about your day yesterday. Was there anything that took priority over prayer? If you’re aware of something that tends to steal your prayer times, ask God to help you shift it lower down your priority list.

Ezekiel 8-10, Hebrews 8

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WORD FOR YOU

Feeling depressed (1)
06 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.’
1 Kings 19:7 NIV

If you’re experiencing depression, it’s important to seek the support of a doctor or counsellor. But God also has some wisdom for us when we’re feeling depressed. Over the next few days, let’s take a look at how God helped Elijah when he was experiencing depression (you can read about this in 1 Kings 19), and what we can learn from this. First, we need to take care of our physical needs. Elijah was exhausted, so he stretched out under a tree and fell asleep. ‘All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again’ (v.5-6 NIV). Then the angel came to him a second time and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you’ (v.7 NIV). So he ate and drank and was strengthened by the food. God didn’t get cross with Elijah, scold him for running away, demand an explanation, imply his present condition was caused by a lack of faith, or put the blame on Elijah in any way. He simply met Elijah’s most pressing needs by giving him food and allowing him to rest. Depression goes beyond just feeling sad – it can impact our mental and physical health too. And when we’re physically and mentally drained, we’re vulnerable. We might not feel like taking care of ourselves properly. In those times, let’s try to remember that God’s starting point was to restore Elijah physically and help him regain his strength. And if we’re supporting someone who’s experiencing depression, let’s follow God’s example by refusing to criticise or get frustrated, and instead start by looking at how we can meet their immediate needs.

What Now?

If you know someone who is going through a difficult time, see what you can do to meet their immediate needs. And if you’re struggling at the moment, remember to be kind to yourself, just as God wants to be kind to you.

Ezekiel 11-13, Hebrews 9