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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Experiencing ‘his incomparably great power’
07 AUGUST 2024

‘I pray…that you may know…his incomparably great power for us who believe.’
Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV

Like a proud parent, our heavenly Father loves it when we carry out impossible things by His power and for His glory. And when you live in raw reliance upon His power, you will do things that otherwise cannot be done. When you think about it, in and of ourselves, we are incapable of loving God. We cannot fabricate love for Him. We can just respond to His love for us. Knowing this sets us free.

Religion focuses on doing things for God. But true Christianity is all about receiving what Christ has done for us on the cross. What we do for God is a reflection and a response to what He has done for us. We all love miracles; we just dislike being in a circumstance where we need one. But, that is a precondition. You will never experience the power of God until you’re in a situation that requires it.

If you want to be filled with His Spirit, step into a situation that requires His power. Pursue a God-ordained dream you cannot achieve in your own strength and wisdom. That’s why Paul writes: ‘I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms’ (vv.18-20 NIV).

Today, God wants you to experience His ‘incomparably great power’ in your life.

Job 32-33, 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

God will deliver you
08 AUGUST 2024

‘He heard me from heaven; my cry reached his ears.’
Psalm 18:6 TLB

Have you suffered a series of defeats and setbacks? Are you discouraged because the attacks have been long and tiring? Read these words from the psalmist David and stand on them:

‘Lord, how I love you! For you have done such tremendous things for me…In my distress I screamed to the Lord for his help. And he heard me from heaven; my cry reached his ears…He reached down…and drew me out of my great trials…On the day when I was weakest, they attacked. But the Lord held me steady. He led me to a place of safety, for he delights in me. The Lord rewarded me for doing right…What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him. For who is God except our Lord? Who but he is as a rock? He fills me with strength and protects me wherever I go’ (vv. 1, 6, 16, 18-20, 30-32 TLB).

You have heard it before, and you know what to do – spend more time with God in prayer and reading His Word! Instead of striving in your own strength, plug into God and start flowing in His strength. Check and see who is on the throne of your life. If it’s anyone other than the Lord, including yourself, it’s an idol that must be dethroned.

How long will this battle last? God knows, and He will never permit the attack you face to be greater than the great grace He provides. Today He is saying to you, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).

Job 34-35, 1 Corinthians 8

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Include Jesus in all you do
09 AUGUST 2024

‘Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on.’
Luke 2:44 NIVUK

The Bible says: ‘Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival…After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers’ (vv. 41-47 NIVUK).

Note the words ‘Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company…’ It was a full day’s journey before they realised He wasn’t with them! Then it took them three days to find Him! There is a lesson here for you. It’s easier to lose that special sense of God’s presence than to get it back once you have lost it. It’s easy to wander off and do your own thing, unaware that you haven’t included the Lord in your day or taken time to consult Him about your plans.

The way to maintain a sense of God’s presence is to intentionally involve Him in all that you do. Jesus promised, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them’ (John 14:23 NIV).

Job 36-37, 1 Corinthians 9

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Believe in your vision
10 AUGUST 2024

‘Write the vision and make it plain.’
Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV

God has a plan for your life. In Scripture, it’s sometimes referred to as a ‘vision’. It works like a compass that will always point you in the right direction and an anchor that will hold you steady in life’s storms. Why did God say, ‘Write the vision and make it plain’? Because sometimes, we bury our vision deep in our hearts to protect ourselves from the criticism of others. Fear causes us to set our vision out of sight so that we don’t have to think about it. Sometimes we give up on our vision because it hurts too much and costs too much to hold on to it.

What should you do? First, you must have a vision that’s clear and compelling. Second, you must keep your vision before you at all times. After experiencing painful rejection by his family and false accusation by his boss’s wife resulting in thirteen years of wrongful imprisonment, the Bible says, ‘Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed’ (Genesis 42:9 KJV). Third, you must remember that God has scheduled a time for your dream to be fulfilled: ‘The vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come’ (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

You must find a balance between contentment and ambition. Paul writes, ‘I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content’ (Philippians 4:11 NKJV). Paul never allowed himself to be upset with where he was at the moment; he knew that God was with him at all times, and he was always looking forward to where God would take him. So enjoy this day, knowing that God has your future securely planned.

Job 38-40, 1 Corinthians 10:1-17

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Sometimes it’s wise to say no
11 AUGUST 2024

‘I am not able…the burden is too heavy for me.’
Numbers 11:14 NKJV

Moses fielded complaints and listened to stories of frustration and woe until he reached the place where he told God, ‘I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me.’ And God agreed. He told Moses to pick seventy mature leaders, ‘and they shall bear the burden of the people with you’ (vv. 16-17 NKJV). As a result, they made it to the promised land.

Like Moses, it’s okay for you to say, ‘I’ve reached my limit.’ Yes, the Scripture says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). But that’s referring to times when we face various trials and situations that God will help us through. It doesn’t mean we should take on so many responsibilities that we burn out. Sometimes it’s all too much, and it’s okay to admit that. It’s also okay to say no to some things, so you can enjoy life the way God intended.

You don’t have to be like someone else or try to keep up with them. The assignment God gives you is never greater than the grace He supplies. As our faces differ, so do our gifts and capacity to handle things. We need to be who God created us to be, and we don’t have to apologise for it. We must accept responsibility for all God called us to be, and do all He called us to do. We’re not called to make ourselves sick with stress and pressure.

So if you have reached your limit, go to God. He will help you find a saner, healthier lifestyle.

Luke 15:1-10, Psalms 81-83

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

UCB Word For Today
‘The habit of joyful and confident hope’

12 AUGUST 2024
‘Character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope.’
Romans 5:4 AMPC

Does it feel like the attack coming against you right now is more than you can bear? If so, read this: ‘Pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope’ (vv. 3-4 AMPC).

Notice that you can reach a place of spiritual maturity where you automatically respond to difficulty with ‘joyful and confident hope’. It’s easy to say, ‘Don’t worry.’ But to actually do that requires experience with the faithfulness of God. When we trust God and then see His faithfulness in our lives, it gives us the confidence needed to live without fear and anxiety.

That’s why it’s so important to continue to have faith in God and learn to trust Him in the midst of trials. With God’s help, we can overcome the temptation to give up when the going gets rough. God uses those hard, trying times to build in us patience, endurance, and character that will eventually produce ‘the habit of joyful and confident hope’.

Always remember that when you are in a battle, you are gaining valuable experience that will benefit you later on. You will more easily trust God when difficulty comes, and you will be able to testify to others regarding the goodness and faithfulness of God.

If you are in a battle right now, you can let it defeat you or make you stronger! Make the right decision, and let it help bring you to a deeper level of spiritual maturity.

Job 41-42, 1 Corinthians 10:18-33

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

The ingredients of a miracle
13 AUGUST 2024

‘There was a wedding in Cana of Galilee.’
John 2:1 NKJV

Let’s examine the story of Jesus turning water into wine. It was His first miracle, and it reveals how He works in our lives.

1) Invite Jesus. ‘There was a wedding in Cana of Galilee…Jesus and His disciples were invited’ (vv. 1-2 NKJV). When the problem arose, this couple didn’t have to send for Jesus because He was already there. Not only did they know Him, they included Him in their plans. They honoured Him. The cry of Paul’s heart was ‘that I may know Him’ (Philippians 3:10 NKJV). Why? Because when you know the Lord, you can call on Him with confidence and be assured He will be by your side when you need Him. This couple probably had a long time to prepare for this event, yet Jesus didn’t criticise them for poor planning. He came to their aid and met their need. And He will do the same for you; all you have to do is invite Him.

2) Do what He tells you, even when you do not understand it. Faith does not require explanations. It requires simple obedience and trusting in the goodness of God. ‘Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass’ (Psalm 37:4-5 NKJV).

3) Understand that God can save the best for the last. ‘You have kept the good wine until now!’ (John 2:10 NKJV). It’s not too late. What looks to you like a tragedy can become a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life.

Proverbs 1-2, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

Where do our prayers go?
14 AUGUST 2024

‘Your prayers…have come up for a memorial before God.’
Acts 10:4 NKJV

Have you ever wondered where your prayers go? The answer is ‘up for a memorial before God’. Notice that they are ‘before’ Him. They are in His hands and on His mind. Here when Cornelius prayed, God not only changed his circumstances, He changed history; for the first time, Gentiles heard the gospel and became part of the kingdom of God.

How long had Cornelius been praying? We don’t know; the Bible just calls him ‘a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always’ (v. 2 NKJV). Prayer was not a hotline Cornelius used when he got into trouble or had a problem he couldn’t solve. He ‘prayed to God always’. He had a lifestyle of prayer.

The word ‘memorial’ means God remembers what you pray about. Prayer is like putting money into your bank account. You may not draw on it today or tomorrow, but it will be there when you need it. Don’t get caught up in religious rituals. You can pray anywhere, anytime, about anything, and God will answer you. ‘Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice’ (Psalm 55:17 NKJV).

When you run out of petrol on the motorway, you can’t blame the car. You got busy doing other things and neglected what was important. Prayer makes you conscious of God, keeps you connected to God, and positions you to receive what you need from God. So, keep praying because your prayers go ‘up for a memorial before God’.

Proverbs 3-5, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

God will come through for you
15 AUGUST 2024

‘Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.’
2 Chronicles 20:12 NKJV

The heroes in Scripture often found themselves faced with impossible odds and overwhelming situations. Think of Moses standing up to Pharaoh and David standing up to Goliath. Think of King Jehoshaphat facing the overwhelming might of three combined armies determined to destroy his nation. Here is what he said to God: ‘For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You’ (v. 12 NKJV).

Now notice how God answered him: ‘“Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you”…Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you’ (vv.15-17 NKJV).

God will never give you a job to do that does not require His strength, His wisdom, His resources, and sometimes His miraculous intervention. Who commanded the disciples to get into the boat and go over to the other side of Galilee? Jesus. What happened? Obeying Him involved going through one of the worst storms of their lives. But as they watched Him still the storm, their faith rose to a new level and prepared them to do greater things for God in the future.

So the word for today is: 1) position yourself, 2) stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, and 3) ‘do not fear…go…for the Lord is with you’.

Proverbs 6-7, 1 Corinthians 12

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY™

The blessings of battle
16 AUGUST 2024

‘Fight the good fight of faith…to which you were also called.’
1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

When you commit your life to Christ, you switch sides. Now you’re up against three things. The world with its pressures, values, and agenda. The flesh, with its impulses and weaknesses. The devil, who is out to defeat you. But God would never allow us to get into a fight we couldn’t win, so let’s consider three blessings of battle.

1) It teaches you to live at high alert. It was when Samson slept that Delilah shaved his head and robbed him of his strength. It was when the servants slept that an enemy sowed weeds among the wheat and threatened their harvest.

2) It’s a sign of spiritual progress. When Israel entered the promised land, thirty-one kings and seven nations had to be conquered. Plus giants! They had to take it one city at a time and one giant at a time. And when Jesus becomes Lord of your life, He will address the unsurrendered areas of your life, and He will deal with them one at a time. And the battle will be harder and last longer when it comes to your stubborn areas. You know which ones they are, right? Be encouraged. God won’t give up on you: ‘He who has begun a good work in you will complete it’ (Philippians 1:6 NKJV).

3) It’s an indication of your value to God. You are a seed capable of producing a harvest for God. That’s why you’re a target of Satan. He is after the deposit of God that’s within you. So, keep fighting the good fight of faith, knowing that by God’s grace, you will win.

Proverbs 8-9, 1 Corinthians 13