JULY 30, 2013. THE WAY OUT

WEDNESDAY JULY 31

“He will show you a way out.”          1Co 10:13 NLT

THE WAY OUT

The Bible says, “When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”  Maybe you are in a situation - a relationship or a financial condition - that’s not what you wanted.  You can lie down and die.  But when you don’t - when you show up, when you offer the best you have - something good is happening inside you that far outweighs whatever is happening outside you.  Jesus was facing adversity when He told His followers that if they had faith, they could command a mountain and it would be cast into the sea.  Now, when your focus is on the mountain, you are driven by your fear.  But when your focus is on God, you are made alive by faith.  But if you didn’t face the mountain you’d never know that faith was in you, or to what extent.  Adversity has a way of changing your values and priorities for the better.  When you’re on the treadmill of money, security, or success, and adversity knocks you off, you start seeing the folly of chasing temporal things.  And if you’re wise you resolve not to return to your old way of life when things normalize.  But the key to accomplishing this is taking action before normal life takes over again.  You have a finite window of time to make changes; otherwise you’ll drift back into your old patterns.  While the memory of your adversity is still fresh, pray and ask God what changes He wants to make in your attitudes, your relationships, your habits and your lifestyle, and “He will show you a way out.”

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 30, 2013. KEEP GROWING (3)

TUESDAY JULY 30

“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be.”  2Pe 1:8 NLT

KEEP GROWING (3)

Let’s look at two more things you need to grow: (1) Don’t just grow in knowledge, grow in character.  The truth is, God is more interested in your character than He is in your career.  Why?  Because success without character has the potential to hurt you, and those around you.  The Bible says: “Make every effort to respond to God’s promises.  Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be” (vv. 5-8 NLT).  Note the words “make every effort.”  You’ve got to work at it!  (2) Always stay fresh.  Did you hear the old story about the country pastor who was preaching when his notes flew out the church window and a cow grazing nearby ate them?  Three days later the cow went dry.  Hello!  Stay thirsty.  Stay hungry.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Mt 5:6 NIV).  Ultimately it’s not your talents, but your desire that determines your destiny.  One of Paul’s highest compliments was given to the believers in the Thessalonian church: “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing” (2Th 1:3 NIV).  Let that be said of you.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 29, 2013. KEEP GROWING (2)

MONDAY JULY 29

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning.”     Pr 1:5 NIV

KEEP GROWING (2)

When it comes to growth, Christ is our example.  The Bible says that He “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk 2:52 NIV).  To enjoy favor with God and others you must keep growing spiritually, mentally and emotionally.  That requires you to do two things: (1) Never stop learning.  Every experience in life, including the ones you don’t enjoy, yields knowledge that can make your future better than your present.  But you have to look for it.  The downside to the Internet and the iPhone is that you get endless “hits” of information you don’t process or glean anything from.  Instead of letting life just “happen” to you, you need to stop and ask yourself, “What’s really happening here?  I’m hearing it, but what does it mean?”  You are body, soul, and spirit, so you need to ask, “Am I healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?”  No one can answer that question but you.  (2) Never stop developing your talents.  When one of the world’s greatest violinists was an old man, he was asked why he still practiced six to eight hours every day.  He replied, “Because I think I’m getting better.”  What a great attitude!  It’s not enough just to live longer, you’re supposed to live better!  Paul told Timothy, “Stir up the gift...which is within you” (2Ti 1:6 NIV).  Wesley Trace said, “Some people have the notion that following your spiritual gift is spending the days and years of your life doing only those things which come naturally, easily, with no effort, discipline or practice.  No, your gift can either be mediocre or excellent; it’s up to you.”

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 28, 2013. KEEP GROWING (1)

SUNDAY JULY 28

“When you come, bring...my scrolls.”  2Ti 4:13 NIV

KEEP GROWING (1)

In prison with no possibility of release, and facing the certainty of death on the chopping block, Paul asked Timothy to bring his books.  Why?  Because he wanted to keep growing.  The truth is: (1) When you finish growing, you’re finished.  When the poet Longfellow was old an admirer asked him how he was able to keep writing so beautifully.  Pointing to a nearby apple tree he replied, “That tree is very old, but I never saw prettier blossoms.  The tree grows a little new wood every year, and out of that new wood those blossoms come.  So I try to grow a little each year.”  (2) Growth doesn’t come easy.  It will stretch you.  It will challenge you to rethink assumptions you’ve always believed to be right.  Indeed, it can cost you friends and money.  But when you’re committed to growth you cannot settle for ignorance.  (3) Growth is your responsibility.  When you were a child your parents were responsible for your growth, but now you are.  The poet Robert Browning wrote, “Why stay we on earth except to grow?”  Yet few dedicate themselves to the process.  That’s because growth requires change, and we’re uncomfortable with the things change brings.  Gail Sheehy said, “If we don’t change we won’t grow, and if we don’t grow we’re not really living.  Growth demands the temporary surrender of security.  It means giving up familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in, relationships that have lost their meaning.  Taking a new step is what we fear most, yet our real fear should be the opposite.”  Can you think of anything worse that a life devoid of growth?

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 27, 2013. THEN JESUS CAME!

SATURDAY JULY 27

“Clothed and in his right mind.”         Mk 5:15 NKJV

THEN JESUS CAME!

One of Christ’s greatest miracles was the healing of a man who was controlled and tortured by evil spirits (See v. 2 NKJV).  The Bible says: “His dwelling [was] among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains...neither could anyone tame him...always, night and day, he was...crying out and cutting himself with stones” (v. 3-5 NKJV).  Notice four things about this man’s condition: (1) He kept hurting himself.  Now, he used stones to do it, but some of us use drugs, food, sex, alcohol, overwork and negativity.  What are you doing today that’s hurting you?  Until you can acknowledge it, you won’t get free of it.  (2) He was preoccupied with death.  Why else would someone choose to live in a graveyard?  Life’s troubles can bring you to the place where you lose your very desire to live.  (3) He had no peace, day or night.  The downside of godless living is restlessness, irritability and discontent.  Nothing satisfies or is ever enough.  (4) He lived in isolation.  Satan’s job is made easier when you don’t have a spiritual support system.  Fellowship wrecks his plans.

Then Jesus came!  He made a boat trip across storm-tossed Galilee to get to this man.  Just one word from Jesus, and we read: “They...saw the one who had been demon-possessed...sitting...clothed and in his right mind.”  Out of gratitude, the man wanted to join Jesus’ disciples.  But Jesus told him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you” (v. 19 NKJV).  When Christ sets you free, your first responsibility is to stay free and help set others free.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 26, 2013. WINNING

FRIDAY JULY 26

“Run to win!” 1Co 9:24 NLT

WINNING

In the Roman Empire athletes stripped down to a simple loincloth so that nothing prevented them from running their best race.  Referring to it, Paul writes: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step” (vv. 24-26 NLT).  How about you?  Do you just want the fun of being in the race, or are you running to win?  To succeed at being what God has redeemed and called you to be, you’ll have to stop doing certain things, even enjoyable things, and begin doing other things that support your goals and help you to fulfill your God-ordained purpose.  Sometimes this will mean saying no to well-intentioned people who try to involve you in things that steal your time and produce the wrong results.  It will also mean dealing with “the sin that so easily entangles” (Heb 12:1 NIV).  When God says something is wrong, it’s wrong!  You don’t need to rationalize, make excuses or feel sorry for yourself.  You just need to agree, ask His forgiveness and get it out of your life.  Who gets the prize?  Those who pay the price!  Paul knew he couldn’t win the race without first bringing his body, mind and emotions under the control of God’s Spirit.  The same goes for you.  And you can’t expect somebody else to make you do what’s right; you must listen to what God’s saying to you, and take action.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 25, 2013. CONFIDENCE (2)

THURSDAY JULY 25

“Who told you...you were naked?”           Ge 3:11 NKJV

CONFIDENCE (2)

It’s impossible to feel confident when you’re telling yourself you’re not good enough and that you’ll never amount to anything.  One pastor says: “After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they hid.  God came to them and said, ‘Where are you?’  They said, ‘We’re hiding because we’re naked.’  I love how God answered...’Who told you...you were naked?’  In other words, ‘Who told you there was something wrong with you?’  God immediately knew the Enemy had been talking to them.  And God’s saying to you today, ‘Who told you...you don’t have what it takes to succeed...that the best grades you can make are C’s...that you’re not attractive enough to succeed in your relationships...or talented enough to flourish in your career...or that your marriage isn’t going to last?  Those are lies from the Enemy.  God said, ‘No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly’ (Ps 84:11 NKJV); ‘Delight yourself...in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart’ (Ps 37:4 NKJV).  The potential is inside you...and it doesn’t change because you don’t believe it, or because you’ve been through negative experiences.  ‘The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable’ (Ro 11:29 NKJV).  He’s never going to take back the potential He poured into you...or say, ‘I’m tired of dealing with you...you’ve failed too often and made too many mistakes.  Give Me back My gifts.’  No...His calling on your life will be with you till the day you leave this earth, but it’s up to you to...tap into it.”  When the Enemy starts chipping away at your confidence, take authority over him in Jesus’ Name; resist him and he will flee (See Jas 4:7).

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 24, 2013. CONFIDENCE (1)

WEDNESDAY JULY 24

“The fruit of righteousness will be...confidence.” Isa 32:17 NIV

CONFIDENCE (1)

Never mistake competence for confidence; one is ability-based, the other comes from knowing who you are in Christ; that you’re “complete in him” (1Jn 2:5 NIV).  One author says: “The first thing I learned about confidence, was I didn’t possess it...I had a thin glaze of arrogance covering a core of fear.  All those years of being a success in the eyes of the world left me deathly afraid of failure.  Worldly success requires taking risks beyond the comfort zones of previous accomplishments.  Spiritual success requires letting go of outcomes and allowing God to move on your behalf.  I was so afraid of failure...I never found success in either...the false confidence I’d known was built on my own abilities....However, if you suddenly find a lump in your breast, or your spouse says he never loved you, or you get fired from your job, or your child is seriously ill, every tactic you’ve ever employed and every skill you’ve ever mastered will get you nowhere....The Bible says, ‘Have a sane estimate of your [abilities]’ (Ro 12:4 PHPS)...once you realize you aren’t perfect...you can exhale and start the task of being good enough....When your confidence stems from knowing the Almighty, unchanging One, you cannot be shaken by change or circumstances.  You...exude competence, peace, contentment, and fortitude.”  Isn’t it time you got out from under the pressure of acting like God and having all the answers?  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Ro 12:6 NIV).  When you use your gift to glorify God, you’re doing what He intended you to do.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 23, 2013. LEARN TO BE LED BY GOD’S SPIRIT

TUESDAY JULY 23

“Let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal 5:25 NIV

LEARN TO BE LED BY GOD’S SPIRIT

If the Christian life is about having a personal relationship with God, then God must still speak to us today.  But a relationship can’t be built on one-way speeches.  First, it requires commitment.  Then it requires communication between two people in which each speaks and listens to the other.  “You...are controlled...by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you” (Ro 8:9 NIV).  That means having Spirit-controlled responses, and making Spirit-led decisions.  When you follow God life no longer consists only of that which can be seen, felt or figured out.  It includes walking by faith, trusting Him, learning to know His voice and the leadings of His Spirit.  Some of us are reluctant to do that because we’ve seen people who claim to be doing it and their approach scares us.  So when we sense the Spirit’s leading we doubt it, analyze it, conclude it isn’t logical and don’t pay attention to it.  Some of us want to obey the Spirit, but we’re not sure we know that He’s really speaking to us.  We wonder, “Is this God’s voice or my own desires?”  We’ve all experienced this; it’s a normal part of the Christian life.  This is why Paul writes, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  Spiritual guidance is learned - one step at a time.  Even the most mature believer will stumble and get it wrong at times.  No problem: “The Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand” (Ps 37:23-24 NIV).

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 22, 2013. GOD’S CLAIMS ON YOUR LIFE (3)

MONDAY JULY 22

“Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”         1Co 6:20

GOD’S CLAIMS ON YOUR LIFE (3)

God’s third claim on your life is consecration.  It’s not a word we hear very much these days.  It means “to be set aside for the exclusive use of.”  You say, “But I have so many faults.”  God’s not looking for perfection, He’s looking for willingness.  The Bible says, “Every high priest [was] taken from among men” (Heb 5:1 NKJV).  The people God calls and uses are all human and flawed in some way.  Why would God call someone like that?  Because they “can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since [they also are] subject to weakness” (v. 2 NKJV).  You say, “My parents want me to go to Bible school and be a minister.”  Well, there’s good news and bad.  The good news is that Bible school can deepen your devotion to Christ and give you insights into His Word.  The bad news is that your parents can’t call you, only God can!  “No man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God” (v. 4 NKJV).  You say, “How will I know I’m called to ministry?”  Fruitfulness!  When controversy broke out in Israel over who should be in leadership, God told Moses to pick a man from each of the twelve tribes.  That man’s rod was placed in the ark of the covenant overnight, and the one whose rod “budded” was the one God had called.  The Bible says: “A man’s gift makes room for him” (Pr 18:16 NKJV).  When God calls you He will open the doors, make the connections, and provide the resources.  All He asks of you is a life that’s consecrated to doing His will.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 21, 2013. GOD’S CLAIM ON YOUR LIFE (2)

SUNDAY JULY 21

“Ye are bought with a price.”         1Co 6:20

GOD’S CLAIM ON YOUR LIFE (2)

God’s second claim on your life is Calvary.  The story’s told of two friends who went to law school.  One became a judge, the other became a law breaker and ended up in court.  Guess who was sitting in the judge’s seat?  His friend.  So how could the judge be merciful, yet still be just?  Taking off the black robes of justice, he walked over to the dock where the prisoner stood and said, “Not only am I this man’s friend, today I’m his savior.  I will stand chargeable with all his debts.”  At the cross God took all your sin and put it on Christ’s account, and took all Christ’s righteousness and put it on your account.  And the moment you trust Christ as your Savior you’re no longer under the sentence of death.  The value of something is determined by the price a buyer is willing to pay for it.  At Calvary God said, “This is how much I love you!”  Your Creator became your Redeemer.  “The Maker of the universe, as Man for man was made a curse.  The claims of law that He had made, unto the uttermost He paid.”

To fulfill His purposes in the earth, God always had a man.  To deliver the Israelites from Egypt, He used Moses.  To challenge the prophets of Baal, He used Elijah.  But when it came to your salvation, God “saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation” (Isa 59:16 NKJV).  The good news is: when God could not find a man, He himself became a man; that we who are the sons of men, might become the sons of God.  Awesome!

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 20, 2013. GOD’S CLAIMS ON YOUR LIFE (1)

SATURDAY JULY 20

“You are not your own.” 1Co 6:19 NKJV

GOD’S CLAIMS ON YOUR LIFE (1)

Picture two people standing outside of a house.  One says, “This is my house.”  The other replies, “How come?”  The first one says, “For three reasons.  I built it.  I paid for it.  I live in it.”  Let’s look at the first reason why you belong to God: Creation.  Some folks think we all came from an amoeba.  The problem is, they can’t tell us where the amoeba came from!  The Bible says, “God created man in His own image...male and female He created them” (Ge 1:27 NKJV).  Some folks say that the earth came into existence as a result of the “big bang” theory.  Yet if you told them, “The car you drive right now was the result of an explosion at an assembly plant in Detroit,” they’d question your sanity.  If there’s a design, there must be a designer.  If there’s a creation, there must be a Creator.  And since God made you He holds ownership rights over you.  The Bible says: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Co 6:19-20 NKJV).  Not only did God create you, He gave you certain gifts so that you could fulfill His purposes and bring glory to Him.  So before they tag your toe and write your obituary, ask God what you were born to do.  Only by finding and fulfilling His purpose, can you fill the God-shaped space within you that you were born with.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 19, 2013. GROWING IN FAITH

FRIDAY JULY 19

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”         Ro 10:17 NKJV

GROWING IN FAITH

If you want to know how strong your faith is, pay attention to what’s coming out of your mouth.  “The word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb 4:2 NKJV).  It’s not enough to read God’s Word; you must internalize it, then vocalize it.  We say all kinds of things, but the truth is that we don’t really believe them because they don’t show up in the way we live.  You should live in such a way that if God is not who He says He is, you’ll fall flat on your face.  This means: (1) looking for opportunities to trust God more; (2) trusting Him to come through for you regardless of the situation; (3) strengthening your faith for the tough times ahead.  And here’s how you do it: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  If someone could stick a thermometer under your tongue and take your spiritual temperature, the thing that would cause it to rise or fall would be the time you have spent in God’s Word.  You say, “Right now my faith is very low.”  Then start spending more time reading God’s Word.  You say, “I wish I had the faith of so-and-so.”  There’s no mystery about how to close the gap between your faith and that of others - just log more time in the Scriptures.  Rearrange your priorities, take control of your time and put Bible reading at the top of your to-do list.  If you’re serious about growing in faith, it’s a price you must be willing to pay.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 18, 2013. BEFORE YOU BUILD (3)

THURSDAY JULY 18

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us.”         Ac 15:28 NKJV

BEFORE YOU BUILD (3)

Listen for God’s guidance.  As long as you keep listening to people whose opinions don’t line up with God’s Word and God’s will, you’ll be frustrated and get nowhere.  When important decisions must be made that affect the future, you must be able to hear from God.  You must also welcome feedback.  Why?  Because if you’re not teachable, you’re not usable.  Now, the majority opinion can be valuable in run-of-the-mill matters, but when God-given vision is at issue you must listen for God’s guidance first and foremost.  You say, “Isn’t there wisdom in having a plurality of leadership?”  Yes, even the best leaders have blind spots and need people with 20/20 vision in those areas.  “Certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’” (v. 1 NKJV).  What was the result?  “Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, [and] they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question” (v. 2 NKJV).  How did the apostles handle it?  They said: “God, who knows the heart, acknowledged [the Gentiles] by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith” (vv. 8-9 NKJV).  So after prayer and deliberation the apostles wrote a letter to the church, saying, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” (v. 28 NKJV).  And what was the result?  “When they had read it, they rejoiced” (v. 31 NKJV).

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 17, 2013. BEFORE YOU BUILD (2)

WEDNESDAY JULY 17

“Show me now Your way, that I may know You and...find grace.”         Ex 33:13 NKJV

BEFORE YOU BUILD (2)

Get to know the people.  No minister has ever had so much trouble with a congregation as Moses had with the congregation of Israel in the wilderness.  At the Red Sea, he was so happy that he wrote a song to celebrate their spectacular victory.  But later, when the complaints were coming at him from every direction, he told God he wanted to die.  It reminds us of one pastor who asked another, “How many active members do you have in your church?”  The other replied, “Five hundred.  Half of them are actively working for me, the other half are actively working against me.”  Pastors, different people in your churches will play different roles in the plan God has given you.  Some of the people you will like, some you won’t.  But you’ve been called to lead them all, so get to know them.  On his deathbed, Jacob prophesied over each of his twelve sons describing both their nature and their future.  He said Reuben was unruly, Simeon and Levi were given to anger, Judah was born for leadership, Zebulun would extend his borders, Issachar was willing to carry the load, Dan was sharp when it came to dealing with people, Gad was a fighter who wouldn’t retreat, Asher loved cooking, Naphtali loved raising children, Joseph would be wounded but he would come back stronger than ever, and Benjamin would be an entrepreneur who knew how to excel in business (See Ge 49).  To lead people successfully you must know them.  So pray, “Show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in your sight.”

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 16,2013. BEFORE YOU BUILD (1)

TUESDAY JULY 16

“You must build...according to the pattern I will show you.”  Ex 25:9 NLT

BEFORE YOU BUILD (1)

Go to God for the plan.  God told Moses: “You must build this tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.”  God knows what you will need in the future, you don’t.  He prepared Noah a hundred years in advance of the flood.  He prepared Joseph to feed Egypt seven years in advance of the famine.  Without God’s guidance the best you’ll ever have are estimates, educated guesswork and projections.  “To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire.  Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain.  He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights” (Ex 24:17-18 NLT).  Moses spent over a month waiting in God’s presence for direction.  Why?  Because what he was building had to meet the needs of God’s people for generations.  So go to the place of prayer.  Tell those around you, “I’m not coming back till I hear from God and get His plan!”  When God orders it, He pays for it.  But when He doesn’t give the order, and you decide to do it anyway, you’re on your own!  Why? Because you won’t have confidence to go to Him in your time of need.  Unless you start right, you won’t finish right.  You say, “But I’m nobody special.  Why would God speak to someone like me?”  If God has called you, and He has, then you’re special.  His promise is, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God...and it will be given to him” (Jas 1:5 NIV).

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 15, 2013. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE

MONDAY JULY 15

“I have set before you life and death...choose life.”         Dt 30:19

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE

Choice is the greatest power God gave you.  Too many of us just accept our lives - we don’t become leaders of ourselves.  As a result, we can’t get out of our own way.  Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel wrote in Souls On Fire that when you die and go to meet your Maker, you’re not going to be asked why you didn’t become a Messiah or find a cure for cancer.  All you’re going to be asked is, “Why didn’t you become you?  Why didn’t you become all that you are?”  Fulfilling God’s will for your life requires taking responsibility for yourself and your life.  How do you do that?  By saying yes to God first - then to yourself.  Every time you say yes, you open yourself up to your God-given potential and to the greatest of possibilities.  If you’re used to saying no, you may find this difficult.  If that is true in your case, then at least be willing to say “maybe.”  One day a father whose child was chronically ill asked Jesus to heal him.  “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’”  (Mk 9:23-24 NKJV).  If you’re a self-doubter, pray that same prayer.  God will answer it.  Never forget that you are unique, possessing talents, experiences and opportunities that no one else has ever had - or ever will have.  You’re responsible to become all God made you to be, not only for your own benefit but for everyone else’s.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 14, 2013. WHEN CONFLICT COMES HOME (2)

SUNDAY, JULY 14

“Let there be no strife between you and me...for we are brothers.” Ge 13:8 NAS

WHEN CONFLICT COMES HOME (2)

Family conflict brings out the worst and the best in all of us.  But conflict itself isn’t the problem - character is!  Conflict just reveals what’s important to us.  Abram’s priority was the family; Lot’s was “getting rich.”  Abram’s concern was harmony; Lot’s was self-preservation.  Abram was driven by his faith; Lot by his greed.  Abram was a giver; Lot was a taker.  But watch how the story turned out.  (1) What should have happened?  The junior partner should have submitted to the senior; the follower should have deferred to the leader; the less-spiritual should have acknowledged the more-spiritual.  But Lot failed on all counts!  (2) What could have happened?  As the God-appointed leader Abram could have assumed top dog status and enforced his will, but didn’t.  He could have been concerned about winning, but wasn’t.  He could have called in his debts with Lot, but refused to.  (3) What did happen?  First, Abram elevated relationship above personal advantage.  Second, he relinquished his “rights” to keep peace in the family.  Third, he “turned the other cheek” and deferred to Lot.  The greater gave way to the lesser.  The stronger made allowance for the weaker.  The mature showed mercy toward the immature.  Did it make Abram the weaker man and Lot the stronger?  Did Abram lose and Lot win?  No!  God always has the last word.  And it was this: “Look...northward and southward and eastward and westward...all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever” (vv.14-15 NAS).  Doing things God’s way is the sure road to peace and prosperity.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 13, 2013. WHEN CONFLICT COMES HOME.

SATURDAY JULY 13

“Let there be no strife between you and me.” Ge 13:8 NAS

WHEN CONFLICT COMES HOME (1)

The conflict between Abram and Lot teaches us important principles about our families.  Lot had lived peacefully in his Uncle Abram’s home.  Abram had taken him along on the journey of faith, when suddenly conflict arose.  And because conflict reveals character, Lot showed his true colors.  Since their growing herds were too big to share the same pastures, Abram suggested they split the land between them, offering Lot first choice.  Lot “chose for himself” the best land, leaving the rest to his uncle (v.11 NAS).  Lot moved to rich, sinful Sodom; Abram built an altar to the Lord.  Same genes - totally different values!  So: (1) Consider the facts.  Abram was God’s appointed leader and Israel’s primary patriarch.  God had promised him a homeland, fatherhood of a great nation, blessing and protection.  And above all these, God promised that in him, “All the families of the earth will be blessed!” (Ge 12:3 NAS).  In practical, day-to-day terms, Abram was the senior partner and major stockholder in the family business.  He had shown love and generosity to his nephew, and in the crunch, valued their relationship over personal interests.  Abram, therefore, deserved consideration and deference from his nephew.  But Lot never gave it to him.  (2) Consider the point.  For the family’s sake, Abram chose not to “pull rank,” or “insist on his rights,” or “show who’s boss.”  He proved that God alone vindicates us!  We shouldn’t even attempt to vindicate ourselves.  Abram chose grace over law, humility over pride, self-denial over “rights,” mercy over justice, love over lust, and character over popular opinion.  Think about it!

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY. 12, 2013. A NEW ATTITUDE

FRIDAY JULY 12

“Change the way you think.” Ro 12:2 GWT

A NEW ATTITUDE

For things to change for the better, you must “change the way you think.”  For example: (a) View setbacks as detours, not dead ends.  Winners don’t just face adversity; they embrace it, knowing it leads to future success.  (b) Tune out the critics and focus on doing your best.  Anybody who accomplishes anything worthwhile has to overcome naysayers.  (c) When you’re afraid, praise God until your faith rebuilds.  It may take a while, but praise and thanksgiving never fail, and will give you the strength to go on.  (d) When you fail, look for the lesson and remember the times you’ve succeeded.  Weed out self-doubt and replace it with scriptural self-talk.  (e) When you’re heading into battle, visualize yourself winning in God’s strength - with Him “all things are possible” (Mt 19:26).  (f) Instead of focusing on the past and worrying about the future, focus on the now - that’s where your influence is greatest.  Remember, God said, “As your days, so shall your strength be” (De 33:25 NKJV).  (g) Instead of complaining, work on identifying solutions, and more will come to you.  (h) When you’re distracted, focus on your breathing, take a walk and clear your mind, think on what you can control, and surrender the rest to God.  (i) When you’re lonely, remember the people who’ve helped you this far and who love and support you.  (j) When you’re fatigued, take time to rest - but never ever give up!  Finish strong in everything you do.  (k) When you’re under pressure and under scrutiny, smile and have fun.  You only live once.  Life is short...so seize the moment!

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 11, 2013. AVOID TRIANGLES.

THURSDAY JULY 11

“Mind your own business; do your own job.” 1Th 4:11 TM

AVOID TRIANGLES

We’re not very good at knowing the difference between helpfulness and interference!  Suppose two people we care about are in conflict, and we think we can solve their problems.  Ultimately, we discover we’re in over our heads.  Looking back, we say, “I’ll never do that again” - until the next time!    Here are some healthy relationship boundaries.  Sometimes when two people are at odds with each other they “triangle in” a third person to focus on, attempting to lower their stress.  Whoever they “triangle in” gets caught in the middle, becomes enmeshed in their unresolved issues, and ultimately becomes their shock absorber.  Unfortunately, when that person’s rescue attempt backfires they become part of the problem, keeping the issues and themselves stuck.  So what should you do?  (1) Unless God puts you in the middle, stay out!  The Bible says, “Mind your own business; do your own job.”  If your name’s not on it, don’t pick it up!  Try saying, “I care about you both too much to complicate things with unqualified advice.  I’ll pray that God gives you the wisdom to do what’s right for each other.”  (2) Maintain a caring relationship with both people.  Relationship specialist Edwin Friedman says, “The way to bring change to the relationship of two others is to maintain a well-defined relationship with each, and avoid taking responsibility for their relationship.”  Don’t take sides.  Don’t let them pull you in.  If they try, remind them that you’re praying and trusting God to help them resolve the problem, and that you’re confident He will do it.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 10, 2013. DON'T SELL OUT.

WEDNESDAY JULY 10

“The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”

1Ki 21:3 NKJV

DON’T SELL OUT

The Bible says: “Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard...next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.  So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, ‘Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it.  Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.’  But Naboth said to Ahab, ‘The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!’” (vv. 1-3 NKJV).  Standing by his “inheritance” cost this man of integrity his life.  Today the faith of our fathers is coming under increasing attack from the schoolroom to the boardroom.  Scriptural principles which have guided us for generations are being challenged and undermined by the Ahabs of this world who sit in places of power.  The Bible predicted it and told us to be alert, but not afraid.  God said to the end-age church, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer...Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10 NKJV).  Naboth refused to sell out for money.  He refused to sell out for that which looked “bigger and better.”  He refused to sell out in order to win the favor of those in high places.  And he is an example to you.  So stand squarely on God’s Word and refuse to budge.  Gather up your children in faith’s arms and declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Jos 24:15).

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 9, 2012. FOUR KINDS OF GIVERS (4).

TUESDAY JULY 9

“Joseph opened the storehouses [barns] and sold grain to the Egyptians.”

FOUR KINDS OF GIVERS (4)

Barn people.  God used Joseph to feed the nations during a time of worldwide famine.  When Pharaoh’s advisers couldn’t interpret his dream, Joseph did.  He actually gave Pharaoh a plan that would not only feed Egypt during seven years of famine, but also feed the world and cause Pharaoh to come out of this crisis a richer man.  When you serve God He can give you information about the future.  He can give you not only the wisdom to survive, but thrive when you’re in a recession.  But you can’t build such a relationship with God overnight!  Joseph’s journey to the throne of Egypt led him through years of delay, detours and discouragement.  He experienced betrayal at the hands of him family, temptation and slander at the hands of his employer’s wife, false imprisonment, years of waiting and wondering when God would fulfill His promise to make him a leader.  But he never doubted God.  And you must not either!  If God can take an ex-con like Joseph and make him the prime minister of Egypt, no obstacle and no enemy can keep Him from fulfilling His promise to you.

So, if you’re a bag person, “consider your ways” and start putting God first in your finances.  If you’re a bin person, “be not afraid,” give, and God will give back to you.  If you’re a basket person, place what you’ve got in God’s hands and watch Him multiply it.  If you’re a barn person with a heart that longs to meet the needs of a hurting world, nothing your enemies do will stop you.

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 8, 2013. FOUR KINDS OF GIVERS (3).

MONDAY JULY 8

“They took up twelve baskets full.”         Mk 6:43 NKJV

FOUR KINDS OF GIVERS (3)

Basket people.  A boy gave his lunch to Jesus and He used it to feed five thousand people.  Afterward, “They took up twelve baskets full of the fragments.”  Basket people find a need greater than their own and say, “Lord, here’s what I have; take it, bless it and use it.”  What a contrast this boy was to the disciples.  Notice: (1) They tried to escape the problem.  “Send them away, that they may go...and buy themselves bread” (v. 36 NKJV).  Your faith only grows by facing your problems and looking to God for answers.  Indeed, when you solve the problem you position yourself to receive what God has in store for you next.  (2) They didn’t know what they had.  Jesus said, “How many loaves do you have?  Go and see” (v. 38 NKJV).  Moses had a rod, but it parted the Red Sea.  David had a slingshot, but it brought down a giant.  You may not know it, but God has given you the answer.  He’s given you something capable of multiplying once you put it into His hands.  The key is, “Go and see.”  (3) They despised the day of small things.  “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (Jn 6:9 NKJV).  Instead of looking at your lack, look at God’s abundance and His willingness to work on your behalf.  “Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin” (Zec 4:10 TLB).  Factor God into the equation.  The formula for success is you - plus God!

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)

JULY 7, 2013. FOUR KINDS OF GIVERS (2)

SUNDAY JULY 7

“The bin…shall not be used up."​​​     1Ki 17:14 NKJV

 

FOUR KINDS OF GIVERS (2)

Bin people.  In the middle of a devastating famine God sent the prophet Elijah to Zarephath, saying he’d meet a widow there who would feed him.  Why did God not send Elijah to a wealthy family?  Because they didn’t need a miracle, she did!  When Elijah asked this woman for something to eat she told him she’d “only a handful of flour in a bin” (v. 12 NKJV).  She had just enough for one more meal, then she and her son would die.  Perhaps you’re thinking, “Typical preacher!  They’ll take the last bite out of your mouth and the last penny out of your pocket.”  No, this was the best day of her life!  She was about to step into miracle territory.  But first she had to overcome the fear of giving.  “Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear…make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me…For thus says the Lord God of Israel: “The bin of flour shall not be used up…until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth”’” (vv. 13-14 NKJV).  How does this story turn out?  “So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and…The bin of flour was not used up” (vv. 15-16 NKJV).  Day after day, without fail, she reached into the bin and found more flour.  She discovered that when you obey God’s Word He will meet your every need.  Are you a bin person?  Are you afraid of letting go of what you have in case you don’t have enough?  Don’t be.  You will never out-give God!  Whatever you give to Him, He has promised to give back “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over” (Lk 6:38).

 

(Taken from The Word for You Today Daily Devotional)