JANUARY 31, 2014. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

FRIDAY JANUARY 31

Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.1 Samuel 12:24

Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

After a lifetime of serving God, evangelist Billy Graham said, “Certainly, one lesson is to remind us of our responsibility to be diligent in our service for God right now. I may not be able to do everything I once did (nor does God expect me to), but I am called to be faithful to what I can do.” Reflecting on the value of her own life of service to God, Mother Teresa said, “God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.” What motivated Billy Graham and Mother Teresa to serve God sacrificially throughout their lives? Clearly, they both felt called to be faithful servants. God’s faithfulness to us should inspire us, in turn, to be faithful to Him and to our heavenly calling. In today’s passage, Samuel reflected on a lifetime of service and on the relationship between Israel and the God they were called to follow. He is “old and gray” (v. 2), and could share his experience with the nation. He asked if they could find fault against him, and they declared his innocence. He then earned the right to recount for Israel the mighty acts God has performed on their behalf. Clearly, they had been quick to forget the faithfulness and divine provision of God. Samuel demonstrated his connection with God by calling down thunder and rain as a sign. He warned the nation that they should learn from their mistakes and determine to be faithful. The people were fearful. Would God punish them? But Samuel insisted the answer is clear: God desires our obedience and our faithful service. He knows that we may turn from Him and His instruction. He is faithful to forgive, and we are called again and again to “serve him faithfully” (v. 24).

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 30, 2014. FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE US: WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECE

THURSDAY JANUARY 30

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10

Faithful to Complete Us: We Are His Masterpiece

 Legend has it that Pablo Picasso was sitting in a Paris café when a bold woman approached him and asked the artist to draw her portrait. Picasso agreed. Studying her for a moment, he proceeded to create her image with a single pencil stroke. He handed the woman the finished piece of art. “It’s perfect!” exclaimed the woman. “What do I owe you?” Picasso responded, “Five thousand dollars.” The woman was incredulous: “How can you charge so much for a few seconds of work?” Picasso replied, “Madame, it took me my entire life.” As believers, we are God’s masterpiece. We are His creation and the result of a lifetime of work. This is no easy task. We have learned, in Paul’s letter to the Romans that we are inherently sinful and cannot fulfill God’s Law on our own. Here, we learn that although we are deserving of punishment, we are saved by God’s “great love for us” (v. 4). We were transformed in Christ, made alive even while we were still dead in sin. God does not despair and give up on us as we stumble in our faith. Rather, He lifts us up and seats us “with him in the heavenly realms” (v. 6). We are saved by God’s grace, not by our works. We cannot boast of this for it is nothing that we have done. We are God’s “handiwork” (v. 10). Other translations describe us as God’s “masterpiece” or “workmanship.” God has perfected us through Christ Jesus. He has a plan for us that will take a lifetime to complete. The God who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it. We are nurtured by His love and grace. We have an eternal destiny. We are His most magnificent handiwork.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 29, 2014. GOD'S WORD DOESN'T CHANGE

TUESDAY JANUARY 29

God's Word Doesn't Change

'All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.' Psalm 119:160 NIV

A publishing house advertised: Ten books to read before you die. And the Bible didn't make the list! Amazing; it's one book you should read! When Ann Shorb replaced her favorite cookbook with a 'New and Updated' version, she said: 'It wasn't the same. It had been adapted for...convenience...' Ann goes on to say: 'It seems like a lot of people are trying to do the same thing with some of God's recipes. They’re trying to adapt them to make them more convenient, more time saving and easier to follow.' God's Word never changes. The results of sin are the same: 'The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ...' (Romans 6:23 NKJV) God's plan for salvation hasn't changed: ‘By grace you have been saved through faith...not of works, lest anyone should boast.' (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV) His method for finding guidance is still: ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.' (Psalm 19:7-8 NKJV) His solution for anger is the same: 'Rest in the Lord...Cease from anger, and forsake wrath...it only causes harm.' (Psalm 37:7-8 NKJV) To find peace we still should: 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known...and the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds...' (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV) The Psalmist said, 'All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.' Bottom line: you can't 'new and improved' God's Book!

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 28, 2014. MOVING FROM DOUBT TO FAITH

TUESDAY JANUARY 28

Moving from Doubt to Faith

'Lord, "Increase our faith."' Luke 17:5 NKJV

Why do we experience so much doubt? (1) Because doubt satisfies our need for self protection We don't like to be wrong, to get hurt, or to fail, so our subconscious reasoning says, 'It's easier not to trust, to lower my expectations so I won't be disappointed.' But you are disappointed, aren't you? Why? Because of your doubt. (2) Because doubting comes easily We don't wake up in the morning and say to ourselves, 'Today I'm going to doubt God.' No, doubt moves into a vacuum; it takes over when we don't do the right things. '...Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' (Romans 10:17 NKJV) If you don't keep your mind filled with God's Word; you'll be constantly assailed by doubts. (3) Because doubters are easy to find. Sometimes the people around us dwell on all the obstacles and difficulties, opening the door to doubt. And once that stream starts flowing, you get carried along with it. (4) Because doubting is contagious Doubt is easier to catch than the common cold, and its carriers are words. The Bible says, 'You are trapped by your own words.' (Proverbs 6:2 CEV) The words you speak (and listen to) will either build you up or tear you down, increase your faith or decrease it. For example, 'What will I do?' versus, 'In God's strength I can handle it.' Or, 'It's awful' versus, 'It's a learning experience.' Or, 'I see no way out' versus 'It's not too big for God.' Words are powerful things. They determine your outlook and approach to life. So in order to move from doubt to faith you must start eliminating unscriptural words from your life!

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 27, 2014. COME TO GOD’S CITY OF REFUGE

MONDAY JANUARY 27

“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge.” Jos 20:2 NIV

COME TO GOD’S CITY OF REFUGE

In Old Testament times, if you killed someone by accident, their family had the right to take your life in return. So God arranged six “cities of refuge,” three on either side of the Jordan River, so that no matter where you were you had access to God’s mercy and protection. You just ran to one of those cities, told the town elders your story, and they were required to take you in. The only stipulation was that you stayed in that city until the high priest died. When that happened, you were free to return to your family and take back everything you’d lost. Can you see a spiritual parallel here? Jesus Christ is called “the High Priest of our confession” (Heb 3:1 NAS). When you run to Him to refuge, you need only confess your sins. There, at the point of faith, you are forgiven, viewed as “a new creation,” and placed in God’s protective custody. Just as “the avenger of blood” couldn’t enter the city of refuge, you need only confess your sins. There, at the point of faith, you are forgive, viewed as “a new creation,” and placed in God’s protective custody. Just as “the avenger of blood” couldn’t enter the city of refuge, Satan cannot cross “the blood line” and hurt you either. When Jesus cried from the cross, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30 NIV), all your sins from the womb to the tomb were paid in full. And because  Christ your great High Priest died and rose again, He will restore back to you everything you lost as the result of sin’s power in your life. One author puts it this way: “If there were a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one to us. The choice is ours.” So come to God’s city of refuge today.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 26, 2014. DON’T LET REJECTION STOP YOU

SUNDAY JANUARY 26

“His own received him not.” Jn 1:11

DON’T LET REJECTION STOP YOU

Sometimes the word “no” simply means “not now, but as again.” So, don’t let rejection stop you. Only when you see failure as final, are you finally a failure. Take a look at your past experiences. You encountered rejection in school and on the playground. Not everybody liked you, but you made it anyway, right? Jesus experienced more rejection than anybody who ever lived. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Did He quit? No, He went on to others, to those who discerned His value. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (v.12). Someone needs what you have; it is absolutely necessary to their success. Most great salespeople know that fourteen out of fifteen people will say no. So they hurry and make their presentations to as many as possible, in order to reach that one who will say yes. Jesus said, “Whosoever shall not receive you…shake off the dust of your feet” (Mt 10:14). When you encounter rejection, shake off the dust of your feet” (Mt 10:14). When you encounter rejection, shake it off and move on. Sooner or later you will succeed if you don’t wuit. Don’t personalize it. Because someone rejects what you have to offer doesn’t mean they’re rejecting you. Paul writes: “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” ( 1Co 16:9 NKJV). Opportunity and opposition—they go together like macaroni and cheese. Life is not going to hand you success on a silver platter; you’ve got to overcome adversity and outlast the opposition in order to walk through the door. And only two things are required: your faith and God’s favor.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 25, 2014. GOD IS WORKING IT OUT FOR YOU

SATURDAY JANUARY 25

“God …calls things that are not as though they were.” Ro 4:17 NIV

GOD IS WORKING IT OUT FOR YOU

You must believe what God says about you, over what everyone else says! Stop listening to those who claim you’ll ever amount to anything. You might have had a bad childhood, or a failed marriage or career. “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before [you]” (Php 3:13). The Bible doesn’t say that we call those things which are not as if they are. Nor does it say others have the power to speak things which are not as though they are over your life. And you should be glad about that. You wouldn’t want anybody else to have power to determine your destiny, Our responsibility is to line up our will with God’s will. When we do, HE empowers us to accomplish what normally would be humanly impossible. The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith” (Ro 1:167). Your faith is more important than your performance. Yes, when God decrees something, we get to participate in it. But in every case, it’s God who performs it. The thing you’re worried about performing, God says will be done through His power. Will you experience delays and disappointments? Yes, but ultimately you won’t be denied, for God has decreed it. You say, “But what about all my unanswered questions or all the loose ends that need to be tied up?” It’s a “done deal” as far as God is concerned. “All things work together for good of those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Ro 8:28 NKJV). Relax; God is working it out for you.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 24, 2014. GOD WILL HELP YOU TO SUCCEED

FRIDAY JANUARY 24

“All…were astonished at the catch of fish.” Lk 5:9 NIV

GOD WILL HELP YOU TO SUCCEED

He said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch…Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.’ So they…left everything and followed him” (vv. 4-11 NIV). Here are seven life-changing truths you need to learn: (1) Jesus will come to where you work and help you. (2) When what you are doing is not working, He will show you a better way. (3) Even though it may not make sense at the moment, do what HE tells you. (4) The success HE has in mind for you is greater than anything you can envision for yourself. (5) Your existing systems may not be able to handle what He has in mind, so be willing to change how you do things. (6) When you experience His goodness, you’ll fall at His feet and acknowledge Him as your Lord. (7) When you realize what He has in mind for you, you’ll leave everything and follow Him.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 23, 2014. IF YOU RUSH, YOU MUST REST

THURSDAY  JANUARY 23

“Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” Mk 6:31 NLT

IF YOU RUSH, YOU MUST REST

Mark records, “Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn’t have time to eat.” No one had a greater assignment than Jesus, and no one was busier. Not even you!  But He knew the importance of relaxation. He understood the balance between work and rest, which is why He was able to accomplish so much in so little time. The more successful you are, the greater the demands on your time and energy will be. People are wonderful, but they can be draining. As your career and your calling grow, this will only become more so. Renewing yourself will require constant attention. If you don’t do this, you can be sure those around you won’t. Work hard, but play just as enthusiastically. Schedule it. Take one day a week off and totally relax. Focus on something other than your job. If you do that, your mind will be clearer, you’ll make better decisions, you’ll see life through different eyes, and you’ll accomplish far more. Stop and answer these questions: How often do you actually schedule time for rest and relaxation? What would you do? If you struggle to answer those questions, then you need to pray, “Lord, teach me how to rest. Show me how I can turn toward You and be restored and renewed.”

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 22, 2014. THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (4)

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22

“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” Mt 11:29 TM

THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (4)

The relationship Jesus jas with the Father is a prototype of the relationship He wants you to have with Him. Jesus was so intimate with the Father that He could say, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me” (Jn 14:11). Jesus was also intimately acquainted with the Holy Spirit. His first recorded sermon begins with: “”The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” (Lk 4:18 NAS). He was “led by the Spirit” (Mt 4:1 NIV) and “full of the Holy Spirit” (Lk 4:1 NIV). HE returned from forty very tough days of being tempted by the Devil in the wilderness “in the power of the Spirit” (Lk 4:14 NIV). He was submitted to the Father and empowered by the Spirit. It was His habit to go to worship (See Lk 4:16). IT was His practice to memorize Scripture (See Lk 4:4). Luke says Jesus “often slipped away to be alone so He could pray” (Lk 5:16 NCV). His times of prayer guided Him. He once returned from prayer and announced that it was time to more to another city (See Mk 1:38), and another time of prayer resulted in the selection of His disciples (See Lk 6:12-13). Jesus was led by an unseen hand. “The Son does whatever the Father does” (Jn 5:19 NCV). In the same chapter He sated, “I can do nothing alone. I judge [each situation] only the way I am told” (Jn 5:30 NCV). Today pray, “Father, keep me sharp, sensitive and surrendered to You I all things; not as a last resort but a first response. Take over. Jesus, live Your life through me!”

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 21, 2014. THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (3)

TUESDAY JANUARY 21

“Leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Pe 2:21 NIV

THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (3)

If you’re serious about becoming like Jesus, examine your heart, then examine His. (1) His hear was pure. He was cared for by women, yet never accused of lustful thoughts (See Lk 8:1-3). Peter, who traveled with Him for three and a half years, described Him as a lamb “unblemished and spotless” (1 Pe 1:19 NAS). John concluded, “In him is no sin” (1 Jn 3:5 NIV). (2) His heart was peaceful. His disciples shouted for fear in the storm, but not Jesus. He slept through it (See Lk 22:47-51). When Peter denied Him, did Jesus lose His temper? When soldiers spit in His face, did He breathe fire in theirs? No, He was at peace. He forgave them. He refused to be guided by vengeance. (3) His heart was purposeful. He could summarize His life with one sentence: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30 NIV). But he was not so focused the He was unpleasant. Children couldn’t resist Him. He could find beauty in lilies, joy in worship, and possibilities in problems. He could spend His days with multitudes of sick people and still feel sorry for them. HE spent over three decades wading through the muck and mire of our sin, yet still saw enough beauty in us to die for our mistakes. And you are called to follow in His footsteps.

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 20, 2014. THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (2)

MONDAY JANUARY 20

“Grace and peace be yours…through the knowledge of…Jesus our Lord.” 2 Pe 1:2 NIV

THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (2)

If you think God’s love for you would be stronger if your faith was stronger, you are wrong. If you think His love would be deeper if your thoughts and actions were better, you are wrong again. Don’t confuse God’s love with people’s love. Their love increases with performance and decreases with mistakes. Not so with God’s love. He loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. Max Lucado writes: “When my daughter, Jenna, was a toddler, I used to take her to the park…One day as she was playing in a sandbox, an ice-cream salesman approached us. I purchased her a treat, and when I turned to give it to her, I saw her mouth was full of sand…Did I love her with dirt in her mouth? Absolutely. Was she any less my daughter with dirt in her mouth? No way. I carried her over to the water fountain and washed out her mouth. Why? Because I love her. God does the same for us. He holds us over the fountain. ‘Spit out the dirt, honey,’ our Father urges. ‘I’ve got something better for you.’ And so HE cleanses us from filth: immorality, dishonesty, prejudice, bitterness, greed. We don’t enjoy the cleansing; sometimes we even opt for the dirt over the ice cream. ‘I can eat dirt if I want to!’…Which is true—we can. But if we do, the loss is ours. God has a better offer. He wants us to be just like Jesus.”

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 19, 2014. THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (1)

SUNDAY JANUARY 19

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Php 2:5 NIV

THINKING AND ACTING LIKE JESUS (1)

Max Lucado writes: “What would your life be like, even for one day, if you were to think and act like Jesus? Of His priorities governed your actions, His passions drove your decisions, and His love directed your behaviors? What would you be like? Would people notice the change in you? Would your family see something new? Would your co-workers sense a difference? What about the less fortunate; would you treat them like you normally do? How about your friends; would they detect more joy? How about your enemies; would they receive more grace and mercy? And how would it affect you personally? Your mood swings? Your temper? Would you sleep better? Would you view death differently? Taxes differently? Any cnahce you’d need few aspirins and sedatives? How about your reaction to traffic delays? Or when the deal falls through, or people don’t do what you want them to? Would you still dread what you are dreading? Better yet, would you still do what you are doing? Pause and think about your schedule, obligations, engagements, outings, and appointments. With Jesus fully in control, would these change? Keep working on this for a moment. Adjust the lens of your imagination until you have a clear picture of Jesus leading your life, then snap the shutter and frame the image. What you see is what God wants! ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.’ If you committed to living this way for a lifetime, or a year, or even a month, you would be a transformed person. So just try it for one day—today!”

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 18, 2014. “IT’S FOR A PURPOSE”

SATURDAY JANUARY 18

“We know that all things work together for good.” Ro 8:28 NKJV

“IT’S FOR A PURPOSE”

When you know God’s plan for your life, you won’t permit things that are contrary to it. You won’t be quick to get discouraged when situations bring conflict and disorder. You won’t become frustrated or overwhelmed when situations bring conflict and disorder. You won’t become frustrated or overwhelmed by those things you can’t pray away, confess away, or speak away. Why? Because you know that if it’s in your life, and it’s not cause by disobedience, God has allowed it and He wants to use it to produce in you the nature of Jesus. “All things,” not some things, work together for good to those who love the Lord. You say, “But I can’t see any real purpose in it.” Hold on, you will! God is building a foundation under you. He’s equipping you to handle a level of success you can’t cope with right now. Out of this pressure will come the power to do what He, not others, desires ion your life. He’s teaching you the wilderness so that when you get to the Promised Land and people become uncooperative, resentful, or jealous, you won’t be afraid to cut those unhealthy ties. He wants you to know that your help comes from the Lord, not people. Do you understand that? If you don’t, you’d better ask somebody! You don’t ask just anybody, ask the Lord. His Word says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jer 33:3 NKJV). Don’t be afraid to ask God, “Why?” Men and women in the Scripture asked that question often. But be ready when God answers, “It’s for a purpose!”

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 17, 2014. IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED, REACH OUT

FRIDAY JANUARY 17

“By love serve one another.” Gal 5:13

IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED, REACH OUT

You won’t succeed in life unless you are connected to the right people. And those who enable you to succeed won’t always come to you; usually you must go to them. Why do you think there’s a newspaper machine on every corner and a soft drink machine on every hotel floor? Success won’t come knocking on your door, you’ve got to go and find it. Jesus didn’t set up a throne in the middle of each town and say, “This is the only place you can meet with me.” No, He went to the marketplace, to the boats of fishermen, to the synagogue, to the homes of people. He “went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” (Lk 9:6).

What is keeping you from reaching out to others? Rejection? Until your dream becomes more important to you than your fear of rejection, you will never succeed. Successful people dread rejection too; the difference is that they believe their goals are worth it. There are two kinds of people in your life: those who already know you have something they need, and those who don’t know it yet. So start a “people list.” The law of relationship says that every person is only four people away from the person they need. This simply means that you know Bill, who knows Judy, who knows Charles, who knows the person you want to get to. You are already networked. Follow the dots and you’ll get to your destiny. Success always begins somewhere, at some moment, with someone. The secret is, you must reach out.

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 16, 2014. HEARING FROM GOD

THURSDAY JANUARY 16

“Search, and you will find.” Mt 7:7 NCV

HEARING FROM GOD

To hear from God, you need: (1) A regular time and place. Some prefer morning. “In the morning my prayer comes before you” (Ps 88:13 NIV). Others prefer evening. “Let my…praise [be] like the evening sacrifice” (Ps 141:2 NCV). Others prefer encounters throughout the day. “Evening, morning and noon I cry out” (Ps 55:17 NIV). Just find a time and place that’s right for you. “How much time should I take?” As much as you need. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what you want, and for God to say what He wants. (2) An open Bible. Before reading the Bible, pray. Don’t go to Scripture looking for your own idea, go searching for God’s. “Hunt for it like hidden treasure. Then you will understand…and you will find that you know God” (Pr 2:4-5 NCV). God seems to send us messages as HE did manna: one day’s portion at a time. HE gives us: “A command here, a command there. A rule here, a rule there. A little lesson here, a little lesson there” (Isa 28:10 NCV). Choose depth over length. Read until a verse “hits” you, then stop and meditate on it. Understanding comes a little at a time, over a lifetime. (3) A listening heart. James writes, “The man who looks into the perfect law…and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who hears and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness” (Jas 1:25 PHPS). We know we are listening to God when what we read in the Bible is what others see in our lives.

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 15, 2014. YOU MUST FORGIVE

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15

“The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Col 3:13 NLT

YOU MUST FORGIVE

By washing the dirt from His disciples’ feet, Jesus demonstrated His willingness to forgive their sin before they even committed it. This takes love to his highest level. You say, “I am not the guilty here.” Neither was Jesus. Of the men in that room, only One was worthy of having His feet washed. And He was the One who washed the feet. The genius of Jesus’ example is that the burden of bridge-building falls on the strong one, not the weak one. And do you know what happens? More often than not, if the one in the right volunteers to wash the feet of the one in the wrong, both parties get on their knees. Don’t we all think we are right? Hence we wash each other’s feet. Understand this: relationships don’t thrive because the guilty are punished, but because the innocent are merciful. The mercy of Christ preceded His disciples’ mistakes, and our mercy, must precede the mistakes of others too. Those in the circle of Christ had no doubt of His love, and those in our circles should have no doubt about ours either., Paul writes, “Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ” (Eph 4:32 NCV). Because Christ has forgiven us, we can forgive others. Because He has a forgiven heart, we can have a forgiven heart. When Christ truly lives within us, we have no better alternative. There is incredible power in the words, “I forgive you; I love you; let’s move on.” Are there any sitting around your table today who need to be assured of your forgiveness?

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 14, 2014. JESUS, YOUR MEDIATOR

TUESDAY JANUARY 14

“There is one…mediator between God and men…Jesus.” 1Ti 2:5

JESUS, YOUR MEDIATOR

Michael Spencer writes: “The truth that Jesus is the one mediator between God and human beings knocked me to the floor and suspended me over the truth that God had done all things necessary for my salvation. He had paid the debt and become the necessary sacrifice. He had loved me to the uttermost. He had given all this to me as a gift. I  had nothing to do but simply stop ignoring His gift and receive it. I was a drowning man whose rescue depended on stopping all efforts to swim and trusting someone who was not going to make me a better swimmer, but who would drown in my place. This experience…demolished the idea that I could be anything other than what I was: a broken, sinful, wounded, failing, hurting human being…To try to make myself presentable or acceptable made me less capable of receiving the simple gift of Jesus’ mediation on my behalf. Jesus was not clearing the read so that I could ride victoriously through life. He was becoming the road that would carry me through all the garbage, falls, failures and disasters that were the inevitable results of my existence. In trying to make myself lovable, I had been distancing myself from true love. IN pretending to be a leading candidate for the religious life, I was abandoning the life of grace. In seeking to be a good Christian, I was deserting the truth that there is no gospel for ‘good’ Christians, because the Lamb of God was nailed to an altar for those who are not good, and who are no good at pretending to be good.”

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 13, 2014. THE BIBLE IS—GOD SPEAKING TO YOU (5)

MONDAY JANUARY 13

“Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.” Ps 119:140 NIV

THE BIBLE IS—GOD SPEAKING TO YOU (5)

Can you imagine how honored you’d feel to have a personal audience with a president or prime minister? What are the chances you’d say, “Sorry, I’m too busy. I can’t come”? No, you’d approach them with profound respect, observe every protocol and hang on every word. Well, you can have a personal audience each day with the King of Kings and He will speak to you personally through His Word. When you’re in love with someone, you want to spend every possible moment with them, delighting in what they have to say and responding to them from your heart. David said, “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold” (Ps 119:72 NIV). Again he said, “Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.” An unknown poet wrote: “Though the cover is worn and the pages are torn, and tough pages bear traces of tears. Yet more precious than gold is this book worn and d old, that can shatter and scatter my fears. When I prayerfully look in this precious old book, as my eyes scan the pages I see; many tokens of love from the Father above, Who is nearest and dearest to me. This old book is my guide, ‘tis a friend by my side, it will lighten and brighten my way. And each promise I find soothes and gladdens my mind, as I read it and heed it today.” Whatever you have to sacrifice, whatever priorities you have to rearrange, read your Bible every day.

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 12, 2014. THE BIBLE IS—GOD SPEAKING TO YOU (4)

SUNDAY JANUARY 12

“You received his message…And this word continues to work in you who believe.” 1 Th 2:13 NLT

THE BIBLE IS—GOD SPEAKING TO YOU (4)

In the Bible you will find a solution for just about every problem you face in life. How often have you gone for help to a pastor or a counselor or  friend, only to have them direct you back to the Scriptures? When you get sick enough, you won’t argue with the doctor, you’ll just take the medicine! Paul writes, “When you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.” God’s Word works—when you work it! But it only “continues to work in you who believe.” So don’t read it and then go out and say something different, get into agreement with God. Let His Word on the issue be your word on it too! The Amplified Bible says, “The Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]” (v. 13 AMP). One day and atheist said to a believer that it was quite impossible to believe in any book whose author was unknown. The believer asked him if the compiler of the multiplication table was known. “No,” he answered. “Then, of course, you don’t accept it?” the believer asked. The skeptic replied, “Oh, yes, I believe in it because it works well.” The believer replied, “So does the Bible.” The greatest investment you can make in yourself is reading your Bible.

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 11, 2014. THE BIBLE IS—GO SPEAKING TO YOU (3)

SATURDAY JANUARY 11

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that…you may grow.” 1 Pe 2:2 NIV

THE BIBLE IS—GO SPEAKING TO YOU (3)

We all know about the famous Heinz food products slogan, 57 varieties. Well, most of us have the least that many excuses for not reading our Bible every day. You say, “But I have a very busy life.” Edgar G. Watts of North Hollywood, California, aged eighty-four, read the Bible from cover to cover 161 times. And here’s something you probably don’t know: he had the use of only one eye for fifty-five years. Can you imagine telling a physical trainer you’d really like to be fit, but you don’t have the time to come to the gym? He’d say you’re not serious! Jeremiah said, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight!”) Jer 15:16 NIV). Developing a love for the Scriptures requires three things: (1) Decision. You must establish Bible reading as one of your daily priorities or it’ll never happen. (2) Duty. You may not feel like going to work each day, or caring for your family, but you know it’s your duty so you do it. What about your soul? Don’t you have a duty to feed yourself spiritually and stay strong? (3) Delight. When you reach this phase, the battle over Bible reading is won. When business leaders are about to make an important decision, they say, “It’s time to pull the trigger.” Stop “dabbling!” It’s time to pull the trigger and give God’s Word its rightful place in your life. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up.”

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 10, 2014. THE BIBLE IS—GOD SPEAKING TO YOU (2)

FRIDAY JANUARY 10

“I have treasured the words of this mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:12 NIV

The bible is—god speaking to you (2)

Psychologists are agreed on this point: people only keep doing what rewards them! So when the Bible reading becomes unrewarding, we quit. As a result we feel guilty, and become spiritually weak and discouraged. Your soul can no more thrive without God’s Word, than your body can thrive without a daily intake of food. The Bible says, “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna. Which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Dt 8:3 NIV). One of the dangers of the iPhone is that you begin to live on hits of information and short messages limited to 140 characters or less. This creates spiritual ADD (attention deficit disorder). God cannot be reduced to a limited word count or a few hurried moments in your day. To prosper, you must read the Bible.” How much time do you spend each day watching television? Hours? If you find television to be rewarding, but not God’s Word, your soul is in need of intensive care! If you want to change your life, change your habits and start reading the Bible. Job, who had more trouble than any of us will ever see, said, “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 9, 2014. THE BIBLE IS—GOD SPEAKING TO YOU (1)

THURSDAY JANUARY 9

“The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Jn 6:63

THE BIBLE IS—GOD SPEAKING TO YOU (1)

Did you know that the longest telegraphic message ever dispatched was in May, 1881?  It carried 188,000 words. It was printed in full that day in the Chicago Times. One of the nation’s leading newspapers gave space for four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistle to the Romans. “A triumph of publicity” was the verdict of the nation’s press. All this was done because the Revised version of the New Testament in English was on sale that day. In New Your City, thirty-three thousand copies were sold within twenty-four hours, setting a new sales record for any book. Why does the Bible remain the World’s most widely read book? For one simple reason: you read every other book—the Bible reads you! You say, “But I don’t get a lot out of the Bible when I read it.” You are not alone; many people say the same thing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. F.B. Meyer, one of history’s great Bible teachers, writes, “Read the Bible not as a Newspaper, but as a love letter. If a cluster od heavenly fruit hangs within your reach, gather it. If a promise lies upon the page as a blank check, cash it. If a prayer is recorded, launch it as a feathered arrow from the bow of your desire.” Why do we keep going back to the Bible? Because in a world where trust is in short supply, “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave” (1 Ki 8:56 NIV).

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 8, 2014. LAZARUS

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8

'...If you would believe you would see the glory of God.' John 11:40 NKJV

Lazarus

In the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, you'll notice three important principles: (1) Mary and Martha had a close relationship with Jesus before the crisis arose. When Jesus came to town, He stayed at their home and ate at their table. They were givers, not takers. You can't refuse to give God a minute of your time, an ounce of your energy or a cent of your money, then when trouble comes, say, 'Lord, why did You let this happen?' Jesus said, 'If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.' (John 15:7 NKJV) (2) Having a relationship with Jesus doesn't mean you won't have trouble But it does mean that you can go to Him with confidence in times of trouble. Yes, you must pay attention to your career and your family, but you must also pay attention to the most important relationship of all - the one you have with the Lord. '...If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.' (1 John 3:2122 NIV) (3) When you bring Jesus into the situation, He will change it Lazarus was already dead and buried by the time Jesus got there. Humanly speaking, it was hopeless. But in moments like these God asks you, '...Is there anything too hard for Me?' (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV) If your answer is 'No, Lord,' then your problem becomes an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His love and care for you.

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 7, 2014. BE COMMITTED TO OTHERS

TUESDAY JANUARY 7

“Let us love one another, for love comes from God.”  1 Jn 4:7 NIV

BE COMMITTED TO OTHERS

While the bible clearly teaches self-worth, it also denounces self-interest. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He said that we were to love God with all our hearts, and love others with the same concern that we show for ourselves (See Mk 12:30-31). When we obsess over ourselves, we lose the meaning of life, which is to love and serve God, and love and serve our neighbors. In a 2003 report, Hardwired to Connect, thirty-three research scientists discovered that we are biologically primed to find meaning through relationships. Chuck Colson said: “After nearly eight decades of living, I can vouch for this. My single greatest joy is giving myself to others and seeing them grow in return. You cannot discover that without commitment. I first learned it by watching my parents care for my dying grandparents in our home… I later saw it in the Marine Corps. You cannot command forty-five men to go into combat, as I was trained to do, if you aren’t committed to one another. You are going to die if the man next to you does not cover your back…By abandoning commitment, our narcissistic culture has lost the one thing it desperately seeks: happiness. Without commitment, our individual lives will be barren and sterile. Without commitment, our lives will lack meaning and purpose. After all, if nothing is worth dying for, the nothing is worth living for. Jesus taught that the only way to live abundantly is to die to self-interest and give yourselves fully to God, and those who need what God has given you.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 6, 2014. OPERATING IN YOUR GOD-GIVEN STRENGHT

MONDAY JANUARY 6

“There are diversities of gifts.” 1 Co 12:4 NKJV

OPERATING IN YOUR GOD-GIVEN STRENGHT

Paul writes, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit.” Successful people invest their time, energy and resources into their core strengths. Why? Because that is where they get their highest return! And when they occasionally depart from that approach, as Michael Jordan did when he quit basketball to play baseball, the result is mediocrity. Basketball was Jordan’s sweet spot—the thing that would always give him the biggest return—and most people agree that he was one of the best to ever play the game. However, as a baseball player, he lasted one year, never progressed higher than AA ball, batted .202, and finished with 11 fielding errors. That’s probably not what he would like to be remembered for God gave you gifts that make you unique, gifts that hold great possibilities. But you have to discover them and develop them. A sign on a hardware store says it all: “We’ve got it, if you can find it.” Nobody was ever born without a talent, including you, but you’ve got to find it.” Nobody was ever born without it, including you, but you’ve got to find it. What keeps us from doing that? (1) The company we keep. The old saying goes, “If you run around with turkeys, you’ll never fly with eagles.” The Scripture says, “He who walks with wise men, will be wise” (Pr 13:20 NKJV). (2) Failing to spend time in prayer and God’s word. God is not only the giver of your gift; He supplies the strength to function successfully in it. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” So if you want to succeed consult God, and operate in your God given strength.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 5, 2014. TOUCHING JESUS

SUNDAY JANUARY 5

“If I can just touch [Him], I will be healed.” Mk 5:28 NLT

TOUCHING JESUS

Mark records the story of a woman who’d hemorrhaged for twelve years and spent every penny she had on doctors, but to no avail. What western culture discreetly refers to as “a female condition” had devastated this Jewish lady’s life. Sexually, she couldn’t touch her husband. Maternally, she couldn’t have children. Domestically, whatever she touched was considered “unclean.” Spiritually, she couldn’t enter the temple. So, physically exhausted, socially ostracized, and spiritually depleted, she thought, “If I can just touch Jesus, I’ll be made whole.” Her miracle started when she thought about Jesus. But first she had to get through the crowd that stood between her and Him. And so will you! The crowd has its arguments and reasons, but not one of them is worth missing Jesus for. When this woman finally got to Him, two wonderful things happened: (1) She discovered that our faith gets Jesus’ attention every time. Many people in the crowd must have brushed up against Jesus that day, yet Mark records, “Knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, [He] turned around in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched My clothes?” (v. 30 NKJV). Understand this: Jesus can tell the difference between casual churchgoer and a truly hungry heart that pushes through pain, problems, and pressures, and touches Him by faith. (2) She’s the only woman Jesus ever called “daughter (See v. 34 NKJV). Imagine how she felt. She probably couldn’t remember when she’d last heard a kind word. You’re not just a face in the crowd, and your problem is not too big for Jesus. Today reach out in faith, touch Him, and be made whole!

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 4, 2014. BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT (3)

SATURDAY JANUARY 4

“Press toward the goal for the prize.’’ Php 3:14NKJV

BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT (3)

Albert Schweitzer said, “Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” When you feel passionate about something and allow yourself to pursue it, you position yourself to succeed in life. The majority of people in the world don’t follow their passion; as a result, they’re frustrated and unhappy. And you can see it in how they live their lives. Publisher Malcom Forbes said, “The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at what they enjoy.” As a result, they simply endure their working lives instead of making the most of them. They live for the weekends. They try to hang on until retirement. That’s a shame, because your chance of success is directly proportional to the degree of pleasure you derive from what you do. Tommy Lasorda, manager of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, said, “The best day of my life is when I manage in a losing game.” In other words, every day he was involved in the game was a day he was living his dream. Are you? Dreams come true when gifts are set on fire with passion. The best career advice you will ever receive is to discover your God-given passion and follow it. Logan Pearsall Smith said, “There are two things to aim at in life; first, to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.” So ‘press toward the goal for the prize.”

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 3, 2014. BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT (2)

FRIDAY JANUARY 3

“As an eagle stirs up its nest…so the Lord…led him.” Dt 32:11-12 NKJV

BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT (2)

A mother eagle knows that if she waits for her young to get out of the nest and fly on their own initiative, it’ll never happen. So she pushes them out! That’s radical, but they learn to fly and they fulfill their destiny. John Maxwell says: “To succeed in life we must stay within our strength zone, but continually move outside our comfort zone. Have you ever accomplished anything of significance while you were in your comfort zone? We resist it. WE like to feel safe and secure. We don’t want to look foolish or fall flat on our faces. And as we get older we naturally tend to become more and more complacent. That’s a problem because complacency kills passion. It reduces us to average. It clips our wings and keeps us from soaring, no matter how much we want to. It takes initiative to succeed at anything in life. It requires us to take risks. Playwright George Bernard Shaw said, ‘I’m sick of all the reasonable people: they all see the reasons for doing nothing.’ Passion prompt us to leave our comfort zone and cross the threshold of our doubt. It pushes us out the door, so that we can get going on the journey in life that God designed for us. It's ’aid that when you get to the door of opportunity you’re not supposed to knock—you’re supposed to push!” So step out in faith, take the initiative, and believe that God is with you (See Dt 31:6).

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JANUARY 2, 2014. BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT (1)

THURSDAY JANUARY 2

“I am doing great work.” Ne 6:3NKJV

BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT (1)

Nehemiah was passionate about rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. So when his enemies tried to sidetrack and discourage him, he answered, “I am doing great work, so that I cannot come down.” Passion is the starting point for all achievement. There has never been anyone who achieved anything of value, who wasn’t passionate about it. It’s the energy that fuels your dream. The road to success is cluttered with detours, problems, and disappointments. And if you don’t have the right mindset, your dreams can die there. Indeed, there are days when the needle on your passion meter will be on empty. On those days you need to remember that God gave you your dream to begin with; go back to Him and ask for the strength to keep moving toward it. The Psalmist wrote, “For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will lighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall” (Ps 18:28-29 NKJV). Who gives you the power to run and leap? God! But you can’t sit back, fold your arms and think that He will do it all for you. Between your dream’s inspiration and it’s manifestation, there’s going to be a lot of perspiration. As every new parent’ finds out—it’s much harder having and raising a baby than conceiving one. But if you have a passion for your dream, the price tag won’t stop you. You’ll get up every morning, draw on God’s grace and take one more step in the direction of the thing you know God put you on this earth to do.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional