March 31, 2014. BE RESILIENT

Monday March 31

“We give great honor to those who endure.” Jas 5:11 NLT

BE RESILIENT

During their famous expedition, American explorers Lewis and Clark faced incredible hardships. On reaching the Missouri River, they thought the worst was over-then they saw the Rockies! Instead of the easy ride downstream they’d expected, they faced their biggest challenge: retreat or start climbing! Looking back, they realized it was in conquering the Rockies that they gained the confidence they needed for what they’d face later. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled, writes, “It’s in meeting and solving problems that we grow mentally and spiritually. Wise people learn not to dread, but to welcome the pain of problems.” Sociologists who study resiliency-the ability to bounce back-tell us that people handle trauma in two ways. They either give up because they’re afraid, or they grow up by developing the capacity to handle it. What makes the difference? Instead of acting like victims, resilient people: (1) take charge of their lives; (2) refuse to relinquish their values; (3) refocus on their goal. Noela Evans says, “Challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth. Tame the dragon and the gift is yours.” Quitting is always simpler than enduring. But it produces a pattern that’s hard to break; one you live to regret. So if you’re thinking, “This relationship is too hard, I want out,” or, “This job isn’t what I expected, I’m quitting,” remember, you develop resiliency by remaining faithful in situations you don’t like and can’t change. That’s why the Bible says, “We give great honor to those who endure.”

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 30, 2014. THE FINGER OF GOD (4)

Sunday March 30

“Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.”  Jn 8:6 NKJV

THE FINGER OF GOD (4)

The finger of God in cleansing. One day the Pharisees brought a woman to Christ. She’d been “caught in the act” of adultery and they expected Him to condemn her. But instead, “Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.” This is Jesus at His best! He stooped down to identify with the victim in her shame, refusing to listen to the words of her accusers. Then He scattered them with a single statement: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (v. 7 NKJV). Ouch! Then the One Who came not to tear us down but to build us up, said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (v.11 NKJV). The question is, where would she find strength to live such a life? Through Christ! His commandments are His enablings. He said, “I am the light of the world, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life”(v. 12 NKJV). Jesus sees every weed as a potential rose, every doubter as a potential believer, and every sinner as potential saint. Stop listening to the voices that condemn you. Stop beating yourself up over failures. Come to Jesus today; He will cleanse you, make you whole, and give you the life you’ve always longed for. You don’t have to live under Satan’s control anymore. Jesus said, “If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come”(Lk 11:20).

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 29, 2014. THE FINGER OF GOD (3)

Saturday March 29

“And he gave unto Moses...tables of stone, written with the finger of God.”         Ex 31:18

THE FINGER OF GOD (3)

The finger of God in stone.Why do you think God wrote the Ten Commandments in stone? Because His principles are permanent and unchanging. You say, “But what about all those people who have never heard God’s Word? How will He judge them?” Paul answers: “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law...show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it...They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right” (Ro 2:14-15 NLT). Your conscience acts like a compass. If you let it, it’ll guide you right. But when you reject its warnings, its voice gets quieter and quieter until you can no longer hear it. That’s a dangerous condition to be in. Paul writes, “Having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1Ti 1:19 NKJV). Picture yourself standing on a bridge dropping pebbles into a pond and watching the ripples go out the edge. It’s just a  pebble, but look at the effect it has! Yet in winter when that same pond freezes over, you can drive a pickup truck across it. Your conscience is like that. When you keep disobeying God, your heart becomes calloused and hardened and you no longer hear Him speaking to you. Paul writes, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Ac 24:16 NIV). Thats a good rule of thumb for you to live by!

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 28, 2014. THE FINGER OF GOD (2)

Friday March 28

“The magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God.’”   Ex 8:19 NIV

THE FINGER OF GOD (2)

The finger of God calamity. When God sent plagues that Pharaoh’s wizards couldn’t duplicate, they cried out in fear, “This is the finger of God.” Finally Pharaoh got the message: “Maybe God’s trying to tell me something.” The calamity that befell Egypt was a direct result of Pharaoh defying God. Ten times Moses stood before him with God’s Word, saying, “ Let my people go.” Notice, God was only asking for what was rightfully HIs. The question is: What is He asking you? Only when you say yes to God will things begin to go right for you! When you see His purpose in the reversals and setbacks you’re going through, you can actually turn them into stepping stones to blessing. The Psalmist wrote, “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary” (Ps 77:13). Then he added, “Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters” (Ps 77:19). The sanctuary or the storm! God will bring you the easy way or the hard way. If you refuse to listen to His voice in the sanctuary, He will speak to you in life’s storms. Pharaoh rebelled against the providential dealings of God, and it cost him his kingdom and his life. Don’t miss the lesson here. God wants what belongs to Him, what He bought and payed for at Calvary. He wants His rightful place in your life, which is first place. And you have an option: you can rebel against Him or respond to His love. If you feel God tugging at your heart today, it’s because He wants to save you, use you and bless you. If you’re wise you’ll say yes to Him.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 27, 2014. THE FINGER OF GOD (1)

Thursday March 27

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers.”  Ps 8:3 NKJV

THE FINGER OF GOD (1)

Let’s look at the finger of God in Scripture The finger of God in creation. The psalmist David said, “When I consider...the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him?” (vv. 3-4 NKJV). The Bible opens by telling us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Ge 1:1 NIV). In a day when many challenge the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible, we need to teach our children Who made the universe, Who runs it, and to Whom each of us is ultimately accountable. In 1961 Yuri Gagarin, the first Russian cosmonaut to go into space, boasted, “I looked and looked but I didn’t see God.” Guess what? One day he will see God and stand before Him and be judged (See Ro 14:11-12). We all will!

Faith and reason are not necessarily opposed. But when reason won’t take you another step, faith keeps on going because it connects you to God. The stars convinced David of God’s existence. They say if you counted stars at a rate of 125 a minute, it would 2,000 years just to count the stars in our Milky Way. And that it would take ten billion human beings standing side by side to span the diameter of the average star. Awesome, eh? Paul says: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Ro 1:20 NIV). If you look you will see God at work everywhere-including your own life.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 26, 2014. HOLY COMMUNION

Wednesday March 26

“This is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1Co 11:24 NKJV

HOLY COMMUNION

Here are three reasons you need to partake of Holy Communion: (1) To make you grace-minded. No one will ever stand in heaven and say, “Look what Jesus and I have accomplished.” If you had to pay one penny of your sin debt, it would make you a co-redeemer with Christ. What an offence to the cross! (See Eph 2:8-9). Hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote: “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” (2) To keep you sensitive to sin. “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself” (1Co 11:28-29 NKJV). You say, “If I sin and take communion, does that mean I’m drinking liquid damnation?” No, it’s the “manner” in which you approach God that counts. You don’t have to avoid the communion cup; you need only confess your sin, then drink deeply with gratitude. (3) To keep you focused on Christ’s return. “I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mk 14:25 NKJV). Every communion service brings you one step closer to the greatest communion service of all: the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (See Rev 19:7). Are you planning on being there?

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 25, 2014. WHOSE “REPORT” WILL YOU BELIEVE?

Tuesday March 25

“You will live safely in the land and prosper.”  Ps 37:3 NLT

WHOSE “REPORT” WILL YOU BELIEVE?

Frank Furedi documented an increasing use of fear in the media by counting appearances of the term “at risk” in british newspapers. In 1994 the term appeared 2,037 times. By the end of the next year the totaled had doubled. During the year 2000 “at risk” was printed more than 18,000 times. Now, did world danger increase ninefold in six years-or are we just getting bad news faster, in real time? “Information overload” has produced the most medicated generation known to man. Not only do we need anti-depressants and tranquilizers, our children do too. Even our pets are taking them! Thank God for increased medical knowledge, but you have to ask, “How did folks in the old days get by? What did they do when they were stressed out?” Here are words some of them woke up with every morning and went to bed with every night: “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you all your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and he will help you...Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act...The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him (Ps 37:1-7,39-40 NLT).

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 24, 2014. WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMAS? (2)

Monday March 24

“Demas...loved this...world.”          2Ti 4:10 NKJV

WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMAS? (2)

Again we ask, “What happened to Demas?” (1) Was he troubled by Paul’s diminishing prestige? When Paul came to town church growth exploded-and so did riots. In one town the new converts brought out pornographic books and artifacts of witchcraft and burned them in the town square. That didn’t win Paul any points with the publishers and manufacturers! He had the social status of a leper in health colony. Who said the Christian life was supposed to be easy? Not Jesus: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but i chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (Jn 15:18-19 NKJV). Attack is a sign of respect; it means you haven’t been conquered. Indeed, the level of the attack that comes against you is an indicator of the level of God’s blessing that awaits you beyond it. (2) Did he resent Paul’s growing ostracism by professing Christians? A guy asked his friend, “How’s the world treating you?” He replied, “The world treats me just fine, it’s the saints who give me a hard time!” Sometimes the church supported Paul financially, other times he had to make tents to support himself. So how did he respond? “I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved” (2CO 12;15 NKJV). The burning desire in Paul’s life was “to be well pleasing to [Christ]” (2Co 5:9 NKJV). Is that your desire too?

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 23, 2014. WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMAS?

Sunday March 23

“Demas has forsaken me.”          2Ti 4:10 NKJV

WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMAS?

Paul writes one of the saddest verses in Scripture: “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” The runner has stumbled. The lights have gone out in the life of a believer. Why? (1) Did he resent his minority status as a Christian? It’s been said that there wasn’t just one, but two Martin Luthers in church history. And they both received the same revelation of justification by faith as the way to salvation. But the first wrote it down and hid it in a monastery wall because he feared the authorities. The second nailed it to the door of Wittenberg All Saints Church and started the Reformation. Christ promised that our message would be a powerful one, but not always a popular one: “Do not fear, little flock” (Lk 12:32 NKJV). Wear your minority status as badge of honor! (2) Was he cut down by the doctrinal sword? We have the message people need to hear, but don’t always want to listen to. Even some Christians don’t want to hear it. “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’...From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (Jn 6:60,66 NKJV). You say, “But if we’re too strict with people we’ll lose them.” If we’re legalistic we will, but if we’re scriptural we’ll build men and women of God who shine like lights in a dark world. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn 8:32 NKJV). Sometimes before the truth sets people free it puts them through the wringer! But we must preach it nonetheless.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

MARCH 22, 2014. GET BACK UP, GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE

Saturday March 22

“He rose up and went to the city.”         Ac 14:20 NKJV

GET BACK UP, GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE

If you're going through a hard time, read these words: “Then Jews...came there; and having persuaded the   multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went to the city” (vv. 19-20 NKJV). Notice two phrases: :supposing him to be dead” and “he rose up.” Paul was stone d but not silenced; beaten but not defeated. “We are hardpressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2Co 4:8-9 NKJV). Imagine Satan standing over Paul like a referee standing over a fighter who’s on the mat.On the count of nine Paul gets up and says, “I may be down, but I’m not out!” He was a defiant optimist, a self-encourager who knew how to lift himself and those around him. One day in the heat of battle, Lord Nelson’s enemies flashed him a signal to surrender. Picking up his telescope, he looked through it and announced, “I can’t see any sign of surrender!” During World War II, Churchill warned the French that if necessary Britain would fight on alone.Their generals sent him a telegram saying, “In three weeks, England will have her neck wrung like chicken.” Undeterred, Churchill took the airwaves and announced, “We shall never surrender!” He lifted Britain up by its bootstraps! After the war Churchill addressed the Canadian parliament. Wearing his hallmark bulldog expression and waving the telegram, he announced, “Huh! Some chicken, and some neck!” The word for you today is-get back up, God is on your side.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

MARCH 21, 2014. HOW’S YOUR WORK ETHIC? (2)

Friday March 21

“Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.” Ge 24:46 NIV

HOW’S YOUR WORK ETHIC? (2)

When Abraham’s servant arrived in the town of Nahor, a young woman named Rebekah offered to give him a drink of water. When he had finished drinking, Rebekah said, “I’ll water your camels too.” We are told that she “quickly” emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well. It all sounds fairly unremarkable, until you read between the lines: one gallon of water weighs eight pounds. A thirsty camel can drink up to thirty gallons of water, and there were ten camels. Do the math. Rebekah is drawing up three hundred pounds of water for a stranger. She does all that could be reasonably expected of her-and then some. This was a pivotal moment in her life. Because of her act of service, Rebekah became the wife of Isaac and went on the adventure of a lifetime, becoming part of sacred history. To this day, her name is remembered and revered by people of faith. Rebekah did not know all that was at stake that day. She did not offer to draw three hundred gallons of water because she knew what the reward could be. It was simply an expression of heart. Rebekah proved the truth of Scripture: “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper” (Pr 13:4 NLT). Where did we get the idea that it is wrong to give expecting a return, or serve expecting a reward? Certainly not from the Bible! Some of our rewards will come in this lifetime, others in the next one. But, “You know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does” (Eph 6:8 NIV).

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

MARCH 20, 2014. HOW’S YOUR WORK ETHIC? (1)

THURSDAY MARCH 20

“O Lord…give me success today.” Ge 24:12 NIV

HOW’S YOUR WORK ETHIC? (1)

We seldom know ahead of time the full significance of what we do or don’t do in our work. The Bible simply says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecc 9:10 NIV). Judaism, Christianity and Islam all trace their roots to Abraham—who was a rancher. Abraham was “now old and well advanced in years” (Ge 24: 1 NIV). So he realized the time had come to find a wife for his son Isaac. Since there were no internet dating services in those days, he assigned  the task to his chief servant, Eliezer. The servant set out with a caravan of ten camels to the region Abraham had directed him. Finding a wife for your boss’s son was a high-stakes assignment that required considerable thought. Certainly, it isn’t a job you’d want to fail at. So the servant began his work with a prayer: “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today.” Do you ever pray to ask God to make your work successful? People sometimes wonder if it’s okay to pray for your work to be successful. Of course! Now, if success is becoming your God, you will have to find a way to dethrone it. But generally speaking, if you can’t pray for the success of what you’re doing, you should start doing something else! Any good parent wants their child to succeed. Any wise employer wants their workers to succeed, because when they succeed the company succeeds. Here’s what God told His people: “Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do” (Dt 29:9NIV).

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

MARCH 19, 2014. THE SIN OF OMISSION

WEDNESDAY MARCH 19

“To him who knows to do good and does not do it...it is sin.” Jas 4:17 NKJV

THE SIN OF OMISSION

We tend to focus on sins of commission—the wrong we do. But what about sins of omission—the good we fail to do? In Christ’s parables when someone was condemned, it was often over a sin of omission. A man was put out of a wedding because he had no wedding garment (See Mt 22:12). Five virgins were excluded from the wedding party because they had no oil in their lamps (See Mt 25: 3-11). A servant who buried his talent in the ground instead of using it, forfeited it (See Mt 25:25-28). A rich man who failed to care for his neighbor was condemned for it (See Lk 16:19-24). A barren fig tree that failed to produce fruit was cursed and died (See Mk 11:20-24). You say, “But I’m interested in a deeper spiritual life.” Well, the deepest spiritual life is one spent doing good to others! And it’s the basis on which you’ll be judged and rewarded. “Then the King will…say… ‘I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me to your home. I was naked or sick in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And He will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me’” (Mt 25:41-45 NLT). So when you have a chance to do good—do it!

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional 

MARCH 18, 2014. STABILIZING PEACE

TUESDAY MARCH 18

“Take heart…I have overcome the world.” Jn 16:33 NLT

STABILIZING PEACE

ON May 3, 1943, air raid sirens sounded over London. People raced toward Bethnal Green Underground station, where more than five hundred people had already taken refuge. In the next ten minutes, fifteen hundred more would join them. A woman carrying a baby lost her footing on one of the fifteen steps leading down the street. Like Dominoes, people started falling on top of one another. In the end, 173 people died. Bombs didn’t kill them, fear did! Today there’s a stampede of fear around us, and if you’re not careful, you’ll get caught up in it. So you need to monitor what you listen to, think and say. The disciples needed a rock to stand on in the coming storm. Jesus had just told them how bad things were going to get in the world and the extent to which they would suffer. He announced He was leaving, and told them He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. John chapter 16 ends with these words: “I have told you all this, so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” No matter what the situation, Jesus is on top of it. No matter what trial you face, Jesus will bring you through it. Thought surrounded by fear and the fearful, you will have His peace. And that stabilizing peace will fortify you and cause others to turn to you for answers.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional 

March 17, 2014. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

Monday March 17

“The word of the Lord came to Elijah...saying…‘I will send rain on the earth.’”

1 Ki 18:1 NKJV

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

Three years earlier, God told Elijah to announce the coming of a severe drought. As a result, it was all people talked about. Then God told him to announce that rain was coming and they were to prepare for it. Understand this: unless you learn to attune your spiritual ear to what God is saying, you won’t be ready for what life throws at you. God can tell you when to save and when to sow, when to buy and when to sell, when to come to the table and when to walk away. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’” (Isa 30:21 NKJV). But Satan can also speak to you and tell you things like, “You’re going bankrupt. You’re going to die. You’ll never succeed. Nobody loves you.” You’ll never hear that from God! In spite of what you’re hearing around you or within you, you must believe in God’s faithfulness and trust Him to fight for you. Knowing He would soon be crucified, Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.’ Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered” (Jn 12:28-29 NKJV). Isn’t it amazing? Some can hear the voice of God, while others standing right beside them hear only noise. What Jesus heard that day galvanized His faith and gave Him strength to march victoriously to the cross. So who are you listening to? What are you hearing?

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

March 16, 2014. WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

Sunday March 16

“We walk by faith, not by sight.”           2Co 5:7 NKJV

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

Your eyes can deceive you! Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, dipped his coat in goat’s blood and told their father he had been torn to pieces by a wild beast. As a result, the old man said, “I shall go down into the grave to my son mourning” (Ge 37:35 NKJV). In reality not only was Joseph alive, he’d soon become Prime Minister of Egypt and save his family during the time of famine. But his father lived all those years grieving because of something he saw: a coat. Sometimes theres a difference between facts and truth. The facts may confirm that the economy is bad, but the truth is, “ God shall supply all your need according to His riches” (Php 4:19). One day Elisha and his servant woke up in the town of Dothan to discover they were surrounded by an enemy army. When the servant saw this, he panicked. But Elisha said, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed… ‘Lord...open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2Ki 6:16-17 NKJV). God wants you to look to Him and know that in your darkest moment you don’t have to be afraid. What you have going for you is so much greater than anything that comes against you. So rise up in faith and say with Psalmist, “My help comes from the Lord” (Ps 121:2 NKJV). Then act like you believe it!

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

March 15, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (6)

Saturday March 15

“Deliver us from the evil one.”          Mt 6:13 NKJV

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (6)

Deliver us from evil (Lk 11:4). The original Greek language reads, “Deliver us from the Evil One,” not from subtract entity called evil. So, should we fear Satan? No, but we must alert to his strategies (See 1Pe 5:8-9). If we’re unaware and fail to put on the full armor of God, we invite defeat (See Eph 6:10-18). But when alert and fully armed, we needn’t be afraid of Satan: “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). Jesus, not you, guarantees your victory. The Holy Spirit within you is what enables you to resist the Devil. “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and...Nothing will injure you” (Lk 10:19 NLT). When you’re battling the Evil One this prayer activates the power of the “greater One” who is in you, and by His strength you can triumph over him. Add to this God’s word dwelling in your heart and mind, enabling you to rebuff Satan’s temptations as Jesus did with, “It is written” (See Mt 4:3-11). Satan was vanquished by the power of God’s Word, and it’ll work for you too! “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever” (Mt 6:13). What a final note of recognition and praise! No uncertainty or tentativeness here. It mirrors David’s great doxology: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness...the power...the glory...the majesty and the splendor...Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” (1Ch 29:11 NIV). Your prayers are certain to be effective when you pray in faith to such God.

Taken from the Word for YOu Today Devotional

March 14, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (5)

Friday March 14

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

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (5)

As we forgive our debtors (Mt 6:12 NKJV). Forgiving others isn’t an option, it’s an obligation. Being forgiven depends on forgiving others. Young Robert Louis Stevenson’s family customarily prayed the Lord’s Prayer before dinner. One evening he left the table before they reached the part, “As we forgive our debtors.” Asked why, he replied, “I’m not prepared to pray that prayer today.” Recognizing his reluctance to forgive, he knew he couldn't’ receive God’s forgiveness. “If you forgive men...your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not...your Father will not forgive your sins” (vv. 14-15 NIV). No matter how badly you’ve been wronged, God requires you to forgive. “Lead us not into temptation” (v. 13 NIV). This seems odd in light of God’s Word: “When tempted, no one should ever say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone” (Jas 1:13 NIV). William Barkley says the Greek word used here for temptation means “testing,” as in ordeals and trials of life. It refers to life’s stressful experiences. An athlete might use the words with his trainer, “Please don’t push me beyond my endurance!” It calls for acknowledging three realities: (1) Your human limits and vulnerabilities. (2) That God’s in charge of your testing. (3) That He wants you to ask for help and not try to handle it alone. “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand...he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1Co 10:13 NLT). He won’t just intervene on your behalf, He will use the experience to strengthen you spiritually.

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional

March 13, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (4)

Thursday March 13

“Give us each day our daily bread.”  Lk 11:3 NIV

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (4)

The second part of the Lord’s Prayer addresses our everyday concerns: “Give us each day our daily bread” (v. 3). Your Father is willing to meet your physical and financial needs. The word Jesus used here literally meant “food.” God is more concerned about the necessities of your everyday life than you are. He multiplied food for five thousand hungry people. “He...healed all who were sick” (Mt 8:16 NKJV). And He wants to meet your needs too. “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat”’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” (Mt 6:31 NIV). The “bread man” delivers fresh bread daily! So trust Him for today’s needs, and tomorrow morning get up and do the same. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12 NKJV). The moment you enter God’s presence you become aware of your sin. And Satan will try to bring condemnation on you. How does he do it? By making you feel unwelcome and uneasy in God’s presence. But Satan is a liar. “There is...no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Ro 8:1). God’s presence brings your sins to light not to condemn you, but to motivate you to confess  them and receive His forgiveness. God’s Word identifies several categories of sin that we need to recognize. Theres falling short of what’s required; the deliberate violation of a specific rule; unintentional and often passionately motivated slips; deliberate disobedience and rebellion; failure to fulfill your indebtness; the sin of omission. Regardless of what your sin is, the moment you confess it and ask God for forgiveness, He restores you (See 1Jn 1:9).

Taken from The Word for YOu Today Devotional

March 12, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (3)

Wednesday March 12

“Is anything too hard for me?” Jer 32:27 NIV

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (3)

The words, “Our Father,” remind of God’s unconditional love. Ever looked into the eyes of a suffering child and wanted to make them well, but you lacked the power? “Which art in heaven” reminds of God’s unlimited power to do what we can’t. “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” The answer in the Hebrew language comes back, “No, nothing, absolutely nothing, with you shall be extraordinary.” You can have total confidence that what God’s love prompts Him to do, His power enables Him to do. “Hallowed be thy name” distinguishes His name and character from all others. “Hallowed in Greek indicates that He’s unlike others, different, special, the only One. In an age where respect for authority is disappearing because it challenges our self-importance, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Heavenly Father, enable us to enable You the place Your Holy Name and character deserve.” “Thy kingdom come.” Jesus came preaching God’s kingdom; it was the heart of His gospel. The kingdom incorporating Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. was past. The present kingdom includes all those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord. And the future kingdom will encompass the whole earth at Christ’s return. Each time you submit to God’s will, His kingdom is brought into operation. As a believer you are in His kingdom, and His power is available to you. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In heaven God’s will is never questioned. Nor should it be in your life. And Jesus instructs us to pray and believe that what happens in heaven will also happen through you here on earth.'

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 11, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (2)

Tuesday March 11

“Take the mercy, accept the help.” Heb 4:16 TM

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (2)

When you pray, “Our Father,” you define every other relationship in your life: (1) You define your relationship to the material world. Since God is your Father you’re not a stranger but an heir to the blessings of His universe (See Ps 24:1). But beware of the values of the world: “Don’t love the world’s ways...Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father” (1 Jn 2:15 ™). Nothing must take God’s place! (2) You define your relationship to others. Everyone around you is your Father’s creation and as such you must accept, color, creed, or distinction. We’re not to compete with them, or strive for superiority over them, or use them for own ends. (3) You define your relationship to yourself. God says He’s your Father; what a foundation on which to build your self-worth! Regardless of what’s been said or done in the past to make you feel inadequate or inferior, you can hold your head high. You’re not a nobody once God calls you His child. (4) You define your relationship to God. Because of your relationship to Jesus, the Father declares you “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6 NKJV). As He accepts Jesus, so He accepts you! “As many received Him...He gave the right to become children of God” (Jn 1:12 NAS). You no longer need to approach Him in fear. You can “walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” It doesn’t get any better!

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional