August 31, 2014. WORKING IN THE KINGDOM (2)

Sunday August 31, 2014

'To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given...' Matthew 25:29 NLT

Working in the Kingdom (2)

Your value in a job is determined by the value you add to the job. When a Christian goes to work each day, God holds them accountable for adding, enhancing and improving things in their workplace. Jesus told the story of three men who were each given money. One was given five bags of it, another two, and another one. The first two '...went and traded with them, and gained...' (Matthew 25:16 NAS) They showed skill, initiative, and made 100 percent profit. So they were commended by their master. But the third man just punched the clock, called in sick, didn't train, try, dare or do. So his job review didn't go too well. And Jesus said something that ought to make us all sit up and take notice: 'To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.' That means if your attitude and work ethic are poor, you're in trouble with God. So, let's stop and think about your job. If Jesus were your supervisor, would you do your work any differently? How would you answer the phone, type documents, treat your employees, or teach your pupils if Jesus were checking your work? As a citizen of God's Kingdom you need to periodically review your attitude on the job, solicit feedback on how you can grow, demonstrate love and grace to those you work with, make your company profitable, and enjoy the work you do.

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 30, 2014. WORKING IN THE KINGDOM (1)

Saturday August 30, 2014

'...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.' Mark10:43 NIV

Working in the Kingdom (1)

Disneyland is referred to as 'the Magic Kingdom'. For those who work there, one value is emphasized above all others. It's what puts the 'magic' into that kingdom. What is it? Servant hood! Employees are told that when you walk through those gates, you serve. You treat every encounter with people as if they were your personal guest. If they need directions, you escort them. If they ask a question you've heard a hundred times, you answer it as if you'd never heard it before. There's a ride called the Jungle Cruise, and the most common question asked about it is, 'How long is this ride?' So the staff is given a prepared, standard answer: 'The Jungle Cruise is an exciting adventure ride that lasts ten minutes.' But one employee had been asked it once too often, so when a couple asked, 'How long is the Jungle Cruise?' he said, 'Three days.' The couple got out of the line, left the park, went back to Disney Hotel where they were on their honeymoon, packed up their suitcases, checked out, and came back to the line at the Jungle Cruise. The next day that Disneyland employee was gone. Someone else was standing at the line to say, 'The Jungle Cruise is an exciting adventure ride that lasts ten minutes.' When you represent God's Kingdom you're supposed to go out of your way to facilitate people, love them and meet their needs. Why? Because Jesus, the King in this Kingdom, said, '...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...' (Matthew 20:28 NIV)

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 29, 2014. GET RID OF THE 'CLUTTER'

Friday August 29, 2014

'...let the Spirit renew your...attitudes.' Ephesians 4:23 NLT

Get Rid of the 'Clutter'

When you sell a house, it feels great to get rid of stuff you've accumulated. You wonder why you lived so long with it weighing you down. It's the same with mental and emotional clutter. Jon Gordon says, 'Why do we fill our life with so many things that weigh us down? Thoughts that hold us back. Habits that limit us. Distractions that derail us. Negative people [who] drain us. Fear that paralyses us... time zappers that sabotage...productivity. We spend so much time...on things that don't matter - we fail to focus on what does matter. We fill up with so many things that generate negative energy, there's no room for positive energy in our lives.' Paul writes, '...throw off your...former way of life...let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.' (Ephesians 4:22-23 NLT) The clutter you need to lose includes: believing you're alone, trying to please everyone, feeling insecure, putting yourself down, needing everyone to like you, jumping to negative conclusions before you know the facts, thinking you're always right, recalling all the times you messed up, wanting to know how it all turns out, needing to have all the answers, worrying you'll lose the memories if you let go of the memorabilia, agonizing you're not rich enough, good enough or clever enough, surrounding yourself with people who recall the bad times and not the good, making energy-sucking comparisons, observing life instead of participating, believing your best days are over, constantly waiting for the right moment, fearing you'll look foolish, focusing on negative type-casting...and anything else you don't want to pass on to your children. How can you get rid of the clutter? '...let the Spirit renew your...attitudes.'

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 28, 2014. WHERE'S YOUR FINANCIAL SECURITY?

Thursday August 28, 2014

'...riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.' Proverbs 27:24 NIV

Where's Your Financial Security?

One large insurance company advertises itself as 'the Rock', claiming to be the foundation of our financial security. Remember when we trusted these taglines? Not anymore; it's not the same world. Financial uncertainty characterizes today's world of failing banks, crumbling investment giants, shrinking multinational corporations, swelling queues of the under-employed and unemployed, plus an epidemic of fear plaguing the hearts of the currently-employed. For the young, the joy of graduation has become the stress of university debts and a shrinking job market. Many older people are trading in their retirement dreams for a new twenty-first century reality: 'work till you drop'. In such times, where can we turn? To politicians? To government? To the next get-rich-quick guru? The Bible says, '...riches do not endure forever, and a crown [human government] is not secure for all generations.' (Proverbs 27:24 NIV) What's the answer? Turn to the only reliable source of security: God! There's no financial crisis in His Kingdom! Israel hungered and thirsted and He sent them fresh manna, and water from the rock. He assigned ravens to feed Elijah, multiplied oil and flour to sustain a destitute widow's family, fed thousands from a boy's lunch of five loaves and two fish. And He asks us: '...is anything too difficult for Me?' (Jeremiah 32:27 NAS) No! So: (1) Trust God to provide for you. (2) Do what He tells you to do. (3) Believe that God 'will'. 'The lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty...to feed you and your family...' (Proverbs 27:26-27 NIV)

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 27, 2014. ARGUING; IT'S A WASTE OF TIME

Wednesday August 27, 2014

'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.' Proverbs 15:1 NAS

Arguing; It's a Waste of Time

Do you sometimes find yourself saying, 'I get so angry when they refuse to listen to my viewpoint. How can I make them listen and hear what I'm trying to say?' Unless you're involved in an official debate, arguing with someone who's unwilling to listen is useless and a waste of time. State your viewpoint with clarity and purpose, but don't become defensive and argumentative if it's not received. You'll only hurt yourself and the relationship if you become argumentative. Don't allow anyone to draw you into strife or arguing. Hold your tongue, and try to remember these words of wisdom: 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of a fool spurts folly.' (Proverbs 15:2 NAS) What must surely be one of the most frustrating conversations in history was reported in Theatre Arts Magazine. A subscriber, wishing to report on a particular upcoming event in his community, dialed directory enquiries to get the magazine's telephone number. The operator drawled, 'Sorry, but there's nobody listed by the name of Theodore Arts.' The subscriber insisted, 'It's not a person; it's a publication. I want Theatre Arts.' The operator responded, this time a little louder. 'I told you, we have no listing for Theodore Arts in this city. Perhaps he lives in another city.' By now the subscriber was thoroughly peeved. 'Confound it, the word is theatre: T-H-E-A-T-R-E!' The operator came back with equal certainty in her voice, 'That is not the way to spell Theodore.' Arguing; it's a waste of time.

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 26, 2014. SUFFERING WITH GRACE

Tuesday August 26, 2014

'For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ...to suffer...' Philippians 1:29 NKJV

Suffering with Grace

You need the kind of faith that not only believes God for good things, but also sustains you through bad things. The Bible says, '...if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid...instead...worship Christ as Lord of your life...' (1 Peter 3:14-15 NLT) God has foresight but we have only hindsight. So whether the path you've been called to walk is rough or smooth, your attitude should be one of 'worship', acknowledging 'Christ as Lord of your life'. Joseph's slavery led to the saving of his family. The lions' den led Daniel to a cabinet position. Christ entered the world by a surprise pregnancy and redeemed it through an unjust murder. Do you believe what the Bible teaches - that no disaster is ultimately fatal? John Chrysostom did. He was the archbishop of Constantinople from AD 398 to 404. He gained a following by his eloquent denunciations of corruption in the church. Twice banished by the authorities, he asked: 'What can I fear? Will it be death? But you know that Christ is my life, and that I shall gain by death. Will it be exile? But the earth is the Lord's and its fullness is the Lord's. Will it be by loss of wealth? But we have brought nothing into the world, and we can carry nothing out. Thus all the terrors of the world are contemptible in my eyes; and I smile at all its good things. Poverty I do not fear; riches I do not sigh for. Death I do not shrink from.' That's suffering with grace!

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 25, 2014. OTHERS ARE WATCHING YOU

Monday August 25, 2014

'In everything set them an example.' Titus 2:7 NIV

Others Are Watching You

Smoke rose over a neighborhood where 18 people died and 850 had been arrested in street riots. Jon Walker said: 'My dad, a special investigator for a government agency, sat with me watching the violence on TV. In a matter-of-fact manner, he said, "That's exactly where I'm scheduled to be today..." I said, "Why go?... Tell them you can't come...reschedule..." He looked at me and said, "Why wouldn't I go? It's my job."' Walker continues, 'It was an Aha moment for me... of course he'd go. He'd made a commitment... to be where he was supposed to be, regardless of circumstances. The same way he flew Cold War reconnaissance missions... the same way he took pictures showing Cuban missile sites being assembled... the same way he stood with me day in and day out throughout his life. In that moment I grasped the example. I understood the importance of remaining committed, regardless of the difficulty or how unreasonable it might seem... My dad spoke more by what he did than by what he said... his example became the story of God at work in a human life.' Question: What would happen if people followed your example instead of your advice when it comes to your work ethic, your online computer use, your integrity in business, and how you treat your family? Be honest! Paul challenges each of us to 'be an example...in word... conduct... love... spirit... faith... purity.' (1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV) He told Titus, 'In everything set them an example by doing what is good... show integrity.' If you think that sounds like a tall order - you're right. But 'His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.' (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 24, 2014. THREE PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESS

Sunday August 24, 2014

'That you may be successful wherever you go.' Joshua 1:7 NIV

Three Principles of Success

God wants you to succeed in life (Joshua 1:8). Once you're convinced of that: (1) Take into account your temperament. A fillet steak cooks best at a very high heat for a short time, but a roast joint cooks best at a lower heat for a longer time. Either way, you can have a delicious meal. You just need to know what kind of meat you have, and how to cook it. Are you getting the point? (2) Overcome your fear of being different from others. Because Daniel wouldn't obey the decree only to pray to the king and not God, he landed in a lions' den. But he came out, and prospered in a top spot in government (Daniel 6:28). You can't be part of the crowd and still 'stand out'. To achieve great things you must trust God, disregard the negative opinions of people and pursue your destiny. (3) Resist the apathy that often accompanies ageing. Keep the enthusiasm of your youth and mix it with the wisdom of your old age. Don't lose your sense of idealism. Don't let day-to-day difficulties discourage you or allow life's disappointments to get you down. At every age and stage of life there are obstacles and advantages, trials and triumphs. It's up to you to make the most of the positive, and not let the negative derail you. At about seventy years old, Paul said, 'I am ready to come... to... Rome to preach.' (Romans 1:15 TLB) At eighty, Moses led Israel out of slavery. At eighty-five, Caleb said, 'Give me the mountain...the Lord promised me.' (Joshua 14:12 NCV) You're only 'old' when your regrets take the place of your dreams.

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

Aug 23, 2014. CARE ENOUGH TO CONFRONT

Saturday Aug 23, 2014

‘Warn…those who are out of line.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:14

CARE ENOUGH TO CONFRONT 

‘Warn…those who are out of line…encourage the timid…help…the weak.’ Sadly, we’d rather stay quiet and be popular than speak difficult truth into the lives of others. One teacher writes: ‘A church isn’t a group of individuals who happen to meet in the same place every week; it’s a spiritual body…a loving family. It’s far easier to comfort and encourage than to warn or exhort, but both are necessary. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to speak the truth in love so that the whole body may “grow up in all things”. If we don’t take the time to exhort, encourage, warn, comfort, uphold and be patient…we [all] suffer in the end. Your body doesn’t function properly when one part is hurting or performing poorly. And the church suffers when one of its members is unruly, fainthearted, weak, or falls into bad doctrine. Letting a body part fester, or not supporting a part that’s hurt, can lead to irrecoverable damage…letting serious issues go unaddressed does a grave disservice to the member in question.’ As parents we love our children too much to let bad behaviour go unchecked. Down the road we know it will negatively affect their attitude toward authority, relationships, accountability and personal discipline. We care enough to correct and guide them. Paul says, ‘If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out’ (Galatians 6:1 TM). The truth is the only safe ground to stand upon, and your goal should be to speak it in love.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

August 20, 2014. LOVE YOUR CHURCH - JESUS DOES!

Wednesday August 20, 2014

'...after you have suffered a while, [may God] perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.' 1 Peter 5:10 NKJV

Love Your Church - Jesus Does!

It took seven years to build Solomon's temple. In Scripture the number seven represents completion. So when it comes to your 'position' in Christ, you're as saved right now as you'll be when you stand in Heaven. When Jesus cried, 'It is finished', everything required to reconcile you to God was completed. The word 'complete' means lacking nothing. And when you put your trust in Jesus, that's how God sees you. When He positions you in Christ, 'You are complete in Him.' (Colossians 2:10 NKJV) You say, 'But I still sin.' The Bible says, 'We all... beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image...by the Spirit of the Lord.' (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV) Did you get that? The Holy Spirit is at work in your life every day, in every way, molding you into the image of Jesus. God's ultimate plan for you is greater than you can comprehend. Jude writes, 'Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy... be glory and majesty.' (Jude 1:24-25 KJV) Note the words 'Him that is able'. This is something Christ does for you, not something you do for yourself! And one of the tools He uses to bring about your perfection (maturity) is trouble. Peter writes, 'May the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.' It may take a while, but you'll get there!

Taken from the Word For You Today devotional

August 19, 2014. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE

Tuesday August 19, 2014

'He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.' John 6:15 NKJV

Take Control of Your Life

The Bible says: 'When Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him King, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum... Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.' (John 6:15-21 NKJV) Notice three things in this story: (1) The control Jesus exercised. People wanted to plan His life for Him. Sound familiar? When that happened, 'He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.' Note the word 'again'. Spending time with God was something He did regularly. Do you? (2) The criticism Jesus evoked. When the crowd wants to make you 'King', it's hard for your ego to walk away. But Jesus did. Others couldn't impose their will or agenda on Him. Why? Because He was committed to doing the will of God and nothing else. (3) The communion Jesus enjoyed. He emerged from a night of prayer empowered to walk on the water and subdue the storm. If you want to succeed in life, there's only one source you can go to for strength and guidance: God. Do you want to take control of your life? That's how you do it!

Taken from the Word For You Today devotional

August 18, 2014. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF - GOD DOES!

Monday August 18, 2014.

'God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.' Philippians 2:13 NLT

Believe in Yourself - God Does!

Owning your dream means having your belief in yourself outweigh your fears. Acclaimed leadership author John Maxwell wrote in his book, Failing Forward: How to Make the Most of Your Mistakes, this inspirational thought: 'If you know who you are, make the changes you must in order to learn and grow, and then give everything you've got to your dreams, you can achieve anything your heart desires.' It's not about the failures you've experienced in the past. As Maxwell says: 'If you tend to focus on the particular events in your life, try to put things into perspective. When you do, you'll be able to share the philosophy of someone such as the apostle Paul, who was able to say, "I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content." (Philippians 4:11 NKJV) And that was saying a lot, considering that Paul had been shipwrecked, whipped, beaten, stoned, and imprisoned. Throughout everything, his faith enabled him to maintain perspective. He realized that as long as he was doing what he was supposed to do, his being labeled success or failure by others really didn't matter.' So which matters more to you? Your past failures or the dreams God has laid on your heart? God gave you these unique abilities because He has plans for you: 'I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional 

August 17, 2014. LIVING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Sunday August 17, 2014.

'One's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.' Luke 12:15 NKJV

Living for the Right Reasons

It is said that, in 1923, seven of the world's most successful men met at a Chicago hotel: the president of the largest independent steel company, the president of the largest utility company, the greatest wheat speculator, the president of the New York Stock Exchange, a member of the President's Cabinet, the president of the Bank of International Settlements and the president of the world's greatest monopoly. Collectively these tycoons controlled more money than there was in the United States' Treasury. Now, fast forward 25 years and let's see what happened to them. Charles Schwab, president of the largest independent steel company, lived the last five years of his life on borrowed money and died a pauper. Arthur Cooger, the greatest wheat speculator, shot himself. Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange, spent three years in prison. Albert Fall, a member of the President's cabinet, went to prison for bribery. Leon Fraser, president of the U.S. Bank of International Settlements, shot himself. Ivan Kreuger, head of one of the world's largest monopolies, also committed suicide. If the recent economic upheaval has taught us anything, it's that money brings neither security nor happiness. Yes, God will bless you with money (Deuteronomy 8:18). And He will do it for two reasons: (1) Because He delights in seeing His redeemed children walk in His blessings (Psalms 35:27). (2) Because He expects you to use your money to reach a hurting world with God's love. If you keep those two things in mind, you'll be living for the right reasons.

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional 

August 16, 2014. YOU MUSTN'T QUIT

Saturday August 16, 2014.

'I press on toward the goal for the prize.' Philippians 3:14 NIV

You Mustn't Quit

Paul writes: 'Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me... All of us...who are mature should take such a view of things.' (Philippians 3:13-15 NIV) Paul was driven by his vision of reaching the world for Christ (Romans 10:1). It was his yardstick for daily living and his motivation for every effort. It made him relentless. An unknown poet wrote: 'When things go wrong as they sometimes will, and the road you're trudging seems all uphill. When funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh. When things are pressing you down a bit, rest if you must, but don't you quit! Life is strange with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns. And many a failure turns about, when he might have won if he'd stuck it out. Don't give up, though the pace seems slow - you might succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than it seems, to a faint and faltering man. Often the struggler has given up, when he might have captured the victor's cup. And he learned too late, when the night slipped down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt. You never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar. So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.'

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional 

August 15, 2014. LAVISH GRACE

Friday August 15, 2014.

'Forgiveness...in accordance with the riches of...grace.' Ephesians 1:7 NIV

Lavish Grace

'Peter asked, "How many times should I forgive someone who does...wrong to me? Is seven times enough?" Jesus answered: "Not...seven...but seventy-seven times!"' (Matthew 18:21-22 CEV) But we shouldn't stop there. If God gave each of us only seventy-seven 'forgiveness passes', we'd be in trouble! You can't bankrupt your 'forgiveness account' with God. But when you refuse to forgive others, you're overlooking the fact 'that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong.' (Galatians 6:1 TLB) Jesus said, 'Whenever you pray, forgive anything you have against anyone. Then your Father in Heaven will forgive your failures.' (Mark 11:25 GWT) Whether it's seven, seventy-seven, or seven thousand times, you always reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7). We're all human, and when somebody hurts us we want justice. But God wants you to forgive the wrongdoer before he asks or shows any sign of remorse. Does that mean he will escape the consequences of his actions? No, it just means you're not responsible for making it happen - God is. Harboring grudges is spiritually, emotionally and physically draining; forgiveness energizes and frees you to move on. Remember, you've been forgiven 'in accordance with the riches of... grace... He lavished on us.' But it comes with the requirement that you forgive others! When you think about the debt God forgave you, anything anyone could ever do to you pales by comparison, right? Hymn writer Annie Johnson Flint wrote: 'His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.' Now that's lavish grace!

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional 

August 14, 2014. DON'T BE A STIRRER!

Thursday August 14, 2014.

'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.' Matthew 5:9 NKJV

Don't Be a Stirrer!

Try to picture these two scenes. First: Christ in Heaven defending you and acting as your Advocate before God. 'If anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ...' (1 John 2:1 NIV) Second: You here on earth, accusing someone. The Bible calls Satan 'the accuser of our brothers... who accuses them before our God day and night.' (Revelation 12:10 NIV) Which side are you on? You say, 'But I heard it on the grapevine.' Has it ever occurred to you that you might not be connected to the right vine? Jesus said, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.' (John 15:5 NIV) The fruit Jesus referred to here is 'good' fruit. He said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' And what's the opposite of a peacemaker? A stirrer! These are often people with inner turmoil, unresolved issues or a chip on their shoulder who go through life stirring stuff up. When they see a tapestry, they look for a thread to unravel it. Some do it deliberately, others unwittingly. When you have little or no joy in your own life, it's hard to celebrate joy in the lives of others. To be a peacemaker you must nip conflict, criticism and complaining in the bud. Tactfully steer the conversation in a different direction. And if need be, talk to the person who is stirring things up. At best, you'll help them to change. At second best, they'll think twice about what they say to you.

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional 

August 13, 2014. PREPARE FOR CHALLENGES

Wednesday August 13, 2014

'A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.' Proverbs 27:12 TLB

Prepare for Challenges

The path to your God-given destiny will have different challenges, so you must expect them. Indeed you must prepare yourself to face them. Solomon wrote, 'A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.' Wouldn't you rather look ahead and prepare, instead of looking back with regret? Why does the Bible record the failures of great men like Abraham, Moses, Elijah and Peter? To give you hope; to let you know that nobody performs flawlessly; to help you believe if they can do it, by God's grace you can too. The road to success has many potholes. You'll fall into some - and they're messy. Not only will you have to climb back out, you'll have to dust yourself off, refocus, recommit, and keep going. Since failure is inevitable, why not make it your friend by examining each experience and growing stronger through it? Once you learn to do that, you won't keep repeating the same mistakes, and you'll become more emotionally and spiritually stable. Timelines change, resources dry up, assumptions prove false, plans and people fail. As comedian Bill Cosby quipped, 'Nothing fits in a pigeonhole but a pigeon.' As you walk the pathway to your God-given dream, remember the old Italian proverb: 'Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out.' No problem; you can get another pair of shoes! Just make sure you don't wear out and give up. Here's God's promise to you: 'Keep travelling steadily along His pathway and in due season He will honor you with every blessing.' (Psalm 37:34 TLB)

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional 

August 12, 2014. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW JESUS?

Tuesday August 12, 2014.

'Don't you know Me...?' John 14:9 NIV

How Well Do You Know Jesus?

A fascinating encounter took place between Jesus and Philip. When 'Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father..." Jesus answered: "Don't you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?"' (John 14:8-9 NIV) There's a lesson here for all of us. You can go to church regularly, serve on the board and sing in the choir, yet not really 'know' the Lord. To truly know someone, you must spend time with them, sharing and opening your heart. In other words, the relationship must become your top priority. What you are reading is called a 'devotional' because its aim is to bring you to the place where you're more devoted to Christ than anything else. Does that mean neglecting other things? No, it'll actually enhance every other area of your life. The Bible says, 'He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.' (Psalm 103:7 NKJV) Israel knew God's acts because they were observers, whereas Moses knew His ways because he was intimate with Him. Israel saw what God did; Moses was close enough to understand His thinking and why He did what He did. Three times Jesus asked Peter, 'Do you love Me?' (John 21:15 NKJV) The first two times Peter answered, 'Yes.' The third time, frustrated by the question, he answered, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' (John 21:17 NKJV) Note the words, 'Lord, You know.' You can fool others, and even yourself, but the Lord knows the quality of your love for Him. Today His desire is to draw you closer to Himself. Are you available?

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional 

August 11, 2014. TEMPTATION (2)

Monday August 11, 2014

'Each one is tempted.' James 1:14 NKJV

Temptation (2)

Ignorance of Scripture is one of the greatest weapons Satan has against you. Three times he tempted Jesus, and he used Scripture to do it! But he didn't prevail because Jesus knew what God's Word says - and doesn't say. We're vulnerable to Satan's attacks when we know only snippets of Scripture and favorite passages instead of '...the whole counsel of God.' (Acts 20:27 NKJV) Paul writes, 'All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.' (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) We get into trouble when we wrench a Scripture out of context, and make it a pretext for claiming something God never promised. Or if He did, we fail to read the fine print that spells out His terms and conditions. Paul commended the Thessalonians: '...when you received the Word of God...from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.' (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV) Notice the order here: God's Word must first work in you before it works for you! We like to quote such Scriptures as '...whatever he does shall prosper,' (Psalm 1:3 NKJV) but you must take into account the preceding verses: 'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.' (Psalm 1:1-2 NKJV) If you want God's blessing, you must meet His conditions.

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 10, 2014. TEMPTATION (1)

Sunday August 10, 2014

'My strength is made perfect in weakness.' 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

Temptation (1)

You ask, 'How long will this temptation last?' Sometimes the enemy's attack is short-term, other times it is long-term. Paul had a 'thorn' in his flesh, one that wouldn't go away. Why did he have it? Pride! 'Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me.' (2 Corinthians 12:7 NKJV) Paul spoke several languages and wrote half the New Testament. With credentials like that, it's easy to become arrogant. Finally he stopped praying for an exit strategy and began to understand God's purpose: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV) Pride is one of the most neglected subjects in church today. Perhaps that's due to the fact that we receive our teaching from people who often struggle with it themselves. Pride doesn't necessarily show on your face, but when you're under pressure it surfaces in your actions and attitudes. Pride originated with Satan: 'I will make myself like the Most High.' (Isaiah 14:14 NIV) Often the core of atheism is pride; a person with no god plays God. Satan used this strategy in Eden. 'God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.' (Genesis 3:5 NKJV) That's why Paul told the Philippians, 'You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God... He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave... Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor.' (Philippians 2:5-9 NLT) The key to overcoming temptation is submitting to God and living in daily dependence on Him.

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 9, 2014. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW JESUS?

Saturday August 9, 2014

'Don't you know Me...?' John 14:9 NIV

How Well Do You Know Jesus?

A fascinating encounter took place between Jesus and Philip. When 'Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father..." Jesus answered: "Don't you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?"' (John 14:8-9 NIV) There's a lesson here for all of us. You can go to church regularly, serve on the board and sing in the choir, yet not really 'know' the Lord. To truly know someone, you must spend time with them, sharing and opening your heart. In other words, the relationship must become your top priority. What you are reading is called a 'devotional' because its aim is to bring you to the place where you're more devoted to Christ than anything else. Does that mean neglecting other things? No, it'll actually enhance every other area of your life. The Bible says, 'He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.' (Psalm 103:7 NKJV) Israel knew God's acts because they were observers, whereas Moses knew His ways because he was intimate with Him. Israel saw what God did; Moses was close enough to understand His thinking and why He did what He did. Three times Jesus asked Peter, 'Do you love Me?' (John 21:15 NKJV) The first two times Peter answered, 'Yes.' The third time, frustrated by the question, he answered, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' (John 21:17 NKJV) Note the words, 'Lord, You know.' You can fool others, and even yourself, but the Lord knows the quality of your love for Him. Today His desire is to draw you closer to Himself. Are you available?

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 8, 2014. PREPARE FOR CHALLENGES

Friday August 8, 2014

'A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.' Proverbs 27:12 TLB

Prepare for Challenges                        

The path to your God-given destiny will have different challenges, so you must expect them. Indeed you must prepare yourself to face them. Solomon wrote, 'A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.' Wouldn't you rather look ahead and prepare, instead of looking back with regret? Why does the Bible record the failures of great men like Abraham, Moses, Elijah and Peter? To give you hope; to let you know that nobody performs flawlessly; to help you believe if they can do it, by God's grace you can too. The road to success has many potholes. You'll fall into some - and they're messy. Not only will you have to climb back out, you'll have to dust yourself off, refocus, recommit, and keep going. Since failure is inevitable, why not make it your friend by examining each experience and growing stronger through it? Once you learn to do that, you won't keep repeating the same mistakes, and you'll become more emotionally and spiritually stable. Timelines change, resources dry up, assumptions prove false, plans and people fail. As comedian Bill Cosby quipped, 'Nothing fits in a pigeonhole but a pigeon.' As you walk the pathway to your God-given dream, remember the old Italian proverb: 'Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out.' No problem; you can get another pair of shoes! Just make sure you don't wear out and give up. Here's God's promise to you: 'Keep travelling steadily along His pathway and in due season He will honor you with every blessing.' (Psalm 37:34 TLB)

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 07, 2014. DON'T BE A STIRRER!

Wednesday August 07, 2014

'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.' Matthew 5:9 NKJV

Don't Be a Stirrer!

Try to picture these two scenes. First: Christ in Heaven defending you and acting as your Advocate before God. 'If anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defence - Jesus Christ...' (1 John 2:1 NIV) Second: You here on earth, accusing someone. The Bible calls Satan 'the accuser of our brothers... who accuses them before our God day and night.' (Revelation 12:10 NIV) Which side are you on? You say, 'But I heard it on the grapevine.' Has it ever occurred to you that you might not be connected to the right vine? Jesus said, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.' (John 15:5 NIV) The fruit Jesus referred to here is 'good' fruit. He said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' And what's the opposite of a peacemaker? A stirrer! These are often people with inner turmoil, unresolved issues or a chip on their shoulder who go through life stirring stuff up. When they see a tapestry, they look for a thread to unravel it. Some do it deliberately, others unwittingly. When you have little or no joy in your own life, it's hard to celebrate joy in the lives of others. To be a peacemaker you must nip conflict, criticism and complaining in the bud. Tactfully steer the conversation in a different direction. And if need be, talk to the person who is stirring things up. At best, you'll help them to change. At second best, they'll think twice about what they say to you.

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 6, 2014. LAVISH GRACE

Thursday August 6

'Forgiveness...in accordance with the riches of...grace.' Ephesians 1:7 NIV

Lavish Grace

'Peter asked, "How many times should I forgive someone who does...wrong to me? Is seven times enough?" Jesus answered: "Not...seven...but seventy-seven times!"' (Matthew 18:21-22 CEV) But we shouldn't stop there. If God gave each of us only seventy-seven 'forgiveness passes', we'd be in trouble! You can't bankrupt your 'forgiveness account' with God. But when you refuse to forgive others, you're overlooking the fact 'that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong.' (Galatians 6:1 TLB) Jesus said, 'Whenever you pray, forgive anything you have against anyone. Then your Father in Heaven will forgive your failures.' (Mark 11:25 GWT) Whether it's seven, seventy-seven, or seven thousand times, you always reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7). We're all human, and when somebody hurts us we want justice. But God wants you to forgive the wrongdoer before he asks or shows any sign of remorse. Does that mean he will escape the consequences of his actions? No, it just means you're not responsible for making it happen - God is. Harboring grudges is spiritually, emotionally and physically draining; forgiveness energizes and frees you to move on. Remember, you've been forgiven 'in accordance with the riches of... grace... He lavished on us.' But it comes with the requirement that you forgive others! When you think about the debt God forgave you, anything anyone could ever do to you pales by comparison, right? Hymn writer Annie Johnson Flint wrote: 'His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.' Now that's lavish grace!

Taken from the Word for you Today Devotional

August 5, 2014. YOUR MISSION: TO SERVE

Tuesday August 5, 2014

'The Gospel...of which I, Paul, have become a servant.' Colossians 1:23 NIV

Your Mission: to Serve

Who am I? What's my calling? The apostle Paul, who considered himself '...not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles' (2 Corinthians 11:5 NAS), answers simply: 'I am Paul. My role is serving. I am a servant to the Gospel and the body of Christ.' Certain people in the early church tried to determine which of the apostles were the greatest. Some claimed Paul, and others Apollos. But Paul challenged them, 'What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe...' (1 Corinthians 3:5 NIV) Whatever your calling, be it pastor of a megachurch or a lay member, you're no more - and no less - than a servant. In God's Kingdom class distinctions don't count. 'There is neither Jew nor Greek...slave nor free man...male nor female...you are all one in Christ Jesus.' (Galatians 3:28 NAS) We're servants called to do the will of God, wherever He appoints us to serve. And that's a good thing! In being a servant there's relief from 'the pressure to perform'. No one has the right to judge you except your Master. 'Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls...' (Romans 14:4 NAS) We should be concerned about what pleases God, not people. He alone can evaluate our service. Jesus came to serve His Father, saying, '...I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.' (John 5:30 NAS) And He has also sent you to do God's will, promising that, '...If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.' (John 12:26 NAS)

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

August 4, 2014. DEAL WITH THE STUMBLING BLOCKS (2)

Monday August 4, 2014

'Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block...in your brother's way.' Romans 14:13 NIV

Deal with the Stumbling Blocks (2)

If you want to win someone to Christ, there are certain stumbling blocks you may have to remove. Let's be honest, people are turned off by religion for a lot of reasons - legitimate ones. Let's look at some: (1) Hypocrisy. Think about the twelve disciples; one of them betrayed Jesus, one denied Him, and one doubted Him. That's a 25% failure rate! But the good news is, Jesus continues to love us and work with us in spite of our problems. (2) Terminology. If you grew up in the church, you're probably familiar with Bible terminology. But don't assume everybody else is, or you'll talk over their heads. When Jesus talked to shepherds, He discussed sheep. When He talked to farmers, He discussed sowing and reaping. Identify the person's interests and spiritual needs, then use language they understand. (3) Negative emphasis. If your major emphasis is on what people don't do, they'll run in the opposite direction. A well-known preacher says, 'I grew up understanding what our church was against, but never what it was for. Basically, we were against everything!' Smiling, he added, 'We preached against smoking and drinking. We especially preached against adultery, because we believed that could lead to dancing.' Seriously, the Gospel is not about what you lose when you come to Christ, but what you gain. Jesus said, '...I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.' (John 10:10 NIV) If you're serious about winning people to Christ, you must recognize the stumbling blocks that stand in their way and try to remove them.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

August 3, 2014. DEAL WITH THE STUMBLING BLOCKS (1)

Sunday August 3, 2014

'Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block...in your brother's way.' Romans 14:13 NIV

Deal with the Stumbling Blocks (1)

Here are two more stumbling blocks you need to remove in order to win someone to Christ: (1) Boredom. Jesus isn't boring, but sometimes religion is. The story is told of a lady who fell asleep during the sermon. Pointing at the man sitting next to her, the pastor said, 'Please wake that woman up!' The man replied, 'You put her to sleep, Reverend, you wake her up!' Jesus is called 'the Good Shepherd' (John 10:11), and the Greek word for 'good' is 'kalos', which means 'captivating'; that's the Christ we need to present to those seeking spiritual direction. (2) Money. It's been said the most sensitive nerve in a person's body is the one that runs to their wallet. Have there been financial scandals in the church? Yes. They even had them in the New Testament church (Acts 5). But don't throw the baby out with the bath water! It takes money to build churches, feed and clothe the needy and send out missionaries. When money is in the right hands, it's a solution, not a problem. Furthermore, if God can trust you to finance His plans, He will show you how to make more money. He said, '...I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit...' (Isaiah 48:17 AMP) (3) Discomfort. People say, 'I just don't feel comfortable in church.' The truth can do that to you! The Gospel is designed to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. When Paul preached, some people trembled, but when trembling leads to trusting in Christ, it's a good thing.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

August 2, 2014. CONTROL YOUR TONGUE

Saturday August 2, 2014

'...If we could control our tongues, we...could also control ourselves in every other way.' James 3:2 NLT

Control Your Tongue

The saying goes, 'We are like cats; we lick ourselves with our tongues!' When someone spreads gossip, mark that person carefully. Why? Because if they talk to you about somebody else, they'll talk to somebody else about you. The Bible warns us about three things: (1) a hasty tongue. 'Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.' (Proverbs 29:20 NKJV) If you take time to get the facts, much of the time you'll speak differently. Hannah prayed so passionately for a child that Eli the high priest thought she was drunk. When the disciples saw Jesus walking toward them on the Sea of Galilee, they thought He was a ghost. So think, or better yet, pray before you jump to conclusions. (2) a flattering tongue. '...There is no faithfulness in their mouth...they flatter with their tongue.' (Psalm 5:9 NKJV) Say what you mean and mean what you say. Be genuine. When you flatter people, you manipulate them for your own ends. Don't do that. Give it to them straight. If you love them, be truthful with them. (3) a judgmental tongue. Jesus said, 'Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.' (Matthew 7:1-2 NKJV) If you live long enough, you'll be guilty of many of the same things you're so quick to condemn in others. The truth is, how you deal with other people determines how God deals with you.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

August 1, 2014. TEMPTATION (1)

Friday August 1, 2014

'Jesus was...tempted by the devil.' Matthew 4:1 NIV

Temptation (1)

The Bible says, 'Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.' Notice who led Jesus there: God! You're in training for your destiny, and a good trainer has one thing in mind - turning flab into muscle. So he takes you into the gym and increases the weights until you break a sweat and start thinking, 'I don't know how much more of this I can take.' But God does. It's only when you look back that you realize you're handling situations today you couldn't have handled a year ago. Sometimes old temptations will return with a vengeance. They'll hound you until you think you need some new, novel, quick-fix strategy. Like the Israelites at the Red Sea, just when they thought they were finally free from a life of slavery, here comes Pharaoh. At that point they cried out to God in fear, saying, 'It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians...' (Exodus 14:12 NIV) 'Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water"...' (Exodus 14:15-16) God used Moses' rod - again! Victory over the Egyptians didn't come from discovering something new; it came from using what God had already given them. You have the power inside you today to overcome the temptation you're facing right now. You just need to tap into it. Paul said, 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.' (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional