Withdrawing in Order to Draw
Wednesday, 29 April 2015 01:18
'...He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.' John 6:15 NKJV The secret to success lies in knowing what God has assigned and gifted you to do. Once you discover those two things, delegate the rest or let it go. This isn’t easy, because others will place demands on your time and energy that aren’t in line with your calling. Work out what activities drain you, and unless they’re essential —avoid them. Then, work out the things that energise you and fill your tank, and make them an essential part of your life. ‘ But there are so many demands on my time,’ you say. Nobody was busier than Jesus. John speaks about His workload: ‘…There are…things that Jesus did, which if they were written…the world itself could not contain the books that would be written …’ ( John 21:25 NKJV) Question: How did Jesus stay on track and keep from burning out? Answer: He knew the secret to spiritual rest and renewal. The Bible says, ‘ When Jesus perceived…they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. ’ ( John 6:15 NKJV) The word ‘ again ’ tells us that Jesus made a regular daily practice of withdrawing from the crowd in order to pray, consider His plans and priorities, and recharge His batteries. Understand this: to be effective with others, you must learn to be comfortable alone with yourself. Novelist Louis Auchincloss said, ‘The only thing that keeps a man going is energy, and what is energy but liking life?’ If you can carve out moments to do what energises you, you’ll have reserves you can draw on when it’s time to give to others.

SoulFood: Acts 27-28 , Matt 5:27-37 , Ps 35, Prov 11:19-21

see thread abandonment o...
alwaystrue lateef4me..

bn kinda busy.. on my way to ilorin now for Nysc programme.. will try update this thread when I am not busy

Odunharry ,

My phone got spoilt but I've repaired it nowww,I'll start updating the thread !

How's NYSC and try and join NCCF ,it's a wonderful family of God !

Wednesday May 13, 2015.

"ASK GOD FOR A MOUNTAIN (1)"

‘…give me this mountain…’ Joshua 14:12 NJKV

WHY WOULD someone ask God for a mountain? Because when you tackle something bigger than yourself: 1) you grow; 2) you learn to depend on God; 3) you get to celebrate big victories. Caleb said: ‘…here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, with the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as He said’ (vv. 10-12 NIV). Anybody can occupy the flat ground, but it takes faith in God to tackle a mountain. What’s more, that’s where the Anakites—the giants—lived. These guys were so big they caused ten of Moses’ spies to say, ‘…Next to them we felt like grasshoppers ...’ (Numbers 13:33 NLT). You’d think at eighty-five Caleb would have asked for a nice cottage in Shalom Acres! But no, he wanted another battle and another victory before he checked out. Stop asking God for a problem-free life, otherwise you might die of boredom. It’s in working to solve problems and overcome challenges that you become the person God wants you to be. So ask Him for a task that will keep you learning, growing, uncomfortable, and hungry for significance. When you pray, ‘God, use me,’ be prepared to encounter four things: adventure, danger, risk, and reward. How about it—are you up for a little excitement?

Deut 28-29, Mk 8:14-26, Ps 44:17-26, Prov 12:12-14.

14 MAY 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Ask God for a Mountain (2)

‘…I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me…’

Joshua 14:11

God has a mountain with your name on it. Do you know why? Because you only flourish as you face challenges! Joshua and Caleb both brought back a good report, yet only Joshua was promoted to leadership when Moses departed. Caleb could have withdrawn and sulked, but instead he invested himself in the lives of the people around him. As an older man whose generation was dying off, he had to develop a whole new circle of friends and he did it. He became a mentor, guide, and cheerleader for an entirely new generation. He did it with such gusto that they all wanted the eighty-five-year-old Caleb to lead them when they went up to the hill country. Challenges undertaken for the greater good bind us to people, whereas the pursuit of comfort leads to isolation, and isolation is terminal. You say, ‘I’m too old to make a difference.’ God doesn’t think so. ‘Even to your old age…I will carry you; I will sustain you…’ (Isaiah 46:4 NIV). So start making plans. Dare to dream! Life isn’t about comfort, it’s about saying, ‘God, give me another mountain.’ Somebody said that when everything’s coming your way—you’re on the wrong side of the road. Living the adventure God planned for you isn’t just another pursuit; it’s the reason you were born! How will you recognise your mountain? There’s no precise formula and like every other area of growth in your life, your mountain won’t look exactly like anyone else’s. But you’ll recognise it, because it lies at the intersection of your greatest strengths and your greatest passions. 

2 Sam 19-20, John 21

Friday May 15, 2015.

"ASK GOD FOR A MOUNTAIN (3)"

‘…Joshua blessed him, and gave [the mountain in] Hebron to Caleb…’
Joshua 14:13 NKJV

WHEN RICH Stearns became engaged, his fiancée wanted to order some china. But he said to her, ‘As long as there are children starving in the world, we will not own china, crystal, or silver.’ Rich had remarkable gifts of leadership. He loved strategic thinking, team building, and mission achievement. Twenty years later he became the CEO of Lenox, the top producer of fine china in the country. One day he received a phone call from World Vision, asking if he would consider getting involved with them. So Rich went to Rakia, Uganda, the area considered ground zero for the AIDS pandemic. In that village he sat in a thatched hut with a thirteen-year-old boy called Richard. A pile of stones outside the door marked the place where they had buried the boy’s father, who had died of AIDS. Another pile marked the place where they had buried his mother, who had also died of AIDS. Rich talked for a while with the boy—now the head of the household, trying to raise two younger brothers - and asked him at one point, ‘Do you have a Bible?’ The boy said, ‘Yes,’ went into another room and brought back the one book in their house. ‘Are you able to read it?’ Rich asked, and at that the boy’s face lit up. ‘I love to read the gospel of John because it says Jesus loves children,’ the boy said. Deeply moved, Rich Stearns left his job, his house and his title and asked God for one more mountain. If you haven’t done it yet, ask God for one.

Deut 32:29 - 34:12, Mk 9:1-13, Ps 62, Prov 12:18-19.

16 MAY 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

If You're a Husband

‘Husbands, love your wives…’

Ephesians 5:25

‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.’ Many men wrestle with the fear of intimacy. Masculine emotions have become the twenty-first century version of ‘Pandora’s box’. We don’t know all that’s in it, but we have a feeling that we’d better not open it. But if we hide our true selves from our wives, they will only love what we do—not what we are! As a husband, you don’t have to be a ‘10’. You just have to be a man of God. He wants strong men who lead, instead of weak men who follow. No woman wants to be in submission to a man who isn’t in submission to God and led by His Spirit. ‘…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…’ (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). A woman feels secure with a man who has these qualities, and will gladly say to him, ‘Lead the way.’ Men are masters at giving ‘things’. Where they have big problems is when they are asked to give themselves! Jesus Christ, the greatest lover the world has ever known, gives Himself openly and unashamedly. His love is exemplified in His coming, but consummated in His dying. The truth is, your wife doesn’t need more things—she just needs you to give your love to her completely. Jesus is described in the book of Revelation as a Lion and a Lamb (Revelation 5:5-6). That’s a picture of strength and tenderness, and that’s what your wife needs from you. You say, ‘How long will it take me to accomplish this?’ A lifetime, so get started!

2 Sam 23-24, Acts 2:1-21

17 MAY 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

If You're a Wife

‘Wives, submit to your own husbands…’

Ephesians 5:22

Some people use this Scripture to treat women like a doormat, and rob them of their voice and right to any leadership role. Read the Bible! Deborah led the nation of Israel. Huldah the prophetess spoke the Word of God to kings. Let’s read the Scripture again: ‘Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.’  As a wife you are called to submit to ‘your own husband’, not to all men. In God’s eyes men and women are equal (Galatians 3:28). Paul is not speaking about your ‘person’; he’s speaking about your ‘role’ in the home. As a human being, a general is not more important than a sergeant. But for an army to function successfully there must be a respected chain of command where one leads and the other follows. God doesn’t want you to squirm under your husband’s leadership, but snuggle up into the security that it should afford you. You can excel in your career yet still allow yourself to enjoy being nurtured, loved, and protected by your husband. Properly understood, your husband’s love and leadership do not rob you of your strength, they simply keep you in balance by allowing you to reconnect with your softness and femininity. But a word of caution: if you’re looking for a man to be ‘your everything’, forget it! God’s the only one who can be everything. By expecting perfection from your husband, you’re asking more from someone else than you can provide yourself. Here’s God’s plan: ‘…she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered’ (1 Peter 3:7 NLT). 

Luke 9:18-36, Psalm 51-53

18 MAY 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The Secret of Lasting Happiness

‘…happy is the man who delights in doing His commands.’

Psalms 112:1

Lasting happiness isn’t found in money or career success. Does that mean these things are wrong? No. When you put God first He will actually give you these things! (Matthew 6:33). But you must never let anything God gives you rob Him of first place in your life. The Psalmist said: ‘Happy is the man who delights in doing His commands. His children shall be honoured everywhere, for good men’s sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful—and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly. Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honour” (Psalms 112:1-9 TLB). Somebody said that the best things in life aren’t things. Happiness isn’t determined by what you own; it lies in relationships, and the first relationship you need is with God because every blessing in life flows from Him. In a world of urgency and confusion, God will give you values and priorities to live by. ‘Happy is the man who delights in doing His commands.’

1 Kings 1-2, Acts 2:22-47

19 MAY 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The Word and the Spirit

‘…we have the mind of Christ.’

1 Corinthians

When your mind is not open to the Holy Spirit, you cannot understand God’s Word. So if you find reading the Bible unrewarding, try this: before you open your Bible, open your heart and pray, ‘Holy Spirit, show me what I don’t see and teach me what I don’t know.’ Paul writes: ‘…it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom…we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths…It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, ‘Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach Him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ’ (vv. 10-16 NLT). The Bible isn’t like any other book. Its words are God breathed; therefore when you approach the Bible you must ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and give you understanding. He will! 

1 Kings 3-5, Acts 3

20 MAY 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

How to Activate God's Word (1)

‘Let Christ’s word…live in you.’

Colossians 3:16

Making the right decisions and choosing the right actions are the crux of living successfully. If you are the source of your own wisdom, or you’re looking to others, your odds are not good. Paul writes, ‘Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you.’ If you do, you’ll have the winning strategy for your life. But you must: 1) Read it. You don’t have to understand it all; it’s not an intellectual exercise. Reading it prayerfully brings power and wisdom because ‘…the Word that God speaks is alive and active… [penetrating] to the place where soul and spirit meet’ (Hebrews 4:12 PHPS). 2) Meditate on it. That means ‘chew on’ it. Let your spiritual digestive juices process God’s Word until its nutrients become part of you: strengthening, energising and directing you. 3) Believe it. ‘My word…always produces…It will accomplish all I want it to’ (Isaiah 55:11 NLT). There’s only one thing that can short-circuit God’s Word—unbelief. ‘The message…did them no good, because they only heard and did not believe as well’ (Hebrews 4:2 PHPS). ‘Hearing’ opens the door; ‘believing’ walks through it and activates the promise. 4) Receive it. No matter how strongly you believe in God’s promises and His intention to give them to you, they’re not yours until you receive them by faith. ‘Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours’ (Mark 11:24 NIV). So believe your answer is on the way, and keep your faith strong until it arrives.

1 Kings 6-7, Acts 4:1-22

Thursday 21 May 2015

How to Activate God's Word (2)

‘…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.’

1 John 5:14

While you are waiting for God’s Word to be fulfilled in your life, do these three things: 1) Verbalise it. The most effective way to pray is to speak God’s Word. The patriarchs, prophets and psalmists regularly reminded God of His promises in prayer, confident He would keep them. The surest indicator of God’s will is His Word. ‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us…we know that we have what we asked of Him’ (vv. 14-15 NIV). God always responds to His Word, always! 2) Obey it. God’s plan for us is not just to speak His Word, vital as this is, but that we obey it (James 1:22). The hymn-writer said: ‘When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way; while we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.’ Obedience—faith in action—aligns us with God and He responds by fulfilling His promise to us. 3) Share it. Parents and grandparents, ‘Take to heart these words that I give you today. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up’ (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 GWT). You needn’t be a qualified teacher, just a sincere teller. Sharing God’s Word will produce fruit in the lives of your family, friends, relatives, business associates and neighbours, and also increase your own grasp and understanding of it.

1 Kings 8-9, Acts 4:23-37

thanks lateef4me.. God bless

Welldone Guys, I ve always wanted to ve this article everyday for a long while now. I was an addict at some point in my life, but I lost touch. Not just with this, with so many things about my spiritual life. I would appreciate getting to visit here for my devotion everyday. Moreso, this is to let you guys know that somehow, you are blessing life with this simple act of yours. Am always online(as long as am at work) should you guys need someone to continue the update of the thread.

God bless u

Saturday May 23, 2015.
STAY ON THE WHEEL
‘…He made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter…’
Jeremiah 18:4 NKJV

WHILE YOU are on the Potter’s wheel, consider these two things: 1) The Potter’s plan and pleasure are what matter. He has the right to make you into anything He chooses. What matters most is that His plan for your life be fulfilled and His pleasure in you be realised. Can you imagine a potter discussing with the clay what it would prefer to become? No. Only he has the wisdom to make that decision. So instead of struggling with the will of God, rejoice that ‘…God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him’ (Philippians 2:13 NLT). 2) The Potter will not stop until the job is done. God’s job would be simple if we were just inanimate lumps of clay. But we’re clay animated by self-will and ‘we want what we want, when we want it.’ However, rather than giving in to us, or giving up on us, the Potter keeps working and reworking the clay, day after day, until we gradually begin to take on a shape He can use for His glory. This sometimes calls for radical action on His part: ‘But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over again’ (Jeremiah 18:4 NLT). God is so committed to His objective in your life that He won’t quit—even though it means allowing you to be crushed and starting the process over again. So be patient and stay on the wheel; what God has in mind for you is worth it.

Judge 9:34 - 11:40, Mark 10:35-52, Psalm 129, Proverb 20:25, Ecc 5:4-6.

Sunday May 24, 2015.

THE BENEFITS OF SELF-DISCIPLINE

‘God’s Spirit makes us…self-controlled…’ Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

IS SELF-DISCIPLINE difficult and demanding? Yes. However, instead of focusing on its demands, think about its benefits. When you begin to understand the power, liberty, joy and victory that self-discipline brings, you’ll want to have it. A disciplined mind makes the difference between a happy life and a miserable one; between a life of self-defeating habits and a life of freedom in God. Discipline is your friend, something to be embraced daily. It’s a tool given by God to help you reach your goals. One reason why disciplining your mind is so important is that the condition of your mind can change so quickly. One day you can be calm, peaceful, sure of yourself and confident in God. Yet the next day you can hardly recognise yourself; you’re anxious, angry, negative, and full of doubt. Why? Because your thinking affects your emotions. Here’s something else you need to know: just as the airwaves around you are filled with signals that can be picked up by any radio or TV, there are spiritual forces around you that seek to mould your mind and influence your thinking. So ask God to help you, and refuse to allow your mind to think about whatever it pleases. Begin to control your thoughts and keep your mind on the right things. Breaking old habits and forming new ones takes time, so keep practising. Developing self-discipline isn’t easy, but it’s worth it in the end. When you win the battle for your mind you’ll be much more decisive, confident and focused. You’ll also be a more effective and successful person.

Judge 12-15, Mark 11:1-11, Psalm 97, Proverb 13:9-10.

Monday May 25, 2015.

THE REWARDS OF CONFRONTATION

‘…do not reject the Lord’s discipline…’ Proverbs 3:11 NCV

The Bible says, ‘Do not reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t get angry when He corrects you. The Lord corrects those He loves, just as parents correct the child they delight in’ (vv. 11-12 NCV). Because God loves you, when He sees things in your life that could potentially damage you and other people, He deals with them. Paul writes, ‘Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God…’ (Romans 11:22 NKJV). God will deal with you gently, but if you don’t listen He may have to deal with you severely. That’s because He has too much invested in you to let you fail. Not only does God confront us, He expects us to confront one another when we’re in the wrong. Paul stood up to Peter, his fellow leader, in front of Jewish and Gentile believers because the issue was important to their mission’s success (Galatians 2:14). Healthy confrontation results in six things:
1) Clarification. You get a better understanding of the person and what happened.
2) Change. Hopefully improvement will come from it—and the improvement may be in you! 3) An improved relationship. Handled correctly, confrontation will deepen your relationship with the other person. 4) Purity. As word gets out, the organisation will be purified and sobered. 5) Respect. People will appreciate and respect your leadership even more. 6) Security. They’ll feel safe knowing that you’re strong enough to take a stand when it counts. People want a leader who says, ‘When there’s a problem I’ll deal with it directly, promptly, and respectfully. I’ll help correct the situation and get us back on track.’

Judge 16:1 - 19:15, Mark 11:12-26, Psalm 47, Proverb 13:11-12.

How are you coping with fuel scarcity ? It is well !

26 MAY 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Building Trust and Intimacy in Communication (1)

‘…say the right thing at the right time!’

Proverbs 15:23

According to ground-breaking neurological research, you can ‘train’ yourself to speak and listen in a way that stimulates sympathy and trust in the brain of the person you’re talking to. Think how valuable that is in communication! Here are some proven principles to help you do it: 1) Breathe deeply and stretch before speaking. When you’re handling a stressful situation, remaining calm is essential. Stress generates uptightness, uptightness leads to anger, and anger shuts down your ability to get your point across. So take a few moments to breathe deeply, while counting slowly to five. It’s also been established that things like stretching your neck muscles and yawning change your brain in ways that measurably improve your communication skills. We are ‘wonderfully made’ (Psalms 139:14). 2) Think encouraging thoughts. ‘…As he thinks in his heart, so is he…’ (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). Any negative thought you harbour can interfere with the parts of your brain used in language processing, listening, and speech, which can lead to defensiveness and distrust. Neurological studies found that thinking positive thoughts about the other person, or yourself, or the topic at hand, can help you to achieve success in your personal and business relationships. 3) Seal it with a smile. Your face reveals your feelings. ‘…Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been’ (Genesis 31:2 NIV). Research shows that pleasing memories and thoughts of people you love create facial expressions that convey kindness, compassion and interest, stimulating trust and openness in others.

1 Kings 16-18, Acts 7:1-22

Odunharry / Alwaystrue,

Will be offline for some days now ....kindly assist to update this thread .

Building Trust and Intimacy in Communication (2)

Wednesday, 27 May 2015 01:10


'Pleasant words are...healing...' Proverbs 16:24 NAS



For effective communication:
(1) Make use of the ‘eye–gate’. Eye contact stimulates the brain’s social–network circuits, decreasing the stress hormone and increasing the sympathy hormone. Intentionally looking at the other person enables you to quickly respond to the seven basic facial expressions—anger, fear, sadness, disgust, surprise, contempt and happiness. These are keys; use them.

(2) Express appreciation. The first words you speak set the tone for the entire interaction. A single compliment can create trust. Loyola University researchers found that when people in conversation are in basic agreement, interactions between them are experienced as mutually satisfying. Alternatively, disagreement immediately creates defensiveness in the listener. So begin each conversation with a compliment, and end it with a phrase that conveys genuine appreciation. Research demonstrates that remarks made at the end of an interaction are especially effective because they linger in the hearer’s mind. ‘Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul (emotions) and healing to the bones.’ (Proverbs 16:24 NAS)

(3) Keep it brief. Our conscious minds retain only a tiny bit of information, which is ‘booted out’ of our memory as new information is uploaded. So it’s better to speak a sentence or two at a time, then take a breath. ‘…let your words be few.’ (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NAS) If you think a lengthy conversation is needed, let your listener know in advance. This prepares them to focus, and ignore the intrusiveness of their own inner self–talk.



SoulFood: Gal 1-3, Matt 13:24-35, Ps 101, Prov 13:20-23


This is The Word For Today

Building Trust and Intimacy in Communication (3)

Thursday, 28 May 2015


'Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.' Colossians 4:6 NLT


Building trust and intimacy in communication requires:
(1) Working to build trust. Trust is not a ‘right’: it’s a privilege you earn by proving you’re trustworthy. We pay little attention to politicians who say, ‘You can count on me,’ unless their track record supports it. Christ’s standard for trust was ‘…believe because of the work you have seen Me do.’ (John 14:11 NLT) We know from social psychology research that speaking gently and slowly can deepen the listener’s openness and respect for you. The tone of your voice matters a lot. The University of Houston did a conclusive study that found if you lower your voice and speak slowly, your listener will respond with greater openness and trust. This research has helped oncologists present bad news to patients in a more supportive way. When doctors reduced their speaking rate and pitch, patients perceived them as more caring and sympathetic. The Bible calls this ‘a soft answer’ (Proverbs 15:1 NKJV), and it will work for you too.

(2) Training your brain to really listen. Listening is hard work because we habitually focus on ourselves and our interests through constant self–talk. Studies show that the average person cuts in before the speaker finishes. Even doctors who are trained to listen for important medical information tend to cut patients off within 23 seconds—long before they have been fully heard.

Train yourself to stay focused on the other person, their words, facial expressions and body language. Within just a few weeks you can train yourself to become the kind of communicator people will trust.


SoulFood: Gal 4-6, Matt 13:36-46, Ps 108, Prov 13:24-25

This is The Word For Today

Happy Democracy Day Y'all. May this new dispensation cause a positive change in all aspects of our great country!


Make Jesus 'Lord' of Your Life

Friday, 29 May 2015

'...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus...' Romans 10:9 NKJV



There are two parts to being a Christian. First, you must accept Jesus as your Saviour. Second, and much more difficult, you must make Jesus your Lord—‘the undisputed boss’! There is just enough ego in each of us to want to be in control, and that part of us must be crucified daily. Crucifixion is one of the most painful deaths you can experience because you die slowly and excruciatingly. As long as your ego has breath left in it, it will rise up and fight for control.

When you make Jesus Lord of your life, you give up control in three areas:

(1) Jesus, not you, decides where you will go.

(2) Jesus, not you, decides the price you’ll have to pay.

(3) Jesus, not you, decides the person you’ll become.

‘Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.’ (Matthew 13:45–46 NKJV) Note the words ‘all that he had’. If you want to know the cost of making Jesus Lord of your life, it will cost you all you have. This man valued the pearl so highly that he considered it worth any price he had to pay.

So here’s the question: What value do you place on your relationship with Christ? This man believed that the return would be greater than the investment. Do you believe that? Salvation is free, but making Jesus Lord of your life demands that you surrender your all to Him. Are you ready for that? Are you willing?


SoulFood: Lam 1:1-3:39, Matt 13:47-58, Ps 113, Prov 14:1-4



This is The Word For Today.

Show Affection to One Another


Saturday, 30 May 2015 01:11

'Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.' 1 Corinthians 7:3 NKJV



The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and costly tombs ever built and there’s a legend that surrounds it. When the favourite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered it to be built as a memorial to her. He placed her coffin in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction literally began around it. But several years into the venture, his grief for his wife gave way to his passion for the project. One day, while surveying the site, he reportedly stumbled over an old wooden box and had it thrown out. It was months before he realised it was his wife’s coffin. The original purpose for the memorial got lost in the details of construction!

There’s a lesson here: it’s called ‘misplaced values’. If you’re a husband and a father, your wife and children probably appreciate the things you work to provide. But do you know what they really want? You! Your time. Your attention. Your affection!

J. Paul Getty was one of the world’s richest men, yet he failed miserably with his own family. He wrote: ‘I’ve never been given to envy, save for the envy I feel toward those people who have the ability to make a marriage work and endure happily. It’s an art I’ve never been able to master.’

So, in your quest to build your Taj Mahal, try to remember the purpose for which you are building it. ‘Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.’



SoulFood: Lam 3:40-5:22, Matt 14:1-12, Ps 82, Prov 14:5-8


This is The Word For Today.

What Happens in the Aftermath?


Sunday, 31 May 2015 01:15


'...Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.' Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT



James Dobson writes: ‘It’s not the arguments that should worry married couples; it’s what happens when the battles are over. Almost all husbands and wives experience conflict from time to time, which is not necessarily unhealthy for the relationship. A verbal spat that stays within reasonable limits can open the windows and give a couple a chance to vent their frustrations and release some steam.

The important question, however, is what happens after an argument is over? In healthy relationships, confrontation ends in forgiveness, in drawing closer together, in deeper respect and understanding, and sometimes in greater physical intimacy. But in unstable marriages, conflict is never entirely resolved. This is a very dangerous situation where the consequences of one battle begin to overlap with a prelude to the next. It’s a good idea for couples to take a closer look at what happens in the aftermath of confrontation.

Are there things that you’ve said or done that have grieved your spouse? Do you need to ask forgiveness for attacking the self–worth of your spouse instead of focusing on the issues that divided you? Are there substantive matters that haven’t yet been resolved? If so, deal with them quickly before they can fester and erode the relationship from within.’

The apostle Paul understood this principle clearly. ‘…don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.’ (Ephesians 4:26–27 NLT) He wrote these words two millennia ago, but they’re still great advice for married couples today.


SoulFood: Gen 24:1-51, 2 Cor 6:14-7:1


This is The Word For Today

thanks alwaystrue

God's Promise to Prodigals (1)

Monday, 01 June 2015


'...when he was still a great way off, his father...had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.' Luke 15:20 NKJV


Here’s an interesting and largely unknown thing about the story of the Prodigal Son, as pointed out by Ken Bailey. Jewish families living in small villages were tightly knit communities where people knew one another well. So when something like this happened, word travelled fast. When the younger son demanded his inheritance it was like saying to his father, ‘I can’t wait until you die. I want what’s mine, now!’ Such a thing was unheard of. Then he went away, forgot the values he’d been taught, and squandered his inheritance on parties and prostitutes. As a result he ended up destitute, working in a pig–sty. For a Jew, you can imagine the stigma.

After breaking his father’s heart and the rules of the community, he decided to come back home. And that’s when his father ‘ran’ to meet him. Here’s why. Had he reached home after failing so badly, the village elders would have held a ‘ceremony of shame’ known in Hebrew as kezazah. They’d have taken a clay pitcher and smashed it on the ground in front of him, meaning his ties with the community were broken and he was no longer welcome. That’s why his father ran to meet him. He was saying, ‘I have to get to my son with grace before they get to him with the law. I have to give him hope before they take it away. I have a different ceremony in mind: a homecoming party to celebrate his restoration.’ What the father did for his prodigal son that day, God will do for you today, if you’ll only turn to Him.



SoulFood: Amos 1:1-5:17, Matt 14:13-21, Ps 117, Prov 14:9-12


This is The Word For Today

God's Promise to Prodigals (2)


Tuesday, 02 June 2015


'...my son was...lost and is found. And they began to be merry.' Luke 15:24 NKJV



Observe what the father did for his prodigal son the moment he humbled himself and said, ‘…I have sinned…’ (Luke 15:18 NKJV), because God will do the same for you.

(1) ‘…the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him…”’ (Luke 15:22 NKJV) Can you imagine what this boy smelled like and looked like, after wallowing in the muck of a pig– sty? Can you identify with him? Good news: God covers our sinfulness in the robe of Christ’s right-eousness. And from that point on He sees us ‘in Christ’. Therefore we are always acceptable in His eyes.

(2) ‘…put a ring on his hand…’ (Luke 15:22 NKJV) This was the family signet ring used in transacting business. When placed on wax, it was equal to a signature. More good news: God doesn’t partially restore you, He recommissions you and gives you back full authority to do business in His name.

(3) ‘…put…sandals on his feet.’ (Luke 15:22 NKJV) The prodigal son was getting ready to say to his father, ‘…I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.’ (Luke 15:19 NKJV) In those days hired servants didn’t wear shoes in public; only sons did. How wonderful—his father gave him the full rights of sonship.

(4) ‘…bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.’ (Luke 15:23 NKJV) You don’t fatten a calf overnight! The father had been planning this celebration for a long time. He never gave up on his son and the word for you today is: God hasn’t given up on you either! Come back to Him and let Him restore you.



SoulFood: Amos 5:18-9:15, Matt 14:22-36, Ps 121, Prov 14:13-16


This is The Word For Today

What Keeps Us From Serving Others? (1)

Wednesday, 03 June 2015


'To answer before listening--that is folly...' Proverbs 18:13 NIV


To serve others effectively, you must be attuned to what they need. What keeps us from doing that? First: assumption. A lady in an airport lounge bought a packet of biscuits and sat down to read the newspaper. She heard a rustling noise and looked up to see the man beside her helping himself to the biscuits. Not wanting to make a scene, she leaned over and took one herself, hoping he’d get the message. Then she heard more rustling. She couldn’t believe it. The man was helping himself to another biscuit! There was only one left! She watched in disbelief as he broke the remaining biscuit in two, pushed half across to her, popped the other half in his mouth, and left. She was still furious when her flight was announced. Imagine how she felt when she opened her handbag to get her ticket out—and found her unopened packet of biscuits! Now be honest, didn’t you assume the stranger was helping himself to her biscuits? Most people do and that tells us a lot about ourselves!

Too often we’re guilty of making assumptions about people and once you put someone in a box, it’s hard to think of them any other way. Do you agree? Every time a good tailor sees a client, he takes new measurements. He never assumes they’re the same size as they were the last time. That’s a good policy. Never make assumptions about someone’s background, profession, race, gender, age, nationality, politics, faith, or other factors. Once you do, you stop paying attention and miss clues that can help you to know what they really need.



SoulFood: Ezek 1-4, Matt 15:1-14, Ps 4, Prov 14:17-20


This is The Word For Today

What Keeps Us From Serving Others? (2)

Thursday, 04 June 2015


'...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought...' Romans 12:3 NIV



Another thing that’ll keep you from serving others is arrogance. What others think and feel isn’t important to you. Arrogant people seldom meet people on common ground. They don’t believe they should have to because by their own estimation they live on higher ground and shouldn’t have to descend to anyone else’s level. They expect others to come to them. Justice Louis D. Brandeis observed: ‘Nine–tenths of the serious controversies that arise in life result from misunderstanding, from one man not knowing the facts which to the other man seem important, or otherwise failing to appreciate his point of view.’

It’s ridiculous for anyone to think they have all the answers. Such people can become opinionated, narrow–minded and arrogant, listening only to their own thoughts and ignoring advice and suggestions from others. When your overriding goal is to build a case for your own viewpoint, people get turned off if you have a ‘my way or no way’ attitude. To win them you must be willing to build a relationship. The letters in the word ‘silent’ also form the word ‘listen’. Relationships are built by listening to people, loving them, learning from them, and leaving them better off than you found them.
‘A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.’ (Proverbs 1:5 NKJV)



SoulFood: Ezek 5-9, Matt 15:15-28, Ps 124, Prov 14:21-24


This is The Word For Today

What Keeps Us From Serving Others? (3)


Friday, 05 June 2015


'But they paid no attention...' Matthew 22:5 NIV


Indifference is the third thing that keeps us from serving others. A well–known comedian quipped, ‘Scientists announced today that they’d found a cure for apathy. However, they claim no one has shown the slightest bit of interest in it.’ When it comes to communicating, that could be said of many of us; we’re indifferent to how we come across. We may not necessarily feel superior to others, but we don’t go out of our way to get to know them either. Why? Because it’s hard work! In reality, indifference is another form of selfishness that keeps us from connecting with people.

Novelist George Eliot put it like this: ‘Try to care about something in this vast world besides the gratification of small selfish desires. Try to care for what is best in thought and action—something that is good apart from the accidents of your own lot. Look on other lives... See what their troubles are, and how they are borne.’ People truly appreciate it when you make the effort, no matter how small, to try to see things from their point of view. Paul writes, ‘Be kindly, affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.’ (Romans 12:10 NKJV).

Everybody you meet is wrestling with a fear or fighting a battle and, if you’re caring and sensitive, God will give you a word to lift them. Isaiah said, ‘The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary…’ (Isaiah 50:4 NKJV) What a gift—to be able to lift someone who is struggling.


SoulFood: Ezek 10-13, Matt 15:29-39, Ps 129, Prov 14:25-28


This is The Word For Today

What Keeps Us From Serving Others? (4)

Saturday, 06 June 2015


'...through love serve one another.' Galatians 5:13 NKJV


Control is the fourth thing that deters us from serving. While it’s important to focus on understanding others, we must also be authentic and open so they can understand us. Because it can make us feel vulnerable, many of us are unwilling to be transparent. Former U.S. Navy Captain Mike Abrashoff observes: ‘Some leaders feel that by keeping people in the dark, they maintain a measure of control. But that is a leader’s folly and an organisation’s failure. Secrecy spawns isolation, not success. Knowledge is power, yes, but what leaders need is collective power, and that requires collective knowledge.

I found that the more people knew what the goals were, the better buy–in I got—and the better the results we achieved together.’ Any time people sense information is being withheld from them, it creates distance. They feel like outsiders, and, as a result, morale drops along with their performance. In Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way, Jim Lundy writes about what he calls the ‘Subordinates’ Lament’: ‘We, the uninformed, working for the inaccessible, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful!’ Ever feel like that? Then there’s the ‘Mushroom Farm Lament’ which goes like this: ‘We feel we’re being kept in the dark. Every once in a while someone comes around and spreads manure on us. But when our heads pop up, they’re chopped off and then we’re canned.’

Good leaders don’t isolate themselves, and they don’t deliberately keep people in the dark. They inform them, and include them in the decision–making process whenever possible. If you’re serious about serving others, open up. Let people know who you are and what you believe.


SoulFood: Ezek 14:1-16:52, Matt 16:1-12, Ps 1, Prov 14:29-32


This is The Word For Today