THE WORD FOR TODAY


SETTLE ONLY FOR THE BEST


Friday, 28th June, 2019


'Play skilfully on the harp.' Psalm 33:3 NLT

To 'play skilfully' means to do it well and strive for excellence when it comes to your God-given talents. One author puts it this way: 'There's a remarkable difference between 99 per cent and 100 per cent commitment. At 100 per cent you see your problems all the way through to their solution. At 99 per cent you can still find a way to take the path of least resistance. We live in a culture where excellence is the exception, but God's Word says, "Be a...different person with a fresh newness in all you do" (Romans 12:2 TLB). You must be willing to pay the price, and here it is: "To win...you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best" (1 Corinthians 9:25 TLB). People will gauge your character by the height of your ideals, the breadth of your compassion, the depth of your convictions and the length of your persistence. Approach every task thinking how you can do it better.'

If you're good at crunching numbers, excel as an accountant. If you're a skilled communicator, be the best teacher you can be. If you're a visionary who can inspire others, be the best possible leader. A former president of Yale University points out that Hamlet could never have been written by a committee, or the Mona Lisa painted by a club, or the New Testament composed by a conference. Creative ideas usually come from individuals.

One great thing about life is that if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you often get it!

Soulfood: Jer 31-32 Matt 4:12-25 Ps 98 Pro 14:34-35.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


IT'S CONTAGIOUS 1


Saturday, 29th June, 2019


'Bad company corrupts good character.' 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV

Cold and flu viruses aren't the only things that are contagious; attitudes are also: 'Bad company corrupts good character' (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV). Researchers call it 'emotional contagion', and it affects every aspect of life in the same way a rotten apple corrupts the whole barrel.

A relationship expert says: 'One negative employee can pollute an entire squad and create a toxic work environment. One negative leader can make work miserable for his or her team. An employee in a bad mood can turn off countless customers. Complaining can act like a cancer and spread through the entire organisation, sabotaging the morale and performance of teams with great talent and potential. You're not just a creation of your culture...you're creating it every day through your thoughts, beliefs and actions...you can be negatively or positively contagious. You can be a germ and attack your organisation's immune system, or act like a dose of vitamin C and strengthen it...your emotions impact the world around you.'

Paul says, 'Put off your old self...be made new in the attitude of your minds' (Ephesians 4:22-23 NIV). How? By asking God to make you 'a different person' (1 Samuel 10:6 NIV), and changing your attitude from one of negative contagion to one that positively impacts the people you deal with every day. At the same time, be selective about the company you keep. You know from experience the people who drag you down and drain your energy. Pray for them, but minimise the time you spend in their company.

Soulfood: Jer 33:1-26 Jer 34 Jer 35 Jer 36:1-26 Matt 5:1-20 Ps 102:1-11 Pro 15:1-2.




Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


IT'S CONTAGIOUS 2


Sunday, 30th June, 2019


'Whoever associates with fools will suffer.' Proverbs 13:20 GWT

The kind of person you are is reflected in the friends you pick. So if your life is unproductive and stagnant, look at the people you've surrounded yourself with.

Friendships, good and bad, indicate the direction you're going. 'Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer' (Proverbs 13:20 GWT). Misery loves company, so steer clear of negative thinkers. It's better to travel alone than spend your life listening to people who drag you down. When you come into agreement with the right people, you 'can accomplish more than twice as much' (Ecclesiastes 4:9 TLB).

Author John Mason writes: 'The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. The right friends and associations bring out the original in you. You know the kind of people I'm talking about. After you've been with them you find yourself less critical, full of faith, and with a vision for the future. The devil doesn't [generally] use strangers to deter or stop you...your friends will either stretch your vision or choke your dream. As you grow in God, your associations will change. Some friends won't want you to go on; they'll want you to stay where they are. But as Edwin Louis Cole observed, "When you let someone else create your world for you...they always make it too small." Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. Respect those whom God has connected to you to help you. God cares for people through people...and wise is the person who fortifies their life with the right friendships.'

Soulfood: Ps 23 John 10:7-18.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


A MEETING IN THE AIR


Monday, 1st July, 2019


'We who are still alive... will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord.' 1 Thessalonians 4:17 TLB

The Living Bible describes Christ's return this way: 'For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with this news' (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 TLB).

The second coming of Christ will be inaugurated by the trumpet blast of the archangel. Cemeteries and seas will give up their dead. 'Christ...will appear a second time...to save those who are eagerly waiting for him' (Hebrews 9:28 ESV). The event will be witnessed by all humanity. 'Every eye will see him' (Revelation 1:7 NKJV). From Adam to the baby born as the trumpet sounds, every one of us will witness the moment. But not everyone will welcome it: 'The signal of my coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning all around the earth' (Matthew 24:30 TLB).

You don't go to Heaven by chance, you go by choice. And God will honour your choice. Those who acknowledge Christ as their Saviour will arise to celebrate the greatest family reunion of all time. Are you going to Heaven? If you're not sure, don't let this day end until you put your trust in Christ and accept him as your Lord and Saviour.

Soulfood: Jer 36:27-32 Jer 37 Jer 38 Jer 39 Jer 40:1-16 Matt 5:21-37 Ps 102:12-17 Pro 15:3.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


'BREATHE ON ME BREATH OF GOD'


Tuesday, 2nd July, 2019


'Thus says the Lord God: "...breathe on these...and they lived, and stood up upon their feet.' Ezekiel 37:9-10 NKJV

In the Garden of Eden Adam was perfectly formed, but he had no life. He 'had it all together', but he wasn't going anywhere until God's Spirit breathed into him. Then he started walking with God, taking initiative, and fulfilling his purpose in life. You say, 'I need what God breathed into Adam that day.' And you can have it!

Think about Ezekiel's valley of dry bones: the bones were dead and in disarray. If that describes your life right now, there's good news. When God breathed into those bones they came to life, stood up, and became a force to be reckoned with. The Spirit of God came from 'the four winds', or the four corners of the earth. That means there's no place where his Spirit can't reach you if you're available to him. Notice also that when the Spirit of God came into Ezekiel's valley, broken things were mended and dead things brought back to life. And God wants to do the same for you! Notice what else took place: a 'rattling' (Ezekiel 37:7 NKJV). That's standard procedure with God. Before he uses you, he shakes up your comfort zone, your proven methods, and your set-in-concrete ideas. Your past is no problem for him, because his eyes are on your future.

So come into his presence today and pray, 'Breathe on me, breath of God. Fill me with life anew. That I may love what you love, and do what you would do.' When he does, you'll never be the same.

Soulfood: Jer 41-44 Matt 5:38 - 6:8 Ps 102:18-28 Pro 15:4-7.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


STAY IN THE GAME TILL IT'S OVER


Wednesday, 3rd July, 2019


'The Lord is the strength of my life.' Psalm 27:1 NKJV

Author Jon Gordon says: 'There was a time [as children] when we jumped from the jungle gym and went on roller coaster rides. No goal was unattainable. Then [when we grew up] the doubters dissuaded us from going after our dreams..."You're crazy...it's too hard...play it safe...dreams weren't meant for people like us." They instilled their insecurities in us...and with so many people saying we can't...and so few saying we can, we let fear into our lives. We're so scared of losing what we have that we don't go after what we want. We hold on so tightly to the status quo that we never experience what could be...I call this "playing to lose". We see it in sports. When a team has the lead, they start thinking about how not to lose instead of how to win. They play safe and scared while the other team takes chances, plays without fear, and wins. David said, "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid" (Psalm 27:1 NKJV)? Living a life [of faith] means overcoming fear and adopting a "play to win" mindset...one that says even if you do fail you won't give up or let your dreams die. Success isn't automatically given to us, it's pursued with all the energy and sweat we can muster. Obstacles and struggles are part of life...they make us appreciate success. If everything came easy we'd never know how it feels to succeed. Obstacles were meant to be overcome. Fear was meant to be conquered. Success was meant to be achieved. They're part of life, and those who succeed refuse to give up till the game is over.'

Soulfood: Jer 45-48 Matt 6:9-18 Ps 110 Pro 15:8-9.




Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


'LIVING FOR OTHERS'


Thursday, 4th July, 2019


'Honour one another above yourselves.' Romans 12:10 NIV

As you approach the latter years of your life, you realise that it's not just what you do that matters, but what you do for others. The most miserable people on earth are those who hate, hinder and hurt others, while the happiest are those who spend their lives helping others.

The degree to which you're helpful is the degree to which you're happy - it's that simple. Poet John Albert Holmes said, 'It's well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.'

So, what are you doing for others? How good are you at letting someone else take credit for what gets accomplished? Paul writes, 'Honour one another above yourselves' (Romans 12:10 NIV). Next time somebody shares their accomplishments, pay attention to your need to jump in and tell them something as good or better about yourself. When you do that, you minimise their joy, create distance between you, and everybody loses. Instead, bite your tongue, look at them and say, 'That's wonderful; tell me more.' And mean it! When you treat people this way, two things happen: (1) The other person enjoys your company because they sense you're really 'there' for them, instead of sitting on the edge of your seat waiting your turn to speak. (2) They feel that instead of competing with them, you care about their success. Consequently, your relationships grow stronger because you no longer need to grab all the attention and glory. It's called 'living for others'.

Soulfood: Jer 49-50 Matt 6:19-34 Ps 122 Pro 15:10-14.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


FORGETTING AND REACHING FORWARD


Friday, 5th July, 2019


'Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.' Philippians 3:13 NIV

As long as you're holding on to the past, you'll never be able to take hold of the future. The past can be an unbearably heavy burden when you try to carry it. The way to let go of it is to stop thinking about it. Get it off your mind and out of your conversation. Satan will constantly remind you of your past because he wants you to remain stuck in it. But you don't have to.

You can choose your own thoughts. You say, 'I can't help thinking about it.' Yes, you can! Before he met Christ, Paul destroyed churches and put Christians to death. Now he was going back into some of those same towns, and who was waiting for him there? Widows. Orphans. People whose lives he'd devastated. Had Paul not been able to move beyond that, he'd never have fulfilled his God-given assignment. Now, Paul didn't suffer from amnesia; he could remember the actual events. But knowing God had forgiven him, and that he'd forgiven himself, he chose to forget the past. 'But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead' (Philippians 3:13 NIV). Note the words, 'but one thing I do'. When you decide to forget, God will enable you to do it and give you the grace and peace to move on. Indeed, he will make you stronger and wiser as a result of it.

If you're struggling with guilt, condemnation, shame, blame or regret about your past, let God forgive you, set you free, and enable you to move forward.

Soulfood: Jer 51-52 Matt 7:1-14 Ps 137 Pro 15:15-17.




Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


UNDERSTANDING YOUR DESIRES 1


Saturday, 6th July, 2019


'He shall give you the desires of your heart.' Psalm 37:4 NKJV

Your capacity to desire certain things is a gift from God; it's a powerful motivator. Picture two children taking swimming lessons. One does it because he watched the Olympic Games and wants to win a gold medal when he grows up. The other takes lessons because his dad said he had to. Which child do you think is likely to make it to the Olympics?

In Genesis we read: 'Jacob served seven [more] years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her' (Genesis 29:20 NIV). What kind of person would see seven years' hard work as a mere few days? Someone working towards his or her dream! Jesus told the story of a man with a 'got-to-have-it' desire. When he discovered treasure buried in a field, he 'went and sold all he had and bought that field' (Matthew 13:44 NIV). Similarly, the people who listened to Jesus were so drawn to his peace, courage and wisdom that they thought, 'I must have what he has.'

Do our desires sometimes lead us astray? For sure! In order to be able to trust them, you must do two things: (1) Desire a relationship with God above all else. 'Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart' (Psalm 37:4 NKJV). (2) Make sure your desires are in harmony with his will. 'I delight to do your will, O my God, and your law is within my heart' (Psalm 40:8 NKJV). When you centre your life around God and His Word, you can trust 'the desires of your heart'. And God will give them to you!

Soulfood: Joel 1-3 Matt 7:15-29 Ps 79 Pro 15:18-21.





Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


UNDERSTANDING YOUR DESIRES 2


Sunday, 7th July, 2019


'Serve the Lord with gladness.' Psalm 100:2 NKJV

To grow in your relationship with God, you must move from the 'should' to the 'want to' category. The most basic assessment we have for any experience or event is what psychologist Jonathan Haidt calls our 'like-o-metre'. Your like-o-metre was running the day you were born. For example, taste receptors in babies are pretty well developed, so their like-o-metre usually involves what goes into their mouths: 'I like it - gotta have more,' or 'I hate it - get it out of here.' As you continue to grow, everything in life registers on your like-o-metre without your even having to think about it. Every sound you hear, every conversation you're part of, every bite you eat, rates positively or negatively on your scale. And people also register on your like-o-metre. During the briefest conversations you'll find yourself drawn towards certain people. Something within you says, 'I like this person. I'm enjoying this conversation.' The like-o-metre is always on.

So here's a question to consider: do you like God? That may sound like a strange question, but if you don't like spending time with him, you won't do it. And you need to be honest, because you can't pull the wool over God's eyes. In Scripture the Christian life is compared to a forty-two kilometre marathon. At the forty kilometre mark it doesn't matter whether you think you should finish, you'll only do it because you want to. In other words, your 'want-to' keeps you going when your 'should' finds it easier to quit.

The psalmist said, 'Serve the Lord with gladness' because nothing else will enable you to go the distance.

Soulfood: Ruth 1:3-18 John 6:41-69.




Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


UNDERSTANDING YOUR DESIRES 3


Monday, 8th July, 2019


'Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.' Psalm 34:8 NKJV

When the Bible tells you what you ought to do, you can take it in two different ways: the ought of obligation or the ought of opportunity. The first kind refers to your duty: you ought to pay your taxes; you ought to keep your dog on a lead; you ought to take your driver's test. The second kind gives you life: you ought to take a break; you ought to see the world; you ought to taste this cake.

The 'oughts' of Jesus' message are mainly the oughts of opportunity. And as you become more aware of this, you may start feeling guilty because your desire for God doesn't run deep enough. The problem is, you can't make yourself desire God more by simply telling yourself you should. But he is so gracious and patient in wanting you to want him, that he is willing to work with this kind of honesty. That's why his Word says, 'Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good' (Psalm 34:8 NKJV). The word 'taste' is an invitation from a confident chef. You don't have to commit to eating the whole enchilada; just try a taste and if you don't like it you can skip the rest. The chef is convinced if he can just get you to take that first bite, you're going to want the whole thing.

The truth is that the more you read God's Word and pray, the more rewarding it becomes and the more you are drawn to it. Yes, it begins as a discipline. But when you stick with it, it becomes a delight.

Soulfood: Acts 1:1 - 3:10 Matt 8:1-9 Ps 109:1-15 Pro 15:22.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


UNDERSTANDING YOUR DESIRES 4


Tuesday, 9th July, 2019


'Take up [your] cross and follow me.' Mark 8:34 NIV

God is a desire-creating, desire-satisfying God. Birds want to fly because God created them to do it. Dolphins want to swim because God created them with an instinct to swim. God doesn't plant wrong desires in us. When Adam first saw Eve, he discovered he had a strong desire for her. Where did that desire come from? God. God actually delights in fulfilling your desires.

Now, some of your desires get distorted by sin and need to be cleansed, purified, and retrained. This is what Jesus refers to when he says, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me' (Mark 8:34 NIV). We must say no to desires that would keep us from living in the flow of God's Spirit. We must always be ready to sacrifice a lesser desire for the sake of living a greater life. On the other hand, nothing makes a human being more vulnerable to temptation than a joyless life. If God removed all your desires you wouldn't be human. A slab of cement doesn't have to worry about weeds growing on it, but it will also never be a garden.

God's plan is that every time we experience an authentic desire - a God-implanted desire - we come to understand more deeply what a good God he is. We learn how he has wired us and what he wants us to do in life, and as a result we find ourselves loving him more and more. That's why the Bible says, 'Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in him' (Psalm 34:8 NKJV)!

Soulfood: Acts 3:11-25 Acts 4 Acts 5:1-42 Matt 8:10-17 Ps 109:16-31 Pro 15:23-26.



Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


KEEP LOOKING TO JESUS


Wednesday, 10th July, 2019


'Let us run...keeping our eyes on Jesus.' Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Glenn Cunningham was born on a Kansas farm and educated in a one-room schoolhouse. He and his brother were responsible for keeping the school's fire going. One morning as the boys poured kerosene on the live coals to get the fire started before school, the stove blew sky-high. Glenn rushed towards the door, then realised his brother had fallen and wasn't moving. He went back to help, suffering terrible burns in the process. In the end, his brother died and Glenn was hospitalised with severe burns on his legs. The tragedy seemed to mark an end to his dream of running track. Still, he was determined to walk again - which the doctors said wouldn't happen, but he did. Then he began to run. Through many periods of discouragement and disappointment, he kept running and getting faster. He mastered the mile. Eventually he set his sights on the international record for his distance and broke it! Then he went on to set a new world record. What kept him running? He said it was thinking about his brother.

When you feel discouraged and want to quit, think about Jesus: 'Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God's throne. Think of all...he endured...then you won't become weary and give up' (Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT).

Soulfood: Acts 6-7 Matt 8:18-27 Ps 118:1-9 Pro 15:27-30.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


BE WISE; DON'T COMPARE


Thursday, 11th July, 2019


'But they, measuring themselves by themselves...' 2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

Jesus said: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess." And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other' (Luke 18:10-14 NKJV). Whereas the Pharisee thought of himself as the best-dressed man in town, God saw his garments of self-righteousness as 'filthy rags' and rejected him (see Isaiah 64:6).

An unknown poet wrote: 'I dreamed death came the other night and Heaven's gates swung wide. With kindly grace an angel ushered me inside. And there to my astonishment stood folks I'd known on earth; some I'd judged and labelled as "unfit" or of little worth. Indignant words rose to my lips but never were set free; for every face showed stunned surprise - no one expected me!' We are all saved by grace, not works (see Titus 3:5).

We don't get into Heaven based on our performance, but on Christ's performance on the cross. That being true, don't try to lift yourself up by putting someone else down. Don't assume that you have the right to judge their character, heart motives or spirituality. When you do that, the Bible says you are 'not wise'.

Soulfood: Acts 8-9 Matt 8:28-34 Ps 118:10-18 Pro 15:31-32.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


DEAL WITH THE STRESS IN YOUR LIFE


Friday, 12th July, 2019


'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' Exodus 33:14 NKJV

Is life overwhelming you? You're not alone. Moses, one of the greatest leaders in history, got so stressed out with the responsibilities he was carrying that he wanted to die. You say, 'Surely that wasn't God's will for him.' You're right. But it's not enough to know God's will, you've got to do things God's way.

Moses was working from early morning until late at night, six days a week, with no holidays and no time off. He was eating on the run, planning appointments, meeting deadlines, and seeing everybody who wanted to see him. And the people close to Moses were either too busy to notice, or too needy themselves to care that he was suffering from exhaustion. But his father-in-law Jethro noticed it and said, 'What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone' (Exodus 18:17-18 NIV).

Fortunately, Moses found the answer. And it was in two parts: (1) Delegate the work to qualified people and trust them to do it. The essence of good leadership is not about trying to do everything yourself, but getting it done through others. Or as nineteenth-century evangelist D.L. Moody said, 'Instead of trying to do the work of ten people, get ten people to do the work.' (2) Draw on God's strength rather than your own. God told Moses, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest' (Exodus 33:14 NKJV). The word 'rest' means 'inner peace, well-being, security and confidence'. And God's will is for you to live that way.

Soulfood: Acts 10-11 Matt 9:1-13 Ps 118:19-29 Pro 15:33.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS NOT PEOPLE


Saturday, 13th July, 2019


'Peter asked Jesus, "What about him, Lord?"' John 21:21 NLT

The Bible says, 'Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved - the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, "Lord, who will betray you?" Peter asked Jesus, "What about him, Lord?" Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me." So the rumour spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you"' (John 21:20-23 NLT)? When Peter asked Jesus, 'What about him, Lord?' he was referring to the apostle John, who enjoyed an especially close relationship with Christ. And Jesus said, 'Get your eyes off John and keep them on me. Follow me and you can have a close relationship with me too.'

People will disappoint you, just as you will disappoint them. But Jesus will never disappoint you if you keep your eyes on him and follow him. Even with the best of intentions people will give you poor advice, and you will give them poor advice. But Jesus won't. He doesn't merely know the way, he says, 'I am the way' (John 14:6 NKJV). He says, 'He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life' (John 8:12 NKJV).

So the word for you today is about one of the most fundamental principles in Christian living: get your eyes off people and keep them on Jesus.

Soulfood: Acts 12-13 Matt 9:14-26 Ps 123 Pro 16:1.




Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


ASK GOD FOR A STRATEGIC PLAN


Sunday, 14th July, 2019


'Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it."' Isaiah 30:21 NKJV

Jesus understood God's strategic plan for his life - the redemption of humankind - and lived each day of his life in the light of it. At the end of his life he could pray, 'I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given me to do' (John 17:4 NKJV).

Strategic planning is critical to success in any undertaking. And as a redeemed child of God, your strategy should come from God, otherwise pressures and people can take you in the wrong direction. Jesus could easily have been sidetracked by the demands of the crowd and the misguided thinking of his disciples. How did he avoid that? By nights spent in prayer, and predawn meetings with his Father seeking guidance. Jesus lived by this principle: 'The Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does...I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will' (John 5:19, 30 NLT).

When seeking a plan for your life, the first book you should read is the Bible. Don't adopt someone else's plan unless God told you to do the same thing, or you'll end up frustrated. You ask, 'You mean God has a strategy and a plan for my life and that he will reveal it to me?' Yes. 'Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it"' (Isaiah 30:21 NKJV).

Soulfood: 1 Sam 21:1-6 Hosea 6:4-6 Matt 12:1-14.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


APPROACH GOD AS A CHILD


Monday, 15th July, 2019


'Unless you... become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.' Matthew 18:3 TLB

Matthew writes: 'The disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus called a little child to him...He said..."Unless you... become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven"' (Matthew 18:1-4 NLT). To do great things for God, you must approach him with a childlike attitude.

You can learn a lot from watching little children. Wherever they are, they find a way to enjoy whatever they're doing. They're quick to forgive an offence. One moment they're fighting over something, the next moment they're playing happily together. And trusting comes easily to them. Your children don't worry about mortgage payments, meals or making ends meet because they implicitly trust that you will provide what they need.

What was Jesus teaching us? (a) To have simple faith. (b) To pray simple prayers. (c) To be quick to repent. (d) To reach regularly for God's help. (e) To believe that your heavenly Father is good and that 'no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly' (Psalm 84:11 NKJV). Plus, when you forgive children, they don't run around feeling guilty and condemned. With this kind of simplicity in your relationship with God, you'll find yourself growing spiritually and enjoying him more than ever. And that should be your goal.

Soulfood: Acts 14-15 Matt 9:27-38 Ps 133 Pro 16:2.



Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES WISELY


Tuesday, 16th July, 2019


'If you follow this advice...then you will be able to endure the pressures.' Exodus 18:23 NLT

A good general knows it's a mistake to try and fight on too many fronts at once; that when you're 'spread out too thin' you're vulnerable! And the same is true in life. To avoid undue stress, you must refuse to let every little thing upset you. In other words, choose your battles wisely. Don't make mountains out of molehills. Before you devote time, energy and emotion to an issue, ask yourself how important it is, and how much of your time, effort and energy is appropriate. Try to discern what really matters and focus on those things. Learn the difference between major matters and minor matters.

Moses was becoming exhausted because he personally handled every problem, dispute and crisis that arose among the Israelites. Perhaps he thought he had to do so, since he was the leader of the nation. But his father-in-law said to him, in essence, 'You take care of the big things and leave the small stuff to someone else.' He went on to say, '"If you follow this advice...you will be able to endure the pressures"...Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions' (Exodus 18:23-24 NLT).

Stop and think about it: your life already has plenty of stress and strain, so why add more if you can avoid it? When you're tempted to take on a 'battle', step back and decide if it's worth it and what it will require from you. Don't go to war when there are no spoils.

Soulfood: Acts 16-17 Matt 10:1-10 Ps 140 Pro 16:3.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


HOW 'HUNGRY' ARE YOU


Wednesday, 17th July, 2019


'He satisfies the...hungry with good things.' Psalm 107:9 NIV

Successful people are often just people who were a little hungrier and thirstier for success than the rest of us. What we desired, they pursued. Napoleon was born in poverty. His classmates made fun of him in school. But he devoted himself to his books, excelled in his studies and became the brightest student in class. Before his life was over, he conquered much of the world! If a seedling tree has to fight its way up through rocks to get to sunlight and air, then wrestle with storms and frost to survive, you can be sure of one thing: its root system will be strong and its timber resilient. Nature itself teaches us that it's impossible to succeed without going through adversity.

If you're successful and haven't experienced hardship, you can be sure someone else has experienced it for you. And if you're experiencing adversity without succeeding, there's a good chance somebody else will succeed because of the price you paid. Either way, there's no achievement without adversity. The acid test of character is determined by what it takes to discourage you and make you quit. Dr G. Campbell Morgan tells of a man whose shop burned to the ground in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Next morning he arrived at work carrying a table which he set up amid the charred ruins. On it he placed a sign that read, 'Everything lost except wife, children and hope. Business as usual tomorrow morning.'

Solomon said, 'Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings' (Proverbs 22:29 NKJV). You say you want to succeed? The question is - how 'hungry' are you?

Soulfood: Acts 18-19 Matt 10:11-20 Ps 146 Pro 16:4-5.


Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


HARD WORK AND INTEGRITY


Thursday, 18th July, 2019


'A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.' Proverbs 12:11 NLT

In The Finishing Touch, author Chuck Swindoll tells about a man he met who made a great impression on him: 'With a grin and a twinkle, he whipped out his hand. It was a hand you could strike a match on, toughened by decades of rugged toil. "You look like a man who enjoys life. What do you do for a living?" I asked. "Me? Well, I'm a farmer from back in the Midwest." I asked him, "What did you do last week?" He said, "Last week I finished harvesting ninety thousand bushels of corn." I then blurted out, "Ninety thousand! How old are you, my friend?" He didn't seem at all hesitant or embarrassed by my question. "I'm just a couple of months shy of 90." He laughed again as I shook my head. He had lived through four wars, the Great Depression, sixteen presidents, ninety Midwest winters, who knows how many personal hardships, and he was still taking life by the throat. I had to ask him the secret of his long and productive life. "Hard work and integrity" was his quick reply. As we parted company he looked back over his shoulder and added, "Don't take it easy, young feller. Stay at it!" Hard work and integrity! Those two qualities go together, and are the essence of a life well-lived. And when you practise them faithfully, you experience the highest level of joy and fulfilment in life.'

The Bible puts it this way: 'A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense' (Proverbs 12:11 NLT).

Soulfood: Acts 20-21 Matt 10:21-31 Ps 14 Pro 16:6-7.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


STAY FOCUSED 1


Friday, 19th July, 2019


'Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.' Proverbs 4:25 NIV

Years ago an airliner crashed into the Florida Everglades. On its approach to the Miami airport, the light indicator for proper deployment of the landing gear failed. They flew circles over the swamps of the Everglades while the cockpit crew checked to see if the gear truly had not deployed, or if the bulb in the signal light was defective. When the flight engineer tried to remove the signal light assembly it wouldn't budge, so the other members of the crew joined in and tried to help him. As they struggled with the light assembly, none of them noticed that the aircraft was losing altitude. As a result the plane flew right into the swamp, killing 101 people on board. All was lost because the crew fiddled with a cheap light bulb and took their eyes off what mattered most.

In life you'll be tempted to choose what seems urgent over what seems important. As you try to keep your eye on the ball, this dilemma will constantly threaten your focus: 'How do I choose what is best over what is merely good? Or the long-term perspective over the short-term one?' You must not lose focus; your task is too important.

Solomon bottom-lines it: 'Keep looking straight ahead, without turning aside. Know where you are headed, and you will stay on solid ground. Don't make a mistake by turning to the right or the left' (Proverbs 4:25-27 CEV).

Soulfood: Acts 22-23 Matt 10:32-42 Ps 65 Pro 16:8-9.



Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


THROUGH THE WILDERNESS


Sunday, 21st July, 2019


'Which way shall we go up?'... 'By way of the wilderness.' 2 Kings 3:8 NKJV

The Israelites discovered that, for them, the way into the Promised Land was through the wilderness. One Bible teacher refers to it as 'God's killing field'. He says: 'In the wilderness experiences of life, the things that cause you to stumble in your walk with God are permitted to die. There he weeds out those who want only a superficial relationship from those who long to know him intimately. It's where you learn to stand in faith and to cast all your cares on him, because there's nowhere else to turn. It's where God says, "I finally have you where I want you." Sometimes he will lead you into the wilderness abruptly. This is especially so when he's been trying to get your attention and talk to you about a calling he's placed on your life, and until now you haven't had time to listen. Suddenly you realise that God is the only one who can get you through the situation you're in. He permits you to be stripped of pride so you can be clothed with humility; stripped of self-sufficiency so you can be brought to the place of total dependence on him.'

If you're going through a wilderness experience, don't think God is punishing you or that he has forsaken you. He's just allowing some things to die so that other things can be born in you and grow into fruitfulness. Be encouraged; you will come through this! By God's grace you'll get to your destination. The truth is, sometimes the only way to reach the destination God has planned for you is through the wilderness.

Soulfood: 1 Sam 5:1 - 6:16 Rev 11:15-19.



Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


THE BLESSING COMES BY 'DOING'


Wednesday, 24th July, 2019


'I do your commandments.' Psalm 119:166 NKJV

In his book Traveling Hopefully, Stan Mooneyham writes: 'I will go, when - I will give, after - I will obey, but first - one can always find reasons for delay, and sometimes they may even seem to be valid reasons. A close friend of mine and I were called to preach about the same time, and we went to university together. I was out mutilating homiletics in rural Oklahoma churches during those four years of study, but my friend insisted he wouldn't preach his first sermon until he had received his PhD. That was over thirty years ago. I am still mutilating homiletics, but my friend isn't preaching at all. He never did. Preparation is important, but doing is a vitally important part of preparation. In the Old Testament we hear much about offerings of "first fruits". God's portion came right off the top. Nowadays we are more likely to be known by and for our "last fruits". Near the hold button on the hotline to Heaven, these classic words would be appropriate: "If not I, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?" Are you waiting for the "perfect moment" to come before you step out in faith and obey what God has told you to do? Obey God. Now! It's not enough to say you believe God's Word, you must obey it. It's not enough to accumulate Bible knowledge, you must apply the knowledge God has given you to your daily living.'

James writes, 'Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves ...a doer...will be blessed in what he does' (James 1:22, 25 NKJV). The blessing comes by 'doing'.

Soulfood: Deut 3-4 Matt 12:1-14 Ps 46 Pro 16:20-22.



Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


ANSWER THESE TWO QUESTIONS


Thursday, 25th July, 2019


'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.' Romans 15:13 NIV

First, how is your relationship with God right now? Do you doubt his promises, his call on your life, your ability to hear from him, his pleasure in you, or whether you can do enough to keep him happy? If so, this Scripture is custom-designed for you: 'May the God of hope fill you with...joy and peace as you trust in him' (Romans 15:13 NIV). Notice, when you stop trusting God and start trusting in your own efforts, you lose your joy and peace. Have you lost yours today? If you want them back, you must get out of doubt and back into faith!

Second, how is your relationship with yourself right now? One Christian author writes: 'For years, the only relationship I had with myself was one of doubt. I doubted my decisions, my appearance, whether I was saying or doing the right thing...whether I was in any way pleasing God, or anybody else. I knew I wasn't pleased with myself, so how could God or anybody else be pleased with me? Those years of misery are behind me, because now I know God's grace covers me like a blanket. I know it's through Jesus alone that I'm made righteous and acceptable to God. What a joy! I was so bound by legalistic religion that I'll always have to be on guard against it. But now I know how to recognise its symptoms.'

Paul writes, 'Keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed]' (Galatians 5:1 AMP). Stop doubting your salvation, or yourself, or God!

Soulfood: Deut 5-7 Matt 12:15-21 Ps 78:1-8 Pro 16:23-24.




Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL


Friday, 26th July, 2019


'Do you want to get well?' John 5:6 NIV

Jesus asked a sick man an unusual question: 'Do you want to get well?' For thirty-eight years this man's condition had immobilised him, bought him the sympathy of others, and perhaps given him a reason to say, 'I'm not responsible.' But all of us are responsible for two things: our attitudes and our choices. The fact is we've all been hurt in some way. But if you're still focused on it twenty years later you're not a victim by circumstance, but by choice.

What exactly is a victim by choice? Someone who thinks negative attention is better than no attention at all! Jesus said, 'If you are angry with someone, forgive him so that your Father in Heaven will also forgive your sins' (Mark 11:25 NCV). Those words presuppose someone has hurt you. They also hold you responsible for your reaction to that person. Jesus taught that if you don't forgive, you can't receive forgiveness yourself when you need it. Whatever others may have taken from you in the past, if you remain bitter they'll take more from you in the future. Maybe you're thinking, 'If only they'd come back and ask for forgiveness.' Is that what you're waiting for? Don't waste your time!

The key to happiness is in your hands, not theirs. And that key is forgiveness. Are you waiting for someone to say, 'I forgive you' before you can forgive yourself? What if they never do? Here's the formula for freedom: (1) Apologise if you need to. (2) Make amends if you can. (3) Forgive yourself. (4) Move on. Do you want to get well? These are the steps.

Soulfood: Deut 8-10 Matt 12:22-37 Ps 78:9-16 Pro 16:25.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


STRIVE FOR INTIMACY IN YOUR MARRIAGE


Saturday, 27th July, 2019


'Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?' Amos 3:3 NKJV

The Bible teaches us that the basis for a good marriage isn't just sharing the same bed every night, but the same values and goals every day. Without those, it will be like talking to each other in a foreign language. Now, you won't always agree, and you must accept that. But if you want to reach the same destination you've got to follow the same road map. Like building a house, you need to work from an agreed-upon set of blueprints.

After a while you discover that physical intimacy alone isn't enough. That might get you through the night, but it takes genuine friendship and shared faith in God to get you through the years. We're talking about husbands and wives who communicate without saying a word because the same purposes and principles govern their lives. And when problems arise, as they invariably do, they seek solutions from the same source - God. When life fell apart for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they came before God together because they had both had a relationship with him. After all, how can you correct the problem if one of you doesn't think there is a problem?

True intimacy comes when the sex is over and the commitment is stronger than ever. It allows you to be with someone without always needing to impress them. One author puts it like this: 'When we know we're loved because of who we are, we become healthier in mind and more intimate in expression. We're freed from the fear of rejection and loosed from the anxiety of having to perform.'

Soulfood: Deut 11-13 Matt 12:38-50 Ps 78:17-31 Pro 16:26-30.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


LEAVE A LEGACY


Sunday, 28th July, 2019


'Well done, good and faithful servant.' Matthew 25:21 NKJV

You don't get to choose the moment of your arrival and departure here on earth, but you get to choose what your legacy will be, what you will be remembered for.

At five, he wrote an advanced concerto for the harpsichord. Before he was ten, he published several violin sonatas and was playing Handel and Bach from memory. Soon after his twelfth birthday he composed and conducted his first opera. He was awarded an honorary appointment as concertmaster with the Salzburg Symphony Orchestra, and within a few years was hailed as the pride of Salzburg. When he died at age 35 he had written forty-eight symphonies; forty-seven arias, duets, and quartets, with orchestral accompaniment; and more than a dozen operas. He's credited with some 600 original compositions in all. Even so, Mozart lived most of his life in poverty and died without fanfare. He was buried in a standard unmarked grave, as was usual practice for the time. No shrine marks his resting place. Today, what is Mozart remembered for? What is his legacy? Not the modest life he lived, but the music he gave the world that still enriches our lives.

When your life's sole focus is self-interest, you won't be missed when you are gone, or missed for the right reasons. So find a cause greater than yourself, one that will outlive you, and pour yourself into it. Don't just leave a will, leave a legacy that fulfils God's will.

Soulfood: Lev 24:17-22 Deut 15:7-11 Matt 5:38-48.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


GOD ACCEPTS YOU SO ACCEPT YOURSELF


Monday, 29th July, 2019


'God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased.' Genesis 1:31 GNT

You can't deal with anything effectively until you first accept it for what it is - including yourself! Dictionary definitions for 'accept' include: (1) to receive willingly; (2) to view as right; (3) to agree with. First, acceptance involves your will. You can choose to accept yourself or not; it's up to you. Second, when something is acceptable it's viewed as being 'right'. We tend to reject ourselves because we see only what's wrong with us, rarely what's right. Often this attitude was instilled in us early in life by those who focused on our weaknesses instead of our strengths, and we still carry their opinions with us. Third, the word 'accept' means 'to agree with'. If you're having a problem accepting yourself, you need to get into agreement with God's Word. He says you're 'righteous', so start saying the same thing (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). That can take a while to sink in, but over time it will take root within you. The Bible says, 'Can two walk together, unless they are agreed' (Amos 3:3 NKJV)? To walk with God you must agree with him. He says he loves you and accepts you 'in Christ', so start to agree with him and stop putting yourself down.

When God made us, he said, 'It was very good,' and he hasn't changed his mind. But be patient - he's not through with his creative work in your life. And he wants you to see yourself as he sees you and learn to love yourself while you're still 'under construction'.

Soulfood: Deut 14-17 Matt 13:1-9 Ps 78:32-39 Pro 16:31.




Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


ARE YOU FEELING THREATENED


Tuesday, 30th July, 2019


'When they had prayed, the place...was shaken.' Acts 4:31 NAS

Are you in an intimidating situation? If so, notice four things the disciples did when they felt threatened by the religious authorities of their day.

(1) They brought God into the picture. 'Lord, take note of their threats' (Acts 4:29 NAS). Have you talked to the Lord about it? If it's not big enough to be a prayer, it's too small to be a burden! God should be the first person you discuss it with, not the last. Prayer is the door through which he enters your situation, so be sure you invite him in. (2) They prayed for greater faith. 'Grant to your servants...boldness' (Acts 4:29 NKJV). It's unrealistic to think all your questions will be answered and all your fears will disappear. Faith and fear will always be at work in your life. To be an overcomer, you must learn to starve your fear and feed your faith on God's Word (see Romans 10:17).

(3) They expected God to intervene. 'Stretch out your hand' (Acts 4:30 NIV). Don't just sit in the seat of 'do-nothing' and expect God to move. Go on the offensive. When the disciples were in a storm the Bible says, 'About four o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water' (Matthew 14:25 TLB)! Jesus works the night shift! He's available any time you call. (4) They were filled with the Holy Spirit. 'When they had prayed...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit' (Acts 4:31 NAS). There's the key! They were strengthened and energised by God's power - you can be too.

Soulfood: Deut 18-21 Matt 13:10-23 Ps 78:40-55 Pro 16:32.




Credit: Grace So Amazing Foundation

THE WORD FOR TODAY


CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO GOD


Wednesday, 31st July, 2019


'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.' Joshua 3:5 NIV

On the threshold of the Promised Land, God said to his people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you' (Joshua 3:5 NIV). When you consecrate yourself to God he will do things in you, with you, for you and through you that will amaze you. We want to do amazing things for God, and that's noble. But we've got it backwards. God wants to do amazing things for us. That's his job, not ours. Our job is consecration. And consecration is more than going to church, keeping the Ten Commandments, tithing, sharing your faith, repeating the sinner's prayer, volunteering for a ministry, raising your hands in worship and going on a mission trip. All those are good things, but that isn't consecration.

The utensils used in temple worship were considered 'consecrated'. In other words, they were set apart for the exclusive use of God. They were devoted to his service. Consecration means dethroning yourself and enthroning Jesus as Lord of your life. It's the complete divestiture of all self-interest. It's giving God veto power. It's surrendering all of you to all of him. It's a simple recognition that every second of your time, every ounce of your energy, and every penny of your money is a gift from God and for God. Consecration is an ever-deepening love for Jesus, a childlike trust in your heavenly Father and a blind obedience to the Holy Spirit.

So the word for you today is - consecrate yourself to God.

Soulfood: Deut 22-24 Matt 13:24-35 Ps 78:56-64 Pro 16:33.



Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation