The Word for Today.....

      A  daily devotional written
by Bob Gass, full of insight and wisdom to help and inspire you each day.

Sunday, 13 November 2011
      Preparing Them (2)
      '...well-nurtured plants...pillars...to adorn a palace.' Psalm 144:12

      Character and maturity aren't qualities we normally expect to find in our children. We assume that these things come later-an assumption that hinders their growth potential. God's got higher expectations for your children! In His Word we read: 1) 'Our sons...will be like well-nurtured plants.' Not in their forties, fifties or sixties but 'grown up in their youth' (KJV). They needn't waste their youth; they can grow now. Why does God liken them to plants? Because they have spiritual roots capable of drawing in His nurture, ways and strength, and are born with the potential for success. '...I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one' (1 John 2:14 NIV). Hello, that's your child He is talking about! 2) 'Our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.' Why would God equate your daughters with pillars? First, because they're designed to be upright and support-giving; they're indispensable to the building's structural integrity. Second, because they 'adorn' the building's attractiveness, draw attention to its grandeur and cause us to admire the architect and owner. Palace pillars glorify the King, making Him, and them, look good. Your children need you to believe in their God-given potential. Do you remember what Jesus said about our children? '"...of such is the kingdom of heaven"' (Matthew 19:14 NKJV). His faith in their potential is great. Yours must be too.

Monday, 14 November 2011
      'Love Each Other - It's That Simple!
      '...you are my followers if you love each other.' John 13:35

      Before Andrew Jackson became president of the United States he was a general in the Tennessee Militia. During the War of 1812 his troops were fighting and bickering among themselves so he called them together and said, 'Gentlemen, let's remember the enemy is over there!' We'd all do well to remember that. It's easy to love God because of everything He's done for us; it's harder when it comes to loving those we have to live with. A respected Bible teacher says: 'If there's anything that would keep me away from Christ if I was lost...it would be the attitude of Christians towards one another...When I was a kid and an argument broke out...my dad used to say, "We may have a few differences inside these walls but remember, we're family. If your brother or sister needs you...take care of them...love them...and pull for them."' Everything we need to know...can be found in these two verses, 'Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself...look out...for the interests of others' (Philippians 2:3-4 NAS) In other words, think about the other person ...Don't be selfish. Sounds like something a teacher might say to a roomful of nursery children...yet how many adult problems could be solved if that was the driving force in our relationships?...How many couples could reconcile their marital differences?' Jesus said, 'People will know...you are my followers if you love each other.' In the hours before He died He was still praying for us to '...become one heart and mind...' (John 17:21 TM).

Tuesday, 15 November 2011
      Recognise When You Need Help
      '...Moses...became so tired...Aaron and Hur...stood on each side... holding up his hands...'
      Exodus 17:11-12

      We like to think of ourselves as self-sufficient, but it's wise to know when you need help. When Israel was fighting the Amalekites, as long as Moses held up his staff the Israelites prevailed. But when he lowered it the enemy gained the advantage. But like the rest of us, Moses was human and his 'arms...became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side ...holding up his hands.' God not only gave Israel the victory that day, He showed Moses there are times when we all need help. One pastor says: 'I remember a time I was deeply discouraged...I questioned whether I was the right person to pastor the church...A friend sensed my despair...took me out for coffee and listened to my concerns. He took time to [remind me] of all the ways God was using my leadership...He helped me gain the perspective I'd lost. By the end of our time together, I felt encouraged, ready to continue...I'll always be thankful for the way he "held up my hands".' Most of us find it easier to give help than to receive it. Sometimes accepting help means giving up your role as the martyr or victim, tearing down walls of independence you've spent years building and letting other people be there for you. If that sounds like you, pray this prayer: 'Lord, You know I tend to rely on myself. Help me to accept the gift You've given me in the people who want to support and encourage me.'

Wednesday, 16 November 2011
      Confront Your Fears (1)
      'God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' 2 Timothy 1:7

      Fear is something you will experience each time you try something new, like a new job or a new relationship or a new investment strategy. You will never succeed as long as you keep giving in to fear. The corporate world risks failure every time they launch another product. The fashion world risks failure with each new clothing line. Yet they're willing to take multimillion-dollar risks to improve their merchandise and boost their sales. Do they always win? No, but without taking a risk they've no chance of succeeding at all. The poet wrote: 'There was a very cautious man who never laughed or played; he never risked, he never tried, he never sang or prayed. And when one day he passed away, his insurance was denied; for since he never really lived, they claimed he never died!' The fact is, we all fail! The failure rate of the human race is one hundred percent, and everyone (you included) qualifies for membership in this club. But that doesn't mean you have to live in the fear of failure. Faith in God is what gives you the courage to confront your fears and live the life He meant you to live. If you don't, you'll suffer the regret of 'what could have been.' You'll never be perfect, so you'll never be perfectly successful. That doesn't mean you will not succeed in life but you must try. Fear is a 'spirit,' and if you let it, it will control you. God offers you three better options: 'Power...love...a sound mind.'

Thursday, 17 November 2011
      Confront Your Fears (2)
      'God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' 2 Timothy 1:7

      A tourist was driving through the countryside when he saw an old farmer sitting in a rocking chair on his porch. Behind his farmhouse was seventy-five acres of land. The tourist asked, 'Is that your land?' 'Yep,' he replied. 'Well, what are you doing with it? Thinking of growing cotton?' the tourist asked. 'Nope, I'm afraid the boll weevils will get it,' said the farmer. 'What about corn?' the tourist asked. 'No, I'm afraid the locusts will eat it,' he replied. 'Well,' the tourist asked, 'What about raising cattle?' The farmer said, 'I'm afraid the price of beef might go down.' 'So, what are you going to do with all that prime farmland?' the tourist asked. 'Nothing. I'm just going to play it safe.' Is that how you feel? When you choose to play it safe in life, your potential for success is like that barren wasteland. As long as fear rules your life you won't step out in faith and fulfil your destiny. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Isn't it better to risk failure and do what God wants, than risk displeasing Him? We've all experienced the fear that makes us want to pull back. Only those who overcome it go far in life. '..."Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant"' (Psalm 35:27). Conquering the fear of failure begins with believing, 'God wants me to succeed.' Undergirded by that truth you cannot only defy your fears but defeat them.

Friday, 18 November 2011
      'In the Worship Zone'
      ''God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit...' John 4:24

      Someone has said that we are not human beings trying to have a spiritual experience but spiritual beings trying to have a human experience. The life force within you came from God, Who is Spirit. So in the act of worship, it's like going back to your beginnings and reconnecting with Him. The story is told of a little boy sitting beside the crib of his newborn baby sister. He whispers to her, 'Tell me what God is like, for I have forgotten.' Jesus said, 'God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit' [out of the depths of your spirit]. When asked how he could score over eighty points for his team in a single game, basketball superstar Michael Jordan replied, 'Because I was in the zone.' In a sense, heartfelt worship takes you into the God-zone! David the Psalmist lived there. 'Seven times a day do I praise [you]...' (Psalm 119:164). 'From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord's name is to be praised' (Psalm 113:3 NKJV). 'As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God' (Psalm 42:1 NKJV). What a picture. In the stream of God's presence our deepest thirst is quenched, our wounds are healed, our strength is renewed, and we are placed beyond the reach of the enemy. Henry Blackaby says, 'You will never be satisfied just to know about God. Really knowing God comes only through experience as He reveals Himself to you.' And that is what happens when you spend time 'in the worship zone.'

Saturday, 19 November 2011
      Keep Your Priorities in Place
     ''..."I must be about my Father's business."' Luke 2:49

      As a boy of twelve, Jesus said, 'I must be about my Father's business.' During His ministry He said, 'I must work the works of Him that sent me...' (John 9:4). Before He died He said, 'I have finished the work which You have given Me to do' (John 17:4 NKJV). Jesus knew His purpose and priorities, and He lived by them. The question is, do you? You can't have it all. You must understand your God-given purpose and keep it in front of you continually. That way you will know what you must sacrifice, and what you must give yourself to. Only a clear picture of who you are and where you want to go can help you prioritise what you need to do. We all make choices. The question is, are you going to make choices that bring you closer to your goal or take you further away from it? If you don't understand your life's purpose you won't be capable of making the right choices. Clarity of vision creates clarity of priorities. Speaking to pastors, Vance Havener said: 'It is one of the ironies of ministry that the very man who works in God's name is often hardest put to find time for God. The parents of Jesus lost Him in church, and they were not the last ones to lose Him there.' Ray Ortlund said: 'We must first be fully committed to Christ, then to one another in Christ, and finally to the work of Christ in the world.' The best way to keep your priorities in place is to make prayer and God's Word your top priority.

 ’The Word For Today’ is offered by www.UCB.co.uk    The  printed version of ’The Word For Today’ is available in the entry hall or the Fellowship area at NewMachar Parish Church.