The LORD's Prayers

09/02/2023

The Word For Today

TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT

Friday 10th February 2023

'Always...give an answer...with gentleness and respect.' 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

The Bible says, 'Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect' (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). Two ways to get an egg out of an eggshell are to (1) crack it open, or (2) put it in a warm, loving environment and allow it to incubate and hatch. The second way preserves the chick, while the first kills it. Similarly, two ways to get the good news of the Gospel across to people are to (1) pound them over the head with it, or (2) love them into God's family.

Have you noticed that a lot of evangelism is just a thinly-veiled insult? 'You need what I have because you're so awful.' People do need the good news, but your disposition can keep them from receiving it. Respect unbelievers; don't humiliate them. Respecting means accepting them. That doesn't mean you have to approve of their lifestyle. Acceptance and approval are different. Everybody has the right to be treated in a respectful way. The best way to share the Gospel with unbelievers is to surround them with love and acceptance as you share it with them. Be respectful, sensitive and caring.

Theologian D.T. Niles said, 'Evangelism is just one beggar telling another where to find bread.' Share God's word! You do the sharing, and God will do the saving. Once you sow the seed of God's word into someone's heart, you can love them and leave them and trust God to do his part.

08/02/2023

THE WORD FOR TODAY

Committed and connected

Thursday 9th February 2023

'In Christ we, though many, form one body.' Romans 12:5 NIV

The Bible describes the Christian life in war terms: fight, conquer, strive, battle, overcome, victory. You're in a spiritual battle whether you realise it or not, and you need support and backup. As a Christian, you're a member of God's army.

Imagine you go to a recruiting office to join the army. They say, 'Wonderful, sign here.' You say: 'Wait! I have one stipulation. I don't want to be committed to any particular platoon. I want to be able to float around. I'll be part of the army, but I don't want to be committed to a certain group of soldiers. If the battle gets too hot in one area, I'll move to another area and join another platoon. And if I dislike one platoon's leadership, I'll join another.' Would you want a person like that fighting by your side? Of course you wouldn't! But that's how many Christians today relate to God's army. They float around from church to church with little or no commitment to any particular group of Christians - so while the battle is being fought, they are AWOL.

There is no such thing as a free-floating believer in the Bible. The difference between just attending church and becoming a member is like the difference between just living together and getting married. The distinction is commitment. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia, which means being committed to one another. Jesus said, 'By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another' (John 13:35 NIV). And you can't love in absentia. So, be committed and connected.

08/02/2023

04/12/2022

The Word For Today

Having the right mindset (3)

Monday 5th December 2022

'For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.' Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

Every family has generational 'issues' they struggle with. These are things our parents and grandparents passed to us, like addiction, abuse, anger, anxiety, lust, fear, etc. Often we say, 'It just runs in my family, I can't do anything about it.' Yes, you can! You may not be able to do anything about your family's past, but by God's grace, you can change the future for yourself and your children.

The Bible says, 'If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new' (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). Note the words 'in Christ'. By yourself you can't change your family's dysfunction, but 'in Christ' you receive the power needed to go in a new direction. If your computer can be reprogrammed, your mind can too. 'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind' (Romans 12:2 NKJV). You say, 'How do I renew my mind?' By saturating it in the Scriptures! Just like soaking your body in water removes sweat and grime, soaking your mind in the Scriptures cleanses and corrects your thinking. The old saying goes: 'Watch your thoughts for they become your words. Watch your words for they become your deeds. Watch your deeds because they become your habits. Watch your habits because they become your character. Watch your character because it becomes your destiny.'

God told Gideon, 'Tear down the [old] altar of Baal that your father has' (Judges 6:25 NKJV). In its place Gideon built a new altar to the Lord, and the lives of he and his family were changed forever. And by programming your mind with God's Word, you can do the same!

02/10/2021

The Word For Today

THOUGHTS ON GIVING (2)

Saturday 2nd October 2021

'If it is giving, then give generously.' Romans 12:8 NIV

The Bible says; 'We have different gifts...If your gift is...giving, then give generously' (Romans 12:6-8 NIV). Every believer receives grace for giving, but some of us have the gift of giving. Who are these people? They have a gift of making money. Everything they touch turns to gold. They have the Midas touch. They know how to make wise investments and recognise a good deal. Indeed, good deals are drawn to them like iron to a magnet. They know how to get the best return on their money.

If you're one of these people, you must realise that your ability to accumulate wealth is actually a gift from God: 'And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth' (Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV). God also says, 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go' (Isaiah 48:17 NKJV).

Don't let prosperity lead you into pride. You're not wealthy because of your ability to wheel and deal, but because God has blessed you. And he has done it for a reason; so that you can be a blessing to others. God told Abraham, 'I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing' (Genesis 12:2 NKJV). That means when God taps you on the shoulder and tells you to write a cheque, don't argue with him. Just say, 'How much?' You say, 'Why should I do that?' Because God can not only add, he can subtract.

01/10/2021

Our daily Bread
October 2

Adolescent Faith

Bible in a Year:Isaiah 14–16
Read Ephesians 5:1–16

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always.

Deuteronomy 5:29

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Deuteronomy 5:28–33

The teenage years are sometimes among the most agonizing seasons in life—for both parent and child. In my adolescent quest to “individuate” from my mother, I openly rejected her values and rebelled against her rules, suspicious their purposes were merely to make me miserable. Though we’ve since come to agree on those matters, that time in our relationship was riddled with tension. Mom undoubtedly lamented my refusal to heed the wisdom of her instructions, knowing they would spare me unnecessary emotional and physical pain.

God had the same heart for His children, Israel. God imparted His wisdom for living in what we know as the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:7–21). Though they could be viewed as a list of rules, God’s intention is evident in His words to Moses: “so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” (v. 29). Moses recognized God’s desire, saying that obedience to the decrees would result in their enjoyment of His ongoing presence with them in the promised land (v. 33).

We all go through a season of “adolescence” with God, not trusting that His guidelines for living are truly meant for our good. May we grow into the realization that He wants what’s best for us and learn to heed the wisdom He offers. His guidance is meant to lead us into spiritual maturity as we become more like Jesus (Psalm 119:97–104; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Peter 3:18).

By: Kirsten Holmberg

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Reflect & Pray

How has God’s wisdom helped you grow in your relationship with Him? In what area of your life do you need to heed His wisdom?

Loving God, help me to trust that You know what’s best for me.