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WORD FOR YOU

Spiritual appetite (2)
17 OCTOBER 2021

‘They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.’
2 Chronicles 15:15 NIV

Lack of nourishment can have a big effect on health. It can cause people to lose their ability to think clearly. It can affect their vision. It saps their strength, and they stop being productive. It’s the same with our spiritual life. Jesus said, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4 NIV). So knowing that, how come we don’t spend time reading the Bible? We know it’s essential to our spiritual, mental and emotional health, but we fail to do it, or do it inconsistently. Why? 1) Because we’re not motivated. We haven’t experienced the joy that comes from personally discovering great truths from God’s Word. We grow complacent and settle for having our spiritual food handed to us by other people. But when we get serious about studying the Bible for ourselves, we'll never again be satisfied with second-hand knowledge. 2) Because we don’t know how. We hear a great sermon and think, ‘Why didn’t I see that?’ Often it's because most church leaders spend hours studying the Scriptures, and we don’t. The more we get into God's Word, the more we can make new connections and understand what He's saying through Scripture. 3) Because we get lazy. Bible study requires self-discipline. It takes time, effort, concentration and persistence. Most great truths don’t lie on the surface; we have to dig for them. In the Old Testament, when Israel ‘sought God eagerly…he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.’ And God will do that for us too.

What Now?

What do find motivates you to read the Bible when you’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm? Do you read your favourite verses to get back into it? Look up some of the historical context of the chapter you’re reading? Or something else? We’d love you to share your top tips in the comments to encourage others!

Luke 19:28-48, Psalms 105-106

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WORD FOR YOU

Spiritual appetite (3)
18 OCTOBER 2021

‘As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.’
Psalm 119:143 NLT

God blesses us with skilled doctors who know how to diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication that bring health and healing. But what about when it’s our souls that need healing? In those times, we should to turn to God to nourish us and bring the restoration we need. The psalmist wrote: ‘As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live…Those who love your instructions have great peace’ (vv. 143-144, 165 NLT). When there’s a chemical imbalance in our bodies, it might need to be treated with medication, an altered diet, or a lifestyle change. But when our souls are starved to the point of breaking, they need to be treated with God’s Word. We’re not talking about skimming through a few verses and rushing off into the day. Butterflies cover a lot of ground, but only bees gather honey. Sometimes we have to stay with a particular Scripture until we extract the ‘honey’; to live with and meditate on it till it takes root and starts to grow within us (see Psalm 119:48). It takes time to change ingrained character traits. God may work on one area of our lives for several weeks, or even months. He won’t give up on us. New habits and ways of thinking need time to be established. We must recognise this and allow God to reveal and reinforce new truths. Just because we’ve read a certain scriptural truth doesn’t mean it will produce instant change. It must be applied every day, and that takes time and meditation.

What Now?

Devote some time this week to really dig in to the part of the Bible you’re reading at the moment. Do some research about it, check out any cross references, look up the context, and ask God what new things He wants you to learn from it.

Jeremiah 27-29, 1 Timothy 6

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WORD FOR YOU

‘Thank You’
19 OCTOBER 2021

‘He will not forget how hard you have worked for him.’
Hebrews 6:10 NLT

Do you ever feel like you’re unappreciated, or that others take you for granted? That you just want to hear someone say ‘Thank you’? Two simple words, but they mean such a lot. The truth is that although other people might fail to thank us, our heavenly Father appreciates everything that we do and everything that we are. We’re fulfilling His purpose every day, and as soon as we accept that, we’ll find joy and meaning in whatever we’re doing. Other people are the receivers of our good work and deeds, but God is the reason for them. We mustn’t let someone else’s response to our actions (or lack of response) decide our levels of joy. They may not notice what we’ve done, but God does. He closely observes every day and every detail of our lives. ‘God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.’ Paul wrote, ‘Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him’ (Colossians 3:17 NIV). Do it for Him – that’s all there is to it. There’s no need to over-complicate it. Today why not pray this prayer: ‘Lord, all that I do, I do for You. I know that You appreciate me, and You’ve blessed me in so many ways, so I will choose to praise and honour You throughout this day with my thoughts, my words and my deeds. In Jesus’ name, amen.’

What Now?

Thank God for noticing every effort you make for Him. And if there’s someone you’ve forgotten to thank, why not send them a message or write them a note to show your appreciation of them.

Jeremiah 30-31, 2 Timothy 1

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WORD FOR YOU

Wise heart
20 OCTOBER 2021

‘If your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed.’
Proverbs 23:15 NIV

As we’re growing up, we can often begin to resent our parents’ wisdom. We want to do things our own way. We think we know better than they do. And sometimes we do. But a lot of the time, our parents, or youth leaders, or tutors, do know best. They can speak into our lives from experience. And if we’ve got parents who are praying for wisdom in how to bring us up, we’ll definitely be able to learn a few things from them. One of the things parents often want for their children is wisdom. They want us to make the right choices in life, they want us to choose good things. When Solomon was writing to his son, he said: ‘If your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed.’ So how can we make sure we have a wise heart? We can test the wisdom we receive from others by seeing if it matches with God’s Word, and we can ask God directly for His wisdom too. God’s wisdom is far greater and far more extensive than any human wisdom. The Bible says: ‘For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding’ (Proverbs 2:6 NIV). God’s wisdom is different from human wisdom. We’re told: ‘The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere’ (James 3:17 NIV). And when we have God’s wisdom, we’re different too. We’re more assured in our steps forward, we have peace in our decisions, so let’s ask for His wisdom today.

What Now?

Do you feel like your heart is full of God’s wisdom? If not, ask Him to impart some wisdom to you today, and then use that wisdom in any decisions you need to make.

Jeremiah 32-33, 2 Timothy 2

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WORD FOR YOU

God connects the dots
21 OCTOBER 2021

‘Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass.’
Isaiah 46:10 NLT

Do you remember doing dot-to-dot puzzles when you were little? The page starts with a collection of random-looking dots, but as you work through the puzzle, the picture gradually takes shape and makes sense. God’s kingdom can sometimes seem like a dot-to-dot puzzle to us. We each have a unique part to play in it, but we can’t always see or understand where we fit in. But as God comes along and joins the dots, more and more of His plan is revealed, and we begin to see the goal He’s working towards, and get a better idea of why He’s doing things the way He is. The difference is that when we start a dot-to-dot, we can’t make out the picture. But when God starts joining the dots, He goes into it knowing exactly what the finished picture is going to be, and moves us just where He needs us in order to make it happen. He says: ‘Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish’ (v.9-10 NLT). From our perspective, we might not know why God’s steering us to connect with a certain person or prompting us to go a certain way. But we do need to trust Him, because only He knows all the details of how we fit in to His bigger picture. He sets the goal, then determines the route required to reach it. Each dot that He joins is a kingdom connection. So let’s try to be sensitive to His leading, and take joy in the fact that we have a unique part in His beautiful kingdom picture.

What Now?

Find a dot-to-dot puzzle online (or print one, if you prefer). As you work through the puzzle, stop at each dot and say a short prayer about God’s plan for your life, His guidance and wisdom, and your part in His kingdom.

Jeremiah 34-36, 2 Timothy 3

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WORD FOR YOU

The seven sons of Sceva (1)
22 OCTOBER 2021

‘And the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.’
Acts 19:17 NKJV

The Bible says: ‘Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and…they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified’ (v.11-17 NKJV). This story should act as a warning to those who think, ‘If they can do something, I can do it!’ It's not always true. Unless God calls and equips us to do it, the chances are that we'll get it wrong and get ourselves in a mess. God doesn’t empower us to do our own thing; He empowers us to do His thing. The truth is, we can only use the name of Jesus effectively: a) When we acknowledge Him as our Saviour and Lord. b) When we have an intimate relationship with Him. c) When we stand on His Word and practise its principles in our everyday lives. When we do that, every time we use the name of Jesus, we're protected and supported by the authority that’s in His name.

What Now?

Have an honest think about whether you’re trying to do something that God hasn’t called you to do. Ask Him to help you move into alignment with His will.

Jeremiah 37-39, 2 Timothy 4

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WORD FOR YOU

The seven sons of Sceva (2)
23 OCTOBER 2021

‘Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’
1 John 4:4 KJV

There are two very important things we can learn from the seven sons of Sceva: 1) Satan knows who you are (and who you aren’t). The demons in this man spoke to the sons of Sceva, saying, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ (Acts 19:15 NKJV). We need to ask ourselves if we have the kind of relationship with God that causes Satan to know our names, and acknowledge that we're a force to be reckoned with. When God asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant, Job?’ he replied, ‘Yes, and every time I come up against him I hit a force field I can’t penetrate’ (Job 1:8-12, paraphrased). If we can only focus on our own inadequacy, think we’re not up to the job, or that we’re not good enough, we need to take note of this fact: it’s not you the enemy’s afraid of – it’s God’s Spirit within you. 2) When ‘the evil day’ comes, you discover if you have what it takes. Paul said, ‘Put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground’ (Ephesians 6:13 NIVUK). The demons in the man recognised the weaknesses in the seven sons of Sceva and stripped them of their pretence. We can only survive if our faith is genuine, because one day we'll have to walk with God when we can't understand or explain where He’s taking us. Our own strategies and talents won’t get us through. We'll have to stand on His Word when it doesn’t look like it’s working for us. That’s when we discover it’s ‘“not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord’ (Zechariah 4:6 NIV).

What Now?

Read the verses about the armour of God in Ephesians 6:10-18 as part of your regular morning routine to help you prepare for the day ahead.

Jeremiah 40-42, Titus 1

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WORD FOR YOU

The seven sons of Sceva (3)
24 OCTOBER 2021

‘Having a form of godliness but denying its power.’
2 Timothy 3:5 NIV

Here are three more important lessons from the seven sons of Sceva: 1) Those around you aren’t necessarily with you. Just because somebody hangs out with you, admires you, and tries to emulate you, doesn’t mean they’re with you. These men followed Paul, studying his every move and trying to do what he did. But they had the wrong motives. They were never ‘with’ him at all. Are you concerned about losing certain people and are always trying to keep them happy, because you’re not sure if you can manage without them? John wrote, ‘They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us’ (1 John 2:19 NIV). When God removes a person who doesn’t belong in your life, trust Him; He knows what’s best. 2) Greater numbers don’t always mean greater effectiveness. These seven men together couldn’t do what one Spirit-empowered apostle did. And remember, their father was a chief priest, so they knew how to ‘do church’. They fulfilled the Scripture: ‘Having a form of godliness, but denying its power.’ 3) Success isn’t as easy as it looks. Sceva’s sons showed up towards the end of Paul’s career. They weren’t there in the beginning when he was humbled on the Damascus Road, or trained for three-and-a-half years in the Arabian Desert. They were looking for shortcuts. Just because someone writes a book about success doesn’t mean we can achieve overnight what took years of experience on the part of the author. It’s not that God can’t give us instant success; it’s that we need time, training, and in some cases, a major overhaul to prepare us for it.

What Now?

Ask God to help you keep following His path, to reject any shortcuts you think you can see, and to trust in His timing as He trains and empowers you on your journey with Him.

Luke 20:1-26, Psalms 107-109

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WORD FOR YOU

How to de-stress
25 OCTOBER 2021

‘The LORD said, “I will go with you and give you peace.”’
Exodus 33:14 CEV

Answer the following ten questions honestly. 1) Are you sometimes grumpy without knowing why? 2) Do you work hard but feel unappreciated? 3) Do you feel guilty and unproductive when you’re caught relaxing? 4) Do you increasingly find yourself shouting to make your point instead of talking calmly? 5) Can you remember the last time you laughed till you cried? 6) Are you exhausted after a day off because of all the chores you had to do? 7) Do you tend to eat more when you’re tense or overwhelmed? 8) Are you constantly on the defensive? 9) Do you suffer from unexplained headaches and stomach aches? 10) Does your to-do list have footnotes? So, how did you do on the test? Are you surprised? If you’re tuned in to yourself, you shouldn’t be. The symptoms of stress overload don’t appear overnight. When your computer starts freezing up, you know it’s time to turn it off and reboot. When a warning light flashes on the dashboard of your car, you wouldn’t dream of ignoring it. When the clock starts losing time, you know it’s time to change the batteries! The bottom line is: if you continue to ignore the warning signs, stress will eventually take its toll on your health. Jesus said, ‘Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated…disturbed… and unsettled’ (John 14:27 AMPC). In other words, work on controlling your reactions. Stop losing your peace over every little thing that goes wrong in your life. When there’s nothing you can do about the situation, learn to trust God, let it go, and keep your joy.

Jeremiah 43-45, Titus 2

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WORD FOR YOU

Red lights and green lights (2)
27 OCTOBER 2021

‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.’
Psalm 32:8 NLT

Vincent van Gogh's path to becoming an artist can teach us so much. At first, his passion for ministry led him to the Belgian coalfields where he preached to miners, fed the hungry, and earned a place in the people’s hearts. His church was filled to capacity with those eager to learn about Jesus. But his superiors weren’t happy because Vincent wore cast-offs, lived in a shack, and gave his salary to the people. ‘You look worse than the people you teach,’ they said. ‘Wouldn’t Jesus have done the same?’ Vincent asked. His bosses disagreed, and he was dismissed from the ministry. He was hurt and angry. His only desire had been to build a church that glorified God, so why hadn’t God let it happen? Then one day he watched an old miner struggling under a load of coal. Moved by the sight, he began to sketch the bowed figure. And although he didn’t realise it at the time, he’d discovered his real calling. The young preacher who was rejected by his denomination eventually became an artist the world will long remember, inspiring many people through his work. David said: ‘It was my desire to build a Temple…but God said to me…”Your son Solomon will build my Temple”’ (1 Chronicles 28:2-3, 6 NLT). When God gives us a red light, we should be sensitive to it and pay attention. And when He overrules our plans to implement His own, we should say, ‘Your will be done.' F.B. Meyer wrote: ‘Are you in difficulty about your way? Go to God…get direction from the light of His smile or the cloud of His refusal…Wait there silent and expectant, though all around you insist on immediate decision or action – and the will of God will be made clear.’

What Now?

Here’s your second prayer point for whenever you’re stopped at traffic lights: thank God for the ‘amber lights’ He gives you, and for His perfect timing in every situation. Ask that your trust in Him would be strengthened during the waiting times.

Jeremiah 48-49, Philemon