Word for Today ~ Thursday 5 March

Live by the principles of God's Word

Joshua 23:6 NIV

Entering the Promised Land, God told Joshua: "Be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses." You must identify your core values - and live by them. Swiss philosopher Henri-Frederic Amiel said, "The man who has no inner life is a slave to his surroundings." Your core values are the governing principles you live by. They're the light that guides you. They give stability and structure to your inner world.

When that's in order, you can navigate your way through almost anything. Have you ever wondered why God refers to His Word as "laws"? Because they govern your thoughts and actions, guide you in the right direction, and guard you from trouble. They bring order to your life; without that, you're left with chaos and confusion. Imagine living in a world where twelve inches don't equal one foot, and two plus two doesn't make four. God established His laws for our good. When we disobey them, we suffer; when we honour them, we succeed. Unlike dining al a carte, you can't pick what you want and forget the rest. God says, "Do everything written... Then you will be... successful" (Joshua 1:8 NIV).

Many talented people who make it into the limelight don't stay there long. Why? Because they failed to develop strong character. Their lack of integrity toppled them because they couldn't climb beyond the limitations of their character. Talent may take you to a higher level of success, but without character, you won't be able to handle the pressures that accompany success. That's why it's so important to live by the principles of God's Word.

Soul food: 2 Thes 1-3; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 145:14-21; Prov 4:23-24

Fly together

Hebrews 10:25

It’s easy to do life on our own and think we don’t need any help. But you won’t reach your highest potential by yourself. God has ordained people to help strengthen you, to encourage you, to push you toward your purpose. Over thirty times in the Scripture, it says “one another.” “Love one another, encourage one another, serve one another, comfort one another.” You need others around you. Don’t isolate yourself and think, “Well, I’m strong enough. I’m tough enough. I’m talented enough.” You may be for what you have in mind, but not for what God has in mind. He has something bigger, something more rewarding, that you can’t do by yourself.
Are you flying solo? Or do you have a community of faith? Are people flying with you, watching over you, encouraging you, inspiring you? There’s power in connectivity. Others’ faith makes you stronger. Their praise helps you fight your battles. Their joy gives you joy. It’s not only refueling you, but your faith is helping others. You won’t become all you were created to be without the right people around you.

Father, thank You that You ordained me to be in a community of faith so that my faith can be joined to others’ faith. Thank You that there is a power released when I’m connected to others that gives strength to fight my battles. Help me to fly together with other believers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Word for Today ~ Monday 2 March

"Rescue Me"

Psalm 34:6 NLT
It had been twenty-five years since Fontella Bass's rhythm and blues single "Rescue Me" hit number one on the charts. She had no career to speak of, and she was penniless, tired, and cold. The only heat in her house came from a gas stove in the kitchen. She had strayed from her faith and the church where she started singing gospel songs as a child.
As she prayed, Fontella asked God for "a sign" to confirm that He heard her. Suddenly, she heard her hit song "Rescue Me" on a television commercial! To her, it was as if "the Lord had stepped right into my world!" Fontella was unaware that American Express had been using her song in a commercial and hadn't been able to locate her to pay royalties.
Not only did she receive back-royalties, but new opportunities also began to open for her to sing. Shortly after that, she released a new album. But the best news is that she renewed her relationship with the Lord. "For so many years I tried doing it on my own, and it didn't work," she said. "Then I took it out of my hands and turned it over to Him, and now everything's happening."
The psalmist David wrote: "In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened, he saved me from all my troubles... . Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:6, 8 NLT). And what God did for David and Fontella Bass, He will do for you if you'll only turn to Him.
Soul food: Num 34-36; Luke 9:18-27; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17

Patiently endure

Hebrews 10:36
We’re all waiting for something. Perhaps it’s for a dream to come to pass, for our health to improve, for a child to turn around. When it’s taken a long time, and we don’t see anything happening, it’s easy to get discouraged and think that it’s not meant to be. But today Scripture is saying, “Don’t get talked out of what God put in your heart. Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.”
God is faithful. He heard your request. He sees you standing in faith. He hears you thanking Him when you could be complaining. What you’re believing for is on the way. When you prayed in faith according to God’s will, He put the promise on the schedule. He already set the time to bring it to pass. You may not see any sign of it yet, but God is working behind the scenes. He’s lining up the right people, arranging the good breaks, the healing, the freedom, the abundance. It’s just a matter of time before you receive what He promised.
Father, thank You that You have established set times to bring Your promises to pass in my life. Help me to be patient, to accept Your timing, and rest in the fact that it’s all part of Your process. I believe that I am right where You want me and the promise is right on schedule. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Thought for the Day
A genocide begins with the killing of one man – not for what he has done, but because of who he is. ~ Kofi Annan ~