Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Are You Searching For Contentment?

'My people have forsaken the living water, and dug broken cisterns.'- Jeremiah 2:13

It's easy to be content when things in life are going your way. But how often does that happen? The Bible says we are to practice being 'happy at any time in everything' (Philippians 4:12 NCV), because if you put your life on hold waiting for what you want to happen, you may be waiting a long time! Epicurus said, "Don't spoil what you have, by desiring what you don't have. Remember that what you have now was the thing you once hoped for." Three things constantly feed our discontentment:

Greed.
When you dwell on what you don't have, you're not enjoying what God has already given you. Be satisfied! Setting goals is good, but stop focusing so hard on the end result and learn to rejoice in the Lord while you're on your way.
Fear.
It wants you to run from something that's not chasing you. It's the enemy's way of:
- a) Robbing you of peace and stability
- b) Tormenting you with the 'what ifs'
- c) Keeping you from trusting God.
The Psalmist said, "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:4 NIV)
Seeking satisfaction in the wrong places.
God said, "My people have forsaken the living water, and dug broken cisterns that cannot hold water." It's said that we spend our first 50 years searching for security, and the rest of our lives looking for significance. But we don't have to. The hymn writer wrote, "Now none but Christ can satisfy; no other name for me. There's love, life, and lasting joy, Lord Jesus found in Thee!" Are you searching for contentment? Try Jesus!

Read: Luke 12:16-21

Monday, April 08, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Monday, April 8, 2013.

How To Experience God's Grace

'Grace be unto you, and peace, from God'- 1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV

Several of Paul's epistles open with the words, 'Grace be unto you, and peace, from God.' That's because you cannot experience God's peace unless you first know how to receive His grace and walk in it. There are three things about grace you need to understand:

It cannot be earned;
It is God doing for you what you cannot do for yourself;
It doesn't kick in until you stop struggling and trying to do it in your own strength.

The Bible says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble' (James 4:6 NIV). The 'humble' are those who admit their total inability to succeed without God's help, but the 'proud' are always trying to take the credit. They like to think it's their ability that gets the job done, so they've difficulty asking God for grace, and even more difficulty receiving it. Peter writes, 'Grow in grace' (2 Peter 3:18). You only learn to trust God- by doing it! You grow in grace by taking God at His Word, counting on His gracious provision for each day, and His intervention in situations that are difficult or impossible for you. There will never be a day when you don't need God's grace. And if you're willing to acknowledge you need it and receive it by faith, there will be no shortage of it. 'For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favour and gift [heaped] upon gift' (John 1:16 AMP).

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Sunday, April 07, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Sunday, April 7, 2013.

Covetousness (Part Four)

'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.'- Matthew 5:7 NKJV

If your goals are God-centred, He will help you to achieve them. But if you are asking Him for something just because your neighbour has it, you'll be disappointed. The Bible says, 'No good things will He withhold from them that walk uprightly' (Psalm 84:11 NAS). When God withholds something from you, trust Him; He knows what He's doing. God loves you too much to give you what you're not ready for, can't handle, doesn't fit into His plan for your life, or end up draining your energies and maybe even destroying you. When you covet something, make it essential to your happiness, and beg God to give it to you, you're asking Him to replace Himself with something you consider more important. When you do this, He may allow you to experience the consequences Israel suffered. 'He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul' (Psalm 106:15 NKJV). Don't reach the end of your life only to look back with regret on a shattered marriage, children who've gone astray, a blighted conscience, or the pain of realising you missed out on God's best. Our problem is not that we don't want God; it's that we want God- plus- a house by the sea, an impressive career, a perfect spouse, or whatever catches our fancy. That's why Jesus said, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses' (Luke 12:15 NKJV). Life is not built on things, it's built on relationships. And the first relationship you need to work on is your relationship with God.

Read: Philippians 4:10-13

Saturday, April 06, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Saturday, April 6, 2013.

Covetousness (Part Three)

'He gave them their request, but sent leanless into their soul.'- Psalm 106:15 NKJV

See if you recognise this pattern. As slaves in Egypt the Israelites pray, 'God, get us out of here!' So He does. Then in the wilderness, on their way to the Promised Land they say, 'God, we're going to die out here. We were better off in Egypt. At least there, we had all the food we wanted.' So God sends a bread from heaven. He even delivers it to their door. It was a diet so perfect that there was not one feeble person among [them]' (Psalm 105:37). Did that make them happy? No! They said, 'We're tired of this stuff, we want some prime rib,' so God says, 'Okay, '[I'll] give you meat, and you will eat it...until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it' (Numbers 11:18-20 NIV). Covetousness angers God because it is rooted in pride that says, 'I deserve better,' and ingratitude that says, 'I want something other than what You've blessed me with.' The saying goes, 'Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.' Because they thought something else could satisfy them in a way that God couldn't, 'He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.' With God, you can be satisfied with very little. Without Him, all your aquisitions and accomplishments will leave you empty. What are you coveting? Putting your life on hold for? Continually begging God for? Nothing is essential but God. Material things can never take His place. What will it take for you to come to that settled place where the central desire of your life is, 'God, I just want more of You,'?

Read: Psalm 106:13-18

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Friday, April 5, 2013.

Covetousness (Part Two)

'You shall not covet.'- Exodus 20:17 NKJV

Why do we keep giving in to sinful desires? For two reasons:

Because the new birth doesn't automatically do away with the old nature. Like two cars approaching crossroads at the same time, your old and new natures are always on a collision course.
Because if you dwell on a desire long enough, yielding is only a matter of time. Ever gone to your fridge when you weren't hungry, but weren't really satisfied, sort of looking for something to grab you? As bad as that is, it's worse when you do it in life. It's like surfing the web of behaviour options, looking for something to make you happier than you are at that particular moment.

When you covet something you embellish it and empower it, making it more attractive and accessible. A one-night stand? You say, "Nobody will ever know." The Bible says, 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap' (Galatians 6:7 KJV). As surely as a seed produces a harvest, your decisions will have consequences. Covetousness just maximises the desire while minimising the danger. It's impossible to dwell on a desire for any length of time without rationalising a way to get it. Like starting a countdown on the space shuttle, it's just a matter of time before you lift-off. So if you're dwelling on it, set the clock; yielding is inevitable. What's the answer? Change your focus! 'Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit' (Romans 8:5 NKJV).

Read: Galatians 6:6-9

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Covetousness (Part One)

'Let your conduct be without covetousness.'- Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Covetousness begins with craving, and then evolves into conniving to get what you want. Achan, Ahab, Ananias and Sapphira were willing to steal, lie and kill to get what they wanted. 'Let your conduct be without covetousness; never be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."' This scripture means that what you have in Christ is greater than whatever else you don't have! Covetousness is:

Wanting status but not wanting to serve; wanting control so that you can be at the centre; wanting wealth strictly for yourself; wanting praise from others.
Wanting the right things but for the wrong reasons. 'If a man desires the position of a bishop, He desires a good work' (1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV). Wanting to make an impact is a good thing, but you must want it for the right reasons. If you want it for personal recognition and power over others, that's covetousness.
Wanting the right things but at the wrong time. A young couple says, "We love each other. We're going to get married in three months. But we want to sleep together now.' They want the right thing for the right reason, but they want it at the wrong time. That's covetousness.
Wanting the wrong things but in the wrong amount. Covetousness is wanting more than is required for your needs, and to fulfil God's purpose for your life. Understand this: More of anything other than God will never satisfy the longing for fulfilment He's place within you. Only when you acknowledge that, will you find true and lasting happiness.

Read: Luke 12:13-15

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

What's New?

'His compassions are new every morning.'- Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Are you going through a hard time at the moment? You're not alone! Things were so bad in Israel that when Jeremiah wrote one of the books of the Bible he called it Lamentations. In a positive-thinking, feel-good world, that's not exactly a best-selling title. Jeremiah describes God's people as a 'widow' and a 'slave', and says, 'All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies' (Lamentations 1:2 NKJV). As you move through the book verse by verse, things just keep going from bad to worse as God's people reap what they have sown. Then suddenly in the middle of all his lamenting, when you think things can't get any worse, Jeremiah writes, 'Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness' (Lamentations 3-22:23 NIV). Isn't that wonderful? God's love, compassion and faithfulness have been placed in an account that cannot be overdrawn, that you don't have to contribute to, and that'll last as long as you live. In a world that doesn't seem to care, where only the fittest survive, that's good to know. Next time somebody says to you, "What's new?" Tell them, "God's love, compassion, and faithfulness." The dictionary defines compassion as 'tenderness of heart that disposes a person to overlook injuries or to treat an offender better than he or she deserves.' So when you wake up each day, be like the lady who prayed, "Lord, I'm glad Your mercies are new every morning, because I definitely used up all of yesterday's."

Read: Lamentations 3:22-24, 32

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Tuesday, April 2, 2013.

Sound Thinking

'God has given us a sound mind.'- 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

The Bible says, 'God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' In order to improve your life, you must change two things:

Your thought processes. Gordon MacDonald says: 'People who are out of shape mentally fall victim to ideas and systems that are destructive to the human spirit. They've not been taught how to think, nor have they set themselves to the life-long pursuit of the growth of the mind, so they grow dependent upon the thoughts and opinions of others. Rather than deal with ideas and issues, they reduce themselves to lives filled with rules, regulations and programmes.' The moment you think you know it all, you've merely stopped thinking.
Your expectations. The story's told of a man who went to a fortune teller. She said to him, 'You'll be poor and miserable until you're fifty.' The man asked her, 'What will happen then?' She replied, 'Then you'll get used to it.' Be honest; how many successful people do you know who are apathetic and negative? None! Faith produces excitement, commitment, energy- characteristics that help you achieve success. If you'd like to possess these qualities then raise your expectation level and bring it into alignment with God's promises. 'Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them' (Mark 11:24 NKJV). Do you want to succeed where you've failed before? To become the person you always hoped to be? Don't start by changing your actions, start by changing your mind. Renew it daily with God's Word. Nothing you do will have as great an impact.

Read: Romans 12:1-2

Monday, April 01, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Monday, April 1, 2013.

Rejoicing In Trouble

'Breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet.'- Ezekiel 37:10 NKJV

Your hopes may be dead and your dreams buried, but God can breathe into them again. Ezekiel stood in a valley of dead, dry bones. That's about as bad as it gets! Right? Then something amazing happened. God said to the Prophet, 'Prophesy and say, "Thus says the Lord God: 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army' (vv. 9-10 NKJV). Any time you see a man or woman enjoying great success in God's kingdom, there's a good chance they've been through the valley of devastation, hurt and rejection. It was after he had been thrown out of the city, stoned and left for dead, that Paul spoke of being taken up into the third heaven and experiencing things too wonderful to speak of on earth (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). It was after John was exiled to a penal colony in Patmos that he penned the words, 'I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet' (Revelation 1:10 NIV). As a result, he wrote the book of Revelation. The Psalmist said, 'In the day of trouble my head will be exalted above enemies who surround me I will sing unto the Lord' (Psalm 27:5-6 NIV). That's how you 'glory in tribulation,' and are able to look back and say, 'Thank you for the experience, Lord. Without it I'd never have got to know You like I do today.'

Read: Job 42:10-17

Sunday, March 31, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Easter Sunday- Sunday, March 31, 2013.

Christ's Resurrection

'We believe that Jesus died and rose again'- 1 Thessalonians 4:14 NIV

The word 'resurrection' means 'the standing up of a corpse.' Most religions teach the concept of immorality, but only the Christian faith teaches bodily resurrection. 'If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.' The patriarch Job, whose children all died tragically in a single day, asked, 'If a man dies shall he live again?' (Job 14:14 NKJV). We ask this when death claims someone we love. So God gave Job, and us, an answer that dries our tears, heals our broken hearts and focuses us on something greater than this temporal life with all its troubles: 'For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself. And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!' (Job 19:25-27 NKJV). The next time you see a butterfly soaring, stop and remind yourself, 'That's my future!' No matter how you dress your body up, at best it will always be a caterpillar. But when it emerges from the cocoon of death and rises to meet the Lord in the air, it will take on His beauty and His likeness. 'The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words' (1 Thessalonians 4:16:18 NKJV)

Read: All Scriptures

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Easter Sunday- Sunday, March 31, 2013.

Christ's Resurrection

'We believe that Jesus died and rose again'- 1 Thessalonians 4:14 NIV

Saturday, March 30, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Saturday, March 30, 2013.

What Wondrous Love

'My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?'- Matthew 27:46 NKJV

Imagine having to stand on a stage and watch every sin you've ever committed replayed for the entire world to see- your secret addictions, your selfish motives, your angry outbursts, your critical attitudes, and your jealous heart. How do you think you'd feel? Well, Jesus experienced much worse. The Bible says: 'He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness- by whose stripes you were healed' (Peter 2:24 NKJV). It's bad enough to die for sins you didn't commit, but imagine being forsaken by God! It's the same word Paul used when he wrote: 'Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world' (2 Timothy 4:10 KJV). Paul looked for Demas and couldn't find him. And on the cross, Jesus looked for His Father and couldn't find Him either. Does that mean the Psalmist was wrong when he wrote: 'I have never seen the righteous forsaken' (Psalm 37:25 NIV)? No, because at that moment Jesus was anything but righteous. When you look at Him hanging there you will see the gossiper, the liar, the cheater, the alcoholic, the porn addict, the child abuser, the murderer. Does it bother you to see His name linked with theirs? Well, Jesus did even more. He put Himself in their place- and yours. In a move that broke God's heart and gave us the gift of eternal life, He poured out His righteous judgement on His only Son. So when Jesus cried from the cross, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?' He said it so that you would never have to. What wondrous love.

Read: John 3:10-20

Thursday, March 28, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Good Friday— Friday, March 29, 2013.

How To Die Right

'He is not here, but is risen!’—Luke 24:6 NKJV

Christ, the founder of Christianity, was the only man capable of making an appointment beyond the grave and turning up to keep it. Jesus told His disciples, 'After I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee' (Matthew 26:32 NKJV).And He did. If you visit the graves of those who founded the great religions of the world, you will find that they are still occupied. But if you visit the grave where they buried Jesus, you will find that it is empty and the words of the angels still echoing, 'He is not here, but is risen!' Those words turn every Christian burial into a celebration. Jesus promised, 'Because I live, you will also.' Eventually you will die of something; the question is; how can you die right? There are two correct answers to that question:

By preparing in advance. It was truly a human tombstone that bore the inscription, 'I expected this, but not just yet.' Here's how you prepare for death. 'If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved' (Romans 10:9 NKJV).
By fulfilling your life's assignment. Jesus said, 'I have glorified You on earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do' (John 17:4 NKJV). In the final audit you will stand before God and He will ask you, 'What did you do with the gifts I gave you? Did you fulfil your assignment on earth?' In that moment, nothing will be more important than how you answer that question.

Read: 2 timothy 4:6-8

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Thursday, March 28, 2013.

Time Out!

'Stand still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.’—1 Samuel 9:27 KJV

Here’s an ancient Scripture with a modern message: ‘As they were going down to the city, Samuel said to Saul “stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.” Today we are told that in order to succeed we must hit the floor running at a hundred miles an hour, and keep it up until we collapse in the sack at night. And what’s the downside to all this? Our walk with the Lord slows to a crawl, or stops altogether. Our busyness leads to spiritual barrenness. Being part of the chase can be exciting and rewarding, but it leaves little or no time for God. And you don’t have to be in business. Look at mothers with small children: every minute consumed by little creatures who pull at you, scribble on your walls and walk mud all over your floor, then have the nerve to wake you up in the middle of the night. If that’s happening to you, you need to say: ‘Time out! I refuse to put my spiritual life on autopilot, mouthing meaningless prayers and leafing through a Bible I neither study nor live by. I’m going to pay whatever price it takes to walk with God.’ Doing that will not be easy. You’ll have to start saying no to certain things, and run the risk of displeasing people. But it’s the only way you’ll be in a position to hear what He’s saying to you. Nobody ever said the Christian walk is easy, but is anything in the world of more lasting importance or more rewarding?

Read: Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6 & Matthew 11:28-30

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

Let Go Of Your Independent Attitude

'We will find grace to help us when we need it most.'-Hebrews 4:16 NLT

The Bible says, 'Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.' We grow up being told, 'If you want something you'll have to work for it.' But a strong work ethic can scew our thinking when it comes on to receiving what God wants to freely give us. God is always pouring out His blessing, and as empty, thirsty vessels we must learn to open our hearts to what He offers. To 'get' implies to obtain by our own effort. To 'receive' implies to accept what's being freely and graciously offered. Jesus came to deliver us from struggling, not invite us into a new way of struggling under the banner of Christianity. We need to realise that all of God's blessings are given because of grace, and we received by faith. One Bible teacher writes: 'I was always trying to "do" something, and leaving God out of the loop. I tried to change myself, my family, circumstances I didn't like, even make my ministry grow. But God will never permit us to succeed without Him. If He did, we would take all the credit. Finally I learned to pray for what I needed and allowed God to provide it His way, in His timing. When I did, I entered into His rest.' But in order to live this way you must realise your importance to God, and then learn to count on His grace. The truth is; He is more than willing to help you if you'll only let go of your independent attitude.

Read: Hebrews 4:1-13

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Tuesday, March 26, 2013.

Be Real

'Beware of Hypocrisy'-Luke 12:1 NKJV

The word 'hypocrisy' could be translated as hype as 'hype.' And hype, no matter how religious it is, is only a charade. Jesus denounced it. Speaking about the religious leaders of His day, He said: 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the house tops' (vv. 1-3 NKJV). Why was Jesus so hard on hypocrites? Because hypocrisy accuses in others what it accuses in us, says one thing but does another, puts popularity above principle, loves admiration but cuts corners when it comes to integrity. Take Peter, for example. He preached that all people are equal in Christ, but he practised it selectively. And Paul confronted him on it. 'When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from Jesus, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with line with the truth [I spoke] to Peter in front of them all' (Galatians 2:11-14 NIV). God understands your weaknesses and He will work with you on them, but He won't put up with your hypocrisy. So be real!

Read: Luke 12:1-3

Friday, March 22, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Monday, March 25, 2013.

The Treasure Within You

'We have this treasure in earthen vessels'--2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

God has given you talents, and He wants you to use them. They may lie dormant under layers of failure, fear, or low self-esteem. You might be aware of them, yet not know how to put them to work. Maybe you've been going from relationship to relationship hoping to find someone who will be willing to acknowledge what's within you and draw it out. If so, read this: 'But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.' Only the God who placed your talents within you knows where they're hidden, and how to release them. Delayed destiny is the devil's delight. By not allowing God to develop your talents you play into satan's hands, living far below your potential. The fact is; you have so much treasure buried within you that the enemy is out to steal it. You never have to wonder about satan's motives. Jesus said he comes 'to steal, kill and destroy' (John 10:10 TLB). You don't try to rob somebody unless they have something worth taking, right? Your talents may be raw and undeveloped, or buried under years of self-doubt, unconfessed sin, regret and despair. But God can take something that looks like nothing, and create something wonderful with it. Just think: He made the earth from nothing--so imagine what He can do when He has something to start with! Today get down on your knees and pray: 'Lord help me to recognise and maximise the talents you have placed within me, and use them for Your glory.' That's a prayer God will answer!

Read: 2 Timothy 2:20-21

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Monday, March 25, 2013.

The Treasure Within You

'We have this treasure in earthen vessels'--2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Monday, March 25, 2013.

The Treasure Within You

'We have this treasure in earthen vessels'--2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Sunday, March 24, 2013.

The 'Blessed' Man And Woman

'Blessed is the man who'-- Psalm 1:1 NKJV

Here's a scriptural key to being blessed: 'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruits in its season, whose leave also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper' (vv. 1-3 NKJV). A 'blessed' man or woman tends to stand out because their character is deeper, their ideas fresher, their spirit softer, their courage greater, their leadership better, their concerns wider, their compassion more genuine, and their convictions more concrete. They're joyful in spite of difficult circumstances, and show wisdom far beyond their years. And they are full of surprises; you think you have them boxed in, but they turn out to be unpredictable. When you're around them you feel slightly off balance because you don't know what to expect next. Over time you realise that their ideas and actions can be trusted. Why? Because they have a spiritual root system that goes down to streams of living water. Consequently, what they put their hand to 'prospers.' And you can live this way. How? By setting your spiritual priorities in concrete. The arch enemy of spiritual growth is busyness, which is closely tied to something the Bible calls 'worldliness'-- getting caught up with society's agenda to the neglect of walking with God. Whichever way you look at it, a key ingredient to prospering is--time. Not leftover time, not throwaway time, but quality time. Time for meditation; time for communication. Unhurried, uninterrupted time with God.

Read: Psalm 1:1-6

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Saturday, March 23, 2013.

Bumps

'These trials will show that your faith is genuine'-- 1 Peter 1:7 NLT

It is impossible to tell by looking at a person how much faith they have. Compare your faith to a bucket of water; you only discover how much is inside when somebody bumps it. Likewise, when life bumps you, you spill out what you are full of. Maybe you took a financial hit in the last few years: bump! What spilled out, fear or faith? Maybe you, or a loved one received bad news from the doctor and you're going for tests: bump! What splashed over the side? Dreading the worst or trusting God for the best? People can't tell by looking at you how much faith you have, but they can tell by listening to you. In life, bumps are going to happen. You will be tested and the purpose of the test is not just to reveal your faith, but to refine it. God doesn't test your faith in order to know how much you have, He already knows. No, He tests your faith so that you can know-- and start strengthening it. Stop and consider the hardest thing that's going on in your life right now, then ask yourself, 'Is this situation decreasing my faith or increasing it?' The Bible says: 'These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.' (1 Peter 1:7 NLT)
Read: Job 23:10-12

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Friday, March 22, 2013.

Little Foxes

'Wash your hands you sinners'-- James 4:8

Jesus continues, 'Wash your hands, you sinners', (v. 8 NIV). The moment you 'come near to God,' you become aware of your condition.. Notice, God doesn't demand you wash your hands before he will respond to you! All your attempts at self-improvement won't work. Why? Because His grace is the only basis on which He can relate to you (Ephesians 2:8-9). God points to your defeat zones, not to condemn you, but to cleanse you. He knows that dirty hands enable satan to accuse you before Him so He tells you to wash your hands, 'and do not give the devil a foothold' (Ephesians 4:27 NIV). Once you've confessed your sins and been cleansed, you can look satan in the eye and say, 'No ground, not even an inch', James continues, 'Purify your hearts, you double-minded' (James 4:8 NIV). Your heart is like a hard drive; it's where you store things. 'It's with your heart that you believe' (Romans 10:10 NIV). Your heart generates and stores your beliefs, constructive and destructive. Once you form a belief, you begin to live on it. Add this to your double-mindedness-- you know what's wrong, yet think you can get away with it. How can you overcome the enemy with a heart full of wrong beliefs and a double-mind? Through 'turning over a new leaf' ? No, you must get down before God and say 'Create in me a clean heart, oh God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me' (Psalm 51:10 NKJV). When you pray that way, God will cleanse you, clothe you with power, and cause you to walk in victory.
Read: Psalm 24:3-6

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Thursday, March 21, 2013.

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (Part 4)

'Come near to God and He will come near to you'-- James 4:8

Resisting the devil is imperative, but it is not the endgame. This is: 'Come near to God and He will come near to you.' Satan's goal is to drive a wedge between you and God, so how do you keep him from doing it? By closing the gap between you and God! Observe three things:

Distancing from God is done unconsciously. You became preoccupied, self-centred, or over-committed. Before you know it, prayer is limited to grace said over meals. Bible reading to the pastor's sermon text, and worship to a Saturday morning interlude. 'Pay more careful attention to what [you] have heard, so that [you] will not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1 NIV). Distancing is a subtle drift, not a sudden dash.
Distancing from God is dangerous. Satan's goal is to separate you from God and His blessing. Like a soldier in the enemy territory who is cut off, you become an easy target. The Bible says, 'If one person falls, then the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.' (Ecclesiastes 4:10 NLT).
Distancing from God is a choice. But it's your choice, never God's! He said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee' (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). Whatever your circumstances, He remains faithful. 'When you pass through the waters the fire I am with you' (Isaiah 43:2-5 NIV). What God's part? 'He will come near to you.' Take one step in His direction and He will close the gap, embrace, secure, and enable you 'to stand up to everything the devil throws your way. (Ephesians 6:11 TM).

Read: All Scriptures

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (Part 3)

'Resist the devil and he will flee from you'-- James 4:7

Once you become self-controlled, alert, and submitted to God, your next step must be to: 'Resist the devil and he will flee from you.' When you are properly aligned with Jesus, His power and authority are behind you and at your disposal. Then when you act or speak you do so not on your own, but as His representative. Think about it this way; when a police officer orders you to stop because you're driving too fast, the entire force of the law comes into operation. If you refuse to stop you're taking on the local constabulary, the Chief Constable and the magistrates court, bringing down the full weight of their combined authority on your head. As long as that policeman is aligned with and submitted to those who are over him when he speaks and acts-- they speak and act through him. Are you getting the idea? In God's kingdom, the submitted life represents the King. So when you speak and act according to God's will, He speaks and acts through you. Even satan cannot break this chain of command! Nor can he withstand it. 'Behold, I give you over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.' (Luke 10:19 KJV). When you are submitted to God you can resist the devil as Jesus did when He said, 'Away from Me, satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." Then the devil left Him' (Matthew 4:9-10 NIV). And when you speak those same words to the devil, 'he will flee from you' (James 4:7).
Read: Ephesians 6:11-18 & Peter 5:8-9

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (Part 2)

'Submit yourselves therefore to God'-- James 4:7

Being "self-controlled and alert" to satan's strategies empowers you to be proactive in your personal war with him (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). But your next step is crucial. The art of war follows set rules of engagement. If you're losing more than winning, then you may have omitted this vital rule: 'Submit yourselves therefore to God.' Salvation doesn't enrol you in a club for the religious elite; it enlists you in the army of the Lord. And this war isn't just about you-- it's also about your King, His rulership and authority, and who acknowledges it. Kingdom power is only given by the King to his subjects. To win this battle, you must recognise your King and submit to Him. The Roman centurion who met Christ understood this. 'I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, "Go," and he goes; and that one, "Come," and he comes' (Luke 7:8). He recognised that he, like Jesus, got his power by submitting to authority. Submitting yourself to Jesus is what gives you the power to battle satan successfully. Don't hurl yourself into the battle. Instead, recognise Christ's authority and submit to it because it's the submitted life that overcomes. At the point of your temptation, seize the moment and surrender yourself to Jesus, the King of kings, Who said, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth' (Matthew 28:18 KJV). Under his authority you discover that victory over satan comes, 'Not by [human] nor by [human] power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts' (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV).
Read: Philippians 4:6-7

Sunday, March 17, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Monday, March 18, 2013.

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (Part One)

'Be self-controlled and alert'-- 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

When nations decide to end a conflict, their leaders sign treaties that allow for the restoration of peaceful relations between them. Christ's death and resurrection defeated satan fairly and squarely. Then Christ the victor 'ascended up on high, [and] he led captivity captive' (Ephesians 4:8). He was welcomed back in heaven as conqueror. But here on earth, no treaty was ever signed between satan and God's people. You are still his target. He continues to be a thief who comes to 'steal, kill and destroy' (John 10:10 TLB). He still 'prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour' (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). But Christ's victory on the cross has positioned you to walk in daily triumph over him. However, winning your personal war with satan isn't a matter of brains or brawn; it's a spiritual battle and you can only win it by employing God's strategies for victory. For the next few days let's look at them: 'Be self-controlled and alert' (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). Being 'self-controlled' implies staying in charge of your emotions, thoughts, words, decisions and actions. It requires taking responsibility for your own life; not allowing people, circumstances, or the devil to take the steering wheel from your hands, usurp your Power of Attorney and gain control. Being 'alert' means being conscious of your weaknesses and satan's corresponding ploys. You can't afford to coast, run on autopilot, or go with the flow. Being alert exposes satan's well-laid strategies, enabling you to stop him dead in his tracks.
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:3-11

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Give Them Another Chance

'Mark is profitable to me for the ministry'-- 2 Timothy 4:11 KJV

Paul, who demanded 100 per cent commitment for himself and those he worked with, was angry with Mark for wanting to take a break and go home and spend time with his family. But later, after reconsidering the whole thing, Paul gave Mark a second chance, saying, 'He is profitable to me for the ministry.' God sees potential in people, even flawed people, and we must too. When we believe in people and encourage them, they can move from the loss column to the profit column. Some years ago in a manufacturing town in Scotland, a young lady gathered a class of street kids to teach them God's word. To keep them coming back, the superintendent bought each of them a new suit. But after a few weeks, Bob, the most unpromising boy in the class, was missing. When she went looking for him she found him with his clothes torn and dirty. So the superintendent bought him another suit and invited him back again. After a few weeks he dropped out of Sunday School once more. Disgusted, the teacher wanted to give up on him. But the superintendent said, I'll buy him a third suit if he will promise to attend regularly.' Bob did. He kept coming, committed his life to Christ and studied for the ministry. That discouraged, forlorn, ragged, runaway boy was Robert Morrison, the great missionary to China who translated the Bible into Chinese language and opened the kingdom of heaven to countless millions who live there. So, who are you thinking of giving up on? Don't do it! Give them, and God, another chance!
Read: Philemon 1:1-21

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Let It Go

'Teach me to do your will, for you are my God

When God promises you something and it doesn't happen right away, it's easy to get impatient, start doubting Him and think He needs you to go to work and make it happen. Abraham did that. God promises him children 'as numerous as the stars' (Genesis 22:17 NIV). Tired of waiting, he took matters into his own hands and fathered Ishmael with his wife's maidservant, Hagar. And that's when his troubles began in earnest. Now, God loved Ishmael and had great plans for him, but Abraham had to let go of him in order to fulfil God's will. It was one of the most painful experiences of Abraham's life. So:

Refuse to let the enemy send anything into your life that will undermine what you have been waiting and praying for.
Be careful who you take advice from. Fathering Ishmael was a 'good idea' Abraham's wife Sarah had.
Because you are willing to take responsibility for your actions, it doesn't mean that there won't be consequences, long-lasting ones! Be careful where you lie down; getting up again may not be as easy as you think.
There are things you can give up effortlessly, and other things that will take every ounce of grace you have. And it's especially hard to give up something you're attached to and see yourself reflected in, like a job you love, a house you're living in, or a relationship you're tied to. But when you've gone as far as you can with your 'Ishmael' and you're ready to see God's promise fulfilled in your life, you must be willing to let it go.

Read: Genesis 13:5-18

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Friday, March 15, 2013.

A Touch From The Master's Hand

'Jesus touched him'-- Mark 1:41 NKJV

It was battered and scarred and the auctioneer thought it hardly worth his while to waste time on the old violin, so he held it up with a smile. "What am I bid for this old violin. Who'll start the bidding for me? A pound, a pound? Who will make it two? Two pounds, and who will make it three? Three pounds once, three pounds twice, going for three pounds," but no. From the back of the room a grey-haired man came forward and picked up the bow. Then sweeping the dust from the old violin, and tightening up all the strings, he played a melody pure and sweet, as sweet as the angels sing. The music ceased and the auctioneer with a voice that was quiet and low. said, "What am I bid for the old violin?" and he held it up with the bow. A thousand pounds, and who will make it two? Two thousand pounds, and who will make it a three? Three thousand once, three thousand twice, going, and gone," said he. The people cheered but one said, "We do not quite understand. What changed its worth?" Then came the reply, "A touch of the master's hand." And many a man with his life out of tune, battered and scarred with sin, is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crown, much like the old violin. A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, a game, and he shuffles along: going once, going twice, he's going and almost gone. But the Master comes along, and the thoughtless crowd never can quite understand, the worth of the soul, and the change that's wrought, by the touch of the Master's hand."

-- Read: Mark 1:40-42

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Version) Thursday, March 14, 2013.

Handling Criticism

'Judge nothing before the appointed time.'-- 1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV

Someone once quipped, "Every baseball team could use someone who knows how to play every position, never strikes out, and never makes an error. The only problem is; it's hard to make him put down his hotdog, and come out of the spectator stands." All of us need the advice and input of others. But you should only consider the advice of a critic when:

You know you are valued by the one who criticises you.
The criticism is not tainted by his or her personal agenda.
The person is not naturally critical about everything.
The person will continue giving you support after giving advice.
He or she has knowledge and success in the area of criticism.

What really hurts is the criticism of people who are important to you. It's hard to have your dream criticised by those you admire, love and respect. But if you want to achieve, you'll have to learn how to pay that price too. On the other hand, Stacy Allison, the first American woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, points out that there are times in your life when it's okay not to listen to what others people are saying. "If I had listened to other people, I wouldn't have climbed Mount Everest.". If you have a God-given promise and purpose, and if your heart is right, then disregard unjustified criticism and stand on this scripture: 'Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes; He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.'
-- Read: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Sunday, March 10, 2013

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Lazarus

'If you would believe you would see the glory of God,' -- John 11:40 NKJV

In the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, you'll notice three important principles: 1) Mary and Martha had a close relationship with Jesus before the crisis arose. When Jesus came to town, He stayed at their home and ate at their table. They were givers, not takers. You can't refuse to give God a minute of your time, an ounce of your energy or a cent of your money, then when trouble comes, say, 'Lord, why did you let this happen?' Jesus said, 'If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you deisre, and it shall be done for you' (John 15:7 NKJV). 2) Having a relationship with Jesus doesn't mean you won't have trouble. But it does mean you can go to Him with confidence in times of trouble. Yes, you must pay attention to your career and your family, but you must also pay attention to the most important relationship of all-- the one you have with the Lord. 'If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him' (1 John 3:21-22 NIV). 3) When you bring Jesus into the situation, He will change it. Lazarus was dead and already buried by the time Jesus got there. Humanly speaking, it was hopeless. But in moments like these God asks you, 'Is there anything too hard for Me?' (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV). If your answer is 'No, Lord,' then your problem becomes an opportunity for Him to demonstate His love and care for you.
-- Read: 1 John 1:4

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

Shrink Your Fears
'When I am afraid, I will trust in you.'-- Psalm 56:3 NIV

Mary loved being a homemaker. She'd been married for thirty years to John, a successful businessman. Because John had always taken care of things, Mary had learned never to take risks. As a result, her biggest fear was that she'd be left alone one day. Sometimes she would tell her friends, 'I hope I go before John because I don't think I could handle things by myself.' But then John became ill and Mary was placed in the position of caring for him, plus having to make all the decisions for them both. It was nerve-wracking at first. But once she put her trust in God and decided to take charge, she made an interesting discovery: Security doesn't lie in having things, but in handling them! She found that facing her tears was easy compared to the years she'd spent feeling inadequate, helpless and dependent. Facing your fears is always easier than living with helplessness. In fact, when you let fear stop you, you end up living with feelings of dread and helplessness that are a hundred times worse than if you had just faced your fears and moved forward. The truth is, if you tell yourself often enough that you can't do something, you will be unable to do it-- even though you have the talent, time, resources, strategy and friends to accomplish it. Only those who say they can, do. Saying you believe in yourself and the God who lives within you may not guarantee your success, but saying you don't will guarantee your failure. So today, face your fears head on, and watch them shrink.
-- Read: Psalm 56:3-4, 10, 11

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Monday, March 11, 2013.

Always Tell The Truth 'You desire truth in the inward parts' -- Psalm 51:6 NKJV The Bible says, 'Nor was any deceit in [Christ's] mouth' (Isaiah 53:9 NIV). And if God has His way with us, none will be found in ours either. God doesn't seek to minimise our deception, but to eliminate it altogether. He is blunt about dishonesty. 'No one who is dishonest will live in my house' (Psalm 101:7 NCV). Paul lists the types of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God-- those who sin sexually, worship idols, get drunk, rob people, and-- lie about others (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). 'You mean my white lie and flattering stir the same heavenly anger as adultery and aggravated assault?' Apparently so. God views fudging on income tax in the same way as He views kneeling before idols. 'The Lord hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep His promises' (Proverbs 12:22 NCV). Why the tough stance? Because dishonesty is absolutely contrary to the character of God (Hebrews 6:18). It's not that God won't lie, or has chosen not to lie, but that he cannot lie. A dog can't fly, a bird can't bark, and god can't lie. When He makes a covenant, He keeps it. When He makes a statement, He means it. When he proclaims the truth, we can believe it. Even, 'If we are not faithful, [God] remains faithful, because He cannot be false to Himself' (2 Timothy 2:13 GNT). With God, the truth is not a grey area, it's black and white. So if you are serious about walking with Him and pleasing Him, you must commit to 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.' -- Read: Ephesians 4:14-16 **********This is merely an Internet version of the devotional, The Word For Today. It was done to the convenience of those individuals who, like me, tend to be easily flustered by reading books, or just those persons that find it more suitable to read online. God bless.**********

The Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Sunday, March 10, 2013.

When A Mother Prays

'For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition' -- 1 Samuel 1:27 (NKJV)

Every terrorist was once a child. So was every missionary. The difference between them is often the influence of a parent. Samuel the Prophet led the nation of Israel for 40 years and guided King David in some of his most crucial decisions but who was the dominant influence in his life? His mother! Listen, 'Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord' (1 Samuel 1:28 NKJV). While you have your children, hold them, love them, care for them and empower them but understand that you are a steward, not an owner. Your children belong to God, not you! Some day they will grow up and leave. Make sure that when they do they have a spiritual anchor because life will give them lots of storms. Never underestimate the power of a parent pleading with God on behalf of a child. Who knows how many prayers are being answered right now because of the faithful pondering of a mother 10 to 20 years ago? If what you are doing in this fast-paced society is taking you away from prayer time for your children; you're doing too much! There is nothing more special, more precious, than the time a parent spends interceding with God on behalf of a child. It's not too late for the child who brought you tears. Think of Jesus' mother who had to watch her son crucified but also had the joy of seeing Him raised from the dead. You may go to your grave wondering if your prayers will ever be answered but don't stop praying. Why? Because when mothers pray, God listens!
-- Read: Psalm 6:9

Saturday, March 09, 2013

Word For Today (Caribbean Edition) Saturday, March 9, 2013.

The Most Important Skill You Can Teach Your Child (Part Four) '[There is] a time to be silent and a time to speak.' -- Ecclesiastes 3:7 NAS Teach your child to ask: 1. 'Is this the best time to make this decision?' Decisions made in haste are often regretted. 'There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.' Poor decisions are situationally given, caused by momentary stress, peer pressure, mood swings and temporary emotions like loneliness, etc. When the situation changes, our feelings change and our decisions often look doubtful. Can the decision be made later, reducing or eliminating the risk? Pressuring children often increases their desperation and leads to premature decisions, but assuring them that time is on their side lowers their reactivity and the likelihood of future regret. Helping them see that God 'has made everything appropriate in its time' (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NAS) offers them space to think wisely about their options, allowing for God's guidance. 2. 'If I were advising a friend (John or Susie), would I suggest they take this same option?' Shifting perspective often broadens the perceptions of our options. When emotionally influenced, our children often narrow their perspective, excluding many important possibilities. Often adults press logical, rational thinking on them, meeting resistance. But by bringing 'John' or 'Susie' into the equation we open their perspective up. And one more thought: it's beneficial to 'debrief' with your child, helping them to evaluate the effectiveness of their decision-making process. Talk through how they handled the situation. Ask, 'How do you feel about that result?' If they're pleased, complement them; if not, say, 'I'm sorry about that. Any idea what you'll change next time?' Instead of judging their failure, reward their success. -- Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 **********This is merely an Internet version of the devotional, The Word For Today. It was done to the convenience of those individuals who, like me, tend to be easily flustered by reading books, or just those persons that find it more suitable to read online. God bless.**********