The Word for Today

Working for God-His Way

Wed, 30 May 2012 15:06:23 +0100

'...Created in Christ Jesus to do good works...' Ephesians 2:10 NIVGod had a plan for your life before you were born. Indeed, it's why He brought you into the world. Simply keeping you 'busy' was not His goal. He wants to see you doing the work He 'prepared in advance' for you to do. Joining a worthy cause and working hard is commendable, but you can end up as a square peg in a round hole, expending time and energy without achieving the you-shaped purpose God had in mind. He wants you to be purpo...

Handling Criticism the Right Way (4)

Tue, 29 May 2012 15:06:18 +0100

'...If God is for us, who can be against us?' Romans 8:31 NKJVThe moment you lift your head above the crowd you'll attract attention, and not always the kind you want. Learn from the duck. He stays calm on the surface, keeps paddling underneath, and lets the water run off him. Time is on your side. When Nathanael asked, concerning Jesus, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip answered, '...Come and see...' (John 1:46 NKJV) Nathanael did, and he ended up becoming a disciple. Often, as ev...

Handling Criticism the Right Way (3)

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:06:14 +0100

'It is to a man's honour to avoid strife...' Proverbs 20:3 NIVWhen it comes to criticism: (1) Concentrate on your mission and change your mistakes! Most of us do the opposite; when criticism comes we change our mission and concentrate on our mistakes. If you run every time you make a mistake, you will never accomplish anything. Instead you'll live in constant frustration. The only real mistakes are the ones from which you learn nothing. So instead of dwelling on your mistakes, count on making som...

Handling Criticism the Right Way (2)

Sun, 27 May 2012 15:06:10 +0100

'...Christ...while being reviled...did not revile in return...' 1 Peter 2:21-23 NASWhen it comes to handling criticism the right way you must: (1) Demonstrate emotional and spiritual maturity. Exhaustion can affect the way you act when you're under pressure. Elijah slipped into depression because of it. Queen Jezebel hounded him relentlessly. Her opposition sapped his strength and caused him to say, '...It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life...' (1 Kings 19:4 KJV) Satan will take advantage ...

Handling Criticism the Right Way (1)

Sat, 26 May 2012 15:06:06 +0100

'Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.' Proverbs 23:16 NLTCriticism will make you a better person if you do these three things: (1) Look beyond the criticism and see the critic. If it's someone you respect, listen to what they say. If it's someone who's constantly critical, don't place too much value on what they say; they're probably just projecting their frustrations onto you. The story's told of a twelve-year-old boy who hadn't spoken since he was born. After being serv...

Gratitude

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:06:31 +0100

'Give thanks in all circumstances.' 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIVIn order to have a grateful heart you must learn to be grateful for flawed people and imperfect gifts. Be grateful when your child attempts to make the bed, even though they make it imperfectly. Be grateful when your spouse expresses affection, even if they do it a little awkwardly. Be grateful that your body still moves around, even if it's more wrinkled and lumpy. Don't wait to feel thankful. The thinking and the doing leads to the fee...

Stop Shortchanging Your Family

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:06:26 +0100

'...The years...pass quickly, and then we are gone.' Psalm 90:10 NCVEileen Silva Kindig writes: 'We talk about lack of time...when what we lack is backbone to take responsibility for how we spend it... Instead of coming home, we're escaping to the office and assembly line to get away from household chores, childcare, and the demands of relationships...work gives us a buzz. Besides money and freedom, it provides the satisfaction of a job well done, an outlet for creativity, breezy, low-demand cama...

Why People Leave the Church (3)

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:18:25 +0100

'Let us not...judge one another anymore...' Romans 14:13 KJVHere's another reason people leave the church: because of the attitude of some church members. The older boy in Christ's parable knew how to be a son, but he didn't know how to be a brother. If the jealousy and judgmentalism he showed toward his brother is anything to go by, it's little wonder his brother left home in the first place. Paul writes: 'Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a s...

Why People Leave the Church (2)

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:06:19 +0100

'We have come to believe and know...You...' John 6:69 NKJVSometimes the rules of the Father's house seem too restrictive. Many people want Christ's love but not His Lordship, His blessings but not His commandments. It's not that He offers them too little, but that the cost of serving Him seems too high. Maybe you are thinking that if you'd lived in the days of Christ, walked and talked with Him and heard Him preach, you'd be a better Christian. Think again! 'His disciples, when they heard this, s...

Why People Leave the Church (1)

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:06:14 +0100

'...The younger son...journeyed to a far country...' Luke 15:13 NKJVThe story of the Prodigal Son is especially applicable to backsliders. It speaks to those who have been raised in church, know God's Word, have felt His presence, understand His claims, and once served Him. But like the Prodigal, they've 'gone to the hogs'. Notice, he's not called the Prodigal Sinner but the Prodigal Son, because he still belongs in the family. For the next few days let's look at why people leave the church. Firs...

How Badly Do You Want It?

Sun, 20 May 2012 15:06:10 +0100

'...You have great faith! Your request is granted.' Matthew 15:28 NIVMatthew records: 'A Canaanite woman...came to Him, crying out, "Lord...my daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession" ...He answered, "I was sent only to...Israel...It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."' (Matthew 15...

The Need to Be Accountable (2)

Sat, 19 May 2012 15:06:06 +0100

'...The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.' Judges 17:6 NLTThere's no better depiction of our ego-driven nature than this: 'The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.' Their philosophy was: 'Don't tell me what to do.' But that philosophy leaves you without checks or balances, exposing you to the dominating power of your flesh. We're all capable of becoming addicted to something. Recognising this is a necessary first step to overcoming it. '...The sin that so easily e...

The Need to Be Accountable (1)

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:06:31 +0100

'...The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.' Judges 17:6 NLTYou're never more vulnerable than when you can hide from others. Secrecy is the ideal breeding ground for deception, leading us into sin. Jesus points out that we love darkness rather than light because our deeds naturally gravitate toward evil (John 3:19). There is within us a propensity to sin, so we are called to 'walk in the light' where our motives and actions are transparent and we are encouraged to avoid sin (1 Joh...

A Branch and a Bride

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:23:05 +0100

'I am the vine; you are the branches...' John 15:5 NIVThe Bible gives us two interesting pictures of our relationship with Jesus: (1) A branch. 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.' Jesus wants to be as close to you as a branch is to a vine. One is an extension of the other. It's impossible to tell where one starts and the other ends. The branch isn't connected only at the moment of bearing fruit. The gardener doesn't keep branches in...

A Branch and a Bride

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:23:05 +0100

Do You Love God's Word?

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:06:22 +0100

'Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.' Matthew 24:35 NIVOne of the first books to come off the printing press when it was invented was the Bible. And it's still the world's best-selling book. An anonymous author has written: 'It contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the fate of sinners, and the happiness of believers. It is a light to direct you, food to nourish you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller's road map, the pilot's co...

If You Persist, You Will Prevail

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:06:19 +0100

'...Don't give up.' Galatians 6:9 NLTJames Watt spent twelve years perfecting the steam engine. William Harvey worked for eight years to demonstrate how blood circulated in the human body, then for another twenty-five years trying to convince the medical establishment. Most of us underestimate the time it takes to achieve anything of lasting value. You've got to be willing to pay your dues. Cutting corners is a sign of impatience and poor self-discipline. The secret of every breakthrough is to fo...

Draw on His Power Within You

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:06:15 +0100

'To Him who is able to do immeasurably more...' Ephesians 3:20 NIVThere are words in your Bible with so much power in them that they're more effective than any therapy. God can illuminate a Scripture that goes back into the past and heals your wounds, gives you direction in the middle of despair and provides hope for the future. Satan will try to fill your mind with so much junk that you don't have an appetite for God's Word. That's because he knows the Scriptures unmask him, and release the pote...

Hold Up Your Pastor's Hands

Sun, 13 May 2012 15:06:10 +0100

'I will give you shepherds according to My heart...' Jeremiah 3:15 NKJVHere's a sad statistic: over 50% of those who enter the ministry leave it within ten years because of discouragement. Make sure that doesn't happen to your pastor. Picture this: Joshua's soldiers are down in the valley fighting the Amalekites. Above him on a hilltop sits Moses with his hands raised toward Heaven. As long as his arms are raised the battle goes their way. But if you've ever tried to hold your hands up for long, ...

Raising Secure Kids in an Insecure World

Sat, 12 May 2012 15:06:06 +0100

'I prayed for this child.' 1 Samuel 1:27 NCVProtectiveness is part of parenting. But unless you're careful you can shield your kids from the very things they need to mature. Sheila Wray Gregoire says we should surrender them to God. We think we control their futures, but most of the time they turn out differently than we planned. Samuel's mother, Hannah, said: 'I prayed for this child...Now I give him back to the Lord.' (vv27-28 NCV) Whether He chooses to send them to the jungles of Africa, the i...

Don't Be a Fool (3)

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:20:07 +0100

'...Should Abner have died as fools die?' 2 Samuel 3:33 NLTThe absolute fool. Abner slew a man called Asahel, whose brother happened to be Joab, King David's number one general. So Joab was out to take Abner's life. The tragedy of this story is that Abner was within reach of Hebron, one of the six cities of refuge. But instead of running into that city and enjoying its protection, he allowed the enemy to catch him outside the gates and kill him. 'They buried Abner in Hebron... Then the king sang ...

Don't Be a Fool (2)

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:06:28 +0100

'...You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you...' Luke 12:20 NIVThe ambitious fool. Jesus told the story of a successful farmer who said, '...I will pull down my barns, and build greater...' (Luke 12:18 NKJV) Evidently he was a good businessman and planner. But then he said: 'I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." But God said to him, "Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose wi...

Don't Be a Fool (1)

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:06:23 +0100

'The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God..."' Psalm 14:1 NKJVThe atheistic fool. It's said, 'An atheist can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman.' Sometimes pride is at the core of atheism. Without God, you become your own god, which means there's no higher power than yourself! But the God of the Bible proves His existence in three ways: (1) Creation. Many people are in prison today who weren't caught at the scene of the crime, and no one actually witnessed the c...

Spiritual Landmarks

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:06:18 +0100

'This I call to mind and therefore I have hope.' Lamentations 3:21 NIVYou need to establish some spiritual landmarks in your life to remind you of the times when God intervened on your behalf. Someone said, 'We're not slow learners, just quick forgetters.' How soon we forget, or claim credit for things we had little to do with. When God parted the Jordan River for His people to cross over, He knew something they didn't-that on the other side they would face some big challenges, including the City...

Be Nurturing

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:06:15 +0100

'...Love each other as I have loved you.' John 15:12 NIVWhen Jesus said, 'Love each other,' the Greek word for 'love' used has a sense of self-sacrificing nurture. Think of a mother and her child: her love is constant and her greatest desire for her child is to thrive. You say, 'Isn't this the kind of love people should get at home, not from me?' Truth is, beneath the façade, some people in your life desperately need to be nurtured. And they'll be influenced most by those who make them feel best...

The Word for 'Worrywarts'

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:06:11 +0100

'Martha...you are worried and upset about many things.' Luke 10:41 NIVWorry acts like a thief; it robs us of the joy God wants us to experience each day. Basically, all our worries come down to two things: that we won't get what we need or that we'll lose what we've got. Martha was a 'worrywart' and it showed up when Jesus came to dinner. She worked hard in the kitchen while her sister Mary sat listening to Jesus. In frustration Martha asked, '...Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me to...

Discipleship

Sat, 05 May 2012 15:06:09 +0100

'Whoever does not bear his cross...cannot be My disciple.' Luke 14:27 NKJVBrenda Goodine says, 'My friend decided it was time to talk to her bright four-year-old son, Benji, about receiving Christ. "Benji," she asked quietly, "would you like to have Jesus in your heart?" Benji rolled his blue eyes and answered seriously, "No. I don't think I want the responsibility."' Now, you may not like Benji's answer, but you have to admire his honesty. He wasn't just thinking about the rewards of discipleshi...

Mighty Men and Women of God (3)

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:06:31 +0100

'All these men of war...were of one mind to make David king.' 1 Chronicles 12:38 NKJVHere's another quality that set David's 'mighty men' apart from others: They understood the importance of connection, unity, and strong relationships. 'All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel.' Did you know that when Roman soldiers went into battle, their shields, which protected them from chin to toe, were linked to one another forming a w...

Mighty Men and Women of God (2)

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:06:27 +0100

'All these men of war...were of one mind to make David king.' 1 Chronicles 12:38 NKJVHere's a second quality found in David's 'mighty men': They understood the situation and had wisdom to deal with it. 'The sons of Issachar...had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...' (v32 NKJV) You are not called to avoid the world or denounce it, but to engage it and say, 'God has a solution to your problem.' Jesus promised: 'I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversarie...

Mighty Men and Women of God (1)

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:06:23 +0100

'All these men of war...were of one mind to make David king.' 1 Chronicles 12:38 NKJVDavid's 'mighty men' established his rule in Israel. Likewise, you are called to submit to the Lordship of Christ and demonstrate to the world what it's like to live according to the rules-and benefits-of His Kingdom. Jesus would not have taught you to pray, 'Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth...,' if it's a prayer God wouldn't answer (Matthew 6:10 NKJV). And He answers it through people like you. So, ...

At Home in God's Presence

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:06:18 +0100

'Lord, through all the generations You have been our home!...' Psalm 90:1 NLTAt the end of a hard day it feels good to come home to a place you know-a place where you can kick off your shoes, run around in your bathrobe and not worry about what anybody thinks. And reverently speaking, God's presence can become equally comfortable to you too. With time, you can learn to go there for strength, for protection, and for guidance. God wants you to be at home in His presence and aware of His nearness at...

You Are a Translator

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:06:14 +0100

'Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.' John 5:19 NRSJesus acted as a translator. He got His message from the Father, then translated it to those around Him. He heard a voice others were missing. And because He could hear it, He acted differently. Remember when everyone was troubled about the blind man? Jesus wasn't. Somehow He knew that this situation would reveal God's power (John 9:3). Remember when everyone was distraught about Lazarus' illness? Jesus wasn't. Rather than hurry to H...

Put Your Foot Down! (2)

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:06:10 +0100

'...So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.' Joshua 10:24 NIVUpon entering the Promised Land and encountering five well-entrenched kings, God told Israel, '...Do not be...dismayed...' (v25 NKJV) The word 'dismayed' implies being 'torn down by fear' and 'falling apart'. Today Satan wants to tear you down by robbing you of your peace, your joy and your confidence. He will keep pouring on the pressure in the hope that you will fall apart. That's why God told Joshua to bring each k...

Put Your Foot Down! (1)

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:06:05 +0100

'...Joshua...summoned all the men of Israel and said..."Put your feet on the necks of these kings..."' Joshua 10:24 NIVWhen Israel entered the Promised Land there were five kings with armies determined to stop them. But God helped Joshua to defeat them and all five kings ran and hid in a cave. So Joshua told his soldiers to bring them out and put their foot on each of their necks. That day God's Word to His people was: '...Be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemi...

Your Bible-Read It Every Day (3)

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:06:31 +0100

'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever.' Isaiah 40:8 NIVLet's look once more at what some of the most notable people in history have had to say about the Bible. Matthew Arnold: 'To the Bible men will return because they cannot do without it. The true God is, and must be pre-eminently the God of the Bible, the eternal, who makes for righteousness from whom Jesus came forth, and whose spirit governs the course of humanity.' George Washington: 'It is impossib...

Your Bible-Read It Every Day (2)

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:17:13 +0100

'Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.' Matthew 24:35 NIVLet's look again at what some of the most notable leaders in history have had to say about the Bible. Napoleon: 'What happiness the Bible procures for those who believe it! What marvels it bestows upon those who reflect upon it!' Daniel Webster: 'There is no solid basis for civilisation but in the Word of God. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will continue to prosper. I make it a p...

Your Bible-Read It Every Day (1)

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:06:23 +0100

'The Word of the Lord stands forever.' 1 Peter 1:25 NIVLet's read what some of the most notable leaders in history have said about the Bible. William Gladstone, a Prime Minister of the UK: 'There is but one question of the hour: how to bring the truths of God's Word into vital contact with the minds and hearts of all classes of people.' Goethe: 'I consider the Gospels to be thoroughly genuine; for in them there is the effective reflection of a sublimity which emanated from the person of Christ; a...

God Never Gives Up On You

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:06:22 +0100

'You have laid Your hand upon me.' Psalm 139:5 NIVA London bus driver was assigned to shuttle passengers to special crusade services with Billy Graham at Wembley Stadium. When one of them invited him in to listen he declined. The following year he moved to New York, and when Billy was speaking at Madison Square Garden the man's job again was shuttling people to the meetings. As he got off the bus a lady asked if he'd like to join them. Once more he politely declined. He married an Australian lady...

Keep Running

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:06:14 +0100

'...Let us run...the race marked out for us.' Hebrews 12:1 NIVLook what Jesus endured: (1) Temptation. We imagine the wilderness temptation as three isolated events scattered over a forty-day period. No: 'The devil tempted Jesus for forty days...' (Luke 4:2 NCV) Every step, whispering in His ear; every turn of the path, sowing doubt; forty days of non-stop temptation! When it was over Satan would flee, angels would come and strengthen Him, and He would leave the wilderness to go out and minister ...

Handling Criticism Constructively (2)

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:06:10 +0100

'...If you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.' Proverbs 15:32 NLTSaying the right thing the wrong way usually backfires. So here is 'a word to the wise'. If you cannot receive constructive criticism, don't try to give it. Before you criticise, ask yourself: (1) 'Am I interested in this person's good?' Or do you just need to look good, to have all the answers, to control people, and to gain acceptance and prestige? You can't help others while you're focused on your own ego needs. (2)...

Handling Criticism Constructively (1)

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:06:05 +0100

'...A wise person stays calm when insulted.' Proverbs 12:16 NLTHow can you tell constructive criticism from destructive criticism? By practising these principles from God's Word: (1) Resolve that whatever it is, you'll handle it constructively. 'A wise person stays calm when insulted.' Angry responses only short-circuit rational thinking and trigger emotion-driven reactions. 'If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yours...

'By My God I Can'

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:06:15 +0100

'...By my God I can leap over a wall.' 2 Samuel 22:30 NKJVWhat 'wall' stands between you and God's blessing? Limited resources? Past failures? Does the job look too big and you feel too small? Rise up and say, 'For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall.' Instead of accepting what your sight and your senses tell you, stand on the promises God has given you in His Word. On the other side of the wall there is victory for you. AB Simpson said, 'You will never learn faith ...

What You Truly Stand For

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:06:11 +0100

'Above all else, guard your heart...' Proverbs 4:23 NIVThe Bible says: 'Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.' The position you hold in life may cause people to take notice of you, but only your integrity will cause them to respect you and be willing to follow you. And integrity is only established when it becomes clear to everyone that progress, financial reward and recognition are not your gods; that you value something more, something you refuse to give up for pro...

In-Laws or Out-Laws!

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:06:07 +0100

'...A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife...' Matthew 19:5 NLTAfter arguing for hours, a couple drove along in silence. Suddenly they passed a barnyard filled with mules and jackasses. Sarcastically, the husband asked, 'Relatives of yours?' The wife replied, 'Yes, in-laws.' Marriage was God's idea, and it was a good one. Picking up the theme, Jesus said, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife.' In marriage, 'two's company, three's a crowd!' So here ar...

Sharing Your Dream (3)

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:06:02 +0100

'...Lord, open his eyes so he may see...' 2 Kings 6:17 NIV Fourthly, you must share your dream visually. Only when people 'see it' will they buy into it. People are in search of significance; they want to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. Nora Watson observed: 'Most of us are looking for a calling, not a job. Most of us...have jobs that are too small for our spirit.' When a dream is truly great, it benefits everyone. Your job is to help people see what those benefits ar...

Sharing Your Dream (2)

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:06:00 +0100

'...You...became my partners...' Philippians 4:15 TLB Thirdly, you must share your dream emotionally. Paul knew how to do this: '...You Philippians became my partners...what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will have...' (vv15-17 TLB) Get people excited about the rewards. So show them the dream from their perspective! Ralph Waldo Emerson struggled, trying to wrestle a young calf into his barn. He was ready to give up when an Irish servant girl walked over to the calf, stuck her fin...

Sharing Your Dream (1)

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:06:01 +0100

'...That you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.' 1 Corinthians 1:10 NIVTo fulfil your dream you must know how to share it with others. And to do that successfully you must be able to connect with them in four ways. First, you must connect with them logically. What people don't believe, they don't buy into. So your first step is to gain credibility. If you don't, you will not be able to proceed any further. How do you do that? By communicating a realistic understanding of the situation a...

A Heavenly Perspective

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:25:42 +0100

'...Great is your reward in Heaven...' Luke 6:23 NIVRead these three Scriptures carefully: '...He shall reward every man according to his works.' (Matthew 16:27 KJV) '...You will have treasure in Heaven...' (Matthew 19:21 NIV) '...You will be repaid at the resurrection...' (Luke 14:14 NIV) God is keeping track of what you do for Him each day. You have more to gain by serving the Lord than you ever imagined. Yes, He will bless and reward you in this life, but nothing by comparison to what awaits y...

A Heavenly Perspective

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:25:39 +0100

God's Word is the Answer

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:06:22 +0100

'...There is death in the pot!...' 2 Kings 4:40 NKJVThe Bible says: 'Elijah returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, "Put on the large pot, and boil stew..." So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. Then they served it to the men to eat. No...

The Revival We Need (4)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:06:22 +0100

'Love never fails...' 1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJVFourth, a revival of love. The Bible says, 'Love never fails.' Stop and think about that for a moment. Just about everything else in life fails, but love doesn't. There's a cute story about a lady who said to her husband, 'Will you love me when I'm old?' He replied, 'Yes, dear.' She said, 'But will you love me when my hair is grey?' He replied, 'Yes, dear, I've loved you through seven different shades already, why would I change my mind when you're gre...

The Revival We Need (3)

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:06:23 +0100

'...Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJVThird, a revival of liberty. Is the Holy Spirit welcome in your church? Are you responsive to His leadings? It's ok to have a programme as long as you're willing to let God change it. Now that doesn't mean somebody can just jump up and interrupt the pastor's sermon. God is a God of order. You say, 'But I felt led by the Spirit to do it.' Really? The Holy Spirit is a gentleman; He won't speak through you when He is alre...

The Revival We Need (2)

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:06:19 +0100

'Your word is...a light for my path.' Psalm 119:105 NIVSecond, a revival of Light. Your job takes up about ten hours of your day, including travel. Sleeping, eating, bathing and dressing take another ten. Your family and your hobbies etc, account for the remaining hours. Today a 'committed church member' is in church two to three times a month. Do the maths. Out of 168 hours in your week, about ninety minutes are given to spiritual growth-less than one percent! And what are the results? Spiritual...

The Revival We Need (1)

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:06:15 +0100

'...Revive us again...' Psalm 85:6 NKJVFor the next few days let's talk about the revival we need in the church today. , a revival of life. True revival begins with an honest recognition that we have become spiritually dull, dry and even dead. Ezekiel describes it this way: 'The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones...and indeed they were very dry...He said to me, Prophesy to these bones, a...

Stop Trying To Control Everything

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 15:06:11 +0100

'...A man of two minds [is]...unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything...' James 1:8 AMPDo you have a compulsive need to find a solution to every problem, and to control everything? Do you always have a back-up plan in case things don't go the way you think they should? Have you noticed that the more you try to 'fix' things, the more anxiety you experience? The Bible says, 'The mind of the flesh [sense and reason] is death...But the mind of the...Spirit is life...' (Romans 8:6 AMP) ...

'He Showed Them His Hands'

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:06:06 +0100

'...Jesus...showed them His hands...' John 20:19-20 NCVDr. Paul Brand, a brilliant surgeon who worked at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, wrote: 'I work with the marvels of the hand nearly every day...But one time of the year holds special meaning for me...When the world observes Passion Week...I reflect on the hands of Jesus...those hands that had done so much good were taken, one at a time, and pierced through with a thick spike...Roman executioners drove their spikes through th...

The Blessings of the Blood (2)

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:06:33 +0100

'He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ...' Colossians 1:22 NLTObserve: () You have been reconciled to God. God wants unbroken, intimate friendship with us, as with Adam and Eve in Eden. But sin made us enemies of God. 'You who were once far away from God...enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions.' (v21 NLT) Yet He never stopped pursuing that relationship, sending Jesus to restore it. He 'made peace by means of Christ's blood on the cross' (v20), result...

The Blessings of the Blood (1)

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:06:29 +0100

'[God] has delivered us from the power of darkness...'Colossians 1:13 NKJVHistory's crowning moment occurred when '...Christ died for the ungodly.' (Romans 5:6 KJV) He didn't just die for His friends and supporters; He died for people who despised Him. It was no quid-pro-quo deal where Jesus said: 'I'll accept you if you accept me.' No, it was a selfless, one-sided act of love. No conditions, nothing demanded in return. As a result, God 'delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us int...

Prejudice

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:06:24 +0100

'...God is no respecter of persons.' Acts 10:34 KJVPrejudice is the product of a lazy mind. It's contempt, prior to investigation. Your first impression of someone is incomplete and often inaccurate. Don't assume your intuition is always right. Don't make lasting decisions based on limited insights. Your success in life will be adversely affected by prejudice, fear and any form of discrimination you allow to colour your thinking. Jesus never determined a person's worth based on their race, gender...

Are You Being Tempted? (2)

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:06:20 +0100

'...Your life is shaped by your thoughts.' Proverbs 4:23 GNTEver watch a food commercial on television and suddenly feel hungry? That's the power of suggestion. Whatever can grab your attention can capture you. Simply repeating, 'I must stop drinking, or smoking, or overeating, or lusting,' doesn't work because it just keeps you thinking about what you don't want. Instead of trying to remove those thoughts, replace them. Once your focus is on something good, evil begins to lose its grip. Only by ...

Are You Being Tempted? (1)

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:17:20 +0100

'...We will receive...grace to help us when we need it.' Hebrews 4:16 NLT No matter how spiritually mature you become you will never outgrow temptation. When you conquer it on one front it attacks you on another. And the closer you get to God the more Satan will try to tempt you. Paul explains it this way: 'The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants...These two forces are constantly fighting each other...' (Galatians 5:17 NLT) So what's the answer? He...

Fire And Soap

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:06:11 +0100

'...He is like a refiner's fire and like launderers' soap.' Malachi 3:2 NKJVSoap cleanses the outside, fire cleanses the inside. And the Spirit of God does both! When you sin, repent! In-depth repentance brings in-depth cleansing. Don't feel bad about feeling bad, feel good about it. Be glad your conscience is still sensitive and responsive to God. What you never want to hear God say is what He said about Ephraim: 'Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.' (Hosea 4:17 NKJV) The fact that God is...

Acting on God's Decisions

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:06:06 +0100

'...Your words...were my joy and my heart's delight...'Jeremiah 15:16 NIV Together they built and pastored a great church. The husband was a gifted preacher and musician who wrote songs and led worship. His wife was a Bible teacher who knew God and taught His Word skilfully. But when he died, she experienced months of depression before eventually bouncing back. Someone who says, 'If you really love God and walk according to His Word you will never get depressed,' has clearly never read the Script...

Don't Give In To Bitterness

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:06:32 +0100

'Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others...' Ephesians 4:31 CEVWhen it comes to bitterness, here are two things you need to keep in mind: First, it is contagious. You are a part of the body of Christ. So what happens to you, and in you, affects those you are connected to both positively and negatively. The Bible says, 'If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.' (1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV) A snake bite doesn't just affect the body pa...

The Power of Perseverance (2)

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:06:28 +0100

'...We shall reap if we do not lose heart.' Galatians 6:9 NKJVThere's a legend about a soldier being court-martialled before Alexander the Great. Believing the verdict was unjust, the soldier asked to appeal it. The conqueror informed him that there was no one higher to whom he could plead his case. 'In that case,' the soldier replied, 'I appeal my case from Alexander the Small to Alexander the Great.' In each of us there is a lesser self and a greater self struggling for supremacy. Your lesser s...

The Power of Perseverance (1)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:06:24 +0100

‘Let us not grow weary while doing good...’ Galatians 6:9 NKJV One of the great themes of the Bible is—perseverance. Paul, who refused to quit, wrote: ‘Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.’ Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.’ Are you merely a starter, or are you also a finisher? When the enthusiasm for a new idea fades, when the odds against you increase and the results diminish...

Keep Your Sense of Gratitude

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:06:48 +0100

'...Forget not all His benefits.' Psalm 103:2 NKJVAuthor Philip Yancey writes, 'remember my first visit to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, rings of...tourists surrounded the geyser... A large, digital clock stood beside the spot, predicting...the next eruption. My wife and I passed the countdown in the dining room of Old Faithful Inn... When the geyser went off, we tourists oohed and aahed and clicked our cameras; a few spontaneously applauded. But, glancing back...I saw that not one s...

Trust God's Word, Not Your Feelings

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:06:15 +0100

'He...was strengthened in faith...' Romans 4:20 NKJVHave you read the story of Isaac blessing his two sons when he was old, almost blind, and nearing death (Genesis 27)? When Jacob, the younger son, wanted his older brother Esau's part of the family inheritance, which was twice as much (Deuteronomy 15:17), his mother Rebekah helped him steal it. Here's how she did it. Esau was hairy and Jacob had smooth skin. So Rebekah wrapped Jacob's arms and neck in goat hair and gave him some of Esau's clothe...

How To Handle Bad News (2)

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:06:10 +0100

'...Hezekiah...spread it before the Lord.' 2 Kings 19:14 NKJV When bad news comes don't allow it to panic you and cause you to act in haste. Stop, think rationally and get the facts before you arrive at a conclusion or make a decision. Prayerfully ask, 'Lord, what can I do about this situation?' If you can do it for yourself, God won't do it for you. Joyce Meyer quotes: 'We cannot do His part and He will not do our part.' Faced with a well-armed, vastly superior force there was nothing Hezekiah c...

How To Handle Bad News (1)

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:06:06 +0100

'...Hezekiah...spread it before the Lord.' 2 Kings 19:14 NKJVThe Bible says: 'Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone...have made Heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see...save us...that all the kingdoms of t...

Total Deliverance

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:06:20 +0100

'...the smell of fire was not on them.' Daniel 3:27 NKJVDeliverance is when God brings you out of a fiery trial that was meant to destroy you. Total deliverance is when, like the three Hebrew children, He brings you out without even the smell of smoke on you. You see, it's possible to be delivered but still be 'damaged.' You can hear it in what a person says. They speak only of the past because they stopped living at a certain point. They survived the trauma, but because they haven't dealt with i...

Caring For God's Creation

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:06:16 +0100

'...God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.' Genesis 2:15 NKJVFor generations the church was silent on the sin of slavery. That's because it was popular and economically advantageous; not to mention that some church leaders had slaves of their own. But when the church finally acknowledged its wrong, it helped lead the way to reform. Today we can't even imagine life any other way! Well, some of us are waking up to the fact that caring for God's creation is not just ...

Building Up Your Faith (2)

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:06:12 +0100

'...Building yourselves up on your...faith...' Jude 1:20 NKJVThis word 'building' is an architectural term that means to renovate. It implies tearing down what's not working for you and building up what will. When you don't understand that, you are left to believe that whatever life has handed you is just the way it is, and you have to take it. You'd be surprised at the number of people who go to church every week just to get a word to help them survive. They sing about faith and talk about it. B...

Building Up Your Faith (1)

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:06:08 +0100

'...Building yourselves up on your...faith...' Jude 1:20 NKJVThe apostle Jude writes, 'But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.' Jude places the responsibility of building yourself up spiritually and strengthening your faith where it belongs-squarely on you. There are two kinds of faith: mechanical faith and intentional faith. Each time you flip on a light switch you're exercising mechanical faith. But when you face the unknown, the untried and...

Stop Condemning Yourself!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:06:03 +0100

'...There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.' Romans 8:1 NLTThe word for you today is-stop condemning yourself! God says, 'I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.' (Isaiah 43:25 NKJV) When God says He forgets your sin and you insist on remembering it, it's like saying your standards are higher than His. That's akin to idolatry! The Bible says, '...God in Christ forgave you.' (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) In the Old Testa...

Learn To Respect Authority

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'Work...as though you were working for the Lord...' Colossians 3:23 NLTCan you imagine a nation without a leader, a workplace without a boss or an army without a general? It would be chaotic. Structure creates order; without it no progress can be made. That's why you don't park your car in the bedroom or sleep in the garage. Learn to respect those in authority over you. Honour those who have lived longer than you because they possess a wealth of knowledge. Listen to them and grow. Until you learn...

I Met The Master Face To Face

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...We have seen His glory...' John 1:14 NIVThe Bible says: 'The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came...full of grace and truth.' To know the Lord Jesus Christ personally is to love Him, to love Him is to serve Him, and to serve Him is to experience life's highest joy and fulfilment. An unknown author wrote the following poem about Jesus. If you know Him as your Lord and Saviour it will resonate in your heart. If you don...

Dealing With Uncertainty (3)

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'I will instruct you...in the way you should go; I will guide you...' Psalm 32:8 NKJVDr. John Maxwell points out that in order to thrive in uncertain territory you must be able to do the following things: (1) Understand your certainty quotient. Think back to your last big decision that turned out right. How certain were you? Eighty percent? Fifty percent? If your best decisions are usually made at the 75 percent mark, that's your 'certainty quotient.' When you reach that point, it's time to stop ...

Dealing With Uncertainty (2)

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:9 NIVWhen Moses passed the torch to Joshua, a lot of things had changed. For forty years Joshua had been taught to navigate and survive in a wilderness, but now it was time to enter the Promised Land. And what worked in the wilderness didn't necessarily work in the Promised Land. Can't you hear Joshua's thoughts: 'I know a lot about wandering, but not much about warfare'? So God told him, 'Be strong and courageous...for the Lord yo...

Dealing With Uncertainty (2)

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

Dealing With Uncertainty (1)

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.' 2 Chronicles 20:12 NLTAs a leader you'll be called upon to make decisions regarding relationships, money, time, values, opportunities and disputes. And your decisions will show up on the bottom line. There, in the clear light of day, your leadership will be judged. And there's something else you need to know; in that realm it takes longer to recognise your brilliance or stupidity because you're forced to lead for long periods of ...

Christ-There's No One Like Him!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'Then Jesus...said, All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me.' Matthew 28:18 NIVBilly Graham said: 'The Bible is concerned only incidentally with the history of Israel or a system of ethics. It's concerned primarily with the story of redemption as it is in Jesus Christ. If you read the Scriptures and miss the story of salvation, you have missed its message and meaning. There have been those who have gone through the Bible and traced the story of Jesus: In Genesis He is the seed o...

When God Calls You

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'Follow Me, and I will make you...' Mark 1:17 NKJVIf you think you're not qualified to be used by God, start changing the way you think! When Elijah called Elisha he was ploughing. When Jesus called Peter he was fishing. To follow God, Elisha had to leave farming and Peter had to leave fishing. Can you imagine a disciple's wife saying, 'How are we going to pay the bills?' Following God is like stepping out on tissue paper and discovering solid rock underneath. But you'll never discover the rock u...

Get Up and Go On With Your Life

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'Then David got up...' 2 Samuel 12:20 NIVDavid committed adultery with another man's wife, got her pregnant, then arranged to have her husband put to death in an attempt to cover it up. Then he married her and thought everything would be ok. But the child became critically ill. Desperately wanting to save the baby's life, David '...fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, an...

Overcoming the Fear of Loneliness (2)

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...Nothing can ever separate [me] from God's love...' Romans 8:38 NLTOvercoming the fear of loneliness requires understanding God's commitment to you. His Fatherhood isn't based upon mood, sentiment or emotion; it's based on His unchanging character and faithfulness. 'For the sake of His great name the Lord will not reject His people, because the Lord was pleased to make you His own.' (1 Samuel 12:22 NIV) Notice two things in this Scripture: Concern for His good name and the pleasure He takes in...

Overcoming the Fear of Loneliness (1)

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'The Lord...will never leave you nor forsake you.' Deuteronomy 31:6 NIVTo overcome the fear of loneliness you must: () Understand who you are. Let scientists argue about whether or not there was a 'big bang.' If there was, you were not the result of it! Nor did you descend from an amoeba in a pond. You are 'fearfully and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139:14). Made 'in His own image' (Genesis 1:27). God didn't assign your creation to His most powerful angels. You're a hands-on, made-to-order, one-of-a-...

Reeds And Wicks

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench...' Matthew 12:20 NKJVReeds. Few things are more fragile than a bruised reed. In Christ's day, children playing beside the river made music pipes out of them. They were hollowed out and holes bored in them. But afterwards they were bruised and discarded. Perhaps you once stood tall and strong, nourished and rooted in the riverbed. But now you are hidden in the rushes, bruised by hurtful words, a friend's betrayal, your own fai...

Gossip

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'Troublemakers listen to troublemakers...' Proverbs 17:4 CEVThe moment somebody begins to gossip, stop them and ask, 'Why do I need to know this? Have you talked to the person you're talking about?' Wise up; people who gossip can't be trusted! The Bible says that when you listen to gossip you are a troublemaker: 'Troublemakers listen to troublemakers.' And Jude adds: 'These are the people who divide you, people whose thoughts are only of this world...' (Jude 1:19 NCV) Those are serious charges. A...

Who Are You Relying On?

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God...' 2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT Jesus said, 'Here on earth you will have many trials...' (John 16:33 NLT) You solve one problem, and another one comes along to take its place. They're not all big, but they're all necessary to your spiritual growth. How do you assess the strength of something? By testing it! The Bible says: 'Don't be...shocked that you are going through testing...It will prepare you...' (1 Peter 4:12-13 CEV) Some of yo...

You're Qualified! (3)

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it...' Psalm 127:1 NKJVIn God's Kingdom, centre stage is not for those who think they've got their act together and deserve public recognition. Nor is it limited to those in leadership and public ministry. It's a call to action, to you, whoever and wherever you are today. When you trust God's timing He grooms you for bigger and better parts. But there are some things you must, and must not do: (1) Don't try to make it on your own. P...

You're Qualified! (2)

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great...' Matthew 23:12 GNTDo you remember Rosa Parks, the black woman who refused to surrender her seat to a white man and move to the back of the bus? There was more at stake that day than just a ride home from work. By simply being herself, Rosa suddenly moved to centre stage. She wasn't playing games. She was the real thing, and God shone a light on her soul that day that changed history. That's how it w...

You're Qualified! (1)

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...You shall go to all to whom I send you...' Jeremiah 1:7 NKJVJeremiah told God, '...I cannot speak, for I am a youth.' (v6 NKJV) Sound familiar? Have you been saying, 'I don't have what it takes'? God told Jeremiah, 'Do not say, I am a youth, for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you...' (vv 7-8 NKJV) When actors audition for a part, the director conducts what are known as 'callbacks'. At that poi...

Always Do What's Right

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...This is what [God] requires...to do what is right...' Micah 6:8 NLTFocusing solely on what you can , without first deciding what kind of person you should , is a mistake. Your talent may make your name known, but your character will determine what people associate with it. Your talent may dictate your potential, but your character will determine your legacy. What is character? It's the will to do what's right, even when it is not easy. It's deciding ahead of time what's truly non-negotiable. ...

Refuse To Pull Back!

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'You will spread out to the right and to the left...' Isaiah 54:3 NIVHas all the gloom and doom in the news caused you to become fearful and begin to pull back? Take a moment and read this: 'Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child...shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband...Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Fo...

Rahab (4)

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'If anyone goes outside your house...his blood will be on his own head...' Joshua 2:19 NIV She was safe as long as she stayed in the house.Before conquering Jericho, Joshua sent two spies in on a reconnaissance mission. That's when they met Rahab and she befriended them. As a result they told her to let a scarlet cord hang from her window, identifying her house as 'off limits' to the invading army. But notice the instructions that were given to her: 'If anyone goes outside your house into the str...

Rahab (3)

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...You were redeemed from the empty way of life...with the precious blood of Christ...' 1 Peter 1:18-19 NIVWhat she trusted in, stood, when what everybody else trusted in, fell. What did Rahab trust in? Her morality? No, the Bible says she was a harlot. Her nationality? No, she was a Gentile, and therefore excluded from the blessings of Abraham. So what did she trust in? A scarlet cord! What a beautiful picture of the power and protection afforded us by Christ's shed blood. 'You know that it was...

Rahab (2)

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good...' Jeremiah 29:11 NLTWhile everybody else was preparing to fight, she was preparing to surrender. Somehow Rahab had heard about the things God had done for Israel; how He'd turned the Red Sea to a red carpet, converted rocks into drinking fountains, made breakfast for them every morning in the wilderness and dried up the waters of the Jordan River. Rahab may not have been wise when it came to her body but she was wiser than...

Rahab (1)

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish...' Hebrews 11:31 NKJVFor the next few days let's look at the story of Rahab the harlot. She lived in a doomed civilisation. God told Abraham, 'I give to you and your descendants...all the land of Canaan...' (Genesis 17:8 NKJV) Since Rahab lived on the 'wall' of Jericho, in a sense she lived on the 'brink of doom'. So do we. Today leaders scramble to stop the spread of nuclear weapons because in the wrong hands they have the power to destroy the world. Th...

Is God Disciplining You?

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'The Lord disciplines those He loves...' Hebrews 12:6 NLTThe Bible says: 'Don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves...God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you...it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more...

God Is Giving You Another Chance

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

'...God has appointed another [future] for me...' Genesis 4:25 NKJVSatan's plan was to infect Adam with the virus of sin before his first son was born; that way he could get all the rest of us. And it almost worked. Cain, Adam's first son, murdered his brother Abel. But God wasn't finished. 'Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel.' For everything you've loved or lost, God has something else. For everything that's ...