Church guide

The Word for Today It’s Time To Become Mature ‘We must try to become mature.’ Hebrews 6:1 CEV Paul writes: ‘Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 NLT) Are you growing into spiritual maturity? Before you answer, read these words from Ann Landers: ‘Maturity is the ability to control your anger and settle your differences without violence or resentment. Maturity is patience; it’s the willingness to pass up short-term pleasure for long-term gain. It’s the ability to “sweat it out” in spite of heavy opposition or discouraging setbacks. It’s the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration without complaining or collapsing. Maturity is humility. It’s being big enough to say, “I was wrong,” and when you are right, never needing to say, “I told you so.” Maturity is the ability to make a decision and follow through with it instead of exploring endless possibilities and doing nothing about any of them. Maturity means dependability, keeping your word, and coming through in a crisis. The immature are masters of alibi; they’re the confused and the disorganised. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business, and good intentions. Maturity is the art of being at peace with what you can’t change, having the courage to change what you can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ The Bible says, ‘We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught.’ So the word for you today is: it’s time to become mature. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today What Are Your Goals? ‘Looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race.’ Philippians 3:13–14 NLT Back about a hundred years ago, Oliver Wendell Holmes, a Justice of the Supreme Court, lost his train ticket. As he searched for it, obviously irritated, the conductor tried to calm him: ‘It’s okay, Your Honour; just mail it in. We all know you and trust you.’ Holmes replied, ‘I’m not concerned about finding my ticket—I just want to know where I’m going!’ Having goals lets you know where you’re going in life. Fifty per cent of the people around you have no idea where they’re going. Another 40 per cent will go in any direction they’re led. The remaining 10 per cent know where they’d like to go—but fewer than half of them are prepared to pay the price to get there. What enabled Jesus to endure the shame of the cross was His vision of the resurrection and a church that would one day change the world (Hebrews 12:2). Moses relinquished the comforts of Pharaoh’s palace because he envisioned the Promised Land (Hebrews 11:24–27). Store owner JC Penney said, ‘Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I’ll give you someone who’ll make history. On the other hand, give me someone without a goal, and I’ll give you a stock clerk.’ The truth is, while you are working on your goals, your goals are working on you. And the reward you get for reaching them isn’t nearly as important as what you become in pursuit of them. So, do you have goals? Are they clear enough to write down, short enough to fit into a paragraph, strong enough to help you persevere, and valuable enough to make you pay the price? If so, you’ll live to see them fulfilled. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today The Gospel Is Exciting ‘I have complete confidence in the Gospel; it is God’s power to save all who believe.’ Romans 1:16 GNT One Sunday a woman fell asleep in church. Pointing to the man sitting next to her, the pastor said, ‘Please wake that lady up.’ The man replied, ‘Sorry, Pastor. You put her to sleep—you wake her up!’ Seriously, Paul tells us that the Gospel ‘is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.’ (Romans 1:16 NKJV) The Greek word for ‘power’ is dynamis, from which we get the word dynamite. Talk about impact! The Gospel changes people profoundly. Chuck Swindoll says: ‘The Gospel is like a sword sharpened on the stone of Scripture and tempered in the furnace of reality, relevance, and need. Of all the reactions a person may have to it, I can think of none worse than a yawn, a sleepy “so what”, or a bored “who cares?” Jesus met people where they were. His Word touched raw nerves. His preaching was a lot more “here-and-now” than it was “there-and-then”. He attacked hypocrisy and prejudice. He met people where they were, not where they ought to be. Angry young men, blind beggars, proud politicians, loose-living prostitutes, ignorant fishermen, naked victims of demonism, and grieving parents—He related to them all. His enemies misunderstood Him, but they couldn’t ignore Him. They hated Him, but they were never bored around Him. Do you want a new definition of failing the Lord? Here it is—using the Gospel to bore people! The Gospel isn’t some vague religious concept; it’s an exciting relationship with God that works in everyday life.’ And the people around you need it, so share it with them. -------------------------------------------------- The Word for Today Getting Through What You’re Going Through ‘When you are tempted, He will also provide a way out.’ 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV Some people stay in hopeless situations their whole lives without ever making a decision to seek God’s power to get through them. Being ‘long-suffering’ doesn’t mean living in misery any longer than necessary. Paul says, ‘Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.’ (Romans 12:2 PHPS) When you renew your mind with God’s Word, He’ll show you His will and strengthen you to get through—once and for all—what you’ve been going through for years. Instead of complaining about your circumstances, determine to get through them. Author John Mason says: ‘Don’t accept your present temporary situation as your future permanent situation… determine to get on with life and fulfil your purpose… Paul says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV) We’re not to be moved by the obvious, but by the actual. If you’ve been saying for years, “I’m going through this situation,” stand up and declare, “I’ve had enough. It’s time to get through this mess!” The enemy wants you to believe you’ll never be victorious… or overcome your present circumstance. But God’s Word says, “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) Take this verse and stand on it. God is faithful. He will provide “a way out”.’ Your circumstances may not change right away, but as far as God’s concerned, you’re already out on the other side. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today He’s Working All Things Out For Your Good ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.’ Romans 8:28 NIV Paul begins this verse by saying: ‘And we know.’ There are so many things in life we don’t know. We don’t know if the economy will dip or how our kids will turn out. We don’t even ‘know what we ought to pray for.’(Romans 8:26 NIV) But we can ‘know’ these four things: (1) ‘God works.’ Even though you can’t see Him, He’s busy behind the scenes. He hasn’t checked out or moved on. He’s ceaseless, tireless, and He never stops working. (2) ‘God works for the good.’ Not for our comfort, pleasure, or entertainment, but for our ultimate good. But then again, He is the ultimate good, so would you expect anything less? (3) ‘God works for the good of those who love Him.’ Behold the benefit of a loving God! Make His story your story, and your story takes on a happy ending. Guaranteed! (4) God works ‘in all things’. God works, not just in a few things, or the good things, or the best things, or the easy things. He works in ‘all things’. And He doesn’t make the plan up as He goes along. The Bible says, ‘In Him we were also chosen… according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.’(Ephesians 1:11 NIV) And the best part is—God’s plan includes you! So stop fretting, stressing out, and losing sleep. Turn it over to God and believe that He’s working ‘all things’ out for your good and His glory. The Word for Today Start Thanking God For It ‘Go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.’ Joshua 1:11 NKJV When God tells you He has ‘given’ you something, it means your name is on the title. When He tells you to ‘possess’ it, it may mean you have to fight for it. If you don’t, you won’t receive what He promised. Right now lots of people may be living in your ‘dream house’ and working in your ‘dream job’. Don’t resent them, rejoice! God can do the same for you! If you’re tired of talking about the things you don’t possess, get up and go after them. And when you get them, remember that it wasn’t because you’re so wise and wonderful, but because God gave them to you (see Deuteronomy 8:18). The Bible says He gives us ‘all things that pertain unto life.’ (2 Peter 1:3 KJV) But you must receive the promise inwardly before you can experience it outwardly. For example, your challenge may be believing in your spirit that you’re being healed before you see it begin to happen physically. Just because something’s not immediately evident doesn’t mean it won’t happen. For example, when we ask God for an oak tree, He gives us an acorn. At this point we may think God didn’t hear and answer our prayer. No, the oak tree is in the acorn; it’s just a matter of time before what’s inside bursts out. Whatever God has promised you, the seeds are already within you. Water them, nurture them, and don’t let anyone uproot them through unbelief. In other words, begin thanking God for what He’s going to do in your life. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Don’t Yield To Fear ‘The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.’ Psalm 118:6 KJV You’ll always have to deal with fear in one form or another. And your fears will be different at different seasons of life. Once you accept that, you can make progress. For example, Julius Caesar conquered the world, but is alleged to have been afraid of cats. Peter the Great of Russia cried like a child when he had to cross bridges. Dr Samuel Johnson, the celebrated British writer, wouldn’t enter a room with his left foot first. If he did accidentally, he backed up, and re-entered it with his right one. (Talk about putting your best foot forward!) If you let fear control your life, it’ll keep you from reaching your destiny. What a price! Fear breeds inaction, inaction breeds lack of experience, lack of experience breeds ignorance, and ignorance breeds fear. If you’re caught in this cycle, then here are some ‘fear fighters’ to help you today. (1) ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!’ (Isaiah 26:3 NLT) (2) ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ (John 14:27 NIV) (3) ‘When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.’ (Proverbs 16:7 NLT) (4) ‘In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?’ (Psalm 56:4 NAS) (5) ‘God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.’ (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV) These promises are yours today. Stand on them, claim them, and refuse to yield to fear. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today A Positive, Faith-Filled Outlook ‘With thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Philippians 4:6 NIV It happens so easily, especially in the company of the wrong people. Before you know it, you’re criticising and complaining, and the atmosphere becomes negative. That’s because words are like clouds or sunshine; they create a climate. You say, ‘But I only say these things because I’m so worried.’ Then read this: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.’ (Philippians 4: 6–7 NIV) You rise above anxiety by giving thanks, not by complaining. Never let your level of thanksgiving be determined by your situation, because God is greater than any situation you face. So how can you overcome your inclination to be negative, and instead develop a positive, faith-filled outlook? (1) Decide to. Abraham Lincoln told the truth when he said, ‘Most folks are as happy as they make up their mind to be.’ Refuse to spend another moment criticising and complaining. (2) Start now. Change doesn’t come easily, but unless you make a start it won’t come at all. Try to be more aware of what you say. Catch yourself in the act! When your first few sentences are negative, self-correct and steer the conversation back towards what’s positive. Resolve that from now on if you can’t say something helpful, you’ll refrain from saying anything at all. (3) Look for what’s good. ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’ (Philippians 4:8 NIV) Make this your prayer: ‘Lord, give me a positive, faith-filled outlook.’ From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today A Positive, Faith-Filled Outlook ‘With thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Philippians 4:6 NIV It happens so easily, especially in the company of the wrong people. Before you know it, you’re criticising and complaining, and the atmosphere becomes negative. That’s because words are like clouds or sunshine; they create a climate. You say, ‘But I only say these things because I’m so worried.’ Then read this: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.’ (Philippians 4: 6–7 NIV) You rise above anxiety by giving thanks, not by complaining. Never let your level of thanksgiving be determined by your situation, because God is greater than any situation you face. So how can you overcome your inclination to be negative, and instead develop a positive, faith-filled outlook? (1) Decide to. Abraham Lincoln told the truth when he said, ‘Most folks are as happy as they make up their mind to be.’ Refuse to spend another moment criticising and complaining. (2) Start now. Change doesn’t come easily, but unless you make a start it won’t come at all. Try to be more aware of what you say. Catch yourself in the act! When your first few sentences are negative, self-correct and steer the conversation back towards what’s positive. Resolve that from now on if you can’t say something helpful, you’ll refrain from saying anything at all. (3) Look for what’s good. ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’ (Philippians 4:8 NIV) Make this your prayer: ‘Lord, give me a positive, faith-filled outlook.’ From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Show God’s Love (2) ‘If you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends.’ Matthew 5:46–47 NCV Jon Walker writes: ‘Send picture and I’ll reply… it’s a common message in personal ads and it makes sense in this day and age to exercise caution… But when it comes to loving others, do you find yourself saying: Send picture first? We all say it in different ways…“I have to see if you’re good enough… I’m not sure you’re worthy of my love… You need to act the way I expect before I’ll love you.”’ It’s time we stopped ‘evaluating Christians by what the world thinks.’ (2 Corinthians 5:16 TLB) In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that God ‘causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends. You must be perfect [mature] just as your Father in Heaven is.’ (Matthew 5:45–48 NCV) God’s love towards us is ‘perfect’ because it is unconditional, non-judgmental, and comes with no strings attached. The Bible says when we were His enemies, He ‘showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us.’ (Romans 5:8 NLT) So, is there someone in your life who hurt you and now you’re having a hard time loving them? If so, pray: ‘Father, I’m struggling to love [fill in the name]. Help me to let go of judging and blaming, and begin to love them the way You love me.’ From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Show God’s Love (1) ‘God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.’ Romans 5:8 NLT Human love says, ‘I’ll love you as long as you meet my expectations, agree with my politics, attend my church, or fit into my social circle.’ God isn’t like that. He didn’t wait for us to become worthy before making the first move. ‘God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.’ And when He did, He changed all the rules. Jesus said, ‘Now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you’ (John 13:34 NLT); ‘Love others as much as you love yourself’ (Matthew 22:39 CEV); ‘Love… without hoping to get anything back.’ (Luke 6:35 NCV) Love isn’t a feeling, it’s a doing. It’s about giving without counting the cost, without an expectation of receiving in return. When Jesus gave us a new commandment—to love as He had loved—what did He mean? Simply this: true love requires sacrifice. Perhaps it will be a sacrifice of time, a sacrifice of energy or a sacrifice of money. Together these add up to commitment, no matter what our feelings are. Kristin Armstrong adds: ‘For a while I was angry at love… it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. It didn’t last. It wasn’t worth it. The deeper it went, the more it hurt. Love was irrational, complicated, elusive and unreliable. And I was done with it. Little by little the Lord healed my heart. My anger…began to fade… Now I…see it’s humanity that scars and strangles love… “Love comes from God” (1 John 4:7 NIV), and it’s worth it, whatever the cost. No matter what damage has been done in the name of love, we’re incomplete without it.’ From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Let The Healing Begin ‘O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.’ Psalm 30:2 NKJV We talk so easily about things that don’t matter. But when it’s time to talk about our fears, our loneliness, our guilt, or our need to be loved, we clam up like oysters. Sometimes we act like we don’t even hear, when the truth is we don’t like what we hear. You heard your mate say they needed more of your time, or your child say, ‘I love you.’ And you also heard them sigh when you didn’t say anything in return. You ran and hid because either you don’t know how to give them what they’re asking for, or you don’t want to pay the price. We all have hiding places—like our jobs, our habits, or relationships that require no emotional honesty. And as a result we feel bottled up inside. But every one of our escape mechanisms traps us deeper in the cycle of silence. God created you with a need to feel, to touch, and to express emotions. How long are you going to hide behind the mask and deny your unmet needs and unexpressed fears? God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone.’ (Genesis 2:18 NKJV) If you keep denying your emotions, you’ll never experience the joy of a good relationship. David wasn’t afraid to admit to God that he felt weak, or sad, or angry, or needed love. He said, ‘I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed.’ (Psalm 61:2 NKJV) If you can’t express yourself to others, start by talking to God. What He did for David, He can do for you. So turn to Him today and let the healing begin. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Vengeance Is God’s Job, Not Yours ‘“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.’ Romans 12:19 NKJV Vengeance is God’s job, not yours. He will repay—whether on the final Day of Judgment or in this life. He can discipline your abusive boss, soften your angry parent, bring your ex to his knees or her senses. Forgiveness doesn’t diminish justice; it entrusts it to God. He guarantees the right amount of retribution. We give too much or too little, but He has the precise prescription. And unlike us, He never gives up on a person. (And you should be glad about that.) Long after we have moved on, God is still there probing the conscience, stirring conviction, orchestrating redemption. Fix your enemies? That’s God’s job. Forgive your enemies? Ah, that’s where you come in. ‘Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.’ (Romans 12:17–21 NLT) Author Max Lucado says: ‘Revenge builds a lonely, narrow house. Space enough for one person. The lives of its tenants are reduced to one goal: Make someone miserable. They do—themselves.’ No wonder God tells us to ‘watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up.’ (Hebrews 12:15 NLT) From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today You Are Special ‘I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ Psalm 139:14 NKJV Sarah Hupp writes: ‘Did you know you started out as a single cell, and within that cell was enough DNA to hold the equivalent of 1,000 volumes of coded blueprints? Or that this DNA determined the colour of your hair and eyes, the shape of your nose, and the size of your ring finger? Did you know nobody else has your fingerprints… the same sparkling eyes… the same laugh… or looks at things the way you do? You’re an original, and it didn’t happen by accident. God designed your DNA. He made you the way He wanted you to be. He gave you your voice, your smile, your freckles, your curly hair, all those things that make you who you are. And because God made you, you’re special to Him and to others… in fact, the world wouldn’t be complete without you.’ No wonder the psalmist said, ‘I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.’ Maybe you’re thinking, ‘Yeah, but you don’t know the limitations I live with. And when it comes to my self-image, I struggle every day to feel like I measure up.’ Pastor Jim Penner says: ‘I’ve talked with and prayed for many who are dealing with physical issues… disease, diabetes, cancers, struggles with weight, muscular and autoimmune disease. The limitations the human family deals with on a daily basis are endless. Yet Ephesians 2:10 says, “You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.” God knew exactly what He was doing when He made you. You’re unique in all the world. And that makes you special.’ From The Word for Today.

Falaite, Ma’asi 22: Lau Folofola – 1 Kolinito 10:6-13. Ki’i Ama: 1 Kolinito 10:13, “Kuo te’eki ai ke ke mo’ua koe ‘i ha ‘ahi’ahi ‘oku ‘ikai ke fa’a mo’ua ai ‘a e kakai kotoa pē. ‘Oku falala’anga ‘a e ‘Otuá. Pea he’ikai te ne tuku ke ke mo’ua ‘i ha ‘ahi’ahi he’ikai te ke lava ‘o teke’i, ka ke ka a’u leva ki ha ‘ahi’ahi, te ne fakahā atu ai pē mo e hala ke ke hao ai mei he ‘ahi’ahi ko iá, koe’uhí ka ke makātaki’i ia.” Pou ‘Ao: Ko e hoko atu pē eni ‘i he Lau Folofola na’a tau kamata’i ‘aneafí. Ko e koto fakamamahi lahi kia Paula ‘a e tō’onga ‘a e kāingalotu Kolinitō ‘a ‘enau toe fai pē ‘a e me’a tatau na’e mo’ua ai ‘a ‘Isilelí ‘i he’enau fononga he toafá mo Mōsesé. Ka ko e Ki’i Ama ‘o e ‘ahó ni ko hono fakalotolahi’i ia ‘e Paula ‘a e kāingá ni ‘i he’ene fakamanatu kiate kinautolu neongo kotoa ‘a e ngaahi ‘ahi’ahi ‘oku nau mo’ua aí, ‘e kei fakaivia pe kinautolu ‘e Sihova ke nau lava ‘o ikuna ‘a e ‘ahi’ahí. Ko e lea ‘o e fakatu’amelie mo e ‘amanaki lelei ‘oku tu’u lotoloto ai ‘a e fakalotolahi ‘oku uho ‘aki ‘a e kataki ko e fakaivia ‘e he Māfimafi. ‘Oku tau fa’a feinga ke fakahaofi ‘aki ‘etau tō nounoú ‘a ‘etau toitoi ‘i he fakakaukau, “‘oku tau kei kakano pē.” ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e taimi ‘oku fa’a maumau’i ai ‘e he husepānití pe uaifí ‘a ‘e na fuakavá, pea ko hono leá, “ʻoku tau kei kakano pē.” ‘Oku fa’a mo’u to’oa ‘e he ni’ihi e ngaahi koloa ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha’anau koloa, pea fakalahi ‘e he ni’ihi ‘enau vahé ‘i he tohi sieke ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha’anau pa’anga, pea ko e konga ai pē ia ‘o ‘etau kei “kakano pē.” ‘I he taimi tatau ‘o ‘etau kei kakanó, ‘oku ‘i ai pē ‘a e faingamālie ma’atautolu ke fili ‘a e me’a ke fai pea mo e me’a ke tuku. ‘Oku kei fili pē ‘a e “kakanó” ke ‘oua ‘e fakatoli’a ‘a ‘ene holí neongo ‘a e mālohi mai ‘a e tafa’aki ‘okú ne faka’ai’ai ke fili ki he koví. ‘Oku kei fili tau’atāina pē ‘a e “kakanó” ke fakalaka mei he koloa ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha’ane koloá, pea nonga pē mo fiemālie ‘i he ki’i seniti ‘oku ma’ú ‘o ‘ikai mānumanu pe havala ke ne fakatupu ai ha’ane kaiha’a. ‘Oku kei fili pē ‘a e “kakanó” ke fai ‘a e me’a ‘oku lelei mo totonú, neongo ‘ene faingata’á. ‘E lava ‘e he “kakanó” ke fili ki he leleí ‘o kapau te tau tafoki ki he ‘Otuá pea tukuange ki ai ke ne fakafonu kitautolu ‘aki ‘a e ivi mo e mālohi fakalangi ke tau “makātaki’i” ‘aki ‘a e ‘ahi’ahí. Ko e ‘ahi’ahi’i ‘o Sīsū ‘e he Tevoló ‘i he toafá (Lēniti) ko e ‘ahi’ahi’i ‘o e “kakanó.” Ko e ‘uhinga ia ‘o ‘ene faka’ali ‘a e “mā” mo e “lāngilangí” he ko e mamana ia ‘o e kakanó, ka na’e mateuteu fakalaumālie ‘a Sīsū ‘o ne lava ai ‘o ikuna. ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e ngaahi toafa ‘oku tau lolotonga nofo ai ‘i he “kakanó,” pea ‘e tokangaekina ‘aupito ia ‘e he Tēvoló ke hū mai ai ‘o fai hotau ‘ahi’ahi’í. Tauange ke tau ma’u ivi kotoa pē mei he kelesi ‘a e ‘Eiki ko Sīsū Kalaisí ke tau lava ai ‘o matu’uaki mo “makātaki’i” ha ‘ahi’ahi te tau fetaulaki mo ia ‘i he hala fononga ‘o e mo’uí ni. ‘Ānau, Lotu mo e ‘Aukai: ‘Oku ai ho ‘ahi’ahi ‘ave kia Sīsū é, kuo tō mai ha mamahi, tala ki ho ta’okete, Ko ho to’utakanga hena ‘oku talitali ia, ke ne fua ho’o kavenga, fakaai ho mafasia. ‘Emeni. ------------------------------------ Mei he Halanga Tapuaki.

The Word for Today Overcoming Failure ‘My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.’ Psalm 73:26 NIV As you drive towards your destiny, you’re sure to hit potholes along the way, or take some wrong turns, or forget to check your fuel gauge and run out of fuel. The truth is, the only way to avoid failure is not to leave your driveway! Wisdom is often the result of coming to grips with failure. The real issue in life isn’t whether or not you’re going to fail, but whether you’re going to learn from your experience and turn it into the wisdom needed to succeed. In a survey of successful people, not one of them viewed their mistakes as failures. They considered them ‘learning experiences’, or ‘tuition paid’, or ‘opportunities for growth’. That’s the winning attitude! Henry Ward Beecher said: ‘It’s defeat that turns bone to flint… gristle into muscle… and makes men invincible. Do not then be afraid of defeat. You are never so near victory as when you’re defeated in a good cause.’ So the next time you fail at something, stop and ask yourself, ‘What have I learned? Am I grateful for this experience? How can I turn it into success? Where do I go from here? Who else has failed like this, and how can they help me? How can my experience help others? Did I actually fail, or just fall short of an unrealistically high goal? Where did I succeed as well as fail?’ Then go one step further, and ask God for greater insight. If you do, you’ll grow stronger and wiser because of what you’ve been through (see James 1:5). From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Stay On The Chariot ‘No one will be able to stand against you.’ Joshua 1:5 NIV Standing on the threshold of the Promised Land, Joshua realised there were more than thirty kings to be conquered before he could possess it. So God told him, ‘No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life… I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ When you’re in God’s will the forces and resources of Heaven are behind you, and that means you’ll ultimately win. It doesn’t mean you won’t have to fight, but it means you’ll win! There’s a three-way tie for the movie that has won most Academy Awards. Ben Hur is one of these. Charlton Heston, who played the hero in this movie, had to drive a chariot for his role. He was supposed to win the climactic chariot race, but there was a problem: he was having trouble learning to drive the chariot. He walked over to his director, William Wyler, and said, ‘Mr Wyler, I can barely stay on the chariot. I can’t win this race.’ Wyler looked at Heston and said, ‘Son, your job is to stay on the chariot; my job is to make sure you win.’ Every time you head to the office, or walk into a pressure-packed meeting, or job interview, trust God. When you make that dreaded doctor’s appointment, or confront a friend who has done you wrong, trust God. Stay on the chariot. Don’t quit on God and don’t stop trusting in Him. Your job is to obey; His job is to make sure you win. And when you do your part, you can be sure that He will do His. From The Word for Today.

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The Word for Today Don’t Give Ground To The Devil ‘Do not give the devil an opportunity.’ Ephesians 4:27 NASB The Bible says, ‘Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.’ (Ephesians 4:26–27 NASB) The word translated ‘opportunity’ is the Greek word topos, the same term from which we get the English noun topography. It means territory or ground. And anger gives ground to the devil. Bitterness invites him to occupy a space in your heart. And when you do, he will move in and stink up the place with things like gossip, slander, temper—any time you see these, you have given ground to Satan. What should you do? Evict him. Don’t give him the time of day. In the name of Jesus tell him to pack his bags and hit the road. Begin the process of forgiveness. Keep no list of wrongs. Pray for your antagonists rather than plot against them. Hate the wrong without hating the wrongdoers. Turn your attention away from what they did to you and begin to dwell on what Jesus did for you. Outrageous as it may seem, He died for them too. And if He thinks they are worth forgiving, then they are. Does that make forgiveness easy? No. It comes in fits and starts, has good days and bad. Some days when you think your old wound has healed and you’ve gotten over it, someone will knock the scab off it and the pain will return. This is okay. When it comes to forgiveness all of us are beginners. As long as you are trying to forgive, you are forgiving. It’s only when you no longer try that you give ground to the devil. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today We’re All On The Same Team! ‘The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.’ Luke 6:38 CEV Jesus said, ‘Don’t condemn others, and God won’t condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.’ (Matthew 7:1–2 CEV) Think about it. Do you really want to live your life judging and being judged? Kristin Armstrong puts it this way: ‘We were created to be in community… [Not] treat each other with a spirit of judgment… There’s something in us that permits us to vie for a better impression of ourselves by belittling someone else. It rages through the teenage years, and should end when we ‘grow up’, but instead it mutates… We judge each other’s relationships when our own are crumbling …or their parenting skills when our own are hanging by a thread… Someone who never exercises is “lazy”… Someone who hides their feelings is “cold”… we judge who has what job, who’s busier, who has more stress, who has it “rougher”. Someone tells us bad news and we secretly rejoice that it’s not us… someone shares good news and we call them arrogant. But no one wins because we’re all on the same team.’ Instead of judging and criticising, Paul says, ‘When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it.’ (Galatians 6:10 NCV) So: (a) Look for a way to bless somebody who is not in a position to reciprocate (b) Identify someone you can encourage today (c) Go out of your way to make someone feel special Jesus said: ‘If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return… The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.’ From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Cry Out To God! ‘In my distress I cried out to the Lord.’ Psalm 18:6 NLT There are times in life when the best thing you can do is cry out to God from the depths of your being. Don’t worry about looking undignified, or having people think you have no faith. The psalmist said, ‘In my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me.’ Every parent knows that cry. It’s different; it’s not a temper tantrum or a whine for attention, it’s a cry of distress. And though it comes in the dead of night, before you know it your feet hit the floor and you’re at your child’s side holding them, changing them, feeding them, and comforting them. That’s how God feels about you. When you get so low that you’re reaching up just to touch bottom, cry out to God! David said: ‘He reached down from Heaven and took me and drew me out of my great trials… On the day when I was weakest, they attacked. But the Lord held me steady. He led me to a place of safety, for He delights in me.’ (Psalm 18:16–19 TLB) David discovered that God was his ‘high tower.’ (Psalm 18:2 KJV) In Bible times a high tower was a place of safety where the enemy couldn’t get to you. Proverbs 18:10 NKJV says, ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.’ It represents a place of security in God where you’re lifted above the threat and the circumstances. It’s where you regain your perspective; a place where you can look ahead and know this trial will soon be over. Go ahead, cry out to God and He will answer you. From The Word for Today.

The Word for Today Surrender to God (5) ‘Not what I will, but what You will.’ Mark 14:36 NIV Because surrender is so closely connected to our wills, often a price is attached. You can feel devoted to God, yet when it comes time to act you discover that your surrender is only skin-deep. Anticipating this, Jesus often identified the particular area where surrender was needed in a person’s life. To the woman caught in adultery He said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’ (John 8:11 NKJV) That means you must surrender your sexual drives and desires to God. Many times surrender will involve money, because money is all about trust and control. To a rich young leader who wanted to follow Him, Jesus said, ‘Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor.’ (Mark 10:21 TLB) But the man was unwilling to do it. Often surrender will involve an act of self-disclosure about a grudge, attitude, habit, or sin. When you’re with a trusted friend, God may prompt you to talk about a matter in which you have struggled or even failed. Don’t be surprised when your immediate response is ‘No way!’ Other times you may be with someone and feel the need to confront them about something, and it makes you uncomfortable. So here’s the question: will you surrender, when surrender means doing something uncomfortable? If it were comfortable, it wouldn’t be surrender! The supreme example of surrender is Christ in Gethsemane, praying, ‘Not my will, but Yours be done.’ (Luke 22:42 NIV) It was the hardest prayer He ever prayed, and the one that launched Him into His destiny. Amazingly, the prayer that brings God’s power—is the prayer of surrender. Are you ready to go there now? Click here. From The Word for Today.