The Word For Today

The Archbishop of Canterbury was acquainted with an actor named Mr Butterton. One day he asked Butterton, 'What is the reason you actors on stage can affect your congregations with the speaking of things imaginary, as if they were real, while we in church speak of things real, which our congregations only receive as if they were imaginary?' Butterton replied, 'We actors on stage speak of things imaginary as if they were real, and you in the pulpit speak of things real as if they were imaginary.' The world needs Christians who speak like they believe what God said in his word is true, and who live accordingly.

When Abraham was eighty, God promised him he would father a son. Twenty years later, it hadn't happened, but Abraham was standing firmly on God's word: 'He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to perform' (Romans 4:20-21 NKJV). William James, the first educator to offer a course in psychology, said, 'If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.' He also said, 'Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.'

Saint Augustine said, 'God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.' If you fully grasp the truth of this, it'll set you free from fear because that's what God's perfect love does (see 1 John 4:18). God can't love you any more or any less because he already loves you unconditionally, eternally. You just need to live like his beloved.

A fascinating experiment was conducted a half century ago. Three men tested their strength on a gripping machine, with an average measure of 101 pounds of pressure. Then the participants were hypnotised, and the experimenter told them, 'You cannot grip because you are weak.' Under the power of suggestion, their average grip strength fell to 29 pounds of pressure. Then the experimenter said, 'Now you can grip.' Their average grip increased to 145 pounds of pressure. Their strength was increased fivefold when they said, 'I can,' versus when they said, 'I can't.'

It helps to think of Scripture as a script. While the reality of your circumstances may feel as if you're off script, you must take your cues from God's word. You have to live as if you are who God says you are, you have what God says you have, and you can do what God says you can do. If you believe the enemy's lies, you're in deep trouble. But if you believe God's word, it'll get you and keep you out of trouble. When you're battling illness, you can stand on his promise: '"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the Lord' (Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV). When you're lonely, don't forget his promise, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV). When you feel like you've lost your way, remember his words: 'A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps' (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV).

The word for today is - live like you believe!

Jesus told his disciples: 'Let us go over to the other side' (Mark 4:35 NIV). Next, we read: 'A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat' (Mark 4:37 NIV). The disciples turned to Jesus and found him sound asleep! They screamed, 'Don't you care if we drown' (Mark 4:38 NIV)? Jesus woke up, commanded the storm to shut up, then said to the disciples, 'Do you still have no faith' (Mark 4:40 NIV)? The sea was raging; the water was churning. Why did Jesus scold them? Simple: they didn't take him at his word. He said they were going to the other side. He didn't say, 'We are going to the middle of the lake to drown.' Jesus had declared the outcome. But when the storms came, the disciples heard the roar of the winds and forgot his word.

Storms are coming your way too. Winds will howl, your boat will be tossed, and you will have a choice: will you hear Christ or the crisis? Will you heed the promises of Scripture or the noise of the storm? God told Joshua to 'meditate in [Scripture] day and night' (see Joshua 1:8). The word meditate means to 'mutter' over what you're reading. The image is one of a person reciting, rehearsing and reconsidering God's word over and over.

Paul says: 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another' (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). Begin by praying: 'God, speak to my heart as I read.' Then read with an open heart to receive the message.

Bill Gates predicted: 'There will be "two societies" in the future; high-paid knowledge workers and low-paid service workers.' The saying 'knowledge is power' is true. And it's even more dynamic in the spiritual realm. The more you know about God, the more confident you'll be. Knowledge of God's word can give clarity to the puzzling issues of life.

When a religious sect tried to pull Jesus into one of their debates on a particular issue, he replied, 'Your mistake is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God' (Matthew 22:29 NLT). Here are two truths you need to settle in your heart and in spirit. One, no one can thwart God's purpose for your life. 'The Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back' (Isaiah 14:27 NIV)? And two, things are working out for your good. Therefore, you can resist anxiety and worry. 'We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28 NKJV).

Daniel reminds us that God 'gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him' (Daniel 2:21-22 NKJV). The 'light' you need belongs to God. And you never have to feel insecure regarding any aspect of your knowledge when you know him, for he knows everything.

God recognised our need for companionship when he said, '"It is not good for the man to be alone"...Then...God made a woman...and he brought her to the man' (Genesis 2:18, 22 NIV). Most of us are social beings who are at our best around others. We garner energy and support from them. But there are those who feel a sense of shame over admitting their loneliness. They long for people to share their lives with but feel they must pretend they don't need anyone. You should not feel shame for wanting love and social connection. Admitting your desire to be loved and taking a step towards involvement requires courage. Accepting that you are a person who needs to connect is healthy.

But problems arise when your need for companionship controls you. When you compromise your values in order to be accepted, the results are always negative. Clinging to other people without understanding who they are or what they represent is unhealthy. And the ramifications can have not only lifelong effects but sometimes also life-threatening consequences.

Wise decisions about relationships are never to be made with a mind ruled by fear of loneliness or desperation. If that's where you are, being single is a better alternative right now. It need only be temporary. So do these three things: (1) Ask God to guide you: 'God sets the lonely in families' (Psalm 68:6 NIV). (2) Live by the values you'd want your loved one to hold as well. (3) Start with what you have to give and share with others, rather than with your unmet needs.

James writes: 'Be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything. If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you...But when you ask...you must have faith...Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all' (James 1:2-8 CEV).

Note three things in this Scripture: (1) Your faith grows when it's tested. You'll never know the strength of your anchor until you feel the blast of the storm. (2) God will give you wisdom to handle the test. Now, he won't answer all your 'whys'. So instead of questioning him, you need to pray, 'Lord, how do you want to use this trial to develop me spiritually? How can I co-operate with you to reap the maximum benefit? What changes do you desire to bring about in my life?' Those are questions God will answer. (3) You must be willing to obey. It's possible to ask God for wisdom, then debate, stall or mess around trying to decide whether to obey him. 'If you're that kind of person...don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all.' When God gives you his wisdom, your first response should be: 'Speak, for your servant is listening' (1 Samuel 3:10 NIV).