Living Today
Interesting articles from Christian teachers and leaders. Designed to help you as you follow Jesus!
4 Ways to Love Better
I was recently talking with someone about some relationship struggles they were experiencing. The need for patience was what we ended up with as a critical component to loving better.
It’s very interesting, that in the love chapter in 1 Corinthians, it starts with “Love is patient…”.
Love in our relationships (spouse, friends, family etc), is more than just the thought. God wants us to love, not just in word, but also in deed! The good part is that God will help us love.
Here are 4 habits Christians could practice to better love one another:
- Be Patient in All Things
1 Corinthians 13:3
Love is patient, love is kind….
- Keep Your Promise
Matthew 5:37
Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
- Learn to Let Go
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
- Trust Without Wavering
1 Corinthians 13:7
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Article by Mark & Cindy, Vision Christian Media
A Father’s Heart
Despite having 21 years to prepare a father of the bride speech for my daughter wedding last week - it’s hard as a father to keep reminding yourself that “your little girl” isn’t that little anymore - she has grown up into a beautiful women. There are many great privileges a father gets to have with his daughter. Things like Blowing bubblegum bubbles A high five that stings Learning to whistle First bike ride Rollercoaster introduction Using power tools Fits of laughter and moments of...
The Cross at Easter
The cross is an important symbol during Easter, reminding us of the incredible sacrifice Jesus made. Despite all of our struggles and pain, the cross reminds us we are not alone in this world. We can find strength and comfort knowing that Jesus has already saved us from our sins. It’s this hope for redemption through Christ’s death on the cross that makes Easter such an integral part of Christian tradition. Stu Millar from Train to Proclaim recently shared on Vision Chrisitan Media his...
Living out Faith in a Hostile World
You don’t have to look any further than the most recent headlines to see that we live in uncertain times. Many people think the world has never been more hostile to Christians than it is now, especially since the cancel culture continues to target people who aren’t seen as politically correct. Being a Christian in a deeply secularised society is a growing challenge. Everyone’s truth seems to be accepted unless you’re a Christian. So how do we live out our faith in such a hostile world? With...
Blessed to be a Blessing
Numbers 6:24-26 says Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. If we could shrink the Earth’s population into a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following. There would be: 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 from the western hemisphere, both north and south, 8 Africans 52 females; 48 males 80 living in...
When All Seems Lost
Now what? That’s something that all of us have said to ourselves at one time or another. In his new message, ‘When All Seems Lost’, Pastor Jeff Vines covers the topics of marriage and keeping relationships strong. Jeff offers encouragement for those of us who are struggling with chaos and feeling lost. God does not give His law arbitrarily. When God tells us He wants us to live in certain parameters and by certain precepts, He does it because He loves us. If He’s the creator and sustainer of...
Compassion and Action
The crewmembers on board Logos Hope all left their homes at one point to come on board the ship to live and work together with others from around the world. They exchanged their familiar environments for a very unique accommodation – a ship – which sooner or later they also call their home for a specific amount of time. They all do know though, that there are many people in the world, who are longing for a place to stay in which they can experience peace and safety. The refugees who leave...
Dad’s Toolkit
It’s a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the value of family, and in particular the role of dads. What are your strengths as a parent? Are there some areas you could grow in? How do you begin your journey of becoming the parent God has called you to be? Brett and Kate Ryan from Focus on the Family, have created a ‘Dad’s Toolkit’ that’s full of ideas on how dad’s can improve themselves. It contains things like conversation starters with your kids, and questions we can ask our dads. Healthy...
Truth, Lies and Financial Freedom
Many Christians divide their lives into categories. Some things they want Jesus to be a part of, but not others. Because we compartmentalise our Christian lives, according to Pastor Jeff Vines, we instantly assume that everything we don’t devote to God is neutral. God will still love us, but any area that we withhold from Him and think we can handle on our own is a false assumption. C.S. Lewis said, ‘There is no neutral ground in the universe.’ Every square inch, every split second is claimed...
God is always wanting to use us
Recently, I was clicking through folders and folders of early photos of our kids. From baby age to the present, I just got lost in it for hours. How good it was to recount the memories, the places we had visited and I just couldn’t hold back giving God the glory for the good things He had done in our family. Towards the end, a certain photo stopped me in my tracks. You see, over 2yrs ago, our eldest daughter moved to Perth to follow God’s plan for her life. While Cindy and I daily still miss...
Bringing Clarity in Confusing Times
Dr Kameel Majdali is an ordained minister of the Australian Christian Churches. He preaches all over the world with an emphasis on the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. He also leads the organisation Teach All Nations, a ministry that is dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible. Kameel recently joined the 20Twenty program on Vision Christian Media to share a preview of what to expect in his upcoming Australian tour. His desire is to bring...
Set healthy boundaries
‘Our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No”.’ 2 Corinthians 1:18 NLT
Paul writes, ‘Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver.’ (2 Corinthians 1:17–18 NLT) Paul had learned to set boundaries in his relationships, and you must do the same.
A wise man said, ‘Never complain about what you permit.’ Unless you set boundaries, you have no right to complain about people who take advantage of you and waste your time. ‘Jesus… does not waver between “Yes” and “No”… He always does what He says.’ (2 Corinthians 1:19 NLT) And as His follower, you must learn when it’s appropriate to say yes and when it’s appropriate to say no. When people back you into a corner, confront them promptly, privately, and personally. And if they won’t listen, take someone with you. And if they won’t listen to both of you, take it to the church leadership (see Matthew 18:15–17). Be clear about what you will and won’t tolerate.
In the words of the country song, ‘You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.’ Get comfortable voicing your wishes and preferences without fear of rejection and alienation. Make this your prayer today: ‘Lord, let me serve and give to others from a pure heart rather than a need for love and acceptance. On the authority of Your Word, I command the spirit of fear that has prevented me from setting healthy boundaries to leave now. I place my trust in You. I will not fear what people can do to me (Psalm 56:11). In Jesus’ name. Amen.’
SoulFood: Gen 50, Hag 1–2, Jn 20:1–18, Ps 105:1–7, Ecc 5:13–17
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©
