Who is Jesus Christ?

This is one of the most important questions you can ever ask because, you need Jesus.

God loves you. He desires to have a living relationship with you and give you salvation, purpose and eternal life. It is an important decision that only you can make, but you need to make it!

1. You have a past

Scripture states clearly that everyone in the world is guilty of sin — and that includes you and me. Romans 3:23 says: ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’

2. Sin has its price

Romans 6:23 tells us: ‘For the wages of sin is death.’ The wage we earn from work is money, but the wages of sin is death. Death means separation from God forever. But there is good news.

3. Christ paid for your sin

Even though we are sinners, Christ loves us so much that He died in our place to pay for our sin. ‘But God demonstrated His own love for us in this while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5:8)

4. You must believe

To become a Christian and have assurance of eternal life is a personal decision only you can make. Romans 10:9 says: ‘if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’ The word ‘believe’ here means to entrust your life completely over to Jesus Christ. That’s what real faith is, asking Jesus Christ to be Lord of your Life.

If You’d like to begin a personal relationship with Jesus today, please pray this prayer.

Dear Lord Jesus, I believe You died for me and that Your blood paid for my sins. Please forgive me for my sin. I want You to be my Lord. Thank You for dying for me, forgiving my sin and giving me the gift of eternal life. I wish to turn away from sin and I acknowledge You as my Lord and Saviour. Lead and guide me in Your way, Amen.

You have just made an important and very wise decision. We encourage you to now contact your local Christian church for regular, ongoing fellowship and guidance in becoming a disciple. Anytime you would like us to pray for you, either now or in the future, you can always contact the team at Vision Christian Prayer.

We’d love you to send us an email to tell us the story behind your decision.

We’d also love to send you a complimentary copy of our devotional, The Word for Today to help you search the Scriptures daily, know Jesus better and follow Him more closely. Give us a call if you’d like a copy.

1 John 5:11-12 tells us there are two groups of people. ‘He who has the Son has life’ and ‘He who does not have the Son of God does not have life.’ Because you have prayed and believed in the Son you have life!

Let your children enjoy their childhood

‘I will lead on slowly, at a pace which … the children, are able to endure.’ Genesis 3 3:14 NKJV

Today there is a tendency on the part of some parents to try and make their children grow up too quickly. They rush them through the milestones of childhood and thrust them into the turmoil of adolescence. This is the conclusion of developmental psychologist Dr David Elkind, who called this cultural phenomenon the ‘Hurried Child Syndrome’. It happens when parents encourage their children to act like teenagers, such as buying make-up for preschool girls, allowing early teenage dating, treating kids more like grown-ups, expecting them to make adult-level choices, dressing them in designer clothes, and especially, subjecting them to graphic sexuality in television, music videos, movies, and the internet. Years ago, parents understood the necessity of a safe and orderly progression through childhood.

There were cultural markers that defined the ages at which specific behaviours and activities were deemed appropriate or inappropriate. Today these markers have vanished, or they have been moved downwards. And it can be a big mistake. When you treat your children as if they’re already grown, it becomes very challenging to set limits on their adolescent behaviour in the near future. How can you establish a curfew for a 13 year-old, for example, who has been taught to view himself or herself as an adult? In short, the ‘Hurried Child Syndrome’ deprives our kids of childhood and puts them on an unnatural timetable that’s detrimental to their mental and physical health.

If you’re wise, you will heed the advice of Jacob to his brother Esau: ‘I will lead on slowly, at a pace which … the children, are able to endure.’

SoulFood: Ezra 1-2, Luke 9:57-62, Ps 46, Pro 19:18-20

Walking By Faith

‘For we walk by faith, not by sight.’ 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

Jesus said: ‘I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of Me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.’ (John 16:33 CEV) Life keeps handing us problems that test our faith. How do you know how much weight a bridge can handle? By testing it.

Daniel’s success made him a target. Knowing he prayed regularly, his enemies persuaded King Darius that all prayers should only be made to him as the king. Yet Daniel kept praying each day—in front of an open window! When the king heard about it, he threw Daniel into a lions’ den. But God turned the tables. The next morning when Daniel came out, his enemies were thrown in. Then the king announced, ‘Daniel’s God… is the living God.’ (Daniel 6:26 CEV)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the king’s idols. Even when they were warned to bow or burn, they said, ‘God… is able to deliver us… But if not… we will not serve your gods.’ (Daniel 3:17–18 ESV) And because they walked by faith, God delivered and promoted them.

Facing Goliath, David refused to wear the king’s armour. He said, ‘I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them.’ (1 Samuel 17:39 KJV) So what did he go with? ‘The name of the Lord’ (1 Samuel 17:45 KJV), and the rest is history.

The chances are you will never find yourself in a lions’ den, a fiery furnace, or facing a giant, though some days it will feel like it. But when you’re under attack:

(1) pray and claim God’s power

(2) walk by faith, and

(3) go in ‘the name of the Lord.’

SoulFood: 2 Sam 1:1 – 3:21, John 4:1-12, Ps 89:38-52, Pro 23:19-21

The link between disobedience and stress

‘Walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ Jeremiah 7:23 NKJV

A leading Christian psychologist says there is a direct correlation between the stress we experience and disobeying God’s Word. Could that be true? Could there be a link between the stress you are feeling and the level of your obedience to God? Yes. Think about it. As a redeemed child of God, when you knowingly disobey Him, your conscience bothers you and you feel conflicted and condemned. By knowingly violating His Word, you get uncomfortable in your own skin. Plus, when you need to pray and ask God for something, it can feel like you’re talking to the person who paid you to do a job you haven’t even started. ‘Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence towards God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.’ (1 John 3:21–22 NKJV)

Sometimes we cannot pinpoint the exact source of the stress we’re feeling; it just feels like all is not well. What should you do? Stop and think about your behaviour! The twelve-step programme of recovery refers to this as ‘a searching and fearless moral inventory’. It must be taken in order for a suffering alcoholic or addict to break free of what keeps driving them back to their habit. Would you like to de-stress? Read this Scripture prayerfully and carefully: ‘But this is what I commanded them, saying, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.”’ (Jeremiah 7:23 NKJV)

SoulFood: Rev 5–9, Luke 17:20–37, Ps 115, Pro 8:1–3

How to Become ‘Righteous’

‘With the heart one believes unto righteousness…’ Romans 10:10 NKJV

To be ‘saved’ you must put your trust in Christ, and nothing else. You say, ‘But what if I clean up my act?’ No, there are people who ‘accidentally’ live better than you do even when you try. Our distinction as Christians is that we have placed our trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and nothing else. Paul says it clearly: ‘If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’ (Romans 10:9–10 NKJV) Salvation is the result of what you believe in your heart about the finished work of Christ, and what you confess with your lips. Those two elements, believing and confessing, bring you into a state of ‘righteousness’ in the eyes of God.

Have you ever used a coupon with a ‘buy this and get this free’ offer? You don’t have to pay for the free gift. Why? Because with the coupon, they give it to you as though you had the money. Getting the idea? You have no righteousness to bring before God in exchange for salvation, but He has set up a coupon system called redemption and said, ‘Once you place your trust in Christ, I will view you as righteous from that moment on.’ The word ‘righteous’ simply means ‘to be in right standing with God.’ What a way to live! What a well of joy! What a source of confidence!

SoulFood: 1 John 1:1–3:10, John 8:21–30, Ps 86, Pro 25:8–12

Be Slow To Anger

‘A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.’ Proverbs 15:18 NKJV

Solomon repeatedly advises us to be ‘slow to anger’ (Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32). Take your Bible and read those Scriptures slowly, thoughtfully, and prayerfully. Pay close attention to the occasions in Scripture when Jesus got angry (which are few), and something will immediately jump out at you. He never became angry over what someone did to Him. He never retaliated or lashed out at people who wronged Him. Even as His executioners nailed Him to the cross, He prayed, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34 KJV) Pretty amazing, isn’t it? So if you’re serious about following Jesus, you must learn to follow suit!

The Bible says, ‘A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ (Proverbs 15:1 NKJV) Have you ever noticed how professional firefighters almost never fight fire with fire? Most times water is a much better tool. In the same way, a soft reply to an angry comment is like pouring the cool water of calmness on the fire of a hot temper.

A Kenyon College speech research unit confirmed through a series of experiments that, when people are yelled at, they almost always yell back. The research also proved that you can control another person’s tone of voice, depending on the tone you adopt. If you keep your voice soft, not only will you avoid becoming angry, but most likely you will prevent the other person from getting upset too. Do you want to be more Christlike and more successful in dealing with others? Then the word for today is—‘Be slow to anger.’

SoulFood: 2 Sam 3:22–7:17, John 1:43–51, Ps 23, Pr 23:4–5

Releasing The Power Within You

‘God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey Him.’ Philippians 2:13 CEV

The engine in a car is its power source, and it’s activated when you put the car in gear. Only then do you have the drive you need to get where you need to go. One of the dangers in seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit is that you can reduce it to an ‘experience’, rather than ‘putting it in gear’ to accomplish great things for God.

In the New Testament when someone was filled with the Holy Spirit—things happened. People turned to Christ. Healings took place. On one occasion, they had a book-burning in the town square (see Acts 19:19). They didn’t just celebrate in church—they took it to the streets! In Scripture, the first picture we have of God is of Him in His creative role. He creates us in His image, breathes life into us, then tells us, ‘Go out and become productive.’ (See Genesis 1:28.)

If you’re praying for someone with all the answers to come along and change your circumstances, it won’t happen. You’re not a helpless bystander. What God has placed inside you will change what’s outside you—provided you put it to work! What’s within you is greater than the trouble you have been through, the situation you’re in, or the obstacles that lie in your path. When everything around you is saying no and something within you is saying yes, that’s ‘God… working in you to make you willing and able to obey Him.’ The ‘willing’ is your part; the ‘able’ is His part.

When you get those two things working in sync, your life will change.

SoulFood: Exo 28-29, Luke 14:15-24, Ps 106:1-23, Pro 7:1-2

Don’t Give Up!

‘…There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure…trials…’ 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

In the 1950s Mary Kay Ash was the first woman to sit on the board of directors at the World Gift Company. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing! Although she’d earned a place in the corporate world, her associates refused to take her seriously and accused her of ‘thinking like a woman’. Frustrated, she retired in 1963 to write a book designed to help women in business. Sitting at her kitchen table, she listed all the positives about the companies where she’d worked, as well as the things that could be improved. In doing so she created a marketing plan for her ideal company. Her accountant and her attorney discouraged her but with her husband’s support she created a new cosmetic [makeup] line and recruited and trained an all-female sales force. Her motto was, ‘God first, family second, career third.’ When her husband died unexpectedly, she stayed on track and launched her new company. From a storefront in Dallas USA and a $5000 investment, Mary Kay Cosmetics earned $200,000 the first year, $800,000 in the next and, when it went public in1968, sales were over $10,000,000. Mary Kay wrote three best sellers, her business model is taught at Harvard, Fortune Magazine named her company one of the Ten Best Companies for Women, as well as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America. When she died in 2001 she had 800,000 independent beauty consultants in 37 countries with annual sales over $2 billion. Never underestimate someone with vision and determination! When you face adversity don’t give up. ‘There is wonderful joy ahead.’

SoulFood: Gen 24:1–51, 2 Cor 6:14–7:1

Give It All You’ve Got!

‘The rest of the apostles were Simon, known as the Eager One…’ Luke 6:15 CEV

In their final game of the 1968 college American football championships, Ohio State University beat the University of Michigan Ohio convincingly by 50 points to14. But that game is remembered because of what happened minutes from the end. Already leading 44–14, Ohio State pressed heroically for a final touchdown. Then, instead of going for the normal one-point conversion, legendary kicker Woody Hayes tried unsuccessfully for a two-point conversion. After the game when he was asked by a reporter why he had tried for two points when the game was already won, Hayes replied, ‘Because I couldn’t go for three!’

Giving it your all results in victory not defeat; in satisfaction not regret. Enthusiasm is at the core of every worthwhile accomplishment. Paul writes, ‘It is good to be zealous in a good thing always.’ (Galatians 4:18 NKJV)

Among the disciples, one in particular was known for his enthusiasm: Simon the ‘Eager One’. Before his conversion, Simon belonged to a militant nationalist party committed to Jewish liberation from Rome. By grace, Simon the political zealot became a spiritual firebrand whose passion was channelled into the Gospel of Christ and His Kingdom.

The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek words en Theos, meaning ‘God within’. Christian enthusiasm is God-inspired passion, driven by the Glory of God, directed by the Word of God, dedicated to the Son of God, and derived from the Spirit of God. When it comes to loving and serving Christ, giving it everything you’ve got is the only way to go! Today try to become like Simon and be known as the ‘Eager One’.

SoulFood: Acts 16-17, Matt 27:45-56, Ps 1, Pro 16:10-15

Take Control Of Your Mind

‘Keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile.’ Philippians 4:8 CEV

The old saying goes: ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ The Bible says, ‘Then Satan entered Judas… So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.’ (Luke 22:3–4 NKJV) It seems Judas was constantly preoccupied with money, and Satan exploited it to his destruction. During the three years that Judas followed Jesus, he heard Him repeatedly warn about the danger of loving money, but he failed to get the message.

Your mind never stops working and if you don’t take control of it, it will take control of you. Paul writes: ‘Keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper.’ What you become is a direct result of what your mind dwells on. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘Life consists of what a man [or woman] is thinking about all day.’ John Locke said, ‘The actions of men [or women] are the greatest interpreters of their thoughts.’ James Allen said, ‘You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.’

This is why the apostle Peter warns us to ‘prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.’ (1 Peter 1:13 NLT) It’s why the psalmist wrote: ‘Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me… Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.’ (Psalm 19:13–14 NKJV)

Note the words meditation of my heart’. The word for you today is: take control of your mind.

SoulFood: Num 11–13, Mark 2:18–28, Ps 2, Pro 10:30–32

Make Your Words Count

‘The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.’ Proverbs 18:4 NKJV

When Solomon speaks of ‘deep waters’, he’s referring to the water near the bottom of the well that’s the cleanest and coolest. If you want to know what kind of water a well has, go down towards the bottom. And if you want to know what’s in a person’s heart, listen to his or her words.

An old country farmer put it this way: ‘What’s down in the well always comes up in the bucket!’ One of the surest signs of wisdom and maturity is the ability to say the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, to the right person—or to say nothing at all. Indeed, as you become wiser, you’ll talk less and say more. When someone is arrested, the police are required to read an official caution before questioning them, informing them of their right to remain silent: ‘You do not have to say anything… Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’ So unless your words are intended to build someone up rather than tear them down, silence is a ‘right’ you should exercise every day. Sometimes the wisest option is not to speak your thoughts out loud.

It’s said, ‘A wise man is someone who thinks twice before saying nothing.’ Again, Solomon says: ‘The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent.’ (Proverbs 17:27–28 NIV)

So, it’s better to keep your mouth shut when the Holy Spirit prompts you to do so. Silence can be misunderstood but it can never be misquoted.

SoulFood: Ezra 6–8, John 7:45–53, Ps 9, Pro 24:30–34

A blessing in Vanuatu

Good afternoon

I have started to read The Word for Today since 2020 and it helps me a lot in my daily life maintain and it supports my well being.

God bless
Joyce

Marilyn from Holik Village

Marilyn Huasimani is from Holik village in Yangoru in East Sepik Province. She is the Women’s Fellowship Coordinator. When The Word for Today was introduced to the ministry, the mothers were in tears wondering if the writer knew their situations and wrote the book. She said, when you are sick, you will need to see the Doctor, but when you are spiritually sick, you will need to read The Word for Today…cause the book has Heavens Prescription that doesn’t cost you a penny.

God knows what we really need!

This is a powerful testimony of a young woman that encountered God through The Word for Today, reminding us to be aware of how God may want to speak to us, either through His Word, through people, even through our situations.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD.
11 years ago, I lost my mother to an illness, and it took a few years after that struggling to accept it. Two years after her passing my father re-married, but my stepmom was(is) a loving, caring, kind and God-fearing woman, yet I could not fully accept her into my life. Up until last year I sought counselling and that helped me. I decided to put my foot down that it’s time to change my perspective of my stepmom.

As 2024 began, I told myself that this is the year to re-fresh and start all over again. Lo and behold on the 19th of January as I opened up the UCB Word for Today devotional booklet, what I read hit a spot in my life where I felt ministered to by God. He just read my mail! Bingo! It talked about blended family and how we children tend to be loyal to our previous parent and welcoming a new parent(step) may feel like an act of betrayal.

I looked up to heaven lol and said, “God you really know what I needed to hear and know how to get your message across to me today after all these years of struggling alone with this issue.” It has really opened my eyes and helped me in forming a better relationship with my stepmom. So thank you UCB for the booklet and the message you have for each day, as many a time the message for the day is really what I needed to hear from God in response to my prayers.
The Word for Today booklet has really impacted my life and helped me in my spiritual walk with the Lord.

Submitted by a reader of The Word for Today to Tomu

Courage through the Words

I am Samjhana Nepal from Laltipur Nepal . Over a few months, I’ve had the honour of engaging with the transforming message presented in the book “Message of Hope Nepal .” The profound meaning included in its words has given me a tremendous sense of courage. I’m incredibly appreciative of all the benefits I’ve gotten from reading this literary work. In the same way that nourishing food is necessary for bodily survival, spiritual edification is also essential for the soul’s nutriment.

I have gained a greater sense of intimacy with the divine in my path by immersing myself in the information in this book and accepting the spiritual nourishment it offers. May the generous blessings of the divine be given to every person involved in the creation and distribution of this invaluable literary Work

Samjhana from Nepal

Blessed by Radio and Print

I am a regular reader and listener of the Message of Hope Nepal’s program. I love to listen to The Word for Today everyday also weekly I listen radio programs from Good News FM . Specially this daily devotional message helps me to grow spiritually in my day to day life . This is very simple and easy to understand clearly. I always share this to my circle from Facebook.

I am very much thankful toward Lord Jesus and Message of Hope Nepal which leads me to live better life with God and guides me to be happy and thankful in my life .

Laxmi – Lalitpur, Nepal

University Chaplain encourages students to read The Word for Today

My serving in the service of God with Solomon Islands National University commenced with Solomon Islands College of Higher Education right through when we become the University of Solomon islands.

I know God has laid me into impacting many souls of our citizens of our beloved country Solomon islands.

Many who are up there now serving in their areas of responsibilities.

I encourage you all; wherever you are, to read this book [The Word for Today] and have time to pray as the Holy Spirit Will give you more insight into the secret of God’s Word.

This word of encouragement is for you all of my outgoing students of Solomon Islands College of Higher Education and Solomon Islands National University.

God bless
Pastor Solomon Maesala
Chaplain
Solomon Islands National University

Fascinating and Practical

Thank you

Recently in a Church meeting, one of the senior elders of a congregation pulled out his copy of The Word for Today and showed it to us and said. “I am greatly impressed by this devotional book. It’s fascinating and so practical in our Christian walk…”

This person had been a long time serving chaplain in SICHE then and now SINU (Solomon Islands National University). He has just retired and has now become an elder of a congregation in the City.

Solomon Islands

The Word for Today

I bought the books and distributed them to other leaders with the hope that they read God’s Word daily. Many of them found the book very helpful and motivating..as you know, many people have various issues faced in life. This book touches many different areas of life which I am thankful to the Lord for!

Loretta, Solomon Islands

Reaching under developed regions…

Greetings

I came to know The Word for Today devotional when I was in Bible college at Surkhet. So for 3 years, I am regularly reading this devotional book.

This is so interesting to read every day with a different topic and it’s easy to understand and short. This really helps us to grow our spiritual life and helps me to prepare the Word of God in my sermons.

I am really thankful to Message of Hope Nepal for your contribution to serve through this kind of ministry. I knew that you send us this book to Humla as well. My place is very underdeveloped. there are no proper transport facilities. I am happy that Message of Hope Nepal is able to send books to the Hope Church in Humla. We will be praying for you.

Kalpana Buda, Humla, Nepal

Madam Chair Esther and the Rugby Girls

The following testimony is from Tomu about Madam Chair Esther and the Rugby girls…

In my conversations with Madam Chair Esther, she has often shared the importance of using the platforms God has entrusted to her—as a rugby mum and community leader—to impact the lives of the young women around her. She consistently testifies how deeply encouraged she is to see God using her in this season to shape the lives of the rugby girls for the greater good and for His Kingdom.
Beyond her role as a manager, Esther faithfully distributes The Word for Today devotionals each year to the rugby girls under her care. She encourages them not only to read the Bible and do daily devotions, but most importantly to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus.
The devotionals have become a powerful tool in her ministry, blessing the girls year after year. Esther has witnessed visible changes in their lives—spiritual growth, renewed faith, and stronger commitment—through the impact of God’s Word. We praise God for using us as vessels of blessing, bringing hope and transformation to others around us.

Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

If you have testimonies and pictures of how The Word for Today is making an impact in your nation, or the radio or God, please email [email protected], thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.