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!

 

The word for today

Keep on persevering

‘The testing of your faith produces perseverance.’ James 1:3 NIV

Perseverance keeps you going when friends fail you, discouragement whispers, ‘Give up,’ and doubt says, ‘It can’t be done.’ It’s your anchor in life’s storms, your compass when you’re lost, and the driving power that gets you up the next hill. James says, ‘The testing of your faith produces perseverance.’

Perseverance, which means to ‘keep on keeping on’, develops your faith. When the process is complete, God will end the trial, and not before. Meanwhile, here are three Scriptures you need to stand on:

(1) ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.’ (Isaiah 43:1–2 NIV)

(2) ‘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 so that you can endure it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

(3) ‘Our sole defence, our only weapon, is a life of integrity, whether we meet honour or dishonour, praise or blame… We are… always “going through it” yet never “going under”. We know sorrow, yet our joy is inextinguishable. We have “nothing to bless ourselves with” yet we bless many others with true riches. We are penniless, and yet in reality we have everything worth having.’ (2 Corinthians 6:7–10 PHPS)

So persevere; everything you’re going through right now will be more than worth it in the end. So don’t give up.

SoulFood: Rev 1–4, Mark 13:12–23, Ps 117, Pr 12: 20–22

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

You Can Start Again

‘Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.’ Proverbs 24:16 NIV

On the night of 9 December 1914, Edison Industries was destroyed by fire. The loss exceeded US$1,000,000 along with the majority of Thomas Edison’s work. He was insured for far less because the buildings were constructed of concrete, which was thought to make a building fireproof. At 67 years of age, the great inventor watched his life’s work go up in flames. The next morning after firefighters had finally brought the inferno under control, he surveyed his charred dreams and crushed hopes. As he looked at the scene, he said, ‘There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.’

Three weeks after the fire, Edison produced one of his greatest inventions: the first phonograph (record player). Try to imagine the world of music and entertainment without it! The Bible says, ‘For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.’ With God on your side you can begin again because the power to do it resides within you. It’s the same power that raised Christ from the dead (see Romans 8:11). Paul prayed for believers at Ephesus: ‘That out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.’ (Ephesians 3:16 NIV)

Where is your strength? ‘In your inner being.’ He continues: ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV) So the word for you today is—you can start again.

SoulFood: Lev 16, Lev 23:26–32, Heb 9:1–14, Heb 13:11–16

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Trust God’s Saving And Keeping Power

‘Kept by the power of God through faith for salvation.’ 1 Peter 1:5 NKJV

If our salvation is assured when we place our trust in Christ, might not some people take advantage of this assurance? Yes, they might—for a time. But as grace goes deep, and as God’s love and kindness sink in, they change. Grace fosters obedience. ‘The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.’ (Titus 2:11–12 NIV)

God’s grace does more than comfort you in your troubles; it convicts you in your disobedience. Let it convict you. If you ever catch yourself thinking, ‘I can do whatever I want because God will forgive me,’ then grace isn’t happening to you. Selfishness, perhaps. Arrogance, for sure. But grace? No.

Grace creates a resolve to do good, not permission to do bad. And one more thought. Look to Christ for your beginning and ending. He’s Alpha and Omega. He will hold you, and He will hold on to the ones you love. Do you have a prodigal son or daughter? Do you long for your spouse to come to God? Do you have a friend whose faith has grown cold? God wants them back more than you do.

Keep praying, and don’t give up. The truth is, we don’t always know if someone has trusted God’s grace. A person may have faked belief but not meant it. It’s not ours to know. But we do know this: where there is genuine conversion, grace never stops working. So today, trust God’s saving and keeping power.

SoulFood: Job 1–4, Matt 22:23–33, Ps 24, Pr 7:24–25

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Don’t even THINK about giving up!

‘We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;’ 2 Corinthians 4:8 NASB

We give up because: 1) We fear failure. Past hurts and mistakes haunt us, and we think it’s better not to try again than risk failing. Don’t spend your life digging up bones! We all have things in our past that we would rather forget. Put them behind you. Paul writes, ‘Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead’ (Philippians 3:13 CSB). 2) We worry about what people will say. ‘The fear of man brings a snare’ (Proverbs 29:25 NKJV). How you respond to criticism is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. There will always be people who won’t like or understand you. 3) We listen to the wrong voices. Satan is the Father of Lies and will do everything he can to discourage you. Paul says, ‘Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God … take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). When a thought comes, examine it. If it’s from God, receive it; if it’s from Satan, demolish it. 4) We lose focus. As believers, we’re to walk by faith, not by sight (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). That means making every decision based on what God says and not what you see with your natural eyes. 5) We lose touch with other believers. When the apostles got out of jail, they went back to ‘their own company’ (Acts 4:23 KJV). To stay strong, you need fellowship with other Christians. Too many people give up on the verge of success; don’t be one of them. There is only one degree of difference between hot water and steam – so keep going, and don’t even think of giving up!

SoulFood: 1 Kings 18:16 – 20:43, Matt 19:15-30, Ps 66:1-12, Pro 6:20-22

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2024

Start Praying!

‘…Noah…warned by God…[saved] his household…’ Hebrews 11:7 RSV

Are you close enough to God to hear His warnings when danger approaches? Noah was, and he saved his family. Are you close enough to your family for them to have confidence in what God has spoken to you? You can change the direction of your family without argument or discussion. How? Through prayer. Your loved ones need to be sheltered under the covering of your prayer life. If you don’t have one, get down on your knees and say, ‘…Lord, teach me to pray…’ (Luke 11:1) We are emotionally overwhelmed and spiritually depleted because we haven’t learned the power of prayer. The lack of it has left us weak and anxious. We blindly make decisions for our businesses, our relationships and our ministries without taking time to talk it over with the Lord. The story of Noah teaches that you can’t prepare for trouble without a warning from God. That means staying close to Him and hearing what He has to say. You can do great things after you’ve prayed, but you can do nothing of eternal value until you’ve prayed. ‘If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’ (2 Chronicles 7:14 RSV) God promises to intervene on behalf of the person who prays in His will. ‘…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.’ (1 John 5:14–15 NIV)

SoulFood: Eze 27:25–30:26, Luke 21:12–24, Ps 78:32–39, Pro 20:20–21

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Live A Balanced Life

‘Let your moderation be known unto all men.’ Philippians 4:5 KJV

To have a balanced life you must live by these two Scriptures:

(1) ‘God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to Him.’ (1 Peter 5:7 CEV).

(2) ‘Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.’ (1 Peter 5:8 CEV)

When you fail to do either of these two things, you’ve opened the door for Satan to attack you. Too much of anything, even a good thing, is a problem. For example, work is good. But too much of it causes stress, which can result in sickness, resentment, depression, and the breakdown of your relationships. Food is good. But too much of it can lead to serious health problems. It’s good to be organised. But if you become a perfectionist you can drive yourself and everyone around you crazy.

Any area of your life that gets out of balance will rob you of the joy God wants you to have. Maintaining a life of balance is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face. ‘Let your moderation be known unto all men.’ If you’re a highly driven personality, note the word ‘moderation’. It means ‘Don’t go to extremes.’

Pastor, excel in your ministry but don’t neglect your famili.

Parent, don’t just make a living, enjoy the people you’re making it for.

It is fine to care about your appearance, but don’t be obsessed with your looks because they’re not the true measure of your worth as a person. Take a look at your life and ask, ‘In what areas am I out of balance?’ Then ask Papa God to help you get back into balance.

SoulFood: Jer 18–21, Matt 1:1–25, Ps 59:1–8, Pro 14:21–22

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Go Back To Where You First Met God!

‘Jacob named the place Bethel.’ Genesis 35:15 NLT

What should you do when you’re discouraged and afraid you’ve lost your way? That’s the question Jacob was facing. And when he turned his heart towards God, here is the answer he got: ‘“Go up to Bethel… build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”’ (Genesis 35:1–3 NIV)

Now, you may not be into idol worshipping, but what do you need to ‘get rid of’? Bethel means ‘the place where God dwells’. So Jacob went back to the place where he had met God, where he had received a vision of his future, and where he had first experienced the joy of living in a covenant [solemn agreement] relationship with the Lord.

Have you made a mess of your life? Then go back to Bethel, to where you first met God. Build an altar and place your life on it. Do what the Scripture says: ‘In view of God’s mercy… offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.’ (Romans 12:1–2 NIV)

SoulFood: 2 Cor 6:14–7:1, Matt 3:1–10, Ps 116, Pro 31:30–31

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Next Year Get Out Of Your Rut!-

‘The Lord said to me, ‘You have been travelling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward.”’ Deuteronomy 2:2–3 ESV

A biologist experimented with what he called ‘processional caterpillars’. He lined up caterpillars on the rim of a pot that held a plant so that the lead caterpillar was head-to-tail with the last caterpillar, with no break in the parade. The tiny creatures walked around the rim of the pot for a full week before they died of exhaustion and starvation. Not once did any of them break out of line and venture over to the plant to eat. Food was only centimetres away, but their follow-the-crowd instinct was stronger than the drive to eat and survive.

The same thing happened to an entire generation of Israelites. They walked in circles in the wilderness for forty years, even though they were less than twenty kilometres from the Promised Land. If you’re in a rut today, ask yourself these three questions:

(1) Is this rut of my own making? We choose a rut because it’s comfortable and requires no risk. And getting out of it requires courage and a willingness to make tough choices you follow through on.

(2) Who am I following? We adopt certain patterns because someone has taught them to us directly, or by example. Instead of mindlessly following the crowd, seek God’s will for your life and commit yourself to doing it.

(3) Where am I going? The Bible says, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ (Proverbs 29:18 KJV) If you want to get out of the rut you’re in today, ask God to give you a vision for your life—He will! And when He does, pour yourself into it.

SoulFood: 1 Thes 4:1–5, 2 Cor 5:14–21, Ps 77:11–20, Pro 9:10–12

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Giving Brings Receiving

‘Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.’ 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

Jim Penner says: ‘It was a cold snowy day as my mother drove my sister and me to church. Living at the bottom of the Rocky Mountains I’d become accustomed to slipping and sliding. I remember my mother being tense… and hoping she’d have enough traction to make the curve without ploughing into the semi-truck ahead. Her tyres were bald—new ones were low on our priority list that included food and shelter. As Mom placed a cheque in the offering that day, I remember thinking there were better uses for those funds. Yet here she was tithing! Surely God would understand we had so many needs at home. But there was a contentment about her… a peace that passed understanding as she gave to the Lord cheerfully and gratefully… After the service a church elder walked over to her and said, “I see your tyres are bald… come by my shop tomorrow and I’ll give you some snow tyres.” Mom said, “But I can’t pay you.” “No problem,” he replied, “I just want to help.” That day I witnessed two levels of giving: Mom with her offering, and a kind man who wanted to help another human being.’

Big things come from little things, and ‘whoever sows generously will also reap generously.’ As John Mason observes, ‘The miraculous realm of God always has to do with multiplication… Suppose a kernel of corn produces one stalk with two ears, and each ear has 200 kernels. From those 400 kernels come 400 stalks with 160,000 kernels… all from a single kernel. Some blessings are material, some spiritual. We don’t always know what we need most, but God does, and a generous spirit opens the floodgates of Heaven.’

SoulFood: Ezek 31–33, Luke 20:20–26, Ps 27, Pr 20:5–6

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Understanding Our Heavenly Father (2)

‘He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic.’ Psalm 103:13 TLB

To see God as your loving Father may not come easily if you carry the scars of an abusive childhood. So many needs that went unmet in your childhood—affection, security, trust, comfort, nurture, and material requirements—can make it hard to believe that God will provide for your needs now. So what to do? Recognise that the father-image you are holding on to is flawed and in no way fits your heavenly Father. Even the best dad doesn’t come close to your heavenly Papa God.

God wants you to see Him as a caring, sensitive, generous, dependable Father. That’s why Jesus taught us to call Him ‘Our Father’, not just ‘Almighty God and Lord’. It’s also why He called God ‘your Father’ and not just ‘My Father’.

Like a good father, God has anticipated your every need and provided for it (see Matthew 6:25–34). Just as good parents understand the individual characteristics of their children, your heavenly Father knows your unique needs, thoughts, and feelings. ‘The Lord has mercy on those who respect Him… He knows how we were made.’ (Psalm 103:13–14 NCV) His care for you is tailor-made to fit your specific requirements and limitations.

Just as a good earthly father accepts and fulfils his responsibility to provide for his children, your Papa God holds Himself responsible for meeting your needs, and He wants you to act accordingly by trusting Him. In other words, your role is to act like the child of a trustworthy, generous, permanently loving Father.

SoulFood: Ezra 9–10, John 7:1–13, Ps 104:1–18, Pro 24:26–27

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

Inspired

While walking on the streets in Madang today, I sighted a guy with “The WORD FOR TODAY” booklet. I asked permission to glance through and did so.
Asked him where he bought the booklet, and he told me that ” It was at the Christian Book Shop” so I hurried there and got a copy for myself.
I enjoyed reading. “The Word really inspired me. It’s very Inspirational and I was blessed by The Word.
As a teacher, I’d love to have some copies on the shelves of our class library for my grade 8 students to read and ” Be Blessed & Inspired” too.
Thank you very much for publishing ‘The Word’. May God bless you ALL.
Ivanokovic, Madang, Papua New Guinea

Wonderful ministry in Timor-Leste

Pastor Elienae writes:

Happy Family in Timor-Leste

“During the 17 years of Radio Voz ministry in Timor-Leste, this year 2020 has been one of the most fruitful of our radio ministry in this beloved country.

Because of the COVID-19 situation, we intensified our ministry on air, specially praying for the listeners, and also sharing words of comfort and hope in God.

Just in the latest days four people have come to meet us, to receive prayers and guidance from the Word of God. Two of them have surrendered their lives to Jesus. One of them, a young woman got very impacted by the on air reading of the Bible, a program we have every morning.

During the prayer program, 6am everyday, people send their prayer request and have their name mentioned right away in the presence of God.

For me as the one who conducted the morning prayer program, I feel very honoured for the opportunity to lead the people (most of them not believers yet) in prayer in to the presence of God, at the same time we are creating the habit of seeking God daily in the Timorese society.

Praise God for Radio Voz, and for UCB that have faithfully partnered with us in this ministry.

Thank God for all the faithful donors who generously have contributed for this radio ministry. The Lord bless each one them.”

Ps Elienae, Timor Leste

Bernadette from Holik Village

Bernadette Selah is from Holik village in Yangoru District, Wewak East Sepik Province. The Word for Today has made a big impact in her life as the women’s Prayer Warrior Coordinator. She got more knowledge from The Word for Today to encourage the women during prayer time. She describes the writer, the late Bob Gas as if he is writing about the future, present and past and the book speaks about the real situation of life and you would really feel God is with you daily.

Blessed by Radio and Print

TWFT Jan-Jun2022
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

Loving It

I am definitely enjoying it (The Word for Today) a lot.
My family all have a copy each.
Thank you so much for the daily spiritual nourishment.
Esther, Fiji

God is in Control

Sofiana and Rio

Sofiana was in a state of confusion because of a problem. She found herself with opposition from her family because she chose to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I (Rio) shared God’s Word with her and I said that all the problems faced were already under God’s control and just believe in God and God will act. After I shared with her then she read The Word for Today and she found the words that strengthened her the same as what I shared with her before which is GOD IS IN CONTROL and she is very blessed.

Sofiana is a loyal friend who helps Radio Voz in translating The Word for Today.

Asking for prayer for his wife

Joao Ambere is a listener who came to Radio Voz four years ago and at that time asked for prayers for his wife who was seriously ill. Praise God in less than four months his wife recovered. Even though it’s been a long time, a few days ago Joao called on the Voz Crista program to thank us for praying for his wife. This gratitude is focused not only because of healing but because of the knowledge of Jesus that freed them from the bondage of the devil and now their lives are entirely for God. Joao is currently active in the church at Assosiasaun da Luz.

Rio
Station Manager – Radio Voz
Timor-Leste

Blessed by God’s Word

Estanislau

Estanislau is an avid listener of Radio Voz from the district of Ermera. One day Estanislau stopped me in the middle of the road while I was cycling, he recognized me because I was wearing a Radio Voz t-shirt. He introduced himself to me and told me that he faithfully listened to Radio Voz and that he felt very blessed by the presentation of God’s Word. At the end of the introduction I invited him to have something to eat with me, so we ate meatballs on the beach and I prayed for him.

Estanislau is familiar with one of our church members, Alvaro, who is also a listener of Radio Voz, he will be connecting with him to help nurture him in his relationship with God and invite him to church.

Rio
Station Manager – Radio Voz
Timor-Leste

Impact in the Solomon Islands

I gave 4 copies to four Church leaders. Each of the leaders found the book very interesting and motivating. One of the leaders commented that they have been missing out all the good things that are in the book..

I can see the spiritual growth, motivation and determination of each of them.

But for me as a pastor, the book has really helped me. It has motivated and inspired my devotional prayer life and keep me on course. What more can I say..thank God for the book.

Tukai, Solomon Islands

Pastor meets Jesus through Radio Voz

I have always seen this man as a success in the service of Radio Voz. Like I had reported a few months ago that Pastor Tomas knew Jesus through Radio Voz. This again he recounted how he first knew and accepted Jesus through the radio. He told this when we were doing the JLND leadership camp in Railaku on 20 October.

The audience did not expect that Pastor Thomas first knew Jesus through Radio Voz. Me and Melly as publishers who attended the event felt very happy. And at that time Tomas who is now a pastor again prayed for us as publishers who had preached the news of salvation for him.

Rio
Station Manager – Radio Voz
Timor-Leste