   God will not tolerate pride from anyone. If self-exalted people refuse to humble themselves, they leave God no other choice than to do it for them. 

   One day, pride got the better of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon: 'As he looked out across the city, he said, "Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendour' (Daniel 4:30 NLT). That was raw, arrogant pride. A year earlier, Daniel had told the king through the interpretation of his dream that he should change his ways. But he had ignored Daniel's warning. Now God said enough was enough and interrupted his proud moment: 'While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from Heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer the ruler of this kingdom"' (Daniel 4:31 NLT). During the next seven years, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and lived unkempt in the forest. That's how low pride brought him! 

   Someone once said, 'A man wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package.' Only when Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself did God have mercy on him and give him back his sanity and his reign. That's when he declared God's sovereignty over all kings and kingdoms: 'Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honour the King of Heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud' (Daniel 4:37 NLT). So be humble!





— SCRIPTURE —

    'Humble yourselves...that he may lift you up.' 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

    Est 4:9-5:3, Matt 11:28, Heb 4:14-16
    

God will not tolerate pride from anyone. If self-exalted people refuse to humble themselves, they leave God no other choice than to do it for them. One day, pride got the better of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon: 'As he looked out across the city, he said, "Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendour' (Daniel 4:30 NLT). That was raw, arrogant pride. A year earlier, Daniel had told the king through the interpretation of his dream that he should change his ways. But he had ignored Daniel's warning. Now God said enough was enough and interrupted his proud moment: 'While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from Heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer the ruler of this kingdom"' (Daniel 4:31 NLT). During the next seven years, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and lived unkempt in the forest. That's how low pride brought him! Someone once said, 'A man wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package.' Only when Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself did God have mercy on him and give him back his sanity and his reign. That's when he declared God's sovereignty over all kings and kingdoms: 'Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honour the King of Heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud' (Daniel 4:37 NLT). So be humble!
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'Humble yourselves...that he may lift you up.' 1 Peter 5:6 NIV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Est 4:9-5:3, Matt 11:28, Heb 4:14-16

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.

The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day’s devotion appeared to be ‘written just for me’

The Word For Today is a daily devotional by authors Bob and Debby Gass. Every day, tens of thousands of people across New Zealand are encouraged and uplifted by its relevant insights.
The daily readings resonate with people as they often speak into their current circumstances. Often readers express wonder at how a particular day&rsquo;s devotion appeared to be &lsquo;written just for me&rsquo;

The Word For Today

Be humble

   Country and gospel music star Randy Travis and his manager, Lib, remember the lean days of his career - all 3,650 of them. For ten years, Lib did whatever it took to keep her club open long enough for somebody to discover Travis' talent. For his part, Randy sang his heart out. And when he wasn't singing, he was frying catfish and washing dishes in the kitchen. Then it happened. His break came, and everything seemed to click for him. He had a hit called 'On the Other Hand', an album contract, a tour offer and a movie deal. He was hot! Suddenly, everyone seemed to be calling him an overnight success. 

   But Randy recalls it differently: 'We were turned down more than once by every record label in Nashville. But I'm the kind of one to believe that if you work at something long enough, and keep believing, sooner or later it will happen.' Randy Travis went on to become an American music legend, winning three Grammys and seven Dove Awards and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But it didn't come easily or happen overnight. It happened because he worked hard, remained faithful through the tough times, and trusted God to come through for him. 

   Jesus said: 'Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them' (Mark 11:24 NKJV). And here's something you need to keep in mind: it will happen in God's time, and on his schedule. Your part is to keep walking by faith and trusting him to bring it to pass.





— SCRIPTURE —

    'If you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.' Mark 11:24 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

    Judg 4-6, Matt 12:1-14, Ps 93, Pro 13:7-8
    

Country and gospel music star Randy Travis and his manager, Lib, remember the lean days of his career - all 3,650 of them. For ten years, Lib did whatever it took to keep her club open long enough for somebody to discover Travis' talent. For his part, Randy sang his heart out. And when he wasn't singing, he was frying catfish and washing dishes in the kitchen. Then it happened. His break came, and everything seemed to click for him. He had a hit called 'On the Other Hand', an album contract, a tour offer and a movie deal. He was hot! Suddenly, everyone seemed to be calling him an overnight success. But Randy recalls it differently: 'We were turned down more than once by every record label in Nashville. But I'm the kind of one to believe that if you work at something long enough, and keep believing, sooner or later it will happen.' Randy Travis went on to become an American music legend, winning three Grammys and seven Dove Awards and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But it didn't come easily or happen overnight. It happened because he worked hard, remained faithful through the tough times, and trusted God to come through for him. Jesus said: 'Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them' (Mark 11:24 NKJV). And here's something you need to keep in mind: it will happen in God's time, and on his schedule. Your part is to keep walking by faith and trusting him to bring it to pass.
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'If you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.' Mark 11:24 NLT 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Judg 4-6, Matt 12:1-14, Ps 93, Pro 13:7-8

Success takes time

   Why would fishermen wash nets that hadn't been used? The answer is they were quitting because of an overnight problem. 'We have fished all night and caught nothing' (see Luke 5:5). Their expectations had been destroyed. They believed that the way things were was the way they'd be. They were beaten! That's when Jesus showed up. He came to where they were; he walked right into the middle of their disappointment with a solution. First, he asked them for their boat and used it to preach to the crowd and heal the multitudes. Child of God, turn everything over to him - all you have, all you are and all you'll ever be - and let him use you for his highest purposes. 

   Next, Jesus gave the fishermen a word that only faith could receive: 'Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch' (Luke 5:4 NKJV). Can you see now why he has to wait until you've done everything you know to do? Only then are you ready to listen; even though his word doesn't seem to make sense, you're ready to obey without question. 

   Are you discouraged today? Is it your ministry, your marriage, your job or your health? You may be washing your nets, but it's not over. Who told you God wasn't going to bless you again? Who told you he wasn't going to bring victory out of your ashes? It's not over until he says it's over. If he can fill empty nets for those discouraged disciples, then you don't have a problem he can't take care of.





— SCRIPTURE —

    'Launch out into the deep.' Luke 5:4 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

    Judg 1-3, Matt 11:20-30, Ps 88:9b-18, Pro 13:4-6
    

Why would fishermen wash nets that hadn't been used? The answer is they were quitting because of an overnight problem. 'We have fished all night and caught nothing' (see Luke 5:5). Their expectations had been destroyed. They believed that the way things were was the way they'd be. They were beaten! That's when Jesus showed up. He came to where they were; he walked right into the middle of their disappointment with a solution. First, he asked them for their boat and used it to preach to the crowd and heal the multitudes. Child of God, turn everything over to him - all you have, all you are and all you'll ever be - and let him use you for his highest purposes. Next, Jesus gave the fishermen a word that only faith could receive: 'Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch' (Luke 5:4 NKJV). Can you see now why he has to wait until you've done everything you know to do? Only then are you ready to listen; even though his word doesn't seem to make sense, you're ready to obey without question. Are you discouraged today? Is it your ministry, your marriage, your job or your health? You may be washing your nets, but it's not over. Who told you God wasn't going to bless you again? Who told you he wasn't going to bring victory out of your ashes? It's not over until he says it's over. If he can fill empty nets for those discouraged disciples, then you don't have a problem he can't take care of.
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'Launch out into the deep.' Luke 5:4 NKJV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Judg 1-3, Matt 11:20-30, Ps 88:9b-18, Pro 13:4-6

Go deeper

   It's impossible to live successfully without taking risks. Leo Buscaglia wrote: 'To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out to another is to risk involvement...To place your ideas, your dreams, before the crowd is to risk being called nave. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair, and to try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing...Only the person who risks is truly free.' 

   Franklin Roosevelt spent much of his life battling illness and was confined to a wheelchair. Yet he became one of America's greatest presidents. He said: 'It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.' 

   In The Pursuit of Excellence, Christian author Ted W. Engstrom gives this advice about the importance of trying: 'Starting today, you can begin to enjoy using and developing your gifts...If you've always wanted to write, then write something, a short article, a poem, an account of your vacation. Write it as if you were going to be published; then submit it somewhere. If you're a photographer, gather your best pictures together and submit them as entries in a contest. If you think you're a fair tennis player or golfer, enter some tournaments and see how you do. You may not win the top prize but think how much you'll learn and experience just by trying. The worst failure...is failure to try!'





— SCRIPTURE —

    'I've commanded you to be strong and brave.' Joshua 1:9 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

    Ruth 1-4, Matt 11:1-19, Ps 88:1-9a, Pro 13:1-3
    

It's impossible to live successfully without taking risks. Leo Buscaglia wrote: 'To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out to another is to risk involvement...To place your ideas, your dreams, before the crowd is to risk being called nave. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair, and to try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing...Only the person who risks is truly free.' Franklin Roosevelt spent much of his life battling illness and was confined to a wheelchair. Yet he became one of America's greatest presidents. He said: 'It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.' In The Pursuit of Excellence, Christian author Ted W. Engstrom gives this advice about the importance of trying: 'Starting today, you can begin to enjoy using and developing your gifts...If you've always wanted to write, then write something, a short article, a poem, an account of your vacation. Write it as if you were going to be published; then submit it somewhere. If you're a photographer, gather your best pictures together and submit them as entries in a contest. If you think you're a fair tennis player or golfer, enter some tournaments and see how you do. You may not win the top prize but think how much you'll learn and experience just by trying. The worst failure...is failure to try!'
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'I've commanded you to be strong and brave.' Joshua 1:9 CEV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Ruth 1-4, Matt 11:1-19, Ps 88:1-9a, Pro 13:1-3

Be humble

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