   We are three-part beings: spirit, soul and body. When we make Jesus Lord of our lives, our spirit receives healing from spiritual death. But there are still two areas that need Jesus' healing touch: our souls (mind, emotions and will) and our physical bodies. God's word teaches us that physical health and mental health are irrevocably linked. 'For as he thinks in his heart, so is he' (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). What we think about ourselves is inevitably what we become. Unhealthy thinking produces unhealthy living. John wrote: 'I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers' (3 John 1:2 NKJV). 

   For any area where our souls are sick - low self-esteem, negative thoughts, destructive habits - the word of God is the answer to nourishing us into a balanced and healthy state. The majority of Satan's attacks begin in the mind. He uses wrong thoughts and images in our minds to lead us away from God's best. The only way to counteract this is to stand on God's word and allow his healthy thoughts to permeate our thinking daily. Thoughts of fear can be replaced with thoughts of faith; thoughts of lack with thoughts of provision; thoughts of failure and depression can be replaced with thoughts of success and joy. 

   How does this change happen? Paul answered: 'Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy' (Ephesians 4:23-24 CEV).





— SCRIPTURE —

    'Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.' Ephesians 4:23 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

    Jer 31-32, Luke 24:13-18, Ps 32, Pro 9:10-16
    

We are three-part beings: spirit, soul and body. When we make Jesus Lord of our lives, our spirit receives healing from spiritual death. But there are still two areas that need Jesus' healing touch: our souls (mind, emotions and will) and our physical bodies. God's word teaches us that physical health and mental health are irrevocably linked. 'For as he thinks in his heart, so is he' (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). What we think about ourselves is inevitably what we become. Unhealthy thinking produces unhealthy living. John wrote: 'I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers' (3 John 1:2 NKJV). For any area where our souls are sick - low self-esteem, negative thoughts, destructive habits - the word of God is the answer to nourishing us into a balanced and healthy state. The majority of Satan's attacks begin in the mind. He uses wrong thoughts and images in our minds to lead us away from God's best. The only way to counteract this is to stand on God's word and allow his healthy thoughts to permeate our thinking daily. Thoughts of fear can be replaced with thoughts of faith; thoughts of lack with thoughts of provision; thoughts of failure and depression can be replaced with thoughts of success and joy. How does this change happen? Paul answered: 'Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy' (Ephesians 4:23-24 CEV).
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.' Ephesians 4:23 CEV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Jer 31-32, Luke 24:13-18, Ps 32, Pro 9:10-16

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

Healing for your mind

   One day your heart will give a final pulse, and your lungs will empty a final breath. And barring the return of Jesus, you will die. The psalmist asked, 'What person alive will not die? Who can escape the grave' (Psalm 89:48 NCV)? Young and old, good and bad, rich and poor; neither gender is spared; no class is exempt. 'No one has power over the time of their death' (Ecclesiastes 8:8 NIV). The geniuses, the rich, the poor - no one outruns or outsmarts it. Julius Caesar died. Elvis died. John Kennedy died. Princess Diana died. We all will die. We won't escape death. The finest surgeon may enhance your life but can't eliminate your death. The Hebrew writer was blunt: 'People are destined to die once' (Hebrews 9:27 NIV). Exercise all you want. Eat nothing but healthy food and pop fists full of vitamins. Stay out of the sun, away from alcohol and off drugs. Do your best to stay alive, and still, you will die. 

   Death seems like such a dead end until we read Jesus' resurrection story: 'He is not here; for he is risen, as he said...Go quickly and tell his disciples...he is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him...So they went out quickly...to bring his disciples word...Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw him, they worshipped him' (Matthew 28:6-17 NKJV). 

   For the redeemed child of God, death is not the end but the beginning of a glorious life in Heaven that will have no end.





— SCRIPTURE —

    'He is not here: he has risen, just as he said.' Matthew 28:6 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

    1 Cor 15, Luke 24:1-12
    

One day your heart will give a final pulse, and your lungs will empty a final breath. And barring the return of Jesus, you will die. The psalmist asked, 'What person alive will not die? Who can escape the grave' (Psalm 89:48 NCV)? Young and old, good and bad, rich and poor; neither gender is spared; no class is exempt. 'No one has power over the time of their death' (Ecclesiastes 8:8 NIV). The geniuses, the rich, the poor - no one outruns or outsmarts it. Julius Caesar died. Elvis died. John Kennedy died. Princess Diana died. We all will die. We won't escape death. The finest surgeon may enhance your life but can't eliminate your death. The Hebrew writer was blunt: 'People are destined to die once' (Hebrews 9:27 NIV). Exercise all you want. Eat nothing but healthy food and pop fists full of vitamins. Stay out of the sun, away from alcohol and off drugs. Do your best to stay alive, and still, you will die. Death seems like such a dead end until we read Jesus' resurrection story: 'He is not here; for he is risen, as he said...Go quickly and tell his disciples...he is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him...So they went out quickly...to bring his disciples word...Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw him, they worshipped him' (Matthew 28:6-17 NKJV). For the redeemed child of God, death is not the end but the beginning of a glorious life in Heaven that will have no end.
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'He is not here: he has risen, just as he said.' Matthew 28:6 NIV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 1 Cor 15, Luke 24:1-12

Jesus conquered death for you

   In Old Testament times, people received forgiveness from God by bringing a sacrificial lamb to the altar, where a priest would shed its blood and offer it as atonement. The first person in Scripture to do this was Cain's brother, Abel (see Genesis 4:4). When Solomon dedicated his temple, he sacrificed 120,000 sheep and 22,000 oxen as a sacrifice for the nation. In the Old Testament Tabernacle, the sacrificial fire was never allowed to go out. The Israelites carried it with them on through the wilderness, and it's estimated that between Gethsemane and Easter, no less than 100,000 lambs died, literally turning the Kidron Stream red.

   However, not one drop of all that shed blood could atone for our sins. The sacrifices were simply rolled forward, waiting for a lamb whose sacrifice would end all sacrifices, a priest whose finished work would atone for sin once and for all. And that's what happened when Jesus cried, 'It is finished.' In Hebrew, the phrase literally means, 'Paid in full.' At that moment, the curtain in the temple that separated the people from God was torn from top to bottom. As a result, we can now go at any time where only one man could go one day a year - into the presence of God, knowing we'll be loved, accepted, seen through the blood of Christ and deemed righteous. 

   With this in mind, 'Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need' (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV). 





— SCRIPTURE —

    'Jesus said, "It is finished!"' John 19:30 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

    Jer 28-30, Luke 23:50-56, Ps 72:12-20, Pro 9:7-9
    

In Old Testament times, people received forgiveness from God by bringing a sacrificial lamb to the altar, where a priest would shed its blood and offer it as atonement. The first person in Scripture to do this was Cain's brother, Abel (see Genesis 4:4). When Solomon dedicated his temple, he sacrificed 120,000 sheep and 22,000 oxen as a sacrifice for the nation. In the Old Testament Tabernacle, the sacrificial fire was never allowed to go out. The Israelites carried it with them on through the wilderness, and it's estimated that between Gethsemane and Easter, no less than 100,000 lambs died, literally turning the Kidron Stream red. However, not one drop of all that shed blood could atone for our sins. The sacrifices were simply rolled forward, waiting for a lamb whose sacrifice would end all sacrifices, a priest whose finished work would atone for sin once and for all. And that's what happened when Jesus cried, 'It is finished.' In Hebrew, the phrase literally means, 'Paid in full.' At that moment, the curtain in the temple that separated the people from God was torn from top to bottom. As a result, we can now go at any time where only one man could go one day a year - into the presence of God, knowing we'll be loved, accepted, seen through the blood of Christ and deemed righteous. With this in mind, 'Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need' (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV). 
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'Jesus said, "It is finished!"' John 19:30 NIV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Jer 28-30, Luke 23:50-56, Ps 72:12-20, Pro 9:7-9

Your debt is paid

   Just minutes before his final breath, Jesus cried out, 'Tetelestai!' from the cross. In English, it is translated as 'It is finished.' It was the same word that was written on receipts in New Testament times, indicating that a debt had been paid in full. Jesus' death on the cross was the final instalment on sin. The entire debt for every sinner who comes to him for salvation has been paid in full at Calvary. 

   Paul wrote: 'Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more' (Romans 5:20 NKJV). Did you catch it? 'Much more!' The mercy bank is never closed. And there are never insufficient funds. The supply of grace is always greater than the demand of sin. The split second we confess our sin, a miraculous transaction happens. All our sin is transferred to Jesus' account and paid in full. But as good as that is, it's only half the gospel. There's a second transfer that takes place. All his righteousness is credited to our account, and God says, 'Let's call it even!' Paul explained it this way: 'God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them... God made him who had no sin [Jesus] to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God' (2 Corinthians 5:19, 21 NIV). To be 'in Christ' means we stand in his righteousness rather than our own. 

   So, when we stand before God, we won't have to account for our sin, because it was already accounted for at the cross. The Father will see the righteousness of his Son that has been credited to our account.





— SCRIPTURE —

    'Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.' Romans 5:20 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

    Isa 53, Luke 23:26-49, Ps 22
    

Just minutes before his final breath, Jesus cried out, 'Tetelestai!' from the cross. In English, it is translated as 'It is finished.' It was the same word that was written on receipts in New Testament times, indicating that a debt had been paid in full. Jesus' death on the cross was the final instalment on sin. The entire debt for every sinner who comes to him for salvation has been paid in full at Calvary. Paul wrote: 'Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more' (Romans 5:20 NKJV). Did you catch it? 'Much more!' The mercy bank is never closed. And there are never insufficient funds. The supply of grace is always greater than the demand of sin. The split second we confess our sin, a miraculous transaction happens. All our sin is transferred to Jesus' account and paid in full. But as good as that is, it's only half the gospel. There's a second transfer that takes place. All his righteousness is credited to our account, and God says, 'Let's call it even!' Paul explained it this way: 'God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them... God made him who had no sin [Jesus] to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God' (2 Corinthians 5:19, 21 NIV). To be 'in Christ' means we stand in his righteousness rather than our own. So, when we stand before God, we won't have to account for our sin, because it was already accounted for at the cross. The Father will see the righteousness of his Son that has been credited to our account.
 
 — SCRIPTURE — 
 'Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.' Romans 5:20 NIV 
 — SOULFOOD — 
 Isa 53, Luke 23:26-49, Ps 22

Healing for your mind

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