Those times when we're in a prayer meeting and absolutely everything's going through our mind - except what's being prayed for. Everything seems to be a distraction, from the rumble informing us we haven't eaten to organising our schedule. 

Here's something that should be a relief: we have someone praying for us 24/7. A wise, patient, kind person who just enjoys spending time with people and with God. We find the identity of this person in Romans 8:27 GWT: 'The Spirit intercedes for God's people the way God wants him to.' Let's take a moment to let that sink in. The Holy Spirit is constantly praying for us, for our family, for our anxieties, for our future. That's a sweet deal. The work of the Holy Spirit is to join our spirit with God's, making us more like him. 

To maximise this godly connection, let's work towards a more focussed prayer time. Here are two tips: (a) Phone on silent (or off completely!). It's very possible to survive 15 minutes without our phone! (b) Do our best to fight through any tiredness or distractedness - if we can fight past tiredness to watch an extra episode, we can do it for God.



So what now? Make a dedicated effort to spend quality time with God today. Firstly, thank the Holy Spirit that he has brought you before your heavenly Father already.





— SCRIPTURE —

	'The Spirit speaks...for his people in the way God wants.' Romans 8:27 NCV
— SOULFOOD —

	John 1:1-5, Matt 5:14-16, 1 John 1:1-10
	

Those times when we're in a prayer meeting and absolutely everything's going through our mind - except what's being prayed for. Everything seems to be a distraction, from the rumble informing us we haven't eaten to organising our schedule. Here's something that should be a relief: we have someone praying for us 24/7. A wise, patient, kind person who just enjoys spending time with people and with God. We find the identity of this person in Romans 8:27 GWT: 'The Spirit intercedes for God's people the way God wants him to.' Let's take a moment to let that sink in. The Holy Spirit is constantly praying for us, for our family, for our anxieties, for our future. That's a sweet deal. The work of the Holy Spirit is to join our spirit with God's, making us more like him. To maximise this godly connection, let's work towards a more focussed prayer time. Here are two tips: (a) Phone on silent (or off completely!). It's very possible to survive 15 minutes without our phone! (b) Do our best to fight through any tiredness or distractedness - if we can fight past tiredness to watch an extra episode, we can do it for God.So what now? Make a dedicated effort to spend quality time with God today. Firstly, thank the Holy Spirit that he has brought you before your heavenly Father already.
	
	— SCRIPTURE — 
	'The Spirit speaks...for his people in the way God wants.' Romans 8:27 NCV 
	— SOULFOOD — 
	John 1:1-5, Matt 5:14-16, 1 John 1:1-10

Word For You Today is the writings of Bob and Debby Gass in The Word For Today, adapted for the next generation.

It meets teens and young adults right where they are at.

Word For You Today is the writings of Bob and Debby Gass in The Word For Today, adapted for the next generation.
It meets teens and young adults right where they are at.

Word For You Today

Lifted in prayer

Most of us live pretty comfortably. We have food on the table and a roof over our heads. We can get away with saying we 'need' something, when in actual fact we actually only 'want' it. Sometimes things can get tough, but most of us could say we generally live well. 

But what about the times when the things we have just aren't enough, when the future is looming and we're not sure we can afford it? What about those university fees or rental deposit or car payments? Will we ever be earning enough to have our own place?! But, let's slow down and think about this from God's perspective. This is the God who 'covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills' (Psalm 147:8 NIV). He's aware of our needs (Matthew 6:32) and he wants us to lay them before him expectantly (Psalm 5:3). 

That doesn't mean we have a wish-fulfilling genie who gives us everything we ask for, but it does mean we've never had a friend like him. God's able to see our real needs and he's ready to help us. Whether it's emotional strength, physical energy or financial stuff, God's ready to help us face it and provide all we need as it's required.



So what now? Have a read of Matthew 6:25-34 - then pray that God will help you learn to rely on him for everything, the big things and the little things.





— SCRIPTURE —

	'Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.' Matthew 6:32 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

	Rev 15-18, Luke 18:18-43, Ps 19, Pro 8:6-7
	

Most of us live pretty comfortably. We have food on the table and a roof over our heads. We can get away with saying we 'need' something, when in actual fact we actually only 'want' it. Sometimes things can get tough, but most of us could say we generally live well. But what about the times when the things we have just aren't enough, when the future is looming and we're not sure we can afford it? What about those university fees or rental deposit or car payments? Will we ever be earning enough to have our own place?! But, let's slow down and think about this from God's perspective. This is the God who 'covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills' (Psalm 147:8 NIV). He's aware of our needs (Matthew 6:32) and he wants us to lay them before him expectantly (Psalm 5:3). That doesn't mean we have a wish-fulfilling genie who gives us everything we ask for, but it does mean we've never had a friend like him. God's able to see our real needs and he's ready to help us. Whether it's emotional strength, physical energy or financial stuff, God's ready to help us face it and provide all we need as it's required.So what now? Have a read of Matthew 6:25-34 - then pray that God will help you learn to rely on him for everything, the big things and the little things.
	
	— SCRIPTURE — 
	'Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.' Matthew 6:32 NLT 
	— SOULFOOD — 
	Rev 15-18, Luke 18:18-43, Ps 19, Pro 8:6-7

Rely on him for it all

In puppet shows, sometimes the puppeteer uses puppets with two characters sewn into one? They're often characters with opposing personalities. Some people think that God is a bit like that: a lovely, kind character who's helpful and wise when people do their best, but then when bad stuff happens he's hard and mean. Although we may not admit it, sometimes we may think that about him too. We could be tempted to think he doesn't care about our situation or that he's trying to teach us a lesson. 

But here's the truth: God always cares because he never changes. In fact, Hebrews 13:8 NIV says, 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.' This is the Jesus we read about in the Bible, the one performing miracles and transforming broken lives. He's still at work today, and he still cares about us - in fact, he cares way more than anyone else. 

There will be times when we don't understand what God is doing, but if we understand his good and unchanging character, we can trust that he's always working for our good (see Romans 8:28). 



So what now? If you've been feeling like God doesn't seem to care much about what's happening in your life, it may be that you've not been on the best speaking terms with him? Today, take some time out, sit in your secret place and chat with him. When you do, remind yourself of his real character; Psalm 103 is good to help you remember. Read it out loud and be encouraged.





— SCRIPTURE —

	'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.' Hebrews 13:8 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

	Rev 10-14, Luke 18:1-17, Ps 11, Pro 8:4-5
	

In puppet shows, sometimes the puppeteer uses puppets with two characters sewn into one? They're often characters with opposing personalities. Some people think that God is a bit like that: a lovely, kind character who's helpful and wise when people do their best, but then when bad stuff happens he's hard and mean. Although we may not admit it, sometimes we may think that about him too. We could be tempted to think he doesn't care about our situation or that he's trying to teach us a lesson. But here's the truth: God always cares because he never changes. In fact, Hebrews 13:8 NIV says, 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.' This is the Jesus we read about in the Bible, the one performing miracles and transforming broken lives. He's still at work today, and he still cares about us - in fact, he cares way more than anyone else. There will be times when we don't understand what God is doing, but if we understand his good and unchanging character, we can trust that he's always working for our good (see Romans 8:28). So what now? If you've been feeling like God doesn't seem to care much about what's happening in your life, it may be that you've not been on the best speaking terms with him? Today, take some time out, sit in your secret place and chat with him. When you do, remind yourself of his real character; Psalm 103 is good to help you remember. Read it out loud and be encouraged.
	
	— SCRIPTURE — 
	'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.' Hebrews 13:8 NIV 
	— SOULFOOD — 
	Rev 10-14, Luke 18:1-17, Ps 11, Pro 8:4-5

Always for our good

In the 16th Century, some women copied Queen Elizabeth's pale complexion by applying something called 'ceruse'. Unfortunately this stuff contained white lead and whilst they may have achieved the skin tone of a royal, they'd soon end up with hair loss and skin damage (and quite possibly death). 

Why the history lesson? Beauty is a weird thing. Whether it's haircuts, clothes, jewellery or white lead, we're constantly updating what's seen as beautiful. We hear the whole 'beauty is on the inside' spiel, but here's a radical thought... what if true beauty is only found in Jesus? What if the beauty inside of us is only there as a result of the transforming power of Jesus? We're not perfect, but when we chase after the things of God we allow him to reveal more of his beauty to those around us. 

In 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV it says, 'The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' What a heart-stopping, amazing realisation. God is looking for beauty in our everyday actions and thoughts. Will he find it?



So what now? Ever tempted to think of yourself (or others) as ugly? Write down today's verse: 'Keep your eyes on the Lord! You will shine like the sun' (Psalm 34:5 CEV). Stick it on your mirror as a reminder that you are filled with a beauty beyond comprehension. And that you should look beyond skin-deep when it comes to others too.





— SCRIPTURE —

	'Keep your eyes on the Lord! You will shine like the sun.' Psalm 34:5 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

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

In the 16th Century, some women copied Queen Elizabeth's pale complexion by applying something called 'ceruse'. Unfortunately this stuff contained white lead and whilst they may have achieved the skin tone of a royal, they'd soon end up with hair loss and skin damage (and quite possibly death). Why the history lesson? Beauty is a weird thing. Whether it's haircuts, clothes, jewellery or white lead, we're constantly updating what's seen as beautiful. We hear the whole 'beauty is on the inside' spiel, but here's a radical thought... what if true beauty is only found in Jesus? What if the beauty inside of us is only there as a result of the transforming power of Jesus? We're not perfect, but when we chase after the things of God we allow him to reveal more of his beauty to those around us. In 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV it says, 'The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' What a heart-stopping, amazing realisation. God is looking for beauty in our everyday actions and thoughts. Will he find it?So what now? Ever tempted to think of yourself (or others) as ugly? Write down today's verse: 'Keep your eyes on the Lord! You will shine like the sun' (Psalm 34:5 CEV). Stick it on your mirror as a reminder that you are filled with a beauty beyond comprehension. And that you should look beyond skin-deep when it comes to others too.
	
	— SCRIPTURE — 
	'Keep your eyes on the Lord! You will shine like the sun.' Psalm 34:5 CEV 
	— SOULFOOD — 
	Rev 5-9, Luke 17:20-37, Ps 115, Pro 8:1-3

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