Living Today
Interesting articles from Christian teachers and leaders. Designed to help you as you follow Jesus here in Papua New Guinea
Where Are Today’s Disciples?
By Tony Davenport Just days after claiming millions of uncommitted Christians are causing a “catastrophic decline in a Biblical worldview” veteran Christian researcher George Barna says that’s also led to a critical shortage of disciples. In expanding on the theme of...
‘From a Prisoner to a Pastor’
As a youth, Papa Masi found himself imprisoned in Kavieng, New Ireland Province. But what could be the end of his story was only the beginning. It was within those prison walls that God called him. Under the ministry of the CLC Church, he found redemption, embraced...
Christmas Rooms
Picture Christmas as cozy rooms filled with warmth, playfulness, and abundant love. In this festive season, our hearts transform into these inviting spaces, radiating affection in every corner. Laughter and joy echo through these emotional sanctuaries, embodying the true spirit of Christmas. Beyond the physical, these spaces become havens of comfort and festive cheer. Let's embrace our role as the cozy rooms, creating an ambiance of love and warmth that makes this Christmas journey truly...
Share The Light This Christmas
Who can you share the Light of Christmas with? Christmas is a tapestry of emotion — a celebration filled with care, kindness, and hope. It's the joy of togetherness, where hearts connect and exchange moments that sparkle with warmth. As we gather, we share more than gifts; we exchange love. In the glow of festive lights and the melody of carols, the true magic of Christmas unfolds — the magic of connection. Caring becomes a beacon of light, radiating the spirit of the season. Christmas is a...
4 Ways to Love Better
I was recently talking with someone about some relationship struggles they were experiencing. The need for patience was what we ended up with as a critical component to loving better. It’s very interesting, that in the love chapter in 1 Corinthians, it starts with “Love is patient…”. Love in our relationships (spouse, friends, family etc), is more than just the thought. God wants us to love, not just in word, but also in deed! The good part is that God will help us love. Here are 4 habits...
The Voice
The fundamental truth is that as “followers of Christ”, we need to know the voice of our Father BUT in a world with so many voices bombarding us all the time, this is not only hard but can be very confusing. John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. We have voices telling us how to do just about every part of our lives. Who to vote for, what we identify ourselves as, what is right or wrong. You name it – the voices are plentiful and loud. As believers, God...
A Fathers Heart
Despite having 21 years to prepare a father of the bride speech for my daughter wedding last week - it’s hard as a father to keep reminding yourself that “your little girl” isn’t that little anymore - she has grown up into a beautiful women. There are many great privileges a father gets to have with his daughter. Things like Blowing bubblegum bubbles A high five that stings Learning to whistle First bike ride Rollercoaster introduction Using power tools Fits of laughter and moments of tears...
Who Am I? Part 2
As we continue to remind ourselves of who we are IN CHRIST... the following LIFE GIVING verses speak of all that we have and need is in Christ alone... Complete in Him Colossians 2:10 Crucified with Christ Galatians 2:20 Alive with Christ Ephesians 2:5 Free from condemnation Romans 8:1 Reconciled to God 2 Corinthians 5:18 Qualified to share in His inheritance Colossians 1:12 Firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude Colossians 2:7 A fellow citizen with the...
Who am I? Part 1
Ever struggled with “who you are?” You know… that voice that says you are defeated, or have nothing, or not beautiful etc. Have a read of these LIFE GIVING VERSES then remind yourself that IN CHRIST… you have everything you need. I AM - God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God 1 Peter 1:23 Forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood Ephesians 1:7 / Hebrews 9:14 / Colossians 1:14 / 1 John 1:9 / 1 John 2:12 A new creature 2 Corinthians 5:17 The...
Living out Faith in a Hostile World
You don’t have to look any further than the most recent headlines to see that we live in uncertain times. Many people think the world has never been more hostile to Christians than it is now, especially since the cancel culture continues to target people who aren’t seen as politically correct. Being a Christian in a deeply secularised society is a growing challenge. Everyone’s truth seems to be accepted unless you’re a Christian. So how do we live out our faith in such a hostile world? With...
Blessed to be a Blessing
Numbers 6:24-26 says Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. If we could shrink the Earth’s population into a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following. There would be: 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 from the western hemisphere, both north and south, 8 Africans 52 females; 48 males 80 living in...
When All Seems Lost
Now what? That’s something that all of us have said to ourselves at one time or another. In his new message, ‘When All Seems Lost’, Pastor Jeff Vines covers the topics of marriage and keeping relationships strong. Jeff offers encouragement for those of us who are struggling with chaos and feeling lost. God does not give His law arbitrarily. When God tells us He wants us to live in certain parameters and by certain precepts, He does it because He loves us. If He’s the creator and sustainer of...
Tackle your giant head-on
‘David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone.’ 1 Samuel 17:50 NKJV
Pastor Chuck Swindoll says: ‘Goliath reminds me of the visually impaired discus thrower. He didn’t set any records… but he sure kept the crowd awake! Every day, Goliath paraded along the slopes of the Valley of Elah, issuing threats. The only response from the Israeli troops was the sound of knees knocking and teeth chattering! The giant’s strategy of fear and intimidation worked until David introduced him to the Lord of Hosts, and ‘with a sling and a stone… struck the Philistine and killed him.’ (1 Samuel 17:50 NKJV) To this day, two timeless truths remain.
(1) You won’t win the battle by employing the enemy’s technique. When you fight with the world’s weapons, you become like the world. The Bible says, ‘But there was no sword in the hand of David.’ (1 Samuel 17:50 NKJV) His most powerful weapon—the thing that made him unique and gave him victory—was his inner shield of faith. It kept him free from fear, cleared his vision and gave him composure amidst the chaos.
(2) Slaying giants takes skill and discipline. Wielding the sling and stone of the Spirit is much more delicate than swinging the club of the flesh. Paul says, ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)
Now wrestling isn’t a team sport. Goliath said, ‘Choose one man to come down… and fight me!’ (1 Samuel 17:8 NLT) For the duration of the battle, you’re the enemy’s sole target. If you’re facing your own personal giant, be like David; turn him over to God, load up your sling—and let God win the victory for you.
SoulFood: Tit 1–3, Mt 13:47–58, Ps 145:1–13, Prov 4:20–22
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2025