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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Learning from Moses (3)
26 OCTOBER 2020

‘He was looking ahead to his reward.’
Hebrews 11:26 NIV

Third: you must determine your priorities. ‘He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.’ Much of the world’s wealth during that time was stored in Egypt.

So Moses already had what most people spend their lives trying to get: popularity, pleasure, and possessions. Yet God asked him to do something that was more important – and he did it. It was a matter of priorities.

Moses could easily have rationalised, ‘The slave situation is bad, so I’ll stay in the system and work for reform.’ Most of us want to be liked, but there’s one big problem with popularity: it never lasts.

You can be the big name on campus for a while, but when you return a few years after graduation, you’ll likely find that nobody thinks you’re special anymore. Then there’s pleasure.

Is pleasure wrong? It isn’t wrong unless it’s sinful. Then there are possessions. And there’s nothing wrong with material success. Some of the greatest people in the Bible were extremely wealthy, including Abraham and Solomon.

But Jesus said, ‘Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’ (Luke 12:15 NIV). Ultimately wealth doesn’t bring happiness.

Ask the people who have it, ‘How much money does it take to be happy?’ Answer: ‘Just a little bit more!’ Money is to be used – not loved! God wants us to use things and love people.

But if we love things we’ll end up using people. Moses had his priorities right; he devalued material things because there was something more important in his life – namely, God’s will!

Jeremiah 46-47, Titus 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Learning from Moses (4)
27 OCTOBER 2020

‘By faith…he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.’
Hebrews 11:27 NIV

Fourth: you must persevere when life gets difficult. You could sum up the life of Moses in these two words: ‘He persevered.’ It’s a fact of life that there’s no gain without pain, no advancement without adversity, and no progress without problems.

Moses understood that difficulties come into every life, and he knew how to respond to them correctly and move on. And we must learn to do that too. As followers of Christ, we should never let problems defeat us; instead, we should let them draw us closer to God.

Someone has said that we should never let problems get us down – except down on our knees to pray! God allows specific situations in our lives to bring growth. And without perseverance we won’t get very far. Notice the words ‘By faith…he persevered.’ Faith in what? Faith in whom? Faith in God! We’re not talking here about some white-knuckled, flesh-based form of self-help.


No, we’re talking about the fact that when God calls you to do a job, He equips and empowers you. He goes ahead of you and provides everything you need.

When you say yes to His plan for your life, you can stand on this promise: ‘We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28 NIV). So you must a) know who you are; b) take responsibility for your life; c) determine your priorities; and d) persevere when life gets difficult. If you abide by these four Bible truths, you will live a life that is truly blessed by God.

Jeremiah 48-49, Philemon

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Pray your alphabet
28 OCTOBER 2020

‘With thankful hearts offer up your prayers.’
Philippians 4:6 CEV


Rachel and Jim owned a commercial building, half of which Jim used for his dental practice. For fifteen years they had no difficulty renting out the other half, which provided extra money to pay their bills.


Then they lost their tenant, and an estate agent told them, ‘Forget about advertising for a while – absolutely nobody is renting.’ To ease her stress, Rachel started swimming laps at the local YMCA pool.


One day when she was feeling especially anxious, she decided to pray as she swam, using the alphabet to keep track of the number of laps. She focused on adjectives to describe God, starting with the letter A. ‘You are Almighty God,’ she prayed during lap one. B. ‘A benevolent God, a bountiful God,’ she prayed on the next lap. And then C, ‘You are a caring, creative, can-do God.’ By the time she’d completed twenty-six laps, an hour had passed and her fears were gone. She knew God would provide.



A short time later a physical therapist called to say she’d noticed the ‘For Rent’ sign, and asked to see the office. It was exactly what she wanted, so she and her partner rented the space.


Rachel still prays while she’s swimming laps. ‘After all,’ she says, ‘I’ve discovered God’s goodness stretches from A to Z.’ Are you worrying about something today? Here’s a better option: ‘With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.

Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel’ (vv. 6-7 CEV).

Jeremiah 50, Hebrews 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
‘The higher things’!
29 OCTOBER 2020

‘Set your minds and keep them set.’
Colossians 3:2 AMPC

The Bible says, ‘Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.’ There are many things that happen in this world which can easily affect our mind and emotions, and we need to learn how to rise above them.

When negative thoughts are building up and trying to take control of our emotions, we need to take a few minutes to ‘set our minds and keep them set’ on ‘the higher things’. It often helps to speak positively about whatever is bothering you.


For example, have a chat with yourself that goes something like this: ‘My family may not be everything I’d like it to be, but I’m thankful I have a family. My house may not be as nice as I’d like it to be, but it’s still a good place to live.


I might be going through a difficult time right now, but Jesus is with me and He’s going to get me through it.’ The devil knows which of your buttons to push to get an emotional reaction.


So what should you do? Stand on God’s Word: ‘Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline…instruct…and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity’ (Psalm 94:12-13 AMPC).

The more you discipline yourself to say no to your feelings and yes to the wisdom of God, the easier it becomes to defeat the enemy in a spiritual tug-of-war. So decide today that you won’t arrange your life around unreliable emotions, and focus instead on ‘the higher things’!

Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 2
It’s time to change direction

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Saying the right thing
30 OCTOBER 2020

‘Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!’
Proverbs 15:23 NLT

William Penn, founder of the British colony of Pennsylvania in 1677 (the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is named in his honour), formulated six principles for conversation: ‘1) Avoid company where it is not profitable or necessary, and on those occasions, speak little, and last. 2) Silence is wisdom, where speaking is folly; and always safe. 3) Some are so foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer, which is uncivil, as well as silly. 4) If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it. 5)

Better to say nothing, than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit to speak. 6) In all debates, let truth be your aim, not victory or unjust interest; endeavour to gain, rather than to expose your critic.’ In short: never speak without thinking! Give yourself time to incorporate wisdom into your words, avoiding those that make others feel intimidated or inferior. One of the best ways to persuade others is by listening to them.

A gossip talks about others and a bore talks about himself, but a good conversationalist talks about what interests you, and listens attentively to what you have to say. The truth is, sometimes the more you speak, the less people remember.

And they’re more likely to remember your words if they feel like you care enough to listen to their thoughts and concerns. The Bible says, ‘Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!’

Lamentations 1-2, Hebrews 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
‘Hard work’ – the price of success
31 OCTOBER 2020

‘Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.’
Proverbs 14:23 NIV

One day a grandfather told his grandchildren the story of how he went to live in America. He told about the trains and ship that took him from his home in Eastern Europe.

He told of being processed along with other immigrants at Ellis Island, and how he’d gone to a cafeteria in Lower Manhattan to get something to eat. He sat down at an empty table and waited a long time for someone to take his order, but nobody came. Finally a woman with a tray full of food sat down opposite him and explained how a cafeteria works. ‘You start at the end,’ she said, pointing towards a stack of trays. ‘Then you go along the food line and pick out what you want.

At the other end they’ll tell you how much you have to pay.’ The grandfather reflected for a moment and said, ‘I soon learned that’s how everything works in America. Life is a cafeteria here.

You can get anything you want – even very great success – if you’re willing to pay the price. But you’ll never get what you want if you wait for someone to bring it to you.

You have to get up and get it yourself.’ The difference between where you are right now and where you want to be can be summed up in two words – hard work! ‘Does God want me to succeed?’ you ask. Yes, but He won’t drop success into your lap. He promised to ‘bless all the work of your hands’ (Deuteronomy 28:12 NIV).

Countless hours, persistent effort, and constant improvement make the difference between ambition and success.

Lamentations 3-5, Hebrews 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

A story of two families
01 NOVEMBER 2020
‘I have chosen him to teach his family to obey me forever.’
Genesis 18:19 CEV

The story of these two families told over a century ago contains lessons that are more relevant now than ever. Family number one. Did you know that the father of acclaimed New England reformer and pastor, Jonathan Edwards, was a clergyman?

And his mother was the descendant of a minister? In fact, Edwards’ family includes 14 college presidents, more than 100 university professors, 100-plus lawyers, 30 judges, 60 physicians, over 100 clergymen, missionaries and theology professors, and some 60 authors. Throughout history, there’s scarcely been a great American industry that hasn’t featured an Edwards family member among its chief promoters. Such was the product of one Christian family reared under the most favourable conditions. Family number two.

Members of the infamous Jukes family couldn’t be made to study, wouldn’t work, and are reputed to have cost the state of New York millions of dollars.

Their entire record is one of pauperism, crime, and insanity. From among their descendants, 310 were professional paupers, 440 were physically wrecked by their own wickedness, 60 were habitual thieves, 133 were convicted criminals, and 55 were victims of impurity. Only 20 actually learned a trade (10 of those learned it in prison), and this notorious family produced 7 murderers.

Yes, if Dennis becomes a menace, he can poison the stream. But if he’s raised to be godly, he can bless an entire family, as well as influence the world for generations to come.

So what’s the bottom line here? Simply this: as a parent, if you’re wise, you’ll seek God’s guidance every single day of your life.

Luke 21:1-19, Psalm 113-115

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Make your words count
02 NOVEMBER 2020

‘The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.’
Proverbs 18:4 NKJV


When Solomon speaks of ‘deep waters’, he’s referring to the water at the bottom of the well that’s the cleanest and coolest. If you want to know what kind of water a well has, go down to the bottom. And if you want to know what’s in a person’s heart, listen to his or her words.


An old country farmer put it this way: ‘What’s down in the well always comes up in the bucket!’ One of the surest signs of wisdom and maturity is the ability to say the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, to the right person – or to say nothing at all. Indeed, as you become wiser, you’ll talk less and say more.


In the UK, when someone is arrested, the police are required to read the police caution before questioning them, informing them of their right to remain silent: ‘You do not have to say anything…Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’ So unless your words are intended to build someone up rather than tear them down, silence is a ‘right’ you should exercise every day. Sometimes the wisest words are the ones never spoken.


Someone said, ‘A wise man is someone who thinks twice before saying nothing.’ Again, Solomon weighs in: ‘The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent’ (Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV). So, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you’re a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Ezekiel 1-2, Hebrews 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Straight talk about monogamy
03 NOVEMBER 2020
‘Drink water from your own cistern.’
Proverbs 5:15 NIV

Here’s some straight talk about monogamy from one of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon: ‘Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.

For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly’ (vv.15-23 NIV). In Solomon’s day, a well or cistern was considered to be as valuable as gold.

Clean water was a very precious commodity, so what Solomon is saying is this: ‘Why drink the polluted water that comes from the sewer of promiscuity, when, if you wait, you can drink the clean water that comes from the well of a devoted spouse?’ Here are two truths you should always keep in mind: 1) True love waits. 2) True love is worth the wait.

When tempted to go astray by a fast-living friend, a young Christian woman replied, ‘Any time I want to become like you, I can. But I can never again become the person I was before I made that decision.’

Ezekiel 3-4, Hebrews 6

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

UCB Word For Today

Myths about child-rearing (1)
04 NOVEMBER 2020
‘Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn.’
Deuteronomy 31:13 NIV

In his book Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, author William Kilpatrick identifies some child-rearing myths that parents buy into: 1) The myth of the ‘good bad boy’. American literature and films often portray ‘bad boys’ as charming and attractive.


Tom Sawyer and Buster Brown are examples from the past; various other lovable brats featured in film and on television are contemporary examples.


This strand in the American tradition has such a powerful hold on the imagination that the word ‘obedience’ is very nearly a dirty word. 2) The myth of natural goodness.

This is the idea that virtue will take care of itself if children are just allowed to grow in their own way. 3) The myth of expert knowledge. In recent decades, parents have deferred to professional authority in the matter of raising children.


Unfortunately, the vast majority of child-rearing ‘experts’ subscribe to the myth of natural goodness. So much emphasis has been placed on the unique, creative, and spontaneous nature of children, that parents have come to feel child-rearing means adjusting themselves to their children, rather than having children learn to adjust to the requirements of family life.


Let’s take a moment and observe what God said to the children of Israel about child-rearing: ‘Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear [reverence and respect] the Lord your God as long as you live.’ Note the phrase ‘must hear it and learn’. That’s not a suggestion for parents – it’s a commandment God has called you to obey if you want your family to be blessed.

Ezekiel 5-7, Hebrews 7