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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

‘Words of Wisdom’

‘The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of

wisdom, so that I know how to comfort.’

Isaiah 50:4

The UCB Word for Today - 14 Oct 2016


Before the crisis comes, God can prepare you in advance by giving you ‘words of wisdom’. He did it for Isaiah.


You say, ‘But Isaiah was a prophet.’ Yes, but when God first called him, he protested, ‘I am a sinful man’ (Isaiah 6:5 NLT).


That means you can be flawed and still hear from God! Ever been in a room when somebody said something that grabbed your attention? Like a light coming on, your mind was illuminated and you stopped talking.


Why? Because what you were hearing were ‘words of wisdom’. And God won’t just give you insight for your own life, He’ll give you wisdom to share with others.


And if you’re humble enough not to dominate every conversation, He’ll also speak to you through them.


Think about it: God didn’t create the universe brick by brick - He spoke it into existence with a single sentence.


So imagine your possibilities when He gives you ‘words of wisdom’! But first you must learn to recognise His voice, and that takes time.


The first few times God spoke to Samuel, he thought it was Eli the high priest talking to him.


But he kept listening, and eventually he became God’s voice to the nation. Indeed, he became so good at it that he was able to tell two different kings, ‘This is what the LORD says.’ The point is, you must want to hear, take time to hear from Him, and practise listening until you become familiar with His voice.


Jer 20-21, 1 Tim 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Working with Difficult People

‘There are … vessels of … honour, and …

dishonour.’

2 Timothy 2:20

The UCB Word for Today - 15 Oct 2016


God used a raven, a bird considered ‘unclean’ in Jewish culture, to feed the prophet Elijah during a famine. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with funds provided by a heathen king.


The point is: don’t limit God. Sometimes the people we’d normally shun are the very ones He uses to provide what we need, and by shutting them out we forfeit a blessing He has in mind for us.


Be careful; your tendency to be ‘picky’ can end up hurting you! The truth is, you can’t avoid working with difficult people.


God planned it that way. Why? Because He wants you to grow in the midst of negativity without getting sucked into it.


David developed the ability to work with people who were hard to get along with.


It doesn’t get much harder than working for a boss with an evil spirit! At first David enjoyed King Saul’s favour, but after he killed Goliath, Saul sought to kill him.


Yet David never changed his strategy. He stayed in Saul’s house because he knew his destiny was there.


And because of the wisdom he exhibited, he ended up owning the place! God’s principles are timeless. David didn’t limit himself and he didn’t limit God.


He understood that people fall into two categories: ‘Vessels of honour and vessels of dishonour.’ And God uses both.


Getting his eyes off people, and being neither impressed nor depressed by them, afforded David great opportunities because he freed others up to be used by God.


So learn to get along with difficult people; your greatest challenge today may be the person who assists and blesses you tomorrow.

Jer 22-23, 1 Tim 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Start with What You’ve Got
‘What good is that …?’

John 6:9

The UCB Word for Today - 16 Oct 2016

Observe what the disciples said to Jesus just before He fed five thousand hungry people: ‘There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish.


But what good is that with this huge crowd?’ End of story? No, ‘Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people … And they all ate as much as they wanted … So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves’ (vv. 11-13 NLT).


God always gives you something to start with. But you have to look for it, recognise it, and put it into His hands.


The miracle of multiplication happened when a boy took what he had and made it available to Jesus. The Bible says, ‘Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin’ (Zechariah 4:10 TLB).


Don’t be afraid to take small steps, just make sure they’re steps of faith and God will work through you. Jesus said, ‘I will build my church’ (see Matthew 16:18). And what did He build it with?

Twelve flawed people just like us! But when He poured Himself into them, the mix was so concentrated that when two of them got together they could turn whole towns upside down (see Acts 17:6).

You say, ‘But I’ve so many shortcomings.’ We all come to the Lord damaged and in need of repair.


But the good news is, you can be strong in some areas and struggling in others and God can still use you - as long as you’re willing to start with what you’ve got.


Jer 24-26, 1 Tim 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

A Prayer for Integrity

‘Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the [law] of the LORD.’

Psalm 119:1
The UCB Word for Today - 17 Oct 2016

If you’d told David that a day was coming when he’d commit adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and then have him murdered to cover it up, he’d probably have said, ‘No way!’ Nevertheless it happened.


Forgiven, restored, and looking back on it, he wrote this prayer: ‘Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the [law] of the LORD.

Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.


You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.

As I learn your righteous [laws], I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees.


Please don’t give up on me! How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you - don’t let me wander from your commands.


I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.


I have recited aloud all the [laws] you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.


I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.


Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your [law]’ (vv. 1-18 NLT). Today, make that your prayer.


Jer 27-29, 1 Tim 6

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t Waste Your Life in Regret!

‘His mercies begin afresh each morning.’

Lamentations 3:23

The UCB Word for Today - 18 Oct 2016

Are you living with regret over the time you’ve wasted, the opportunities you’ve squandered, the sins you’ve committed, and the relationships you’ve destroyed?

Regret is a waste of time, unless it teaches you wisdom and fuels your resolve to do better next time.


And as long as you’re breathing, there will be a ‘next time’. The Bible describes God this way: ‘Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.’ So how should you handle regret? By doing three things: 1) Recall. Stop and consider the actions, thoughts, and emotions that drove you to do what you did.


Take an honest inventory of your mistakes. Own them! There’s no solution in excuses. When Adam was confronted with his sin, he hid in the bushes.


When David was confronted with his, he said, ‘I’m guilty before God.’ Follow David’s example. 2) Repent. The Bible says, ‘Godly sorrow worketh repentance’ (2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV).


When you’re caught in a cycle of repeated sin, a glib ‘Now I lay me down to sleep’ kind of prayer won’t help you. Sin hurts God, hurts you, and hurts others.


The idea behind repentance is to get you to where you loathe sin and decide to renounce and forsake it. 3) Refocus.

One of the Bible’s central themes is ‘resurrection’. That means you can rise again. God said in His Word, ‘Forget … what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history.


Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new’ (Isaiah 43:17-18 MSG).


It’s a new day with a new opportunity to get your life together and move on to greater things. Don’t waste it looking back in regret!


Luke 20:1-26, Ps 107-109

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

His Timetable

‘Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.’

Psalm 105:19

The UCB Word for Today - 19 Oct 2016

God works according to His own timetable. And when you accept that, you’ll be able to enjoy where you are right now and get to where He wants you to be.

Furthermore, God may not answer all your questions; at least not in the way you’d like Him to.



But be assured He is working. And since what He’s working on is often bigger than you can comprehend, He won’t bother you with details you can’t handle.


Think - if God had told you all the things you’d have to go through to get to where you are right now, could you have handled it? He knows how long it’ll take and how hard it’ll be - that’s why He’s silent. If He showed you your whole life in advance you’d faint.


Joseph discovered during his time in prison that when God gives you a vision and you commit yourself to it, there’s no ‘opt-out clause’. So stop projecting into the future.


When you live in yesterday you end up with a case of the ‘if onlys’, and when you try to live in tomorrow you get a case of the ‘what ifs’. Remember the popular hit song: ‘One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking of you.


Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine.


Lord help me today, show me the way, one day at a time.’ What should you do? Trust God to work things out for you according to His timetable.


Jer 30-31, 2 Tim 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

He’s Saying the Same to You

‘Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”’

John 20:19
The UCB Word for Today - 20 Oct 2016


One of the first things Jesus did after His resurrection was to go looking for the disciples who’d failed Him so badly. ‘On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.


Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you”’ (vv. 19-21 NIV 1984 Edition).


Among the group was Peter, who’d walked on water, whose hands had distributed miracle food to five thousand hungry people, who’d witnessed Moses and Elijah standing next to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.


Big, bold, brave Peter who said, ‘Even if I have to die with you … I will never deny you!’ (Matthew 26:35 NLT). And he wasn’t the only one. ‘All the other disciples vowed the same’ (v. 35 NLT).

Yet the record reads, ‘All his disciples deserted him and ran away’ (Mark 14:50 NLT).

Saint John, Saint Andrew, and Saint James - all guys depicted on the stained glass windows of churches worldwide - abandoned Jesus when He needed them most.


Yet when He rose from the dead, He never once brought it up. Instead: ‘He showed them His [wounded] hands’ (John 20:20 NKJV).


Why? To let them know He loved them in spite of their failure. Instead of disowning them, He said, ‘As the Father has sent Me, I also send you’ (v. 21 NKJV), And today He’s saying the same to you!


Jer 32-33, 2 Tim 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Holy! Holy! Holy!

‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty.’

Isaiah 6:3
The UCB Word for Today - 21 Oct 2016

When Isaiah saw God he wrote: ‘I saw the Master sitting on a throne - high, exalted! - and the train of his robes filled the Temple.


Angel-seraphs hovered above him, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew. And they called back and forth one to the other, “Holy, Holy, Holy is God-of-the-Angel-Armies.


His bright glory fills the whole earth.” The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke.


I said, “Doom! It’s Doomsday! I’m as good as dead! Every word I’ve ever spoken is tainted - blasphemous even! And the people I live with talk the same way, using words that corrupt and desecrate.


And here I’ve looked God in the face! The King! God-of-the-Angel-Armies!” Then one of the angel-seraphs flew to me. He held a live coal … taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with the coal and said, “Look.


This coal has touched your lips. Gone your guilt, your sins wiped out.” And then I heard the voice of the Master: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” I spoke up, “I’ll go. Send me!” He said, “Go and tell this people”’ (vv. 1-9 MSG).


Now, this portion of Scripture wasn’t intended to make you indulge in morbid introspection, or doubt your righteous standing before God as His redeemed child. Isaiah was the nation’s leading prophet, and God had an assignment for him.


But before he could undertake it, he needed to acknowledge his heart’s condition and let God change him. And today you need to do that too!
Jer 34-36, 2 Tim 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Personal Growth (1)


‘Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.’

Proverbs 2:10
The UCB Word for Today - 22 Oct 2016

Personal growth leads to promotion. Stop and look at the people in your church, your company, or your circle of friends.



Management consultant W. Edwards Deming said, ‘Learning isn’t compulsory … neither is survival.’ In corporate culture, the higher your position, the less ‘doing’ is involved and the more ‘critical thinking’ comes into play.

Consider a corporate conference room during an important meeting.


Typically, a cadre of foot soldiers sits around the table with laptops, briefcases, and boxes of files, while the president enters the room carrying very little.


That’s because he or she wasn’t hired to run computers, maintain schedules, and manage files. They were hired for their expertise and the power of their ideas.


Organisations want people with the best ideas to be in leadership; consequently, promotions generally go to the self-starters - men and women who exhibit initiative and growth.


So start generating some new ideas and see how quickly you get noticed! Daniel began as a slave in Babylon, on the bottom rung of the ladder.

But he was soon promoted to a position in Nebuchadnezzar’s cabinet.


That’s because the king was looking for people with the following qualifications: ‘Showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve’ (Daniel 1:4 NIV 2011 Edition).


Talk about job security! And what’s more, ‘Daniel remained there’ (v. 21 NIV 2011 Edition). So dedicate yourself to personal growth.

Jer 37-39, 2 Tim 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Personal Growth (2)

‘A wise man has great power.’

Proverbs 24:5

The UCB Word for Today - 23 Oct 2016

Another indicator of your need for personal growth is - losing interest in your career.


Many people think this comes from staying in one job too long, or experiencing a midlife crisis.

The truth is, most of us lose interest in our job because we lose interest in growing.

Consider those who experience the highest levels of intensity and creativity.


Generally speaking, they’re passionate about their job and they’re not nearly as concerned about specifics as they are about ‘the big picture’. While those around them get bogged down in the minutiae of daily routine, growth-oriented people are busy swinging the bat and trying to hit the ball out of the park.


These are people who are growing, learning, and expanding their experience - people who never lose interest in their work - or in life.


Growing peanuts sounds pretty boring, right? Not to George Washington Carver! He studied them, developed them, discovered hundreds of different uses for them, and became so famous he was invited to Washington, D.C. to explain the secret of his success to a congressional committee.

Here’s what he told them: ‘God created the peanut.


So I just asked Him to tell me what could be done with it, and He showed me!’ It’s that simple.

Spend as much time expanding your knowledge and experience as you spend on the mundane, and see if your interest levels and excitement don’t change for the better.

The Bible says, ‘A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength.’


Jer 40-42, Titus 1