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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Heed the warnings

‘He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will

suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.’

Proverbs 29:1

The UCB Word for Today - 3 Nov 2016


In the official magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch reported on a very unusual encounter at sea. A battleship was coming in for manoeuvres in heavy weather.

Shortly after the sun went down, the lookout reported a light in the distance, so the captain had the signalman send a message: ‘We’re on a collision course.


Advise you change your course twenty degrees.’ Minutes later a signal came back: ‘Advisable for you to change your course.’ The captain angrily ordered that another signal be sent: ‘I am a captain. Change course twenty degrees.’ Again came the reply: ‘I’m a seaman, second class.


You’d better change your course.’ Furious by this point, the captain barked a final threat: ‘I’m a battleship! Change your course!’ The signal came back, ‘I’m a lighthouse.’ The captain changed his course! It’s foolhardy to ignore the beacons that warn you of danger.


They take various forms: symptoms of health problems, prolonged marital conflict, rebellious children, excessive debt, soul-destroying habits, stress that ties you in knots.

The list goes on. It matters not whether you’re successful, influential, and busy.

When God sends you a warning and tells you to change course, if you’re wise you won’t argue. Instead you will do it with haste. Let’s get personal.


Has God been dealing with you over something in your life that’s wrong, but you keep resisting Him? Or putting off dealing with it? Things will go right for you when you turn to Him instead of away from Him.


Ezek 5-7, Heb 7

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Look for ways to serve others

‘Share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.’

Hebrews 13:16
The UCB Word for Today - 4 Nov 2016

When Ronald Reagan was governor of California, he sometimes slipped out of his office early, telling his administrator Michael Deaver, ‘I’ve a few errands to run.’ Deaver became curious, so he leafed through the ‘to read’ file on the governor’s desk.

On top was a wrinkled letter from a man stationed in Vietnam.


The soldier had written to Reagan telling him about his life in Southeast Asia, and how much he missed his wife. That particular day was their wedding anniversary and he wanted her to know how much he loved her and longed to be with her.


Although he had already sent her a card, he asked the governor if he’d make a phone call to make sure she was okay and pass on his love in case she didn’t receive the card.


The next day Deaver discovered Reagan had done much more than the soldier requested. He’d picked up a dozen red roses and delivered them to the man’s wife.

Dale Rowlee, the governor’s driver, told Deaver that Reagan approached the woman with an extremely humble attitude, and offered the flowers on behalf of a loving husband stationed in a jungle hell on the other side of the world.


Then he spent over an hour with her, drinking coffee and talking about her family. Reagan’s humility may, in fact, have been one of the secrets to his enduring popularity.


Somebody said, ‘To be humble to superiors is duty; to equals, courtesy; to inferiors, nobility.’ It’s not big deeds, but small acts of kindness that make us great as God counts greatness. ‘With such sacrifices God is pleased.’

Ezek 8-10, Heb 8

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Integrity

‘The integrity of the upright guides them.’

Proverbs 11:3

The UCB Word for Today - 5 Nov 2016

The word integrity derives from the word integer, a mathematical term for a whole number as opposed to a fraction.

So when you walk in integrity, that means you tell the whole truth and not just a fraction of it.

That’s why we take an oath in court to tell ‘the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’. Why do we slant the truth, embellish it, and tell half-truths? Sometimes it’s for financial gain, other times it’s for social advantage.

Sometimes it’s to hide our actions, other times it’s to avail ourselves of certain benefits. Jacob, whose name meant ‘trickster’, conspired with his mother and deceived his father into giving him the birthright of the firstborn - twice as much of their father’s inheritance which rightfully belonged to his older brother Esau.

And Jacob paid dearly for it. He spent the next fourteen years as a fugitive working for his father-in-law, who was an even bigger and better cheat than Jacob.

Finally, in despair, Jacob had an encounter with God and heard these words: ‘I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you’ (Genesis 28:15 NIV 2011 Edition).

That day Jacob’s value system changed, and the taker became a giver.

He told God, ‘Of all that you give me I will give you a tenth’ (v. 22 NIV 2011 Edition). And after that God blessed him beyond his wildest dreams.

He returned home after many years with a beautiful family, great riches, and a new name: Israel.

The truth is, integrity pays dividends every time. Why? Because God guarantees it.

Ezek 11-13, Heb 9

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t quit

‘We have this treasure in jars of clay.’

2 Corinthians 4:7

The UCB Word for Today - 6 Nov 2016

Paul writes: ‘We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.’ ‘Jars of clay’ refers to cups, bowls, pots, etc., and what really matters is what’s in them.

A vessel may be chipped and flawed, but once it’s washed and cleaned it can be used again.

So don’t quit because someone discovered you’re a jar of clay with chips and flaws.

There’s a cry from the Jericho Road nobody except you may ever hear. Some dying thief will be saved if you’ll just keep preaching through your pain, because the message that saves others is the one that saves us too.

Accepting the fallen is the strength - not a weakness - of the gospel.

There’s a world of difference between the coldness of a rebellious heart and the cry of a troubled heart that says, ‘God save me from myself.’ One glimpse of God’s grace brings all of us to our knees confessing and forsaking sin, ‘bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV).

One pastor writes: ‘People listen to our one-sided testimonies of success and become discouraged.

They think that while they struggle, we have it all together. That’s because we falsified the records and failed to tell the whole truth.

God help us! Our message is we were saved by grace, we are being saved by grace, and we will be saved by grace.’ If need be, go down into the Potter’s house and let Him put you back on the wheel and remake you - but don’t quit! (See Jeremiah 18:1-4.)


Luke 21:1-19, Ps 113-115

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Test the waters (1)

‘We each have different work to do.’

Romans 12:5


Bob Buford was a successful businessman who felt God calling him to some kind of ministry. He just wasn’t sure what, so he decided to test the waters.

He brought together a group of pastors of large churches to see if they could benefit from the kind of organisational expertise he had.

The cost of doing this was low enough that had it been a dead end, he could easily have focused his search elsewhere.

If he’d impulsively quit his job as CEO and taken a staff position in a church somewhere, he might have missed his calling and jeopardised his chance to keep searching.

As a result, today he has a ministry that literally impacts the world.

Now, you can’t just walk away from your previous commitments. Amos transitioned into the prophecy business while he still had his shepherding job to fall back on.

Paul kept his tent-making operation running when he went into church planting.


Discerning God’s will requires time and patience, and most of us have bills to pay and families to take care of.

So what should you do? Keep your day job - but test the waters! And remember you’re not alone.

God’s more committed to your success than you are.

When you feel like He’s given you the green light, gently push the accelerator and move forward.


Playwright Arthur Miller said: ‘It’s wrong to remain in a situation you know is a mismatch for you…God didn’t place you on this earth to waste away your years in labour that doesn’t employ His design or purpose for your life, no matter how much you may be getting paid.’


Ezek 14-15, Heb 10

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Test the waters (2)

‘Make a careful exploration of who you are and the

work you have been given.’

Galatians 6:4
The UCB Word for Today - 8 Nov 2016


One pastor writes: ‘I could have taken a hundred gifts and ability tests as a young man and never discovered that I was gifted at teaching, because I’d never done it.

It was only after I began accepting opportunities to speak that I saw the results, received confirmation from others, and realised God had gifted me to do this.’ Unless you’re willing to risk getting involved, you’ll never know what you’re good at.


Sure you’ll make mistakes - and some of them may be so discouraging you’ll want to give up and not try again.

But if you turn your mistakes into learning experiences you’ll not only discover what God has called you to do, you’ll grow and become proficient at it.

Paul writes: ‘Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that…Don’t compare yourself with others.


Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life’ (vv. 4-5 MSG).

Then he adds: ‘Let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good.

At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit…therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all’ (vv. 9-10 MSG).

Today take a serious look at what’s left of your life and decide to make it count.

Some of the saddest words in life are on a tombstone that reads: ‘When I came to die, I discovered I had not lived.’ Don’t let that be said of you!

Ezek 16-17, Heb 11

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Learn to encourage yourself!

‘David strengthened himself in the LORD.’

1 Samuel 30:6

The UCB Word for Today - 9 Nov 2016

David had just won a string of spectacular military victories.

But when he returned from battle and found his home destroyed by the Amalekites and his family taken captive, he was heartsick. He and his men fell to the ground and wept, until they could weep no more.


But he didn’t stay down. ‘David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”’ (v. 8 NKJV).

And David’s self-encouragement, coupled with God’s guidance, led him to his next victory. There’s a lesson here.


You must learn how to talk to yourself the right way, how to quote God’s promises, and how to pray for yourself.

And here’s a promise from the Psalms that you can stand on: ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning’ (Psalm 30:5 KJV). Your joy will return.


God has promised it! So look in the mirror today and declare, ‘This too shall pass. What doesn’t destroy me makes me stronger. In the meantime I’ll let this situation drive me closer to You, Lord.’ Come on - start encouraging yourself!

The biggest battles bring the biggest victories. Your weaknesses can become discovery points for strengths you never knew you had.

Recalling the worst time in his life, Joseph said, ‘God turned into good what you meant for evil’ (Genesis 50:20 TLB).

And He still does that! Other people don’t control your destiny, God does, and He’s not like others.

He can turn your pain into gain and your scars into stars! Regroup, refocus, and resolve to press on.

The word for you today is: learn to encourage yourself.
Ezek 18-19, Heb 12

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Fruit or just leaves?

‘He found nothing but leaves on it.’

Matthew 21:19

The UCB Word for Today - 10 Nov 2016

The Bible says: ‘As He was coming back to the city, He was hungry.

And as He saw one single leafy fig tree above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves].

And He said to it, “Never again shall fruit grow on you!” And the fig tree withered up at once’ (vv. 18-19 AMP Classic Edition).

Perhaps you’re thinking that’s pretty harsh treatment. After all, it wasn’t the tree’s fault that it didn’t have any figs.


So why did Jesus curse it? You’ll find the answer in these words: ‘Seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves.’ When Jesus saw leaves on the tree, He’d a right to expect fruit.

And when there was none, He cursed it for being a phony while giving off the impression that it was the real thing. There’s an important lesson here for each of us.


Be careful that you don’t display an impressive array of leaves without actually bearing fruit.

It takes more than a bumper sticker on your car, a Jesus pin in your lapel, and a big Bible under your arm to influence and win others to Christ.


The Bible says, ‘When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23 TLB).

That’s the kind of fruit people can see, touch, taste, and enjoy. And it’s the kind God wants to see manifested in your life today.

Ezek 20-21, Heb 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Trusting God when there are no answers

‘The secret things belong to the Lord...’

Deuteronomy 29:29

The UCB Word for Today - 11 Nov 2016

Life’s losses leave us hurting and wondering. Cancer takes a young mother or father. Divorce strikes your happy home. Financial ruin devastates your retirement plans.

A child goes to jail, is killed or commits suicide. Such times raise questions which are difficult, if not impossible to answer. We examine the circumstances again and again.

We speculate about the details, searching for clues that might make some sense and make it easier for us to bear.

We turn the spotlight on ourselves, others, even God, wondering what could or should have been done differently that might have prevented this.

We turn to friends, fellow believers and pastors only to hear what sounds like religious platitudes and inadequate attempts to minimise our pain.

When answers don’t seem forthcoming and the heavens are silent, what should you do? Here are two Scriptures to help you in such times: 1) ‘The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us’ (Deuteronomy 29:29 NKJV).


When it comes to understanding things, we have our territory, God has His. And ours is limited to what He decides to reveal.

At that point you must ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding’ (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV) 2) ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…’ (Romans 8:28 KJV).

God may explain it to you, or He may not. But He’s ‘the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End’ (Revelation 22:13 NKJV), which means, He has a plan and He’s working it out for our good and His glory. So trust Him!
Ezek 22-23, James 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Free to be yourself!

‘If the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.’

John 8:36
The UCB Word for Today - 12 Nov 2016

We live in a world of peer pressure. Others set the standard and we wear it, drive it, quote it, or do it. In some cases that’s okay, but not when it comes to your life’s direction.

Jesus said, ‘If the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.’ That means you’re free from the pressures others try to put on you; free to be the person God called you to be; free to look to Him for answers instead of always looking to other people.

The Bible says, ‘A man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from heaven’ (John 3:27 AMP Classic Edition).

When you scratch the surface, you discover that deep down many of us struggle with insecurity. We’re competitive, always comparing ourselves to others.

We’re envious of their possessions, abilities, and accomplishments.

We find ourselves trying to keep up with certain people, or be just like them.

And as a result we get frustrated because we’re operating outside of what God called us to be. In other words, we’re not being ourselves! Understand this: the Christian life is a race, and you must run on your own track.

You’ll never enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing until you commit to being the person He created you to be.

So look in the mirror today and announce, ‘I am what I am. I can’t be anything other than what God has called me to be.

So I’m going to concentrate on being the best me I can be - and celebrate every moment of it.’

Ezek 24-26, James 2