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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The double standard

‘The road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker.’

Proverbs 4:19
The UCB Word for Today - 3 Dec 2016


The Bible says: ‘The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker - travellers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces’ (vv. 18-19 MSG).


In 1966 Dr Joseph Fletcher published a book which became a best seller. It was called Situation Ethics.

In it he said love was the only standard for determining right from wrong. The result was ethical chaos.

Why? Because it allowed us to set our own standards, which changed from situation to situation.


And to make matters worse, it’s our natural inclination to go easy on ourselves, judging ourselves according to our intentions while holding others to a higher standard and judging them based on their actions.


For example, someone who cheats on his taxes or steals office supplies still expects honesty from the company whose stock he buys and the business clients he deals with.


That’s what’s known as the double standard. It’s easy to get disgusted with people who fail the ethics test - especially when they’ve wronged us.

But it’s a lot harder to make ethical choices in our own lives.


Understand this: when you operate on the edge of honesty, you invariably go over that edge! It may be possible to fool people for a season, but your deeds always catch up with you.


Just as someone may appear to profit temporarily from dishonesty, being truthful may sometimes look like a losing proposition.


But both your pleasure and profit will be short-lived, because ultimately we’ll all stand in judgement before God - and how will you look then?


Hosea 9-10, 3 John

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The virtue of humility (1)

‘Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honour and life.’

Proverbs 22:4

The UCB Word for Today - 4 Dec 2016

When Benjamin Franklin was twenty-two he was living in Philadelphia after escaping an oppressive apprenticeship.

He was, as they say, ‘trying to find himself’.


One question burned in his heart: ‘What are the greatest priorities of my life?’ In answer, he developed twelve ‘virtues’ - values that would govern his life.


They were temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquillity, and chastity.

Franklin took his list of virtues to an old Quaker friend and asked his opinion.


His friend read them and said, ‘Benjamin, you’ve forgotten the most important one.’ Surprised, Franklin asked which one. The old man replied, ‘Humility.’ Franklin immediately added it to his list. He organised his life into repeating thirteen-week cycles, focusing on one of those virtues each week.


At seventy-eight years of age, he began reflecting on his life and the qualities he’d built it around.


Though he felt pretty good about having achieved most of them, here’s what he said about humility: ‘I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue; but I have had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it.’ The Bible says, ‘Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honour and life.’ Humility is an interesting virtue; you’re supposed to show it - but not know it!

Jonathan Edwards said, ‘Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.’ If there’s one thing in this world your ego will neither seek nor strive for, it’s humility. Yet true and lasting success depends on it.


Luke 22:47-71, Ps 120-122

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The virtue of humility (2)

‘Humility brings honour.’

Proverbs 29:23

The UCB Word for Today - 5 Dec 2016

The story’s told of a young pastor who was widely

known to be a gifted preacher.

But as his congregation swelled - so did his head! One Sunday after he’d delivered his latest masterpiece, a church member shook his hand and said, ‘You are, without a doubt, one of the greatest preachers of our generation.’ It was all the young minister could do to squeeze his head into the car as he slid behind the steering wheel.

And as he and his wife drove home he told her what his parishioner had said.

She didn’t respond, so after fishing for affirmation he said, ‘I wonder just how many “great preachers” there are in this generation?’ She replied, ‘One fewer than you think, dear!’ Try to imagine Jesus kneeling with a towel and a basin to wash the dirt from your feet.

In those days of unpaved streets, it was a common courtesy.


When you visited someone’s home they’d wash your feet as a way of saying, ‘I welcome and honour you.’ When Jesus’ disciples protested, He said to them, ‘I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you…That is the path of blessing’ (John 13:15-17 TLB).

Someone once asked Leonard Bernstein, the brilliant New York Philharmonic conductor, what the most difficult position in the orchestra was.

He replied, ‘Second fiddle.’ Everybody wants to sit in the first chair.


But in God’s kingdom we’re called to consider others first and ourselves second. When we do, God promises to honour us.


Hosea 11-12, Jude

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t forget to thank God

‘When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God.’

Deuteronomy 8:10

The UCB Word for Today - 6 Dec 2016

We decided to reprint this story because its message is timeless. ‘They huddled inside the storm door - two children in ragged, oversized coats. “Any old papers, lady?” I was busy.

I wanted to say no - until I saw their feet. Little sandals sopped with sleet. “Come in and I’ll make you some hot cocoa.” There was no conversation.

Their soggy sandals left marks on the hearthstone. I served them cocoa with toast and jam to fortify them against the chill outside.

Then I went back to the kitchen to work on my household budget.
The silence in the front room struck through me.

I looked in. The little girl held the empty cup in her hands and looked at it.

The boy asked, “Lady, are you rich?” I looked at my shabby slipcovers. “Am I rich? Mercy, no!” The girl put the cup in its saucer - carefully. “Your cups match your saucers.” Her voice was old with a hunger not of the stomach.

They then left, holding their bundles of paper against the wind. They hadn’t said thank you.

They didn’t need to - they’d done more than that. Much more.

Plain blue pottery cups and saucers, but they matched. Potatoes in brown gravy; a roof over our heads; my man with a good steady job - these things matched, too.

I moved the chairs back from the fire and tidied the living room.

The muddy prints of small sandals were still wet on my hearth. I let them be.

I want them there in case I ever forget how rich I am!’ The word for you today is: don’t forget to thank God.


Hosea 13-14, Rev 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t be a hypocrite

‘No more pretence.’

Ephesians 4:25

The UCB Word for Today - 7 Dec 2016

It’s not your shortcomings that make you a hypocrite; it’s hiding them and pretending you don’t have any! Note two things about hypocrisy: 1) It’s as natural as breathing. It appeals to our ego.


We get hooked on it because it looks so impressive, and results in our getting lots of positive strokes.


Who doesn’t enjoy that? 2) Dealing with it is hard. It’s easier to train a new Christian than to retrain an old one steeped in religion.


To win the battle with hypocrisy you must first admit you’ve a problem with it.


Only then can the Holy Spirit begin a work of deliverance and set you on the path to freedom. But be warned, it’s a long and brutal fight.


Our desire to look good in front of others dies slowly - if at all. Paul writes: ‘I insist - and God backs me up on this - that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd…that’s no life for you.


You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus.


Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything - and I do mean everything - connected with that old way of life has to go.


It’s rotten through and through…take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. What this adds up to…no more pretence’ (vv. 17-25 MSG).


Joel 1-3, Rev 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The Golden Rule (1)

‘Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.’

Matthew 7:12
The UCB Word for Today - 8 Dec 2016

Try to slot yourself based on one of these statements: (a) I’m always ethical. (b) I’m mostly ethical. © I’m somewhat ethical. (d) I’m seldom ethical. (e) I’m never ethical.

Which slot do you fall into? If we’re truthful, most of us would likely put ourselves in slot (b). Why? Because of personal convenience.

Think about it. Paying the price for success is inconvenient. Putting others first is inconvenient. Practising personal discipline is inconvenient.

Risking confrontation is inconvenient. Most of us think being ethical is fine - unless we’re on the losing end of somebody else’s ethical lapse.


But if you’re serious about establishing an ethical standard to live by, you need look no further than the Golden Rule: ‘Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.’ And: 1) It brings peace and self-worth.


When all is said and done, you need to be able to live with yourself because ‘wherever you go you take yourself with you’. If the only way you can win is by cheating, you lose self-respect, fear being exposed, lack confidence in approaching God, and your successes feel hollow. 2) It results in a win-win.


Are you the kind of person who thinks that in order for you to win, somebody else must lose? That philosophy doesn’t work.


When you treat other people the way you want to be treated, they win; and when they reciprocate, you win. There are no losers. 3) It’s easy to understand.


You simply put yourself in the other person’s shoes. That’s it! There are no complicated rules and no loopholes.

Amos 1-3, Rev 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The Golden Rule (2)

‘For you will be treated as you treat others.’

Matthew 7:2

The UCB Word for Today - 9 Dec 2016

In his book Running with the Giants, John Maxwell tells of a new pastor who shared the following eight rules with his congregation: 1) If you’ve a problem with me, come and see me privately.

I’ll do the same for you. 2) If someone else has a problem with me and comes to you, send them to me. I’ll do the same. 3) If someone won’t come to me, say, ‘Let’s go see him together.’ I’ll do the same. 4) Be careful how you interpret me - I’d rather do that. It’s too easy to misinterpret intentions. I’ll also be careful how I interpret you. 5) If it’s confidential, don’t tell.


If you or anyone else comes to me in confidence, I won’t tell, unless they’re going to harm themselves, harm someone else, or a child has been physically or sexually abused.

I expect the same from you. 6) I don’t read unsigned letters. 7) I don’t manipulate.


I won’t be manipulated. Don’t let others manipulate you. And don’t let others try to manipulate me through you. 8) When in doubt, just say so.


If I can answer without misrepresenting something or breaking a confidence, I will.

Those eight rules can be reduced to one sentence: ‘Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.’ Good marriages, business relationships, and friendships are based on the Golden Rule Jesus gave us.

One final thought: ‘Abstain from all appearance of evil’ (1Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).


If people could construe that you’re taking advantage of them even after you’ve had a chance to explain your motives, you may need to rethink your idea.


Amos 4-6, Rev 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The Golden Rule (3)

‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Matthew 22:39

The UCB Word for Today - 10 Dec 2016

To make the Golden Rule part of your daily life, you must try to do three things for others: 1) Trust them. Without trust there can be no real relationship.


US Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson said, ‘The chief lesson I’ve learned in a long life is that the only way to make a man trustworthy is by trusting him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him and show your distrust.’ Is it always easy? No, especially when it’s someone you don’t know very well.

Nevertheless, that’s Christ’s Golden Rule. As you strive to invest confidence in others just as you’d like it to be invested in you, remember that the person who trusts others will always lose less than the person who distrusts them. 2) Thank them.

Human relations expert Donald Laird said, ‘Always help people increase their self-esteem…There’s hardly a higher compliment you can pay an individual than helping him to be useful and to find satisfaction in his usefulness.’ How do you do that? By letting them know you appreciate their efforts.

By making a point of praising them in the presence of those closest to them.

As Broadway producer Billy Rose observed: ‘It’s hard for a fellow to keep a chip on his shoulder if you allow him to take a bow.’ 3) Value them.

Surveys confirm that 70 per cent of workers who leave their jobs do so because they don’t feel valued.

That’s an indictment of how poorly some leaders treat employees! There isn’t a person in the world who doesn’t want to be appreciated. Don’t you? So make a habit of practising the Golden Rule.

Amos 7-9, Rev 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The power of intercessory prayer

‘Moses…stood before [God] in the breach.’

Psalm 106:23

The UCB Word for Today - 11 Dec 2016

Sometimes God moves sovereignly, giving you neither notice nor explanation. Other times He moves only in answer to prayer.


The prayers of Rees Howells, ‘the Welsh intercessor’, were so powerful that they’re credited with thwarting the Nazis and influencing certain events in World War II.


Thank God for knowledge and ability, but some things only happen when we ‘give ourselves continually to prayer’ (Acts 6:4 KJV).


The Bible says God would have destroyed Israel ‘had not Moses…stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath.’ Behind some of the greatest spiritual awakenings in history was an unseen, unsung force known as ‘intercessors’. Many of the victories we celebrate in the open are first won by such people in the secret place of prayer.

It’s a specialised ministry, and God could be calling you to it.


Even though your limbs may not carry you beyond your own front door, through prayer you can limit Satan’s movements and defeat his best-laid plans.


Through prayer you can call the forces of heaven into any situation, anywhere, anytime, for anybody.


No wonder Satan downplays the power of intercessory prayer and will do whatever it takes to keep us from giving ourselves to it. There’s no distance in prayer.

God said, ‘Ask…me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession’ (Psalm 2:8 KJV).

It’s time to move beyond our ‘bless me’ prayers and start claiming bigger things for God.

When what we declare on earth lines up with what God has decreed in heaven - it will be done! (See Matthew 18:18.)


Luke 23:1-25, Ps 123-125

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Walk in the light!

‘This is the verdict: light has come into the world.’

John 3:19

The UCB Word for Today - 12 Dec 2016

Here are some helpful observations on ‘walking in the light’. 1) Sin is God’s enemy, and yours. Jesus said, ‘There is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy’ (Luke 11:23 MSG).


Neutrality and passivity aren’t options; you must treat sin like the enemy it is. 2) Be honest with yourself and God.


Don’t excuse your sin as a ‘condition’ or ‘tendency’. You didn’t just make a bad judgement - you sinned.

You may have had a troubled past, but today you have choices! 3) Don’t indulge in beating yourself up.

You’re not supposed to wallow in condemnation before acknowledging your sin. Making yourself miserable doesn’t signify that you deserve forgiveness.


That comes by grace, through faith alone. Every second spent in self-condemnation is time stolen from you by Satan.


The moment that brings the acknowledgment of sin also brings the cleansing of sin. 4) If you repeat the sin, repeat the confession. ‘Won’t God get tired of me coming to Him?’ you ask.


No. God accepted Jesus as a substitute for all your sins for all time, so He will never reject you.


Isaiah told God’s people, ‘Return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy…and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon’ (Isaiah 55:7 KJV). Above all, be patient with yourself.


Give the Holy Spirit time to develop in you the strength needed to transcend your old nature and overcome your old sinful habits, and be assured it will happen (see Philippians 1:6).

Obadiah, Rev 6