[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Guard against intolerance
‘God shows no partiality.’

Acts 10:34
The UCB Word for Today - 14 Jul 2017

Tolerance is not just about agreeing to embrace our differences. It’s about accepting the other person’s right to believe as they wish, and to behave according to those beliefs.


One of the great tests of spiritual maturity is our willingness to love and pray for those whose beliefs and behaviours are unacceptable to us. Instead of condemning people who err, we should see them the same way we see a blind man walking towards a cliff’s edge. Our reaction should not be to condemn him, but to have compassion and try to show him a safer route.

Now let’s be clear; compassion is not compromise, any more than we could accuse God, Who loves sinners and hates sin, of compromise. Why don’t we just emulate our heavenly Father? In Bible days Jews looked down on Gentiles and referred to them as ‘dogs’ (see Matthew 15:26-28). But Jesus came and redeemed those ‘dogs’ and turned them into disciples.

When Cornelius the Gentile summoned Peter the Jew to his home, Peter was reluctant to go. He explained, ‘You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company or go to one of another nation.

But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean’ (Acts 10:28 NKJV). God was uprooting embedded traditions and opening up new opportunities for the gospel. Peter continued, ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him’ (vv. 34-35 NKJV). Could it be that God wants to expand the borders of your mind for His glory? If you’re open to it, He will bless you.

Neh 4-6, Rom 8:1-21

[Godreignssupreme]

Pastor I just read this now I think it answers all my questions. God is great!!!!

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Which ‘law’ are you operating under?
‘The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.’

Romans 8:2
The UCB Word for Today - 15 Jul 2017

You say, ‘I fall so far short of God’s standards. Will there ever come a time when my old carnal nature will stop acting up, and trying to drag me down?’

There’s bad news and there’s good news. The bad news is, just as the law of gravity is always in operation, so is ‘the law of sin’ that your fleshly nature wants to respond to.

The good news is, you can access a higher law and operate in it. It’s called ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus’, and it overrides ‘the law of sin and death’. The law of gravity says that what goes up must come down. But when you’re in an aeroplane another law is in operation – the law of aerodynamics.

It works like this: the plane moves at a certain speed, and the proper thrust enables it to climb out of gravity’s pull. That doesn’t mean the law of gravity is no longer the law of gravity. Getting the idea? You ask, ‘What is this law of the Spirit?’ Good question. Here’s the answer.

When you’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit and relying on His power rather than your own, which means being sensitive to His leading and obeying His commands, you’re no longer controlled by ‘the law of sin and death’. It’s no longer about trying harder, but leaning harder on God’s Spirit who lives within you and drawing from Him the strength to live victoriously.

Neh 7-9, Rom 8:22-39

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

At Home in God’s Presence
‘Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!...’

Psalm 90:1
The UCB Word for Today - 17 Jul 2017

At the end of a hard day it feels good to come home to a place you know - a place where you can kick off your shoes, run around in your bathrobe and not worry about what anybody thinks.

And reverently speaking, God’s presence can become equally comfortable to you too. With time, you can learn to go there for strength, for protection, and for guidance.

God wants you to be at home in His presence and aware of His nearness at all times. We think of God as a deity to discuss instead of a place to dwell, but God wants us to see Him as the One in whom ‘we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28 NIV 2011 Edition).

When God led the children of Israel through the wilderness, He didn’t just show up once a day and then disappear. No, the pillar of fire was present with them all night and the cloud of smoke was present with them all day. God never leaves us. Jesus promised, ‘I am with you always’ (Matthew 28:20 NIV 2011 Edition).

The psalmist said, ‘The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life’ (Psalm 27:4 NLT). ‘That’s nice,’ you say. ‘I’d love to live in God’s house too, but I’m stuck in the real world.’ No, just the opposite; you are just one decision away from your Father’s presence. You don’t need to change your address - just your perception

Neh 10-11, Rom 9:1-15

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Look for the best in others
‘We have this treasure in earthen vessels.’

2 Corinthians 4:7
The UCB Word for Today - 18 Jul 2017

One of the worst arguments recorded in Scripture took place between one of the most successful ministry teams of all time – Paul and Barnabas. What was it about? John Mark. Barnabas wanted to take him on their next missionary journey and Paul didn’t.

Why? Because Paul was upset with John Mark for wanting to take time off to be with his family. (Sometimes passionate, purpose-driven people don’t see things clearly!) But after consideration, Paul changed his mind and wrote: ‘Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry’ (2 Timothy 4:10-11 KJV). There are three important lessons here: 1) Everyone deserves another chance.

After all, that’s what God repeatedly does for you. Now, in extending grace you can get hurt and disappointed, but if you’re going to be Christlike it’s a risk you must take. 2) Not everyone has the same calling. The person you’re upset with may not be called to do what you’re called to do, or they may have been called to do it in a different way.

Never make your personal preferences a condition for loving, accepting, and working with someone. 3) Look for the best in others, not the worst.

The Bible says, ‘We have this treasure in earthen vessels.’ That means everyone you deal with has ‘treasure’, but it comes in a flawed ‘earthen vessel’. It also means it’s your responsibility to look for that treasure and value it. Generally speaking, when people feel appreciated they try to rise and meet your expectations.

Neh 12-13, Rom 9:16-33

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Choose gratitude
‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.’

Psalm 103:2
The UCB Word for Today - 19 Jul 2017

He sat on the park bench so depressed-looking that a policeman tried to console him. ‘Something the matter?’ ‘Yeah,’ he replied. ‘A few months ago my grandfather left me £500,000 and some oil wells.’

The policeman responded, ‘That doesn’t sound like something to be upset over.’ ‘Yeah, but you haven’t heard the whole story.

Last month my uncle left me £1,000,000.’ The policeman shook his head. ‘I don’t get it. Why are you so unhappy?’ He replied, ‘So far this month, nobody’s left me anything.’ Seriously, he’s part of a group of people who are unhappy no matter what they have.

The psalmist shows us how to overcome an ungrateful attitude by cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving. ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.’ Thinking and thanking go hand-in-hand.


Memory is a catalyst for worship. An old hymn declares, ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one…see what God has done.’ The psalmist encourages us to do three things: first, think about what God has given us – His forgiveness, healing, protection, redemption, love, and compassion (see vv. 1-5).

Second, think about what God has not given us – the punishment our sins deserve (see vv. 8-12). Third, think about what God is yet going to give us. ‘From everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him’ (v. 17 NIV 2011 Edition).

God accepts you when you trust in Christ’s performance, not your own. So each morning look in the mirror and say, ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.’


Esther 1-2, Rom 10

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Put your heart and soul into it
‘Whatever turns up, grab it and do it…heartily!’

Ecclesiastes 9:10
The UCB Word for Today - 20 Jul 2017

Solomon writes: ‘Seize life!…Each day is God’s gift…Whatever turns up, grab it and do it…heartily! This is your last and only chance at it’ (vv. 7-10 MSG).

Professor Howard Hendricks writes: ‘Recently I lost one of my best friends, a woman eighty-six years young. She was the most exciting lay-teacher I’ve ever been exposed to.

The last time I saw her on planet earth was at one of those “Christian parties” where we all sit on eggshells and try to look pious. In she walked, looked at me and said, “Well, Hendricks, I haven’t seen you for a long time. Tell me, what are the five best books you’ve read in the last year?” (That’ll change the group dynamic in a hurry.)

Her philosophy was, “Let’s not bore each other…let’s get into a discussion. And if we can’t find anything to discuss, then let’s get into an argument.” She was eighty-three years old on her last trip to the Holy Land.

She went with a group of NFL football players. And one of my most vivid memories is seeing her out in front yelling back to them, “Come on, men, get with it!” Recently she died in her sleep at her daughter’s home. Her daughter told me that just before she died she’d written out her goals for the next ten years!’ So whether you are nineteen or ninety-nine, the word for you today is: ‘Whatever turns up, grab it and do it…heartily.’ In other words: Put your heart and soul into it.

Esther 3-5, Rom 11:1-18

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Lessons from the life of David (1)
‘All things work together for good to those who love God.’

Romans 8:28
The UCB Word for Today - 21 Jul 2017

God said, ‘I have found David…a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’ (Acts 13:22 NKJV). When God says that about someone, you’d be wise to observe that person’s life. David started out as a shepherd and ended up as king.

The chances of that happening were zero. Shepherds were so low on the social totem pole they couldn’t testify in a court of law because their word wasn’t considered reliable.

Yet David ended up writing the most widely read psalms of all time. Understand this: when you invite God into your life, He cancels the liabilities of your past and rewrites your future.

But you must choose what God has chosen for you! There’s an interesting contrast between Paul and David. Paul lived his chapters of disobedience before he met Christ, then went on to live an exemplary life.

David became king at thirty, and during his forty years in leadership experienced devastating failure, including adultery and murder.

There are two important lessons here: 1) Don’t rush to judgement. It’s not over until God says it’s over! David’s story is a warning to the transgressor, a rebuke to the self-righteous, a verification of God’s justice that won’t allow you to escape your consequences, and a testimony to His love that will never let go of you. 2) God can bring good out of what seems like a bad situation.

He can take every experience you’ve been through and make it work for good – either your own good or the good of others. Bottom line: He can make ‘all things work together for good’.

Esther 6-8, Rom 11:19-36

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Lessons from the life of David (2)
‘Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’

Hebrews 6:12
The UCB Word for Today - 22 Jul 2017

Here are three lessons from David’s life: 1) God makes the choice. When Samuel the prophet came to David’s house to pick Israel’s next king, David wasn’t considered.

But God chose him anyway – just like He chose Deborah to lead the nation in a male-dominated society.

Stop trying to figure God out! And stop comparing yourself to others! We’d have rejected many of the people God used – which shows how little we know. 2) God designs the plan.

‘Being confident of this…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it’ (Philippians 1:6 NKJV). Who designs the plan? Who performs it? Who should your confidence be in? God! His plan for David involved years of ducking Saul’s spears, living in caves as a fugitive, and working with six hundred misfits who redefine the word ‘dysfunctional’. God trains you through the difficulties you experience so you can handle the assignment He has in mind for you. 3) God sets the schedule. ‘Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’ Patience means standing firm under pressure.


The prize belongs to the one who’s committed for the long haul. David was anointed king in his teens, but he didn’t take the throne until he was thirty. So be patient. God’s doing a work of preparation in your life so you’ll be ready when your time comes.

Yes, waiting is hard. But if you run before the starter fires the gun, you’ll be disqualified from the race. Just keep your eyes on the prize and don’t give up.

Esther 9-10, Rom 12

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Lessons from the life of David (3)
‘They mobilised all their forces.’

2 Samuel 5:17
The UCB Word for Today - 23 Jul 2017

Paul writes, ‘Fight the good fight of faith’ (1 Timothy 6:12 KJV). Some of God’s promises have to be fought for. The Jebusites who controlled Jerusalem told David, ‘You’ll never get in here!’ (2 Samuel 5:6 NLT). So expect resistance to your vision, especially when there’s no evidence yet to validate it.

To make matters worse, Jerusalem was hundreds of feet above David’s army and the only way up was through a water cistern, which meant wading through muck. ‘Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion’ (v. 7 NKJV). Understand this: if He has to, God will bring you up through the gutter to get you to the throne. Note the word nevertheless.

When you’re up to your neck in problems and the enemy is saying you won’t make it, stand on God’s promises and declare, ‘Nevertheless.’ Rise up in faith and claim what God has promised you. ‘The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits’ (Daniel 11:32 NKJV). God can show you how to exploit the circumstances for your good and His glory.

But don’t expect everybody to be helpful. ‘When the Philistines heard…David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilised all their forces to capture him.’ You’ll have to fight to get to your destiny, and fight to hold it.

And with each new battle you’ll have to turn to God for fresh instructions. ‘David asked the LORD, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied… “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you”’ (2 Samuel 5:19 NLT). Today move forward knowing that God is with you.

Luke 13:22-35, Ps 74-76