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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


What’s Your Passion?
‘My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned.’

Psalm 39:3
The UCB Word for Today - 7 Jun 2016


When God gives you a vision for your life, it’ll burn within you like a fire that can’t be extinguished. The psalmist said, ‘My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned.’ So, what are you passionate about?



What burns ‘hot’ within you? When God calls you to do something, He creates within you both the desire to do it and the power to carry it out.


Though you feel inadequate and unqualified, stand on His Word: ‘For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him’ (Philippians 2:13 NLT). Mahatma Gandhi had a vision of a free and independent India at a time when it was governed by the British.


Henry Ford had a vision of every family in America owning an automobile at a time when people were frightened of his new invention.


Daniel K. Ludwig had a vision of a self-supporting industrial region in the heart of the Brazilian jungle at a time when there was no industry, no electricity, and no city of any kind for hundreds of miles.


Where do such creative desires come from? God, Who is our Creator! And when God gives you a true worldview, you’ll never be happy living in a narrow mental framework.


Are there times when you’ll feel afraid and uncertain about what to do? Yes! Fear and faith are two sides of the same coin, and they’ll always be part of your thinking.


But the one you choose is the one that’ll determine your future - and you get to choose!

2 King 19-21, Acts 12

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Your Purpose Will Be Accompanied by Peace
‘Ye shall … be led forth with peace.’

Isaiah 55:12
The UCB Word for Today - 8 Jun 2016


Perhaps you’re wondering, ‘What am I supposed to do with my life? What’s my purpose here?’ God answers these questions through our abilities.

He leads us to our life’s purpose through the skills and talents He has given us.

God-given gifts are the skills a person easily performs, often without formal training. We derive great pleasure from doing what we’re naturally good at doing.


So if you aren’t sure of your life’s purpose, just do what you do well and watch God confirm it by blessing your endeavours.

Don’t spend your time trying to do what you’re not gifted to do, or what somebody else is good at.


We know we’re operating in our gifts and calling when what we do ministers life to others.


If what we do makes us miserable and fills us with a sense of dread, usually we’re not in God’s perfect will.


He gives us peace and joy to let us know we’re fulfilling His perfect plan: ‘For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace.’ Look at what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what God is giving you the grace to do - then let God be God in your life.

He wants to flow through you, and it may not be in the same way as He flows through others.


Trust His ability in and through you, and don’t be afraid to be unique. God has a specific place and a specific plan for each of us.

How will you know you’re in the right place fulfilling His plan? You will have peace!


2 King 22-23, Acts 13:1-25

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Love: The Winning Strategy (1)
‘Love never fails.’

1 Corinthians 13:8
The UCB Word for Today - 9 Jun 2016


The Bible says, ‘Love never fails.’ Think about it: money doesn’t bring happiness, fame doesn’t bring self-worth, and revenge doesn’t bring satisfaction. The only thing that never fails is love.


When Mother Teresa addressed world leaders at the United Nations, she was asked, ‘How can we have world peace?’ She replied, ‘Go home and love your family.’ If we all did that, ‘Paradise Lost’ would become ‘Paradise Found’! Napoleon Bonaparte’s intellectual greatness and intense egotism make his alleged tribute to the supremacy of leadership by love, all the more striking.

He said, ‘Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself founded great empires: but upon what did the creations of our genius depend? Upon force.


Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this day millions would die for Him.’


Sometimes leaders are just power-holders. Because you can’t love others without making yourself vulnerable, they see expressing love as a weakness.


But the fact is you can’t love and ‘keep all your options open’. To truly love - whether it’s your spouse, your children, or the people you lead - you must give yourself unreservedly in such a way that you can be hurt and even rejected.


The fundamental principle on which power-holders operate is to protect themselves and everything they have.


Whereas the fundamental principle of true leadership is to give of yourself with no holds barred.


Love as an intrinsic characteristic of leadership seems outmoded, yet according to Scripture it’s still the winning strategy.

The Bible says, ‘God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind’ (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). That’s why love is the winning strategy.


2 King 24-35, Acts 13:26-52

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Love: The Winning Strategy (2)
‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?’

Luke 6:32
The UCB Word for Today - 10 Jun 2016


The love talked about in Scripture isn’t a sentimental emotion that gives you goose bumps. It’s compassion, caring, and concern for the well-being of another.


It’s based on commitment, not convenience. It’s an act of your will, not a reflex of your emotions. Jesus asks a question that makes you stop in your tracks. ‘If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!

And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit?’ (vv. 32-33 NLT). Loving is the hardest thing you’ll ever do, and it will require all the grace God can give you.


Jesus continues: ‘Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.

Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.


Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive.

Your gift will return to you in full - pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over … The amount you give will determine the amount you get back’ (vv. 35-38 NLT). You say, ‘That’s a high standard!’ Yes, that’s why it’s the winning strategy.



1 Chron 1-3, Acts 14

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Love: The Winning Strategy (3)
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart.’

Matthew 22:37
The UCB Word for Today - 11 Jun 2016


One day Christ’s critics asked Him, ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ (v. 36 NIV 2011 Edition).

His answer is a timely reminder to both leaders and followers; it includes those who sit in the pews and those who stand in the pulpit. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart … all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment’ (vv. 37-38 NIV 2011 Edition).

As a leader you must never leave a question in anyone’s mind as to who is God - and who isn’t. Namely, yourself! God said, ‘You shall have no other gods before Me’ (Exodus 20:3 NKJV).

And that’s important, because you’re never in greater danger than when people begin to praise you.


Yes, we must teach people to respect, honour, and reward good leadership, but the Christlike leader discourages adulation and shies away from the limelight.


John the Baptist was so successful as a preacher that when he finished speaking, his audience flocked to Jesus. Speaking of it, Christ later said, in essence, ‘John, you did your job well!’ Apparently John agreed, for he said, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ (John 3:30 NKJV). Isaiah wrote, ‘In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up’ (Isaiah 6:1 NKJV). The king had to die before Isaiah saw the Lord.


Only when a leader becomes impervious to applause and approval and dies to ego, is God glorified in his or her leadership. Indeed, when Christ alone is exalted, the God-called leader smiles and says, ‘Thank You, Lord - that’s how You intended it.’


1 Chron 4-6, Acts 15:1-21

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Conquering Your Fear of Lack (1)


‘But they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.’

Psalm 34:10
The UCB Word for Today - 12 Jun 2016


It’s okay to grow up in poverty, as long as poverty doesn’t grow up in you and control your thinking. One celebrity was asked how he felt about growing up in poverty.

Amazingly, he confessed that he still suffered anxiety over having enough in the future.


So he tended to be overly frugal, viewed his money as somewhat surreal, and wasn’t able to relax and enjoy the blessings that come with success.

However, his wife had brought balance to the relationship with the mindset of give, spend, and save.


Who do you believe is responsible for your success, yourself or God? As long as you are, you’ll remain vulnerable to people, circumstances, and economic conditions.

But when you know God’s responsible for your success, what you gain you can maintain.


So your options are: trust yourself - or God! The psalmist writes: ‘There is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.

The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing’ (vv. 9-10 AMP Classic Edition).

You say, ‘But that’s an Old Testament promise.’ Then here’s a New Testament one: ‘God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work’ (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV 1984 Edition).


Luke 11:1-28, Ps 63-65

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Conquering Your Fear of Lack (1)


‘But they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.’

Psalm 34:10
The UCB Word for Today - 12 Jun 2016



It’s okay to grow up in poverty, as long as poverty doesn’t grow up in you and control your thinking.

One celebrity was asked how he felt about growing up in poverty. Amazingly, he confessed that he still suffered anxiety over having enough in the future.


So he tended to be overly frugal, viewed his money as somewhat surreal, and wasn’t able to relax and enjoy the blessings that come with success.


However, his wife had brought balance to the relationship with the mindset of give, spend, and save.


Who do you believe is responsible for your success, yourself or God? As long as you are, you’ll remain vulnerable to people, circumstances, and economic conditions.


But when you know God’s responsible for your success, what you gain you can maintain.


So your options are: trust yourself - or God! The psalmist writes: ‘There is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.


The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing’ (vv. 9-10 AMP Classic Edition).


You say, ‘But that’s an Old Testament promise.’ Then here’s a New Testament one: ‘God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work’ (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV 1984 Edition).


Luke 11:1-28, Ps 63-65

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Conquering Your Fear of Lack (3)


‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.’

Ephesians 3:20
The UCB Word for Today - 14 Jun 2016


Here are some scriptural strategies for conquering your fear of lack: 1) Give God the first tenth of your income (see Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 23:23). Don’t debate whether it’s an Old Testament rule versus a New Testament requirement.


Wouldn’t you rather do more than required, than find out later that you fell short of God’s expectations? 2) Live by the 10-10-80 rule.


After you give God the first 10 per cent of your income, put the second 10 per cent into savings and budget yourself to live on the remaining 80 per cent. 3) Confront the areas in which your fear of lack are the greatest.


Food? Housing? Transportation? Health insurance? Retirement? Now cast down those imaginations and replace them with this promise: ‘God will generously provide all you need.


Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others’ (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). 4) Refuse to rely solely on your credentials, marketable skills, or influential contacts for the assurance of your financial provision. ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.’ Maximise your personal power, but trust ultimately in God’s power alone.


Jesus said, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10 NIV 2011 Edition). That’s not just ‘spiritual’ life, but every aspect of life.

Today, believe and receive what Jesus promised by faith, and begin to live ‘to the full’.



1 Chron 10-12, Acts 16:1-21

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Let’s Tear Down Those Walls
‘Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you.’

Romans 15:7
The UCB Word for Today - 15 Jun 2016


God’s love transcends class, race, gender, politics, geography, and culture. ‘He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance … Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.


Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility’ (Ephesians 2:14-16 MSG). The cross creates a new people: a people unhindered by skin colour or family feud.


A new citizenry, based not on common ancestry or geography, but on a common Saviour. ‘Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.’ So confront your prejudice and root out your biases. Pray: ’Lord, reveal them to me. How often do I judge someone unworthy of You by the way I treat him or her? Rebuke me in Your love.


Where can I tear down a wall or remove a barrier that keeps Your children apart from one another? What can I do in my sphere of influence to bring the love of Christ to someone who may feel ostracised or estranged from You? Give me divine insight, and bless me with the resolve to be Your hands and feet.


Make me a bridge and not a wall.’ Do you remember President Ronald Reagan standing at the Berlin Wall in 1987, saying, ‘Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall’?

We’ve isolated, quarantined, excluded, and judged people long enough. Let’s tear down our walls and show God’s love!


1 Chron 13-15, Acts 16:22-40

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Solving Relationship Difficulties
‘Love is patient and kind … It does not demand its own way.’

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
The UCB Word for Today - 16 Jun 2016


Here are some pointers to help you solve your relationship difficulties: 1) When it’s about money.

How you manage money within a marriage depends on the set of skills you’ve developed and the amount of discipline you’ve exercised.

One of you may be a saver and the other a spender. So you have to work together to make joint decisions that affect both of you, and work within the boundaries of your reality together.

Consider how much debt you have, how much income, and how much you need to save. Find a way to achieve financial freedom.

The Bible says, ‘The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender’ (Proverbs 22:7 NKJV). 2) When it’s about time.

If you’re not spending time together - one of you is missing the other. Ideally, you both want to spend more time together.

But if your partner keeps making this complaint, take it as a compliment that he or she still enjoys your company.

Schedule designated times together on both your calendars - with no intrusions.

There’s no substitute for spending time with your mate. 3) When it’s about jealousy.

We’re not talking about a possessive spouse who won’t allow you to glance at the waiter without accusing you of cheating.

But generally when there’s jealousy in a relationship it’s an indication of insecurity.

You may need to have a frank discussion about your commitment to each other.

Talk about the little habits and mannerisms your spouse interprets as flirtatious.

Communicate, and don’t allow the jealousy to grow into bitterness, distrust, or disgust.


1 Chron 16-18, Acts 17:1-15