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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Don’t Be Afraid (1)
‘Why are you so fearful?’

Mark 4:40
The UCB Word for Today - 16 Aug 2016


Notice how the disciples reacted to the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and see if you recognise any of the same traits in yourself: 1) Fear makes us doubt God’s care. The disciples asked Jesus, ‘Do You not care that we are perishing?’ (v. 38 NKJV).


They didn’t ask about His strength: ‘Can you still the storm?’ Or His knowledge: ‘Are you aware of the storm?’ Or His know-how: ‘Do you have any experience with storms?’ Instead they voiced doubts about His character: ‘Do you not care?’ If you let it, fear will erode your confidence in God’s love and make you forget His faithfulness. 2) Fear makes us reach for control.


Jesus was asleep, so the disciples woke Him and said, ‘Do something, quick!’ Fear comes from a perceived loss of control. When we’re afraid, we grab for a component of life that we can manage - like our diet, or our job, or the neatness of our house, or in many cases - people.


The more insecure we feel, the more controlling we tend to become. 3) Fear makes us forgetful. The Bible says, ‘He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick’ (Matthew 8:16 NKJV). What a résumé! But fear gives us spiritual amnesia; it makes us forget what Jesus has already done and how good He has been to us.


And what was Jesus’ response? ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ Faith doesn’t eliminate fear; it silences it, robs it of its power, and draws us closer to God.

And when that happens things begin to change for the better.


Luke 15:11-32, Ps 84-86

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t Be Afraid (2)

‘Oh, that [we] would give thanks to the LORD for his goodness.’

Psalm 107:8
The UCB Word for Today - 17 Aug 2016


When you’ve been through hard times, it can make you want to cut back on trusting God, and start playing it safe.

When you’ve been through back-to-back storms, the security of the harbour starts looking good.

Now it’s okay to rest and regroup, but don’t settle for safety and miss what God has planned for you.

The Bible says: ‘Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters … see the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.

For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea.

They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths; their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro … stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.


Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses.

He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven.


Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness’ (vv. 23-31 NKJV). Where do we see God’s wonders? In life’s storms! Jesus issued 125 recorded commandments.


Twenty-one of them are ‘Don’t be afraid’ or ‘Have courage’. The second most common commandment, to love God and your neighbour, appears on only eight occasions.


That means the one statement Jesus made more than any other was ‘Don’t be afraid!’ Why? Because He wants you to trust Him more!


Prov 8-9, 1 Cor 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t Be Afraid (3)

‘Why are you so fearful?’

Mark 4:40
The UCB Word for Today - 18 Aug 2016


Following Jesus invariably means going through storms.

When you’re in over your head and sinking fast, you learn things about the Lord you’d never know otherwise.

At first you wonder, ‘How’d I get into this mess?’ Then you start to see His hand at work and end up saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’ (v. 41 NKJV).

The disciples finally reached a place where they were willing to follow Jesus - without question. And that’s God’s plan for you. ‘Don’t be afraid’ isn’t a call to naivety or ignorance.

God doesn’t expect us to be oblivious to the challenges life brings. But as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus the waves couldn’t take him under.

So look to God, stand on His Word, and recall His goodness.


The Bible says, ‘We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it’ (Hebrews 2:1 NASB).


Do whatever it takes to keep your eyes on the Lord. C. S. Lewis wrote: ‘Moods will change, whatever view your reason takes. I know that by experience.


Now that I’m a Christian I do have moods in which the whole thing looks very improbable: but when I was an atheist I had moods in which Christianity looked terribly probable … that’s why Faith is such a necessary virtue: unless you teach your moods “where they get off”, you can never be either a sound Christian or even a sound atheist, but just a creature dithering to and fro, with its beliefs really dependent on the weather and the state of its digestion.

Consequently one must train the habit of Faith.’ So the word for you today is: Don’t be afraid.


Prov 10-12, 1 Cor 14:1-19

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

‘It is well with my soul’

‘My peace I give you … Do not let your hearts be troubled and … afraid.’

John 14:27
The UCB Word for Today - 19 Aug 2016


The peace Jesus gives brings a sense of assurance that no matter what happens you know ‘it is well with my soul’. He says to us: ‘My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and … afraid.’ The peace Jesus gives doesn’t depend on conditions and circumstances.

It comes from knowing you’re God’s child and that your Father controls the universe, loves you and always has your best interests at heart.

That’s why people who’ve lost everything will often tell you they wouldn’t trade what they’ve learned, even if it meant recouping all their losses.

Joni Erikson Tada discovered a supernatural peace when an accident confined her to a wheelchair, and Corrie Ten Boom found it in a Nazi death camp.

Missionary Elisabeth Elliot found it ministering to the Indian tribe who massacred her husband.

She wrote, ‘Only in acceptance lies peace … not in resignation.’ There’s a big difference! Author Creath Davis points out that: ‘Resignation is surrender to fate.

Acceptance is surrender to God. Resignation lies down quietly in an empty universe.

Acceptance rises up to meet the God who fills that universe with purpose and destiny.

Resignation says, “I can’t.” Acceptance says, “God can.” Resignation paralyses the life process.

Acceptance releases the process for its greatest creativity.


Resignation says, “It’s all over for me.” Acceptance says, “Now that I’m here, what’s next, Lord?” Resignation says, “What a waste.” Acceptance says, “In what redemptive way will you use this mess, Lord?” Resignation says, “I’m alone.” Acceptance says, “I belong to you, Lord.”’


Prov 13-15, 1 Cor 14:20-40

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Renew Your Mind with God’s Word
‘Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’

Romans 12:2

The UCB Word for Today - 20 Aug 2016


The most important thing you can do every day - is renew your mind with God’s Word. When you get that right, everything else will begin to fall into place. You’ll think and act differently, so you’ll get different results.


Do you remember the old TV series The Beverly Hillbillies? What made the show so interesting is that Jed and his family had been set free from their past - a life of poverty back in the Ozarks.


But even after they moved to California’s Beverly Hills, they continued in their ‘hillbilly’ ways. Their location had changed, but their mindset hadn’t. The same was true of the Israelites. They had a slave mentality.


Even though they were free and God was providing their every need, the minute a problem came up they wanted to go back to Egypt.


They couldn’t enter tomorrow because they were still carrying the baggage of yesterday! Read these words carefully: ‘Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it’ (Hebrews 4:1 NKJV).

You ask, ‘But aren’t God’s promises guaranteed?’ Yes, if you do what He says! God promised to bless you financially - if you tithe and sow generously. He promised to direct your paths - if you acknowledge Him in all your ways. He promised to forgive you - if you forgive others.

You only ‘prove what is that good … acceptable … perfect will of God’ by continually renewing your mind! So the word for you today is: Renew your mind with God’s Word.


Prov 16-18, 1 Cor 15:1-28

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Hidden by Design
‘In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me.’

Isaiah 49:2
The UCB Word for Today - 21 Aug 2016


When you’re called to serve God in a particular capacity, it’s not unusual to go through a period of anonymity where you feel invisible. Isaiah was called of God ‘from the womb’ (v. 1 NKJV).


But he experienced a season of being hidden ‘in the shadow’ while God perfected his ministry.


When a vision takes a long time to come to fruition, and you’ve sacrificed and worked without recognition or seeing results, it’s easy to feel like you’re wasting your life. Isaiah was human too.


He got discouraged and said, ‘I have laboured to no purpose … spent my strength … for nothing’ (v. 4 NIVUK 1984 Edition). But just because you feel that way doesn’t mean it’s true. ‘God … rewards those who earnestly seek him’ (Hebrews 11:6 NIV 2011 Edition), and you’re no exception. It took thirty years before Jesus started His public ministry.

Moses, David, John the Baptist, and Paul endured years of obscurity before they were brought to the forefront.


In God’s Kingdom there are no overnight sensations or flash-in-the-pan successes. Christian author Beth Jones says: ‘Anyone who wants to be used of God will experience hidden years in the backside of the desert.


During that time the Lord is polishing, sharpening and preparing us to fit into His bow, so at the right time, like “a polished shaft” He can launch us into fruitful service.


The invisible years are years of serving, studying, being faithful in another person’s ministry and doing the behind-the-scenes work.’ The Bible says, ‘God is not unjust; he will not forget your work’ (Hebrews 6:10 NIV 2011 Edition).

Be patient; when the time is right He will bring forth the fruit He placed inside you.


Prov 19-21, 1 Cor 15:29-58

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Stay Focused on Your Mission

‘My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.’

Job 23:11
The UCB Word for Today - 22 Aug 2016


Many of our endeavours in life fail for one reason - broken focus.

We allow ourselves to get distracted. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade; in short, in all management of human affairs.’ Where should you focus your concentration? On your mission! And when you make a mistake don’t chase after it. Don’t try to defend it.


Don’t throw good money after it. When you make a mistake acknowledge it. If you need to, seek forgiveness from God and the person you have hurt. And when possible try to make amends.


Once you’ve done these things, refocus your attention on your mission and move on. Keep your eye on what it is you desire to do. You’ll never meet a person focused on yesterday who had a better tomorrow.


John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State under President Eisenhower, observed: ‘The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is still the same problem you had last year.’ A problem resolved is a springboard to future success, to bigger and better things.


The key is to focus on what you’re learning, not losing. When you do that you open the door to future possibilities. Dr Norman Vincent Peale said, ‘Positive thinking is how you think about a problem.


Enthusiasm is how you feel about a problem. The two together determine what you do about a problem.’ And in the end, that’s what matters.


Prov 22-24, 1 Cor 16

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Bless Them
‘Be mindful to be a blessing.’

Galatians 6:10
The UCB Word for Today - 23 Aug 2016


When someone hurts you, you have three options: 1) hurt them back; 2) avoid them altogether; 3) pray for them and look for ways to bless them (see Matthew 5:44-45).

Paul says: ‘As occasion and opportunity open up … let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but … doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage].

Be mindful to be a blessing.’ We’re so caught up with how others treat us that we’ve little or no concern about how we treat them.


We’re afraid of being taken advantage of, especially if our past experience with someone has been painful.


Not only do fear and dread make us supersensitive to everything they say and do, we may misinterpret their motives and see them in a negative light.


Without question, it’s difficult not to be concerned that others will treat you badly if they already have a proven track record.


That’s why it’s so important not to think about it at all (see Philippians 3:13 and Isaiah 43:18). Does this mean the person won’t have to account for how they treated you? No.


The Bible says, ‘Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another’ (Romans 14:12-13 NIV 1984 Edition). Hand the situation over to God - and refuse to take it back.


Then, ‘Be mindful to be a blessing.’ In other words, occupy your thoughts with ways in which you can be helpful.

When you do that you’ll have no time to dwell on personal grievances. Plus, it gives God an opportunity to work on them - and you.


Luke 16:1-15, PS 87-88

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Give Yourselves to God

‘Do not let sin control the way you live.’

Romans 6:12
The UCB Word for Today - 24 Aug 2016


When someone says, ‘I can’t help myself; it’s just the way I am,’ they are right, but only partially right! Researchers identified more than a hundred identical twins that had been separated at birth.


They were raised in various cultures, religions, and locations.

By comparing their similarities and their differences it became clear that as much as 70 per cent of their personality - was inherited.


Their DNA determined such qualities as creativity, wisdom, loving-kindness, vigour, longevity, intelligence, and even the joy of living.

Consider the ‘Jim twins’ who were separated until they were thirty-nine years old.


Both married women named Linda, owned dogs named Toy, suffered from migraine headaches, chain-smoked, liked beer, drove Chevys, and served as sheriff’s deputies.

Their personalities and attitudes were virtual carbon copies.


What do these findings mean? Are we puppets on a string, playing out a predetermined course without free will or personal choices? Not at all. Unlike animals, we’re capable of rational thought and independent action.


We don’t have to act on every sexual urge, for example, despite our genetic underpinnings.

Heredity may nudge us in a particular direction, but our impulses can be brought under control.


This is where the new birth comes in. God gives you a new nature and the power to overcome your old one.

Paul addresses it: ‘Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to sinful desires.


Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life’ (vv. 12-13 NLT).


Prov 25-26, 2 Cor 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Instead of Judging People, Let’s Love Them

‘Let us stop passing judgment on one another.’

Romans 14:13
The UCB Word for Today - 25 Aug 2016


You can work alongside and pray for someone who’s having an extramarital affair, without having one yourself.


Remember, you were a sinner before you were saved by the grace of God, so act with humility and don’t fall into the trap of self-righteousness.


As Merv Rosell says, ‘When God forgives, He consigns the offense to everlasting forgetfulness,’ so show grace when you encounter somebody whose lifestyle makes you uncomfortable.


Learn as much as possible about them and allow your interactions to dispel any preconceptions and prejudices.


See them as hurting individuals loved by God - people who need the same grace you received. When you love the unlovely, you’re just doing what God did for you.


Just because somebody’s ‘different’, doesn’t mean you should dismiss them or consider them inferior.


You don’t want to be judged or demeaned because of your colour, culture, or countenance, so don’t do it to others! Because the Bible is clear about not emulating others in their sinful practices, we can be tempted to think we’re better than they are.


That’s the sin of pride! Sometimes we think if we love and accept certain people, we’re condoning their sin. No, the truth lies in remaining respectful and accepting others the way Jesus did.


Whether it was racial differences (Samaritans), lifestyle differences (the five-times-divorced woman at the well), or class differences (Nicodemus), Jesus loved and accepted people as they were, while inspiring them to a higher standard.


Prov 27-29, 2 Cor 2