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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



When You’re Not Expecting It (1)
‘Then cometh the devil.’

Luke 8:12
The UCB Word for Today - 5 Sep 2016


Anne Graham Lotz writes: ‘In the course of a week, the hot-water heater broke, water pipes burst … the bathroom showerhead fell off … [and] I was confronted with friction between family members and problems with my ministry staff.


I was tempted to lose my temper, to worry instead of trust, and to neglect my prayer life. What looked like ordinary frustration … was something more sinister … Satan attacks our weakened defences in the mundane areas of our lives.’ The Bible says that immediately following the spiritual blessing He received at His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert ‘to be tempted by the devil’ (see Matthew 4:1-11).

There are important lessons here: 1) Don’t rest in success. After the benediction comes the battle.


What incredible blessing has God recently given you? Whether it involves your ministry, family, career, or your personal walk with God, watch out! Satan targets us when we’re off guard. 2) Stay in God’s will.


Have you ever thought, ‘If it’s this hard it can’t be God’s will’ and decided to quit? Just because you’re doing the right thing doesn’t mean you’re immune. Jesus was in God’s will when the Enemy attacked Him.


When things look bleak, don’t ‘lean … on your own understanding’; that’s the time to ‘trust in the LORD with all your heart’ (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV). 3) Know the Scripture.


Every time Jesus was attacked He countered with, ‘It is written.’ God’s Word is called ‘the sword of the Spirit’ (Ephesians 6:17 NIV 2011 Edition), because it’s our primary offensive weapon against - evil (see v. 16). Jesus used it to defeat Satan, and so must you.


Is 3-4, 2 Cor 12

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


When You’re Not Expecting It (2)

‘We are not ignorant of [Satan’s] devices.’

2 Corinthians 2:11

The UCB Word for Today - 6 Sep 2016


On the heels of a spiritual victory it’s tempting to let down your guard, but that’s when you’re most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks.


You can’t afford to be ‘ignorant of [Satan’s] devices’. Even Jesus wasn’t exempt. In a display of supernatural power, He fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish.

After a miracle like that most of us would have decided it was time to kick back and take it easy for a while. But instead of basking in the afterglow, Jesus ‘departed to the mountain to pray’ (Mark 6:46 NKJV).


It wasn’t apparent at the time, but He was about to face one of the fiercest storms of His ministry (see Mark 6:48). Christian author Henry Blackaby observes: ‘The disciples raced headlong into the tempest unprepared, but…Jesus entered the storm prepared and met the crisis with all the power of God…Stand guard over your high points…when you experience God mightily…go immediately to a place of prayer so the Father can prepare you for what’s to come.’ Times have changed but human nature hasn’t. We’re still our same old predictable selves - and Satan knows it.


That’s why he stays ‘poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping’ (1 Peter 5:8 MSG).

To stop him from gaining an advantage: 1) ‘Resist [him] and he will flee’ (James 4:7 NIV 2011 Edition); 2) Surround yourself with godly companions (see Psalm 1:1); 3) Stay connected to God through His Word and prayer. Vern McLellan said, ‘In the morning prayer opens the treasures of God’s mercies and blessings, and in the evening it shuts us up under His protection and safeguard.’ That’s a fail-safe strategy you should adopt.


Luke 17:1-19, Ps 91-93

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Spend More Time with Your Family


‘When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were around me.’

Job 29:5

The UCB Word for Today - 7 Sep 2016


Here’s a true saying: ‘The family that prays together, stays together.’ Here’s another true saying: ‘The family that eats together and communicates, raises well-adjusted children.' When the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center studied five hundred teenagers, here’s what they discovered:

children whose parents ate dinner with them five times a week or more were the least likely to be on drugs, to be depressed, or to be in trouble with the law.


They were also more likely to do well in school and be surrounded by a supportive circle of friends. Even when families met together at a fast-food restaurant they got the same results.

By contrast, the more poorly adjusted teens ate with their parents only three times a week or less.


What do these findings mean? 1) You need to make time to be involved with your children on a daily basis, especially during the formative years. 2) When you give your children things you give them short-term pleasure and excitement, but when you give them time you give them self-worth.


This may call for working fewer hours or eliminating certain activities, but it’s an investment you’ll never regret.

Job was one of the wealthiest men in his generation. But after tragedy struck and all ten of his children died in a single day, he looked back and wrote, ‘The Almighty was yet with me, when my children were around me.’

You need to ask yourself: ‘Am I spending enough time with my family?’ If you don’t like the answer, start changing things.


Is 5-6, 2 Cor 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Start Giving to Others

‘Giving, not getting, is the way.’

Luke 6:38

The UCB Word for Today - 8 Sep 2016


Generosity isn’t just about money. Lots of people say, ‘As soon as I get rich I’ll become more generous.’ But the greatest givers often have the least money.

Grandmothers on meagre pensions are sending a few pounds each month to help build orphanages.


People barely making ends meet are giving to feed the hungry. Retired employees are mentoring younger workers.

Single people with limited resources are spending their evenings working with the homeless or families in need.


No matter where you are financially, you can begin a lifestyle of giving. If you can come up with the money for a nice car, dining out, movie tickets, dating, and other leisure activities, chances are you can find something to give if you really want to. Jesus said, ‘Give away your life; you’ll find life … not merely given back - [but] given back with bonus and blessing’ (v. 38 MSG).


Want a bonus? Want a blessing? Start giving your time, treasure and talent to others. Jesus either lied or He told the truth, and you need to find out which.


If you believe He told the truth you’d be foolish to withhold instead of giving.

Norman Vincent Peale said: ‘When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you’ll be able to cope with your own more effectively.


Somehow the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor.’ Jesus said, ‘Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.’ So start giving to others and see what happens.


Is 7-8, Gal 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

‘The Fear of the Lord’

‘In the … fear of the LORD there is strong confidence.’

Proverbs 14:26

The UCB Word for Today - 9 Sep 2016


When you submit to God, you don’t have to be afraid of anything because He becomes your ‘refuge and strength’ (Psalm 46:1 KJV).

Fearing God doesn’t mean being afraid He’s going to hurt you. He’s a good God! ‘The fear of the Lord’ just means you follow His directions and recognise His authority in all things.

You’ve probably noticed there’s not a lot of respect for authority these days; we’ve developed the kind of mentality that says, ‘Nobody’s going to tell me what to do!’ But the Bible says, ‘In the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD there is strong confidence.’ Why does it say that? Because a reverent and worshipful fear means being respectful and obedient.

It means you’ll do what God says to do, and your confidence and trust in Him will continue to grow.


And you’ll notice something else that’s important: the more reverential fear and awe you have of God, the more careful and courteous you’ll be in your dealings with others.


That’s because you know you’re accountable to God for your actions and you recognise that other people are just as valuable to Him as you are.


Solomon writes, ‘Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments…this is the whole duty of man’ (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV 1984 Edition).

Moses told the children of Israel, ‘What does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God … walk in all his ways … love him … serve the LORD your God with all your heart and … soul’ (Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV 1984 Edition). It’s not complicated!


Is 9-10, Gal 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Groaning in Prayer

‘The Spirit … intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.’

Romans 8:26

The UCB Word for Today - 10 Sep 2016


We usually think of groaning as something negative. But groaning in prayer is one of the most positive things we can do: ‘The Spirit helps us in our weakness.


We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (vv. 26-28 NIV 1984 Edition).

Sometimes when we’re praying about a certain need, we feel it so deeply that we can’t express ourselves in words.


At that point the Holy Spirit enters the picture and identifies with us.

But He does more than just feel for us, He takes our pain and deepest longings and interprets them to God.


What does this tell us about prayer? That the Holy Spirit connects with your prayers when they come from your heart and not just your lips.


There are times when you’re unable to articulate a single word in prayer; nevertheless you’re making an important connection.


Ever reach a point where you’re so concerned about something that when you come before God, all you can do is sigh? You’re learning something important about prayer! God allows us to groan; otherwise we’d never truly pray.

We’d utter words but never really pray from deep within - where ‘effectual fervent prayer’ has to begin (James 5:16 KJV).


Is 11-13, Gal 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Getting What You Want (1)

‘Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.’

Numbers 27:4

The UCB Word for Today - 11 Sep 2016


The five daughters of Zelophehad are a great example of how to get what you want. The Israelites were about to possess the Promised Land.


Guidelines had been established for allocating the land among the various tribes. But the law said that only males could inherit land.


These five women thought this was unfair since it denied them the ability to inherit their deceased father’s property.


So they challenged this law by taking their case to Moses. ‘Our father died in the wilderness … and he had no sons … Give us a possession among our father’s brothers’ (vv. 3-4 NKJV).


Now, since it was God who gave the law, only He could change it. So Moses took their case before the Lord, and here’s what He said: ‘The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right … you shall … cause the inheritance … to pass to them’ (v. 7 NKJV).

These brave women took matters into their own hands. They had no men in their lives to speak up on their behalf - no husbands, no brothers, and no sons.


Yes, they had uncles, but it was unlikely that they would support them in their request since they were asking for land that would, under the current plan, default to the uncles.


Here’s what we learn from this story: 1) When something is unfair and unjust, God may be calling you to challenge and change it. 2) All things don’t come to those who wait, but to those who are willing to go and get them. 3) Man may close the door, but when you turn to God He can open it for you.


Is 14-16, Gal 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Getting What You Want (2)

‘The daughters of Zelophehad … stood before Moses.’


Numbers 27:1-2

The UCB Word for Today - 12 Sep 2016


The daughters of Zelophehad teach us that we must: 1) Be willing to do something about it. Complaining doesn’t change anything; it just makes you more miserable.


With millions of people entering the Promised Land, other women were in the same predicament. But nothing changed until these five women became proactive and refused to accept the status quo.

That took courage. Going before Moses was like appealing to the High Court. Solutions are found when you decide to face your problems head-on and do something about them. 2) Be clear about what you want.

What do you want to happen, or stop happening? When you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there; you must have a clear goal in mind.

These women believed they were entitled to the same blessing the male members of their family received, and they refused to settle for less. As a result, God gave it to them.


And He will do the same for you. ‘Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart’ (Galatians 6:9 NKJV). 3)

Refuse to be deterred by opinions, policies, and traditions. Under the law of Moses women weren’t even numbered as part of the congregation (see Numbers 26).


Can you imagine the shape the church would be in if we still lived by that policy today? Many times in the Scripture God altered ‘the norm’ in response to bold faith, and changed the destiny of those individuals. And what He did for them, He will do for you.


Is 17-19, Gal 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Getting What You Want (3)

‘You do not have because you do not ask.’

James 4:2
The UCB Word for Today - 13 Sep 2016

Notice: 1) There are benefits you won’t receive unless you ask for them.


Plus, ‘asking and receiving’ works wonders for your self-esteem. Imagine the joy these five women felt when their petition was granted.

Obviously they were emotionally secure or they wouldn’t have tried it.


So as a redeemed child of God, declare, ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31 KJV). 2) Timing is important. ‘A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.


The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences’ (Proverbs 27:12 NLT).

The daughters of Zelophehad spoke up while they were still in the wilderness; the Promised Land hadn’t yet been conquered. There’s nothing like good planning.


You can’t just sit around and assume others are thinking about your welfare. For example, after the raises are announced is not the time to petition your boss for an increase.


Zelophehad’s daughters made life better for every other woman in Israel.


So by speaking up and confronting the situation not only will you be blessed, others will too. 3) Strive for a win-win situation. The battle was not yet over.


The daughters of Zelophehad had uncles who appealed the new ruling, pointing out that if these women married men outside their tribe then their land holdings would go to other tribes.


So God made another ruling; to possess land you must only marry within your own tribe (see Numbers 36:5-11).


And when it comes to marriage, spiritually speaking that principle still applies. ‘She is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 7:39 NKJV). The same for men.


Luke 17:20-37, Ps 94-96

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Four Steps to Overcoming Fear

‘The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.’

Psalm 118:6

The UCB Word for Today - 14 Sep 2016


First, be willing to take a risk. Yes, you might be hurt or embarrassed - so what? To overcome insecurity and gain confidence you must allow yourself the freedom to take a chance.

Start writing that book, take those music lessons, stand up and speak at the meeting! Feel the fear and do it anyway! ‘Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe’ (Proverbs 29:25 NIV 2011 Edition).

Second, learn to laugh at yourself. Get over your obsessive need for approval and acceptance and learn to laugh at your mistakes.

We’re all human; stop taking yourself so seriously! When you make a mistake, be the first to see the funny side, and you’ll find people more supportive than you think.

Third, start thinking realistically. It’s time to drop the security blanket and realise it’s not all about you.

You are not the centre of the universe, and your little faux pas don’t mean that much in the bigger scheme of things. Besides, mistakes are often better teachers than success.


Fourth, reward yourself for little victories. When you complete a project, reward yourself.

When you take advice or correction without retaliating, reward yourself.

Often the people we lash out at, are those trying the hardest to help us.


Get used to the idea that you’re valuable, talented, and skilled, and your worth in God’s eyes is inestimable.


Stop scrutinising yourself through distorted lenses and start seeing yourself with 20/20 vision.

Once you can do that, your fears will be replaced by confidence in yourself and in your future.


Is 20-22, Gal 6