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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The power of one (2)

‘I set before you today life and prosperity.’

Deuteronomy 30:15
The UCB Word for Today - 23 Nov 2016

God told His people: ‘See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.

For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you’ (vv. 15-16 NIV 1984 Edition).

One person with the love of God in their heart can start a chain reaction.


John Wilkes Booth shocked the world by assassinating President Abraham Lincoln. At the time, Booth’s brother Edwin was considered one of the greatest actors in America.


Believing the family name had been shamed forever, he retired from acting and went into seclusion. But his legacy turned out not to be one of death and disappointment, but of life and influence.

A few years before Lincoln’s assassination, Edwin was at a train station in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was standing nearby when a young man lost his footing on the platform and almost fell into the path of a moving train.

Without hesitation, Edwin rescued the young man by reaching down and pulling him up by his collar.


There was a brief exchange of gratitude, but Edwin never dreamed how significant that moment would become.

Some years later he received a letter from then President Ulysses Grant thanking him for his heroic deed.

Why? Because the young man he had saved was Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of Abraham Lincoln.


Edwin Booth took that letter to his grave; a reminder that we may not be able to change our past but we can certainly change our future. And by God’s grace you can change yours too!


Ezek 47-48, 2 Pet 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Start taking time off

‘On the seventh day you shall rest.’

Exodus 34:21

The UCB Word for Today - 24 Nov 2016

One of the best ways to maintain your perspective on what’s truly important is to plan times of rest and recreation.

The word recreation means to ‘re-create’: to recharge your batteries physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.


Rest and recreation restore your creativity, fuel your vision, and bring balance to your world.


The fact is, some of the people we admire most are socially and relationally dysfunctional.


For example, if you took the pulpit away from certain preachers and the CEO title away from certain executives, they’d be totally lost.


And if you’re honest, you’d conclude that in all likelihood they needed counselling. They’ve only one string on their fiddle - work.


Without it they don’t know how to live! The Bible says, ‘God…rested from all his work’ (Genesis 2:2 NIV 2011 Edition).


Now, since God doesn’t sleep and never gets tired, clearly He was setting an example for us to follow. Purpose-driven people can become obsessed with work and believe they don’t have time for fun.

Some may even consider fun to be ‘carnal’. But Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’ (Mark 6:31 NIV 2011 Edition).

God, who thought that taking time off was so important that He put it in the Bible, said, ‘If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy…if you honour it by refusing “business as usual,” making money, running here and there - then you’ll be free to enjoy GOD!’ (Isaiah 58:13-14 MSG). So the word for you today is: ‘Start taking time off.’

Dan 1-2, 2 Pet 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Express your love

‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Matthew 22:39
The UCB Word for Today - 25 Nov 2016

When it comes to loving others: 1) You need to say it. An old fisherman who’d been married for fifty years to his patient, long-suffering wife, rarely took time to express his affection.


Finally in frustration one day she said to him, ‘How come you never tell me you love me?’ Without batting an eyelid he announced, ‘I told you I loved you when I married you, and if I ever change my mind I’ll let you know!’ That’s a cute story, but not so cute if it’s a reality.


Your husband or wife may know you love them, but they still need to hear you say it. And so do your children, your friends, and the people in your circle of influence.


The fact is you can never say ‘I love you’ too much! 2) You need to show it.


Everybody needs ‘a pat on the back’. Dr Dolores Krieger, a professor of nursing at New York University who conducted numerous studies on the power of human touch, discovered that both the ‘toucher’ and the ‘touchee’ experience great physiological benefit from human contact.


It works like this: red blood cells carry haemoglobin, a substance that transports oxygen to body tissue.


And Dr Krieger found that when one person lays hands on another, the haemoglobin levels in the blood stream of both people increase.


And as they rise, body tissue receives increased oxygen, which invigorates you physically and can aid in the healing process.

What you’re seeing is the literal power of love in action.

Loving is good for you! There’s nothing as rewarding, satisfying, or encouraging as loving others through your words and actions.


Dan 3-4, 2 Pet 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

How to stay together

‘Wives…support your husbands…Husbands, go all

out in love for your wives.’

Colossians 3:18-19
The UCB Word for Today - 26 Nov 2016

Picture two little rowing boats setting off across a choppy lake. A man sits in one, and a woman in the other.

They have every intention of rowing side by side, yet they begin drifting in opposite directions until they can hardly hear each other above the wind.

Soon the man finds himself at one end of the lake and the woman at the other.

Neither knows how they drifted apart, or how to reconnect.


Now picture two newlyweds. They stand at the altar and pledge to live together in love and harmony. Unfortunately, 50 per cent of the time it doesn’t work that way.


Unless their relationship is maintained and cultivated, they will grow distant. That is why two romantic little rowboats often drift towards opposite ends of the lake.


So how can husbands and wives stay in love, and stay together for a lifetime? The answer is to row like crazy! Take time for romantic activities.

Think about each other through the day. Avoid that which breeds conflict and resentment.

Be aware of each other’s needs and desires. These are the keys to harmony and friendship.

Yes, it’s difficult to keep two rowboats together, but it can be done if each partner is determined to row.


Nothing beats a good marriage, but you have to work at it because the currents of culture and the stresses of life can cause you to drift apart.


Hence the Bible says, ‘Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honour the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives.’


Dan 5-7, 1 John 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Encourage your pastor

‘He…encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD.’

2 Chronicles 35:2

The UCB Word for Today - 27 Nov 2016

The Bible says King Josiah ‘set the priests in their duties and encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD’. Josiah did two things: he instructed them, and he encouraged them.


Why? Because one without the other doesn’t work! How often have you left church feeling lifted, encouraged and inspired by the sermon? Question:

Have you ever thought of telling your pastor how much it meant to you, or sending them an email to let them know you appreciate their ministry?

Pastors get more kicks than kisses. Some 37 per cent quit the ministry because of discouragement.

Did you know that? Even the great apostle Paul got discouraged: ‘When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down.

The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles.

We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out.

Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus.


We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared…how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquillity in no time!’ (2 Corinthians 7:5-7 MSG).

Titus encouraged Paul in two ways: 1) By showing up. ‘We were glad just to see him.’ Like it or not, when you don’t go to church you’re saying, ‘Pastor, you’re not worth coming to hear.’ 2) By offering encouragement. ‘True reassurance came in what he told us.’ This week, encourage your pastor.

Luke 22:31-46, Ps 119:89-176

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Try to see people as God sees them

‘You are a letter from Christ.’

2 Corinthians 3:3

The UCB Word for Today - 28 Nov 2016

When you consider some of the people Jesus called to be His disciples, the word ‘dysfunctional’ comes to mind. But Jesus wasn’t put off.

Like finding treasure in the trash, He was able to see their potential, draw it out and develop it. And that’s your story too, isn’t it?

Paul writes, ‘You are a letter from Christ…written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.’ Other people don’t write your story.

Even you don’t. ‘The Spirit of the living God’ is writing it.

That means your best days are still ahead! An old Bible lay on a bargain table along with hundreds of tattered books.

A lot of people had picked it up and thumbed through its pages. It wasn’t in very good shape - certainly not worth two pounds - so it was cast aside.

Then a man picked it up, stifled a shout, and rushing to the counter he paid the paltry asking price.

Turns out it was an original Gutenberg estimated to be worth more than a million pounds! How many times did that old book change hands before it was redeemed?

How many times did the world cast it aside, unaware of its value? The truth is, we were all passed over until Jesus saw value in us.

But rather than paying bargain price, He paid the highest price possible. ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8 NIV 2011 Edition).

So when you’re having a bad day, look in the mirror and remind yourself, ‘God loves me Calvary-worth!’

Then go out and try to see others as treasures God couldn’t live without; sinners Christ died to redeem.


Dan 8-10, 1 John 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t doubt God’s Word

‘Faith comes from hearing.’

Romans 10:17

The UCB Word for Today - 29 Nov 2016

You may doubt your own ability, but never doubt God’s - or His promises and His willingness to fulfil them.

The psalmist wrote, ‘You have magnified Your word above… Your name’ (Psalm 138:2 NKJV).

The only thing in the universe that God has placed above His name is His Word.

So fill your mind with it, speak it daily, and don’t ever question it.

Doubt often originates from our inclination to portray ourselves as self-confident.

Self-confidence is a concept touted by the world; it encourages us to rely on our own skills and abilities.

But the Bible says, ‘He who trusts in himself is a fool’ (Proverbs 28:26 NIV 1984 Edition).

Reportedly, the verse at the centre of the Bible is: ‘It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man’ (Psalm 118:8 NKJV).

So centre your confidence around God, not yourself or anybody else.


Do you doubt yourself and your own worth? Do you question your ability to pursue your career? Do you doubt your aptitude to form healthy relationships?

Despite having lived with Jesus for almost three years and hearing His promise that He’d rise again from the dead, Thomas still said, ‘Unless I can see his wounds and touch him, I will not believe’ (see John 20:25).

Did Jesus turn His back on Thomas because of his doubts?


No, He never rejects a sincere, doubting heart! Jesus showed up in person and resolved all of Thomas’ doubts.


And as you read His word and seek His face, He will alleviate your misgivings and qualms too.


When you stop living in the ‘sense’ realm and learn to ‘walk by faith’, your doubts will begin to die (see 2 Corinthians 5:7).


Dan 11-12, 1 John 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

When God sends someone to help you

‘May the Kind One correct me.’

Psalm 141:5

The UCB Word for Today - 30 Nov 2016

The greatest indictment against not knowing is not learning.

If you look at it the right way every experience in life is a school, and every new acquaintance is a teacher. So seize every opportunity to learn.


Just make sure you pick the right teachers: those who’ve earned the right to come alongside, and when appropriate ask the hard questions, bring perspective, and keep you on track. Solomon said, ‘Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring’ (Proverbs 25:11-12 NLT).

When God sends someone to help you: 1) Show your appreciation. Never take others for granted and never forget to say thank you.


An attitude of ‘I don’t expect appreciation so I don’t give it’ will hurt you and close doors to your future. 2) Pull your weight.


Don’t be self-serving and opportunistic. Look for ways to make your presence an asset, not a liability. Life owes you nothing except an opportunity to grow. 3) Understand the boundaries.


Other people may know someone well enough to address them by their first name, but that doesn’t mean you should - especially not a potential mentor.


If someone says, ‘Hello, my name is Charles,’ don’t come back with, ‘What’s up, Charlie!’ Show respect, and don’t try to change the protocol to suit the environment you’re used to.


Observe boundaries, respect others, listen, and you’ll always have people willing to help you get where you need to go.

Hosea 1-4, 1 John 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God knows ‘the text’ of your life

‘GOD rewrote the text of my life when I opened the

book of my heart to his eyes.’

2 Samuel 22:25

The UCB Word for Today - 1 Dec 2016

You can be successful yet still feel empty inside. Solomon’s life proves that.

He was the world’s wealthiest man, as well as one of the most famous.

Yet amazingly he begins the book of Ecclesiastes with these words: ‘Everything is meaningless’ (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT).


Solomon discovered that a fulfilling life can only be built on two things: relationships and purpose. And the first and foremost relationship you must establish is with God.


Once that happens you discover your life’s purpose. And as you start walking in it your joy and fulfilment knows no bounds.


Self-help gurus tell us, ‘Look inside yourself and you’ll find the key!’ But how can you uncover the plot for your life by simply examining your life?

You’ll have more luck following ‘the yellow brick road’! No, ‘It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.


Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone’ (Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG).


Your life’s purpose has already been determined by the greatest mind and the kindest heart in the universe: the mind and heart of God.


You say, ‘But things aren’t working out too well for me right now.’ We all have times like that.


But here’s a promise you can stand on: ‘He makes everything work out according to his plan’ (v. 11 NLT). God knows ‘the text’ of your life. Pray and He will reveal it to you.


Hosea 5-6, 1 John 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Be prepared

‘They prepare…in the summer.’

Proverbs 30:25

The UCB Word for Today - 2 Dec 2016

Ants are small, but smart; they ‘store up food all summer’ (v. 25 NLT). Do you remember the story about the ant and the grasshopper?

In summertime the ant is busy working, gathering food while the grasshopper plays.

Then when winter sets in the ant retires to his home and enjoys life. He paid the price, now he can enjoy the reward.


But now it’s time for the grasshopper that played on the front end to pay on the back end.

As a result he starves in the cold because he didn’t understand that the only adequate preparation for tomorrow is the wise use of today.

Think about it: when you were in school, did you ever prepare so well for an exam that you walked into the classroom with absolute confidence, knowing you’d ace it? Well, you can bring that same confidence to everyday life.


Sadly, many of us don’t lead our lives, we accept them! But life’s not a dress rehearsal. You don’t get a second chance.

Benjamin Disraeli said, ‘The secret of success in life is to be ready when the time comes.’ Question: If God gave you everything you’re praying for right now, would you be ready to handle it?

Nothing great is created suddenly; success doesn’t occur overnight.


And neither does failure. Each is a process. The fact is, every day of your life is preparation for the next.

So the question is what are you preparing for, and how are you preparing?

Are you grooming yourself for success or failure? Only if you’re willing to work hard on the front end, will you reap the rewards on the back end.


Hosea 7-8, 2 John