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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The secret of having joy (3)
‘In thy presence is fulness of joy.’

Psalm 16:11
The UCB Word for Today - 10 Feb 2017


The word happiness comes from the old English word happ, which means ‘chance’. It corresponds to the Latin word fortuna, which means ‘luck’. Both words suggest that when things happen the way we want them to we’re happy, and when they don’t we’re unhappy.

But such happiness is temporary and fickle; true joy is permanent and settled. Some Christians are so serious and solemn they’d lead you to believe God cringes at laughter and hates anything that smacks of joy and delight.

The psalmist wrote, ‘In thy presence is fulness of joy.’ C. S. Lewis observed, ‘Joy is the serious business of heaven.’ The truth is, the Bible is one of the most joy-filled books ever written. The words joy and joyful are found there at least245 times.

The word rejoice shows up around 150 times, and we’re instructed to be joyful and rejoice nearly 400 times! That means joy isn’t an emotion, it’s an attitude.

An emotion can’t be commanded; no one can tell you to feel happy if you’re not. But you can choose to be joyful regardless of your circumstances.

And neither is joy a commodity that can be bought. Many people find out too late that money can’t buy happiness, much less joy.

It’s been said that the poor are better off than the rich, because while the poor keep thinking money will buy happiness, the rich know better.

Trying to find happiness and joy in materialism is like drinking salt water: the more you drink, the thirstier you get.

The secret to lasting joy is in realising that you’re unconditionally loved, valued, and accepted by God.

Ex 36-38, Matt 23:1-22

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Giving at a higher level
‘She…has given everything she had.’

Mark 12:44
The UCB Word for Today - 11 Feb 2017

God doesn’t want your generosity to be restricted by fear. Either you’ll trust Him financially and experience the joy of participating in His purposes on earth, or trust your own earning ability and live with anxiety.

The danger of not moving to a higher level of giving is that you can miss out on something great that God wants to do for you - and through you. Count on it; at some point He’ll challenge you to give more than you’ve ever given before.

And at that moment your faith will cause you to say yes, or your fear will cause you to dismiss it as impractical. That’s a pivotal point in your life, because your response to God’s challenge will determine your future.

Some levels of giving are effortless, while others make us uneasy. Sooner or later we all hit a wall called fear, and unless you recognise it you’ll never be able to break through it.

As a result you’ll live with less than God intends you to enjoy. What’s the solution? Change your concept of ownership! Adolphe Monod said, ‘There’s no portion of money that is our money and the rest God’s…It’s all His; He made it all, gives it all, and has entrusted it to us for His service.’ If you believe that, there’s no reason not to give.

However, getting God involved in your finances means surrendering control of your money to Him.

And that can be scary. Jesus’ model for generosity was a widow who gave her last penny, without having anything to fall back on except God’s promise to meet her needs. When you reach that point, you’re on the threshold of the miraculous.

Ex 39-40, Matt 23:23-39

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t let fear stop you (1)
‘Whom shall I fear?’

Psalm 27:1
The UCB Word for Today - 13 Feb 2017


Life’s filled with fear-inducing situations: fear of sickness, unemployment, rejection, other people’s opinions. Left unchecked, fear will steal your inner peace.

But as Chuck Swindoll reminds us: ‘David met fear head-on at his front door with two questions. “Whom shall I dread? Whom shall I fear?” And he slammed the door in fear’s face by declaring, “My heart will not fear…I shall be confident” (v. 3).

Then he walked back into his house, reminding himself how to counteract fear’s attacks. Prayer: “I have asked from the LORD” (v. 4). Vision: “I behold the beauty of the LORD” (v. 4).

God’s Word: “I meditate in His temple” (v. 4). God’s protection: “In the day of trouble He will conceal me” (v. 5). Worship: “I will sing” (v. 6). Rest: “Wait for the LORD” (vv. 13-14). Determination: “Let your heart take courage” (v. 14).

Courage isn’t limited to the battlefield…Its real tests are broader…deeper…quieter…like remaining faithful when nobody’s looking…enduring pain when the room is empty…standing alone when you’re misunderstood…It can be as simple as saying “No”, as uneventful as facing a mountain of laundry, as unheralded as the inner struggle between right and wrong.


God’s medal-of-honour-winners are made in secret…where most courageous acts occur…away from public acclaim.’ When fear nips at your heels, God says, ‘Be strong and courageous!’ (Joshua 1:9 NASB). Dick Mills writes: ‘Every commandment…comes with the assurance that we can perform it.

God doesn’t issue orders we’re not capable of fulfilling…It’s incongruous to say, “I’ve lots of courage but no strength,” or, “I’m a powerhouse of energy but I’m afraid.” Courage and strength were given to you by God. Courage motivates our will, and strength accompanies our effort.’

Lev 1-3, Matt 24:1-28

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t let fear stop you (2)
‘I was afraid, and…hid your talent.’

Matthew 25:25
The UCB Word for Today - 14 Feb 2017

The master of an estate gave each of his servants a sum of money to invest for him. One man got five talents, the second two talents, and the third man one talent.

The servants with two and five talents turned a respectable profit, while the man with one talent told his master, ‘I was afraid, and…hid your talent in the ground.’ What’s the lesson here? Simply this: fear makes you unproductive! A seasoned pastor writes: ‘Fear will stop you from singing in the choir…witnessing…giving cheerfully…and walking in love with your spouse…The underlying issue is fear that God won’t do what He says.

But as believers we should be so full of the Word that fear can’t get a foothold…Jesus said, “Take no thought for your life” (Matthew 6:25 KJV).

Paraphrased: Why would you even think fearful thoughts when I’ve told you I’ll never leave you…I’ll protect you…and give you everything you need to do the job? Bottom line: God is with you even when you can’t feel or see Him, and when others imply He’s abandoned you.’ Fear disguises itself behind many different faces.

We want to do things our way, or we say we’re not interested, or it’s not the right time.

What we’re coming up against isn’t a closed door - it’s repressed fear. If you’re wondering why you’re not progressing in certain areas, see if hidden fear is holding you back.

And if it is, ask God to help you release your fears and start trusting what He says.

Lev 4-5, Matt 24:29-51

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Give yourself away!
‘They gave themselves first to the Lord…then to us.’

2 Corinthians 8:5
The UCB Word for Today - 15 Feb 2017

What do people usually value more than your money? You! Think about it.

What takes greater effort - writing a cheque or giving of your time and energy? Which shows a greater level of commitment? Take a moment and recall the people who’ve had the greatest impact on you: a teacher who helped you realise you could think, learn and achieve; a parent who loved you, sacrificed for you and gave you the gift of self-worth; a mentor who painted a picture of your future then equipped and challenged you to reach for it.

Next to your salvation, what could be greater? Ponder these words: ‘When you come to look back on all that you have done in life, you will get more satisfaction from the pleasure you brought to other people’s lives than from the times you outdid and defeated them.’ Too many of us see giving as more than just an act of love - we see it as a transaction - we only give to get! Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell said, ‘It is obvious that man is himself a traveller; that his purpose in this world is not “to have and to hold,” but “to give and to serve”. There can be no other meaning.’ It’s so easy to live only for yourself. In fact, it’s one of our most basic instincts - one we have to overcome each day.

But we can take another path - to be generous with our love and our time.

When you give those gifts, you’re being as generous as you can be!

Lev 6-7, Matt 25:1-30

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Give yourself away!
‘They gave themselves first to the Lord…then to us.’

2 Corinthians 8:5
The UCB Word for Today - 15 Feb 2017

What do people usually value more than your money? You! Think about it. What takes greater effort - writing a cheque or giving of your time and energy? Which shows a greater level of commitment? Take a moment and recall the people who’ve had the greatest impact on you: a teacher who helped you realise you could think, learn and achieve; a parent who loved you, sacrificed for you and gave you the gift of self-worth; a mentor who painted a picture of your future then equipped and challenged you to reach for it.

Next to your salvation, what could be greater? Ponder these words: ‘When you come to look back on all that you have done in life, you will get more satisfaction from the pleasure you brought to other people’s lives than from the times you outdid and defeated them.’ Too many of us see giving as more than just an act of love - we see it as a transaction - we only give to get! Sir Wilfred T.

Grenfell said, ‘It is obvious that man is himself a traveller; that his purpose in this world is not “to have and to hold,” but “to give and to serve”. There can be no other meaning.’ It’s so easy to live only for yourself.
In fact, it’s one of our most basic instincts - one we have to overcome each day.

But we can take another path - to be generous with our love and our time. When you give those gifts, you’re being as generous as you can be!

Lev 6-7, Matt 25:1-30

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What kind of Christian are you? (2)
‘I have come that they may have life…abundantly.’

John 10:10
The UCB Word for Today - 17 Feb 2017


Here are some questions you should ask yourself regularly: 1) Am I approachable? Speaking of the Pharisees, Jesus said, ‘They love the place of honour…they love to…have men call them “Rabbi”’ (Matthew 23:6-7 NIVUK 1984 Edition).

In Jesus’ day some rabbis had the idea that true spirituality required you to distance yourself from people. Ironically, the only Rabbi the outcasts could touch turned out to be God Himself.

Jesus was the most approachable person they’d ever met. 2) Am I gracious? John Ortberg writes: ‘As soon as we start to pursue virtue, we begin to wonder why others aren’t as virtuous as we are.

It reminds us of the reply Homer Simpson’s neighbours gave when Homer asked them where they’d been: “We went to a Christian camp; we were learning how to be more judgmental.” Have you been to that camp? Does a little voice inside you categorise people: “This one’s needy and dependent - stay away.

That one’s bright and has much to offer - try to connect.” Why do we constantly find ourselves rating people, as though we were in some kind of contest?’ 3) Am I real? A little boy in Sunday school knew the kind of answer he was supposed to give, so when the teacher asked, ‘What’s brown, furry, has a bushy tail and stores up nuts?’ He muttered, ‘I guess the right answer is Jesus - but it sounds like a squirrel to me!’

Often we try to say spiritual-sounding things to impress people, when they haven’t a clue what we are talking about. So let’s be real with ourselves - and others!

Lev 11-12, Matt 26:1-25

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What kind of Christian are you? (3)
‘Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live…'

Matthew 11:30
The UCB Word for Today - 18 Feb 2017

Jesus said, ‘[The Pharisees] tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders’ (Matthew 23:4 NIV 1984 Edition).

They imposed rules that people couldn’t keep, and on the rare occasion when they could keep them it brought them no joy. Stephen Mosley writes: ‘Our morality calls out rather feebly.


It whines from the corner of a sanctuary; it awkwardly interrupts pleasures; it mumbles excuses at parties; it shuffles along out of step and slightly behind the times…It’s often regarded by our secular contemporaries as a narrow, even trivial, pursuit…

Tragically, conventional religious goodness manages to be both intimidating and unchallenging at the same time. Intimidating - because it may involve 101 different rules about so-called spirituality. Unchallenging - because we may exhaust ourselves trying to keep all these rules, yet never experience the true joy Jesus offers.

That’s why people inside the church so often get weary. Conforming to such a religion is simply not a rewarding enough experience to fill the void in our hearts.’ Have you grown weary of pursuing spiritual growth? Could it be you’ve been pursuing the wrong thing, or going at it the wrong way? If so, consider these words of Jesus: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.

I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn how to live freely and lightly’ (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG).

Lev 13, Matt 26:26-46

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Take the high road
‘Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate.’

1 Peter 3:9
The UCB Word for Today - 19 Feb 2017

It’s been said that the depth of your hurt determines the width of your response. So it’s likely that when someone hurts you, your first impulse will be to get even. But any momentary satisfaction you experience will invariably be followed by a lingering sense of regret. Why is that? Because you know you’ve failed God by retaliating. We retaliate in two ways: 1) ‘Tit for tat.’ Before you make your offender suffer, carefully consider these words: ‘Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone…never take revenge. Leave that to…God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD’ (Romans 12:17-19 NLT). 2) By involving others. Not only do you not have the right to strike back, you don’t have the right to tear down your offender in front of others. Joseph not only refused to punish his brothers for their betrayal, he refused to publish the details to those who worked in his courts. Why? Because he saw God’s hand at work, and realised that what he’d suffered at his brothers’ hands had made him the man he was. Peter writes: ‘Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing’ (1 Peter 3:9 NLT). So if you want to walk in the blessing of God today, take the high road.
Luke 3:1-19, Ps 18-19

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t rush into this relationship
‘He made…a woman, and…brought her to the man.’

Genesis 2:22
The UCB Word for Today - 20 Feb 2017

Patience is a difficult skill to practise when it comes to relationships. This is particularly so when you feel lonely, empty, and incomplete.

When that happens you can jump the gun, and make a choice based on your limited perspective rather than the larger picture that would emerge if only you had sought more information and waited patiently.

To keep you from making a mistake that can negatively impact the rest of your life, here are three important steps you should take when it comes to forming a relationship: 1) You must ask the right questions. Be curious, inquisitive, and hungry for all the pieces of the puzzle.

Always, always, ask! 2) You must find the answer to those questions. Sift through the surface impressions of what you see and hear and you’ll soon see a clearer picture emerging.

This picture must harmonise with two things: a) your participation in this particular relationship; b) God’s will and purpose for your life. 3) You must act when the time is right, and know that you are acting on the best and most comprehensive information available.

If it doesn’t work out, you can relax in the knowledge that you did everything possible to make a wise decision. Statistically, about half of all marriages today end in divorce.

But if you take these three steps, you could finish up in the right half.

And even if the relationship fails, you can carry into your next relationship the wisdom gleaned from the last one. ‘He made…a woman, and…brought her to the man.’ God knows just what you need, so seek His guidance.

Lev 14, Matt 26:47-75