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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Misconceptions about success (1)
‘Give yourself wholly…so that everyone may see your progress.’

1 Timothy 4:15
The UCB Word for Today - 13 Mar 2017

Here are some common misconceptions about success: 1) We think success is impossible, so we criticise it. We want to believe life should be easy, so we assume anything difficult must be impossible.

Then when success eludes us we throw in the towel and say, ‘Who needs it anyway?’ And if someone we consider less deserving than ourselves is successful, we get really upset. 2) We think success is mystical, so we search for it.

Author/ entrepreneur Seth Godin says: ‘We need to stop shopping for lightning bolts. You don’t win an Olympic medal with a few weeks of intensive training. There’s no such thing as an overnight opera sensation.

Great companies [and great churches] don’t spring up overnight…every great thing has been built in exactly the same way: bit by bit, step by step, little by little.’ There are no shortcuts; you must be willing to pay the price. 3) We think success comes by chance, so we hope for it.

We say, ‘Oh, he or she just happened to be in the right place at the right time.’ The chances of that happening are about as good as the chances of winning the lottery - 45 million to one.

If you’re serious about succeeding, you’ll concur with the small-business owner who posted this sign in his store: ‘The 57 Rules of Success: Rule one: Deliver the goods.

Rule two: The other 56 don’t matter!’ Paul shared his formula for success with Timothy, and it’s one that works in all areas of life: ‘Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.’

Num 23-25, Mark 8:1-30

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Misconceptions about success (2)
‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning.’

Proverbs 1:5
The UCB Word for Today - 14 Mar 2017

Here are three more misconceptions about success: 1) We think success comes from having the right connections, so we strive to make them.

People who endorse this philosophy believe they’d ‘have it made’ if only they’d been born into the right family, or met the right person.

Knowing good people has its rewards, but connections alone won’t improve your life if you’re off track. ‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.’ 2) We think success comes from having leverage, so we work for it.

This notion is reinforced by people like industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who said, ‘Success is the power with which to acquire whatever one demands of life.’ Then we take it a step further by assuming all successful people have taken advantage of others in order to get where they are, and we look for ways to manipulate people too.

We think we can ‘muscle’ our way to success, but it doesn’t work - usually it backfires on us. 3) We think success is the result of opportunity, so we wait for it.

People who work hard and don’t seem to get anywhere sometimes believe the only thing they need is ‘a break’. Their motto is ‘If only’. If only my boss would cut me some slack; if only our church was in a better area of town; if only I had start-up capital; if only I’d married someone different.

The door of opportunity is marked, ‘Push!’ The truth is, people who do nothing more than wait for success are neither able to see it - nor seize it - when it comes.

Num 26-28, Mark 8:31-38

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Beware of pride!
‘Pride goes before destruction.’

Proverbs 16:18
The UCB Word for Today - 15 Mar 2017


Think about the things we become proud over: the home we live in, the car we drive, the diploma hanging on our wall, the people we mingle with, and the position we hold.

When you’ve worked hard to get to where you are, look out for pride! Paul asks, ‘Who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?’ (1 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV).

So what should you do? 1) Examine your belief system about who you are, what you have, and what you can do. Jesus said, ‘Without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5 NKJV).

Remind yourself: ‘I’m just the glove; God’s the hand that fills it.’ That’ll help you to keep your perspective right! 2) Focus more on others than on yourself.

The saying - ‘When a person is all wrapped up in themselves, they make a pretty small package’ - is true. ‘Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others’ (Philippians 2:4 NKJV). 3) Respect and value everyone you meet regardless of their social status, race, gender, or other distinguishing factors.

When you walk in humility, people respect you and receive your input, and they don’t suspect you of having selfish motives.

The Bible says: ‘These…things the LORD hates…a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren’ (Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV). Today, beware of pride.

Num 29-31, Mark 9:1-29

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Value your friends
‘It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls…in someone else’s field you might be harmed.’

Ruth 2:22
The UCB Word for Today - 16 Mar 2017


One author writes: ‘If you have godly girlfriends, love and nurture those relationships as though your life depends on them - because it does.

Everything is better when you “go with His girls”…Life is safer, more authentic, longer lasting, and just plain more fun. God created women to rely on other women.

I’m blessed by girlfriends who lift me when I’m low, level me when I’m high, and show me the face of God on a daily basis through compassion, humour, strength, and unconditional love.

May you cultivate and enjoy the same.’ And not only do women need friends, men do too. One of the first things God said in the Bible was, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone’ (Genesis 2:18 KJV). Solomon writes, ‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity’ (Proverbs 17:17 NKJV).

Poet William Carlos Williams wrote: ‘When trouble comes your soul to try, you love the friend who just “stands by”. Perhaps there’s nothing he can do - the thing is strictly up to you.

For there are troubles all your own, and paths the soul must tread alone. Times love cannot smooth the road, nor friendship lift the heavy load.

But just to know you have a friend who will “stand by” until the end, whose sympathy through all endures, whose warm handclasp is always yours - it helps someway to pull you through, although there’s nothing he can do. And so with fervent heart you cry, God bless the friend who just “stands by”.’

Num 32-34, Mark 9:30-50

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Are you resisting a rest?
‘Come away…and rest a while.’

Mark 6:31
The UCB Word for Today - 17 Mar 2017

Following Jesus should energise you, not leave you feeling burned out. Jesus preached to farmers who used oxen to plough their fields.

They also lived by religious rules that didn’t permit you to relax and experience God’s love and grace.

So Jesus told them: ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you.

Let me teach you…and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’ (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT).

Jesus had more to do than any of us, yet He never seemed to do it in a way that severed the life-giving connection with His Father, or interfered with His ability to show love when it was called for. He regularly withdrew from the rat race in order to pray.

Even when His disciples returned, flushed with success from a busy time of ministry, He told them, ‘Come away…and rest a while,’ because as Mark records, ‘Many people were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.’ Constant hurry is the mark of an un-prioritised life - a sure sign that second and third things have become first things.

Not only did God command us to rest every seventh day, He told Jewish farmers to let their fields rest every seventh year so they’d produce better harvests.

The problem is we want microwave maturity…to exchange wisdom for information and depth for breadth - but it doesn’t work.

Depth comes slowly. Following Jesus can’t be done at a sprint; you can’t go faster than the One who’s leading.

Num 35-36, Mark 10:1-31

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
Good thinking
‘We have the mind of Christ.’

1 Corinthians 2:16
The UCB Word for Today - 18 Mar 2017

In his book Thinking for a Change, Dr John Maxwell gives us eleven different types of thinking; to each we’ve added a Scripture: 1) Big picture thinking.

The ability to think beyond yourself is required in order to process ideas from a ‘faith’ perspective (Ephesians 3:20). 2) Focused thinking.

The ability to think with clarity on issues by removing distractions and mental clutter (Philippians 3:13-14). 3) Creative thinking.

The ability to break out of the box and explore ideas and options in order to experience a breakthrough (Isaiah 54:2-3). 4) Realistic thinking.

The ability to build a solid foundation on facts, to think with certainty (Luke 14:28). 5) Strategic thinking.

The ability to implement plans that give direction for today, and increase your potential for tomorrow (Proverbs 19:21). 6) Possibility thinking.

The ability to unleash your enthusiasm and hope, to find solutions for even seemingly impossible situations (Matthew 19:26). 7) Reflective thinking. The ability to revisit the past in order to think with understanding (Psalm 1:1-3). 8) Questioning popular thinking.

The ability to reject common thinking and accomplish uncommon results (Isaiah 55:8-9). 9) Shared thinking.

The ability to include others who can help you think ‘over your head’ and achieve greater results (Psalm 133:1-3). 10) Unselfish thinking.

The ability to consider others and their journey, to think with collaboration (Romans 12:10). 11) Bottom-line thinking. The ability to focus on results, in order to reap the full potential of your thinking (Matthew 25:14-30). Let’s add: Spiritual thinking. ‘We have the mind of Christ.’ One God-given thought can change your life!

Deut 1-3, Mark 10:32-52

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Battling bitterness
‘I had great bitterness; but You…delivered my soul.’

Isaiah 38:17
The UCB Word for Today - 19 Mar 2017

At ninety-two, Jenny never missed a chance to recall how her sister refused to buy her a pair of shoes fifty years ago! All those years marinating ‘in the gall of bitterness’ (Acts 8:23 KJV). Anne Peterson says: ‘An offence burrows into our hearts. We replay it…creating ruts that’ll be hard to rebuild later…we enlist support, which pushes us further into resentment. We decipher the offence as intentional, and our offender as full of spite. As we find reasons, real or imagined, to dislike them…we form another layer of bitterness… Then like a beach ball we try to submerge…it pops up…splashing everyone.’ The Bible says, ‘Make sure…bitterness doesn’t take root and grow up to cause trouble that corrupts many’ (Hebrews 12:15 GWT). So remember: 1) Forgiveness isn’t optional. ‘If…possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone’ (Romans 12:18 NIV 2011 Edition). It may not be possible to live in harmony with everyone, but God still requires you to forgive those who’ve hurt you. 2) As you forgive, you’re forgiven. The Bible says when you’re ‘full of bitterness’ you’re ‘captive to sin’ (Acts 8:23 NIV 2011 Edition). Don’t forget that Jesus didn’t just die for you, He died for those who offend you. Do they deserve forgiveness? No. But then again, do you? 3) Pray for your enemies. Ask God to bring to mind the people you need to forgive, and melt the bitterness in your heart towards them. It’s impossible to harbour resentment towards somebody you’re praying for. Yes, sometimes it’s hard to forgive; but you ‘can do all things through Christ’ (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
Luke 5:1-16, Ps 29-30

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Judgment day will be a great day for you
‘Our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.’

1 John 4:17
The UCB Word for Today - 20 Mar 2017

Will you get into heaven because you are worthy? No, you’ll get there because Jesus, the One in Whom you’ve placed your trust, is worthy! ‘As we live in God, our love grows more perfect.

So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love’ (vv. 17-18 NLT). On the day of judgment earthly wealth won’t matter. Physical beauty won’t be factored in.

Fame will be forgotten. You might stand next to Napoleon or Julius Caesar, but you won’t be asking them about Waterloo or Brutus.
All eyes will be on Jesus. Those who ignored Him will hear the words, ‘Depart from me’ (Matthew 25:41 KJV).

But for those who accept Him as their Lord and Saviour there need be no fear. ‘We can face him with confidence because we live like Christ here in this world.’ Think about that! God sees you the way He sees Christ - worthy and accepted.

And since you’re ‘in Christ’ you can view judgment day the way He does - with confidence.

Does Christ fear judgment? No, a sinless soul needn’t. Does He fear death? No, the giver of life wouldn’t.

So should we who are ‘in Christ’ fear judgment or death? Not at all: ‘Our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.’ So judgment day will be a great day for you!

Deut 4-6, Mark 11:1-19

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Be kind to the unkind
‘Pray for those who mistreat you.’

Luke 6:28
The UCB Word for Today - 21 Mar 2017

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught, ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you’ (vv. 27-28 NIV 2011 Edition). Then He added, ‘Your reward will be great’ (v. 35 NIV 2011 Edition).

God sees, He records, and He’ll reward you for every kind act you do. It’s easy to be kind to those who are kind to us, but you must grow in grace in order to be kind to the people who mistreat you.

In the comic strip Nancy, the character Sluggo once told Nancy, ‘That new kid in school is nothing but a big fathead!’ Nancy replied, ‘You shouldn’t call people names like that.

I never call people names.’ Sluggo replied, ‘Well, I just got mad when he said you were stupid looking.’ Whereupon Nancy demanded, ‘What else did that big fathead say?’ It’s easy to react to acts of kindness with kindness.

The real challenge is responding with kindness to those who lack it. In 2009, tired of the vicious attacks politicians make against each other and the talking heads in media who label people ‘ignorant, stupid, and dumb’ because they don’t espouse their political philosophy, Mark DeMoss launched a movement known as the Civility Project.

Its pledge goes like this: ‘I will be civil in my public discourse and behaviour.

I will be respectful of others whether or not I agree with them. I will stand against incivility when I see it.’ It’s a good policy to adopt!

Every one of us has a ‘kindness kit’ we carry with us everywhere we go. It’s better known as our tongue. Never underestimate the power of one kind word.

Deut 7-9, Mark 11:20-33

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Teaching children patience (1)
‘But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.’

Romans 8:25
The UCB Word for Today - 22 Mar 2017

Waiting patiently is what life, God, and success demand.

Even when we’ve done the right things, God requires us to wait for the results. ‘You have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise’ (Hebrews 10:36 NKJV).

How do we help our children develop this vitally important life skill? Writer and mother Tammy Darling says: 1) Set clear boundaries.

For instance, say, ‘You may have that when I’ve seen you wait patiently.’ Don’t be moved by their demands! 2) Refocus their attention. Queuing in a shop can be an occasion for impatience. So try a guessing game - like ‘I Spy’ - with younger kids, or get older kids talking about family holiday plans. 3) Teach by example.

Do you pass other motorists on the road just to get one car-length ahead? Impulsively buy something on a credit card rather than wait until you have the money to buy it? Whether they’re three or thirteen, your children learn by watching you. 4) Avoid constantly saying, ‘Hurry up!’ Toddlers typically dawdle. They’ve no idea how long getting ready takes.

So instead of always telling them to hurry, help them learn the process and pace of getting ready. ‘It’s time to put your toys away…time to get your shoes and socks on…time to put your jacket on.’ Instead of frustrating them with commands to hustle, involve them in actions they understand and can handle. This teaches them how to manage time practically.

Deut 10-12, Mark 12:1-27