[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Say yes to God

‘Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”’
Isaiah 6:8

The UCB Word for Today - 27 Dec 2017

William Carey is referred to as ‘the father of modern missions’. But the number of his accomplishments in India was almost equalled by the number of obstacles he overcame just to get there.

He was told by a group of ministers, ‘If God wants to save the heathen, young man, He will do it without your help or ours.’ Carey was not a career missionary. He was a young Englishman in poor health with a pregnant wife and small children.

He was just like the rest of us – trying to make ends meet and keep life together. But he had something else, a burning question he could not escape: ‘Who will reach the lost in India, if I don’t go?’

Looking back later, Carey realised that the challenges he overcame at home were what qualified him to succeed in his God-given assignment abroad. The same thing happened to Isaiah the prophet: ‘I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And He said, “Go, and tell this people”’ (vv. 8-9 NKJV).

But before Isaiah was qualified to go, he needed a life-changing encounter with God. ‘Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is purged”’ (vv. 6-7 NKJV).

Do you sense God preparing you and getting ready to send you? If so, say yes.

Zech 9-10, Rev 19

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Bearing fruit and sharing fruit
‘By their fruits you will know them.’

Matthew 7:20
The UCB Word for Today - 28 Dec 2017

When we speak about ‘the fruit of the Spirit’, we are talking about these nine qualities of character: ‘love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV).

These fruits are not for ‘show’, they are for sharing with others; otherwise they’re no better than fruit that was never grown in the first place. Suppose you drive up to a roadside produce market with your heart set on buying fresh vegetables.

You see home-grown tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and several varieties of peppers – everything you need and more.

Just as you start to select your items, the farmer who owns the stand says, ‘Sorry, this produce isn’t for sale. I just like to grow it and enjoy looking at it until it rots.

Then I throw it away.’ Huh? Now you likely haven’t encountered such an absurd situation, and probably never will.

That’s because farmers and customers know that produce is for consuming.

Sure, it’s beautiful to look at, but its God-ordained purpose is to bring nutrition and health to people. If all we do is go to church and preach about fruit, analyse fruit, and examine each other’s fruit, we are failing miserably.

It’s not enough to bear fruit, we must share that fruit with others so they can be blessed and impacted by the kingdom of God. Paul writes, ‘For we are God’s masterpiece.

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago’ (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). Bearing fruit and sharing fruit are two sides of the same spiritual coin.

Zech 11-12, Rev 20

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Protected by the blood of Jesus

‘They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.’
Revelation 12:11 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 29 Dec 2017

Irene Park became a committed Christian. Her story is remarkable. She was once a high witch in the state of Florida, seducing boys and girls into occult activities.

She stated that the children she could never reach were those whose parents protected them by praying over them in the name of Jesus, standing on the merits of Christ’s atoning blood. Today the occult has made its way into some of our public school systems under the guise of ‘pluralism’ and ‘free speech’.

If you’re a parent, you should be concerned! It’s wise to give your child a mobile phone or pager so they can stay in touch with you. But the most powerful defence you can give them is praying over them in the name of Jesus and standing on the merits of His shed blood.

Jesus defeated Satan at the cross. And today He’s saying to you, ‘My victory is your victory, and My authority is your authority – use it!’ You must acknowledge the existence of the devil, but you must not be afraid of him because ‘greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world’ (1 John 4:4 KJV).

To deny the existence of Satan or underestimate his power gives him the advantage over you. But God has given you the key to overcoming Satan’s power in your life: ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.’

Start declaring what the blood of Jesus has done on your behalf. When you do, you’ll begin to walk in victory.

Zech 13-14; Rev 21

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The open-door policy

‘We could only conclude that God was [calling] us.’
Acts 16:10 TLB

The UCB Word for Today - 30 Dec 2017

The Bible says, ‘Next Paul and Silas travelled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.

So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there’ (vv. 6-10 NLT). God has an ‘open-door policy’.

When He opens a door, you’re supposed to walk through it. Note, however, that when God kept Paul from going into Asia, he didn’t hang around asking, ‘Why, Lord?’ He kept moving.

For Paul, trying something and having it not work out was no big deal. He believed that his gift to God was his willing heart and his mobility, and God’s gift to him was that He’d always guide him to where he needed to be.

What God prevents is as much divine guidance as what He permits. Every door that didn’t open, every opportunity you didn’t get, and every call that didn’t come were as much God’s leadings as those that did.

So knowing you can’t stay where you are right now may be the starting point for God’s leadings in your life. And such leadings often begin with a stirring and restlessness in your soul.

Mal 1-4; Rev 22[/color]

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

New Year resolutions

‘Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.’
Philippians 3:13 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 31 Dec 2017

Be honest: how many of last year’s resolutions did you keep? They say, ‘Procrastination is the thief of time.’ We keep promising ourselves we’ll do better.

But ‘resolutions’ only happen when you’re ‘resolute’. That means having a mind that’s made up. So here are four resolutions you need to make up your mind to keep this year:

1) Take time for what really matters. Get up earlier in order to read your Bible and pray before entering the day. Make more time for your family. Start exercising and eating right. Take better care of your body; it’s God’s temple (see 1 Corinthians 6:19).

2) Tackle one thing at a time. Taking on too many things at once dilutes your focus and makes it harder to stick with things. When you start too much, you finish too little.

So start where you are and build on your successes by mastering and maintaining one thing at a time.

3) Start small. Don’t try to swallow the whole enchilada in one bite; baby steps are the name of the game. Talk in terms of what you will do instead of what you won’t.

For example, instead of saying, ‘I’m not going to be so critical,’ try saying, ‘Today I’m going to look for something good in everyone I meet’ (see Philippians 4:8).

4) Record your progress or lack of it. You can’t manage what you can’t measure. By facing the truth you’ll see how far you’ve come, and what you still need to work on.

The Bible says, ‘Throw yourself into your tasks so…everyone will see your progress’ (1 Timothy 4:15 NLT).

Luke 24:36-53; Ps 140-150

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

This year get out of your comfort zone (1)

‘Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.’
Isaiah 41:10 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 1 Jan 2018

Two of our biggest fears are – failure and criticism. And they never completely go away. You can overcome them, but they’ll show up when you face your next challenge.

It’s in accepting fear as part of life’s journey instead of running from it, that you learn to conquer it. Indeed, as you look back at what you’ve already overcome, you realise that most times failure doesn’t do permanent damage – you actually grow stronger through it.

If you’re anxious today, God is saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.’ So trust Him, and get out of your comfort zone! An unknown poet wrote: ‘I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I couldn’t fail; the same four walls of busywork were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before, but stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor. I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much; I said I didn’t care for things like dreams and goals and such.

I claimed to be so busy with the things inside my zone, but deep inside I longed for something special of my own. I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win; I held my breath and stepped outside and let the change begin.

I took a step, and with new strength I’d never felt before, I kissed my comfort zone goodbye, then closed and locked the door. If you are in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out, remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.’

The word for you today is: this year, get out of your comfort zone.

Gen 1-3; Matt 1

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

This year get out of your comfort zone (2)

‘Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid…[of] them!’
Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 2 Jan 2018

Incredible though it may seem, when Israel encountered difficulties in the wilderness, they wanted to return to their old life of slavery in Egypt. The security of the known was less threatening to them than the challenges of the unknown.

So the Lord said to them, not once, but twice, ‘Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid…[of] them…the LORD your God will…go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor [forsake] you.’

Why did He say that? Because it’s in taking action that you overcome your fear! When you challenge your fears, you master them.

When you wrestle with your problems, they lose their grip on you. When you dare to confront the things that scare you, you open the door to the future.

A wise man once said, ‘Take the bull by the horns until you have him screaming for mercy.’ Almost without exception every man and woman in the Bible whom God called to do great things felt inadequate, and told Him so.

And how did God respond to them? ‘I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand’ (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).

Author John Mason writes: ‘The desire for safety stands against every great and virtuous dream. Security, many times, is the first step towards stagnation.

Boldness in vision is the first, second, and third most important thing. If you dare nothing, you should expect nothing.’

So whatever opportunity or obstacle you’re facing today, factor God in. With Him on your side, what you have is always greater than whatever you lack.

Gen 4-6; Matt 2

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

This year invest what God has given you

‘Remember, each of us will stand personally before the Judgment Seat of God.’
Romans 14:10 TLB

The UCB Word for Today - 3 Jan 2018

Judgment day will be characterised by two things: rewards and regrets! Jesus highlights this in the story of three servants who were given talents to invest on behalf of their master.

The first two invested well and were rewarded, while the third one buried his talent and was judged accordingly. The first two considered their options, crunched the numbers, took the plunge, and were willing to risk failure.

As a result their boss said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 25:21 NKJV). Now, God doesn’t reward foolishness.

So before you make a move, talk it over with Him (see Proverbs 3:5-6). The third servant, however, said, ‘I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground’ (Matthew 25:25 NKJV).

He made the most common and tragic mistake when it comes to giftedness: he failed to benefit his Master with his talent. Some invest their talents and give God credit, while others misuse theirs and give Him grief.

Some honour Him with ‘fruit’, while others insult Him with excuses. And how does God feel about the latter?

‘Get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb’ (Matthew 25:29 MSG). Fear is the opposite of faith, and ‘without faith it is impossible to please [God]’ (Hebrews 11:6 KJV).

So this year step out in faith; God won’t let you down. Take a risk; He won’t fail you. Even if you stumble on your way to success, He encourages you to envision the day when you’ll feel His hand on your shoulder and hear the words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’

Gen 7-9; Matt 3

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Keys to Bible study (1)

‘Your commands are boundless.’
Psalm 119:96

The UCB Word for Today - 4 Jan 2018

The psalmist wrote, ‘To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.’ What does that mean?

It means each time you read a Scripture you’ll see something different in it. It’s like shining light on a diamond.

Each time you turn it slightly, you see another facet of its beauty. That’s why the Bible is different from any other book you’ll ever read.

You’ll learn things about God from personal experience and from listening to the thoughts and experiences of others, but you’ll get to know Him better through the reading of His Word than any other way.

You can study the same Scripture over and over again, dig into it, leave it for three or four months|, and when you come back to it there is much more to find. The key is this: stick with it!

There’s no limit to the number of questions you can ask, no limit to the observations you can make, and no limit to the applications you can make. So don’t give up!

The best attitude to have in Bible study is the one Jacob had when he wrestled with the angel of the Lord: ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ (Genesis 32:26 NKJV). As a result God gave him a new name, a new nature, a new walk, and a new future.

Bible study has no shortcuts; it takes effort. But if you’re diligent and patient you’ll reap great rewards.

Once you’ve felt the joy and satisfaction that comes from finding a great spiritual truth on your own, and applying it to your life, you’ll never approach Bible study the same way again.

Gen 10-12; Matt 4

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Keys to Bible study (2)

‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.’
Psalm 119:18

The UCB Word for Today - 5 Jan 2018

Here are some helpful keys to getting more out of your Bible study time:

1) Ask questions. The more questions you ask, the more you’ll get out of it. Who was this written to?

What was the situation the writer was facing? What was the main message the author was trying to get through to them?

As you ask these questions you’ll begin to discover things you’ve overlooked or never seen before. The psalmist was a meditator and an in-depth studier of God’s Word.

That’s why he prayed, ‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.’

2) Write down the answers. The purpose of asking questions is to get answers.

Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, used to say, ‘Thoughts disentangle themselves as they pass through the lips and fingertips.’ So have your notebook handy and write down the nuggets of truth God gives you.

If you don’t, you’ll lose them.

3) Don’t just discover it, do it! Evangelist D.L. Moody said, ‘The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.’

James wrote, ‘Do not merely listen to the word…Do what it says’ (James 1:22 NIV 2011 Edition). Ask yourself, ‘What attitudes do I need to change?

What do I need to stop doing, or start doing? What do I need to believe, or stop believing?

What relationships do I need to work on? What ministry should I be having to others?’

Don’t go to your Bible with the attitude of finding some truth nobody’s ever seen before, or something to impress others with. Find out what God is saying to you.

Gen 13-15; Matt 5:1-26