[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Start a journal of your spiritual journey

‘Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar.’
Exodus 24:4 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 16 Jan 2018

One of the secrets of Moses’ great success in life was this: he spent time each day with God, and he wrote down what God told him. And you should do that too.

Here’s why. Writing
a) clarifies your thoughts;
b) gives you a permanent record you can refer back to;
c) allows you to measure your progress.

We only remember what we take time to record. One of the best-known American missionaries was Jim Elliot, who became a martyr for Christ in 1956 in Ecuador.

He kept a spiritual journal, and it makes interesting reading: ‘My devotional reading pattern was broken. I have never restored it…prayer as a single man was difficult…now it’s too hard to get out of bed in the morning…I’ve made resolutions on this score before now, but not followed them up.’

Such writings become a mirror that reflects your true spiritual condition – a condition it’s easy to forget unless it’s staring you in the face each day. Elliot, like all of us, struggled with the spiritual disciplines.

But unlike most of us, he kept a written record of his spiritual defeats as well as his spiritual victories. Keeping such a journal will force you to reflect on your heart’s true condition, record your progress, regain your lost momentum, reject your bad habits, reinforce your good habits, and help you to reach your spiritual goals.

Do you know any other discipline that offers such benefits? No? Then start a journal of your spiritual journey today.

Genesis 33-35, Matthew 10:1-16

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The difference between Samson and Samuel (1)

‘Time would fail me to tell of…Samson…and Samuel.’
Hebrews 11:32 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 17 Jan 2018

Samson and Samuel are mentioned in the same Scripture, but there are big differences between them. You ask, ‘Why should I be interested?’ Because as a Christian, you are like them.

Each had a miraculous birth, so they’re a picture of those who’ve been born again and called to serve God. Paul writes, ‘These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’ (1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NKJV).

Difference one: Finances. Samson was greedy and manipulating, whereas Samuel practised integrity.

One day Samson bet thirty Philistine princes that they couldn’t solve his riddle, saying, ‘If you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing’ (Judges 14:13 NKJV). Quite a wardrobe, eh?

Samson’s emphasis was ‘you shall give me’. He’s an example of Christians in business who discredit the cause of Christ by unethical practices, and those in ministry who twist the Scriptures and resort to emotional manipulation to raise money.

The world is watching, so let’s heed the Scripture: ‘Provide things honest in the sight of all men’ (Romans 12:17 KJV). Samuel was totally different.

After forty years of his exemplary leadership, the people paid this tribute to him: ‘You have not cheated or oppressed us’ (1 Samuel 12:4 NKJV).

When others can say that about you, you did it right! Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21 KJV).

The condition of your heart is revealed in how you handle finances.

Genesis 36-38, Matthew 1:17-42

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The difference between Samson and Samuel (2)

‘Get her for me, for she pleases me well.’
Judges 14:3 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 18 Jan 2018

Difference two: Relationships. ‘Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren…that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?”

And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”’ When it came to relationships, Samson was guided by his lower impulses instead of the principles of God’s Word.

And he paid dearly for it. Three times we read in Scripture: ‘Samson went down’ (v. 1 NKJV). He went down to Timnath and married the wrong woman.

He went down to Gaza and spent the night with a harlot. He went down to Sorek, ended up in the lap of Delilah, and lost his strength, his freedom, his reputation, his anointing, and his life.

Samuel, on the other hand, was raised up to purify the ministry. Eli the High Priest had two sons called Hophni and Phinehas that he had ordained to the priesthood, but they were taking bribes to cover sin and brazenly consorting with prostitutes.

There’s a lesson here for every redeemed child of God: ‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers’ (2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV 2011 Edition). Is God being biased or unloving?

No, He’s being protective! When you’re ‘yoked together’ in a relationship with someone who doesn’t share your faith, your values, your goals, and your priorities, you end up in a tug of war with each pulling in a different direction.

When problems arise, as they surely will, what you need is someone by your side who turns to the same source you do for the solution - God.

Genesis 39-40, Matthew 11

[Gracemohau]

12:1-21TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The difference between Samson and Samuel (3)

‘The LORD your God was your king.’
1 Samuel 12:12 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 19 Jan 2018

Difference three: Motives. Samson repeatedly dishonoured the Lord by his actions and his lifestyle.

That’s because he had no regard for God’s honour. What a contrast Samuel was!

When Israel wanted a king in order to be like all the surrounding nations, it broke his heart. He said to the people, ‘The LORD your God was your king.’

Honouring God was his highest priority. And there’s a lesson here for us, especially those in ministry. Every time someone steps behind a pulpit, they must check their ego and ask themselves the motive question: ‘Is my aim to make God look good, or myself look good?’

And it’s a hard question to answer. The Bible says, ‘For the LORD is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed’ (1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV).

The truth is that without the power of God’s indwelling Spirit, none of us have what it takes to do the job, and we must never forget that. The tragedy of Samson’s end is described in these two Scriptures:

‘He awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him’ (Judges 16:20 NKJV).

‘So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them’ (v. 25 NKJV).

Note the word perform. Without God’s grace and power we are all, at best, just performers. So stay humble, and seek only to exalt the Lord.

Genesis 41-42, Matthew

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12:1-21TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The difference between Samson and Samuel (3)

‘The LORD your God was your king.’
1 Samuel 12:12 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 19 Jan 2018

Difference three: Motives. Samson repeatedly dishonoured the Lord by his actions and his lifestyle.

That’s because he had no regard for God’s honour. What a contrast Samuel was!

When Israel wanted a king in order to be like all the surrounding nations, it broke his heart. He said to the people, ‘The LORD your God was your king.’

Honouring God was his highest priority. And there’s a lesson here for us, especially those in ministry. Every time someone steps behind a pulpit, they must check their ego and ask themselves the motive question: ‘Is my aim to make God look good, or myself look good?’

And it’s a hard question to answer. The Bible says, ‘For the LORD is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed’ (1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV).

The truth is that without the power of God’s indwelling Spirit, none of us have what it takes to do the job, and we must never forget that. The tragedy of Samson’s end is described in these two Scriptures:

‘He awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him’ (Judges 16:20 NKJV).

‘So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them’ (v. 25 NKJV).

Note the word perform. Without God’s grace and power we are all, at best, just performers. So stay humble, and seek only to exalt the Lord.

Genesis 41-42, Matthew

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The difference between Samson and Samuel (4)

‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’
1 Samuel 7:12 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 20 Jan 2018

Difference four: Accountability. Samson had an independent attitude and refused to be accountable to anyone else.

He was a ‘lone ranger’ who refused to work with others. And his erratic attempts at deliverance caused the Philistines to tax God’s people more and make their burdens heavier.

Samuel, on the other hand, worked in consensus with others. When he prayed and God gave Israel a spectacular victory over their enemies, he refused to take any of the credit.

‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpeh and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.”’ Samson was ‘me’ focused, but Samuel was ‘us’ focused.

The psalmist said, ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the LORD commanded the blessing’ (Psalm 133:1, 3 NKJV). The secret of walking in God’s blessing is not to operate alone, but cooperate with others.

That’s how the New Testament church did it. ‘When they had further threatened them, they let them go…And being let go, they went to their own companions’ (Acts 4:21 23 NKJV).

When the apostles came under attack, ‘they went to their own companions’. They had relationships in place with those who knew how to advise and guide them, strengthen and encourage them, pray and share God’s Word with them.

You need such relationships too! And you can’t afford to wait until trouble comes before you establish them. Do it now, in the good times, and they’ll be there for you in the bad times.

Genesis 43-45, Matthew 12:22-50

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your new Christlike body

‘He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own.’
Philippians 3:21 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 22 Jan 2018

The Bible says our heavenly bodies will be exactly like the one Jesus had following His resurrection. He resembled Himself, because the disciples could recognise Him.

He ate and drank with them. He could be touched. He could miraculously pass through walls.

Talk about ‘time travel’ – He could appear in various places to different people without travelling by any recognised means. His transformed body no longer aged, nor was it subject to sickness and death.

And your new body will be like His. ‘Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

After that the end will come’ (1 Corinthians 15:23-24 NLT). Scottish Presbyterian Robert Baillie learned in 1684 that he would be hanged for his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate King Charles II, then drawn and quartered, and his head and hands nailed to a local bridge.

How did he respond? By first quoting this Scripture: ‘Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour…who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body’ (Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV).

Then he declared: ‘They may hack and hew my body as they please, but I know assuredly that nothing will be lost, that all these my members shall be wonderfully gathered and made like Christ’s glorious body.’

The truth is that whether you get buried in a casket or cremated and your ashes scattered, it makes no difference. God has prepared for you a glorious body just like Christ’s.

Genesis 46-48, Matthew 10:1-16

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t just read it, do it (1)

‘Be doers of the word…not merely hearers.’
James 1:22 NRSV

The UCB Word for Today - 23 Jan 2018

A businessman known for his ruthlessness, arrogance, and religiosity told Mark Twain that before he died he intended to visit the Holy Land, climb Mount Sinai, and read the Ten Commandments aloud. ‘I have a better idea,’ Twain replied.

‘Just stay here in Boston and keep them!’ We’d rather cogitate on what we don’t know, than act on what we know we need to do.

For example, a company knows it needs to improve its quality control so the executives discuss the problem, listen to presentations, read all kinds of books, look at state-of-the-art systems – but never actually get around to doing anything. Their problem isn’t ignorance; it’s knowing too much but doing too little.

Another everyday example: people would rather debate the merits of protein vs. carbs, French cooking vs. vegetarian, lifting weights vs. cardio, than change how they eat. The bottom line is simple: expend more calories than you take in.

Likewise, some Christians would rather debate doctrine than do what Jesus says. As the old ad for Nike trainers said – just do it!

Practise loving a difficult person; try forgiving someone; give some money away; stop and say thanks; worship God; encourage a friend; bless an enemy; when you’re in the wrong say, ‘I’m sorry.’ Face it: you already know more than you need to.

And nothing turns people off faster than somebody with a head full of knowledge, who lacks grace and character. It’s the same today as it was when James wrote, ‘Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.’

Genesis 49-50, Matthew 13:31-58

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t just read it, do it (2)

‘The Holy Spirit…will teach you…and will remind you of everything I have said.’
John 14:26 NIV (2011 Edition)

The UCB Word for Today - 24 Jan 2018

Jesus ended His Sermon on the Mount with a striking story that addresses the gap between knowing and doing: ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock’ (Matthew 7:24 NIV 2011 Edition).

The problem is, we find it easier to be smart than to be good. You don’t need to know more about the Bible until you put into practice what you already know.

John Ortberg says that when he taught tennis, unskilled novices would agonise over which racket to buy – whether to use nylon or gut strings, whether to string them up at sixty-five or seventy pounds. The problem was, they couldn’t even hit the ball.

Instead of debating the minutiae, they simply needed to practise. But a word of caution here: you don’t become a ‘doer of the word’ by drawing on your own strength and willpower.

The Holy Spirit who dwells within you is referred to in Scripture as ‘the paraclete’. The word means ‘one who comes alongside to help’.

When you decide to do what’s right, the Holy Spirit within you empowers you to do it. When a situation arises, He will prompt you as to what you should do.

Jesus promised, ‘The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’ You ask, ‘But what if I don’t get it right?’ He will work with you, giving you opportunities until you do get it right.

Exodus 1-3, Matthew 14:1-21

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The island of blessing

‘You are complete in Him.’
Colossians 2:10 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 25 Jan 2018

In his book Outlive Your Life, author Max Lucado says the Greek word for ‘blessed’, makarios, was the name of an island off Greece. It was known as ‘the blessed island’ because it was self-contained.

The residents didn’t need to leave it in order to get their needs met. The natural resources of this island were so rich that everything needed to enjoy life was already there.

There’s a lesson here for you. The moment you trust in Christ as your Saviour, He becomes your king and you begin living in His kingdom.

You don’t have to leave it and go elsewhere to find what you need, because it’s all around you in the island of blessing. You don’t have to strive for God’s blessing; you simply have to ‘tune in’ and receive it.

It’s like your radio; there are no orchestras or newscasters inside it, it’s only a conduit and a point of contact. Even when your radio stops working, there are still signals in the air.

All your radio does is receive the signal that comes from another source and deliver it to you. If you lose sight of that fact, you’ll give the radio more credit than it deserves.

One of the reasons we don’t recognise the blessings of God in our lives is that we confuse the means of delivery with the source. If something doesn’t miraculously fall into our lap, we think it didn’t come from God.

No, God will bless you at different times, through different people, in different ways. But you must always remember that they are only the carriers of blessing, while He is the source of it (see Psalm 31:19).

Exodus 4-6, Matthew 14:22-36

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Each child is unique

‘Before you were born I set you apart.’
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV (2011 Edition)

The UCB Word for Today - 26 Jan 2018

Does a baby come into the world with a complex personality, or is that child a blank slate on which experience will write? In the past, behavioural scientists believed newborns had no temperamental or emotional characteristics upon arrival from the womb.

Their little personalities were supposedly formed entirely by the experiences that came their way in ensuing years. But most parents knew better.

Every mother of two or more children was convinced that each of her infants had a different personality – a different feel – from the very first time they were held. Now, after years of research, numerous authorities in child development acknowledge that those mothers were right.

One important study identified nine characteristics that varied in babies – such as moodiness, level of activity, and responsiveness. They also found that the differences from child to child tended to persist into later life.

Indeed, babies do differ in infinite ways that define our humanness and our individuality. If every snowflake that falls has its own design, and if every grain of sand at the seashore is unique, it makes no sense to suppose that children are assembly-line products stamped out by the same giant cookie cutter.

There’s no denying the importance of environment and human experience in shaping who we are and how we think. But there can be no doubt that each person on earth is a one-of-a-kind creation from the earliest moments of life.

As God told Jeremiah: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.’ You need to know that about your children.

Exodus 7-8, Matthew 15:1-20