[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Take the right approach

‘A man of knowledge uses words with restraint.’
Proverbs 17:27 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 28 April 2018

It’s not enough to have the right answers; you need the right approach. Good ideas and sound advice are wasted when you use a ram-it-down-your-throat approach.

Wisdom means saying the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. ‘A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.’

Your efforts at helping someone to change will fail, or worse, alienate them, unless you approach them in love and humility. Most people already know what their problem is.

Chances are they’ve been grappling with it for a while, and deep down they want to do better. And unless you’re prepared for a ‘Who-are-you-to-tell-me’ response, you’ve got to approach them in the right way.

‘Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones’ (Proverbs 16:24 NIV 1984 Edition). Jesus said, ‘You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32 NIV 2011 Edition).

So, if people won’t receive the truth in the way you’re sharing it, maybe the problem is partially yours. Former U.S. Senate Chaplain Richard Halverson writes: ‘You can offer your ideas to people as bullets or as seeds.

You can shoot them or sow them. Ideas used as bullets kill inspiration and motivation. Ideas used as seeds take root, grow, and bear fruit in the life in which they are planted.

But there’s a risk: once it becomes part of those in whom it’s planted, you’ll probably get no credit for originating the idea. But if you’re willing to do without the credit…you’ll reap a rich harvest.’

So the word for you today is: take the right approach.

1 Samuel 17-18, John 12:1-26

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Keep improving

‘I fear that…I myself might be disqualified.’
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 29 April 2018

Paul writes: ‘Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified’ (vv. 24-27 NLT).

Unless you take control of your life, you will always live knowing that you don’t belong to yourself. In other words, you belong to whoever and whatever is controlling you.

In order to improve, you must keep these three things before you at all times:
1) Reading. David said, ‘Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day’ (Psalm 119:97 NKJV).

Discipline yourself to read something each day that will help you spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and career-wise. And put the Bible at the top of your ‘books to read’ list.

2) Rewards. Author Mike Delaney remarked, ‘Any business or industry that pays equal rewards to its goof-offs and its eager beavers, sooner or later will find itself with more goof-offs than eager beavers. What you reward, good or bad, in yourself and in others, you’ll keep getting more of.’

3) Results. The next time you’re facing a must-do task, and thinking of doing what’s convenient instead of paying the price, change your focus. Count the benefits of doing what’s right, and dive in.

Instead of focusing on the ‘work’, focus on the ‘reward’.

Luke 8:1-25, Psalm 43-45

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Blessed on the job

‘In all to which you set your hand.’
Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 30 April 2018

The word vocation comes from the Latin word vocare, which means ‘spiritual calling’. Every vocation, regardless of what it is, is a calling from God.

And once you start to see your job in that light, you’ll find it easier to believe God wants to bless you on the job. So with that in mind you need to:

1) Pursue work compatible with your gifts. ‘If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised’ (1 Peter 4:11 NIV 1984 Edition).

2) Learn everything possible about your job. ‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning’ (Proverbs 1:5 NIV 2011 Edition).

3) Recognise God as your true employer. ‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does’ (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV 1984 Edition).

4) See work as God’s gift, not punishment. ‘When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God’ (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV 1984 Edition).

5) Use criticism to your advantage. In fact, make it work for you.

Ask for suggestions and correction. ‘Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured’ (Proverbs 13:18 KJV).

6) Do more than what’s expected. ‘Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him [two]’ (Matthew 5:41 KJV).

7) See the Lord as your work partner. Stay Christ-conscious throughout the day as you perform your duties, and ‘the Lord will command the blessing on you…and in all to which you set your hand.’

1 Samuel 19-21, John 12:27-50

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Jabez (1)

‘And Jabez called on the God of Israel.’
1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 01 May 2018

In the book of First Chronicles the Bible tells us about a man named Jabez. The first nine chapters consist of genealogies, listing more than six hundred names.

And right there in the middle of all those names, God singles out one man for special recognition, and his name is Jabez. There are only two verses in the entire Bible about this man, yet he’s given honourable mention above the six hundred other people mentioned in the chapter.

Why did God single him out? What did Jabez do that caused his name to be preserved for over four thousand years?

What made him above average? For the next few days, let’s see what we can learn about him.

‘Now Jabez was more honourable than his brothers’ (v. 9 NKJV). So, what set him apart?

He dared to ask and believe God for great things: ‘Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.’

God wants you to ask Him for great things! He told Jeremiah, ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV 2011 Edition).

Paul tells us that God ‘is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV 2011 Edition). You can’t out-ask or out-dream God, so start asking Him for what you want – and believe He will give it to you!

1 Samuel 22:24, John 13:1-20

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Jabez (2)

‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed.’
1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 02 May 2018

Jabez prayed that God would bless him in three specific ways:

1) ‘Enlarge my territory.’ He had a dream of owning more land, and he asked God to bless that dream. When you stop dreaming you lose direction.

When you stop setting goals you stop growing. You must have something you’re pushing towards.

As long as your horizon is expanding, you’ll be spiritually and emotionally healthy.

2) ‘That Your hand would be with me.’ God’s hand represents His power. Jabez realised that if he got more territory it meant he would have more responsibility.

He would have greater demands and more pressure, and he would really need God’s help in his life. So he requested God to be with him.

And when you ask for God’s presence in your life, you can be sure He’ll answer.

3) ‘That You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.’ Jabez asked God for His protection.

Why? Because in those days the more land you owned, the more influence you had, and the better known you were.

And that made you a bigger target. It’s still like that today.

The more successful you are, the more critics you have. The more territory you own, the more your enemies will attack you.

The closer you grow to the Lord and the stronger you become as a Christian, the more the devil will harass you because he doesn’t want you to grow. But you can be sure, as Jabez was, that with God’s protection you don’t have to fear anyone or anything.

Do you want to break out of mediocrity? Then pray the prayer that Jabez prayed.

1 Samuel 25-26, John 13:21-38

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Jabez (3)

‘So God granted him what he requested.’
1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 03 May 2018

When Jabez prayed, ‘Enlarge my territory,’ he was saying, ‘Lord, I want more than I’ve got, and I’m asking You for it!’ This man had great ambitions, and God blessed them.

There are three common misconceptions that can keep us from having great ambitions:

1) We confuse fear with humility. We say, ‘Oh, I could never do that,’ and think we’re being humble.

But that’s not humility. That’s fear; that’s lack of faith. A truly humble person would say, ‘With God’s help I can do it.

With God’s blessing I will do it. I may not be able to do it on my own, but with God’s help I can.’ That’s real humility.

2) We tend to confuse laziness with contentment. We quote Paul: ‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances’ (Philippians 4:11 NIV 2011 Edition).

But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t set goals. Paul wasn’t saying, ‘I don’t have any ambitions or future plans.’

Just the opposite, in fact! He spoke of ‘reaching forth [to] those things which are before’ (Philippians 3:13 KJV). If you don’t have a dream or a goal, ask God for one.

3) We confuse small thinking with spirituality. Some people say, ‘I serve God in my little way.’

Why don’t you start serving Him in a bigger way? Why not let Him use you more?

Other people say, ‘Well, I’m just fine the way I am. That’s the way God made me.’

It’s wrong to blame God for your lack of growth, because He has provided all the tools and ideas you need in order to grow.

Bottom line: think big or you’ll get in God’s way!

1 Samuel 27-29, John 14

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Jabez (4)

‘Oh, that…Your hand would be with me.'
1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 04 May 2018

Not only did Jabez have great ambition, he had a growing faith and a deep trust in God. He had enough faith to pray and expect an answer.

He was like the pioneer missionary William Carey, who said, ‘Expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God.’ There’s no mention of Jabez having any special ability or talent.

The Bible doesn’t say he was wealthy or educated. He was simply a common man with an uncommon faith.

Don’t worry about what you don’t have – if you have faith! God will give you the necessary power.

He loves to use ordinary people who are willing to trust Him, and see them succeed. Lots of super-talented people sit on the sidelines while ordinary people with faith score the goals and win.

And you can be one of them. Another interesting fact about Jabez is he apparently had some type of handicap or disability. In the Hebrew language ‘Jabez’ means ‘painful’.

Jabez caused his mother so much grief during childbirth that she named him Painful. How would you like to go through life with that name?

He may have been unwanted and unloved. But he was stronger than his handicap, and his faith kept him going.

His eyes weren’t on the past, they were on the future. He believed that if God blessed him, then his future would be greater than his past.

What’s your handicap? Is it physical? Is it spiritual? Is it an unhappy childhood? Is it a frustrating job or a broken marriage?

Whatever it may be, Jesus said, ‘Everything is possible for one who believes’ (Mark 9:23 NIV 2011 Edition).

1 Samuel 30-31, John 15

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The conclusion of the matter

‘Here is the conclusion of the matter.’
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 05 May 2018

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about all the things in life he tried and found to be disappointing: the intellectual pursuit of knowledge, the physical pursuit of pleasure, and the material pursuit of wealth. In the last chapter of Ecclesiastes he bottom-lines it: ‘Everything is meaningless’ (v. 8 NIV 2011 Edition).

In other words: ‘Been there, done that – and it’s just the “same ol’, same ol’”.’ Now, penning his last divinely-inspired thoughts, he wraps up his life’s message with these words: ‘Here is the conclusion of the matter.’

This is big stuff! Solomon is about to give us his bottom-line evaluation of a life well-lived. What is it?

‘Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment’ (vv. 13-14 NIV 2011 Edition).

The words ‘fear God’ simply mean to reverence, love, and serve Him, and live your life according to the precepts laid down in His Word. The songwriter put it this way: ‘Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.’

Author John Mason writes: ‘Is more money, a higher position, or more influence your goal? These are not goals; they are the by-product of true goals…Seek not success, but truth, and you will find both. Work to become, not acquire.

Measure wealth by the things you have which you would not exchange for money.’ When you wake each morning, pray this simple prayer: ‘Lord, above all else help me to spend this day loving You and carrying out Your will.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.’

2 Samuel 1-2, John 16

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Sing!

‘You shall have a song…in the night.’
Isaiah 30:29 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 06 May 2018

Why does the Bible say, ‘It is good to sing praises to our God’ (Psalm 147:1 NKJV)? Because when you express the promises of God’s Word in song, your faith is strengthened.

The Great Depression of the 1930s hit a businessman named J.C. Penney particularly hard, endangering his very health. Anxious and desperate because of his huge financial losses, Penney sank so low he felt he had nothing left to live for.

Even his family and friends shunned him. In the hospital one night, he grew so demoralised that he expected to die before morning! Then he heard singing coming from the hospital chapel.

The words of the song were: ‘Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you. Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.’

Entering the chapel, he listened to the song, the Scripture reading, and the prayer. He wrote: ‘Suddenly – something happened.

I can’t explain it. I can only call it a miracle. I felt as if I’d been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm, brilliant sunlight.’

From that day on, J.C. Penney was never again plagued with worry. He described those moments in the chapel as ‘the most dramatic and glorious twenty minutes of my life’.

And when he died at ninety-five, he left behind 1,660 department stores bearing his name. When nothing else works, the praises of God set to music can lift you out of a spiritual funk.

That’s why the Bible says, ‘It is good to sing praises to our God.’ Try it and see for yourself. It works!

Luke 8:26-56, Psalm 46-48

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Trust your advocate, not your accuser (1)

‘The accuser…has been thrown down.’
Revelation 12:10 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 07 May 2018

The apostle John wrote: ‘I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens…“For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth – the one who accuses them before our God day and night”’ (v. 10 NLT). Satan has only one aim: ‘To steal, and to kill, and to destroy’ (John 10:10 NKJV).

He’ll steal your peace, kill your dreams, and destroy your future. And he has deputised a horde of silver-tongued demons to help him.

He enlists people to peddle his poison. Friends dredge up your past. Preachers proclaim all guilt and no grace. And some parents distribute it twenty-four hours a day.

Long into adulthood you still hear their voices: ‘Why can’t you grow up?’ ‘When are you going to make me proud?’ So what’s the answer?

Jesus! He’s ‘in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us’ (Romans 8:34 MSG). Let that sink in for a moment.

In the presence of God, in defiance of Satan, Jesus Christ rises to your defence. He takes on the role of a priest.

‘And since we have a great priest over God’s house, let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience’ (Hebrews 10:21-22 NCV). A clean conscience.

A clean record. A clean heart. Free from accusation – free from condemnation.

Not just from our past mistakes, but from our future ones. ‘Since he will live forever, he will always be there to remind God that he has paid for [our] sins with his blood’ (Hebrews 7:25 TLB).

So don’t listen to your accuser – trust your advocate!

2 Samuel 3-5, John 17