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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Is your name in the Book?

‘Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter.’
Revelation 21:27 NCV

The UCB Word for Today - 17 Oct 2018

One night in 1912, Titanic, the largest passenger steamship in the world and considered by many to be unsinkable, struck an iceberg and sank in the icy Atlantic. Many people died.

Following the disaster the scene outside the White Star Line office in Liverpool was one of anxiety and grief as friends and relatives of those on board the ill-fated vessel thronged the building. On both sides of the main entrance notices were posted.

One said, ‘KNOWN TO BE SAVED’; the other said, ‘KNOWN TO BE LOST’. From time to time a company official walked out with a piece of paper which contained the name of another passenger.

When he held it up, a deathly stillness swept over the crowd as loved ones of the missing waited to see which side he would write the name on. The day Jesus was crucified, God looked down from heaven, wrote ‘KNOWN TO BE SAVED’ on the cross, and started writing names in ‘The Lamb’s Book of Life’.

And the message of the cross hasn’t changed. You don’t have to be a scholar to understand it.

In fact, most people who come to Christ don’t know a lot about the Bible. All they know is they need a Saviour, and God loves them.

All you have to do to receive eternal life is repent of your sin and put your trust in Jesus. The instant you do that, God writes your name ‘in the Lamb’s book of life’ and you become a member of His family, guaranteed a place in heaven.

And it can happen for you today.

Jeremiah 27-29, 1 Timothy 6

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Trust God and step out in faith (1)

‘Begin the…tasks I have assigned to you.’
Matthew 25:21 TLB

The UCB Word for Today - 18 Oct 2018

Nicole Unice, director of women’s ministries for Hope Church, says: ‘There are ideas I know would be beneficial, yet I hesitate to share too much or dream too big. What if they don’t work?

Or people don’t like them? What if the people above me second-guess hiring me?

One day I scrawled on my office wall: So what if it fails? Question: What are you yearning to try and haven’t because you’re afraid you’ll fail?

What programmes do you keep alive even though they aren’t serving their purpose? What technology are you avoiding?

What learning are you circumventing because you feel old and rusty? If you don’t have anything on the horizon that might fail, you’re failing as a leader.

Unless you push for innovation and creativity you’ll keep attracting the same people. When you “Begin the…tasks [God] assigned to you” you’ll have to push boundaries and try things that might fail.’

John Mason writes: ‘Don’t be afraid to fail…if you’re not failing you’re not growing. When successful people stop growing and learning, it’s because they become less willing to risk failure.

Failure is delay, not defeat. A temporary detour, not a dead-end street. We all make mistakes – especially those who do things. As Paul says, “God…gives us the victory through…Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV), and failure is often the first step towards success.

Unless you’re willing to take a risk, you won’t get the chance to succeed.’ Today trust God and step out in faith!

Jeremiah 30-31, 2 Timothy 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Trust God and step out in faith (2)

‘Do not look behind you.’
Genesis 19:17 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 19 Oct 2018

One time in the West Indies five ships, one of them British, were anchored in the harbour when a monster storm rolled in. The British captain immediately raised anchor and sailed out to meet it.

Two days later, battered but still intact, he returned to the harbour and discovered that the ships that hadn’t sailed for fear of the storm had all been driven ashore and destroyed. Generally speaking, as a leader the best way forward is to face challenges head-on and ‘not look behind you’.

Author Jon Gordon points out six important things:
1) Who you are makes a difference. People follow the leader first and his vision second.

2) It’s all about relationships. Pastor Andy Stanley said, ‘Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.’

You can implement all the rules in the world, but if you don’t develop a relationship with the people you’re leading, they’ll rebel.

3) It’s not just about what you do, but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do. You bring out the best in people by sharing the best in yourself.

4) Lead with optimism, enthusiasm, and positive energy. Guard against negativity and teach people to focus on solutions, not complaints.

5) Recognise that you don’t have all the answers, and build a team of people who either have the answers or will find them.

6) Accept that success is a process, not a destination. John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, recognised that winning was an offshoot of great leadership, teamwork, focus, commitment, and implementing the basics.

Jeremiah 32-33, 2 Timothy 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Let God use what you’ve got

‘Do not look behind you.’
Genesis 19:17 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 20 Oct 2018

The Bible says, ‘Moses answered: “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you?’” Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake’ (vv. 1-3 NIV 2011 Edition).

Throwing down your staff, the thing you lean on, is frightening and counter-intuitive to all of us who are control freaks. But as long as you hold on to it and try to control it, God can’t use it.

In golf, when an amateur wants to drive the ball further they grip the club tighter, but it has the opposite effect. The key to a long drive is loosening your grip.

Moses’ staff represented his identity and security. It was the way he made his living as a shepherd, and the way he protected himself and his flock.

So when God told him to throw it down, he was asking Moses to let go of who he was and what he had. Question: What are you not willing to let go of? Answer: You don’t control whatever it is you’re holding on to, it controls you.

If you don’t throw it down, your staff will forever remain only a staff. But if you have the courage to surrender it to God, it can become the lightning rod of His miraculous power.

What’s in your hand today? You can hang on to it and see what you can do, or hand it over and see what God can do.

Today let God use what you’ve got.

Jeremiah 34-36, 2 Timothy 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your pattern sins (1)

‘The sin that so easily trips us up.’
Hebrews 12:1 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 21 Oct 2018

In his book The Me I Want to Be, John Ortberg points out that a ‘pattern sin’ is one you’re habitually drawn to. That doesn’t mean nobody else commits it.

It just means you’re vulnerable in that particular area. Usually the pattern of your sin is related to the pattern of your gifts.

Just as home-run hitters in baseball also strike out a lot, your gifts and passions can indicate your areas of vulnerability. For example, extroverts who have the ability to inspire and encourage others are sometimes prone to gossip.

People who love to learn may be tempted to feel superior and talk down to others. People who are spontaneous and have a great appetite for life often struggle with impulse control.

Good listeners can become passive enablers. Optimists are often susceptible to denial.

Greek mythology speaks of the nemesis (an enemy who seems unbeatable). Your nemesis is like you in almost every way, except he’s the ruined version of you.

Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis was Professor Moriarty, also a brilliant man. He was like Holmes would’ve been if he’d gone wrong.

Because there’s a relationship between the best and the worst versions of you, in many areas of life you’re your own nemesis. And what they have in common is – they’re both you!

Why is it helpful to know this? Because awareness and sensitivity to your own proclivities are the first steps towards building a defence.

We have a staggering capacity for self-deception and self-justification. Addressing careless, cold-hearted believers in the end-age church, Jesus told them they needed ‘ointment [the Holy Spirit] for your eyes so you will be able to see’ (Revelation 3:18 NLT).

Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 107-109

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your pattern sins (2)

‘Be kind…tenderhearted, forgiving one another.’
Ephesians 4:32 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 22 Oct 2018

Because of how we’re wired we often find ourselves drawn to certain sins. Consequently our areas of weakness are usually consistent and predictable.

It’s like having a ‘sin profile’. In his book Signature Sins: Taming Our Wayward Hearts, Dr Michael W. Mangis identifies nine of these patterns using an ancient system called the Enneagram.

It’s somewhat controversial because it’s been used by many spiritual traditions. However, it’s thought to have originated out of consideration of the seven deadly sins and the fruit of the Spirit, therefore it can be applied within a Christian framework.

To help you become more self-aware and build a defence against your particular area of vulnerability, let’s spend the next few days looking at these nine pattern sins, and the people most likely to wrestle with them. Reformers: Reformers are drawn to perfection.

They have a high standard of excellence and their greatest fear is being flawed. (They make good surgeons – and excellent golfers.)

At their best they’re crusaders, watchdogs, and prophets. But because they wrestle with perfectionism and self-righteousness, they tend to judge others whose standards aren’t quite so high.

The prophet Amos is a good example. He writes about ‘a plumb line’ that shows how far short people fall of God’s standards (see Amos 7:7-8). Writing to the reformers, Paul said, ‘Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.’

As a reformer your greatest challenge will be to demonstrate love, patience, and grace in your dealings with others. And with God’s help you can do it.

Jeremiah 37-39, 2 Timothy 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your pattern sins (3)

‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord.’
Ephesians 6:7 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 23 Oct 2018

Servers: Servers love to be needed. They’re natural caregivers who’ll fluff up your pillow even when it doesn’t need fluffing!

They remember birthdays and anniversaries, and they’re often first to get up from the table and wash the dishes. Servers often work in social settings where they support other people.

They’re most comfortable when they have something to do. But while they’re drawn to help people, that helping often comes from their own neediness.

Lurking under their servant-hood is sometimes low self-esteem that demands to be fed. And because it can never be fully satisfied, they end up draining others.

Martha is a great illustration. While she was busy serving, her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet (see Luke 10:39-42.)

On the plus side, servers demonstrate love in action and have a natural other-centeredness that makes people feel cared for. On the minus side, they sometimes use their ‘giving’ to manipulate others.

And the problem is that when you try to lighten their burden and lift their load, they won’t let you. Their innate fear of not being needed makes it impossible for them to set healthy boundaries.

So what’s the answer?
a) Make sure your first priority is serving God, not people. ‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.’

b) Understand that your reward comes from God, not other people. ‘The Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does’ (Ephesians 6:8 NIV 1984 Edition).

c) Don’t complain. ‘Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault’ (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV 1984 Edition).

Jeremiah 40-42, Titus 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your pattern sins (4)

‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ.’
Philippians 2:5 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 24 Oct 2018

Achievers: Achievers love to overcome challenges and perform for others. At best, they’re motivated to grow, stretch, and learn.

They inspire and move people to action and enjoy being in front of crowds. Giving a talk energises them.

Without a chance to develop and shine they lose their motivation. Achievers want to make an impact, can be tempted to live for the image they portray, and end up idolising their own performance.

They’re apt to measure success in terms of applause and recognition. When John the Baptist said about Jesus, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ (John 3:30 NKJV), he demonstrated the kind of surrender that can be difficult for an achiever.

Simon Magus thought he could buy a spectacular ministry like Peter’s, and offered Peter money in exchange for the ability to give others the Holy Spirit (see Acts 8:18-22). Similarly, an unredeemed achiever can turn what looks like serving God into serving himself.

For many of us ‘the sin that so easily trips us up’ (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) is pride. While achievers have the ability to accomplish great things and enrich the lives of others, they can also become preoccupied with their own image and success.

What’s the answer? Paul says: ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves…look not only to your own interests, but…the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:3-5 NIV 1984 Edition).

Jeremiah 43-45, Titus 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your pattern sins (5)

‘I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.’
1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 25 Oct 2018

Artists: Artists not only love beauty and see it in places others don’t, they’re uniquely gifted to create it. They express their individuality in bold ways that enrich us all.

They bring colour and flair to a world that would otherwise be drab. But since none of us can live in the ideal world of our imagination, artists are sometimes ill equipped to live in the real world with its problems and pressures.

The same sensitivity that makes them creative often enslaves them to emotional swings that put people off, and ends up destroying the artist himself. From Ernest Hemingway to Elvis Presley, the history books tell the story.

King David was artistic. He was a gifted poet, dancer, and composer of many songs. But his inability to control his impulses culminated in an affair that led to murder and the devastation of his family.

Understand one thing: every strength God gives you has a corresponding weakness that must be identified and handled in the right way. The more talented you are, the more disciplined you must be.

Paul was wise enough to recognise his own proclivities: ‘I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest…when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway’ (KJV). The last few decades have proven that even people God gifted to build great churches and lead great ministries aren’t immune to temptation.

Where there is great talent – there is great temptation. Where do sheep find their greatest safety?

By sticking close to the shepherd. Today, do that!

Jeremiah 46-47, Titus 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your pattern sins (6)

‘I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies.’
Psalm 119:59 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 26 Oct 2018

Thinkers: Thinkers like to know – everything. They’re the investigators, scientists, and inventors among us.

They love to discover truths no one else has uncovered, and master bodies of knowledge, skills, and hobbies on their own. They have amazing memories when it comes to retaining information about things they’re interested in.

On the minus side, thinkers can be introverted; they enjoy having their own space. So what’s the sin that can ‘so easily trip up’ a thinker?

a) Insensitivity to others. Sometimes thinkers love being right more than they love the people around them. And they’re not always comfortable expressing emotion or affection.

They’re inclined to express their feelings indirectly or through gestures, so it can feel like they’re takers and not givers. They don’t like to lose arguments, and they don’t like to be interrupted.

They enjoy solitude for hours on end – even days. That doesn’t mean they’re more spiritual than the rest of us; it just means they have a lower need for community and connection. The problem is we weren’t created to fly solo.

You can only grow spiritually as you give to others and are willing to receive from them. Jesus said, ‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (John 13:35 NIV 1984 Edition).

b) Thinkers often struggle with the concept of ‘faith’. That doesn’t make them bad people; most are honest doubters.

Faith and reason aren’t necessarily opposed, but when reason won’t take you another step, faith in God enables you to keep going. Life will hand you situations that reason alone can’t resolve – that’s when you need faith in God.

Jeremiah 48-49, Philemon