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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Tips for travellers (1)

‘It is God who works in you…to act according to his good purpose.’
Philippians 2:13 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 18 Dec 2018

As you travel through life on your spiritual journey, here are two important tips to remember:

1) With God no experience is ever wasted. That includes the painful and difficult ones.

We may impress people with our strengths, but we often connect with them best through our struggles. If you want to motivate someone, don’t just tell them about all you’ve accomplished, talk about the tests and trials you went through to get there.

If you don’t, you may seem beyond their reach. Indeed, some of the experiences you’re reluctant to share may be the very things that will cause them to think, ‘If God could do that for you, then He can do it for me too.’ In other words, you’ll give them hope.

2) To succeed in God’s kingdom, you must serve others. Look at Joseph.

He used his talent, fame, and fortune to feed the world during a time of famine; his reward came afterwards. When your goal is to meet other people’s needs you’ll always be rewarded, and you’ll always have a future.

Jesus didn’t tell Peter to go out and gather a crowd together just so he’d have someone to preach to. No.

He simply said, ‘Feed my sheep’ (John 21:16 KJV). Pastor, if too many church pews are empty on Sunday morning, do more than blame the people.

Ask yourself, ‘How’s the food? How’s the service?’

As long as there’s a spiritual hunger that nobody else is satisfying, you have a future and a ministry. As you consider these two tips for travellers, pray and ask God to make them part of your life.

Nahum 1-3, Revelations 11

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Tips for travellers (2)

‘In Christ…we find out who we are.’
Ephesians 1:11 MSG

The UCB Word for Today - 19 Dec 2018

God’s will isn’t simply for you to survive, but to thrive (see Psalm 35:27 NKJV). satan will attack you, but he can’t separate you from God’s love or keep Him from blessing you.

satan will lie and say he can, but he can’t. Imagine his frustration over that!

When you know God has promised you something, it gives you strength to overcome things others can’t. All the water in the sea won’t drown you as long as it doesn’t get into the boat.

It’s what you allow in that hurts you! So guard your heart.

Keep your vision alive and it will keep you alive. If you want the prize, be willing to pay the price.

The reason many of us fail is because we trade what we want most for what we want now. No; the greater the challenge, the greater the reward that awaits you beyond it.

Paul the apostle had his eye on the prize when he wrote, ‘Stand your ground. And don’t hold back.

Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time’ (1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG). The only thing life owes you is an opportunity to grow.

Moses walked away from a palace, Elisha walked away from a farm, and Luke walked away from a medical practice in order to follow God. It’s what you’re willing to walk away from that determines what God can entrust you with.

So keep turning the pages, keep pushing ahead, tighten your grip on your God-given purpose. What you don’t have now can be yours in the future if you keep growing, stay focused, and remain faithful.

Habakkuk 1-3, Revelations 12

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You can break that stronghold!

‘The weapons of our warfare are…mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’
2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 20 Dec 2018

When a pattern of evil passes from one generation to the next, the Bible refers to it as a ‘stronghold’. David had a problem with lust, which resulted in an affair with another man’s wife.

That same spirit passed on to David’s son Amnon, who raped his sister (see 2 Samuel 13). When David heard about it he was angry, but he did nothing. What could he say?

Abraham lied to a heathen king, saying his wife was his sister in order to save his own neck (see Genesis 20). Amazingly, his son Isaac did exactly the same a few chapters later (see Genesis 26).

Experts report that children of alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholic, and a high percentage of child abusers were themselves abused children. Sometimes you can actually see the pattern coming at you from both sides of the family.

But there’s good news. God heals dysfunctional families – and the healing can begin with you!

Just because your parents were emotionally frozen doesn’t mean your children have to grow up without affection. God can teach you how to break that stronghold in your family so you can give your kids what you yourself never received.

Gideon tore down the altar his idol-worshipping father built (see Judges 6:25) and by God’s grace you can do the same in your family! Pray over your children.

Declare that the past will not invade the present; that God’s blessings will flow through you to them. Go ahead, do it and see what happens.

Zephaniah 1-3, Revelations 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Personalise God’s promises

‘When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.’
Psalm 56:3 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 21 Dec 2018

Underlying your deepest fears – are thoughts. They may be expressed publicly or entertained privately.

Either way, you must arrest them and change them. If you don’t, they will capture and control you.

One of the most powerful weapons God has given you for conquering fear and worry is the ability to personalise His promises. Here are just a few: ‘Don’t be afraid…you are mine.

When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!

When you walk through the fire of oppression…the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God’ (Isaiah 43:1-3 TLB).

And what should your response to God’s promise be? ‘I will be strong, vigorous, and very courageous.

I will not be afraid, neither will I be dismayed, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go’ (see Joshua 1:9 AMPC). ‘The Lord’s eye is upon me because I fear him [revere and worship him with awe] and because I trust in his mercy and loving kindness’ (see Psalm 33:18 AMPC).

‘When I am tempted to have a fearful and hasty heart, I will say to myself, be strong, fear not! My God will come…and save me’ (see Isaiah 35:4 AMPC).

‘The Lord is my light and my salvation…whom shall I fear?…when troubles come. He will hide me. He will set me on a high rock out of reach of all my enemies. Then I will…sing his praises with much joy’ (Psalm 27:1, 5-6 TLB).

Do you want to overcome your fears and worries? Personalise God’s promises!

Haggai 1-2, Revelations 14

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God has given you everything you need

‘My God turns my darkness into light.’
Psalm 18:28 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 22 Dec 2018

God not only redeemed you and called you to serve Him, He also equipped you. Everything you need to fulfil your assignment is in your life right now, just waiting for you to recognise it.

Anything that’s unrecognised becomes unappreciated; and anything that’s unappreciated becomes unrewarded; and anything that’s unrewarded eventually leaves your life. During the days of the California gold rush a young couple became obsessed with the quest for gold.

They sold their farm and everything they owned and went out West to search for it. Failure after failure, they eventually ended up bankrupt and moved to Europe.

Many years later they returned to America and decided to visit their old farm. But when they arrived they found it surrounded by security guards and a high wire fence.

When they inquired, they discovered that under their old farm was the second-largest gold reserve in America – and it was now owned by the government. God has placed resources and people all around you that you’re not seeing.

Some of the biggest gifts in your life have yet to be recognised because they’re in seed form. And your failure to recognise them is costing you dearly.

Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers saying, ‘I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened’ (Ephesians 1:18 NIV 2011 Edition). And David prayed, ‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law’ (Psalm 119:18 NIV 2011 Edition).

Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. There’s treasure in you and around you that you’ll never see until God reveals it to you.

And He will, if you seek Him.

Zechariah 1-2, Revelations 15

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Becoming Christlike

‘Christ liveth in me.’
Galatians 2:20 KJV

The UCB Word for Today - 23 Dec 2018

If you could change through self-effort, you wouldn’t need the Lord. Plus, any attempt on your part to earn or merit His grace disqualifies you.

Why is that? Because you’re striving to be the source of your own salvation, or your own significance, or your own strength.

If you want to know what really upsets God – that will do it every time! ‘So how on earth am I supposed to become more Christlike?’ you ask.

Die to ‘self’ and allow Christ to live through you! Take a moment to ponder these Scriptures: ‘Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life…If God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him.

Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed…God…won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells – even though you still experience all the limitations of sin – you yourself experience life on God’s terms.

It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself?’ (Romans 8:5-11 MSG). How can you tell that Christ is alive and working in you?

When others look at you they will see Him. When they listen to you they will hear Him.

And when they walk with you they will be following Him. ‘How long does it take to become Christlike?’ you ask.

It happens a day at a time, over a lifetime

Luke 24:1-35, Psalm 129-139

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The real story of Christmas

All who heard it were amazed.’
Luke 2:18 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 24 Dec 2018

To fully appreciate the story of Christmas, you must look at three things:

1) Who God called to tell the story. Shepherds!

In first-century Palestine they were considered to be the lowest in society. Yet God picked them to tell the greatest story.

Perhaps that’s because some of us would have debated the story or even denied it. Not them: ‘They spread the word’ (v. 17 NIV 2011 Edition).

This answers the question, ‘Could God use someone like me?’ Yes, you don’t need to be a scholar.

Just tell people what you’ve seen and heard, and the change Jesus has made in your life.

2) The response of those who heard the story. ‘All who heard it were amazed.’

The grace of God is amazing: ‘God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation’ (2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV 2011 Edition).

The gospel is not good advice, it’s good news! Your sin debt is cancelled; your books are reconciled, and now you can have a personal relationship with God by putting your trust in Christ. It doesn’t get any better!

3) Mary’s part in the story. ‘Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart’ (Luke 2:19 NIV 2011 Edition).

She wanted to understand what God was doing, and how it related to her. And you need to do that too.

God doesn’t change, but He moves, and you have to stay in step with Him. There were many things Mary didn’t understand about God’s will, but she accepted and obeyed it.

And that’s what God is asking of you too.

Zechariah 3-4, Revelations 16

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God will make it happen

‘How can this happen?’
Luke 1:34 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 25 Dec 2018

The Bible says, ‘Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you”’ (vv. 34-35 NLT).

Has God been telling you things He wants to do through you, but you’re looking at yourself and thinking, ‘How can this happen?’ You’re saying, ‘I don’t have the training, the resources, the skill, or the connections.

And I certainly don’t have the strength to accomplish it alone.’ If you’re wondering how God will bring it all to pass, remember that He will accomplish it!

No one else will get the credit. How will it happen?

‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you’ (v. 35 NLT). The Holy Spirit can impregnate you with a vision, inspire you with creative ideas, introduce you to the right people, and empower you to do the job.

God had a unique plan for Mary, and He has one for you too. You aren’t privileged to see the future and you don’t know all that God has in store for you.

But He has a plan. After the angel spoke to Mary, notice what she said: ‘Be it unto me according to thy word’ (v. 38 KJV).

Not according to your social status, or your job description, or your finances, or what you deserve. No, ‘Be it unto me according to thy word!’

Was that easy to say or believe? No, she was taking an extreme risk.

To be pregnant and unmarried brought dire consequences in those days. Yet she gave herself willingly to God – and the results were miraculous.

And God can do the same for you.

Zechariah 5-6, Revelations 17

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‘TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

'Spirit friends’

‘Elizabeth’s child leaped within her.’
Luke 1:41 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 26 Dec 2018

Here’s an interesting chapter in the Christmas story – one that teaches us about ‘spirit friends’. The Bible says: ‘A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea…She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.

At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth…exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed…Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home”’ (vv. 39-42, 56 NLT).

Besides being cousins, Mary and Elizabeth were ‘spirit friends’. They didn’t just connect socially, they connected spiritually at a deeper level.

That’s why Mary ‘hurried’ to see Elizabeth, and why she spent three months with her. It’s also why Elizabeth confirmed the miraculous purposes of God that were being fulfilled in Mary’s life, and commended her for her obedience.

When God introduces you to someone who has been touched by His Spirit and carries within them a vision that’s conceived by the Holy Spirit, reach out to them, treasure them, and build a relationship with them. The connection between these two women didn’t take place because they were part of the same family.

The truth is, sometimes our families are the first to criticise us and the last to understand us. Notice, when Mary greeted Elizabeth, the unborn child within her leaped in her womb.

How do you recognise a ‘spirit friend’? When they speak, something within you will resonate.

That’s because you are both filled with the same Holy Spirit and empowered to do God’s will.

Zechariah 7-8, Revelations 18

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Want to be successful? Consult the Lord

‘As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.’
2 Chronicles 26:5 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 27 Dec 2018

Someone has said, ‘Before you try to climb the ladder of success, make sure it’s leaning against the right wall.’ Now let’s be clear.

When your intention is to do God’s will and honour Him, He promises success. It’s a mistake to associate all wealth with carnality and brand it as ‘worldly’.

Prosperous, committed Christians in every generation have been instrumental in taking the gospel to the world and establishing God’s kingdom. Read these two promises.

The first seems male-oriented: ‘Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever’ (Psalm 112:3 NKJV). The second seems female-oriented: ‘Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honour’ (Proverbs 3:16 NKJV).

Some of us have a false concept of success. The story’s told of three men talking about what success would be for them.

One said, ‘Being invited to the White House for a personal meeting with the president would be success.’ The second said, ‘To me success would be meeting with the president in the Oval Office, having the hot line ring during our talk, and watching the president ignore it.’

The third guy said, ‘To me success would be meeting with the president in the Oval Office, the hot line rings and he picks it up and says, “It’s for you.”’ If you go to Amazon.com, you’ll find over twenty-five hundred books on how to be successful.

But you only need one book: God’s Word. Here’s what it says: ‘As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.’ Want to be successful? Consult the Lord.

Zechariah 9-10, Revelations 19