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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Dream killers (1)

‘He dreamed still another dream.’
Genesis 37:9 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 07 Jan 2019

For the next few days let’s look at some dream killers: discouragement. A story was told of a couple who loved mushrooms and bought several pounds of them from a roadside seller.

They made mushroom omelettes, mushroom salad, mushroom soup, and even concocted a mushroom dessert. Even their cat gobbled up the leftover mushrooms.

Later the lady went into her kitchen and found the cat lying on the floor, gasping for breath. She immediately phoned the vet who said they’d probably bought some poisoned toadstools and advised they go to the hospital immediately.

When the couple came home from the hospital, they expected to see their cat lying lifeless on the floor. Instead the cat was in the corner with a brand new litter of kittens.

What they thought were death pains were just birth pains! When it seems that your dream is gasping its last breath, keep believing God; you’re closer to giving birth than you’ve ever been.

Don’t let discouragement kill your dream. Joseph dreamed a second dream, an even bigger one!

‘This time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me’ (Genesis 37:9 NKJV). If you’ve abandoned your dream because of discouragement, rise up and reclaim it.

If you’ve already fulfilled it, ask God for a bigger one. You say, ‘But the challenge looks too big for me.’

It’s not too big for God, you’ll never out-dream Him. In His Word He asks, ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?’ (Genesis 18:14 NKJV).

You may die with your dream on the drawing board or under construction or left to be completed by another, but you must seek God and dream again!

Genesis 16-17, Matthew 5:27-48

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Dream killers (2)

‘Against all hope, Abraham…believed and so became the father of many nations.’
Romans 4:18 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 08 Jan 2019

The second dream killer is: disappointment. Disappointment is the gap that exists between expectation and reality, and no doubt you’ve encountered the gap.

You’ve had to live with unfulfilled desires or had your hopes dashed, and it can damage you. Mark Twain said: ‘We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that’s in it – and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid.

She’ll never sit down on another hot stove-lid again – and that is well; but also she’ll never sit down on a cold one anymore.’ When something goes wrong we say, ‘I’ll never do that again!’

What a mistake, especially when it comes to your dreams! Experiencing failure is the price you must pay to achieve success.

Sometimes you must face it and overcome it repeatedly in order to be able to move forward and pursue your dream. Abraham was called to birth a nation.

But before he fathered Isaac he grew impatient and fathered Ishmael, and created a bad situation he had to live with all his life. But he never stopped believing in his God-given dream.

The Bible says: ‘He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised’ (vv. 20-21 NIV 2011 Edition). Note the words ‘was strengthened in his faith’.

You must strengthen your faith each day by reading God’s Word and praying, recalling God’s goodness and reminding yourself that nothing is too hard for the Lord (see Jeremiah 32:17).

Genesis 18-19, Matthew 6:1-15

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Dream killers (3)

‘God…calls things that are not as though they were.’
Romans 4:17 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 09 Jan 2019

When you dare to dream, God who ‘calls things that are not as though they were’ is at work within you. But there’s a third dream killer you must overcome: settling for average.

A God-given dream will stretch you; you can’t reach for it and remain safely mediocre at the same time. The two are incompatible.

When you settle for average, it’s tempting to blame it on others, or on your personal circumstances, or on the system. But the truth is mediocrity is always a personal choice.

When you don’t have a compelling dream you are in danger of having your life merely slip away. Author Kenneth Hildebrand puts it this way: ‘The poorest of all men isn’t the one without a penny to his name.

He’s the fellow without a dream…[he is like] a great ship made for the mighty ocean but trying to navigate in a millpond. He has no far port to reach, no lifting horizon, no precious cargo to carry.

His hours are absorbed in routine and petty tyrannies. Small wonder he gets dissatisfied, quarrelsome, and “fed up”.

One of life’s greatest tragedies is a person with a ten-by-twelve capacity and a two-by-four soul.’ If you feel that your life is closer to average than you want, you need to do more dreaming.

Nothing will help you break out of your rut like a God-inspired dream. And if you don’t already have one, ask God to give you one.

He may give it to you in an instant, or over a period of time, but He will do it.

Genesis 20-22, Matthew 6:16-34

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Dream killers (4)

‘My servant Caleb has a different spirit.’
Numbers 14:24 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 10 Jan 2019

Caleb was truly remarkable. No retirement plan or rocking chair for this guy!

At eighty-five he dreamed of owning his own mountain in the Promised Land. And even though there were giants living on it, they didn’t discourage him one bit.

When the people around him saw the giants and wanted to back off, Caleb factored God into the equation and said, ‘We will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.

Do not be afraid of them’ (v. 9 NIV 1984 Edition). Note the words, ‘We will swallow them up.’

As you grow in faith you’ll start to ‘feed off’ stuff the enemy throws at you and as a result you’ll become stronger. Bottom line: you can choose to blend in or to stand out!

God said, ‘Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.’ Notice, Caleb had ‘a different spirit’, which brings us to another dream killer you must overcome: lack of confidence.

Dreams are fragile. And they’re at the greatest risk when they’re new to you, when the people you love and respect don’t approve, and when you have no past record of success to fall back on and give you confidence.

That’s the point at which you must know God for yourself and have a relationship with Him. ‘The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits’ (Daniel 11:32 NKJV).

The word ‘exploits’ indicates that God can show you how to exploit, utilise, profit from, and find opportunity in even the worst of circumstances.

Genesis 23-24, Matthew 7

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Dream killers (5)

‘He was looking ahead to his reward.’
Hebrews 11:26 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 11 Jan 2019

Moses discovered that when you’re not fulfilling your God-given dream, a king’s palace won’t make you happy. ‘By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God…because he was looking ahead to his reward…he persevered because he saw him who is invisible’ (vv. 24-27 NIV 2011 Edition). When God gives you a dream, you’ll be able to see things that are ‘invisible’ to others.

This brings us to the next dream killer: lack of imagination. Humorist Robert Orben said, ‘Always remember that there are only two kinds of people in this world – the realists and the dreamers.

The realists know where they’re going. The dreamers have already been there.’

God gave you the gift of memory to replay the past, and the gift of imagination to pre-play the future. Moses ‘saw’ the Promised Land long before he got there.

It’s what sustained him through forty long years in the wilderness. God didn’t make a mistake when He gave you imagination.

Because of it you can stand in the middle of your dream and envision it before it comes to pass, even when others doubt it. So if you’re a dreamer who has already been there in your imagination, trust God and put your dream to the test.

If you come from a discouraging background, or don’t think of yourself as an especially imaginative person, don’t lose hope. You can still discover and develop a dream. God has put that ability within you!

Genesis 25-26, Matthew 8:1-17

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]TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t meddle in other people’s business

‘We hear…some…among you…are busybodies.’
2 Thessalonians 3:11 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 12 Jan 2019

One day Peter looked at John and said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus immediately rebuked Peter and said, ‘What is that to you?

Just follow me’ (see John 21:21-22). Now, if the apostle Peter could get into trouble for meddling, any of us can.

The issue here isn’t about helping others; it’s about knowing when to stay out of the middle and mind your own business. Sometimes we jump in and try to solve problems without being asked.

And not only are our efforts fruitless, they’re resented. As you become spiritually mature and get over your need to ‘fix’ everybody, life becomes simpler.

Now that you’re not ‘butting in’ where you’re not invited, you’re more available to help where you’re really needed. Not meddling, however, goes beyond avoiding the temptation to police, enlighten, or rescue others.

It means not eavesdropping, gossiping, talking behind people’s backs, and needing to figure everybody out. Recognise any of these traits in yourself?

If so, deal with the problem before it costs you the respect of others. Do you know why we focus so much on other people’s shortcomings?

You’ve guessed it – to keep from having to look closely at ourselves. The only thing you can change about others – is your attitude towards them.

Paul writes, ‘Some…among you…are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort…that they work in quietness’ (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 NKJV).

One counsellor says: ‘Being a peacemaker doesn’t mean we get in the middle. We are bearers of peace by staying peaceful ourselves…not harbouring turmoil…not causing the extra chaos created when we get in the middle of other people’s affairs and relationships.’

Genesis 27-28, Matthew 8:18-34

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Be patient

‘When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it.’
James 1:2-4 TLB

The UCB Word for Today - 13 Jan 2019

You’re closer than you know to becoming the person God wants you to be. By His enabling grace, you’ll make it through this trial and come out stronger and wiser.

Paul says, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31 NKJV). God is for you!

That means you can do the thing you are afraid you can’t do. The prison bars you’re beating against are in your mind. And since you put them up, with God’s help you can take them down.

God wants to set you free from the fearful attitudes that have held you back for so long; to release you to live up to your full potential. The right attitude can overcome almost any barrier.

For example, the Bible says, ‘Love never fails’ (1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV 2011 Edition). Why?

Because love isn’t dependent on your emotions or circumstances, it’s a servant of your will. Love is a decision!

Jesus said, ‘This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12 KJV). And if Jesus commands it, He will enable you to do it!

Beginning is usually the hard part. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; after that it gets easier.

But look out; old attitudes will try to resurface and come back stronger than ever. Don’t let them. Radio commentator Paul Harvey says, ‘You can always tell when you’re on the road to success; it’s uphill all the way.’

So be patient; it will take time to get there. But anything worthwhile is worth working for!

Luke 1:21-38, Psalm 4-6

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]TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Receiving from God

‘Whoever says…and does not doubt in his heart…will have whatever he says.’
Mark 11:23 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 14 Jan 2019

In order to receive what God promised in His Word, you need to do three things. First, make up your mind.

Take hold of His promise and don’t let go. Be tenacious!

God responds to a faith that perseveres and a mind that’s made up: ‘With God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26 KJV). Former baseball star Sam Ewing said, ‘Nothing is as embarrassing as watching someone do something that you said couldn’t be done.’

Second, visualise your victory. Before construction starts, the architect already has a picture of the end result in his or her mind.

By faith Abraham ‘saw’ his children; he counted them every time he looked up at the stars (see Genesis 15:5). Use your memory to replay past victories, and your imagination to pre-play future ones.

That’s what David did when he slew Goliath. Look your giant squarely in the face and declare, ‘You’re coming down in the name of the Lord.’

Third, speak to your situation. Jesus said: ‘Whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and…cast into the sea,” and does not doubt…but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.’

Notice, Jesus used the word ‘believes’ once, but referred to what you ‘say’ three times. Could that be because we already know so much about believing, but need to learn more about how to speak in and to our situation?

Don’t just talk about your mountain, talk to it! Line up what you say with God’s Word. Make His Word your word, and the mountain will become your servant.

It has to – Jesus said so!

Bible in a Year: Genesis 29-30, Matthew 9:1-17

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Turn it over to God

‘Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you.’
Psalm 55:22 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 15 Jan 2019

Sometimes the best thing to do is – turn the situation over to God. ‘Yes, but what about all those go-getters who rise with the sun, skip breakfast, and break records while I’m just “giving it to God”?’ you ask.

Good question. Look at Jesus; He didn’t get started until He was thirty.

What about all those ‘wasted’ years? He left them to God.

And how did He react to those who heard His message, shrugged, and walked away? He left them to God.

And what about those nitpicking Pharisees who gave Him so much grief? He left them to God as well.

In The Finishing Touch, Charles Swindoll describes a time in his ministry when he felt driven and drained by never-ending demands. He writes: ‘If folks weren’t changing, I felt responsible.

If some drifted, somehow I was at fault. If there wasn’t continual growth, I acted as if I needed to make it happen.

If a sermon failed to ring with clarity and power, I struggled all of Monday and half of Tuesday. Talk about wasted energy!

Time has helped; so has age. Virtually all of the things that once stole my joy and assaulted my motivation – I just leave to God. Don’t I care?

Of course I care. But those cares are now placed in the hands of One who can handle them.

What once bothered me, I’ve learned to give over to Him who doesn’t mind being bothered. Whereas criticism used to cripple me for days, I now do my best to sift, shift, and sail.

I learn what I can – and turn the rest over to God.’

Genesis 31-32, Matthew 9:18-38

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

When someone irritates you

‘Be gentle with one another, sensitive.’
Ephesians 4:31 MSG

The UCB Word for Today - 16 Jan 2019

Some of us excel in our careers, but act like a bull in a china shop when it comes to our relationships. Then we rationalise it by saying, ‘I didn’t mean any harm,’ or ‘That’s just my way.’

Sorry, God doesn’t let us off the hook that easily. When someone irritates you, God requires you to do two things:

1) Be the first to reach out. You may be right, but if you’re resentful, what good is it?

Instead of nursing a grudge or waiting for the other person to apologise, be first to reach out. Someone else’s response neither validates nor invalidates your decision to forgive.

Think about it: if you had only a year to live, would you give such things another second of your time? No!

The Bible says, ‘Forgiving…as God…has forgiven you’ (Ephesians 4:32 NLT). God made the first move in forgiving us so we’d know how to do it for others.

2) Be understanding. When some of us argue our point, we bulldoze everybody and everything in our way.

Purpose-driven, time-conscious, goal-oriented people can be guilty of this. The Bible says, ‘Be gentle with one another, sensitive.

Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God…forgave you.’ Chances are the people who get under your skin aren’t trying to complicate your life; they’re struggling to cope with their own.

Once you understand there’s no ill will intended, you begin to feel compassion for them. That’s how it is with God.

‘He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle’ (Isaiah 42:3 NLT). Today, ask Him to help you show His love towards those who irritate you.

Genesis 33-35, Matthew 10:1-16