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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Change your attitude!
19 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘[Having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].’
Ephesians 4:23 AMPC

We can learn a lot about the importance of a good attitude by looking at the children of Israel. It’s estimated that about 1.5 million Israelites came out of Egypt. God delivered them from slavery and led them to the Promised Land.

The trip should have taken about eleven days, but instead it took forty years. Why? Because they were constantly complaining about everything! They complained about the food God sent from heaven each day.

And any time something difficult crossed their path they were ready to give up and go back to Egypt – back to slavery. What’s astounding is that out of the 1.5 million people who left Egypt, only two from the original group made it into the Promised Land.

And today there are many Christians who have also escaped from ‘Egypt’ (their former life of slavery to sin), believers who are always looking forward to the Promised Land, yet they end up wandering in the wilderness their entire lives, dealing with the same old problems and issues.


Are you one of them? Do you feel like you’ve been circling the same mountain for too long? (See Deuteronomy 2:3.) If so, here’s your answer: ‘Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterised your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness’ (Ephesians 4:22-24 AMPC). In other words – change your attitude!


Isaiah 32-33, Ephesians 5:1-16

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God wants you to succeed (1)

‘All these things shall be added to you.’
Matthew 6:33 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 20 SEPT 2020

Some people think that God’s sole purpose is to save their soul, help them become as morally upright and as spiritually mature as possible, and one day take them to heaven to live with Him. And in a sense that’s true. But here’s what isn’t true – that God is not interested in your job, your health, your relationships, your finances, or your dreams and goals because somehow those things are carnal, worldly, and temporal.

When you think like that, you ‘spiritualise’ every promise you read in Scripture, and when you pray, you believe the only thing God wants to do is help you become more spiritual. Let’s look into the Scriptures and see what God really says about this.

The truth is, in fact, the exact opposite (see Joshua 1:8; Isaiah 48:17; 3 John 2). By maintaining that God plays no part in your achieving career success or financial security, you’re contradicting His Word.

And when you do that, you’re on dangerous ground, because you’re making yourself the sole source of your success, and the Bible calls that – pride! What Jesus taught is this: ‘Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles [who do not serve God] seek…For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV). So let’s be clear: God wants you to succeed in life for the right reasons, and He wants you to have all the things you need to do it.

Luke 18:1-17, Psalms 97-99

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God wants you to succeed (2)
21 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.’
3 John 2 NKJV

Jesus said, ‘What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?’ (Mark 8:36 NKJV). And to drive home His point, He told the story of a rich man who died and went to hell, while a poor man on his doorstep went to heaven.


Bottom line: nothing is more important than your salvation! But God also has a plan for your life, and He wants you to succeed.

John writes, ‘I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.’ Note the phrase ‘in all things’. That includes your health, your mental and emotional well-being, your family and relationships, your career and finances. ‘All things’ means – all things! There’s not an area of your life that God is not interested in or that He won’t get involved in when you seek Him, obey Him, and honour Him.


In the Old Testament, He said, ‘Keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all…you do’ (Deuteronomy 29:9 NKJV).

And in the New Testament, Jesus said, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33 NKJV).

Aren’t you totally invested in the success of your children? When they succeed in life, don’t you celebrate with them? Well, as His redeemed child, your heavenly Father is invested in your success and celebrates it with you. So start praying and believing Him today for success in all your endeavours.


Isaiah 34-36, Ephesians 5:17-33

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God wants you to succeed (2)
21 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.’
3 John 2 NKJV

Jesus said, ‘What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?’ (Mark 8:36 NKJV).

And to drive home His point, He told the story of a rich man who died and went to hell, while a poor man on his doorstep went to heaven.

Bottom line: nothing is more important than your salvation! But God also has a plan for your life, and He wants you to succeed. John writes, ‘I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.’ Note the phrase ‘in all things’. That includes your health, your mental and emotional well-being, your family and relationships, your career and finances. ‘All things’ means – all things! There’s not an area of your life that God is not interested in or that He won’t get involved in when you seek Him, obey Him, and honour Him. In the Old Testament, He said, ‘Keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all…you do’ (Deuteronomy 29:9 NKJV).

And in the New Testament, Jesus said, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). Aren’t you totally invested in the success of your children? When they succeed in life, don’t you celebrate with them?

Well, as His redeemed child, your heavenly Father is invested in your success and celebrates it with you. So start praying and believing Him today for success in all your endeavours.

Isaiah 34-36, Ephesians 5:17-33

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
God wants you to succeed (3)

22 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.’
Psalm 8:6 NIV

How can you know God wants you to succeed in life? Three reasons: 1) Because He created you. In Genesis He said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’ (Genesis 1:26 NKJV).

The words ‘image’ and ‘likeness’ are important. Think about it: we sometimes tell a child, ‘You’re the image of your mother/father.

You’re just like her/him!’ Because you are God’s supreme creation, He poured into you His mind, His power, His wisdom, and everything else you need to succeed. Once you grasp the truth of that and begin to act on it, your outlook will be transformed.

You will start thinking like a ‘no limit person’. 2) Because you have worth. Actress Ethel Waters, who used to sing at the Billy Graham crusades, said, ‘I am somebody, ’cause My God don’t make no junk!’ As the crowning achievement of God’s creation, you are the object of His attention and affection.

The psalmist wrote, ‘How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them’ (Psalm 139:17-18 NLT). 3) Because everything God made was for you. ‘You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.’ Does that mean God will simply drop success into your lap? No, ‘God blessed them, and…said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it”’ (Genesis 1:28 NKJV).

God has given you His authority and creative ability to succeed in whatever He calls you to do. So instead of thinking like a victim – start thinking like a victor!

Isaiah 37-38, Ephesians 6

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God wants you to succeed (4)
23 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘For then you will make your way prosperous, and…you will have good success.'
Joshua 1:8 NKJV

In Scripture the word ‘success’ simply means knowing and doing God’s will for your life.

It’s that simple! For Joshua, success meant entering the Promised Land, conquering it, living there, and enjoying all its blessings every day.

Listen to what God told him: ‘Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.

For then you will make your way prosperous, and…you will have good success’ (vv. 7-8 NKJV). True success involves these three things: 1) Becoming what God wants you to be. 2) Doing what God wants you to do. 3) Having what God wants you to have.

And as you achieve the goals He has set for your life, you become successful. As the renowned author/lecturer Dale Carnegie once observed, ‘Success is getting what you want.

Happiness is wanting what you get.’ In their endless quest for achievement, some people become so greedy and grasping that they are never satisfied.

And because they are always wanting more, they fail to enjoy what God has already given them. Real success isn’t a destination; it’s a journey.

It’s joy created by progress. It’s knowing that you’re ‘on schedule’ when it comes to God’s assignment for your life.

Isaiah 39-40, Philippians 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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The UCB Word For Today
Be resilient (1)

24 SEPTEMBER 2020
‘We’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.’
2 Corinthians 4:9 MSG

Like trees that bend in the wind, resilient people gain strength from adversity because they know how to do these five things: 1) Stay connected. Solomon said, ‘Two are better…If either of them falls…one can help the other up’ (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV). When Barbara Smith’s son was killed, she started a bereavement group to unite others. ‘We’ve saved each other,’ she says. 2) Monitor their self-talk. Watch how you ‘spin’ your situation.

And when you catch yourself speaking negatively, reframe things in light of Scripture. God’s Word says, ‘The word of faith is…in your mouth’ (see Romans 10:8), and ‘What you say can mean life or death’ (Proverbs 18:21 NCV).

Instead of sitting around wallowing in fear and anger, and whining about how you got here, focus on what you can control – your words! 3) Look for life’s lighter moments.

Solomon said, ‘A happy heart is…good medicine…a broken spirit drains your strength’ (Proverbs 17:22 NCV). When Donna Goldman was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she continued to teach. ‘I let the kids play with my walking canes – as long as they don’t use them for weapons!’ she quips.

And her car licence plate says, ‘Get Back Up’. 4) Give back. God ‘comforts us…so…we can share that…comfort with others’ (2 Corinthians 1:4 CEV). Renee Weinhouse, who survived stage IV lymphoma and runs a support group, says, ‘Nothing makes me happier than giving a patient hope.’ 5) Take care of themselves.

A healthy diet and regular exercise help repair brain areas susceptible to stress. When Deborah Robinson’s husband developed Alzheimer’s disease, she realised, ‘If I was going to be good for him, I had to be good to myself.’

Isaiah 41-42, Philippians 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Be resilient (2)
25 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘In all these things we are more than conquerors.’
Romans 8:37 NKJV

If you conclude that your best days are over – they are. If you think they’re ahead – they are. After losing his job with a Fortune 500 company, Leonard was fearful and depressed.

Then it occurred to him that if he gave up, what would he be teaching his son? If he didn’t overcome his challenges, his son would learn to let his challenges beat him.

Leonard was determined to show him that although his dad got knocked down, he could get back up. So he dug out his CV and called his friends to tell them he needed a job. Several months and many interviews later, he had four job offers, and now works for a company that values his talent.

When harvesting potatoes, Idaho farmers would sort them according to size: small, medium, and large. Yet a particular farmer who didn’t follow this practice made more money than the rest.

Puzzled, a neighbour asked, ‘What’s your secret?’ ‘Simple,’ he replied. ‘I load my wagon and take the roughest road to town.

During the trip the small potatoes fall to the bottom, the medium ones settle in the middle, and the big potatoes rise to the top.’ The same is true of people.

On the bumpy road of life, big potatoes rise to the top. Jon Gordon says: ‘Regardless of the adversity you face, your purpose must be greater than your challenges. Instead of focusing on your problems, focus on your purpose. Instead of seeing yourself as a victim, see yourself as a hero.

Heroes and victims both get knocked down, but heroes get back up, and armed with faith, they create a positive future.’

Isaiah 43-44, Philippians 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

How to fight – and win
26 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘Fight the good fight of faith…to which you were…called.’
1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

Here are six proven Bible strategies for defeating the enemy when he comes against you. 1) Think aggressively. ‘Fight the good fight of faith…to which you were…called.’ Plan and calculate like a general preparing for battle; study how to engage and defeat your enemy the devil. 2) Pray aggressively. We are told to approach God’s throne ‘boldly’ (see Hebrews 4:16). Which means aggressively!

Don’t be bashful with God. He’s your ‘Abba’, which means ‘Daddy’. And you’re His redeemed child, so approach Him with confidence and ask for what you need. 3) Speak fearlessly.

The apostle Peter writes, ‘Speak as though God himself were speaking through you’ (1 Peter 4:11 NLT). In other words, use a commanding, authoritative tone when you resist the forces of evil. ‘Be strong in the Lord’ (Ephesians 6:10 KJV). 4) Give generously.

The level at which you give is the level at which you receive. ‘Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed’ (Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT).

No offering is too small, and none too great. 5) Work intently. The Bible says whatever you put your hand to, do it with all your heart (see Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Don’t approach your tasks with dread and a desire to escape. Stir yourself up in the Holy Spirit and get the job done (see 2 Timothy 1:6). 6) Love unconditionally.

As a follower of Christ, you must endeavour to love others as He loves them – unconditionally and sacrificially.

Isaiah 45-46, Philippians 4

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TODAY'S Word For Today


The truth about money
27 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘Do not overwork to be rich.’
Proverbs 23:4 NKJV

Having more money can give you more opportunities to do good in the world. Jesus said, ‘This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’ (Matthew 24:14 NIV). And fulfilling that commission will require money – lots of it.

But money by itself will never make you happy or secure. Solomon, one of the world’s richest men, writes: ‘Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle towards heaven’ (Proverbs 23:4-5 NKJV).

When one of the world’s wealthiest men died recently, a reporter asked a family member, ‘How much did he leave?’ The relative replied, ‘All of it!’ No matter how much money you make, save, invest, or keep, eventually your money will leave you or you will leave your money. Someone wisely observed that there are seven ages of man. First, a child sees the earth. Second, he wants it. Third, he hustles to get it.

Fourth, he decides to be satisfied with about half of it. Fifth, he decides he’d be satisfied with less than half. Sixth, he’s now content to possess a three-by-six-foot burial plot. Seventh, he gets it! There are lots of things you can live without – and great wealth is one of them. What you can’t live without, however, is peace with God, a family filled with love, a lifelong friendship with your kids, and a life well-lived for the glory of God.

Luke 18:18-43, Psalms 100-102


The Word For Today

The UCB Word For Today
How to walk by faith

28 SEPTEMBER 2020
‘Who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had.’
Romans 4:12 NKJV

The Bible talks about those ‘who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had’. How do you walk like that? 1) Abraham believed ‘God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did’ (v. 17 NKJV).

When God makes you a promise, He has the power to bring it to pass, even when all the evidence and surrounding circumstances run contrary to what He said. 2) ‘Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed…that he became the father of many nations’ (v. 18 NKJV). When all reason for hope was gone,

Abraham still hoped. Why? Because his hope was in God! If you’re feeling hopeless today, think about these words: ‘Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you’ (Zechariah 9:12 NKJV). 3) ‘Who…believed…according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be”’ (Romans 4:18 NKJV). Note the phrase ‘according to what was spoken’. When God makes a promise, it contains the self-fulfilling power to bring it to pass. ‘So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and…prosper in the thing for which I sent it’ (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV). 4) ‘He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith’ (Romans 4:20 NKJV).

The word ‘waver’ tells us Abraham didn’t dither, vacillate, argue within himself, or let other people’s opinions influence him. Instead, he remained resolute and steadfast. That’s how you walk by faith!

Isaiah 47-49, Colossians 1


The Word For Today

You are ‘righteous’ in God’s eyes
29 SEPTEMBER 2020

’Unskilled in the word of righteousness.’
Hebrews 5:13 NKJV

Paul writes, ‘Everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness…he is a babe.’ Righteousness isn’t a condition you achieve through human effort, it’s a position God places you in when you trust in Christ. From then on, God wants you to see yourself as ‘righteous’, which is how He sees you. ‘By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed…to all and on all who believe’ (Romans 3:20-22 NKJV).

If you’re struggling to be righteous to get into heaven, read this: ‘He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV).

In the same sense that God made Jesus ‘to be sin’, the moment you believe in Jesus, He makes you ‘to be righteous’. Will you still sin because you live in an unregenerate body? Yes. And until you get your new body, that will always be so.

Ever hear of phantom pain – a sensation stemming from a body part that’s no longer there? As believers, we have phantom pains we need to get rid of. How? By understanding the difference between our position and our condition. Our position ‘in Christ’ is what gives us confidence towards God. Here’s an important Scripture: ‘The kingdom of God is…righteousness…peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 14:17 NKJV).

Note the order. Because we know we’re deemed righteous in God’s eyes, we have peace, and because we have peace – we have joy.

Isaiah 50-52, Colossians 2



The Word For Today


The UCB Word For Today
Declare: ‘This is working for me’
30 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘Our…affliction…is working for us.’
2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV

In a survey carried out in the USA, pollster George Barna reported that two out of three Americans refer to themselves as ‘casual Christians’. It’s an interesting term, but what does it mean? In essence it means uncommitted…hit-and-miss…when I feel like it.

But here’s how Paul describes the Christian life: ‘We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us’ (v. 7 NKJV). Note the word ‘treasure’. Paul treasured what God had put within him; he protected it, rejoiced over it, and maximised it.

Does that mean the Christian life will be easy or trouble free? No, Paul continues: ‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing…the inward man is being renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal’ (vv. 16-18 NKJV). Notice that ‘our…affliction…is working for us’. God uses life’s experiences – good and bad – to enrich, sharpen, deepen, and stabilise you.

And here’s another important truth: what you believe and speak during difficult times determines the quality of your spiritual life and your future. ‘Since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak’ (v. 13 NKJV).

So instead of seeing your situation as working against you, stand up in faith today and declare: ‘This is working for me!’

Isaiah 53-55, Colossians 3



The Word For Today


What to expect on life’s journey (1)
01 OCTOBER 2020

‘By faith Abraham obeyed…he went out, not knowing where he was going.’
Hebrews 11:8 NKJV

The Bible tells us, ‘By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.’ For the next few days let’s look at some things you should expect on your life’s journey. 1) Opportunities and opposition.

Paul wrote, ‘A great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries’ (1 Corinthians 16:9 NKJV). Indeed, if you don’t encounter obstacles and opposition, you should pray and ask God if you’re on the right track.

The size of your God-given assignment usually determines the magnitude of the attack. But here’s the good news: attack is a sign of respect.

It means the enemy considers you a high-value target and a threat to his plans. 2) Setbacks meant to derail you. ‘A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again’ (Proverbs 24:16 NKJV).

Who is Solomon describing? ‘A righteous man.’ How often does he fall and get back up? ‘Seven times.’ Failing doesn’t make you a failure; giving up does, not learning from it does, refusing to change your methods does, refusing to take advice does, refusing to try again does! If sin caused you to stumble, repent and renounce it, then get back on track.

If you fell because you’re trying something new and unfamiliar, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, draw on God’s grace, resolve to do better, and keep moving forward. To quote Dr John Maxwell: ‘Fail early, fail often – and always fail forward!’

Isaiah 56-58, Colossians 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What to expect on life’s journey (2)
02 OCTOBER 2020

‘I have finished the race.’
2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

Not everyone who starts the race finishes it. Paul writes: ‘Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things…they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Therefore I run…not with uncertainty…I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself…become disqualified’ (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV).

Paul isn’t talking about his salvation here; that was a settled issue. He’s talking about his heavenly reward, and these particular words should make you stop and think: ‘Lest…I myself…become disqualified.’ Here are some things that will cause you to stumble on your journey: 1) Failure to read God’s Word and pray every day. 2) Saying no to God when He deals with you about a specific area in your life. 3) Moral failure stemming from wrong habits and relationships. 4) Allowing doubt and fear to cripple you. 5) Wasting time on frivolous pursuits instead of focusing on the ‘one thing’ God has called you to do. 6) Succeeding in your career and failing at home. 7) Not sowing your treasure, talent, and time into God’s kingdom, resulting in a lack of resources to fulfil His will for your life.

The list could go on ad infinitum. Make this your prayer today: ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart…see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting’ (Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV). That’s the kind of prayer God loves to answer!

Isaiah 59-61, 1 Thessalonians 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The UCB Word For Today
What to expect on life’s journey (3)
03 OCTOBER 2020

‘You ran well. Who hindered you?’
Galatians 5:7 NKJV

You must take responsibility for your life instead of blaming others. In the Garden of Eden when God asked Adam why he had eaten from the tree, he blamed his wife: ‘The woman whom You gave…me…gave me of the tree, and I ate’ (Genesis 3:12 NKJV).

Then we read, ‘The Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me”’ (v. 13 NKJV). Eve blamed the devil. So did God accept their excuses? No. He said to Adam: ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and…eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat of it”: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you’ (vv. 17-18 NKJV).

Then God told Eve, ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you’ (v. 16 NKJV).

When those words were spoken, Adam and Eve were banished from Paradise. ‘Since God is all-knowing,’ you ask, ‘how come He got angry with Adam and Eve?’ Because neither one would take responsibility for their actions! When you sin, God will readily forgive you (see Nehemiah 9:17). What He won’t accept, however, is obfuscating, rationalising, justifying, excusing, and blaming.

His Word says, ‘He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy’ (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV). So if you want to move forward, you must take responsibility for your life!

Isaiah 62-64, 1 Thessalonians 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What to expect on life’s journey (3)
03 OCTOBER 2020

‘You ran well. Who hindered you?’
Galatians 5:7 NKJV

You must take responsibility for your life instead of blaming others. In the Garden of Eden when God asked Adam why he had eaten from the tree, he blamed his wife: ‘The woman whom You gave…me…gave me of the tree, and I ate’ (Genesis 3:12 NKJV).

Then we read, ‘The Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me”’ (v. 13 NKJV). Eve blamed the devil. So did God accept their excuses? No. He said to Adam: ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and…eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat of it”: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.

Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you’ (vv. 17-18 NKJV). Then God told Eve, ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you’ (v. 16 NKJV).

When those words were spoken, Adam and Eve were banished from Paradise. ‘Since God is all-knowing,’ you ask, ‘how come He got angry with Adam and Eve?’ Because neither one would take responsibility for their actions! When you sin, God will readily forgive you (see Nehemiah 9:17).

What He won’t accept, however, is obfuscating, rationalising, justifying, excusing, and blaming. His Word says, ‘He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy’ (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV).

So if you want to move forward, you must take responsibility for your life!

Isaiah 62-64, 1 Thessalonians 2


TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What to expect on life’s journey (4)
04 OCTOBER 2020

‘Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

Here are two more things you need to know: 1) The wrong people will hurt you. There are two groups of people you should never be influenced by. The first is composed of VNP people: Very Needy People, Very Negative People, and Very Needling People.

The second contains VDP people: Very Draining People, Very Doubting People, and Very Distracting People. Love them and help them any way you can, but never be influenced or led by them.

Encourage them, but when they start to pull you down instead of lifting you up, disconnect graciously and turn them over to God. 2) The right people will help you. When God has a job to be done, He calls a man or woman to do it.

But He seldom calls them alone. He calls others to stand with them and support them. That means your willingness to reach for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but strength.

Paul spent an entire chapter in the New Testament acknowledging the people who helped him fulfil his vision. Here’s what he said to the Philippians: ‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks…Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about

Christ from the time you first heard it until now’ (Philippians 1:3-5 NLT). If you’re wise, you’ll acknowledge the things God hasn’t gifted you to do, delegate them to qualified people, and work from your core strengths. That takes humility on your part, but in the long run it pays great dividends!

Luke 19:1-27, Psalms 103-104

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What to expect on life’s journey (5)
05 OCTOBER 2020

‘That I have not run in vain or laboured in vain.’
Philippians 2:16 NKJV

You must give up short-term gratification for long-term fulfilment. Paul bottom-lines his life and ministry in this verse: ‘That I have not run in vain or laboured in vain.’ Nothing is more important in life than the choices you make. The Bible says, ‘Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom’ (Genesis 13:12 NLT), and for a while he prospered.


But in the end, everything he worked for went up in smoke. Next we read: ‘The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you”’ (vv. 14-15 NKJV). Lot chose the wrong direction and lost.

Abraham chose the right direction and won. Choices! Choices! Choices! When it comes to choosing, make a habit of asking yourself, ‘How will this choice affect my character, my sense of self-respect, and my confidence when I approach God in prayer? How will it affect my influence and respect with other people?

How will it affect my family, and those who are following in my footsteps?’ The Bible gives us the answer: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith’ (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT).

Isaiah 65-66, 1 Thessalonians 3

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Should you invest?
06 OCTOBER 2020

‘Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.’
Ecclesiastes 11:4 NIV

Should you risk investing, or wait for a ‘lucky break’ that could make you rich overnight? Solomon answers, ‘Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return’ (v. 1 NIV).

That means invest prayerfully and wisely, and be patient because it may take ‘many days’ before you’ll get a return.

The get-rich-quick mentality isn’t scriptural. ‘Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land’ (v. 2 NIV).

So invest, but diversify; allow for market fluctuations. This is a play-it-wise approach, not a play-it-safe one. Be faith-driven instead of fear-driven. Fear allows the unpredictable to determine your actions. Godly wisdom, plus faith, is the key to investing.

Waiting for ‘the ideal time’ will keep you paralysed. Success isn’t in the absence of challenges, it’s having the wisdom to manage them and keep moving forward. The Bible says, ‘Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.’ If you let the odds immobilise you, you’ll never sow – which means you’ll never reap.

The bottom line is this: life is full of unknowns, and just ‘as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb…you cannot understand the work of God’ (v. 5 NIV). You don’t have to know it all or be able to predict the outcome.

Just seek God, then act on the wisdom He gives you (see James 1:5). You don’t have to understand how He’s going to work on your behalf – you only need to believe He will!

Jeremiah 1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The transforming power of gratitude (1)
07 OCTOBER 2020

‘In everything give thanks…this is the will of God.’
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

Giving thanks infuses joy and resilience into your daily life. British theologian John Henry Jowett said, ‘Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.’ Without gratitude your faith becomes a hollow religious practice, and your love for others crashes and burns, leaving you feeling drained of joy and acting like a martyr.

When Paul says, ‘In everything give thanks…this is the will of God,’ he’s not saying every circumstance you encounter is necessarily God’s will. Pastor Jack Hayford observes: ‘In every insurance policy is this provision, “except it be an act of God,” and culturally defined, [they’re] the worst things that happen. I’ve heard people interpret it, “Well, whatever happens is the will of God…give thanks…and praise God”…The Bible doesn’t say everything is God designed…it says in it, through it, and beyond it He can work good…“The will of God in Christ” is that we give thanks and praise God in the middle of it. Why, because we feel good?

No, but because praying without ceasing introduces a song of praise into the situation…Muddling and praying our way through the best we can isn’t going to be good enough.

Whereas the best He can make of it will be something that will bring the reason the Bible tells us “in everything give thanks”.’ Bottom line: in any given set of circumstances you can choose to whine or choose to worship – and you can’t worship without giving thanks!

Jeremiah 3-5, 1 Thessalonians 5

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The transforming power of gratitude (2)
08 OCTOBER 2020

‘Rejoice always.’
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV

Ever find yourself asking, ‘Why me, Lord? How come You don’t answer my prayers? Why doesn’t Your Word work for me like it does for others?’ Well-meaning friends tell you to keep your chin up, things will get better, but you can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.

And just when you think things can’t get any worse, you pick up your Bible and read, ‘Rejoice always…In everything give thanks’ (vv. 16-18 NKJV), as if you’re supposed to enjoy your situation! Alexander Maclaren said, ‘Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life.’ The fact is, however, when life overwhelms you the last thing you feel like doing is giving thanks, right?


But as Nancy Leigh DeMoss observes: ‘Unless you just love the way duty feels when it wakes you at three in the morning, or hijacks your plans for your day off, or hands you an unexpected bill that wasn’t in the budget…don’t try living the Christian life without gratitude.

By sheer willpower and effort you may succeed at “‘gutting out” right responses, but your Christianity (so-called) will be hollow, hard-edged, and uninviting…If all our faith had to offer were words that only fit in a theological textbook, it would be unkind to extend them to someone struggling to survive.

True Christ-centred, grace-motivated gratitude fits life’s most desperate moments and difficult situations. When there are no answers, it gives hope.

It transforms overwhelmed strugglers into triumphant conquerors…Gratitude is a hard-fought, grace-infused, biblical lifestyle…and [its] transforming power is reserved for those who know and acknowledge the Giver of every good gift, and who are recipients of His redeeming grace.’

Jeremiah 6-8, 2 Thessalonians 1