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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Understand Your Child’s Uniqueness (1)
‘In keeping with his individual gift or bent.’

Proverbs 22:6
The UCB Word for Today - 14 Mar 2016

As a parent you either accelerate or stifle your child’s giftedness. The Bible says, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it’ (v. 6 KJV).



That doesn’t mean when you set your kids on the right path they’ll never leave it. No, salvation is the work of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:6). So what does this Scripture mean? The Amplified Bible says, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent]’.


Note the word ‘bent’. As a parent you hold the bow, and your child is the arrow. So pray for God’s help in recognising your child’s strengths and giftedness and aim them ‘in the way [he or she] should go’. The fact is God pre-wired your infant, pre-programmed your toddler’s strengths, set your teen on a trajectory, and then gave you an eighteen-year research project! So ask yourself, ‘What sets my child apart?’ Childhood tendencies often forecast adult abilities. Read them. Discern them. Affirm them. Cheerlead them.


Think about the life of Joseph. At seventeen he saw dreams and visions of himself as a leader (see Genesis 37:2-10). And as an adult he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh and ended up leading the nation (see Genesis 40-41).



As a boy David displayed two strengths: fighting and music. Later he killed a lion and a bear (see 1 Samuel 17:34-37). And he played skilfully on the harp (see 1 Samuel 16). Fighting and music dominated David’s adult life, and are largely what he’s remembered for today. So strive to understand, appreciate, and channel your child’s uniqueness.


Num 23-25, Mark 8:1-30

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Understand Your Child’s Uniqueness (2)
‘Train up a child in the way he should go.’

Proverbs 22:6
The UCB Word for Today - 15 Mar 2016


Raising your child ‘in the way he should go’ means being aware of: 1) Their interests. John Ruskin said, ‘Tell me what you like, and I’ll tell you what you are’. What do your children like? Numbers? Colours?

Activities? The greatest gift you can give them isn’t your riches, but revealing to them their own. 2) Their relationships. What statement best characterises your child? a) ‘Follow me, everyone.’ b) ‘I’ll let you know if I need help.’ c) ‘Can we do this together?’ d) ‘Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.’ Don’t characterise loners as aloof, or crowd-seekers as arrogant. God designed them that way.


What gives your child satisfaction and makes them say, ‘Yes’? Do they love the journey, or the destination? Do they like to keep things straight, or straighten things out? What thrills one child bothers another. 3) Their environment. A cactus thrives under different conditions from a rosebush. What soil does your child grow in? Some love to be noticed while others prefer to hide in the crowd.


Some do well taking tests, others excel in the subject but stumble when it comes to exams. Winston Churchill repeatedly failed tests in school, yet he changed history.


We only excel when we’re in the right environment. 4) Their strengths.
At two, Van Cliburn played a song on the piano as a result of hearing someone teaching in an adjacent room. His mother noticed, gave him lessons, and the kid from Kilgore, Texas, won the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. Resist the urge to label your children before studying them, and ask God to help you understand their uniqueness.


Num 26-28, Mark 8:31-38

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Today, Open Your Eyes
‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things.’

Psalm 119:18
The UCB Word for Today - 16 Mar 2016



One day Elisha and his servant awoke to find the house they were in surrounded by an army of enemy soldiers.


His servant panicked and asked, ‘What are we going to do?’ So Elisha prayed, ‘LORD, open his eyes so that he may see’ (2 Kings 6:17 NIV 1984 Edition). Suddenly he saw their enemies surrounded by an even bigger army of angels.


On their way home to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion were heartbroken because Jesus, the One in whom they’d placed their hopes, had been crucified and buried.


Out of nowhere a stranger joined them on their journey, and when they reached home they invited him to stay for supper. As he prayed and pronounced a blessing over their meal, the eyes of Cleopas and his companion were opened and they recognised that the stranger was none other than Jesus Himself (see Luke 24:13-35).

A man on a commuter train kept gazing out the window and saying, ‘Wonderful; just wonderful!’. What was he looking at? Run-down apartment buildings and rubbish spilling over onto the pavement!
After hearing him say ‘Wonderful’ four or five times the lady beside him remarked, ‘It doesn’t look too wonderful to me’. Whereupon the man replied, ‘I’ve been blind for the past thirty years.


But through the skill of a surgeon, the generosity of a donor, and a corneal transplant, I’ve been given the gift of two new eyes.

And to me, everything I see is wonderful.’ Grumbling blinds you to God’s blessings, but gratitude opens your eyes to enjoy them. So today, ask the Lord to open your eyes to all the ‘wonderful things’ that surround you.


Num 29-31, Mark 9:1-29

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


What to Do in a Crisis (1)
‘We gave way to it and were driven along.’

Acts 27:15
The UCB Word for Today - 17 Mar 2016


Don’t drift. Typically we react to a crisis in the same three ways as the sailors on board Paul’s ship: ‘The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along..’ The first thing life’s storms tend to do is make us drift.
We lose sight of our goals and forget where we’re headed.

We ignore our values and get off course. Because they weren’t equipped with compasses and the stars were obscured by the storm, the sailors were in total darkness.


Which raises the question: How do you characteristically react in a dark situation when you can’t see the stars and you don’t have a compass? You drift. You go where the waves carry you.


You let your problems batter you and toss you back and forth. In life, strong currents can discourage you and make you wonder, ‘What’s the use? Why fight it?’. So you end up going with the flow.


But now’s the time to do the opposite! Strengthen your grip of faith: ‘Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful … Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded … persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised’ (Hebrews 10:23, 35-36 NIV 2011 Edition).


Note the phrase: ‘He who promised is faithful’. Question: Has God ever failed you? Answer: No! And He won’t now. ‘Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess … he who promised is faithful’ (v. 23 NIV 2011 Edition), and He will bring you through this
crisis.

Num 32-34, Mark 9:30-50

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


What to Do in a Crisis (2)
‘They threw the ship’s tackle overboard.’

Acts 27:19
The UCB Word for Today - 18 Mar 2016


Don’t discard what’s important. Things didn’t get any better on the apostle Paul’s voyage to Rome. ‘We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.

On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard’ (vv. 18-19 NIV 2011 Edition).


Note the things they discarded: a) Their cargo - that which is precious and valuable. b) The ship’s tackle - the very thing that could have stabilised them. c) Their food - that which they needed to sustain them. d) Themselves - they all jumped overboard and started swimming to shore.


When we find ourselves in a crisis, we’re tempted to ditch the very things we need most - things that are important to us; values we’ve hung on to in better times. Under pressure we want to get rid of it all. We become compulsive. We give up on our dreams. We run out on our relationships.



We throw away the important principles we learned as children. Joshua told the children of Israel, ‘But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now’ (Joshua 23:8 NIV 2011 Edition). Instead of doubting God’s promise to you, stand even more firmly on it. Instead of abandoning His plan and purpose for your life, tighten your grip on it. ‘Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.


Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain’ (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIVUK 1984 Edition). ‘Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ’ (Philippians 1:27 NIV 2011 Edition). That’s how you survive - and thrive in a crisis.


Num 35-36, Mark 10:1-31

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


What to Do in a Crisis (3)
‘We finally gave up all hope.’

Acts 27:20
The UCB Word for Today - 19 Mar 2016


Don’t despair. ‘When … the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope.’ The last thing we throw overboard when we face a crisis is - hope.

And when we throw that away, we’ve pretty much ‘had it’. Are you wrestling with an issue that’s been battering you back and forth?

Have you come to the point where you’ve thrown things out, and now you’re at the point of despair? Remember, the sailors on Paul’s ship ‘finally gave up all hope’ because they forgot that God was in control.


They forgot He had a plan. And they forgot that He can inject hope into an absolutely hopeless situation. When the Bible speaks of ‘hope’ it’s not talking about luck, or chance, or accident.


No, it’s talking about focused faith! ‘Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD’ (Psalm 31:24 NIV 2011 Edition). ‘The eyes of the LORD are on those … whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.


We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name’ (Psalm 33:18-21 NIV 1984 Edition). ‘Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God’ (Psalm 42:11 NIVUK 1984 Edition). ‘Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope’ (Romans 15:4 NIV 1984 Edition). So the word for you today is: Don’t despair, but ‘Put your hope in God’.


Deut 1-3, Mark 10:32-52

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Never Engage in Slander
‘To slander is to be a fool.’

Proverbs 10:18
The UCB Word for Today - 20 Mar 2016

It’s rare to find a political candidate these days who runs a totally clean campaign. But slandering isn’t limited to politicians.

Given the right set of circumstances, each one of us can be tempted to denigrate the other. Before you do, however, read these words carefully: ‘LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

Who may live on your holy hill? He … who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbour no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow-man’ (Psalm 15:1-3 NIVUK 1984 Edition).

Can you recall the last time you spoke words that tore someone down?

What was your motive? Why did you feel a need to diminish them in the eyes of other people?

Were you speaking out of the pain of having been hurt by them? Did you envy their accomplishments?

If so, have you not learned to let envy motivate you to achieve your own goals instead of making you defame another?

Is it possible you grudgingly admire and desire something the other person has?

The Bible says, ‘Promotion … come[s] from God’ (Psalm 75:6-7 TLB). This Scripture should cause you to become a team player, not a competitor. There’s no reason to snuff somebody else’s light out so that yours can shine.

God has already declared that no one can thwart His purpose for your life: ‘The Lord [Almighty] has spoken - who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?’ (Isaiah 14:27 TLB).

And since God has already secured your destiny and promised to avenge all wrongs perpetrated against you, you never need to engage in slander.

Luke 5:17-39, Ps 31-32

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Is it Well with Your Soul?
‘Say to her, “Is it well with you?” … And she answered, “It is well.”’

2 Kings 4:26
The UCB Word for Today - 21 Mar 2016


If you died today would you go to heaven? Before you answer, read this story. In 1871 fire ravaged the city of Chicago, leaving three hundred people dead and a hundred thousand homeless.

Attorney Horatio Gates Spafford, a friend of D.L. Moody, helped its people get back on their feet. After two years of tireless effort, he and his family decided to take a much-needed holiday.


They planned to travel to England and join Moody in an evangelistic crusade, then go on to Europe. When Spafford got delayed he sent his family on ahead, planning to meet them on the other side of the Atlantic.


But they never made it. Near Newfoundland their ship collided with an English sailing vessel and sank within twenty minutes. Spafford’s wife, Anna, survived by clinging to some floating wreckage, but all four of their daughters drowned.


The next day Spafford received this terrible two-word telegram from his wife: ‘Saved alone!’. He immediately went to be with her. Later, in the course of relating their story to D.L. Moody, Spafford said quietly, ‘It is well; the will of God be done’. It was those days of overwhelming grief that inspired him to write the beloved hymn that has comforted so many: ‘When peace like a river attendeth my way; when sorrows like sea-billows roll. Whatever my lot,

Thou hast taught me to say: It is well, it is well with my soul.’ Can you sing those words? You can when you accept Jesus as your personal Saviour. Why don’t you do it today? Who knows what tomorrow will bring?


Deut 4-6, Mark 11:1-19

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


What Are Your Real Motives?
‘The LORD searches every heart and understands every motive.’

1 Chronicles 28:9
The UCB Word for Today - 22 Mar 2016


When Ananias and Sapphira saw others selling their land and giving the proceeds to the church so the poor could be cared for, they thought it was a great idea - in theory.


However, when they sold some land they withheld part of the money and then lied about it. They wanted increased visibility and spiritual status without paying retail for it.

They wanted to ‘look the part’ without having to pay the price. But Peter exposed their sin, saying, ‘You didn’t lie to people.


You lied to God!’ (Acts 5:4 CEV). Not only were their motives exposed, they both dropped dead. And as a result, ‘Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened’ (v. 11 NLT). One pastor says: ‘Numerous Sundays I’ve preached a message that deeply moved the members of my congregation.


But ironically I’d “prepared” by arguing with my wife on the way to church, or making life miserable for my children. Years of practice came to my rescue and I easily morphed into “the pastor”, becoming instantly compassionate, holy, and spiritual.


I was faking … [because] feeling needed, respected, and wanted can become as great a motivation as love for Christ.’ When it comes to examining your motives, here are two Scriptures you need to read and consider carefully and prayerfully: 1) ‘The LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.


If you seek him, he will be found by you.’ 2) ‘I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve’ (Jeremiah 17:10 NIV 1984 Edition).


Deut 7-9, Mark 11:20-33

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Trust Must Be Earned
‘My son [my daughter], be wise, and make my heart glad.’

Proverbs 27:11
The UCB Word for Today - 23 Mar 2016


Here’s a magic bullet that teenagers like to use in order to manipulate their parents: ‘You don’t trust me!’. So we start backpedalling. ‘No, dear, it’s not that I don’t trust you being out with your friends or taking the car, it’s just that I…’ and then we run out of words. We’re on the defensive, and the discussion is over.


The truth is that we can trust our children at some things, but not others. It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition.

For example, many of us are authorised to spend our company’s money from certain accounts.


But they don’t give us the whole corporate chequebook! So let’s stop being suckered by our kids, and boldly state that trust comes in stages - some of it now, and more later on.


Humorist and author Mark Twain joked, ‘When a child turns twelve you should put him in a barrel, nail a lid down and feed him through a knothole. When he turns sixteen, you should seal up the knothole.’ Seriously, there are times when every parent feels this way.


But at some point you’ve got to let out the line and begin to trust them. And here are two important things about trust: First, it must be age-appropriate.

You should risk only what you can reasonably expect to be handled safely. Second, trust must be earned.


Erma Bombeck once quipped that she wasn’t going to pay $2000 to straighten the teeth of a kid who never smiled. What’s going on inside your youngster explains much of what you see on the outside. Relax, better days are coming!


Deut 10-12, Mark 12:1-27