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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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Bringing Down Your Goliath
‘I come…in the name of the Lord.’

1 Samuel 17:45
The UCB Word for Today - 6 Dec 2015


To bring down the ‘Goliath’ in your life, here are three things you must do: 1) You must stand up to him! Any problem you try to excuse or escape, you empower.


After listening to Goliath’s threats every day, fear gripped the hearts of God’s people and they couldn’t stand up to him. 2) You must remember what God has already done for you.


David recalled his victories over the lion and the bear. And you must do the same. Jeremiah said, ‘This I call to mind…therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.


They are new every morning’ (Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV 2011 Edition). The strength to deal with today’s struggles comes from remembering how God helped you solve yesterday’s struggles. 3) You must cut off the giant’s head. ‘David…took his sword…and cut off his head…And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled’ (1 Samuel 17:51 NKJV).


You need to know your enemy, study his tactics, and be willing to fight with the same level of intensity as he does.

You must take what you learn and apply it to his weak areas. And never assume he’s dead when he’s just dazed. If you don’t cut off his head he’ll sneak up on you another day.


Go for a permanent solution, not a short-term fix. Fortify yourself with prayer, renew your mind with the Word of God, and reach for the support that’s available to you through your spiritual family.


Above all, remember your strength doesn’t lie in yourself, but in God. With Him on your side you’ll win every time.

Luke 23:1-25, Psalms 123-125

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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Be a Mentor to a Fatherless Boy
‘Defend the cause of the fatherless.’

Isaiah 1:17
The UCB Word for Today - 7 Dec 2015



In her book Mothers and Sons, Jean Lush talks about the challenge single mothers face in raising sons. Ages four to six are especially important and difficult.


A boy at that age still loves his mother, but feels the need to gravitate towards a masculine image. If he has a father in the home, he’ll want to spend more time with his dad apart from his mother and sisters. So what advice can be given to a mother who’s raising a son alone? First, she must understand he has needs that she’s not best equipped to meet.


Her best option is to recruit a man who can act as a role model to her son. Of course, good mentors can be difficult to find.


Single mothers should consider friends, relatives, or neighbours who can offer as little as an hour or two a month.


Single mothers who belong to a church should be able to find support for their boys among the male members.


Scripture commands people of faith to care for children without fathers: ‘Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.’ Jesus took boys and girls on His lap and said, ‘Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me’ (Matthew 18:5 NIV 1984 Edition).


If you are a man and you have been asking God to use you in His service, this could be a real ministry opportunity for you.

Think of the incredible potential of one small boy, and the privilege of helping to mould him into a man of God who fulfils the purposes of God during his lifetime. What a privilege!

Hosea 13-14, Rev 1

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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Control Your Anger!
‘Don’t sin by letting anger control you.’

Ephesians 4:26
The UCB Word for Today - 8 Dec 2015

Uncontrolled anger is like jumping into your car, revving the engine, and discovering too late that the brakes don’t work.


The Bible says, ‘Don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life’ (vv. 26-27 MSG).


Did you get that? Uncontrolled anger opens the door to Satan – and it’s all downhill from there! So before you say something you’ll regret and can’t take back, ask yourself: 1) Is the relief I’ll get from venting worth the aftermath? The Bible says, ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger’ (Proverbs 15:1 NIV 2011 Edition).


By sounding off, you run the risk of making the finest speech you’ll ever regret.


By its very nature anger encourages exaggeration, and makes you say things you can’t retract. Long after you’ve moved on, harsh words maintain their power to wound and divide. 2) Is it really worth dragging other people into it? Anger inevitably affects those around you because it’s human to want to take sides, even if you’ve ‘no dog in the fight’.


Involving other people is usually a way to feed your ego and justify bad behaviour. Don’t do it. 3) Is my anger appropriate? Anger over ignorance and injustice has always led to progress.


But it’s easy to let small stuff like thoughtless comments and cranky kids make you overreact. For anger to have a healthy result it needs to be measured and constructive.


Paul says, ‘The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace’ (Romans 8:6 NIV 2011 Edition). It comes down to a control issue, and a controlled response is a Christlike response. It always wins.

Joel 1-3, Rev 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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The Cure for Spiritual Boredom
‘Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.’

James 1:22
The UCB Word for Today - 9 Dec 2015



Why does the Bible say, ‘Be doers of the word, and not hearers only’? Because hearing without doing becomes boring - every time.


You can get to the place where you’ve heard so much preaching and teaching that you say to yourself, ‘Oh no, not another sermon!’.


The problem isn’t the Word; it’s that you’ve become oversaturated and spiritually numb.

You’re bored because you aren’t putting it into practice and reaping the rewards of what you’ve heard. Jesus said, ‘If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them’ (John 13:17 NKJV).



Once you start doing what you’ve been told to do, you won’t have time to be bored. The phrase ‘hearers only’ is from the Greek noun akroates.


Today we’d use it to describe students who sit in on a class just to hear the teaching, instead of taking any assessment or being graded.


These folks weren’t interested in learning, passing exams, earning a degree, and going out to make a difference in the world.


They were there because they found it intellectually stimulating, and they loved the excitement of being with the crowd.

Often they followed their favourite teacher from one town to another; they loved new speakers, and when the class ended they’d get together to eat, drink, laugh, and discuss what they’d heard.


Mostly, they just wanted to look knowledgeable in each other’s eyes. Don’t let that happen to you. ‘Remember…knowing what is right to do and…not doing it is sin’ (James 4:17 TLB).


Open your heart to the truths you’ve heard preached and begin to put them to work in your life.

When you do, rest assured you’ll never again suffer from spiritual boredom.

Amos 1-3, Rev 3

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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Share Your Life
‘They shared everything they had.’

Acts 4:32
The UCB Word for Today - 10 Dec 2015


When you read the story of the New Testament Church, you tend to get caught up in its explosive growth and amazing miracles.


But here’s a component you shouldn’t miss: ‘No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had…There were no needy persons among them…those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money…and it was distributed to anyone as he had need’ (vv. 32-35 NIV 1984 Edition).


You say, ‘If I just had more money I’d be happy.’ You might feel more secure and have fewer worries, but you wouldn’t necessarily be happier. In the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers looked at what distinguished quite happy people from less happy people.


One factor consistently separated those two groups. It’s not about how much money you have; it’s not about your health, security, attractiveness, IQ, or career success. What distinguishes consistently happy people from less happy people is the presence of rich, deep, joy-producing, life-changing, meaningful relationships. Social researcher Robert Putnam writes: ‘The single most common finding from a half-century’s research on life satisfaction, not only in the U.S. but around the world, is that happiness is best predicted by the breadth and depth of one’s social connections.’ But you can know a lot of people without really being known by any of them, and end up lonely.


Those folks in the New Testament Church got it right: it’s in sharing with one another spiritually, emotionally, financially, and relationally that you achieve your highest level of joy.


Amos 4-6, Rev 4

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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Learn to Say ‘Enough!’
‘After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.’

Matthew 14:23
The UCB Word for Today - 11 Dec 2015

Jesus dismissed a crowd of listeners and fans in order to spend time with His Father in prayer.


As a result, when He returned to the crowd He was empowered to work miracles.

Think about it; before an airliner takes off, the attendant tells you that if the plane gets into trouble you should secure your own oxygen mask before attempting to help others with theirs.


After all, unless you’re getting enough oxygen, how can you help them? So, are your own needs being met? If not, it’s time to start taking care of yourself before you burn out.

You can’t travel quietly through life hoping people will recognise when your plate is full. Speak up, or they’ll just keep pouring on more problems and responsibilities.

Personal empowerment begins by taking control of your life. Overloaded people fail at marriage, ministry, and management.


They fail at parenting, partnership, and personal endeavours. Like an airplane, if you carry too much baggage you won’t get off the ground.

When you’re motivated by the need to please others or impress them, you’ll take on too much and fail to reach the heights God planned for you.

Or you’ll crash because you ignored your limitations. Every situation that arises doesn’t warrant your attention! Was Jesus misunderstood when He dismissed the crowd? Probably.


And you’ll have to make that same decision too. People who don’t recognise your needs and respect your goals will drain you, divert you, and keep you grounded.

So what’s the answer? Give what you can, and learn when to say ‘enough!’
Amos 7-9, Rev 5

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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The Benefits of Going to Church
‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”’

Psalm 122:1
The UCB Word for Today - 12 Dec 2015


People stay away from church for many reasons. Sometimes they feel bad because their faith isn’t working as well as they think it should. Or they’re still struggling with certain problems. Or they’re depressed because it looks like everyone else is doing well except them.


Don’t let discouragement keep you away from your spiritual family. You need their love and support. You need to hear them say, ‘We made it, and by God’s grace you can too.’ The Bible says, ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is’ (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).


The word ‘forsaking’ is taken from three Greek words which could be translated ‘out’, ‘down’, and ‘behind’. It pretty much describes someone who feels left out, spiritually and emotionally down, and far behind everyone else.


The moment you feel that way Satan whispers, ‘Just stay home from church today; you don’t need to go there with all those good people.’ If Satan can separate you from other believers at the very time you need them most, he can rob you of what God has in store for you.


Sure, you can stay at home, read your Bible, and turn on Christian radio and television. But surrounded by your spiritual family you’ll get answers, experience joy, and receive encouragement you can’t find anywhere else.


Church is the last place the devil wants you to go when you’re feeling low. He knows if you go, you’ll be touched by the presence of the Lord and be able to crawl out of the hole you’re in. So, go to church!

Obadiah , Rev 6

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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Critics, Coaches, Cheerleaders
‘Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.’

Proverbs 25:11
The UCB Word for Today - 13 Dec 2015


Critics point out what’s wrong, and leave you feeling bad about yourself.


Coaches show you what you did wrong, teach you how to do it right, and leave you feeling better about yourself.


Cheerleaders lift your spirits, offer their help, and assure you that you can succeed if you keep trying.


So which of the three are you? If you tend to be one of those hard-driving, goal-oriented people, coaching someone may be a challenge for you.


Perhaps you’re from the school of thought that believes a pay cheque should be encouragement enough – especially if an employee is being generously compensated. If so – beware! You’re stuck in the Stone Age and in dire need of a mindset change! If you want people to be productive, learn how to build them up.


You say, ‘But it’s not my natural inclination to want to coach poor performers. I just want them out.’ Hold on there; you’re dealing with a human being, a person loved and valued by God! And with a little encouragement, some hand-holding, and lots of communication, you may end up with a level of productivity and loyalty the cocky superstar isn’t capable of.


Yes, if you’ve ‘a bad apple’ in the bunch you need to get rid of them before they infect the whole barrel. But before you resort to firing someone, try firing them up!

Some of the people you work with just need to be presented with a clear vision, shown how they can be part of it, and enlightened about the incentives and rewards that come from being part of the team that’s fulfilling a vision.


Luke 23:26-56, Psalms 126-128

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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What it Means to Repent
‘Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.’

2 Corinthians 7:10
The UCB Word for Today - 14 Dec 2015


The word ‘repent’ means to acknowledge your sin, renounce it, seek God’s forgiveness, and try to live differently.


It means doing an about-face turn and heading in the opposite direction.

If you go twenty miles down the road in the wrong direction, it requires doing a U-turn and coming twenty miles back.


At first this can seem discouraging. But it’s profitable, because next time you’ll think twice about where you’re headed.


Repentance sometimes means making restitution to others. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who got rich by overcharging people.


But after he met Jesus he said, ‘If I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much’ (Luke 19:8 GNT).

God is more than willing to forgive you, but He may allow you to experience the painful consequences of your sin in order to motivate you towards obedience. ‘No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful!

But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way’ (Hebrews 12:11 NLT). Satan will try to tell you that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace, but you’re not.


The Prodigal Son wasted his inheritance and ended up in a pigsty. But the day he decided to come back home, his father ran to meet him and restored him to full sonship in the family.

And God will do that for you too. ‘Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously’ (Isaiah 55:7 NLT).

Jonah 1-4, Rev 7

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

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Seeing God’s Hand in It
‘This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.’

Matthew 21:42
The UCB Word for Today - 15 Dec 2015

Jesus said, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.’ Note the word ‘rejected’.

The rejection of his brothers put Joseph on a path that led to the throne of Egypt and the saving of his family and his nation.

How often has something happened in your life that you later realised was necessary? If you hadn’t experienced this or walked through that, you wouldn’t have been ready for the blessings you enjoy now.

When you begin to see the hand of God in it you understand that what the enemy intended for your destruction, God used for your development.

To be ‘more than a conqueror’ means you can stand up and say: ‘Here’s how I see it. It took everything I’ve been through to make me who I am and to teach me what I know.

So I choose to be better, not bitter. I trust the faithfulness of God more than ever. I’ve learned that if faith doesn’t move the mountain, it’ll give me strength to endure until tomorrow.

And if it is not gone by tomorrow, I’ll still believe that God is able and trust Him until He does.’ Relax, rejoice; your steps are being arranged by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). He hasn’t taken His eye or His hand off you, not even for a single moment.

When you get through this trial you’ll realise that ‘the worst thing that could have happened’ was, in reality, ‘the Lord’s doing’, and it will become ‘marvellous in your eyes’.


Micah 1-3, Rev 8