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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Jesus Hears Your Cry
‘He is able … to run to the cry of … those who are being … tested.’

Hebrews 2:18
The UCB Word for Today - 4 Mar 2016


Are you facing a home repossession? Jesus didn’t have a place to lay His head. Has someone taken advantage of you? Jesus lived among slaves and paid taxes to a foreign emperor.


But what if your problem is the opposite and you’ve a successful business to run? Can Jesus relate? Yes. He recruited and oversaw His own organisation: seventy men and an assortment of women who supported Him financially and looked to Him for leadership.


Are you responsible for budgeting and hiring personnel? Jesus knows leadership isn’t easy. His group included a zealot who hated the Romans and a tax collector who worked for them.


And how about family tension? ‘When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said’ (Mark 3:21 NLT).


Has someone wrongly accused you? The night before His death, people ‘tried to find something false against Jesus so they could kill him’ (Matthew 26:59 NCV).


Jesus experienced every detail of human life, ‘all the pain, all the testing’ (Hebrews 2:18 MSG).


Author Max Lucado writes: ‘Jesus was angry enough to purge the temple, distraught enough to weep in public, fun-loving enough to be called a drunkard, winsome enough to attract kids, poor enough to borrow a coin for a sermon illustration, radical enough to get kicked out of town, responsible enough to care for His mother, tempted enough to know the smell of Satan, and anxious enough to sweat blood.’ So why would Jesus endure earth’s toughest pain? So you’d know without doubt that ‘He is able … to run to the cry of … those who are being … tested.’ Today, Jesus hears your cry.

Num 5-6, Mark 4:1-20

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Don’t Talk About It
‘The words of a gossip … go down to a man’s inmost parts.’

Proverbs 18:8
The UCB Word for Today - 5 Mar 2016



Gossip destroys reputations and friendships. And it keeps others from opening up and getting the help they need. The Bible ranks gossip up there along with murder (see Romans 1:29).


It may not be your intention, but your words can break somebody’s heart. It’s no big surprise when people gossip at the beauty salon or in the workplace, but how about church? It’s just not so obvious there because we’re experts at disguising it.


For example, a friend confides in you about a marriage issue, or their child’s drug problem, and what do you do? You get on the phone and call the prayer chain.


You ‘share it’ under the guise of asking for prayer. James writes, ‘If anyone … does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless’ (James 1:26 NIV 1984 Edition).

Why does God come down so hard on gossip? Because it tells the world certain Christians can’t be trusted; that somebody with a problem is safer in a twelve-step group than in church.


Ever notice how gossip travels faster on grapevines that are sour? And some of the worst offenders are Christian leaders seeking to impress their peers by divulging details of somebody else’s struggles.


If you see this tendency in yourself, you need to pray: ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD’ (Psalm 19:14 KJV). If you must talk, talk to God.


Num 7-8, Mark 4:21-41

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Mother, You’re a Blessing!
‘Her children … call her blessed; her husband … praises her.’

Proverbs 31:28
The UCB Word for Today - 6 Mar 2016



When it comes to motherhood, this sign on a church bulletin board says it all: If evolution is true, how come mothers still only have two hands? Seriously, Mum, today we stop to salute you and let you know how much we appreciate you.


Some days you probably wonder if what you’re doing even matters. Your work is never done … you’re always exhausted … and there’s no big financial reward.

We live in an age that seems to diminish service and exalt glitz…sometimes it’s hard to value your investment. But hear this: God says you’re highly esteemed by Him, and that children are some of His most precious gifts (see Psalm 127:3).

Eugene Peterson paraphrases Solomon’s words in The Message by describing a mother as someone who ‘senses the worth of her work … [is] diligent in homemaking … faces tomorrow with a smile … has something worthwhile to say, and … always says it kindly … Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise’ (Proverbs 31:18-19 MSG).


Then Peterson finishes the chapter with these words: ‘Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!’. So Mum, while your role isn’t defined by a pay cheque or a promotion, you’re vitally important to your family and your children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.


Nobody can take your place! Samuel was one of Israel’s greatest prophets, but who was the driving force in his life? His mother, Hannah! When Samuel was born she said, ‘I am giving him to the Lord for as long as he lives’ (1 Samuel 1:28 TLB). Mother, you matter more than you know. God is moulding tomorrow’s leaders in your hands.


Luke 4:31-44, Ps 26-28

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Worry Is a Waste of Time
‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.’

Philippians 4:6
The UCB Word for Today - 7 Mar 2016


Worry is one of the most ineffective pastimes we can indulge in. Jesus Himself asked, ‘Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?’ (Matthew 6:27 NLT).

Worry is the assassin of rest and relationships. It stalks us and hijacks our minds. While we may continue to function publicly, there’s a sinister force lurking within us.


This enemy called worry disorients moods, destroys creativity, and depletes your sense of completion which comes from within and can’t be achieved by the acquisition of things.


Why do we wrestle so much with things we can’t change? One pastor writes: ‘It took me years to realise that when I went to bed I shouldn’t go with half my day wrapped around my head.



I wrestled all night with issues that couldn’t be resolved until morning anyway. I can’t tell you how many days I went to work feeling like the worn heel of an old shoe.


I was less effective, tenser, unable to perform to full capacity, and it took its toll on my relationships.’ Can you relate? Here’s God’s prescription for worry: ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.


Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.


His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus … Fix your thoughts on what is true … honorable … right … pure … lovely, and admirable … things that are excellent and worthy of praise … Then the God of peace will be with you’ (Philippians 4:6-9 NLT). Today let God set you free from worry.



Num 9-10, Mark 5:1-20

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Before You Date Someone
‘Listen for God’s voice … he’s the one who will keep you on track.’

Proverbs 3:6
The UCB Word for Today - 8 Mar 2016



Before you date somebody, ask yourself: 1) Am I free to be who I am? Paul writes, ‘Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be’ (Romans 12:6 MSG). If you have to reinvent yourself to keep somebody happy, you’re in the wrong relationship.


If they disapprove of you now, do you seriously think marriage will improve things? Not a chance! 2) Is the relationship based on honesty? The Bible talks about ‘telling each other the truth’ (Ephesians 4:25 CEV). Relationships thrive on openness and trust. When deceit creeps in, it’s time to get truthful in a hurry or call it quits. 3)

Have we established clear boundaries? If the relationship ended today, would you regret your level of involvement? The Bible says, ‘Run from sexual sin’ (1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT).


God made sex a commitment specifically for marriage; otherwise what was intended to be beautiful and fulfilling can leave you feeling ‘used’. 4) Is this person possessive or controlling? If so, it’s a red flag.


The Bible says, ‘Love is … never jealous’ (1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV). If you can’t make a move without the other person’s permission, you need to back off and re-evaluate the relationship. 5) How are we spending our time together?

Without a plan, it’s easy to get more physically involved than you should. That’s why it’s good to agree up front about establishing boundaries.


Keep God in your relationship and you won’t go wrong. ‘Listen for God’s voice in everything you do … he’s the one who will keep you on track.’



Num 11-12, Mark 5:21-43

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Don’t Quarrel, and Avoid People Who Do
‘The Lord’s servant must not quarrel.’

2 Timothy 2:24
The UCB Word for Today - 9 Mar 2016


Let’s consider why some people are given to quarrelling: 1) They grew up in homes where it was a pattern so they think it’s normal. It may be normal, but it’s certainly not Christ-like.


The Bible says, ‘Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling’ (Proverbs 20:3 NLT). 2) To boost their self-worth. Some folks only feel good about themselves when they’re attacking the validity of somebody else’s opinions and beliefs, and manoeuvring that person into defending their position.


The quarreller’s goal isn’t to add value to other people’s lives by showing them the error of their ways; it’s pure one-upmanship.


Solomon says, ‘Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out’ (Proverbs 17:14 NLT). Does that mean you shouldn’t stand up for what you believe? No, it means you must learn to disagree without being disagreeable! When you’re mean-spirited you do more harm than good.



Benjamin Franklin was known to have remarked diplomatically, ‘On this point, I agree. But on the other, if you don’t mind, may I take exception?’. If you’ve a tendency to be argumentative, remember that it costs you absolutely nothing to respect someone’s opinion - especially on matters of no eternal consequence.


That’s why Paul told Timothy, ‘The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone’. Will Rogers put it this way: ‘People’s minds are changed through observation, not through argument’. So the word for you today is - don’t quarrel, and avoid people who do!


Num 13-14, Mark 6:1-29

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


God Will Forgive and Restore You
‘Father, I have sinned.’

Luke 15:18
The UCB Word for Today - 10 Mar 2016


The Prodigal Son’s story begins like this: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” So he divided his property between them.


Not long after … the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and … squandered his wealth in wild living’ (vv. 11-13 NIV 2011 Edition).



This young man’s sin was bad, really bad! In a Middle Eastern patriarchal society the disrespect he demonstrated towards his father is beyond what most of us can relate to.


As the younger son he was entitled to a third of the family estate, but only after his father’s death.


So in a sense he was sending a message to his dad, saying, ‘I wish you were dead’’. If you think that’s shocking, his father’s response of love and grace is even more shocking. And if you’ve failed God badly, it’ll come as a real encouragement to you.


When his boy came back home - broke, busted, and disgusted - the Bible says, ‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him’ (v. 20 NIVUK 2011 Edition). In that culture fathers never ran.


A proud patriarch would never hitch up his garments, bare his legs, and run - ever! The point Jesus wanted to make is this: The moment you turn around and come back to God, He will run to meet you with open arms, forgive your sin, and restore you to your rightful place in His family. So, come today!


Num 15-16, Mark 6:30-56

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Who Are You Trying to Impress?
‘It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you.’

1 Corinthians 4:3
The UCB Word for Today - 11 Mar 2016



Paul writes, ‘With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you … It is the Lord who judges me’ (vv. 3-4 NRSV).

Can you imagine viewing criticism as ‘a very small thing’? Or being liberated from the need to impress people; your self-esteem no longer dependent on someone noticing how successful, smart, or attractive you are? Think what it would be like to feel genuine love for someone who expresses their disapproval of you. Is such a life even possible?

With God’s help, yes! One pastor says: ‘Years ago I wanted to lead a certain ministry. When I wasn’t chosen I became angry. Of course I didn’t show it.


That’s not to say I didn’t love God. I just wanted to serve me more than Him! By saying no, God was correcting an attitude that would destroy any real ministry I might have later.


When you represent God so visibly it’s nearly impossible for anyone to detect that you’re a fake…except God.’ Ever hear of ‘approval addiction’? Its symptoms include living in fear of what others think of you; being easily hurt by what they say; a nagging sense that you aren’t good enough; constantly trying to impress important people. And like all addicts, you’ll go to any lengths for a fix.


One author writes: ‘Many of my daily preoccupations suggest that I belong more to the world [than to God]. A little criticism makes me angry … a little praise raises my spirits … I’m like a small boat on the ocean, completely at the mercy of the waves.’ Is this an issue you need to pray about today?


Num 17-19, Mark 7:1-16

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Make the Best of It
‘If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.’

Jeremiah 29:7
The UCB Word for Today - 12 Mar 2016



When God’s people were slaves in Babylon, He told them: ‘This is the Message … to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and make yourselves at home.


Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away. Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare.


Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you … As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing.


I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for”’ (vv. 4-11 MSG). There’s an important lesson here. While we’re waiting for God to turn things around for us, we need to be as productive as possible.


While we’re waiting for God to work, a lot of us think we should do nothing, even though there’s plenty around for us to do. The bottom line is: We’ve become concerned about one person only - ourselves. When we mess up, the only person we tend to see is - ourselves.


But God says, ‘While you’re waiting on me to do something good for you, start doing something good for others’. By blessing others, you open up the channel for God to come through and bless you. That’s the way it works!


Num 20-22, Mark 7:17-37

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The Reason for the Attack
‘I know that thou favourest me.’

Psalm 41:11
The UCB Word for Today - 13 Mar 2016


The Devil doesn’t want you to know that God’s favour is on your life, or that you’ve been blessed by Him with all the good things you enjoy. The truth is, the Devil doesn’t want you to think God has done anything good for you at all!


He will try to convince you that you have no purpose, power, or potential. He’ll try to persuade you that your background means you won’t amount to anything, and if that doesn’t work he’ll play the childhood memories card. If that doesn’t work, he will remind you of all the disappointments you’ve been through in life.


And if you buy what he’s selling you’ll end up with such self-doubt and low self-esteem you won’t believe God has blessed you in any way, or that He has a wonderful plan for your life.


But He has! No matter how limited your ability or lacklustre your accomplishments, every blessing you’re enjoying today happened because the Lord is on your side. The psalmist said, ‘By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.


And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever’ (vv. 11-12 KJV). David understood that his enemies were attacking him because they witnessed the favour of God on his life.


The question is, do you understand that God’s favour is on your life too? If you don’t, you won’t expect the attack, understand the reason behind it or how to overcome it.


You’re blessed and favoured - that’s why you’re a target! Are others resentful because of what God has done for you? How come they see it and you can’t?


Luke 5:1-16, Ps 29-30