[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


Going Out on a Limb
‘…Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed…’

Luke 19:26
The UCB Word for Today - 17 Oct 2015


As an Iowa farm boy, Robert Schuller remembers how his dad needed every particle of grain from the previous year’s crop to feed his livestock.

Nevertheless, there was always a little corner of the corn bin he refused to touch.



When Schuller said, ‘Dad, you still have grain in there,’ his father would reply, ‘That’s next year’s seed.’ And when spring came he planted it. Schuller writes: ‘Suppose he’d studied the odds and said, “Let’s see, I’ve a kernel of corn. I can feed it to the cattle and I know it’ll be productive; there’s no risk. Or I can bury it in the ground, but that’s infinitely more risky.


Weeds could choke it, birds could eat it, it might rot, or hail and winds could destroy it…on the other hand, it just might multiply a hundredfold.”’ The Bible says, ‘If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done’ (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB). Helen Keller said, ‘Security is mostly a superstition.



It doesn’t exist in nature nor do the children of men as a whole experience it… Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.’ If you want ‘more than you ever dreamed’, you’ve got to go out on a limb.


That’s where the best fruit is. Acting in faith with no ‘earthly’ guarantee what’s on the other side means attempting something you couldn’t possibly do unless God gave you the ability. Jon Walker says: ‘Faith grows when we take risks—not just any kind of risks, but ones specifically directed by God.


These God-nudges push us beyond the borders of our “independent states” into “the promised land” of life by faith.’



Jer 27-29, 1 Tim 6

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



Stop Complaining (1)
‘Do all things without complaining…’

Philippians 2:14
The UCB Word for Today - 18 Oct 2015


A lady who worked at the post office was approached by a customer who said, ‘I can’t write.

Would you mind addressing this postcard for me?’ After addressing it for him and writing a short message, the postal clerk asked, ‘Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?’ The man thought for a moment and said, ‘Yes, could you add a P.S. at the end saying, “Please excuse the sloppy handwriting.”’ Now, there’s gratitude for you!


The Bible says, ‘Do all things without complaining’ because when you don’t, you end up hurting: 1) Yourself. Complaining leads to anger and depression. God loves you and He doesn’t want you hurting yourself. 2) God.


Complaining calls into question God’s care, His character and His competence. In reality, what you’re saying is, ‘Lord, You blew it! You had a chance to fulfil my demands and You chose not to.’ 3) Others.



Your words affect the people around you and nobody enjoys spending time with a member of ‘the cold-water bucket brigade’. Complaining temporarily satisfies our selfish nature, but it changes nothing. When you complain, you explain your pain for no gain.




But here’s the good news: The Bible says, ‘…the people became like those who complain of adversity…’ (Numbers 11:1 NAS). You didn’t start out as a complainer; you ‘became’ that way, and by God’s grace you can become a thanks-giver! Once you acknowledge your habit of moaning and fault-finding, it becomes possible to choose a better one.



A bad habit is like a nice soft bed; it’s easy to get into and hard to get out of. So if you’ve fallen into the habit of ‘complaining’—stop it!



Luke 20:1-26, Ps 107-109

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



Stop Complaining (2)
‘…when the people complained, it displeased the Lord…’

Numbers 11:1
The UCB Word for Today - 19 Oct 2015


If you think complaining is no big deal, read this: ‘…when the people complained…the Lord heard…and His anger was aroused.




So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.’ A wise man once said, ‘I complained that I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.’ God has blessed you in 101 different ways, and He doesn’t want to hear you whining. What were the Israelites grumbling about anyway? ‘Adversity’ (NAS). For some of us adversity comes through illness.




For others it’s a faltering career, not enough money to pay the bills, or a family situation that happened years ago and now you’re left shouldering the responsibility. Some of us made poor decisions earlier in life, and as a result our plans fell apart. Now we’re struggling with marital problems, blended families, and the consequences of our choices.



We all have to deal with some level of adversity. We each have something in our life that God doesn’t want to hear us griping about! Understand this: it’s hard to live with adversity, but when you complain, you forego the grace that’ll get you through it.



By choosing to complain and cling to the image of a perfect life, you forfeit the grace that’s available to you and will bring you victory. So change your way of thinking.



Get down on your knees and pray: ‘Lord, I want the landscape of my life to be different; to experience the joy You give to those who leave the wilderness of ingratitude and move into the Promised Land of thanksgiving.’ That’s a prayer that will change you!




Jer 30-31, 2 Tim 1

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY




Don’t Be Inflexible
‘…Naaman…went away in a rage.’

2 Kings 5:12
The UCB Word for Today - 20 Oct 2015



As a general in the Syrian army, Naaman was accustomed to having things his own way. So when Elisha told him to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River to be healed of leprosy, he ‘went away in a rage’.



He said, ‘Aren’t there cleaner rivers? Couldn’t the prophet just lay hands on me and heal me?’ Fortunately, he listened to his servants, swallowed his pride and received a miracle. There are important lessons here. Since all progress calls for adapting to change and overcoming obstacles, ask yourself: 1) What’s at the core of my fear and anger over this situation?



Am I afraid of the unknown and the changes it may bring? 2) Am I being inflexible and trying to impose my will and wishes in this situation? Am I willing to forfeit God’s perfect will by resisting a change He’s orchestrating? Many of us miss God’s best. Why? Like Naaman, we are accustomed to being waited on and having our ego stroked. E.G.O. means Edging God Out! Are you doing that? 3)




Am I being lazy or incompetent, not wanting to invest the necessary time and effort into the change? Unless you’re willing to change, you won’t grow. And if you don’t grow, you won’t position yourself to receive the blessing God has in mind for you.



Charles Franklin Kettering said, ‘The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.’ Today ask God for the emotional and spiritual strength to embrace the changes He’s bringing into your life, and to help you to see them as being for your good (Romans 8:28).




Jer 32-33, 2 Tim 2

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



You Need Friends Who Encourage You
‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.’

Proverbs 17:17
The UCB Word for Today - 21 Oct 2015


If you’re wise, you’ll surround yourself with people who support you emotionally and spiritually, and you can share your dreams and ideas with them.


C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien were members of The Inklings, an informal literary discussion group associated with Oxford University.



It comprised teachers, writers and friends who met regularly at a well-known Oxford pub to discuss passages from their favourite books as well as their own writings.



In 1936, they decided the world needed more novels that had faith and morality as their central theme. Lewis and Tolkien decided to write science fiction after realising the inferior quality of similar stories being published at the time. They literally tossed a coin to decide who would write a book on space travel versus time travel.



Tolkien got the time travel nod, but his early efforts with such a story never really worked out. Later, however, he would achieve great success with The Lord of the Rings.


Lewis wrote his famous series of novels called The Space Trilogy, and from that momentum he eventually penned The Chronicles of Narnia. Now, you may not reach that level of success, but you’ll go further with the encouragement of true friends than you will without it.


So ask yourself what’s involved in cultivating the kinds of friendships that’ll help you fulfil your God-given potential.



It may mean coming out of your shell and reaching out to others. Could you encounter hurt and rejection? Sure! But you’ll succeed only if you’re willing to take that chance.



Jer 34-36, 2 Tim 3

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



Give God His Tithe (1)
‘A tithe of everything…belongs to the Lord…’

Leviticus 27:30
The UCB Word for Today - 22 Oct 2015


Instead of saying, ‘I’m giving God my tithe,’ you should say, ‘I’m giving God His tithe.’ But you say, ‘I earned it, so I own it.’ No.



The Bible says, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein’ (Psalms 24:1). God owns every square foot of land on earth and every person who walks on it—including you.



You’re not an owner, you’re a steward! And while a good steward deserves to be well rewarded by his master, his first priority is to please him and carry out his will.



The Bible says, ‘A tithe of everything…belongs to the Lord…’ Get your thinking straight on this issue! In God’s eyes 10 per cent of your income is ‘dedicated funds’ to be used for one thing only—His purposes on the earth. And tithing isn’t how the church raises its budget; it’s how God raises His children.



We distort God’s Word when we teach tithing as a means of getting money to pay off church debt, or as a substitute for other worn-out methods of fundraising, or as a cure-all for the church’s financial shortfalls. The Bible says, ‘…son (daughter)… give me thine heart…’ (Proverbs 23:26). When God has your heart’s deepest affection you’ll give gladly, not grudgingly. The first man in Scripture to tithe was Abraham.



Why did he do it? Gratitude, because God had delivered him from the hand of an enemy who was out to destroy him. Has God delivered you? Has He blessed you? Then show your gratitude by giving Him His portion!



Jer 37-39, 2 Tim 4

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



Give God His Tithe (2)
‘…I will give you a tenth.’

Genesis 28:22
The UCB Word for Today - 23 Oct 2015



Jacob wasn’t a giver by nature. Quite the opposite, in fact! He cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright, which entitled him to twice as much of their father’s inheritance. And when he worked for his father-in-law Laban, he took advantage of him too.


But one night Jacob met God in a life-changing dream, and when he woke the next morning he told God, ‘…of all that You give me I will give You a tenth.’ Note, this was hundreds of years before the Law of Moses was instituted, which said, ‘A tithe of everything…belongs to the Lord…’ (Leviticus 27:30 NIV). Jacob wasn’t motivated by law, he was motivated by love for God.



You can give without loving; some folks give under pressure, or to impress others, or to get an income tax deduction. But you can’t love without giving! The Bible says, ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave


His only begotten Son…’ (John 3:16 AKJV). You’re never more like God than when you’re in the act of giving. Jesus said, ‘…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you’ (Matthew 6:33 AKJV).


Tithing is about putting God and His kingdom first. When self, home, business and pleasure come first in your life, your priorities are out of whack. Tithing reverses that order and puts God where He rightfully belongs—in first place.



When God instructs you to tithe, He’s telling you to establish the habit of putting Him in the number one slot as a life principle. When you do, Jesus said ‘all these things’ you’re so concerned about will be ‘added to you’.



Jer 40-42, Titus 1

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



Give God His Tithe (3)
‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…’

Malachi 3:10
The UCB Word for Today - 24 Oct 2015



When you honour the Lord in your business, He will bless your business. Imagine the advantage you’d have in the marketplace with God as your partner! Many famous Christian business people throughout history were faithful tithers, including Henry John Heinz of Heinz 57 Varieties, and William Colgate, the toothpaste magnate.



Some of these people were so blessed that before their lives were over they gave God 90 per cent of their income and lived on the other 10 per cent. God says: ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.




Test me in this…and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough to store it…all the nations will call you blessed…’ (vv 10-12 NIV).


When you demonstrate that God’s business means more to you than your own, He will prosper you.




And He invites you to ‘test’ Him in this. How long have you known that you should tithe, wanted to tithe, said you were going to, and yet you’ve never got round to it? Start now—and start with what you have! What you can do now is the only influence you have over your future.




John D Rockefeller is reputed to have made the following statement concerning the habit of tithing: ‘I never would’ve been able to tithe the first million dollars I made if I hadn’t tithed my first salary, which was a dollar fifty per week.’ Tithing demonstrates that you’ve conquered self-interest and the fear of lack. It’s a demonstration of faith—and God always rewards faith!




Jer 43-45, Titus 2

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



Give God His Tithe (4)
‘…those who fear Him lack nothing.’

Psalms 34:9
The UCB Word for Today - 25 Oct 2015


There are three kinds of givers: the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb. To get even a spark from a flint you have to hammer it. To get anything out of a sponge you have to squeeze it. But a honeycomb just overflows with sweetness.




So which kind of giver are you? The Psalmist writes, ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him…for those who fear Him lack nothing’ (vv 8-9 NIV). Tithing is an act of worship. Of the 118 hours you’re awake each week, almost half are involved in earning money. So when you give God your money, you’re giving Him your brain, your brawn and yourself.





When you go to the Lord’s house on the Lord’s Day, partake of the Lord’s Supper and put the Lord’s tithe into the Lord’s treasury, it’s an act of profound worship. Now, let’s be clear: a God who paves heaven’s streets with gold isn’t going to go broke because you don’t give Him a tithe of your income.





But you might! This sign appeared on a church marquee: ‘Give God a tithe in proportion to thine income, lest He be displeased with thee and give thee an income in proportion to thy tithe.’ The act of tithing isn’t about the tithe; it’s about the tither. It’s not about the gift; it’s about the giver. It’s not about the money; it’s about the man or woman. It’s not about possessions; it’s about the possessor.


As the songwriter Isaac Watts said, ‘Were the whole realm of nature mine; that were an offering far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.’



Luke 20:27-47, Ps 110-112

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY



Find People Who Believe in You
‘Carry each other’s burdens…’

Galatians 6:2
The UCB Word for Today - 26 Oct 2015



Mark Twain said, ‘Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.’ Why does the Bible say, ‘Carry each other’s burdens’? Because one person can only carry a burden so far on their own.



American novelist John Kennedy Toole quickly discovered that. As a young writer he worked alone writing a novel in New Orleans. When it was finished he sent it to publisher after publisher, but they all turned him down. Overcome by rejection, he took his own life.



Some time after the funeral, his mother found a coffee-stained manuscript in the attic and took it to a professor at Louisiana State University who agreed to read it. Immediately he recognised its genius and recommended it to a major publisher. After its release, John Kennedy Toole’s novel, A Confederacy of Dunces, won a Pulitzer Prize and was heralded as one of the major novels of the twentieth century.



If only he’d surrounded himself with friends who knew how to share his burden, encourage him when he faced rejection and motivate him to keep going, his life would have turned out very differently.




So the word for you today is—‘Find people who believe in you.’ Encourage and support them, and welcome their support in return. Spend more time with those who sharpen you and make you better, and less time with those who drain your energy, time and talent.


The truth is, friends who speak encouragement into your life are priceless. Their words are ‘Like apples of gold in settings of silver…’ (Proverbs 25:11 NIV).



Jer 46-47, Titus 3