[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Some people can’t be helped (1)

‘They would not listen or respond.’
Jeremiah 32:33 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 08 Mar 2019

There are people you can’t help – at least not right now. Notice what God said about the Israelites: ‘Though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond.’

Now, if God Himself can’t help them, what chance do you have? Let’s look at these people who usually can’t be helped:

1) People who keep making excuses. Excuses are a crutch for lack of commitment and a smoke-screen for self-justification. You can’t help someone until they’re willing to take responsibility for their life and apply the solutions of Scripture.

Think: if they won’t listen to God, what difference will your opinion make?

2) People who move in the wrong circles. The Bible says, ‘Bad company corrupts good character’ (1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT). There are people who simply don’t belong in your life, and you can’t move forward until you break the link that connects you.

The company you keep influences your conduct and character, and those two things decide your future.

3) People who blame God for their problems.
When trouble comes, they ask, ‘Why did God allow this to happen to me?’ The fact is, you’ll never see God as your solution until you stop seeing Him as your problem.

God laid it on the line for His people: ‘I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life’ (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). If you want to keep from getting discouraged, love people and pray for them, but spend your time with those who are willing to be helped.

Numbers 13-14, Mark 6:1-29

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Some people can’t be helped (2)

‘They refused to pay attention…and would not listen.’
Zechariah 7:11-12 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 09 Mar 2019

Accept it – some people simply aren’t ready to change! They’ll demand your time and energy, but when you get right down to it, they won’t pay the price for progress.

Who are they?
1) People who want to talk but not listen.

James speaks about two kinds of people – hearers and doers. ‘Be…doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves’ (James 1:22 KJV).

Instead of striving endlessly to meet other people’s needs, try to connect them to the One who can. They should be dependent on the Lord, not you.

2) People who don’t think you’re qualified to help them.

Jesus wasn’t respected in His home town, yet He was the very person they needed (see John 1:11-12). Opportunity doesn’t always knock; sometimes it stands by, waiting to be recognised!

When people are unwilling to accept your help and advice, chances are they may not be ready to grow and deal with their problems.

3) People who want what you have, but not what you know.

These folks want to be rescued but not instructed; comforted but not corrected. And when you keep bailing them out instead of teaching them how to live, you’re not really helping them.

David said, ‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes’ (Psalm 119:71 KJV). Often people have to experience the pain of what’s wrong before they appreciate the wisdom of what’s right.

So when it comes to helping people – be discerning.

Numbers 15-16, Mark 6:30-56

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Stop making excuses

‘Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.’
Romans 12:2 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 10 Mar 2019

Sometimes our culture markets misinformation and half-truths. And since our parents grew up in that culture, they handed us the same guide for interpreting life.

As a result we may have arrived at these three mistaken conclusions:

1) There’s a special person out there who will make me happy. Only God can do that!

Hurting people only hurt other people. ‘Out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaks’ (Luke 6:45 NKJV).

2) When I attain a certain position or accumulate a specific amount of money, I’ll be happy. That’s the old ‘as-soon-as’ myth, and it breeds a life of discontent (see Luke 12:15).

3) I can’t help it; it’s just the way I am. That’s the ‘I’m-not-responsible’ lie, and it will stop you dead in your tracks. If you want to be happy, examine the excuses you keep coming up with to justify your behaviour.

Here are a few of them: ‘I’m not the only one!’ So what?

If everybody does it, does that mean God doesn’t take it seriously? Like a kind of group-sin?

‘I don’t see any harm in it.’ And who gave you the authority to write the rules and play God?

‘I’ll just try it once.’ So if you just try it once, does that mean there’ll be no consequences?

What are the lies behind your excuses? Examine them.

They’re keeping you in spiritual bondage, and they must be unearthed and removed! The Bible calls this ‘renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12:2 NKJV).

Jesus said once you know the truth, your old belief systems will be exposed and you’ll be set free (see John 8:32). Imagine being free to become all God wants you to be!

Isn’t that worth pursuing?

Luke 4:31-44, Psalm 26-28

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Deal with your sin

‘He was manifested to take away our sins.’
1 John 3:5 KJV

The UCB Word for Today - 11 Mar 2019

When you refuse to confront your sins and deal with them, you become a well-marked target for the enemy. And by looking at someone else and saying, ‘I would never do that,’ you fail to build a safeguard against it.

‘If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall’ (1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT). You never thought you could get that angry, or have an affair, or lie to your boss, or cheat in your finances.

And because you never thought you could, you did nothing to protect yourself against it. As sure as fish swim and birds fly, your sinful nature will lead you astray unless you deal with it decisively and scripturally.

Paul wrote, ‘As they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God …[he] gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done’ (Romans 1:28 NIV 2011 Edition). The worst thing God could do is to give you over to your own carnal impulses and say, ‘Have it your way!’

It’s amazing how we compare our sins with other people’s sins, and conclude ours aren’t as bad. The Bible says, ‘All have sinned, and come short’ (Romans 3:23 KJV).

If you try to jump over a deep chasm, it doesn’t matter if you miss the other side by one foot or one hundred feet, you fall just as far and land just as hard. But there’s good news: ‘He was manifested to take away our sins.’

Today Jesus will forgive your sins, declare you righteous, and give you strength if you come to Him with a repentant heart and receive His mercy and grace.

Numbers 17-18, Mark 7:1-16

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What are your boundaries?

‘I can make it through anything…’
Philippians 4:12 MSG

The UCB Word for Today - 12 Mar 2019

Rigid boundaries cause you to shut other people out and live unprepared and ill-equipped for the give-and-take that healthy relationships require. Permeable boundaries leave you defenceless against ‘users’ who feel entitled to manipulate you and who expect to be taken care of at your expense.

But flexible boundary people are competent in living their own life, yet with a balanced and healthy interest in others. They can be generous in sharing their time, compassion and resources, without becoming overly responsible, or betraying their God-given duty to be the unique person He made them, just to please others.

They say, ‘I can be in a relationship with you, without giving up being me!’ They don’t let you violate their boundaries, and they know how to keep from violating yours.

Unlike rigid people, they bend and adjust as circumstances require, without becoming overwhelmed, defensive, resentful, blaming or reactive. In tough situations they roll with the punches, stay focused and draw on a well of inner strength which God provides.

Paul was such a person: ‘I've learned…to be…content whatever my circumstances…I can make it through (adjust to) anything in the One who makes me who I am’ (vv. 12-13 MSG). People and circumstances don’t control them; they flex, and let God take charge.

They are helpful, but they don’t feel guilty because they can’t ‘fix’ everybody. Their boundaries enable them to adjust to circumstances.

They practise the principle, ‘Bear one another’s burdens…’ (Galatians 6:2 NKJV), without doing too much or being responsible for others.

Numbers 20-22, Mark 7:17-37

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your children need your time

‘Suffer the little children to come unto me.’
Mark 10:14 KJV

The UCB Word for Today - 13 Mar 2019

Can you imagine how these children felt when Jesus rebuked His own disciples for pushing them away, and said, ‘Come unto me’? How many destinies were changed that day because He loved these little ones and took time for them?

He gave them something every child needs and deserves – self-worth and the dignity of their own thoughts and opinions. When you listen to me, it means that what I say matters.

And more importantly, I matter to you. After years spent hearing words like, ‘Don’t bother me…Shut up!…I don’t have time,’ something important in a child begins to die – creativity and confidence.

Can you imagine facing life without those qualities? You say, ‘But I’m so busy.’

That may be so, but you’re certainly not busier than Jesus, and He made time for children. Parent, are you listening?

The pressure is on. Today many children commit adult crimes.

And, generally speaking, when we study them we find that because they never learned to express their emotions in constructive ways, they end up behaving destructively! As a child he took a hammer and pounded his toy to pieces; now as a man he drives his fist through walls.

His shirt size has changed, but the messages inside his head are still the same – nobody listens, nobody understands, nobody cares. This is serious business.

If you think we’re making too much out of too little – think again. If children are wanting your attention, give them time.

Do it right and you’ll live with wonderful memories. Do it wrong and you’ll live with regrets.

Numbers 23-25, Mark 8:1-30

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Surrender to God (1)

‘I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.’
Galatians 2:20 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 14 Mar 2019

John Calvin defined surrender in these words: ‘To have no other will, no other wisdom, and to follow the Lord wherever He leads.’ To do this, you will have to face your greatest fear: who will drive your life?

It’s pretty handy to have Jesus in the passenger seat when we require His service. ‘Lord, I have a health problem, and I need Your help.

Something hard is going on at work, and I’d like it to be different. I’m feeling anxious, and I want You to give me peace of mind.

I’m feeling sad, and I’d like a little hope. I’m facing death, and I want to make sure I’m going to heaven.’

But when it comes to sliding out from behind the wheel and letting Jesus drive, we’re not so sure about that because it means we are no longer in control. For example, if He’s driving, you are not in charge of your wallet anymore.

You can’t say, ‘I’ll give sometimes when I feel generous, but I reserve the right to keep what I want.’ Now it’s Jesus’ money.

When you let Jesus drive you’re no longer in charge of your ego. You no longer have the right to satisfy every self-centred ambition.

Now it’s His life. You are not in charge of your mouth anymore.

You don’t get to gossip, flatter, cajole, condemn, lie, curse, rage, cheat, intimidate, manipulate, exaggerate, and prevaricate any more. Now it’s not your mouth – it’s His mouth.

So here’s the question: have you invited Jesus along for the ride, or is He driving? The word for you today is: surrender to God.

Numbers 26-28, Mark 8:31-38

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Surrender to God (2)

‘If any of you want to be my followers…you must…take up your cross.’
Matthew 16:24 CEV

The UCB Word for Today - 15 Mar 2019

Surrender is not the same thing as passivity. God’s will for your life involves exercising creativity, making choices, and taking initiative.

Surrender does not mean being a doormat; it does not mean you accept circumstances fatalistically. Often it means you will have to fight to challenge the status quo.

It doesn’t mean that you stop using your mind, stop asking questions, or stop thinking critically. Surrender is not a crutch for weak people who cannot handle life.

Instead, surrender is the glad and voluntary acknowledgment that there is a God, and He is not you. His purposes are wiser and better than your desires.

Jesus doesn’t come to rearrange the outside of your life the way you want; He comes to rearrange the inside of your life the way God wants. In surrender, you let go of your life.

You recognise that you are no longer the centre of the universe, and you put God there. You yield to Him.

You offer obedience. You do what He says.

Jesus was very clear on this point: ‘Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.

But if it dies [to self] it produces many seeds’ (John 12:24 NIV 2011 Edition). How do you live a productive and fruitful life?

By dying to yourself daily. D.L. Moody said the world has yet to see what God can do with one person who is totally surrendered to Him.

Today, kneel and pray, ‘Lord, take me, shake me, break me, and make me what You want me to be.’ That’s a prayer He will answer.

Numbers 29-31, Mark 9:1-29

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Surrender to God (3)

‘Teach me to do your will…my God.’
Psalm 143:10 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 16 Mar 2019

You receive power through the act of surrender that you cannot receive any other way. You receive freedom through submission that you will otherwise never know.

The 12-Step Programme for recovery offers a path to freedom for addicts. But at the core of the twelve steps lies a great paradox: in which of the twelve steps does it say, ‘Now try really hard not to drink’?

In which of the twelve steps does it even say, ‘Now decide not to drink’? Amazingly, this powerful tool against our most powerful addictions never asks people to decide to stop doing what is destroying their lives.

Instead of mobilising the will, its followers surrender their will to God. If you try to overcome the problem by your will, it will beat you.

But if you surrender your will to God, deliverance becomes possible. Surrender, which we think means defeat, actually turns out to be the only way to victory.

This is not just the case with alcohol and drugs, but with sin in general. Why does our will fail?

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says that when it comes to drinking, we say and feel ‘never again’. But we do it again.

Why? ‘We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week ago…the certain consequences that follow taking a drink do not crowd into the mind to deter us.

If these thoughts occur, they are hazy and readily replaced by the old threadbare idea that this time we can handle it ourselves.’ So the word for you today is: surrender to God.

Numbers 32-34, Mark 9:30-50

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Surrender to God (4)

‘Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…to God.’
Romans 12:1 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 17 Mar 2019

Paul writes, ‘Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…pleasing to God.’ During a Jewish sacrifice, an animal would be killed and then its body placed on the altar to be consumed by fire.

So what happens if you put a live creature on the altar and say, ‘Stay there until you’re consumed,’ then light the fire? The creature will jump off!

But Paul encourages us to crawl back onto the altar, to surrender day by day, moment by moment. In the moment it feels like death, but it is really the only way to live.

For example, suppose somebody does something that angers you. The situation is complicated, so you are not even sure of the right way to respond.

Without even trying, your mind fills with all kinds of bad thoughts. In that moment you do not know what you should do.

But God knows, and if you surrender to Him, He will show you how to respond with grace. The options that look attractive to you – avoiding, evading, gossiping, blasting – you relinquish to God.

If your hurt runs deep, it will be about five minutes before the revenge fantasies start raging back. You will have to surrender all over again.

But you can recognise those fantasies a little quicker now, and yield a little longer. As you learn to surrender to God in each given situation, you no longer have to surrender to your own impulses.

You lose a life, but you gain a life – a life much better than the one you lost. In the end, it turns out that nothing you lost was really worth keeping anyway.

Luke 5:1-16, Psalm 29-30