[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Everybody you meet has potential

23 MAY 2019

‘Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.’
Galatians 6:10 NLT
Have you ever watched a train switch on to the same track as several disconnected carriages, hook up, and together move forward? The truth is if you want to help people you’ve got to get on the same track, connect with them, and help move them forward.

But before you can do that there are two rules you need to observe: 1) Never take anyone for granted. Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said that during an election one of his elderly neighbours told him, ‘I voted for you again today even though you didn’t ask me to.’ Surprised, O’Neill replied, ‘But I’ve known you all my life, Mrs O’Brien.

I took out your garbage and mowed your lawn – I didn’t think I had to ask.’ In a motherly tone she replied, ‘It’s always nice to be asked!’ 2) Believe that everyone has potential.

Mother Teresa said, ‘We don’t have to be extraordinary in any way. I can do what you can’t do, you can do what I can’t do, and together we can do great things.’ You may not be able to help everybody, but you can help somebody.

The thing Andrew is most noted for in Scripture is introducing his brother Peter to Jesus. But Peter ended up bringing multitudes to Jesus.

In the New Jerusalem you’ll see the name of each of the apostles written above its twelve foundations (see Revelation 21:14). And Andrew’s name will be there.

How come? Because he believed everybody has the potential to make a difference once they know Jesus.


1 Kings 12-13, Acts 5:21-42

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The word for multitaskers

‘But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted.’
Luke 10:40 AMPC

The UCB Word for Today - 24 May 2019

One of the great buzzwords of this generation is multitasking. Used properly, it can make you more productive.

Used wrongly, such as trying to text someone while you’re driving, it can kill you. You will not enjoy today, or the gifts it contains, if you don’t have a balanced attitude towards work.

One day Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. What a contrast!

Martha was ‘overly occupied and too busy’, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and soaked up everything He had to say. She was determined not to miss this precious moment.

And Jesus said Mary made a better choice than Martha did. Now, He didn’t tell Martha not to work; He told her to stop getting frustrated and having a bad attitude while she worked.

Jesus wants you to work hard, but He also wants you to be wise enough to realise when you should stop all activity and not miss the miracle of His presence in the moment. The Bible says, ‘Give your mind to what you are doing’ (Ecclesiastes 5:1 AMPC).

In other words, train yourself to focus your full attention on what you are involved in at any given time. Then finish it before starting something else.

This kind of concentration requires discipline, but it’s worth it because being able to focus helps you enjoy the present moment. Breaking the bad habit of excessive multitasking may sound easy, but it’s actually quite difficult.

So be determined to form new, balanced habits in this area. When you do, the quality of your life will improve.

1 Kings 14-15, Acts 6

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Keep trusting God

‘He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.’
Philippians 1:6 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 25 May 2019

When Mark Matousek told people that a potentially fatal disease had saved his life, they didn’t understand. He wasn’t glad he got sick.

But without it, he’d never have discovered and tapped into the strength to confront and overcome some of his core fears. He writes: ‘Hardship can be the blood in muscles that pushes us forward.

Crisis takes us to the brink and forces us to keep moving. When people call it a blessing, they’re describing a paradox…[Crisis can make us] come alive as never before.’ The truth is, God is committed to your spiritual growth: ‘He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.’

And along the way you’ll be tested, sometimes to your limits. One author writes: ‘Spiritual tests try our faith and commitment.

Remember Abraham and Isaac? Nothing makes us prouder than seeing our children succeed, and God had great plans for Isaac. What could possibly go wrong?

A lot! We’ve stood in Abraham’s sandals and clung to God’s promises, yet sickness lingers, financial troubles invade, friends betray us, and death calls. Abraham responded with trust and commitment.

It wasn’t easy for him…we know the outcome; he didn’t. Yet he was prepared to take his son’s life.

God never wanted Isaac’s death…He wants our whole and committed hearts. When trials don’t make sense…He promises to set limits…to walk with us and bring forth good.’

1 Kings 16-18, Acts 7:1-22

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Everything you need is in God’s Word

26 MAY 2019
‘If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.’
John 8:36 NLT
Sometimes we tell new believers to clean up their act, without telling them how! Jesus said, ‘If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.’ The Amplified Bible puts it like this: ‘Then you are really and unquestionably free.’ The key to victory in life doesn’t lie in exercising more willpower, but in drawing on God’s power moment by moment. Paul writes, ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh’ (Galatians 5:16 NKJV). Lasting change comes from the inside out. Your biggest battle will always be in the area of your thoughts and impulses.


If Satan can get your mind off God’s Word and into the carnal realm, he can swing you towards sin and defeat every time. Understand this: God’s Word is the language of God’s Spirit. That means when you read it and meditate on its principles, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you, and as a result you can keep your flesh under control.


But when you dwell on sinful thoughts, you’re operating in the enemy’s language and letting him dictate to you. So get back into God’s Word today. It’s ‘the sword of the Spirit’ and the only weapon sharp enough to cut you loose from sin.

Peter says, ‘By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life…he has given us great and precious promises…[so we can] share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption’ (2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT). Everything you need is in God’s Word.



Luke 9:37-62, Psalm 54-56

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Work for unity


27 MAY 2019
‘Accept other believers who are weak in faith.’
Romans 14:1 NLT

During the first century cities like Rome attracted people from many different cultures, languages, religions, and customs. Consequently the early church’s mission to ‘make disciples of all the nations’ sometimes led to conflict and confusion.

For example, some believers continued to observe a seventh-day Sabbath, while others who didn’t eat meat wanted to remain vegetarians. It’s the reason Paul wrote, ‘Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue…about what they think is right or wrong.’ Note, he didn’t tell us to just tolerate or put up with them, but to ‘accept’, welcome, receive, acknowledge, and make allowance for those who aren’t carbon copies of us.

Even though the issues we deal with nowadays are different from those of the early church, it’s easy to become divisive and judgmental. But remember, ‘Each of us will give a personal account to God.

So let’s stop condemning each other…instead…live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble’ (vv. 12-13 NLT). When legitimate differences arise on fundamental issues and there’s no wiggle room for negotiation, behave in a Christlike way without picking fights, criticising, and looking down on people.


Satan’s goal is to sidetrack us into splitting hairs while God’s kingdom suffers. Instead, ‘Be devoted to one another in…love. Honour one another above yourselves’ (Romans 12:10 NIVUK 1984 Edition).

Learn to respect your fellow believers not because of who they are, but whose they are! Paul writes, ‘May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity…so that with one heart and one mouth you may glorify…God’ (Romans 15:5-6 NIV 1984 Edition).

1 Kings 19-20, Acts 7:23-43

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Learn to be content

‘I have learned how to be content.’
Philippians 4:11 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 28 May 2019

When you aim to grow personally and achieve things in life, these are commendable goals. But when you covet what someone else has or want to be just like them, you’re entering into territory that’s forbidden by Scripture.

Contentment does not mean you should become complacent or settle for mediocrity and fail to achieve your God-given potential in life. Not at all!

You’re supposed to work to improve yourself, while at the same time remaining totally dependent on God (see 2 Corinthians 3:5). Self-sufficiency means to be ‘sufficient in one’s self’ instead of putting your faith in God’s assistance.

Contentment, on the other hand, is to know with certainty and firm conviction that God is able to meet your every need (see Philippians 4:19). When you understand that truth, you don’t have to covet anyone else’s position, property, possessions, or personality.

Why? Because you’re assured that all you presently have, and all you are today, is more than enough in the hands of God.

Whatever you need to do to fulfil His will, you can do, not in your own strength but in the strength and power of Christ who dwells within your innermost being. Covetousness comes to us all naturally, but contentment must be learned.

Paul writes: ‘I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.

I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength’ (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT).

1 Kings 21-22, Acts 7:44-60

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Keep calm and carry on

‘Continue in the grace of God.’
Acts 13:43 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 29 May 2019

In the days leading up to World War II, the British government commissioned a series of posters. The idea was to capture encouraging slogans and distribute them throughout the country.

Capital letters in a distinct typeface were used, and a simple two-colour format selected. The only graphic was the crown of King George VI.

The first poster was distributed in September of 1939: YOUR COURAGE. YOUR CHEERFULNESS. YOUR RESOLUTION WILL BRING US VICTORY.

Soon thereafter a second poster was produced: FREEDOM IS IN PERIL. DEFEND IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT.

These two posters appeared on railway platforms and in pubs, shops, and restaurants. A third poster was created but it was never distributed.

More than 2.5 million copies were printed yet never seen until nearly sixty years later, when a bookshop owner in north-east England discovered one in a box of old books he had purchased at an auction. It read: KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

It bore the same crown and style of the first two posters. It was never released to the public, however, but held in reserve for an extreme crisis, such as invasion by Germany.

The bookshop owner framed it and hung it on the wall. It became so popular that the bookshop began producing identical images of the original design on coffee mugs, postcards, and posters.

It’s the same message Paul and Barnabas brought to the first Christians in Antioch: ‘Continue in the grace of God.’ Or in other words, keep calm and carry on!

2 Kings 1-3, Acts 8:1-25

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Spend more time in prayer

‘Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face.’
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 30 May 2019

In Catherine Marshall’s book A Closer Walk, her husband Leonard LeSourd writes about the beginning of their marriage. ‘Catherine had huge adjustments to make.

She sold her Washington dream house to move to Chappaqua, so I could continue to commute to my job at Guideposts in New York City. My children – Linda, ten; Chester, six; Jeffrey, three – had been through a deeply unsettling two years, adjusting to a variety of housekeepers.

They had mixed feelings towards moving into a new house, and especially towards “the new mommy that Daddy’s bringing home”. Catherine’s son Peter, who was nineteen, was going through a period of rebellion at Yale…Catherine and I had so many things to pray about that we began to rise an hour early each morning to read the Bible and seek answers together.

Her current journal lay open beside us in these predawn prayer times, recording our changing needs, and His unchanging faithfulness.’ As the pressures of life mount, you need to pray more, not less.

Jesus rose before dawn to pray. Sometimes He prayed all night.

Other times He left the demands of the crowd to pray. Why?

Because your power, peace, joy, and effectiveness are directly related to the time you spend in prayer. Then why don’t we pray daily?

For the same reason people join a gym in January and quit by February. Prayer requires discipline that only you can put in place.

But it brings great rewards. Hymnist Fanny Crosby wrote: ‘Oh, the pure delight of a single hour, that before Thy throne I spend.

As I kneel in prayer, and with Thee my God, I commune as friend with friend.’

2 Kings 4-6, Acts 8:26-40

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Share it with them

‘Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give…will never thirst.’
John 4:14 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 31 May 2019

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, ‘Why do you eat and drink with such scum?’ (Luke 5:30 NLT). Such contempt – and from those who should have been the first to show love and compassion!

Jesus loved people; look how He dealt with the woman at the well. First, He broke the rules.

Jews didn’t mix with Gentiles, and they certainly didn’t associate with her kind. (She’d been divorced five times.) Jesus walked for miles to meet this woman.

He went into her world to bring her into His. He mixed with her not to take advantage of her or become like her, but to reach, redeem, and restore her.

That’s why He’s called ‘a friend of…sinners’ (Matthew 11:19 KJV). Could people say that about you?

Second, He broke the ice. Jesus talked about what she was interested in – water.

You must start where people are, not where you think they should be. You must use words they understand.

And get over your fear of rejection. You may lose face if they say no, but think what they’ll lose if they never have a chance to say yes to the gospel.

Third, He broke the news. He offered her living water instead of dead religion. How can you say you love someone and not share with them the greatest thing you ever found – salvation?

Everybody you meet is hung up on the past, anxious about the future, or in need of a real friend. Once you find which door they’re behind, walk through it with love and sensitivity.

They’re thirsty for ‘the living water’. Share it with them.

2 Kings 7-9, Acts 9:1-22

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Pray from your heart

‘When you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production.’
Matthew 6:5 MSG

The UCB Word for Today - 01 June 2019

Jesus said the Pharisees turned prayer into ‘a theatrical production’, and that God wasn’t moved by it. Author John Ortberg points out five things about them:

‘1) Their prayers had become a shallow exercise rather than a deep relationship-building one.
2) They were rituals, rather than authentic expressions of a loving heart.
3) They were long and wordy, designed to impress others.
4) They were filled with meaningless clichés.
5) They became a cause for pride rather than an opportunity to express humble reliance on God.’

Can you imagine your child approaching you with a whole bunch of religious ‘thee’s’ and ‘thou’s’? How would it make you feel?

When it comes to prayer, Jesus said: ‘Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.

The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace. The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant.

They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense.

This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply’ (vv. 6-8 MSG).

You can pray anywhere, at any time: in your car, in the bathroom, lying in bed, while you’re exercising, or at work. All God asks is that you be spontaneous, personal, and honest.

In other words, pray from your heart.

2 Kings 10-12, Acts 9:23-43