[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The power of your testimony

‘Go…tell them how much the Lord has done for you.’
Mark 5:19 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 13 OCT 2019

The most powerful testimony of all – is a life that can’t be explained without God! People may dispute your theology, but your testimony, that’s something else!

Six different times Paul stood before hostile audiences, and each time he gave his personal testimony. No arguing, no debating – just his story.

Dr David Yonggi Cho built the world’s largest church in South Korea (one million members). He was won to Christ by a lady he met only once.

She shared her testimony, moved on, and Cho, a former Buddhist, never found her again. Your testimony is an awesome thing, especially when it’s backed by a consistent lifestyle.

People who won’t listen to others will listen to you, relate to you, and respond to you if you’ll share your story. And when you do, keep in mind four things:

1) Be interesting. Give them the short version and avoid clichés. Jesus is exciting; He came to bring ‘[life] more abundantly’ (John 10:10 NKJV).

2) Be specific. Talk about:
a) how it used to be;
b) how you met Jesus;
c) how it is now.

3) Be honest. Don’t say, ‘All your problems will disappear when you become a Christian.’

The Christian life is a battlefield, not a playing field. Let people know you still have struggles but something important has changed – you’re no longer alone: ‘Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world’ (1 John 4:4 KJV).

4) Be warm. Don’t try to arm-wrestle them into the kingdom.

Be gracious, sow the seed, and leave the harvest to God. Now, ‘Go…tell them how much the Lord has done for you.’

Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 105-106

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Your joy will return

‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’
Psalm 30:5 KJV

The UCB Word for Today - 14 OCT 2019

It’s hard when you work all day then come home to an empty house and sleep with your arms wrapped around a pillow, wishing you had someone to hold.

No matter how much you try to cover it up, nothing can hide that kind of loneliness. It’s the pain of having so much to share and nobody to share it with.

But God knows your plight, and He cares. It’s why He made Eve for Adam, found Boaz for Ruth, and Rebekah for Isaac. It’s why His Word deals with real-life issues like sexual frustration, loneliness, failure, and lack of self-worth.

Natural voids and thirsts exist within all of us, and how we fill them determines our ability to survive and find happiness. If you’re struggling on your own to face the challenges of life, you need to know that you’re not alone!

‘The God of all comfort’ is with you (2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV). No one understands like Jesus.

His family rejected Him, His disciples abandoned Him, and the world crucified Him. That’s why the Bible says He’s ‘touched with the feeling of our infirmities’ and was ‘in all points tempted…as we are’ (Hebrews 4:15 KJV).

He knows when you feel like nothing you do is ever good enough. He knows that as well as being a parent, you’re a person.

He knows, He understands, and He invites you to come to Him. The season you’re in right now won’t last forever. A new one is coming, with new energy, new relationships, new experiences, and new joy.

Until then remember: ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ Your joy will return!

Jeremiah 20-21, 1 Timothy 3

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Make it a personal growth experience

‘Speaking the truth in love, we will grow.’
Ephesians 4:15 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 15 OCT 2019

Before you confront someone over an issue, stop and examine your motives. Is your goal to help or humiliate them?

Jesus was in the business of lifting and restoring people, and you should be in that business too. Ask yourself, would you approach things differently if you weren’t so personally involved?

Are you confronting this person to make yourself look better? Cutting someone else down in order to lift yourself up is the lowest form of ego gratification.

Poet Kahlil Gibran said, ‘To belittle, you have to be little.’ Don’t do it!

It’s a sign of insecurity. Remember Nehemiah’s response to those who tried to discourage him from rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls?

‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?’ (Nehemiah 6:3 KJV). Don’t allow your critics to break your stride.

Don’t give more credence to the sentiments of a critic than you would to the encouragement of a friend. Before you put somebody else’s life under the microscope, stop and examine your own.

Are you grappling with the same issue, or one just as bad? Have you succeeded where you’re accusing somebody else of failing?

In other words, have you earned the right to be heard? Paul writes, ‘Speaking the truth in love we will grow…in every respect.’

Could it be that the situation you’re dealing with right now is an opportunity to measure your own maturity and make it a spiritual growth experience?

Jeremiah 22-23, 1 Timothy 4

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Thank God for your job

‘Those who work hard will prosper.’
Proverbs 13:4 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 16 OCT 2019

Author and motivational speaker Charlie ‘Tremendous’ Jones tells the story of a man who dreamed he’d inherited a million dollars. In the dream he tried to take a shower, but the shower wouldn’t work.

He tried to shave, but his shaver wouldn’t shave. He tried to make breakfast, but the coffee wouldn’t perk and the toaster wouldn’t toast.

He went to get a newspaper, but the newspaper box was empty. He went to catch the bus to work, but the bus didn’t come. Finally, after waiting an hour, he asked somebody, ‘What’s going on here?’

They replied, ‘Haven’t you heard? Everybody has inherited a million dollars and nobody’s working anymore.’

Suddenly the man woke up, discovered that it was all a dream, and said, ‘Thank God!’ So he went and had a tremendous shower, a tremendous shave, a tremendous cup of coffee, and a tremendous piece of toast while he was reading a tremendous newspaper.

Finally he caught a tremendous bus to a tremendous job! Thank God today for the job He has given you, and put your very best into it.

Your position and salary would most likely have been a dream-come-true for some of your ancestors. You may not be called to ‘the ministry’ per se, but if your job affords you the privilege of being a solution to somebody’s problem and offers you the dignity of making a difference in life, be grateful.

Imagine what your life would be like without it! ‘Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.’

Jeremiah 24-26, 1 Timothy 5

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

When you worship, you’re taking in God’s Word

‘Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.’
Ephesians 5:19 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 17 OCT 2019

The truths of God’s Word have been passed down from generation to generation through preaching, teaching, and publishing. But they have also been passed down through hymns of worship we sing in church.

When you sing them, you’re proclaiming the truth of God’s Word and simultaneously ingesting it. You grow spiritually through the Word you hear, the Word you study, the Word you speak, and yes, the Word you sing.

Paul writes, ‘Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord’ (vv. 18-19 NKJV). Jesus didn’t just preach the Word, He sang it too: ‘And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives’ (Matthew 26:30 KJV).

Why does the Bible place such emphasis on speaking God’s Word? Because when you read God’s Word aloud you ingest it in two ways – through the eye-gate and the ear-gate.

And the same thing happens when you sing God’s Word. The readers of God’s Word shouldn’t look down on the singers of God’s Word, and the singers shouldn’t feel spiritually inferior to the readers.

The important thing is to get into God’s Word and get God’s Word into you. Some of us do that best through a sermon, others through personal Bible study, and others through songs that proclaim the life-changing truths of His Word.

So, when you worship, you’re taking in God’s Word.

Jeremiah 27-29, 1 Timothy 6

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Try to learn something every day

‘Knowledge will fill you with joy.’
Proverbs 2:10 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 18 OCT 2019

One Friday morning an eager young Stanford University student stood before Louis Janin, a well-known mining engineer. He was seeking employment.

Janin informed him, ‘All I need right now is a stenographer.’ The young man said eagerly, ‘Fine, I’ll take the job.’

Then he added, ‘But I can’t come back until Tuesday.’ Janin agreed, and the next Tuesday the young man reported for work as scheduled.

Janin asked him, ‘Why is it that you couldn’t come back before Tuesday?’ The young man replied, ‘Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn how to use it.’

The young typist was Herbert Hoover, whose can-do attitude eventually led him through the doors of the White House to become one of America’s presidents. By taking shortcuts – you risk short-changing your future.

Your unwillingness to learn today will leave you unprepared for tomorrow’s opportunities. No skill you learn will ever be lost.

Gleaning knowledge and learning new skills builds confidence and sharpens your mind. Successful people have one thing in common: they never quit learning!

Furthermore, God calls prepared people, so prepare yourself. The Bible says: ‘Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver…Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy’ (Proverbs 2:2-10 NLT).

Jeremiah 30-31, 2 Timothy 1

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

‘Stress Fractures’

‘He gives…strength to the weak.’
Isaiah 40:29 TLB

The UCB Word for Today - 19 OCT 2019

Sports Illustrated magazine says, ‘Stress fractures begin when the shocks and strains of playing game after game create tiny cracks in outer layers of bone. When those cracks become large enough to cause severe pain, they are known as “stress fractures”.’

If you’ve ever had a stress-fractured mind, you can relate. It eats at you by day and keeps you awake at night.

And if you try to ‘medicate’ it with alcohol, or drugs, or an affair, or overeating, or a hyperactive lifestyle, it gets worse. What should you do?

1) Change your focus. ‘Come to me…and I will give you rest…Let me teach you…and you will find rest for your souls’ (Matthew 11:28-29 NLT).

‘He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak…they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength’ (Isaiah 40:29-31 TLB). Instead of struggling alone with the burden, share it with the burden-bearer and let Him strengthen you.

2) Lighten up! ‘A merry heart doeth good like a medicine’ (Proverbs 17:22 KJV).

Don’t make such a big deal out of everything! Lighten up and laugh more, especially at yourself!

Do you even remember the last time you enjoyed a good laugh? Accept your imperfections.

Let some stuff go. Stop trying to be Wonder Woman or Superman.

Get away for some fun. Yes, you need fun too! Cancel some of your not-so-important meetings.

If you want things to change, you will have to change them. Today talk to God; He knows how to heal stress fractures.

Jeremiah 32-33, 2 Timothy 2

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Building healthy, fulfilling relationships

‘There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’
Proverbs 18:24 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 20 OCT 2019

To fulfil God’s plan for your life, you need relationships with the right people, those who stick by you come what may. Remember Jonathan, who loved David even at the cost of his own life?

And Ruth, who loved her mother-in-law Naomi and gave her a reason to live again? God can introduce you to such people and help you build a relationship with them.

Think about it: He wouldn’t say, ‘It is not good that man should be alone,’ then ask you to live in isolation (Genesis 2:18 NKJV). Sometimes when you’re by yourself, you’re in the worst possible company!

But you may need to be healed within before you can build healthy relationships and make healthy choices. That means learning to differentiate between ‘using’ relationships and ‘heart ties’.

Blood ties don’t wear as well as heart ties. Allow God to work on you and when you’re ready, He will facilitate the necessary introductions.

In the meantime get to know Him better because He’s the source of true self-esteem. If your last relationship stripped you of self-worth and drained you spiritually, use this time to get back on your feet.

You may never have this opportunity again! Begin to love like God loves.

He sees our imperfections, handles our rejection, and loves us regardless. Knowing that will help you not to discard a good person because they did a bad thing.

Would you throw your car away because of a faulty part? If God forgave you the way you forgive others, could you stand? (see Psalm 130:3).

Ask Him today to show you how to build healthy, fulfilling relationships. He will do it!

Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 107-109

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Blessed for a purpose!

‘Afterwards they will come out with great possessions.’
Genesis 15:14 NIVUK

The UCB Word for Today - 21 OCT 2019

When the children of Israel were leaving Egypt, God transferred the wealth from one nation of people to another. And He did it overnight.

That’s because His people were called to fulfil His purposes in the earth. After 400 years (ten generations) of making bricks, polishing brass, and sweeping floors, God said in essence, ‘It’s payday! All that stuff you’ve been scrubbing and shining is going to be yours.’

The greater the affliction, the greater the abundance! Let’s be clear, the Bible teaches that money isn’t offensive to God; the misuse of it is!

One pastor says: ‘Money speaks. It says to land, “I can own you.” It says to buildings, “I can build you.” It says to vision, “I can fulfil you.” It says to a missionary, “I can support you.” It says to poverty, “I can feed you.” And it says to opportunity, “I can accept you.”’

Why did Pharaoh pursue the Israelites? To get back the wealth of Egypt.

Stop and think about that! The devil doesn’t care who gets the money, as long as it doesn’t go to God’s people or fulfil His purposes.

Satan dreads the thought of a generation of prosperous believers committed to reaching the world with the gospel. And he will keep us enslaved to ignorance if he can.

‘But I‘m not a slave,’ you say. How about slavery to debt, or hopelessness, or fear, or old habits?

God wants to set you free from anything that keeps you from fulfilling His will. Once you realise that, you’ll start to pray in earnest and believe God for the resources to do it!

Jeremiah 34-36, 2 timothy 3

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God will take care of you

‘Don’t worry…your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.’
Matthew 6:31-32 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 22 OCT 2019

If God lives within you, shouldn’t it be obvious? How can you say you trust Him and then worry obsessively about your health, your kids, your job, and your finances?

Concern is one thing, but worry is an affront to the God who has never let you down. Paul writes, ‘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’ (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

Pray or worry – those are your options. Why did Jesus say, ‘Take no thought for tomorrow’? (See Matthew 6:34.)

Because when you take thought you try to take control. And when that happens peace goes out the window!

Worry is like a snowball; it starts small, and as you keep rolling it forward it becomes big enough to bury you. All that’s necessary to keep a stationary train from moving forward are two six-inch blocks of wood, but once it builds up a head of steam it will crash through a six-foot-thick wall.

So stop the worry train before it leaves the station! God says, ‘My grace is sufficient for you’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV 2011 Edition).

God will give you only what you need for today; that way you have to keep trusting Him for tomorrow. The Bible tells us Jesus is the Good Shepherd who ‘calls his own sheep by name and…walks ahead of them’ (John 10:3-4 NLT).

How wonderful. He’s already gone ahead of you to arrange everything.

Knowing that should help you face tomorrow, confident that God will take care of you.

Jeremiah 37-39, 2 Timothy 4