[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Nurture your children

‘Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.’

Ephesians 6:4

The UCB Word for Today - 16 Nov 2017

We keep being shocked by stories of children killing teachers and other children in school, and then turning the gun on themselves. Two boys, aged twelve and thirteen, beat a man to death outside a convenience store just for the pleasure of watching him die.

Another boy shot a man sitting in a car at a stop sign. When asked why, he replied, ‘Because he looked at me.’ What is causing this? Easy access to guns? Hours spent watching violent videos? Those may be factors.

But after extensive research, scientists are concluding that violent behaviour is often related to early childhood abuse and neglect. When a baby spends three days or more in dirty nappies, or when children are burned, beaten, or ignored, their blood is filled with stress hormones – cortisol and adrenaline among others.

These hormones bombard and affect the brains of those children. So for the rest of their lives they will not think and feel what others do. They actually lose the capacity to empathise with those who suffer.

The same research has concluded that babies and young children are incredibly vulnerable between birth and three years of age. If their families don’t protect them, love and care for them, society will pay a terrible price for it in years to come.

The Bible uses the word ‘nurture’. It means to love, protect, encourage, compliment, and try to bring out the best in your child.

Ezek 33-34, James 5[/color]

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Confessions of a secret sinner (1)

‘You can’t hide behind a religious mask…sooner or later the mask will slip.’

Luke 12:2

The UCB Word for Today - 17 Nov 2017

Inspirational speaker and author Julie Ann Barnhill writes: ‘I tend to be a stealthy sinner – a cloistered screw-up. Most of my life I’ve managed to fly under the radar…to keep 99.9 per cent of such things hidden.

As someone who attended church and appeared to manage a happy family, I avoided glaring attention to the shadow-side of my life – but at great cost. Lying about my spending led to financial problems in my marriage.

Covetousness robbed me of friendships and contentment. The teenage anger that sent me reeling in fits of self-mutilation, exploded years later in outbursts of abusive anger towards my children.

And when alcohol beckoned during periods of loneliness and depression, I heeded its call. Maybe you’re thinking, “So, you’ve told us a few secrets from your life – they don’t compare to mine.”

Seeing who has the most horrifying secret isn’t the point; we need to embrace the truth that we aren’t alone in our secret places…Confession for confession’s sake easily turns into tabloid moments like daytime talk shows.

It’s not enough to spill the beans. Genuine confession leads to radical forgiveness that’s only available through Christ. It covers whatever we’ve done, no matter how bad it is.

Jesus knows our secrets and they can never stop Him from loving us. They can, however, create a barrier between us and the shame-free life He desires for us. We confess our sins so we can find redemption, rescue, and eternal life.

We share our secret places with trusted friends so we might know the reality of divine healing through flesh-and-blood relationships with those we love.’

Ezek 35-36, 1 Pet 1

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Confessions of a secret sinner (2)

‘You can’t whitewash your sins and get by.’

Proverbs 28:13

The UCB Word for Today - 18 Nov 2017

Julie Ann Barnhill continues: ‘The “father of lies” (John 8:44 NIV 2011 Edition) wants us to believe there are things we’ve done that can make God’s love for us end. And on occasion I’ve swallowed three of his favourite lies.

Lie number one: You’re the only person who ever did that. Few things can send me down the road of condemnation and guilt like anger issues…While outwardly I came across as “together”,

I knew the verbal and physical boundaries I crossed behind closed doors. I confessed to friends, hoping to hear I wasn’t alone. But there was dead silence, and the enemy whispered, “I told you nobody else had done those things. You’re beyond help.”

I believed this until God drew me back to Bible truths I learned and believed since childhood. a) If I confess my wrongs, He’ll forgive me time after time.

b) If I allow Him, He’ll change my thought patterns and strengthen me to do what’s right. c) And even if I fail, Jesus remains faithful; it’s impossible for Him not to…

Three years later…before a packed audience, I told hundreds of mothers where I’d been, and assured them they weren’t the only ones who’d said, done, and thought whatever they were currently beating themselves up about.

Women lined up to speak to me. Some stood quietly with their heads bowed. Others fought to maintain their composure as the enemy’s lies were exposed and defeated…

I never grow tired of hearing another [person] say, “Thanks for being honest!” The Lord has shown me I’m not the only one who’s done the things I’ve done.’ Now that’s real freedom!

Ezek 37-39, 1 Pet 2

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Confessions of a secret sinner (3)

‘You’ll use the old rubble…to…rebuild the foundations.’

Isaiah 58:12

The UCB Word for Today - 19 Nov 2017

Lie number two: God won’t use you now. Julie Ann Barnhill continues: ‘Women long to have their lives count for something more eternal than their jean size, or updated qualifications on a CV.

Yet many times we judge ourselves by these superficial standards. Think of all the times you’ve gazed in a mirror and despised the woman staring back at you; times you’ve bought into the lie that because of your failures God can’t use you.

I’m living proof that He can and does use us despite our past mistakes. David said when “I confessed my sins…you forgave my guilt” (Psalm 32:5 NCV). The worst sins in Scripture can never drive a wedge between you and Christ’s love, if you confess them and seek forgiveness.

God’s truths can dispel the enemy’s deceit. Take hold of this promise: “I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places…You’ll use the old rubble…to…rebuild the foundations” (Isaiah 58:11-12 MSG).

Lie number three: When people find out what you’ve done, they’ll never love, understand, or forgive you. Some you considered friends may leave…It happened to me…Friends dropped me when they learned the depth of my messes.

And I once dropped a friend after learning some uncomfortable details about her life. Friends come and go, but a true friend sticks by you like family (see Proverbs 17:17).

I wasn’t faithful to my friend, but Jesus always is. Time and again He promised never to leave us. Even “if we give up on him, he does not give up – for there’s no way he can be false to himself”’ (2 Timothy 2:13 MSG).

Luke 22:1-30, Ps 119:1-88

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Confessions of a secret sinner (4)

‘You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.’

Psalm 32:5

The UCB Word for Today - 20 Nov 2017

David said, ‘I confessed all my sins to you…And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.’

Julie Ann Barnhill writes: ‘If you’re tired of pretending you have it all together, it’s time to act. For too long Christian women in particular have believed they’re the only ones dealing with shameful issues, agonising regrets, and skeletons in their closet.

Once we open up to God, ourselves, and others, we experience exhilarating freedom and peace. A woman wrote to me: “I had an abortion when I was eighteen. Nobody knows.

For years I marked the date on my calendar and grieved for the child nobody knew about, and the young woman who bore the guilt alone. No more! Now I know I’m not alone, and for the first time in my life I truly believe God is bigger than my secret – and He’s willing to forgive.”

Secrets only hold power when they’re hidden. Once they’re revealed in the light of God’s love they lose their control.

However, there are some things to consider before opening up to someone: 1) If that person repeats things others have shared in confidence, guess who’s up next for discussion?

2) Beware of someone who’s apt to offer unsolicited advice, then take offence when it’s ignored.

3) Stay away from somebody who tries to “fix” you, and tells you not to worry about your secrets. Instead, look for someone who:

a) has good sense and knows when to “back off” and/or move forward when you’re upset;

b) is up-front about their own struggles;

c) is quick to listen and slow to speak;

d) undergirds their words and counsel with scriptural truths.’

Ezek 40-41, 1 Pet 3

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Confessions of a secret sinner (5)

‘The LORD looks at the heart.’

1 Samuel 16:7

The UCB Word for Today - 21 Nov 2017

Pastor and author John MacArthur says: ‘Jesus’ exposition of the law is a devastating blow against the lie that image is everything. Secret sin is especially abhorrent because:

1) God sees the heart. In fact, if we realised He’s the only audience we’d be less inclined to write it off. It’s folly to mitigate sin by keeping it private…it’s double-folly to think you’re better than others because you sin privately…and it’s the height of folly to conceal it. “He who covers his sins will not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV).

2) Sinful thoughts originate from the same source as sinful deeds. When Jesus said hatred carries the same guilt as murder, and that lust is the essence of adultery, He wasn’t saying there’s no difference in degree…

He was saying that a lustful person has no right to feel superior to a fornicator. The fact that somebody thinks such thoughts proves they’re capable of immoral acts, and someone who hates his brother already has murder lurking in his heart.

3) Hypocrisy compounds hidden sin. Why? Because it means covering it up. Jesus called hypocrisy “the leaven of the Pharisees” (Luke 12:1 NKJV) because it compounds itself like leaven.

It sears your conscience and paves the way for other character-damaging sins…When somebody tries to tell you appearances are everything – don’t buy it! Your secret life is a litmus test of your character:

“As he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7 NASB). If you want to know who you really are, look at your private life. Then gaze into the mirror of God’s Word and let Him disclose and correct the thoughts and intents of your heart.’

Ezek 42-44, 1 Pet 4

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Use your common sense

‘God blesses everyone who has…common sense.’

Proverbs 3:13

The UCB Word for Today - 22 Nov 2017

The key to success lies in doing the right thing at the right time. Theologian Tryon Edwards said, ‘Have a time and place for everything, and do everything in its time and place…you’ll not only accomplish more, but have far more leisure than those who are always hurrying.’

If you’re tired of living with constant stress, Theology professor Dr Howard Hendricks draws our attention to four major sources:

1) Saying yes to far too many things. Dr Lewis Sperry Chafer once said, ‘Much of our spiritual activity is little more than a cheap anaesthetic to deaden the pain of an empty life.’ All our ‘going and doing’ fails to address our core emptiness.

2) Not stopping to recharge our batteries. We dutifully pull out our day planner and fill the spaces between activities. But let’s not fool ourselves; avoiding overlapping activities isn’t planning. As a result, we’re a stressed-out, short-tempered crowd, commuting between poorly planned activities that add little to our spiritual well-being.

3) Failure to enjoy what we accomplish. ‘A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul’ (Proverbs 13:19 NKJV). With always too much to do, we dash off to the next obligation, often without finishing the previous one or taking time to stand back and savour a job well done. No wonder we worry that our existence seems meaningless.

4) Owing more than we can repay. Next time you’re faced with a credit card purchase – wait! Don’t necessarily say no. Just present your so-called ‘need’ to God and see what He says about it. If you’re serious about developing your spiritual life, use your common sense and put these four principles to work.

Ezek 45-46, 1 Pet 5

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Small things matter

‘Who has despised the day of small things?’

Zechariah 4:10

The UCB Word for Today - 23 Nov 2017

When God gave Gideon victory over the Midianites, He used an army of just three hundred to defeat an enemy that was hundreds of thousands strong (see Judges 7). That wasn’t because there weren’t more soldiers available; it was because God wanted to demonstrate His power in ‘the day of small things’.

Jesus could have chosen any number of followers, but He handpicked twelve to reach the world with the gospel. One day He fed five thousand people with five bread rolls and two small fish from a child’s lunchbox.

He compared God’s kingdom to a mustard seed – the smallest there is, yet it grows into a massive tree. He also likened His kingdom to yeast that’s barely discernible, yet it can raise an entire batch of dough.

Then He went on to say, ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much’ (Luke 16:10 NIV 2011 Edition). So if you’re asking God to make you bigger instead of better, you may be disappointed.

All the prayers in the world won’t pressure Him into giving you what you are not ready to handle. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, ‘Most people would succeed in small things if they weren’t troubled with blind ambition.’

Your drive to be bigger can give you ulcers, keep you awake at night, and stop you from enjoying the blessings God has already given you. Better may be harder to measure and not as glamorous, but the inner stability that comes from gradual success is more valuable and lasting.

So if you’re ‘in the day of small things’, rejoice and be confident that God has bigger and better things in mind for you.

Ezek 47-48, 2 Pet 1

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Practise humility

‘Clothe yourselves with humility.’

1 Peter 5:5

The UCB Word for Today - 24 Nov 2017

The Bible says: ‘Clothe yourselves with humility…for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble…humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you’ (vv. 5-7 NASB).

Let’s break this Scripture down into four parts: 1) ‘Clothe yourselves with humility.’ In this context the word clothe refers to a white scarf or apron that was typically worn by servants.

Does that mean you have to conform to everybody’s wishes? No; if you do that everybody else may like you but you won’t like yourself. Just be who God called you to be, and be willing to serve others as the opportunity arises.

2) ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less and putting others first.

3) ‘Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.’ Throughout Scripture ‘the mighty hand of God’ symbolises two things: God’s hand of discipline and His hand of deliverance, and you need both. So submit to His discipline and you’ll experience His deliverance.

4) ‘Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.’ Here Peter addresses one of our core human concerns: that if we don’t look out for ourselves nobody else will.

But if we really believe God ‘cares’ for us we needn’t worry about serving our own interest. We’re free to focus on the needs of others, confident that God will spare nothing when it comes to meeting our needs.

Dan 1-2, 2 Pet 2

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God loves them – you must too
‘God…doesn’t think anyone is unclean or unfit.’

Acts 10:28

The UCB Word for Today - 25 Nov 2017

From a Jewish point of view Cornelius, a Gentile, was a bad guy. He ate the wrong food, hung out with the wrong crowd, and swore allegiance to the wrong leader: Caesar. He didn’t quote the Torah or descend from Abraham.

He was uncircumcised, unkosher, and unclean. Yet he did two things that got God’s attention.

He prayed for spiritual enlightenment, and he was generous to the poor and needy. The Bible says he was ‘one who feared God with all his household…gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always’ (v. 2 NKJV).

Up until this point the gospel had been preached only to the Jews. But God was about to change that. And to do it He used Peter, one of the most religiously biased people you’ll ever meet.

In a vision, God showed Peter a sheet being let down from heaven; it was filled with all kinds of food Jews are forbidden to eat. Peter protested, ‘Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean’ (v. 14 NKJV).

And since Peter was slow to understand, the sheet was let down three times. Finally a voice from heaven said, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common’ (v. 15 NKJV).

As a result, Peter went to Cornelius’s house and preached the gospel. And before he could issue an invitation, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were present, confirming that this was God’s will.

At that point Peter declared, ‘God has shown me that he doesn’t think anyone is unclean or unfit.’ Let God show you that too!

Dan 3-4, 2 Pet 3