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The Word For Today-A Daily Update
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

How to overcome fear (5)


‘Faith comes by hearing…the word of God.’
Romans 10:17 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 09 Aug 2018

Every day fear and faith will arise inside you, and you get to decide which one will prevail. Somebody wrote, ‘Two natures beat within my breast; the one is foul, the other blessed.

The one I love, the other I hate; the one I feed will dominate.’ Fear and faith will always be present in your life, and the one you feed will come out on top.

You can’t expect fear to simply disappear. If you focus on your fears, entertain them, and give in to them, they’ll increase.

The way to overcome them is to starve them. Don’t give them your time or energy.

Don’t feed them with gossip, negative news reports, or frightening films. Focus on your faith, and each day feed it through God’s Word (see Romans 10:17).

The more energy and time you devote to your faith, the stronger it will become. Anytime you feel afraid of something but do it anyway, you reprogram your attitude.

In other words, when you feel afraid, it means ‘go’ instead of ‘stop’; it means ‘fight harder’ instead of ‘give up’. The most important step you can take to overcome fear is trusting God to do the thing you think you can’t do.

No matter how strong a hold fear may have on you, it can be overcome. That’s because fear is in your mind, and your mind can be renewed by the Word of God.

Here’s the key: ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God’ (Romans 12:2 NKJV).

Job 36-37, 1 Corinthians 9
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Let it go!


‘Cast out this bondwoman and her son.’
Genesis 21:10 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 10 Aug 2018

When Abraham tried to hurry the plan of God and fulfil it through well-intentioned but misguided human effort, Ishmael was born. Perhaps you have tried something similar yourself.

We all have our ‘Ishmaels’ – a good idea that wasn’t a God idea. And it can complicate your life.

So God told Abraham, ‘Cast out this bondwoman and her son.’ In other words: ‘It’s time to deal with your past and clean out your cupboard.

This thing is holding you back, and until you deal with it you can’t move forward to your destiny. Get it out of your life and don’t look back!’

Sometimes your miracle (Isaac) and your mistake (Ishmael) can live together for a while under the same roof. Things can be so good in one area of your life, yet so bad in another.

But there comes a time when God says, ‘Because of the plans I have for you, you must put this thing out of your life.’ And that’s not easy.

It’s painful letting go of what your flesh craves or cherishes. But you have only two options: be led by your emotions and miss out on God’s best, or say, ‘As much as I love this person or thing, I love the Lord more.’

When you’re willing to walk away from something you thought you had to have because you love God more, that’s called ‘the sacrifice of praise’ (Hebrews 13:15). And when you offer it up to God, you position yourself to experience a new level of His blessing.

Is God speaking to you today about something similar in your life? If so, let it go!

Job 38-40, 1 Corinthians 10:1-17
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Half-truths and false impressions


‘Deliver my soul…from lying lips, and…a deceitful tongue.’
Psalm 120:2 KJV

The UCB Word for Today - 11 Aug 2018

When you deliberately create a false impression, the Bible calls it dealing in ‘falsehood…error, deception, cheating’ (Revelation 22:15 AMPC). That may sound harsh, especially if all you had in mind was making an extra pound, sparing someone’s feelings, or trying to make yourself look better.

No human being would set such a standard, but God does. And He’s serious about it.

Case in point: Ananias and Sapphira. When this couple tried to create a false impression about their giving, they dropped dead in the presence of the apostles.

As a result, ‘No one else dared join them’ (Acts 5:13 NIV 2011 Edition). How long would you have lasted in that church?

Peter said, ‘You have not lied to men but to God’ (v. 4 NIV 1984 Edition). That puts a whole new slant on it, doesn’t it?

The story’s told of a guy who went fishing and caught nothing. So he stopped by the market on his way home and bought three fish.

Then he told the shop assistant, ‘Throw them to me – that way when I get home I can tell my wife I caught them.’ Solomon said, ‘My mouth speaks what is true…All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse’ (Proverbs 8:7-8 NIV 2011 Edition).

Some of the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves, and end up believing. And another thought: a liar’s biggest problem is they can’t believe anybody else, because ‘how you live your life is how you judge your neighbour’.

So if you have a problem telling the truth, pray, ‘Deliver my soul…Lord, from lying lips, and…a deceitful tongue.’

Job 41-42, 1 Corinthians 10:18-33
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

The parental guilt trip


‘My son [and daughter], if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice.’
Proverbs 23:15 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 12 Aug 2018

Since there are no perfect people, there can be no perfect parents. So though you love your children dearly, at times you’ll get tired, frustrated, disappointed, and irritable.

The secret is to make such times the exception rather than the rule. A Christian psychologist writes: ‘A few years ago I asked one thousand mothers and fathers to describe their greatest frustrations in raising kids.

I heard many humorous stories about sticky telephones and wet toilet seats and knotted shoestrings. One mother actually wanted to know why toddlers never throw up in the bathroom…But in our poll parents didn’t merely laugh about their frustrations – they tended to blame themselves.

They said they were overwhelmed and were losing confidence in their ability to do the job. Many were having trouble just coping from day to day.

How sad it is that this ancient responsibility of raising children has become so burdensome and laden with guilt. Actually, the facts won’t support that self-condemnation in the majority of cases.

Most mums and dads are doing a creditable job at home – and it’s time someone patted them on the back for their commitment and sacrifice. Some day when the frustrations of toddlerhood and the turmoil of adolescence have passed, they’ll enjoy the sweet benefits of being very good and loving parents.

Hang in there, Mum and Dad; you’re more skilled than you think you are.’ Solomon spells out the parent’s true reward: ‘My son [and daughter], if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice.’

Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 81-83
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God is directing your steps


‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.’
Psalm 37:23 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 13 Aug 2018

Elijah’s destiny was to stand on Mount Carmel, call down fire from heaven, and deliver Israel from idolatry. But he could only get there one step at a time.

That’s how God works. First God sent him to a brook at Cherith (which means ‘covenant’). At some point in your spiritual journey you must discover that God is a covenant-making, covenant-keeping God.

He miraculously dried up the Jordan River, made an axe-head float, and caused fish to swim into an empty net – proving that when He makes a promise He keeps it. When God sent Elijah to Cherith, He told him, ‘I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there’ (1 Kings 17:4 KJV).

Had Elijah gone elsewhere, God wouldn’t have met his needs. Why? Because a covenant is two-sided; when you do your part God does His.

Next God sent Elijah to Zarephath, saying, ‘I have commanded a widow…to sustain thee’ (v. 9 KJV). Think about it: God used a flesh-eating bird and a penniless widow to feed Elijah, so stop trying to second-guess Him!

The Bible says, ‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.’ So here’s the question: if you truly believe that Scripture, why are you complaining, worrying, and trying to figure everything out instead of trusting Him?

‘Zarephath’ means ‘a crucible’, a place where metal is refined. If you’re going through a fiery trial today, rejoice – God is separating the gold from the impurities in your character.

When you’ve passed the test at Cherith and Zarephath, you’ll be ready for the blessing of Mount Carmel!

Proverbs 1-2, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Believe God for ‘good things’


‘How much more shall your Father…in heaven give good things to them that ask him?’
Matthew 7:11 KJV

The UCB Word for Today - 14 Aug 2018

The cross proves how much God loves you. ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not…freely give us all things?’ (Romans 8:32 KJV).

And ‘all things’ means all things! If it’s promised in God’s Word, it’s God’s will – so refuse to settle for less.

But you must be single-minded in your approach or it won’t work (see James 1:6-8). The psalmist said, ‘One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after’ (Psalm 27:4 KJV).

Tell God exactly what you want. And if you’re walking in obedience and seeking to please Him, be confident when you come before Him.

‘If our heart condemn us not …we [have] confidence towards God’ (1 John 3:21 KJV). But be careful; guilt undermines faith! When you permit sin into your life you become uncomfortable in God’s presence, and it’s hard to believe for the results you want.

So deal with it immediately. Miracles happen to the believing – so get back into a position where you can confidently believe God for the thing you need.

He hasn’t changed His plans for your life. Circumstances and seasons change, but ‘God’s word of promise…is for ever settled in heaven and is always fulfilled’ (see Isaiah 40:8).

Jesus said, ‘How much more shall your Father…give good things to them that ask him.’ Note the words ‘good things’. That sounds like another Bible promise.

‘No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly’ (Psalm 84:11 KJV). And if God says no, it’s because it wouldn’t be ‘good’ for you.

Trust Him – He has something better in mind for you.

Proverbs 3-5, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Protect your sense of God’s presence


‘How can the ark of the LORD come to me?’
2 Samuel 6:9 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 15 Aug 2018

In the Old Testament the most recognised symbol of God’s presence was the ark of the covenant. Wherever the ark was, God’s presence was there.

But Israel allowed the Philistines to steal it. There’s an important lesson here.

Satan is out to rob you of your sense of God’s presence! Israel lost the ark for one reason – disobedience.

You always lose your sense of God’s presence at the point of disobedience. What is God telling you to do, or stop doing?

He won’t negotiate, compromise, or overlook disobedience; you must deal with it before you can go forward. David asked, ‘How can the ark of the Lord come to me?’ because all efforts to bring it back to Israel had failed.

Somebody suggested putting it on a new cart. Somebody else suggested they get Uzzah (whose name signifies strength) and Ahio (whose name denotes brotherliness) to drive the cart (see v. 3 NKJV).

Most people thought this was a great plan, but God didn’t. So much for people’s opinions!

David had the best of intentions, but they didn’t line up with God’s will. God had already told Israel that the ark must be carried on the shoulders of anointed priests.

In other words, those who knew how to: a) walk in balance; b) walk in love and unity; c) walk in obedience. Are you getting the message?

If you treasure God’s presence in your life and want to protect it, apply these principles.

Proverbs 6-7, 1 Corinthians 12
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

A regenerated spirit, in an un-regenerated body


‘May your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless.’
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 16 Aug 2018

If you were simply a ‘spirit-being’ your spiritual potential would be unlimited. But you must constantly contend with your ‘soul’, which comprises your emotions, will, and intellect.

And in addition, you have to cope with the needs and appetites of your physical ‘body’. Pray as you will, your ‘soulish’ nature won’t suddenly wake up one morning with the desire to please God because it’s always in conflict with His will (see Romans 8:7-8).

When you ‘walk in the flesh’ it will take you down the wrong road every time. Like a spoiled child, it must be disciplined and made subject to your regenerated spirit.

Your soul, on the other hand, is constantly caught between your flesh, which says no to God, and your spirit, which says yes to Him. That’s why your soul (will, emotions, and intellect) must be reprogrammed daily by God’s Word.

Paul says, ‘Let God transform you…by [renewing] the way you think’ (Romans 12:2 NLT). Whatever you program into your computer is what you get out, right?

Similarly, when you begin to think scripturally you begin to live victoriously. The real action takes place in your spirit – the part of you that was renewed and regenerated when you were born again.

When God’s Spirit became intimate with your spirit it resulted in a new birth, and as you grow spiritually you begin to produce spiritual fruit (see Galatians 5:22). As that happens you start to realise you are actually a regenerated spirit living in an un-regenerated body.

Knowing this will help you understand many of your struggles, and pray: ‘Lord, I’m completely Yours: “spirit and soul and body”.’

Proverbs 8-9, 1 Corinthians 13
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

In Christ, you are irreversibly blessed


‘He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.’
Numbers 23:20 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 17 Aug 2018

The Israelites conquered the Promised Land and took possession of it, one town and one city at a time. As they approached Moab, one of its princes named Balak hired a prophet named Balaam to pronounce a curse upon the advancing Israeli armies.

Standing on a mountain overlooking the camp of Israel, Balak expected curses to come pouring out of Balaam’s mouth. But instead, came blessings.

When he asked Balaam why, he replied: ‘I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it. He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel.

The Lord his God is with him’ (vv. 20-21 NKJV). Was that because there was no ‘iniquity’ or ‘wickedness’ among the Israelites? No.

Then how could God not see it? For the same reason He doesn’t see your faults and failings – because He has chosen to see you ‘in Christ’ who is perfect, and whose atoning blood covers all your sins from the new birth to the new Jerusalem.

When the Israelites set up camp each night, their tents formed the shape of a big cross; picture the tents of eight tribes running vertically, and four tribes running horizontally. Getting the picture?

As a redeemed child of God, that’s how your heavenly Father sees you. He looks at you – through the cross.

And since the blood of Jesus paid for every sin you would ever commit, God sees you as ‘accepted’ and ‘righteous’ and ‘complete’. So the word for you today is: because God sees you in Christ, you are irreversibly blessed.

Proverbs 10-12, 1 Corinthians 14:1-19
 
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Learning from the rich young ruler (1)


‘You still lack one thing.’
Luke 18:22 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 18 Aug 2018

Luke records: ‘A certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him…“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother.’”

And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing.

Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich’ (vv. 18-23 NKJV).

This man had two problems, and Jesus put His finger on each. First, he discovered that keeping a bunch of religious rules cannot fill the emptiness in your soul; only a relationship with Christ can do that. Second, he discovered that he didn’t just own riches, his riches owned him and kept him from following Christ.

He had so much potential. He could have leveraged his resources, his network, and his energy for kingdom causes, but he wanted to keep it all for himself. And the Bible captions his life in four words: ‘He became very sorrowful.’

Here’s the score. The rich young ruler eventually became the rich old ruler.

Until the day he died he’d remember the words of Jesus: ‘Come, follow Me.’ And Jesus makes the same offer to you.

If you say no, you’ll regret it at the end of your life. If you say yes, you’ll be rewarded with joy and a level of blessing you never knew was possible.

Proverbs 13-15, 1 Corinthians 14:20-40