[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

‘Do Right…Love Mercy…Walk Humbly’

‘What does the LORD require of you? To act justly…love mercy and…walk humbly with your God.’
Micah 6:8 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 01 SEPT 2019

The prophet Micah asks: ‘With what shall I come before the Lord…Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings…with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for…the sin of my soul?’ (vv. 6-7 NIV 2011 Edition).

Do you feel like you can never be good enough to please God? Does religion look to you like a set of impossible, guilt-inducing demands designed to appease a distant deity who takes delight in making us squirm?

Thank God for Micah, who comes along and dispels that notion by telling us, ‘He has showed you, O man, what is good’ (v. 8 RSV). Because you’ve been redeemed and filled with God’s Spirit, you can:

1) ‘Do right’ even when nobody else is. Why?

In order to maintain your confidence before God! (see 1 John 3:21-22). Nothing in your life is more important than that.

2) ‘Love mercy.’ Remember the old Nancy Sinatra hit song, ‘These boots were made for walkin’, and that’s just what they’ll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you’?

Jesus went through life lifting people up, not walking all over them. And His Word to you today is: ‘Go, and do thou likewise’ (Luke 10:37 KJV).

3) ‘Walk humbly with your God.’ When God promotes you, your greatest challenge will be to make sure He gets all the glory.

Every good thing you have today is a gift from Him; try to remember that! So the word for you today is: ‘Do right…love mercy…walk humbly.’

Luke 16:16-31, Psalm 89-90

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

When you have a vision

‘I was not disobedient to the vision.’
Acts 26:19 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 02 SEPT 2019

When God gives you a vision for your life, you need to know how to:

1) Hold it. Your vision is governed by a time frame: ‘The vision is…for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it’ (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

Some of us can conceive a vision, but we can’t carry it to full term because we’re not willing to endure the stretching and discomfort involved. We rush ahead of God and our vision is stillborn, or too weak to survive.

Jesus said, ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit’ (John 3:6 KJV). When your vision is born of the Spirit, it’ll be sustained by the Spirit. But when it’s born of the flesh, you’re on your own!

2) Hide it. It’s a mistake to share your vision with those who can’t appreciate it. Joseph did that, and he landed in a pit.

Not everybody will celebrate your success, especially if your light shines brighter than theirs. So ask God for discernment. Judas may seem like your friend right now, but inevitably he’ll betray you.

3) Water it. Read these two Scriptures carefully and prayerfully: ‘David encouraged himself in the Lord’ (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV);

‘Building up yourselves on your most holy faith’ (Jude 20 KJV). You must know how to encourage and build yourself up spiritually and how to water your vision.

God told Habakkuk, ‘Write the vision, and make it plain’ (Habakkuk 2:2 KJV). Write your vision on an index card and carry it with you.

And start acting like the person you expect to be when it becomes reality – and it will!

Song of Songs 4-5, 2 Corinthians 9

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Doing right by your children

‘Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right.’
Proverbs 22:6 CEV

The UCB Word for Today - 03 SEPT 2019

Parents who smoke can pass on some of the toxins to their children through the air they’re breathing. Unintentionally they can pollute their children with their own vices. And it’s the same when we pass on things like bitterness, guilt, and insecurity to our kids.

That’s why we need God’s help; only He can bring healing to the root of our problem and break the cycle. No one else can teach faith to your children like you.

The foundation must be laid by you and built on by them. And don’t just teach them your doctrine; expose them to your faith.

Tell them Who brought you through the tough places. That way, when they encounter their own tough places they’ll be armed with more than a set of religious rules; they’ll have confidence in God for themselves.

And stop beating yourself up over past mistakes; there are things all of us wish we’d done differently. The truth is that God can alter the effects of your past and prevent tragedy in your future.

He’s the God of restoration who makes ‘all things new’ (Revelation 21:5 NKJV). He can bring right out of wrong, good out of bad, and enable you to pour His wisdom and love into your children.

This is your chance of a lifetime – seize it! Let go of yesterday and take hold of tomorrow.

Your children are your tomorrow; they’re being shaped by you. Give them a taste of the things of God when they’re little, and when they grow up the world will never satisfy them.

Song of Songs 6-8, 2 Corinthians 10

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

‘Teach me to receive your love’

‘We love him, because he first loved us.’
1 John 4:19 KJV

The UCB Word for Today - 04 SEPT 2019

We know how frustrating it is to try to give a gift to somebody who keeps refusing it. Insecurity and feelings of unworthiness keep many of us from being good ‘receivers’.

We think we must earn or deserve everything we get. We even go so far as to mistrust the giver and think: ‘Why would you want to do that for me?

What’s your real motive?’ Now if we feel that way, imagine how God feels when He extends His love and we refuse it because we feel undeserving, or we’re harbouring a false sense of humility.

Or worse, we question His motives. The truth is, none of us deserves God’s love.

But when He reaches out to you in love, He’s attempting to establish a cycle that will bless you as well as others. His plan is simple.

He wants you to:
1) Receive His love.
2) Learn to love yourself in a balanced and healthy way.
3) Love Him in return.
4) Extend His love to those He sends into your life.

And learning to do those things takes time – in most cases, lots of it! And just as God did when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, He will help you to conquer your hang-ups ‘little by little’ (see Exodus 23:30 NKJV).

Change happens gradually as you continue to pray, read His Word, and act on it (see 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). He’s ‘the author and finisher of our faith’ (see Hebrews 12:2).

The Bible says God initiated this ‘good work’ in your life and He will complete it (see Philippians 1:6). So today ask Him to help you receive and embrace His unconditional love for you.

Isaiah 1-2, 2 Corinthians 11

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Know your life’s purpose

‘For this cause I was born.’
John 18:37 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 05 SEPT 2019

Standing before Pilate, Jesus said, ‘For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.’ Jesus knew why He was born and what He was called to do, and He focused on it like a laser.

And you are called to follow in His footsteps (see 1 Peter 2:21). There are three types of people:

1) Those with no life purpose. They are drifters, aimlessly cruising through life.

They go to school, get a job, switch jobs, find a spouse, switch spouses, move from house to house and place to place, retire, and eventually die. They don’t really live; they just exist.

2) Those who have the wrong life purpose. They may be super achievers, people who have climbed the ladders of financial, political, and social success only to find their ladder was leaning against the wrong wall.

They either discovered too late or never realised that they missed a purposeful life that positively influenced others.

3) Those who have the right life purpose. They know why they were created.

They know why God put them on this earth, and they are all about fulfilling that purpose. That is the life that brings a smile to the face of God.

That is success that lasts. It has nothing to do with popularity, power, or possessions. It has everything to do with purpose, because that is the only thing that brings a God-given assurance of success.

So do you know your life’s purpose? If not, ask God and He will reveal it to you.

Isaiah 3-4, 2 Corinthians 12

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You are being observed

‘Skilled workers are always in demand and admired.’
Proverbs 22:29 MSG

The UCB Word for Today - 06 SEPT 2019

He started out working hard as a labourer for a railway company. When he was given an opportunity to work in the shipping office for a few days, he jumped at it.

During that time his supervisor asked him for some vital facts and figures. ‘Have them on my desk when I get back in three days,’ he said.

The young man didn’t know anything about bookkeeping but he worked three days and nights without sleep, and when the supervisor returned he had the facts and figures ready for him. This won the respect and admiration of his supervisor, and as soon as a permanent position opened up he recommended the young man for the job.

Over time the young man was promoted many times, and each time he was applauded for his thoroughness and trustworthiness. Eventually, he ended up as vice president of the Ralston Purina Company in St Louis, Missouri, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pet food.

The Bible says, ‘Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men’ (NKJV).

In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way: ‘Observe people who are good at their work – skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a back seat to anyone.’ Whether you realise it or not, you are being watched on the job.

Your character, your work ethic, and your attitude are being observed. And you will be rewarded not only according to the tasks you complete, but for your attitude and the way in which you complete them!

Isaiah 5-6, 2 Corinthians 13

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

A moveable altar

‘Make the altar out of boards and leave the inside hollow.’
Exodus 27:8 NCV

The UCB Word for Today - 07 SEPT 2019

The altar in the tabernacle was a place where sacrifices were offered in worship to God. And He had definite ideas about how it was to be built: ‘Make the altar out of boards and leave the inside hollow.’

A stone or metal structure would have been heavy to transport, whereas a hollow wooden altar could be carried on poles and travel along with the Israelites. The image of a moveable altar is a reminder that while you should be part of a local church, you’re not restricted to worshipping God in a particular location.

You can do it anywhere by ‘continually offer[ing] up a sacrifice of praise…the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name’ (Hebrews 13:15 NASB). At home, on the job, in the supermarket, at the gym, in the classroom, your everyday activities can become a ‘spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God’ (1 Peter 2:5 NASB).

By sharing a word of encouragement, giving of your resources to help someone in need, or making a professional decision based on integrity instead of what’s popular, you’re honouring God. Jesus said, ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:16 NIV 1984 Edition).

One author says: ‘The Lord is my boss. He gives me reviews, critiques, promotions, and demotions. He provides my benefit plan and my health insurance.

He can transfer me…change my responsibilities…develop all my goals and objectives. I report to Him alone…

While my tasks change, my essential job doesn’t. I’m instructed to do His work and be His hands and feet in whatever position He assigns me.’

Isaiah 7-8, Galatians 1

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Stop putting it off

‘Teach us to number our days.’
Psalm 90:12 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 08 SEPT 2019

In a 1985 newspaper essay, Anne Wells wrote: ‘My brother-in-law opened my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. It was an exquisite silk handmade slip; the price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.

“Jan bought this the first time we went to New York…eight or nine years ago,” [he said]. “She never wore it; she was saving it for a special occasion.

Well, I guess this is the occasion.” He put the slip on the bed with the other clothes we were taking – to the mortician.

Then he turned to me, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion!”’

Those words changed Anne Wells’ life. She continued: ‘I’m not saving anything anymore.

Now we use our good china…for every special occasion – like losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. “Someday” and “one of these days” are fighting a losing battle to stay in my vocabulary.

If it’s worth seeing, hearing, or doing, I want to see, hear, and do it now. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and lustre to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself this is a special occasion.’ Makes you think, doesn’t it?

Makes you want to drain the last ounce of joy out of every day and break free from the cement of procrastination that whispers, ‘You can do it later.’ Wise up!

Forgive that offence, tell that person you love them, take that trip, go back to school. Decide today to do the thing you’ve been putting off.

Luke 17:1-19, Psalm 91-93

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Enjoy your life!

‘To everything there is a season…a time to laugh…to dance…to love.’
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 09 SEPT 2019

When did you last take time to laugh, to dance, and to love? Can you even remember?

In the words of an unknown poet: ‘This is the age of the half-read page; the quick hash and the mad dash. The bright knight with the nerves tight; the plane hop and the brief stop.

The lamp-tan in a brief span; the big shot in a good spot. The brain strain and the heart pain; the catnaps until the spring snaps…and the fun’s done!’

Sobering words, right? But does it have to be that way?

No, if it’s that way in your life today, chances are it’s because you made it that way. And you’re the only one who can make it different!

You say you’re busy? We’re all busy. Who says you can’t enjoy life even when the pace picks up? Certainly not God!

Chuck Swindoll writes: ‘I refuse to force hilarity into the back seat every time responsibility takes the wheel. If the fun’s gone, it’s because we didn’t want it around – not because it didn’t fit…

I don’t care if your “to do” list is as long as the horizon, you need to get back in balance and take the time to laugh…to dance…and to love. Why?

Because the Bible says so! Furthermore, your family and friends will enjoy you a lot more when you do.’

The psalmist said, ‘You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore’ (Psalm 16:11 NKJV). So go ahead and enjoy your life the way God intended – it will be over before you know it.

Isaiah 9-10, Galatians 2

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You can overcome your past!

‘Jephthah…a mighty man of valour…was the son of a harlot.’
Judges 11:1 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 10 SEPT 2019

Sociologists tell us that human behaviour is largely determined by two things: our parents and our environment. Judging by that, they’d have written Jephthah off as a lost cause!

But not God. His Word says, ‘Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV).

When Jesus becomes Lord of your life, neither genes nor environment can prevent you from becoming everything He intends you to be. Before his life was over, Jephthah became famous as Israel’s youngest governor, and is listed among the Bible heroes in Hebrews chapter 11.

That’s because God is a turnaround specialist! Maybe you were born in less-than-ideal circumstances, and you’re wondering if you can ever overcome them.

The answer is yes! So the next time someone tries to use your past to put you down, remind them about Jephthah.

The truth is, our God is awesome! He can lift the disadvantaged higher than those who have had every possible advantage.

His strength is revealed and released in our weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). He specialises in using those who have been rejected.

He used Joseph, a man thrown into a pit by his brothers and written off by his father as dead. He used David, a shepherd boy alienated and ignored by his family.

He used Jesus, ‘the stone the builders rejected’ (Psalm 118:22 NIV 2011 Edition), who went on to become ‘the chief cornerstone’ (Luke 20:17 NKJV). And He can do the same for you.

So be encouraged; God has a plan for your life and as you spend time with Him He will show you what it is.

Isaiah 11-13, Galatians 3

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Remember the overlooked and forgotten

‘Plead the case of the widow.’
Isaiah 1:17 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 11 SEPT 2019

In New Testament times society had no welfare system. That’s why the apostle James wrote, ‘Religion that God…accepts…is…to look after orphans and widows’ (James 1:27 NIV 2011 Edition).

This could be the kind of ministry you’ve been looking for! The only qualification you need is the memory of how it feels to ‘be left out’ and the compassion to ‘do something about it’.

The following poignant letter, ‘The Story of Widowhood’, was written by a lady whose husband died. ‘First numbness, then busyness.

A million things to settle. Endless death certificates and things to sign.

Friends are so considerate; caring support from relatives. You keep busy.

But at night you pound the empty side of the bed in grief. Finally you close your eyes, throw his toothbrush into the garbage, and toss out the old work shoes you brought home from the hospital in a plastic bag.

You empty the closet and give all his things away. It’s heartache like you wouldn’t believe.

Every suit in his closet reminds you of a special place or time you shared together. A year has passed; you’re still in one piece.

Then the blow! Your friends celebrate a birthday – all couples.

You’re not included because you’d be a “fifth wheel”. Some wives may even consider you a threat.

Please remember us. Don’t treat us like excess baggage.

We’ve been handed a rotten break, and we need friends. Signed, Forgotten.’

Think of the difference you could make today in somebody’s life by being willing to seek out those that society so often overlooks and forgets.

Isaiah 14-16, Galatians 4