[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

When you worship, you win spiritual battles

‘He appointed those who should sing to the Lord.’
2 Chronicles 20:21 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 23 OCT 2019

Worship is a powerful weapon, one that can turn the battle in your favour. When King Jehoshaphat faced the combined might of three different armies, he knew he was no match for them.

So he turned to God, saying, ‘We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You’ (v. 12 NKJV). Here’s how God answered him: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s’ (v. 15 NKJV).

Then God gave him an amazing strategy for victory. He told him to put a choir in front of his army and go into battle singing the praises of God.

Can you imagine trying to explain that at the Royal Naval College or Sandhurst? They’d send you to a psychiatrist.

But Jehoshaphat did it: ‘He appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army.’ And if that blows your mind, read this: ‘When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated’ (v. 22 NKJV).

Instead of attacking Judah, the three armies attacked one another. Israel never fired a shot, never took a casualty, and it took them three days to gather the spoils.

So when you’re in a battle you can’t win, begin to praise God and the forces of heaven will come to your aid.

Jeremiah 40-42, Titus 1

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Understanding our heavenly Father (1)

‘They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.’
John 8:27 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 24 OCT 2019

Religious people in Jesus’ day found the concept of God’s fatherhood hard to grasp. Lord, king, judge, they understood – not Father.

Their Old Testament scriptures barely spoke half a dozen times of God as Father, whereas the New Testament mentions it hundreds of times. Jesus Himself said, ‘No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him’ (Matthew 11:27 NIV 2011 Edition).

The truth is, until Jesus revealed the Father, God remained a mystery to them. And many of us still don’t comprehend His fatherhood and the rich blessings we have in Him.

Father, God’s all-inclusive name, incorporates everything you’ll ever need and discloses exactly how He feels about you. He exemplifies every trait of the best father imaginable.

Whatever a loving father would do for his needy child, your heavenly Father will do for you – and then some. Once we recognise God as our Father, our fears dissolve as we start to realise that all our needs will be met.

Jesus said, ‘It gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom’ (Luke 12:32 NLT). It makes God happy to give you the resources of His kingdom.

Why? Because He loves you as much as He loves Jesus! In John 17:23, Jesus prayed you’d know with confidence that your heavenly Father loves you ‘in the same way [he has] loved me’ (MSG).

So treat God as your Father, and start acting like His child and enjoying the benefits of family membership (see Ephesians 2:19).

Jeremiah 43-45, Titus 2

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Understanding our heavenly Father (2)

‘He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic.’
Psalm 103:13 TLB

The UCB Word for Today - 25 OCT 2019

To see God as your loving Father may not come easily if you carry the scars of an abusive childhood. So many needs that went unmet in your childhood – affection, security, trust, comfort, nurture, and material requirements – can make it hard to believe that God will provide for your needs now.

So what to do? Recognise that your internalised father-image is flawed and in no way fits your heavenly Father. Even the best father is a blurred carbon copy of your heavenly Father.

God wants you to see Him as a caring, sensitive, generous, dependable Father. That’s why Jesus taught us to call Him ‘Our Father’, not just ‘Almighty God and Lord’.

It’s also why He called God ‘your father’ and not just ‘My father’. Like a good father, God has anticipated your every need and provided for it (see Matthew 6:25-34). Just as good parents understand the individual characteristics of their children, your heavenly Father knows your unique needs, thoughts, and feelings.

‘As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out’ (Psalm 103:13-14 MSG). His care for you is tailor-made to fit your specific requirements and limitations.

And just as a good earthly father accepts and fulfils his responsibility to provide for his children, your heavenly Father holds Himself responsible for meeting your needs, and He wants you to act accordingly by trusting Him.

In other words, your role is to act like the child of a trustworthy, generous, permanently loving Father.

Jeremiah 46-47, Titus 3

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You Can Begin Again

26 OCTOBER 2019
‘The Lord is my portion…therefore I hope in Him.’
Lamentations 3:24 NKJV

When you haven’t accomplished what you’d hoped for, regret can become a major pastime. The computer programmer wishes he’d become an accountant, the accountant wishes he’d become a doctor, etc.

Maybe you planned to leave a legacy, but to date all you’ve left is a trail of unfilled aspirations. It’s not too late; you can begin again!

You just have to be prepared to pursue your dream and pay the price. ‘To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best’ (1 Corinthians 9:25 TLB).

Don’t listen to the critics and complainers who’ve settled for less. Your goal shouldn’t just be to live long, but to make a difference in your world and glorify God.

Charles Lindbergh said, ‘I feel I lived on a higher plain than the sceptics on the ground…Who valued life more highly, the aviators who spent it on the art they loved, or these misers who doled it out like pennies through their antlike days?…If I could fly for ten years before I was killed in a crash, it would be a worthwhile trade for an ordinary lifetime.’ Look at Moses. Look at Paul. They both began again.


Look at Winston Churchill: instead of retiring after World War II, he went on to win the Nobel Prize in literature.

When Heinrich Schliemann retired from business to look for Homer’s legendary city of Troy – he found it. Here’s a Scripture you can stand on: ‘Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion…therefore I hope in Him!’ (Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV). That means you can begin again.

Jeremiah 48-49, Philemon

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You have a right to shout!
27 OCTOBER 2019

‘He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death.’

Psalm 107:20 MSG
Each of us comes to the Lord damaged. So He begins a renovation programme to repair our thoughts about Him, about others, and about ourselves.

While you may look good on the outside, there’s a constant hammering and sawing going on inside, as the Holy Spirit works to meet a deadline and make us an ‘instrument for noble purposes’ (2 Timothy 2:21 NIV 1984 Edition).

And one of the tools He uses is ‘the foolishness of preaching’ (1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV). Whatever you do, never lose your appetite for Bible preaching: ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ (Romans 10:17 KJV).

It boggles the unregenerate mind to watch the preached word transform the most dysfunctional people into productive members of society.

And most of the time God does all this while maintaining a veil of secrecy that protects our reputation and public perception. How gracious! Can you imagine how shocked people would be if they really knew the shape we were in when God found us? Only His power could have forced open the snare that had entrapped our minds and set us free to live again.


David declared, ‘He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvellous love’ (Psalm 107:20-21 MSG).

Notice what did it – His Word! That’s what provides cleansing for our shame, makes us righteous, and gives us a roadmap to our destiny. Because of Him, you matter.

Because of Him, you have nothing to fear. If anybody has a right to shout for joy today – it’s you!

Luke 20:27-47, Psalm 110-112

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

A globe sat on a shelf with white shutters behind

He’s got the whole world in His hands
28 OCTOBER 2019

‘The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.’
Daniel 4:25 NKJV

As a Bible believer, here are three words that should not be in your vocabulary: luck, coincidence, and fate. Replace them instead with the word providence, which means ‘to see in advance and to provide for’. The Westminster Confession of Faith, written in the seventeenth century, states: ‘God the great creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence.’ That means God is in charge, not us! But what about our human will? Can’t we act independently? Theologian Dr R.C. Sproul wrote, ‘God’s sovereign providence stands over and above our actions.


He works out His will through the actions of human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills.’ Look at Joseph. His brothers tried to destroy him, but instead their efforts put him on the throne of Egypt and fulfilled God’s will.


Later he said, ‘You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result’ (Genesis 50:20 NASB).

Judas’ most heinous act helped bring about the best thing that ever happened, Christ’s atonement for our sins on the cross. Are you confused because of the things going on around you? One reason is because we only utilise about 10 per cent of our mental potential.

Plus, Paul points out that now we only ‘know in part’ (see 1 Corinthians 13:9). When we get to heaven God may explain it all – or not. Until then, trust Him. And rejoice, He’s got the whole world in His hands – including you!

Jeremiah 50, Hebrews 1

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Meditate on God’s Word
29 OCTOBER 2019

‘In His law he meditates day and night.’
Psalm 1:2 NKJV

When you go beyond simply reading your Bible and take the time to meditate each day on its truths, you begin to think like God.

And when that happens your life changes for the better. Peter was so dependent on the words of Jesus that he said, ‘To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life’ (John 6:68 KJV).

And Job said, ‘I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread’ (Job 23:12 NIV 2011 Edition). Question: How often do you set aside time to meditate on the Scriptures?

As you meditate on God’s Word you develop a mindset that enables you to rise above your fears. ‘My word…will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it’ (Isaiah 55:11 NIV 2011 Edition).

Did you get that? God’s Word will accomplish God’s purposes in your life! That’s why Satan will battle you over finding time to read your Bible. The truth is, you don’t find time, you make it!

The prophet Isaiah said, ‘Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will’ (Isaiah 50:4 NLT). In a world that’s often devoid of commitment, God promises: ‘I won’t give up on you. I’ll keep working on you until you’re clear in your perceptions, strong in your faith, and balanced in your spiritual walk.

As you meditate on My precepts, you’ll start to move in a new direction. And when that happens, your life will begin to prosper.’ So beginning today – meditate on God’s Word.

Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 2

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TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

It’s the way God planned it
30 OCTOBER 2019

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother.’
Matthew 19:5 NIV

Parents, read this letter. ‘Dear Dad: Thanks for all the times you held me on your lap so I could see the football match, and times you took me to the funfair and bought me hot dogs.

I’ll always remember the day you carried me through the snow because I was so cold. You’ve been a great dad and I’ll never forget you.

Suzie and I were talking the other day and wondering how you’re doing. Since we moved away we don’t get to see much of you.

But one of these days we’re going to come and surprise you. Take care. I love you, your son.’ Nice letter, eh? Nice, if you’ve prepared yourself for the time when you’re no longer needed to do what you’re doing today.

If not, you can grow resentful towards those you sacrificed so much for and feel like you’re no longer important to them.

God gave you your children on a lease, with an expiration date. Poet Kahlil Gibran said, ‘They come through you but not from you…You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth’ (see Psalm 127:4).

Parenthood isn’t about ownership, it’s about stewardship. Your first assignment is to provide love to make them secure, laws to make them wise, light to walk in, and a lifestyle to follow.

Your next assignment is to prepare them to go out into the world and put into practice the things you’ve taught them. So release them, celebrate the investment you’ve made, pray for them, and ask God, ‘What’s next?’ It’s the way God planned it.

Lamentations 1-2, Hebrews 3

[ebankole]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

What’s the basis of your self-worth?

31 OCTOBER 2019

'Be satisfied with what you have.’
Hebrews 13:5 NLT

One morning, a businessman saw a fisherman lounging on his boat drinking coffee.  ‘You’re back early,’ he shouted.

The sailor replied, ‘I’ve caught enough. I’m through for the day.’ The businessman said, ‘Why not go out again? If you keep going out you can catch more fish and increase your income, buy a second boat, hire a crew, and become rich like me.’ The man replied, ‘Why should I do that?’ The businessman said, ‘So you’ll be free to do what you want and enjoy life.’ Grinning, the fisherman said, ‘But that’s exactly what I’m doing right now!’ The Bible says, ‘Be satisfied with what you have,’ yet many of us base our self-worth on what we own or achieve.

We only feel good about ourselves when we’re involved in certain relationships or live in certain areas or reach certain goals.

We tell ourselves, ‘When I earn more money, or become CEO, or get fitter, etc., I’ll be okay.’ So, what’s the basis of your self-worth today? If you’re not sure, ask yourself, ‘What can I not live without?’ Is there somebody you’re afraid will leave you?

A job you’re too involved in? Is there something you need to accomplish before you feel complete? It is both scriptural and wise to have goals for your life, but don’t undermine yourself by believing that you’re ‘less than’ because you’ve achieved or acquired less than someone else.

The Scriptures teach that when you make God’s purposes your number one priority, ‘He will…give you all you need…For it gives your Father great happiness to give you [the benefits of] the Kingdom’ (Luke 12:31-32 TLB).

Lamentations 3-5, Hebrews 4

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

How to move your mountain

‘Whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed”…will have whatever he says.’
Mark 11:23 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 02 NOV 2019

Jesus said: ‘Whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them’ (vv. 23-24 NKJV).

Now, Jesus didn’t relocate any physical mountains during His ministry, so what was He talking about here? The problems we face in life!

And notice something important: He talks only once about our need for ‘faith’ – and three times about our need to ‘speak’ His Word. Why?

Because if you don’t have enough faith to move your mouth and speak God’s Word, you won’t have enough faith to move your mountain! The Bible says, ‘Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ (Romans 10:17 NKJV).

Something wonderful happens when you verbalise God’s Word. Your ears hear it, your mind is renewed, your focus is changed, and the thing God responds to – faith – rises up within you.

And when you hold that position of faith, refuse to budge, and keep speaking God’s Word, the mountain in your life starts to shift. As long as you keep saying what you think and feel in your natural mind, the mountain will keep standing like an immovable object.

But when you stand on God’s promise and declare, ‘I may not know how or when, but I know you’re coming down in the name of Jesus,’ your mountain will move!

Ezekiel 3-4, Hebrews 6

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Living the anointed life

‘The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you.’
1 John 2:27 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 03 NOV 2019

The word ‘anoint’ means ‘to pour on and rub in’. In the Old Testament a priest had oil poured over his head, symbolising the Spirit of God resting on him as he carried out his duties each day.

Now fast forward to the age we are living in and read it again: ‘The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you.’ The word ‘abide’ simply means ‘to take up residence and live in’.

In other words, you’re a container for God’s Spirit. And when His Spirit lives within you, it affects every area of your life.

Try to imagine the advantage this gives you when it comes to your relationships, your career, your health, your decisions, your struggles, your marriage, and your ministry. Imagine what it does when you’re under stress and handling overwhelming problems.

And furthermore, the anointing of God’s Spirit that ‘abides’ in you is transferable to others. When you speak scriptural words of kindness and encouragement to someone, those words are still at work long after you’re gone because they’re infused with the presence of God.

In the Old Testament, God told Moses, ‘You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: “This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations”’ (Exodus 30:31 NKJV). ‘Generations’!

That means your children and grandchildren can be anointed with God’s Spirit too. The psalmist said, ‘I shall be anointed with fresh oil’ (Psalm 92:10 KJV).

Every morning when you wake up, pray, ‘Lord, anoint me afresh today.’ Then go out and touch others with that anointing!

Luke 21:1-19, Psalm 113-115