[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Believe God for your healing

‘I am the Lord, who heals you.’
Exodus 15:26 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 02 FEB 2020

Why isn’t every sick person who is prayed over healed? We don’t know, and God doesn’t tell us. We know that doubt and unbelief can hinder His miracle-working power in our lives.

When Jesus returned to His hometown to those who knew Him best, we read: ‘He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith’ (Matthew 13:58 NIV 2011 Edition). But there are aspects of healing we will never fully understand. Paul writes, ‘I left Trophimus sick in Miletus’ (2 Timothy 4:20 NIV 2011 Edition).

Why would Paul, who had raised the dead, leave a friend sick instead of praying and seeing him healed? There are many things about God we don’t know, but here’s one thing we do know: ‘I am the Lord, who heals you.’

And since He said, ‘I am the Lord, and I do not change’ (Malachi 3:6 NLT), and ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8 NIV 2011 Edition), we can go to Him for healing based on His Word. One of the last statements Jesus made before leaving earth was: ‘These signs will follow those who believe…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover’ (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV).

Do you believe God still heals people today? If you do, then obey this Scripture: ‘Is anyone among you sick?

Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up’ (James 5:14-15 NKJV).

The word for you today is: don’t give up – believe God for your healing.

Luke 2:1-24, Psalm 13-15

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

How’s your marriage? (1)

‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from the Lord.’
Proverbs 18:22 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 03 FEB 2020

If you’re over sixty, chances are you grew up in an era where you didn’t know too many divorced couples and the subject was taboo. Now your children are growing up in a world where marriages fail every day.

If you don’t want yours to be one of them:
1) Learn to show your love. Psychologist William James says, ‘The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.’

And if we don’t feel appreciated at home, there’s a good chance we won’t feel appreciated at all, because generally speaking, the world doesn’t fulfil that desire. The best thing you can do for your spouse and your children is appreciate them and love them – not based on their performance, but simply because they’re yours.

2) Pay attention. The Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, said, ‘The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.’ And that works both ways.

A successful marriage is one that can go from crisis to crisis and keep getting stronger. Commitment, not emotion, is what carries you through.

If you only intend to stay married as long as you feel like you’re in love, you might as well quit now. Like anything worthwhile, a good marriage requires constant attention.

3) Protect your time together. If you feel like you ought to be at work when you’re with your family and vice versa, something’s wrong.

Call a family conference and agree on how much time you should spend together. If you prioritise and protect those times, your marriage will thrive.

Exodus 21-22, Matthew 19

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

How’s your marriage? (2)

‘Live joyfully with the wife whom you love.’
Ecclesiastes 9:9 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 04 FEB 2020

Three things happen in a good marriage: 1) You get to know yourself. To grow, you must be able to look at yourself realistically, and the best place to do that is in a home filled with love.

It lets you be open about your mistakes and shortcomings. It’s a safe place to fail.

It creates a listening environment filled with understanding and support. The people closest to us form us.

When Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize, she was asked, ‘What can we do to promote world peace?’ She replied, ‘Go home and love your family.’

If you want to change your world, start at home.

2) You get to know your character. A Christ-centred home not only helps form your children’s character, it strengthens yours too.

Character is built on the choices you make and habits you cultivate. And since your family creates your primary environment, it influences those choices and habits.

Strong families encourage us to make good choices, develop the right disciplines, and pay the price today for success tomorrow.

3) You have a safe haven. It seems like the pace of life gets more hectic every day.

Driving on overcrowded roads is stressful. The workplace is demanding.

The playground is an increasingly hostile environment. Where can you find shelter?

If not at home, then probably nowhere. Theodore Roosevelt said, ‘I’d rather spend time with my family than with any of the world’s notables.’

His home was his safe haven in the midst of life’s storms – and yours can be too. The question is: what are you doing to make it that way?


Exodus 23-24, Matthew 20:1-16

[Gracemohau]

]TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

God has already gone before you

‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.’
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 05 FEB 2020

Are you feeling anxious today because you don’t know what you’re walking into? Israel was going into a good situation, the Promised Land.

They had just come out of a bad one: a back-breaking, soul-destroying, hope-extinguishing 430 years of slavery. Now they were going to be free to own their own homes, raise their own families, work at jobs they liked, and be well paid for it. But the Promised Land wasn’t problem-free.

There were enemy strongholds that had to be conquered one by one, and it would take time. ‘The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you’ (Deuteronomy 7:22 NIV 2011 Edition).

Question: is this a similar situation to the one you find yourself in today? You’re embarking on a new relationship, a new job, a new ministry, or an unfamiliar area where you don’t have all the answers?

And because you don’t know exactly what’s involved, you’re anxious? Don’t be!

Here’s the word for you today: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you…

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged’ (Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NIV 2011 Edition).

Carry these promises with you. And when your confidence starts to falter and your faith fluctuates, read them, stand on them, and count on God to honour His Word.

Exodus 25-26, Matthew 20:17-34

[Gracemohau]

]TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Love, without strings attached

‘Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us.’Ephesians 5:2 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 06 FEB 2020

In America you will sometimes see cars with bumper stickers announcing that their child is an ‘honour student’ at a particular school. And while we all feel good about the successes of our children, two potential problems can arise.

First, there’s a natural irritation on the part of parents whose kids struggle or are less gifted. One mother put this bumper sticker on her car: ‘My kid can beat up your honour student.’

A second problem arises when the pride of the family is riding on the shoulders of an immature child. Your child is not designed to handle that level of pressure!

They need to know that they are loved and accepted because of their own unique worth. John McKay, the great football coach at the University of Southern California, had a son who was also a successful football player on the USC team.

When an interviewer asked Coach McKay to comment on the pride he felt over his son’s accomplishments, this is what he said: ‘Yes, I’m pleased that John Jr had a good season this year. He does a fine job, and I’m proud of him.

But I would be just as proud if he had never played the game at all.’ Great answer!

His son would not lose his father’s respect if the next year brought failure and disappointment, because his place in his father’s heart was secure and independent of his performance. That’s the kind of love your children need from you.

‘Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us.’ Christ’s love is not performance based; it’s unconditional, unbreakable, and unending. Yours must be too!

Exodus 27-28, Matthew 21:1-22

[Gracemohau]

]TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Finding contentment in your work

‘Enjoy your work…this is indeed a gift from God.’
Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT

The UCB Word for Today - 07 FEB 2020

Two-thirds of your adult life will be spent earning a living, and God wants you to enjoy it: ‘To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God.’ Try to realise that God has a purpose for your being where you are.

‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord’ (Psalm 37:23 NKJV). When you understand that, you begin to rejoice on the job rather than resent it, and believe that God has a plan for your future.

It may be a different job, a promotion in your present job, or improving your skill set, which will result in your feeling fulfilled, knowing you are a valued and contributing team member. So with one eye on the present and another on the future, your goal should be to perform your responsibilities with efficiency and professionalism, and glorify the One whose name you carry.

Learn all you can from your current position – both in skill building and in character building. Prepare yourself for what God has in mind.

So what if others overlook or undervalue you? David’s family didn’t think he was qualified to be Israel’s next king, but God had a different opinion.

He also had the last word. There’s an important lesson here for you.

Be faithful and seek to excel where God has placed you, and when the time is right He will bless you and promote you. ‘It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall’ (Psalm 75:7 NLT).

Exodus 29-30, Matthew 21:23-46

[Gracemohau]

]TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Practise being kind

‘Clothe yourselves with…kindness.’
Colossians 3:12 NIV

The UCB Word for Today - 08 FEB 2020

Since the people we deal with every day notice what we wear, the Bible says, ‘Clothe yourselves with…kindness.’ But sometimes kindness is the last thing on our minds.

Think about how often you’ve passed a motorist stranded on the road and didn’t stop or even offer to call for help. Or you allowed the business and pressures of work to make you curt and short with others.

We need to be like the young man who worked in the produce section of a supermarket. His first day on the job, a lady approached him, wanting to buy half a head of lettuce.

He tried to dissuade her, but she persisted. Finally he said, ‘I’ll have to go back and talk to the manager.’

He walked to the rear of the shop, not realising the woman had followed him. When he found the manager, he said, ‘There’s a silly old lady out there who wants to buy half a head of lettuce.

What should I tell her?’ Seeing the horrified look on the manager’s face, the boy turned around, saw the customer, regrouped, and said in his most gracious voice, ‘And this nice lady wants to buy the other half.’

Sometimes when you pay someone a compliment, they’ll say, ‘You’re too kind.’ But what they really mean is, ‘Say it again.’

After Confederate General Robert E. Lee retired from the military, he became president of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia. One day a new student came into his office asking for a copy of the rules and regulations.

The old general replied, ‘Son, we don’t have a rule book. Our only rule is kindness.’ So today, practise being kind.

Exodus 31-33, Matthew 22:1-22

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You must show compassion (1)

‘When he saw him, he had compassion.’
Luke 10:33 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 09 FEB 2020

Many dictionaries define compassion as sympathy, pity, or concern – all emotional responses. But the compassion of Jesus transcends emotion and translates into action.

Christlike compassion:
1) Recognises the needs of others. ‘Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others’ (Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV). Note the phrase ‘better than himself’, and then look around you at the people in your life and say to yourself, ‘Better than myself.’

If you tend to be self-centred, it will take a while for this concept to sink in. Note also the words, ‘look out…for the interests of others’.

Sometimes those ‘others’ are badly messed up and not easy to love. For example, how about people in prison?

You say, ‘Well, they got what they deserved.’ Maybe – but did you always get what you deserved or did you just not get caught? Think about it!

When you visit someone sick or in prison, Jesus said you’re ‘doing it to me!’ (Matthew 25:40 NLT). In Luke 23:43, He showed compassion to a convicted criminal on the cross and saved him.

You shouldn’t pick and choose to whom you’ll show compassion! The Bible says, ‘To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty’ (Job 6:14 NKJV).

Mother Teresa prayed, ‘Grant that, even if you are hidden under the unattractive disguise of anger, crime, or madness, I may recognise you and say, “Jesus, You who suffer, how sweet it is to serve You.”’

Luke 2:25-52, Psalm 16-17

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You must show compassion (2)

‘The Lord is very compassionate.’
James 5:11 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 10 FEB 2020

When it comes to Christlike compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things. Compassion:

2) Relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, ‘Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do’ (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT).

Jesus understands – how comforting! Whatever situation, challenge, or adversity we find ourselves in, Jesus is saying, ‘I can relate. I’ve been there.’

Pressure? Rejection? Pain? Temptation? Slander? Lies? False accusations? He understands because He’s been there.

3) Responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognise and relate to the needs of others.

You’ve been called to action on a practical level; otherwise, your compassion is meaningless. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the Gospel.

Compassion has no limits. It sponsors a hungry child, helps change a tyre for someone stranded on the side of the road, brings a meal to someone who’s grieving, and listens patiently to someone who needs a friend.

Compassion gets its hands dirty; it writes cheques; it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule, desires, and dreams to meet the needs of another. The Bible says: ‘God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him’ (Acts 10:38 NKJV).

What’s your main concern in life – looking good or doing good? If you want to be more like Jesus, you already know the answer to that question!

Exodus 34-35, Matthew 22:23-46

[Gracemohau]

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

You must show compassion (3)

‘Having compassion for one another.’
1 Peter 3:8 NKJV

The UCB Word for Today - 11 FEB 2020

Compassion means ‘to enter into another’s passion’. How can you do that?

You might, for example, find out why the other person is so stressed or depressed. What’s preoccupying them, why do they feel so passionately, and how can you enter into it?

Or maybe a friend has been diagnosed with an illness, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, or cancer. What should you do?

Maybe your brother or cousin is planning a high-end wedding or has bought a new home in an upscale neighbourhood. Perhaps an associate just got promoted and the rest of their co-workers are envious and resentful.

Attitudes are fickle at best – and outright ugly at worst. But the person who got promoted is beaming, so enter into their passion and beam with them!

Maybe someone you know just lost a loved one and you don’t know what to say. Don’t say anything; just ‘be there’!

The Bible says, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15 NKJV). In other words, if someone is hurting, hurt with them, and if they’re happy, be happy for them.

Enter into their passion – that’s how you show compassion! In an effort to look holy, sometimes we come across as harsh and insensitive.

Here’s how Paul addressed that very issue: ‘Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves…clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience’ (Colossians 3:12 NLT). Some of us have to work harder at this than others.

But there’s no opt-out clause: ‘All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another.’ That includes you!

Exodus 36-38, Matthew 23:1-22