The UCB Word For Today (Spring 2014 Gift Edition)

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E n c o u r a ging W o r d s E v e r y d a y

Encouraging Words Every Day. Call 0845 60 40 401 to get your FREE copy FROM SURVIVING - TO THRIVING!

DAY | 01

‘INCREASE...AND POSSESS THE LAND’ Deuteronomy 8:1 NIV AFTER 400 years of slavery God handed the Israelites the deed to a lush, plentiful land they could finally call home. Up until then everything they owned had been provided for them by their Egyptian captors. But slavery had crushed their will and destroyed their initiative; consequently God had to break them of their reliance on people rather than on Him (people-dependency can make you vulnerable and stunt your growth). So when God led the Israelites into the wilderness and the leeks and onions they enjoyed in Egypt were gone, they were forced to develop an appetite for manna; something only God can provide! Understand this: When God takes away an old source or system and gives you a new one, it doesn’t mean the old one was no good. It just means He’s chosen a new way of guiding and providing.

When God makes you a promise He always keeps it, but you have to be willing to remove the stabilisers of your reliance on people. In the wilderness the Israelites yearned for the comfort of the familiar, even though it meant going back to an old season that was over. But they couldn’t, and you can’t either! When God said, ‘Increase…and possess the land,’ His plan for them went beyond surviving – to thriving. It meant being weaned off the breast milk of people-dependence and on to the meat of God-dependence. Paul writes: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves…but our sufficiency is from God’ (2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV). When God pushes you out of your comfort zone en route to your destiny, expect to go through some unfamiliar, anxiety-producing territory. It’s the only way to go from surviving – to thriving.

Written by Bob and Debby Gass ©2013 UCB Ltd.

DAY | 02

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOAT

‘THROW YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE’ John 21:6 NIV WHEN you make decisions based on doubt and unbelief, they never turn out right. After hearing Jesus promise to rise from the dead, and actually seeing Him alive, the disciples went back to what they were doing before they met Him: fishing. Now God will use our past experiences to teach us, but He always leads us forward; never back. When fear and uncertainty make us want to go back to the security of what we know, we end up like the disciples: ‘They went out and… got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing’ (John 21:3 NKJV).

But there’s good news: If God called you, you’re still called. Notice how Jesus addresses them: ‘”Children, have you any food?”’ (John 21:5 NKJV).

In spite of your lacklustre performance, you’re still His child! Next, He tells them: ‘”Throw your net on

the right side of the boat…”. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”’ (John 21:7 NIV). That morning Jesus ate breakfast with them, renewed fellowship, removed their doubts and sent them out to change the world.

What’s the lesson here? When we work outside God’s will it is like fishing on the wrong side of the boat; we wear ourselves out and in the end have nothing to show for our efforts. Are you succeeding in life? No? Maybe you’re fishing on the wrong side of the boat! Things aren’t going to work out right until you submit to Christ, renew your fellowship with Him and allow Him to direct your steps.

Today’s Best Christian Music

On DAB, online, Sky 0125 and iPhone app

DAY | 03

UCB.CO.UK/uk

WORRIED ABOUT MONEY?

‘DO NOT WORRY’ Matthew 6:31 NIV THE Psalmist said, ‘Trust the Lord and do good.

Live in the land and feed on truth. Enjoy serving the LORD, and He will give you what you want.

Depend on the LORD; trust Him, and He will take care of you.’ (Psalm 37:25 NIV). Has God ever failed you? No, and He won’t now: ‘You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you’ (Joel 2:26 NIV). Stop trying to figure everything out. Instead, lean on God. ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass’ (Psalm 37:3-5). Just keep doing what God has told you to do: ‘”Obey

all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful…do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”’ (Joshua 1:7-9 NIV). Don’t be anxious; God won’t fail you. ‘Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”… your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’ (Matthew 6:31-33 NIV). Relax, He’s Jehovah Jireh, ‘The Lord will provide!’

‘SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND’ - God DAY | 04

‘THOUGHT ATTACKS!’ ‘TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT’ 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Liu Shih-Kun was an esteemed concert pianist in China until the Cultural Revolution banned all things of Western influence.

Refusing to renounce his beloved music, Liu was deemed an enemy of the people, beaten and imprisoned. There he languished in a tiny cell with no books, no paper, and even worse; no piano.

Six years later, for propaganda reasons, he was asked to play in Beijing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After years without an instrument to practise on, he performed brilliantly. Eighteen months later when he was finally released, he again played flawlessly. That Liu survived is remarkable; that his hands continued to move as if they’d never stopped playing is amazing.

His secret? Stripped of everything musical, for seven and a half years Liu disciplined himself to shut out negative thoughts and practise hour after

hour on an imaginary piano. A well-respected counsellor says: ‘We don’t realise the extent to which our own thinking contributes to our mental anguish. The earlier you stop “thought attacks” the easier it is to regroup and get back on track.

Now, while the concept is simple, it’s not easy to implement. Once you start paying attention you’ll probably discover you have a lot more “thought attacks” than you can possibly imagine.’ Police shout ‘Freeze!’ when they want to stop a suspect and protect themselves. And you can freeze out harmful thinking by capturing every thought and making it ‘obedient to Christ.’ Paul says: ‘This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent.

We are wrestling with…spiritual forces’ (Ephesians 6:12 GWT). Your thoughts have power. To win over them, you must submit to Christ and control what you allow your mind to dwell on.

Our God-given vision at UCB is simply to change lives for good by the power of His Word.

OUR VISION There has never been a time where God’s Word is needed more than it is today. So many people experience desperation, helplessness, fear and hopelessness. UCB is here to offer every person, in every place, every moment of the day, the opportunity to hear, watch or read the Word of God in a relevant and engaging way.

We have been entrusted with some amazingly powerful media ‘tools’ to achieve our Vision, including publications like The UCB Word For Today, UCB Radio on DAB, UCB TV, Prayerline and so much more!

Through these ‘tools’, we already reach 2.7 million people across the UK, each year… but there are so many more hurting people yet to reach!

A UCB Word for Today reader demonstrates this: ‘Last Sunday, I read in my Word for Today “As long as you believe you can handle the problem on your own, you will not reach for the miracle-working power of God. You have to pray the prayer of relinquishment. This is not a prayer of defeat, it is one of total trust.” I read this out to my son who’s been off work for months with severe and crippling back pain and resisting all my attempts to speak to him about Jesus. Only half an hour after I read this piece out to him he confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, surrendered his life and at the same time his back was healed! Hallelujah! What a wonderful Saviour!’

Elizabeth

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DAYS | 05 & 06

THE VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN (2) ‘IF YOU HAVE FAITH’ Matthew 17:20 NIV

THE VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN (1) ‘JESUS TOOK...PETER, JAMES AND JOHN...

UP A HIGH MOUNTAIN.’ Matthew 17:1 NIV NOTICE three things: 1) Not everybody gets to go up the mountain.

Jesus picked the three who went. He didn’t take everybody and He didn’t explain or apologise to those disciples who stayed at ground level. God loves us all equally but He doesn’t give us all the same assignment or experiences with Him. God makes the call, not us, so trust Him; He knows what He’s doing.

2) Those who go up the mountain aren’t necessarily wiser or more spiritual. After seeing Jesus enveloped in the glow of God’s glory, Peter blurted out, ‘Let’s build three tabernacles and stay here.’ Peter was sincere, but he was sincerely wrong. Resist the temptation to speak instead of waiting to hear what God has to say, or to build your ministry around an experience you’ve had with God that is designed to equip you personally but not to become the theme and emphasis of your life.

3) God’s plan is to feature Jesus, not you, and it’s a lesson we keep having to learn over and over. ‘While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to him”…When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus’ (Matthew 17: 5-8 NIV). The greatest challenge in your life is getting to the place where you focus on ‘no one except Jesus.’ The most important relationship you have is with Him. The only plan that will work out right is the one He gives you. And the power needed to fulfil that plan comes from Him alone.

WHEN Christ’s disciples came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, they were faced with an epileptic boy who kept falling into fire and water.

His heartbroken father told Christ, ‘I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him’ (v. 16 NIV). Immediately, ‘Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him’ (Matthew 17:18). Notice: 1) mountain-top experiences are to equip us for our next encounter with the enemy. If you don’t understand that, you won’t be prepared for the challenges ahead .

2) we’re called to minister to people who keep falling into situations that hurt them. And it’s going to take more than personality and religious platitudes to set them free. Christ’s disciples were powerless because they were prayerless. Jesus said: ‘That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and fasting.’ (Matthew 17:21). If we keep doing the ‘same old, same old,’ we’ll keep getting the same old results.

Persistent, prevailing prayer is the price we must pay for walking in God’s power 3) we must rise above the attitudes around us.

Jesus confronted the core problem: ‘”O faithless… generation”’ (Matthew 17:17). We’re fighting the faithlessness of a generation moulded by secular media and godless values. If we let it, it will pull us down and wear us out. But we can prevail. That day Jesus said, ‘”If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move’…and it will move”’ (Matthew 17:20-21 NIV). Observe two things: a) ‘If you have faith.’ Everybody around you doesn’t have to have faith in order for you to see results b) you don’t have to be a spiritual giant; just use your tiny, mustard-seed-size faith and God will move the T mountain.

OU .UK K EC O CH CH B.C MU ..

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UCFOR SMORE

Fancy something a little different? Why not give one of UCB’s five radio stations a whirl?

The difference between the stations is in the music – we hope we have a little something for everyone, from the best in today’s Christian music, to Gospel favourites, through to the music you grew up with!

UCBUK Today’s Best Christian Music UCB UK is our national DAB popular music station. If you like contemporary Christian music and a positive take on all the day’s events, then check out UCB UK. Also available on Sky 0125, online at ucb.co.uk, with our smartphone apps and also, now with Apple TV UCBINSPIRATIONAL Great music and a message of Hope UCB INSPIRATIONAL is the station of choice if you want uplifting, worshipful music and teaching. Available on Sky 0136, online at ucb.co.uk, and also with our smartphone apps UCBGOSPEL Gospel Grooves to live by If you like Gospel music from around the world – this is THE station for you! Available in some areas on DAB radio, Sky 0135, online at ucb.co.uk and also on our smartphone apps UCBBIBLE The Bible read, 24/7 This station does what it says on the tin! It’s the Bible read to you, 24 hours a day. It’s available on Sky 0134, online and also on our smartphone apps UCBEXTRA Positively Alternative UCB EXTRA plays a huge range in positive Christian alternative music, from rock to hip-hop and electronic. It also caters to those with a desire for different forms of worship. Available online at ucb.co.uk/extra and with our smartphone apps For more information about how to tune in to any of these stations visit ucb.co.uk/listen ‘My son was shot and killed in London three years ago, the murderers are still on the streets.

As a Christian, I have forgiven them, my son is in a better place and I give thanks to God for the short time I had with my son. I have since moved from London. Please pray for me and my other son. UCB has helped to uplift my faith with the Lord. I pray God keeps this radio station open for a very long time. Amen.’

Tobore

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call UCBPRAYERLINE on 0845 456 7729 (UK)* 1890 940 300 (ROI)*

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“UCB Inspirational…is a huge comfort and support as well as a source of wonderful teaching from great men and women of God. UCB brings worship and truth and God ministers healing for me and a newness of mind.”

Great Music and a Message of Hope -Ruth

Great Music and a Message of Hope Visit ucb.co.uk/listen for details of how to tune in

UCB.CO.UK/inspirational

Online, Sky 0136 and smartphone apps

DAY | 07

THAT IS HOW MUCH HE LOVES US!

‘...HE...MADE HIMSELF NOTHING’ Philippians 2:7 DR. MAXWELL Maltz, a prominent plastic surgeon, tells of a man who was severely burned attempting to rescue his parents from a fire. He did not succeed and they died. Depressed and disfigured, he went into seclusion, refusing to let anyone see him, not even his wife. Desperately looking for help, she came to Maltz; even though he told her he could probably restore her husband’s face, the man stubbornly refused treatment. So when the woman came back to see Maltz he was surprised. But this time her question blew him away. She asked, ‘Can you disfigure my face, so I can be like my husband and share his pain? That way maybe he will let me back into his life again!’ That is how much she loved him! Maltz was so moved, he prevailed on

the woman’s husband to accept his help and thankfully the story has a happy ending. The Bible says before Jesus left heaven He ‘was like God in every thing...But gave up His place...and made Himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.’ Our limited human minds cannot begin to comprehend the world Jesus left. The homes of the rich and famous are like run-down shacks by comparison, and our finest clothes like dirty rags! The Bible says, ‘The Word became flesh and lived among us...’ (John 1:14 NRSV). Just think: the God of the universe willingly left the splendour of heaven, was born into poverty and died on a cruel cross for wayward humanity. Why? Because that is how much He loves us!

GIVING UP ‘CENTRE STAGE’

DAY | 08

‘LET EACH OF YOU LOOK OUT...FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS’ Philippians 2:4 NKJV THE BIBLE says, ‘Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.’ In other words, give up ‘centre stage.’ Now that’s easier said than done because we tend to be preoccupied with one person – me!

You ask someone, ‘How’s it going?’ Thinking you really want to hear, they start sharing a recent success.

That’s your signal. You jump in mid-sentence, blow their light out and say, ‘Think that’s something? Let me tell you about…’ You’re off and running, right over the deflated ego of your friend who’s wishing they’d kept walking when they first saw you. They’d hoped to hear something like, ‘That’s wonderful, tell me more.’ Instead they get treated to a litany of your opinions and achievements. Whatever happened

THE ‘WATER TEST’

to ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice’ (Romans 12:15 NIV)? That command cuts across our preoccupation with self and says, ‘Get over yourself! Vacate centre stage. Learn to focus on others.’ Practise saying, ‘Enough about me. I want to hear about you. How’s your business…wife…health…church?’ Stifle the urge to interrupt; just listen! Listen with your ears, your eyes, your mind and your spirit. Try to understand the feelings behind their words. If they’re celebrating, ‘Rejoice with them.’ If they’re hurting, ‘Mourn with those who sorrow.’ The acid test of Christian character is our ability to celebrate another’s success, or share their burden as though it were our own. There’s no better way to serve and encourage others.

DAY | 09

‘BRING THEM DOWN TO THE WATER, AND I WILL TEST THEM’ Judges 7:4 NKJV IF SOMEBODY keeps refusing to support you, let them go; or you’ll wish you had. This is especially hard to accept if you’re a nurturer by nature, somebody who’s invested in making relationships work, come what may. You can’t convert the fearful into the faithful. That’s God’s job, and His ‘water test’ showed Gideon who he could count on and who he couldn’t. God told Gideon: ‘You have too large an army…they’ll take…credit…Make [an]… announcement: ‘Anyone…who has any qualms… may leave’…Twenty-two companies headed… home. Ten…were left. God said…‘There are still too many. Take them down to the stream and I’ll make a final cut’’ (v. 2-4 TM).

When the opposition is arrayed against you like ‘sand on the seashore’ (v. 12 TM) it is often the time when you lose the most support. Don’t worry, God is at work. During the first cut, when

Joshua lost 22,000 men, what looked like a setback was actually a set-up from God to determine who was dependable. ‘Gideon took the troops down to the stream…Three hundred lapped…from their cupped hands…the rest knelt to drink. God said…”I’ll use the three hundred… to…give Midian into your hands”’ (v. 5-7 TM). We learn two lessons from this story: 1) You need to be able to see your enemy approaching. Those who knelt to drink, sacrificed their vision to satisfy their immediate need. 2) When God reduces your support, it’s to give you a miraculous victory. It’s to show how somebody without formal credentials can run a company, or somebody who’s lost everything can make a comeback. So when the people around you can’t pass God’s ‘water test,’ let them go and trust God. He has something better in mind.

UCB TV on Sky, online and mobile

Christian TV from the UK, for the UK ‘“O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress,”’ Psalm 59:9 UCBTV is TV for all the family, with great movies, documentaries, music, teaching, children’s programmes – and lots more.

You can watch on Sky 585, online at ucb.co.uk, with our iPhone app and you can use it on any web-enabled mobile phone at yamgo.mobi/ucb (check with your mobile provider for web/internet charges) The full schedule is available on our website at UCB.CO.UK

UCBTV can be watched on Sky (channel 585), online at UCB.CO.UK/tv on our iphone app or at yamgo.mobi/ucb (check with your mobile provider for web/internet charges)

God heals through UCBTV...

When doctors saw x-rays of Edward Hislop’s spine they predicted that within three months he would be in a wheel chair. His spine was crumbling and he lived in permanent pain and a feeling of walking on glass.

While watching UCB TV, Edward heard Ken Barton on Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International say ‘I am the healed of God’. The words burned into his heart. Moved with a deep conviction, Edward claimed them for himself, and declared them out loud right there and then.

Later that same night, Edward was in bed and felt God do a physical work in his body. Amazed, he stood up, pain free, and began to praise God immediately.

Edward experienced complete healing that night and he believes that UCB TV was instrumental in bringing God’s healing word into his very desperate situation.

DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT (1) ‘SAMUEL GREW, AND THE LORD WAS WITH HIM’ 1 Samuel 3:19 WELCOME to life; disappointment guaranteed!

Webster defines disappointment as, ‘When expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness and discouragement.’

Here are some examples to help you when: 1) You’re disappointed with those you look up to.

Think of Samuel and Eli (1 Samuel 1-4). Samuel’s mother entrusted her child to Eli the High Priest, confident he’d mentor and prepare him for God’s service. But Eli had a serious character flaw. He was a weak, passive parent who stood by while his sons abused their priestly privilege, bringing shame and disrepute to the ministry. Who’d have blamed young Samuel for taking a nose dive when the man he looked up to failed so badly?

But no, he fielded his disappointment and kept his eyes on God: ‘Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him.’ As a result God turned him into one of

Israel’s greatest prophets. So keep your eyes on the Lord. 2) You’re disappointed in those you live with. If anyone wouldn’t let you down, surely it would be your family. Right? Wrong!

Ask young Joseph. When God promised him a big promotion he thought his brothers would celebrate. Instead they responded with jealousy, ridicule and resentment, selling him into slavery.

Far from friends and home he languished in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. What an invitation to bitterness, to rehearsing the wrongs done him while plotting his revenge. But if he’d done that he’d have died an unknown convict in a foreign jail. Instead he allowed God to vindicate him, using his circumstances to position, prepare and promote him to being Egypt’s Prime Minister: and that’s how you deal with disappointment.

DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT (2)

DAYS | 10 – 12

‘NOW GO, LEAD THE PEOPLE’ Exodus 32:34 NIV HERE are two more types of disappointment you’ll deal with in life: 1) Disappointment in those you work with and depend on. To succeed, you need people; you can’t make it without them. And when those people fail you it’s painful. Imagine Moses’ disappointment. He leaves his brother Aaron in charge while he attends a summit conference with God and receives the Ten Commandments.

Returning, he finds Israel in anarchy, idolatry and unspeakable perversion. Where’s Aaron?

Leading the rebellion! When Moses needs him most, Aaron fails him miserably. But watch Moses; true leadership shines in deep disappointment.

He confronts Aaron, takes the mess to God for resolution, and prays forgiveness for Israel. God listens, then reminds Moses of his assignment. ‘[It’s disappointing, Moses, but] “go, lead the

people…my angel will go before you’’’ (v. 34).

Disappointment doesn’t cancel your assignment – or God’s presence. Do what He sent you to do.

2) Disappointment in those you’ve poured your life into. Let’s check in again with Moses, Founding Pastor of The Church of the Critical and the Ungrateful, a congregation of former slaves, delivered, abundantly blessed, en route to the Promised Land, but without a shred of loyalty or gratitude for the man who put everything on the line to make it possible. Fresh out of Egypt they turn on Moses, accusing, blaming and berating him (Exodus 14). Was Moses disappointed and hurt? Yes. But each time he wanted to quit he’d discuss it with God, pray for his complaining flock, receive fresh orders from headquarters and return to work. It’s what God-called men and women do when they’re disappointed and feel like giving up.

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DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT (3) ‘BUT WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS’ 2 Corinthians 4:7 FINALLY there’s: Disappointment in ourselves.

It’s potentially the most debilitating kind of disappointment because it can throw you into a downward spiral that’s hard to stop or recover from.

Peter had sworn undying love and fidelity to Jesus.

‘Lord, everybody else may abandon you, but not me! I’m yours till death’ (Matthew 26:33-75), and he meant every word of it. But under the pressures surrounding the crucifixion he yields, and three times denies knowing Jesus. Later, remembering Jesus’ words, ‘Before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times,’ Peter, heartbroken by his own dismal failure, ‘went outside and wept bitterly’ (Luke 22:62 NIV). Ever asked, ‘God, how can you possibly use someone as messed up as me?’ Peter failed to meet his own expectations and went on a downer. But Jesus wasn’t shocked. He was well aware of Peter’s

flaws when he called him into the ministry. He also knew that his blustering, outspoken disciple had a tender heart, so He extended grace to him rather than remove him from office. When Christ gave postresurrection orders to ‘tell His disciples and Peter’ (Mark 16:7 NIV) to meet Him in Galilee, He reaffirmed His choice of the failed disciple. The rest of Peter’s story is New Testament history.

When (not if!) you confront failure: a) don’t add insult to injury by letting disappointment mire you in hopelessness and despair b) humble yourself and repent. Confess your sin; don’t excuse, rationalise or blame circumstances and people c) receive God’s grace and forgiveness by faith, not by feelings. Don’t let Satan convince you your case is beyond grace d) get whatever help you need to get back on track; sooner, not later.

DAY | 13

DAY | 14

GET UP, GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON

LOOK FOR THE HONEY!

‘YOU WILL FORGET THE SHAME OF YOUR YOUTH’ Isaiah 54:4 NKJV

‘THERE WAS...HONEY...AND HE TOOK THEREOF’ Judges 14:8-9

WHEN Eve first opened her eyes on planet earth, she was already married. She never got to grow up. She just stepped into being a wife, then a mother. Did that happen to you? Were you a parent before you had a chance to be a child, or knew what it meant to be innocent and grow up with your trust intact? If Eve’s story is your story, the Word for you today is, ‘Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced…you will forget the shame of your youth.’ You can’t go back and make things different. You’re not the same person and you’re never going to be. You cannot relive your first marriage or your early childhood. But there are three scriptural steps you can take to get up, get over it and move on: 1) Forgive what others have done to you (Ephesians 4:32). 2) Forgive yourself for what you’ve done (Philippians 3:13). 3) Believe that God has truly forgiven you, and act on it (Isaiah 43:25). Sometimes we hold onto the past because we believe there’s something there we think we still need. We cling to certain things because we fear we’ll never be able to replace them. No, God has more in store for you. If you’ve entrusted your future to Him you haven’t seen your best days yet. There’s more ahead of you than behind you. God promises: ‘Beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness’ (Isaiah 61:3). So in God’s strength get up, get over it and move on!

IN THEIR book, The Laws of Lifetime Growth, authors Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura explain, ‘Continual learning is essential for lifetime growth. You can have a great deal of experience and be no smarter for all the things you’ve done, seen, and heard. Experience alone is no guarantee of lifetime growth. But if you regularly transform your experiences into new lessons, you’ll make each day of your life a source of growth. The smartest people are those who can transform even the smallest events or situations into breakthroughs in thinking and action. Look at all of life as a school and every experience as a lesson, and your learning will always be greater than your experience.’

In an old Peanuts cartoon, Charles Schulz shows Charlie Brown at the beach building a magnificent sandcastle. It’s a work of art. As he stands back to admire it, it is suddenly destroyed by a big wave. In the last frame he says, ‘There must be a lesson here, but for the life of me I don’t know what it is.’ That’s how many of us feel after a potentially valuable experience. We go through it but don’t grow. We attend meetings designed to help us learn, then do nothing with what we’ve heard after closing our notebooks.

Don’t get excited about a learning event, get excited about learning! And you haven’t really learned it until you’ve applied it. A few days after slaying a lion, Samson returned to the scene of victory and discovered two things in the carcass: a) bees, that sting and b) honey that tastes sweet. ‘And he took thereof.’ In life, move beyond the pain and look for the honey!

sound listening Gospel Grooves to Live by

Online, Sky 0125 and smartphone apps

Today’s Best Christian Music

UCB.CO.UK/uk

DAY | 15

USE WHAT GOD GAVE YOU!

‘WITH THE ABILITY...GOD SUPPLIES’ 1 Peter 4:11 NKJV PETER says, ‘If anyone ministers…do it…with the ability…God supplies.’ When God gives you an assignment He gives you all that’s needed to fulfil it. In fact, by studying your core competencies, you can actually discern your calling. Winston Churchill said, ‘To each there comes in his or her lifetime a special moment when they are tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talent. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.’

You can’t always be what you want to be, but you can be everything God wants you to be.

That’s because He assigns and directs us ‘each according to [one’s] own ability’ (Matthew 25:15 NKJV). What do you love doing and do

DAY | 16

consistently well? Is music your forte? Crunching numbers? Working with kids? Paul says, ‘The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving’ (1 Corinthians 12:7 CEV). That means some of the things other people find boring, will actually energise and enrich you.

The Bible says that God is building a ‘spiritual house’ (1 Peter 2:5). And there’s a place for each of us in it. Knowing this dispels the misconception that you’re not valuable because you don’t have the same talents others do. It also defines your actual responsibility by doing away with the myth that you’re supposed to do everything. No, your goal should be to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for you. So instead of apologising for the skills you don’t have, discover the gifts God has given you and put them to work for His kingdom.

MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS

‘THE LORD DIRECTS THE STEPS OF THE GODLY...’ Psalm 37:23 NLT THERE are three considerations to bear in mind when making important decisions. 1) Beware of ‘people pressure’. Facing 30,000 Philistine chariots, and Samuel the prophet not around to offer the required sacrifice to God ensuring their victory, King Saul decided to usurp the prophet’s office and offer his own sacrifice instead. When Samuel showed up a week later and demanded an explanation, Saul said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me… I felt compelled…’ (1 Samuel 13:12 NKJV). He gave in to ‘people pressure’.

Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly… now your kingdom shall not continue…’ (1 Samuel 13:13-14 NKJV). God’s will must be done God’s way, so wait for His instructions and don’t rush ahead of Him. 2) Make sure the timing is right. God says,‘…I have set before you an open door, and no

one can shut it…’ (Revelation 3:8 NKJV). When you open a door you have to work to keep it open, but when God opens it, ‘no one can shut it’. You don’t have to manipulate anybody or anything – you can just walk in. 3) Remember the ‘restraint and release’ principle. Paul’s missionary team tried to go to two different cities, ‘…but the Spirit did not permit them’ (Acts 16:7 NKJV). Have you ever tried to teach a teenager to drive? What’s the first thing you teach them about – the accelerator or the brakes? The brakes! If they’re not interested, take your car keys back; they’re obviously not ready to drive. As you get to know God better you’ll discover that He guides by the ‘restraint and release’ principle: the brakes and the accelerator.

That’s how it works when your steps are directed by the Lord.

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DAY | 17

‘...THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER’ Isaiah 40:8 NKJV FOR the next few days let’s renew our minds with some of the wonderful promises God has given to us through His Word. Let’s not just read them casually, but process them slowly, deeply, prayerfully and repeatedly, letting the truth of them change our thinking and strengthen our faith. 1) ‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord…’ (Isaiah 54:17 NKJV) 2) ‘The Lord… is with you; never again will you fear any harm… He is mighty to save. He will… deal with all who oppressed you…’ (Zephaniah 3:15-19 NIV) 3) ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king… With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to

help us… fight our battles…’ (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV) 4) ‘My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my… fortress, I will never be shaken’ (Psalm 62:1-2 NIV) 5) ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand…’ (Philippians 4:6-7 TLB) 6) ‘For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38-39 NKJV).

DAY | 18

WORDS TO LIVE BY IN TROUBLED TIMES (2)

‘THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER’ Isaiah 40:8 NKJV ARE you ready for more of God’s wonderful promises? 1) ‘Let all those who… put their trust in You rejoice… because You… defend them; let those also who love Your name… be in high spirits’ (Psalm 5:11 AMP) 2) ‘The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you…’ (Deuteronomy 33:27 NKJV) 3) ‘The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him’ (Nahum 1:7 KJV) 4) ‘Fear not… for I am with you… I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you… I will hold you up… with My [victorious] right hand…’ (Isaiah 41:10 AMP) 5) ‘You protect them by Your presence from what people plan against them. You shelter them from evil’ (Psalm 31:20 NCV) 6) ‘Surely Your goodness

DAY | 19

and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever’ (Psalm 23:6 NLT) 7) ‘…The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength… The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom…’ (2 Timothy 4:17-18 NIV) 8) ‘Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You’ (Psalm 9:10 NIV) 9) ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJV)10) ‘I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety’ (Psalm 4:8 NIV).

WORDS TO LIVE BY IN TROUBLED TIMES (3)

‘THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER’ Isaiah 40:8 NKJV HERE are some more wonderful promises from the Bible that you can rely on when trouble comes: 1) ‘Because you have made the Lord… your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways’ (Psalm 91:9-11 NKJV) 2) ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them’ (Psalm 34:7 NIV) 3) ‘…I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed’ (Psalm 57:1 NIV) 4) ‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit’ (Psalm 34:18 NIV) 5) ‘… the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer…’ (1 Peter 3:12

NIV) 6) ‘He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me… He rescued me because He delighted in me’ (Psalm 18:16-19 NIV) 7) ‘Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light’ (Micah 7:8 NIV) 8) ‘You will have courage because you will have hope. You will take your time, and rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid and many will look to you for help’ (Job 11:18-19 TLB) 9) ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).

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and Word 4 U 2Day The Word For Today d The Word for Today an Each daily reading in to es biblical principles Word 4 U 2Day appli ulations. The aim is to everyday trials and trib es in their everyday liv encourage readers which is applicable and provide teaching and practical. ss, is written by Bob Ga The Word for Today ter as dc oa br tian pastor, a Northern Irish Chris Prayer For Today d ite Un the based in and author, who is Prayer for Today helps you to pray about States. Bob says: all of the issues that affect your life, the s, ng rni mo ld co lives of everyone in our nation and around for rt sta k ‘This devotional is a kic or le Bib ur the World. It is an online prayer magazine yo g din rea when you don’t feel like od and daily prayer guide, which contains go a ed ne u yo en wh find it a bit dry. That’s powerful real-life testimonies of answered to nt . That’s what I wa prayer, biblical teachings, challenging and injection of inspiration us foc rs, something to inspiring articles and local, national and provide for our reade ness.’ od go d’s global prayer initiatives.

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UK B UC on ch day Today several times ea ing as many people as ch rea to d are committe devotionals. possible through these ! never been so accessible God’s written Word has leting the form at the Sign up today by comp back of this booklet!

DAY | 20

LEARNING FROM OTHERS

‘A KING REJOICES IN WISE SERVANTS...’ Proverbs 14:35 NLT EVERY five years, knowledge in most major fields doubles. That means if you do not stay sharp you will be left behind. Repeating the same lessons over and over means you are not learning enough. Study those who have succeeded where you want to succeed, in order to know what to do and what not to do. Admiral Hyman Rickover, developer of the world’s first nuclear powered submarine, said, ‘Learn from the mistakes of others; you will never live long enough to make them all yourself.’ To climb the next rung of the ladder use these three guidelines.

First, do not shrink away from people whose experience and expertise are greater than your own. Peter writes, ‘God has given each of you some special abilities... use them to help each other...’ (1 Peter 4:10 TLB). We all struggle in certain areas; be careful lest your insecurity be

DAY | 21

misinterpreted as arrogance.

Second, do not try to impress people by seeking to be their intellectual equal. If you find yourself in a discussion that intimidates you, listen carefully, ask questions, talk only about what you know and listen attentively to what you do not. The next time you meet you will be that much further ahead.

Finally, do not come to class unless you have done your homework. When God starts taking you higher, prepare your speech, your wardrobe, and your mind. Consult a trusted friend who understands where you are and where you need to go. If you cannot find one, read up until you grasp the basics. Solomon says, ‘A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing’.

(Proverbs 14:35) The more you prepare yourself, the more opportunities God will give you.

‘GOD EXPERIENCES’

‘...DID NOT OUR HEART BURN...WHILE HE TALKED WITH US...?’ Luke 24:32 NKJV MOBILE phones, laptops, hand-held PCs and electronic organisers can become our slave drivers.

We need to stop and ask ourselves, ‘Can God interrupt me? Can He get my attention short of a catastrophe?’ Some of your ‘God experiences’ will happen when you’re preoccupied with something else. So pray that you’ll be sensitive enough to realise it’s God, and respond to Him rather than the pressures around you. If you decide to pursue your own agenda instead of God’s, don’t be surprised when you run into a brick wall and end up asking, ‘What went wrong?’ The answer is, you didn’t take time for God! Look at Mary and Martha when Jesus visited their home in Bethany. Martha’s focus was on cooking dinner for Him; Mary’s was on soaking up every

word He spoke. Now both are necessary, but when forced to choose between the two the Lord will always choose the one who sits at His feet in adoration and learns from Him. Listen to the words of a couple who’d just encountered Christ on the Emmaus Road following His resurrection, yet they didn’t recognise Him: ‘…“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road…?”’

(Luke 24:32 NKJV). God can give you a solution or a strategy ‘on the road’ that will solve a problem waiting for you at work. He can de-stress you so you sail confidently through a test in school. He can give you direction for the future while you’re doing mundane things around the house. All He requires is that you be sensitive to Him, available to Him, and responsive to Him.

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THE POWER OF GOD-GIVEN IDEAS (1) ‘...ALL PEOPLES ON EARTH WILL BE BLESSED THROUGH YOU...’ Genesis 28:14 NIV GOOD ideas come from God, so ask Him for one. The world’s been blessed by those who did. Consider anaesthesia: how would you like to be operated on without it? That is the way they did it until a Scottish doctor named James Young Simpson introduced something he called ‘artificial sleep’. As a student at Edinburgh University he was attracted to surgery because he was troubled by the pain and mortality rate experienced during operations. As a result of reading ‘And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam...’

(Genesis 2:21 NKJV), Simpson thought chloroform might be the answer. He first experimented on himself. Finally, in 1847, the first three operations with chloroform took place. One of the patients, a young soldier, enjoyed it so much that he seized the sponge and inhaled again. ‘It was just too

good to be stopped,’ he said.

At first Simpson encountered opposition. Some thought it was a sin to interfere with nature.

‘Hand me the Bible,’ said Dr Simpson. ‘This is how God operated on Adam.’ Simpson made speeches, wrote letters and pamphlets and tried to convince those who opposed him that this was the way forward. In a setback, when three deaths attributed to chloroform were reported from other hospitals, Simpson was able to show them that they were not applying the anaesthesia correctly.

The tide turned when Queen Victoria gave birth to her eighth child under chloroform and declared that she was ‘greatly pleased with its effect’. Today ask God to give you an idea that blesses others.

Then act on it!

THE POWER OF GOD-GIVEN IDEAS (2)

DAYS | 22 – 24

‘...ALL PEOPLES ON EARTH WILL BE BLESSED THROUGH YOU...’ Genesis 28:14 NIV ONE God-given idea can change so much.

Braille sure did! In 1824, Louis Braille, a Christian, invented a system of raised dots on paper so that blind people could read. He invented 63 symbols representing every language, hence God’s Word was placed into the hands of the visually impaired for the first time. And communications? In part, you owe your mobile phone and your computer to a Christian named Samuel Morse. How different the world was before him! First-class news took two weeks to reach the USA. And reports of a major victory could take six weeks to reach Britain.

One day a friend said, ‘Morse, when you were experimenting did you ever come to an absolute deadlock, not knowing what to do?’ Morse replied, ‘More than once.’ His friend asked, ‘What did you

do then?’ Morse shared a secret, ‘I got down on my knees and prayed for light, and light came, and when my inventions were acknowledged by flattering honours from America and Europe, I said, “Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto Thy name give the glory.”’ That’s why the first message sent by transatlantic cable read, ‘What God has wrought.’ Now add another Christian named Louis Pasteur, the French scientist who showed us that infection is the result of things we cannot see, namely germs and viruses. He introduced sterilisation methods that eventually saved the lives of multitudes. Think God has run out of good ideas? Not a chance! Ask Him for one for your life, your ministry or your business!

‘YOU ARE NOT ALONE’ - God

THE POWER OF GOD-GIVEN IDEAS (3) ‘...ALL PEOPLES ON EARTH WILL BE BLESSED THROUGH YOU...’ Genesis 28:14 NIV IN ‘What the World Owes to Christians’, Dr Victor Pearce, an Oxford scholar, shares the story of the typewriter. ‘The typewriter was a forerunner to the modern word processor. But how did a Christian come to invent it? To write sermons.

I’m serious! Christopher Sholes was concerned about his pastor who’d been busy all week visiting victims of an epidemic, comforting the bereaved and conducting funerals. Consequently he had no time to write his Sunday sermons. One day Sholes, discussing with a friend what could be done, said, “It seems a pity there ain’t some quick method of writing for busy folks like parsons.” His friend replied, “Why not invent a machine?” Sholes responded, “I’ll try.” That rainy afternoon was the beginning of months of hard work. Finally a group

assembled one day to see him tap out on paper, in capital letters, C LATHAM SHOLES, NOV 1867.

Six years later the Remingtons recognised the typewriter as something that could revolutionise business. In those days clerks were mostly men, but the Young Women’s Christian Association started offering courses in typing for women.

Initially it created a scandal, but as the first typists to be trained were women, employers rushed to hire them. Hence the typewriter and the YWCA determined that a woman’s place was not only at home, but could also be in the office.’ Is it okay for me to pray for God to bless my business? Yes! God wants to bless your business so that you can help carry out His, which is the business of reaching the world with the Gospel.

DAY | 25 INTEGRITY ‘...JUDGE ME, O LORD...ACCORDING TO MY...INTEGRITY...’ Psalm 7:8 NKJV CHUCK Swindoll tells about a man who bought fried chicken dinners for himself and his date. Inadvertently, the attendant gave him the proceeds from the day’s business; a bucket of money instead of fried chicken.

Swindoll writes, ‘After driving to their picnic site they discovered a whole lot more than chicken – over $800! But he was unusual. He quickly put the money back in the bag. They got back into the car and drove all the way back. By then, the manager was frantic. “Mr Clean” got out, walked in, and became an instant hero. “I want you to know I came by to get a couple of chicken dinners and wound up with all this money here,” he said. Well, the manager was thrilled to death. He said, “I’m gonna have your picture put in the local paper. You’re one of the most honest men I’ve ever heard of.” To which the man quickly responded, “‘Oh, no… don’t do that!” Then he leaned closer and whispered, “You see, the woman I’m with… she’s, uh, somebody else’s wife.”’ Paul writes, ‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…’ (Ephesians 6:14 NIV). He was referring to a leather girdle Roman soldiers wore around their waist to protect their loins and carry weapons such as daggers and swords. This girdle also held the soldier’s tunic together so it wouldn’t get snagged and hold him back.

When it comes to your spiritual armour, integrity protects you and holds everything together. If you don’t have integrity in big things and small things, you’re going to lose the battle. Without integrity, everything falls apart.

DAY | 26 LIVING BY THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER ‘...THESE TWO FORCES ARE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING EACH OTHER...’ Galatians 5:17 NLT NO matter how long we have walked with God, our flesh never improves; it never becomes more like the Spirit over time! That’s why we are told to crucify it and walk each day by the power God’s indwelling Spirit provides. Listen: ‘...obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions…then you will not always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to… we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures… But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...’ (Galatians 5:1617, 22-23 TLB). Is such a lifestyle possible? Yes, but you must do four things: 1) recognise that you are a target for the enemy and protect yourself with God’s Word and prayer 2) get rid of the one sin that repeatedly defeats you: ‘... lay aside… the sin which so easily ensnares...’

(Hebrews 12:1 NKJV) 3) be continually filled with the Spirit’s power. Without it, you lose every time 4) stand in God’s strength, not your own. How? By fighting until you experience victory. His might, plus your choice to obey and keep on fighting, always lead to a clear and lasting victory!

DAY | 27

MOVE ON WITH GOD ‘...THE SPIRIT OF GOD MOVED...’ Genesis 1:2 KJV CHRIST’S disciples left everything to follow somebody they didn’t begin to comprehend.

They dreamed of a Messiah who would establish a temporal kingdom and overthrow Rome, so His crucifixion blew their minds. So did His resurrection, because now they had to preach a message that would cost them their lives. Sometimes they didn’t know what to make of Jesus: ‘…the disciples saw him walking on the sea… saying, “It is a spirit”; and they cried out...’ (Matthew 14:26 KJV). When He ate with them on the shore following His resurrection, ‘… none… dared ask Him, “Who are You?”– knowing that it was the Lord’ (John 21:12 NKJV). If you’re going to walk with God, get ready to have your faith stretched. The first thing we read about God in Scripture is that He ‘moved’. If you plan to move on with Him this year, you must overcome two things. First, complacency. Scientists conducted

an experiment in which they placed an amoeba in a stress-free environment. The conditions were ideal; it had no adjustments whatsoever to make.

But it died. Why? Because you need change and challenge just like you need food and water.

Complacency can kill you! Second, you must avoid complaining. Failure to acknowledge God’s goodness caused Israel to go in circles for 40 years: ‘These things happened to them as… warnings for us…’ (1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV). Two children sat down to lunch. One opened his lunchbox and began to gripe, ‘Ham sandwiches again? This is the fourth day in a row. I’m sick of ham sandwiches!’

His friend said, ‘I bet if you tell your mum you don’t like ham sandwiches she’ll make you something else.’ ‘Mum?’ replied the first child. ‘I make my own lunches.’ Hello! Have a problem with complaining?

Fix it! Make up your mind to move on with God!

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Do you ever e? t your futur worry abou Do you ever ? a good friend What makes er about life? wond Do you ever a goal? have you Do to be like? really want Who do you g? like you belon Do you feel

ANIMATION EDITION ISBN 978-1-59480-052-8 Anglicized CAE EA Second Edition 2009.

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DAY | 28

LIVING BY FAITH ‘...ALL THESE...GAINED [GOD’S] APPROVAL...’ Hebrews 11:39 NAS HEBREWS chapter 11 is often referred to as ‘the gallery of faith’. Two groups are mentioned. Group one ‘…escaped… the sword…’ (Hebrews 11:34 NAS).

Group two ‘…were put to death with the sword…’

(Hebrews 11:37 NAS). Now we’d all like to be in group one, but the Bible says both groups ‘…gained [God’s] approval through their faith…’ (Hebrews 11:39 NAS). The Message paraphrases this Scripture: ‘… these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance…’ (Hebrews 11:13 TM). Their faith kept them focused!

Sometimes faith is an instrument of change; at other times it’s a means of survival. It’s what gives you the tenacity to trust God when His will seems to clash with yours. Often your faith is perfected

more when things don’t change than when they do. You don’t need faith for what you can see or have already attained; you need it when life makes no sense, when you can’t explain why the baby dies, or the job falls through, or the marriage isn’t working, or the wicked prosper, or the good die, or the righteous suffer, or the kind receive no comfort.

We think there’s only one good outcome – the one we want. No, we must trust the character and plan of God; who He is and what He does. We must see Him at work in whatever comes our way. And even when we can’t, we must trust Him, knowing ‘…God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose…’ (Romans 8:28 NLT). Did you get that? Everything!

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DAY | 29

ASK GOD FOR WISDOM ‘...I WILL GIVE YOU WORDS AND WISDOM...’ Luke 21:15 NIV GOD doesn’t issue rules and regulations for every moment; instead, He provides guidelines and principles and allows us to make decisions.

That’s because He’s glorified when we choose to consult, trust and obey Him. James writes, ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all…’ (James 1:5 NIV). You haven’t really begun to live until you’ve learned to tap into God’s wisdom. When you do you’ll be amazed how clearly things come into focus. With God’s wisdom comes a remarkable absence of fear. We’re no longer intimidated by circumstances or the opinions of those around us. We can lose a job or get promoted, and neither will derail us.

We can get into an unexpected valley or soar to the pinnacle of success, and cope equally well

with both. That’s because the wisdom of God gives us balance, insight and stability. None of these is a natural trait; each is a by-product of the wisdom that comes from God. We don’t get them simply because we’re Christians. No, we get them because we ask for them. God’s wisdom provides us with the sixth sense needed in confusing situations, and the strength to press on confidently in spite of unanswered questions. Do you need wisdom today? Spend time with the One who said, ‘I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to… contradict’ (Luke 21:15 NIV). It works like this: when you make Jesus Lord of your life you’re given access to the wisdom of God. With the Son of God, comes the wisdom of God. It’s all part of the package.

DAY | 30

THERE’S NO GOING BACK

‘...THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY...A HEAVENLY ONE...’ Hebrews 11:16 NAS ABRAHAM had no idea where God was taking him; he just knew he couldn’t stay where he was. Try explaining that to your friends! But instead of questioning God, we read, ‘By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going’ (Hebrews 11:8 NKJV). Not once did he consider going back home when times got tough. He knew that for him, God wasn’t back there. Jephthah is remembered in Scripture for his spectacular victory over the Ammonites, and for a vow he made to God before the battle, a vow he refused to break: ‘…I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it’ (Judges 11:35 NKJV). Israel got stuck in the wilderness because they kept reflecting on Egypt. Every time God said, ‘Go to Canaan,’ they said, ‘Oh,

but back there in Egypt we enjoyed…’ Some of us can’t enjoy the Christian life because we’re thinking about how much fun the world used to be. Like Israel, we’re thinking about the garlic and leeks in Egypt while we are stuck out here in the wilderness with manna. If you think like that you’ll go in circles! Back there may look enticing, but God is not back there; He’s in your future. So read these words carefully: ‘…if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them’ (Hebrews 11:15-16 NKJV). When you walk with God, there’s no going back!

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WHY YOU NEED JESUS

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Jesus loves you! He desires to have a relationship with you, and to give you a life full of joy and purpose. Why do you need Him in your life?

YOU HAVE A PAST

YOU NEED A FRIEND

HE HOLDS THE FUTURE

You can’t go back, but He can. The Bible says, ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever’ (Hebrews 13:8).

Jesus knows the worst about you, yet He believes the best.

He can walk into those places of sin and failure, wipe the slate clean and give you a new beginning.

Because He sees you not as you are, but as you will be when He gets through with you.

What a friend!

Who else are you going to trust?

In His hands you are safe and secure – today, tomorrow, and for eternity.

His Word says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you… plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen’ (Jeremiah 29:11–13 TLB).

Why?

IF YOU’D LIKE TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS TODAY, PLEASE PRAY THIS PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.

If you have made this commitment and would like to make contact with a local Christian (UK and Republic of Ireland only), or if you do not feel ready to make this decision and would like further help from a local Christian, please write giving your full name, address and age group to: 3 Reasons, FREEPOST WC2947, South Croydon, CR2 8UZ or email ucb@contactforchrist.org.uk No one will contact you unless you specifically request it.

Please visit ucb.co.uk/3reasons to download this advert for a friend.

THE

WORD FOR

T O DAY Have you been encouraged by the readings in this book?

Further daily encouragement can be found in THE UCB WORD FOR TODAY.

Sign up to recieve THE UCB WORD FOR TODAY for FREE, four times a year, delivered directly to your door.

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