JESUS IS THE WAY

..."I am the way..." John 14:6

Judaism sees salvation as a judgement day decision based on morality. Hindus anticipate multiple reincarnations in the soul's journey through the cosmos. Buddhism guides your life according to the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight-fold Path. Muslims earn their way to Allah through the Five Pillars of Faith. Many philosophers deem life after death as hidden and unknown, 'a great leap in the dark.' Some people clump Christ with Moses, Mohammad, Confucius, and other spiritual leaders. 'Jesus said..."I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."' John 14:6 (NKJV). Many object, 'All roads lead to heaven.' But how can they? Buddhists look toward Nirvana, achieved after no less than 547 reincarnations. Christians believe in one life, one death, and an eternity of enjoying God. Humanists don't acknowledge a creator of life. Jesus claims to be the source of life. Spiritualists read your palms. Christians consult the Bible. Hindus perceive a plural and impersonal God. Christ-followers believe '...there is only one God' (1 Corinthians 8:4 NLT). Every non-Christian religion says, 'You can save you.' Jesus says: 'My death on the cross saves you.' All roads don't lead to London, all ships don't sail to Australia, and all flights don't land in Rome. Every path does not lead to God. Jesus blazed a stand-alone trail void of self-salvation. He cleared a one-of-a-kind passageway uncluttered by human effort. He offers us a unique invitation in which He works and we trust, He dies and we live, He invites and we believe. '..."The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One he sent"' (John 6:29 NCV).

UCB WORD FOR TODAY 26DEC09

John 4:16 and Luke 12:6-7

...we have...believed the love that God has for us... 1 John 4:16
'I knew you before time began. I know how many hairs are on your head. Like parent, like child, you're created in My image. I have plans for you. I've also given you the 'gifts' needed to fulfil them; and what I give, nobody can take away. But don't neglect them; exercise them, and stir them up daily. Rest assured, I've started a good work in you and I'm going to finish it. I always complete what I begin. My Word concerning you is forever settled, and My commitment to you is unending. In this life you will have challenges, but cheer up; I've robbed satan of his power to control you and the world of its power to destroy you. When you're in trouble remember, I'm present to help. Give Me your burdens and I will sustain you. When you're stressed out and worn down by the pressures of life, lean on Me. I will be your rock, your fortress, your deliverer and your strength. Even though you fail from time to time, you won't be discarded because I am upholding you. But a word of caution: don't take advice from those who are spiritually blind and don't hang out with sceptics. Delight yourself in My Word and, like a big oak tree growing by a river, you'll prosper in all you do. PS I'd love to hear back from you.' 'And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him'.

UCB FOR TODAY-03DEC09

Six principles to live by - Proverbs 4:7

...Get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Incorporate these six principles into your life:

1) don't worry, when you're doing your best. God accepts no less, but He demands no more. 'Trust in the Lord, and do good...and He shall give you the desires of your heart!' (Psalm 37:3-4)

2) don't hurry, when success depends on accuracy. 'Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty' (Proverbs 21:5)

3) don't form conclusions until you have all the facts. Everyone you meet has unmet needs, unhealed wounds and unfulfilled hopes. If you want people to evaluate you by your best qualities, rather than your worst, 'Do to others as you would like them to do to you' (Luke 6:31)

4) don't believe a thing is impossible without trying it. When you are in God's will, doing things God's way, sensitive to His timing and willing to persevere, your problems are just a platform for Him to work on your behalf '...we must wait patiently and confidently.' (Romans 8:28)

5) don't waste your time on trivial matters. In order to put first things first, you must ask yourself, 'What is it that only I can do, or do best?' Only when you've answered that question will you know what you should do

6) don't think that good intentions are an acceptable excuse for doing nothing. Examine your life; are you a 'talker' or a 'doer?' Get specific about your diet and your devotions, your finances and your family, etc. Write these words on a card and read them regularly: 'If it's to be, it's up to me.' James writes: '...faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead' (James 2:17 NKJV).

UCB FOR TODAY-14Nov09

.

RICH TOWARDS GOD

...Rich toward God. Luke 12:21

We're supposed to offer God our acts of service, but the gift He desires most is us. Think of Jesus' last conversation with His friend Peter. Peter was so human: he followed Jesus, learned from Him, served Him, doubted Him, misunderstood Him, praised Him and denied Him. Yet Jesus' final question to His friend was relational: 'Peter, do you love Me?' Three times He asked Peter that question. St. Augustine said all ethics could be summed up in this: 'Love God, and do what you will,' for when you love God you'll want to do what God loves. Though flawed like the Psalmist, you can say, 'I delight to do Your will, O my God...' (Psalm 40:8 NKJV). God created us so that He could be with us. In Eden He came and walked with the man and woman He had made, just to be with them. When He formed the nation of Israel He said, 'I will walk among you and be your God...' (Leviticus 26:12 NKJV). Heaven announced the birth of Jesus, '...they shall call His name "Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us"' (Matthew 1:23 NKJV). It's as if God says each morning, 'I'd like to spend this day with you.' One author writes: 'I can't make myself love God, but I can come to know Him better. And because God is love, the more I come to know Him, the more my love for Him will grow. Love is a by-product of knowing. So I can spend this day loving God. And tomorrow I can seek to love Him a little more.' That's what it means to be 'rich towards God.'
UCB WORD FOR TODAY-7Nov09