Years ago when I worked in the commercial industry, our logistic department decided to have a marketing slogan which said ‘A promise is not a promise until delivered’. I believe that statement to be more than a slogan but a true, God-given principle. The world is so disillusioned about promises because people, from politicians to family members, with the best intentions possible, are making promises that often (and sadly) go undelivered.

The definition of the word PROMISE is ‘a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified.’ Therefore, when one makes a promise or receives a promise, it is reasonable to expect it to be delivered. Disappointment often happens when promises are made from a trusted source but never delivered. So never forget that failing to deliver on your promise is the fastest way to lose trust.

Developing trust is a process, and it can be a very long process. However, losing trust can happen in a split second. One lie, one broken promise is all it takes for someone to lose faith in you. Why? Because trust is the foundation of all relationships. But there is one source that you can believe and trust in: God’s Word. Joshua 21:45 stresses that God never fails, and neither does His Word, for the Lord is ever-faithful and His promises are sure.

God’s promises are yes and amen

The almighty God, the creator of the whole universe, has already fulfilled His promises, and they will be manifested at the appointed time as we put our faith in Him. He will never be too late nor will He be too early.

God’s Word is full of promises

God has given us a Divine Manual called the Bible, which could also be called the Book of Many Promises. In fact, God declares Himself in 2 Cor. 1:20 that ‘all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.’ Which suggests that Jesus Christ is the ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ – the guarantee and confirmation – of all God’s promises. When Christians respond with an amen to the assurance of God’s promises, it is our way of affirming that we trust His faithfulness.

The Bible is full of promises, and many of them have already been fulfilled. Everett R. Storms came up with a grand total of 8,810 promises in the Bible. 7,487 of them were promises made by God to humankind. So get hold of God’s promises for you!

God expects man to keep his promise

Numbers 30:2 tells us ‘If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.’ Although found in the Old Testament, this is definitely applicable to us today. The Israelites were essentially commanded to keep any vows they made, and so are we today.

Matthew 5:37 also tells us ‘Let what you say be simply “Yes” or “No”; anything more than this comes from evil.’ This verse is often quoted in regards to keeping your word, and rightfully so! For our speech should never be clouded in ambiguity or deceit.

God gives promises but expects us to go through the process 

Did you know that even visionaries have to go through the process, so don’t despise the process. God gives promises but expects us to go through the process before it is fulfilled. His Word is full of examples of great Bible characters that went through the process before enjoying the promise. Let’s look at a couple of them:

Abraham – God made it clear that this promise of blessing to all nations would not come through Abraham himself or through his descendants but through one child called ‘the seed’, who would be born into Abraham’s line (Galatians 3:16). Not only did Abraham wait 25 years to see God fulfil His promise to give him a son (see Genesis 12:1-9, and 21:1-5) but he also demonstrated great patience and trust in God at other times of his life as well.

King David – He waited a long time to see God’s promise fulfilled in his life and become King David! In fact it was about 15 years from the time David was anointed by Samuel (in 1 Samuel 16) until David officially became King (in 2 Samuel 5). God wanted to take David through a process, and the anointing was a reminder of the promise that the process would bring.

God’s process is to get you ready for the fulfilment of His promise

Therefore today, trust God for the present and future! Even if it seems like nothing is happening, that progress is delayed (remember delay is not denial), or that you’re just stuck, have faith that His promises are yes and amen and that He’s got a plan and is already working on it. You might not see it yet, but you will. Even when things seem chaotic, God is still in control. God wants what’s best for us, even when it’s hard. Understanding how God works is not our job – trusting Him is. Peace and joy don’t come from our circumstances but from God.

Remember, a promise is a powerful thing. for it does not usually meet an immediate need, but it inspires us to persevere in the process, knowing something good will eventually come. A promise has the power to transform the present, even if it doesn’t come into existence until the future.

Let me conclude with some promises you can claim everyday:

God can be trusted: Hebrews 10:23 says ‘Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.’

God’s promises never fail: Joshua 21:45 says ‘Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.’

God is always with us: Joshua 1:9 says ‘This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

God is faithful: Hebrews 10:23 says ‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.’

God designed us for a purpose: Ephesians 2:10 says ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’

God has a plan for our life: Jeremiah 29:11 says ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’

YES GOD’S PROMISES ARE YES AND AMEN!

‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree’ (Psalm 92:12 NIV)

Here are lastly a few more characteristics of the palm tree. I hope these few thoughts have helped you to realise even more that ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness’ (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). I pray that it will empower you to experience a victorious living even through the toughest raging storms.

So, let’s conclude in looking at a further three characteristics of a palm tree:

• The palm tree cannot be grafted – professional gardeners say that to graft a palm tree is to kill it. Well, for us to try to be grafted into the world is to kill the testimony and the influence of the proclamation of the TRUTH. Let’s be aware of the power of influence entrusted to us and let’s abide in Christ alone: ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5 NIV).

• The palm tree does not burn like ordinary wood – remember the story in Daniel 3 of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. God can deliver us from trial, but He can also miraculously sustain and strengthen us through trial. Because they were totally submitted to the power and will of God they experienced a remarkable breakthrough. Thank you, God, for your promises that, if we stand on, will be manifested in and through our lives. Jesus told us: ‘In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NKJV). So, stand on God’s promise: ‘when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God’ (Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV).

• The Palm tree speaks of triumph – the palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. Just one week before Jesus’ death and resurrection, the people of Jerusalem greeted Him as a triumphant Jesus, a tradition now known and celebrated as Palm Sunday, the week before Easter. Well, our King is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Prince of peace, eternal God and all victorious, having rose from the grave triumphant over hell, the grave and death. So that we can too experience victory even in these very challenging times.

We find ourselves in this unprecedented storm, affecting not just the UK in many ways but the world. Firstly, we must remember that a storm is temporary – it will pass, hence why we should never make permanent decisions in a temporary situation. Therefore, we still can ‘flourish like a palm tree’. As the palm tree is designed to withstand severe tropical storms, we may feel it bend but it will not break, and we will rise up stronger than ever before. As you reflect on the events of your life, remember, the storms you have encountered have only made you stronger. For you are now wiser, more alive, and you are destined for victory. Your brightest days are right before you! Always remember that with God on your side, you will flourish like a palm tree!

So, today let’s be ‘rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness’ (Colossians 2:7 NIV) The secret to a flourishing life is our relationship with Jesus. In Him we find and draw the resources to flourish like the palm tree! Never ever forget God’s word for you today: ‘YOU SHALL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE!’

Psalm 92 tells us: ‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree’ (v. 12 NIV).

Today let’s continue to learn more of the characteristics of a palm tree:

• The palm tree can resist the abuse of the strongest winds – remember, Jesus took the force of all abuse upon Himself for us to be victorious over the storms of life – ‘but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV). God did all these because He so loved the world, and He had you and I in mind.

• The older the palm tree the sweeter it’s fruit – the psalmist tells us: ‘they shall still bear  fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing’ (Psalm 92:14 NKJV). The more we grow in relationship with Him, the sweeter our fruit will become and influence others around us. My hope is that by all of us spending more time in God’s presence, we will start to be transformed into His very image as Paul reminds us (see 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV). May God help us to display the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23).

• A group of palm trees form an oasis – together we can make a difference in our world today, especially during these unprecedented days. Paul reminds us of the importance of ‘endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’ (Ephesians 4:3 NKJV). Psalm 133 reminds us that in unity ‘the Lord bestows his blessings’ (Psalm 133:3 NIV) and when we group ourselves together in unity, we provide shade for those weaker than ourselves. This is why this verse is so important to us: ‘not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together’ (Hebrews 10:25 NKJV).

• The palm tree is forever green – the evergreen speaks of life, and as children of God we have been given everlasting life: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16 NIV). Jeremiah 17 reminds us that our leaves will be forever green (see v. 7-8 NIV). Green speaks of life: Jesus came that we may not just have life but life ‘to the full’ (John 10:10 NIV).

‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:9 NIV). He who has conquered the world lives within you. Therefore, in Christ we are able to do ALL things!

So don’t forget: ‘the righteous will flourish like a palm tree’ and that is you!

I was recently reading Psalm 92:12 again. The Psalm tells us: ‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree’ (Psalm 92:12 NIV).

I strongly felt God saying these words; ‘You are like a palm tree in the storm of life; remember a storm is temporary and when it passes you are going to be stronger and will flourish more than ever before’. How beautiful it is that we can attribute these characteristics of the palm tree to us ALL as followers of Christ. I want to encourage you by unpacking some of these amazing characteristics and understand what it means to be like a PALM TREE, especially in a time of storm.

Here are some of its characteristics:

1. The palm tree is tall and straight – the tallest palm tree can grow up to 197 feet tall and it is, in fact, the national tree of Columbia.

God tells us: ‘I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight’ (Isaiah 45:2 NKJV). Praise God! Because of amazing grace, we too can walk boldly, tall and straight, now that our lives have been straightened through the power of the cross. And let’s stand tall in the full knowledge that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus as declared in Romans 8 (see Romans 8:37 NIV).

2. The palm tree’s life comes from within – the minerals and nutrients of most trees are found on the surface, just below the bark, so when you cut them, they die. But not the palm tree: its life comes from within, so it flourishes even under the fiercest of storms. Paul tells us ‘we have this treasure in earthen vessels’ (2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV). How wonderful; that our life comes from within, through the power of the Holy Spirit to allow us to experience a victorious life in Christ, as Scripture reminds us: ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4 ESV).

3. The palm tree will bend, but will not break – how reassuring that when the storm ceases and the wind drops, the palm tree straightens up again and is actually stronger in the place where it bent. How good is that?! We were made to bend, but not to break.

So, let’s be encouraged by Paul’s words: ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair’ (2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV). Praise God that He promises to be with us always and He is our rock even in the middle of the strongest storm and wants all of us to come right back up stronger and to flourish like a palm tree.

Also, Isaiah 61:10 tells us to ‘greatly rejoice in the Lord… For He has … covered me with the robe of righteousness’ (Isaiah 61:10 NKJV). Psalm 92 speaks of the ‘righteous’ being compared to the palm tree (v. 12). So, as believers we are made and declared righteous in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Romans 5 reminds us that, ‘for as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous’ (v. 19 ESV). And that deserves a mighty shout of ‘PRAISE THE LORD’!

Until next time, where we’ll look together at more characteristics of the palm tree, be encouraged that though you may feel the heat of the storm, through it you’ll become stronger ready to face your tomorrow…

During our Prayer Breakthrough Thursday program on UCB Radio, we invite anyone who is listening to contact us with their prayer requests (or praise reports) and we dedicate one hour every Thursday between 1pm and 2pm to share and pray for those needs on air. It is a sobering hour for our team as we receive many requests from people desperate for a breakthrough in their circumstances. But it is also a great privilege to be trusted with these needs and to be able to stand together in prayer.

I am sometimes asked, ‘why is prayer important? Is there a particular way I should pray?’

I feel so passionate about prayer. It is such a wonderful way to engage with God, with each other and to see God’s power and grace released in our lives.

In the early days of UCB, the ministry was soaked in prayer. The situation our founders faced was so difficult that every breakthrough, every month of finance had to be ‘prayed in’. We are so grateful for the army of people who over the years have faithfully prayed for UCB’s ministry and days like these are our way of ministering in return to our listeners.

We know that many of our listeners will have key difficulties and issues in their lives and will need someone to ‘stand in the gap’ for them. We receive hundreds of calls and emails from people who are struggling with poor health or facing financial difficulties or marriage problems. Each time we pray for the individual, we are praying for everyone who is facing those same situations.

I visualise the day in time to come, of waves of breakthrough as a result of those prayers, of our phones lighting up with listeners telling us they have been set free or healed. Prayer works and it is incredibly effective (I have seen this many times in my own life), but we do not always understand the importance of prayer or how to pray effectively. Prayer meetings at churches are usually the least attended of all services, but if we truly believed that prayer works and that through it, God can deliver and set us free, we would never miss a prayer meeting again!

• Prayer is an invitation

If we go back to Genesis, we will read that God gave man the authority to rule over the earth. He delegated the authority and His power to us. As a leader, I know that when you delegate authority to someone, you should not interfere – well, not unless you are invited to.

I believe that prayer is an invitation. We are asking God, inviting Him into the situation, into our lives, into whatever we are facing. When we invite Him in, that is when we often experience His presence most powerfully. This is the structure God has given us. But how many of us fail to invite God to manifest himself into whatever we are facing?

So today, invite Him earnestly into your own situation with prayer, with petition, and with thanksgiving and watch what He will do!

• Prayer of FAITH is a trigger for God’s grace

In many senses, prayer is like a weapon and a bullet. Prayer is the trigger to release God’s grace in our lives. If we look at how God’s grace was released in the lives of the people Jesus prayed for, there was often a step of faith, an action required. He told a disabled man to pick up his bed and walk (see John 5:8 NIV). In other parts of the Bible, people are told to stretch out their hands, to dip in a river, to do something. To see God at work, we need to take action and that action is prayer. As we step forward, let’s do something and invite God into our circumstances, and watch Him release His grace, His healing, and His provision upon our lives.

• Pray for us, as we pray for you

UCB is growing and because we believe so much in the power of prayer, sometime ago we have increased our time to pray on air. As I explained earlier, we have a weekly program called Prayer Breakthrough on UCB2 (Thursdays between 1pm and 2pm) and we are committed to praying for the needs of our nation. But as a ministry we need prayer too. We face many exciting opportunities (especially as technology advances) but we are not immune to sickness, problems or attacks from the Enemy. Just as it took 23 years for the founders of UCB to see the breakthrough of national Christian radio becoming a reality here in the UK, we know it can take time to see breakthrough in other areas, too. But we believe that for you as well as us, breakthrough comes when we pray and invite God into the problems, issues and situations we all face.

So, let’s stand together to see a breakthrough in this nation. Would you be willing to pray for UCB? Please let us known by signing up for our Prayer emails at ucb.co.uk/emailsignup or by joining our Facebook group called ‘Pray for UCB’. We will send you ministry updates with different prayer needs. Tell us too, how we can pray for you: please go to https://www.ucb.co.uk/breakthrough. Together, let’s release the power of God in our lives, by inviting Him into all our circumstances.

Bible tells us that Jesus healed 10 people who each had leprosy. After realising they were healed, only one of the them returned to thank Jesus. Jesus says, ‘where are the nine?’ (Luke 17:17 NIV).

Sometimes in life, something truly remarkable happens and we can get so caught up in the moment, that we forget to say ‘thank you’. Of course we’re grateful, but in the busyness of life, we can overlook those two simple powerful words – thank you.

We need to stop in the busyness of ministry and give thanks to our Heavenly Father:

Firstly, for the Privilege to serve

1 Peter tells us that ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms’ (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV). Serving is a form of worship, a way to express gratitude for what Jesus has done for us and to share with others this amazing message of HOPE declared in His Word, that the lives of many more people would be transformed.

So, this year we are very thankful to God for not only having called us for such a time as this, but for having equipped us by His Holy Spirit with a great diversity of gifts throughout the UCB family to overcome these challenging times and increase the ministry output to a new level by reaching, by His grace, even more people than we could imagine.

Secondly, for His Protection

We are so thankful to God for His Word that reminds us of His faithful protection. Psalm 3:3 declares: ‘But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.’ To be under God’s shield is to have God as your protector, to trust that God will look out for you and safeguard you. But even more, to have God as your shield means that you are His, you belong to Him, you fight under His shield and He protects you as His own. It means that God has claimed you as His own.

And we can really testify that God’s shield of protection has been very evident throughout this year. That doesn’t mean that we are immune from problems and difficulties as a ministry and it is vitally important to stay faithful to our calling if we are to experience His grace of protection. That’s why we can say thank you to God for His amazing grace. If you will allow Him, God will protect you even from yourself and will assign His angel to protect you as He declared: ‘the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them’ (Psalm 34:7 NIV).

Thirdly, for His Provision 

To know about Jehovah Jireh is one thing but to experience His grace of provision is another. We thank God for every human resource that he has given us, through staff/volunteers/partners with a diversity of talents to make sure that the ministry can continue to advance in the fulfilment of its vision, and for every financial gift that has been sent throughout 2022.

We know that for many, times are really tough at the moment and because of this, we are so blessed by the many, many people who have committed to give, to pray and to share their resources to enable UCB to continue in the fulfilment of its vision.

At the moment, the world can feel like a dark place, but despite the many challenges we know that God’s Word is needed in our nation more than ever before.

So, every resource given this year allows UCB to take the light, hope and truth of the gospel all across the UK and beyond. To reach people who might never dare to walk inside a church building but might turn on a radio or pick up a copy of the Word For Today devotional. Every gift, small and large, makes a big difference. We are so thankful for each and every one of our audiences who followed God’s prompting in supporting UCB’s ministry. So thanks to our Jehovah Jireh, our ‘PROVIDER’ and you, our PARTNERS, for your obedience.

Let me conclude in declaring loudly that: ‘Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV) – FOR GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE throughout another very challenging year! Blessed be His name.

The Word of God is truly alive and has the power to change your life.

Did you know that the Word of God is alive? ‘How can a book be alive?’, you may ask. At first, when you start reading God’s Word, it does not seem to make any sense; and yet in Hebrews 4, we are told that what might appear to be ‘just a book’ – the Word of God – is actually ALIVE (see Hebrews 4:12 NIV).  

When I was a young teenager, I did not fully understand the power of the Word of God. Although I grew up in a Christian family (in a pastor’s home), I rebelled and ended up moving from my home in France to the UK, arriving angry and disillusioned and wanted nothing to do with ‘religion’.  

Some time later, when I encountered Jesus, I discovered that it was not about a religion but about a relationship that Jesus wanted me to discover with Him, and when I understood that my whole life changed – I discovered a great secret. When God’s spirit touches His Word, the words in the Bible become alive, breathing, living, with the power to help us discern truth from lies.  

Discovering the Bible was much more than a book filled with ancient stories was a complete revelation to me. Those same stories which I once thought were dead began to speak into my present circumstances. The same God who guided Adam, Abraham and Paul, became my daily guide.  

The words I read in Scripture today have helped me to make important decisions in my family life, in my professional life and now in the ministry I serve here at UCB. I often call God’s Word, ‘the divine instruction manual’ because the imparting of its truth has directed me, has comforted our family and held us together when we have gone through many tragedies. A dead history book could not do that, but I can assure you by personal experience the living Word of God can.

You see, when we have our own personal revelation that the Word of God (as Hebrews says), ‘is alive and active’ (Hebrews 4:12 NIV), our approach to it changes. When we discover that God can speak to us daily through His Word, that the words on those pages can give us insight and wisdom for whatever situation we may be facing, we too become alive.  

But be warned; as you open God’s living Word, it might not always be an ‘easy read’. Just as in an instruction manual sometimes the words correct and challenge us, sometimes they urge us to change direction, but in those same pages, you will also find encouragement, comfort and guidance.

If you find yourself struggling to systematically read God’s Word, can I encourage you to not give up? Keep on trying and you’ll never be disappointed. 

I am passionate for people to discover the power of God’s Word which is living and active. And to help you, I would encourage you to use a devotional such as UCB Word For Today to help you get into God’s Word. For this could be one of the vehicles God uses, to encourage you to pick up a Bible and read it for yourself and discover the value of having a daily devotional time, or as we would say here at UCB, have ‘coffee with God’.

So, when you read your Bible, look up the Scripture verses which are quoted, read them in context and allow God’s living, breathing Word to change you from the inside out. 

Should you want your free copy of the Word for Today please go to https://www.ucb.co.uk/signup and I highly recommend to you that you set time aside daily to engage with the Word of God which is alive and active, and allow your life to be transformed for ever.

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Last year my Christmas message was: ‘Don’t lose your JOY this Christmas!’ Well, this Christmas it is:

‘Don’t lose your PEACE this Christmas!’

Let’s understand the difference between the peace of the kingdom of this world against the peace of the kingdom of God:

First, we need to know that there is not only military war in this broken world that can steal your peace but also an economical war; a domestic war; a political war; a commercial war; and the list goes on.

Our world is craving for real peace. They talk about it, they sing about it, they dream about it and turn to all kinds of things to try to find it. What they often find, however, is the world’s deceptive peace, which is different from the everlasting peace offered by Jesus. For the peace offered by the world is an empty promise and can only bring temporary relief. However, God’s peace is an everlasting peace offered by the only One who is called the Prince of Peace and can be trusted to keep his Word when He says:

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ (John 14:27 NKJV).

Also, let’s never forget that He is Jehovah Shalom, meaning ‘The Lord is Peace,’ one of many Old Testament names for God and the first used by Gideon when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him at Ophrah (see Judges 6 NIV).

Therefore, as we move towards this Christmas, I want to help you to not lose your peace – or if you have lost it to regain it, and here is how: 

1. When we make God our REFUGE AND STRENGTH

When we develop a lifestyle of making the Lord our refuge and strength, we begin to live in the peace of God as highlighted in the Psalm: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1 NIV). Here holds the secret to know how to live in the peace of God as found in the Psalm: ‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”‘ (Psalm 91:1-2 NIV).

That secret place in our hearts is where we go to meet with God. When we choose to abide there under His shadow, remaining in constant communion with Him, we can truly reside peacefully, even when the circumstances that we are experiencing are at their worst. When we learn to cry out to Him in times of trouble, we find that His peace really does pass all human understanding, as highlighted in Philippians 4:7.

2. When we accept from God the GIFT OF PEACE

Scripture tells us: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27 NIV).

What a great promise! The Lord Jesus gave us His peace. Our Heavenly Father as the everlasting God of peace is our unique source of true peace, which is very different from what the world has to offer. Can I say to you that this broken world is in real turmoil and not a place where you find everlasting peace. But no matter how impossible our outward circumstances may seem, we can enjoy true and lasting peace right in the middle of our storms as I have personally experienced, even in the most tragic of circumstances.

3. When we understand that in Christ, we can be an OVERCOMER

We are reminded; ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NIV).

The Lord never promised a bed of roses in our lives; in fact He clearly said ‘in the world you have trouble’. Although we are saved, we are not immune from suffering, problems, and difficulties; but these words from the Lord Jesus can bring us comfort, assuring us that even in the midst of our trials we can have peace.

4. When we earnestly PRAY

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

This means that as believers we can speak directly with God, the creator of heaven and earth, who has all power and authority, who is in total control of all our circumstances and instead of anxiety we are to humbly and gratefully approach God with whatever is on our minds.

How wonderful that God has given us the secret weapon of prayer! Ephesians 6 reminds us that we ‘do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places’ (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). Therefore, we need to understand the importance of our weapon of prayer if we are to overcome the Enemy. Accept the gift of peace found in the abiding refuge that we have in Christ our Lord.

So, this Christmas, enjoy the peace of God that surpasses ALL UNDERSTANDING and remember that the key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace is faith in the promises of God.

‘Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV).

As I pondered during this Christmas over another very challenging past year, I reflected on how 2022 was a year moving from CRISIS to CRISIS. As we started to transit into a post-COVID era, we were quickly confronted with another crisis, the sad invasion of Ukraine. Then, many other crises unfolded, such as the turmoil amongst our government leadership which led to three Prime Ministers in just one year, followed by steep inflation hitting double figures. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee brought a bit of light amongst all these crises, but soon the country was in national mourning after the announcement of the Queen’s death, which led to the appointment of a new King, King Charles III. I am sure that you will agree with me that it has not only been a challenging year, but a very eventful year to say the least. Many of these crisis were not just national but global, which in fact has given UCB the greatest opportunity to proclaim the message of HOPE louder than ever before using all its platforms.

It was in a meeting last year, after asking those present to define the word CRISIS, that everyone without exception gave a negative definition. That was when God got my attention. Leading me to research the biblical definition of the word, God really spoke to me that crisis did not have to be a negative word – in fact, I discovered that the word CRISIS meant very much the opposite. As you will see shortly, although unprecedented crisis create unprecedented problems, they can also certainly create some unprecedented opportunities. This is why I believe as we now have moved into 2023, we have entered a year of great opportunity.

One of the things that I quickly understood many years ago was that if I wanted to have a miracle manifested in my life, then I needed a crisis first. Well, I soon realised that our life journey is full of crises – therefore the good news is that I was a good candidate for a miracle and so are you! Praise God for the day I encountered the miracle-working God, hence why I love the worship song ‘Miracle-Working God’. Here are a few words from it:

‘So, when trouble comes your way
Don’t you be afraid
When sorrow comes your way
Never run away
When sickness comes your way
Don’t you ever fret
No, no, no,

My God
Is a Miracle Working God’

Never ever forget: in whatever circumstance you find yourself, our God is a ‘MIRACLE-WORKING GOD!’

The other thing that I’ve learnt is that no-one would say that the word CRISIS is a word that many relish and if the last year doesn’t represent a chain of crisis, where have we been?! As I read God’s Word, it is clear that the biggest crisis that opened the door to our broken world started right back in Genesis – that through the fall of Adam and Eve, crisis became part of mankind’s journey here on earth.

As I have already said, I have discovered that crisis doesn’t have to be a negative word, hence why I want to change your perspective on this word and introduce you to a positive outcome of crisis by looking at the biblical definition of the word. The Hebrew word for crisis means either the opening of the womb or birth-stool. In other words, it speaks of birth, new life. So, let’s flip this negative word on its side by looking at our crises as something that we go through that will bring us to something new. 

God tells us, ‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland’ (Isaiah 43:19 NIV). That’s why, just as Bob Gass reminded us in Word For Today some time ago, ‘The crisis you’re experiencing may be a blessing in disguise, an opportunity to experience God’s ‘unfolding grace’ and a greater degree of His power at work in your life.’

So, let’s remind ourselves of the end process that leads to the birth to a child; the contractions are a warning to the mother that birth is coming near, then the water breaks and lastly the long-waited-for child is delivered. All the pains experienced by the mother are soon forgotten once the baby is born, just as Jesus describes when talking about sorrow turning to joy. Here is what He said; ‘It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labour. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world’ (John 16:21 NLT).

Therefore, let’s now look at the crisis that led the people of Israel out of Egypt to give birth to something new. Let’s do it through the lens of the process of earthly birth to really understand what God’s people were going through.

– The 10 plagues speak of the people of Israel going through the stages of contractions

– The parting of the Red Sea was the water breaking

– And the crisis in the wilderness was the BIRTH of something new, A NEW NATION, for God brought them out (Egypt) for them to go in (Promise Land). God was birthing a new nation for the Promise Land, for before that time Israel was never called a nation.

Here is the good news: if you are in a crisis individually or we as a ministry, remember that God is a God of new beginnings and likes doing new things. When God is doing something new it will require us to step into the unknown, which may feel uncomfortable, even painful, as well as scary at first, and that is why we call it stepping out in faith. We might be tempted to hold on to the life we know where everything is familiar, just like the people in the wilderness who pleaded with Moses to lead them back to Egypt. But as they experienced leaving Egypt, they needed also to let Egypt go out of them. We, too, need to let go of the old, trust God and embrace what He is doing, otherwise we will miss out on all the new, good things God wants to do for us and through us.

Today, let’s get hold of God’s promise in Isaiah 43: ‘Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland’ (v. 18-19 ESV).

However, you may ask, what does God mean by doing a new thing? – Well, God’s new thing was something that God had never done before. He was going to make a path in the wilderness and water to spring forth in the desert. When new things occur in our lives, old things disappear. Know that God will always have better plans than you, and when he closes a door, he will pave your path towards a new way! When God gives you a new beginning, it starts with an ending. It is more like finishing off a chapter before you start a new one.

So, in closing, remember; in whatever tough crisis you may have found yourselves last year or even find yourself in the beginning of this new year, Jesus our Lord is still the same as He was yesterday and will be forever the God of miracles. For out of the crisis that we have experienced, this year, 2023, God is about to do something new in your life, and in UCB Ministry. Blessed be His name! SO GET READY FOR IT!

ARE YOU BEING TESTED?

Stephen, a man FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – Acts 6:1-9 and Acts 7:54-60 NIV

Today let’s continue to look at the life of Stephen, a man full of the Spirit and learn more about what it means to be filled with the Spirit:

1. A Spirit-filled Christian is mighty in the Word 

Acts 7:2-53 NIV

Here we have the defence that Stephen made before his persecutors. Notice that Stephen’s testimony was filled with God’s Word: 

1. He knew the Word
2. He believed the Word
3. He practiced the Word 
4. He preached the Christ of the Word
5. He allowed the Word to be manifested in and through him

So, remember that to be a Spirit-filled Christian is to be someone who is also filled with God’s Word, and by the Holy Spirit within declares it with boldness even under the worst of pressures!

2. A Spirit-filled Christian is resilient in times of trials and adversities

Acts 7 tells us of the distressing situation that led Stephen to his death (see v. 54, 57, 59 NIV). Stephen shows resilience in the mist of tremendous suffering. Did he feel sorry for himself? Did he cry out to his accusers to spare his life? NO! He showed resilience under brutal attacks, he kept his peace under God’s grace and rode his persecution triumphant right to the end.

‘But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”’ (Acts 7:55-56 NIV).

Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked upon God for strength and there he found his resilience. The Spirit within him sustained him right in the middle of his most intense trials – this is what a Spirit-filled Christian experiences when not everything goes well but when health fails, bereavement comes, when persecutions and even death comes. Only in God we can find resilience.

Being filled with the Spirit is to know to look up and see Jesus exalted, glorified. A Spirit-filled Christian is upheld in the hour of trial by the clear vision of God’s grace which he has received from the Lord. Just as Paul declared; ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). So, if you feel weak today be encouraged, for your greatest hope is found in being filled with God’s Spirit, who gives you strength to overcome your weaknesses.

3. A Spirit-filled Christian reflects Christlikeness even in his darkest hour 

The one thing above anything else that will mark someone out as being full with the Spirit is becoming more and more like Christ. Stephen reflected the likeness of Christ right to the end in spite how difficult the situation was (see Acts 7:50-60 NIV). So, let’s declare together: ‘Oh Lord, fill me afresh so that your Holy Spirit in me will help me to reflect the light of Christ through my life in this world of darkness, just as the moon reflects in the darkness the light of the sun’.

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and the evidence was openly demonstrated during his lifetime. 

So, the big question for us today is: 

Are we ready to exhibit these characteristics that were found in Stephen’ life in and through our lives and make a real difference in this broken world in which we are living? 

Here is the big answer: by ‘only being continually filled with the Spirit’ as highlighted in Ephesians 5:18 which tells us to: ‘go on being filled’ or ‘keep on being filled with the Spirit’ or ‘continue to be being filled with the Spirit’ AND THEN WE CAN LIVE TRIUMPHANTLY just as Stephen experienced even in the toughest of circumstances for God’s grace is sufficient for all of us today!