UCB Word For Today

Missionary Gladys Aylward said, ‘The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers.’ You can’t escape worry; it will come at you from different directions and in different forms. But like the eagle, you can rise above it. Jesus said: ‘If you decide for God…it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion…Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever got taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion – do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers…The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers…don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied withgetting, so you can respond to God’sgiving. People who don’t know God…fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works…Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow’ (vv. 25-34 MSG).

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

There are certain doors in life that once opened are hard to close – pornography is one of them. And like any addict, once you’re hooked, you need increasing doses to satisfy yourself until finally you end up shocked and shamed by the depths to which you have sunk. And statistically speaking, the problem is exactly the same in the church as it is in society. Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Deliver us from evil,’ and some of that evil is now brought into our homes through television and the internet. Parents, protect your children from things that can cloud their minds and hurt their chances of building healthy relationships. And if you’re addicted to pornography, pray this prayer: ‘Lord, “cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:2 KJV). Help me to stop setting myself up for shame and failure by the things I open myself up to (see Romans 13:14). I repent and ask for your deliverance now. Reveal to me the emotional needs I’m attempting to fulfil, and give me the courage, strength, and wisdom to deal with them in a manner that honours you. I want to follow Job’s example, because he made a covenant with his eyes not to look upon, wish for, or lust after sinful things. I can’t do it in my own strength. Fill me with your Spirit. Give me someone I can trust to be honest with me – someone who will share this burden with me in prayer and believe for my deliverance. Give me a longing for you that will surpass and destroy all lustful thoughts. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.’

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Embittered children ultimately become discouraged. A discouraged child is less hopeful, less enthusiastic, lacking in determination, and easily led astray. By destroying a child’s hope, you’re undermining their God-given temperament. Children are born with optimism, inspiration, anticipation, and possibilities. Without hope, there is nothing to inspire them. Hopelessness brings depression and darkness of heart and soul. When you embitter the children in your care, you undermine their hope. When you demoralise them, you destroy their confidence, leaving them afraid, insecure, and unable to face life. Self-confidence is necessary for a healthy self-image, for relating to others, for succeeding in their education and a career. A disheartened kid loses certainty and becomes a broken spirit. The spirit is the centre of the being. A broken spirit produces a broken person. ‘A broken spirit saps a person’s strength’ (Proverbs 17:22 NLT), leaving a child with their core disabled. Our streets are full of broken kids. Broken-spirited kids lack the resolve to achieve in life, to set goals and reach them. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). It’s your vision that gives you the inner strength to see something through to its accomplishment in spite of the obstacles encountered. It takes an intact, resilient child to overcome life’s hurdles. How can you help them? ‘Instead [of breaking their spirit], bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord’ (Ephesians 6:4 NIV). You must cherish them, teach them God’s Word even when they seem indifferent, practise what you preach, be consistent with your rules, let them see you reading God’s Word and praying regularly. Always encourage them and never, never give up on them!

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Another point of parental confusion is this: 4)Bitter versus better.What is bitterness? It is strong resentment or cynicism. How do parents create bitterness in their children? Consider the following triggers: a) Inconsistency. This happens when you are autocratic and authoritarian one day and permissive the next. What brought a strong rebuke today brings a smile of leniency tomorrow. So, your child never knows what to expect. b) Moodiness. Today you’re fun and enjoyable to be with; tomorrow you’re irritable and distant. c) Unreasonableness. There is no room for discussion, no opportunity for children to explore their feelings. ‘Just do as I say because I say it!’ So, the kid is never given the chance to think through the reasoning process. d) Abusive behaviour. It might be physical or emotional (withholding your love, the silent treatment, rejection). Or it might be verbal (yelling and using words that wound). e) Failing to walk your talk – saying one thing but doing another! You profess certain beliefs but don’t practise them. You expect your kids to be respectful while you display disrespect to others. You expect honesty from your children, but they see you cheat and lie your way through life. Children are keen observers – they may not say anything, but not much that you do escapes their attention. They see your inconsistencies – when what you say doesn’t line up with what you do. All of these behaviours can make them resentful. ‘Do not embitter your children.’ Don’t set them up to become discouraged.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Here are some more areas where parents are often confused. 2)Discipline versus punishment.‘Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.’ (Proverbs 22:15 AMPC). Notice God’s choice of words: ‘the rod of discipline’ not the ‘rod of punishment’. Discipline and correction are about teaching and learning; punishment is about making a child suffer for their behaviour. Children need discipline – not punishment, which is often administered by a frustrated and angry parent. ‘Do not withhold discipline from a child.’ Withholding discipline prepares them for a life of failure and suffering. Discipline is focused on improving their behaviour. It teaches right and wrong by giving consequences that directly relate to the child’s choices. It may take the form of being grounded or suspending privileges, but it should always be for the child’s benefit, never to inflict pain. 3)Love versus indulgence.Our materialistic world confuses love with indulgence. Loving parents give without spoiling, withhold for the child’s good, and motivate them by rewarding good behaviour. Indulgent parents give kids whatever they want, irrespective of behaviour, thus failing to motivate them to be responsible. Spoiled kids develop a sense of entitlement and an expectation that others exist to please them. Indulgent parents are frequently guilt driven and afraid their kids won’t like or love them. They mistake indulgence for love, and breed children who demand, manipulate, and are never satisfied. Love requires talking, listening, understanding, laughing, sharing tough times, respecting and encouraging your kids with unconditional acceptance. Such love costs nothing but is worth everything.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Over the next few days, let’s look at some practical areas where parents are often confused. (If you’re not a parent, why not use these points to help you pray for parents you know.) 1)Guidance versus criticism.If you have a placid, agreeable, and compliant child who enjoys school, homework, and doing household chores, bringing ‘them up in the training and instruction of the Lord’ will be a joy! (Ephesians 6:4 NIV). Many of us, however, are given assertive, strong-willed kids with their own agendas. These kids know what they want, and when and how to get it. They also know what they don’t want to eat, wear, hear, say, and do! And parents or carers of these kids need help in building the kind of relationship that creates trust and allows for mutual discussion and respect in a tug-of-war atmosphere. In such cases giving guidance can easily become criticism, constantly emphasising the child’s faults: ‘You look ridiculous in that…you’re never on time…why can’t you be like…’ A much better approach is to point the kid to the solution. Even valid guidance offered negatively will damage self-worth, breed resentment, and destroy the possibility of building mutual respect. They need to hear you say, ‘I’m not on your back – I’m on your team!’ When normal conflict arises – and it will – it’s tempting to become overbearing or frustrated. When you shout, insult, or humiliate the child, you lose sight of your parental goal of guiding and training. This leaves them feeling angry, disempowered, uncertain of themselves and you – an invitation to rebellion. But if you guide your child as one who is on their team, with patient practical help, links will be forged that encourage cooperation, trust, and mutual respect.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

If you’re a parent, do you ever wish for a parenting do-over – a second chance to raise your kids? With hindsight and insight, you think you would do it right this time! Parenting is both rewarding and guilt inducing. It’s rewarding because we love our children and they bring us joy. It’s guilt inducing because we blame ourselves for their shortcomings and misfortunes. ‘Where did I go wrong as a parent?’ There is no perfect parent, and there is no universal blueprint because every child is born unique. Psychologists told us our children were born a ‘blank slate’, waiting for us to write life instructions on them. Not so! Babies are miniature people, ‘born in sin and shapen in iniquity’ (see Psalm 51:5). They are given to us to figure out as we try to mould them spiritually, morally, socially, and intellectually. By age seven, they have learned about 75 per cent of everything they will ever know. But although there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success, there are God-given principles that work whether you’re a new parent or a grandparent, or someone who works with children. ‘Teach children in a way that fits their needs, and even when they are old, they will not leave the right path’ (Proverbs 22:6 ERV). Notice some keywords here. ‘Teach’, which implies imparting information in a consistent, understandable way. Toddlers learn better with pictures. Older kids need us to use contemporary language. If they don’t ‘get it’, we probably didn’t teach it well enough! ‘Children’ means old enough to understand. ‘A way that fits their needs’ implies knowing their personality and abilities and tailoring your teaching to fit them. When God’s principles fit the child’s unique characteristics, they’re more likely to adopt and follow them.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Second Kings 6 tells of a prophet chopping trees near a river when his iron axe head falls in. He said to Elisha: ‘Alas, master! For it was borrowed’ (v. 5 NKJV). He uses the past tense. As far as he is concerned, this axe head is gone forever. He has no expectation whatsoever that the axe head will be retrieved. He shows Elisha where he lost it. Elisha cuts a stick and flings it into the water, and something happens that most likely never happened before or since. ‘And the iron did swim.’ Notice, this isn’t a life-or-death situation. Yes, it’s a loaned axe head. Yes, it disappeared. But if that’s the worst thing you have gone through, you have led a pretty sheltered life. You could put this into the same category as Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding party. Why waste your first miracle on helping a bride and groom avoid embarrassment because they didn’t stock enough wine for their reception? This reveals something about God. He concerns Himself with the little things, like wedding receptions and borrowed axe heads. Nothing is too big for our great God, and nothing is too small for Him either. ‘Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you’ (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV). Note the words ‘all your care’. If it matters to you, it matters to your loving heavenly Father. ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV). Note the words ‘all your ways’. Today God wants you to share every detail of your life with Him. 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Demosthenes, who was reputed to be the greatest orator in ancient Greece, had a serious speech impediment. Legend has it that he overcame it by reciting verses with pebbles in his mouth and speaking above the roar of the waves at the seashore. As a prisoner in the Wartburg castle, Martin Luther made use of his time by translating the New Testament into German. Beethoven wrote his greatest symphonic masterpieces after losing his hearing. John Bunyan wroteThe Pilgrim’s Progresswhen he was in prison. Daniel Defoe also wrote in prison, creatingRobinson Crusoe.Abraham Lincoln is thought by many to be the best of the United States presidents, but he probably would not have become known as a great leader if he had not led the country through the Civil War. Often, difficult situations seem to be involved in producing great leaders and thinkers. But that is only the case when their attitudes are right. When a problem comes in contact with someone who has the right attitude, the result is often wonderful. Out of great turmoil come great diplomats, business people, scientists, educators, pastors, and others. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every opportunity has a challenge. But it’s the attitude with which you approach your problem that largely determines the outcome. When a man whose son couldn’t hear or speak asked Jesus to heal him, Jesus replied, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes’ (v. 23 NKJV). The man replied, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ (v. 24 NKJV). And Jesus did. Plus, He healed the man’s son. If you need help with your attitude, talk to the Lord today. 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Observe: 1)The right attitude makes a difference in your relationships.Theodore Roosevelt said, ‘The most important single ingredient in the formula for success is knowing how to get along with people.’ And Paul writes: ‘Letnothingbe donethrough selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others’ (vv. 3-4 NKJV). If your track record with people isn’t too good, maybe you need to look at your attitude. While it’s true that some people just seem to have a winning way with others, someone with limited people skills can learn to win with others if he or she decides to change their attitude and approach. 2)Your attitude makes a difference in how you face life’s challenges.During the Korean War when US Marine Chesty Puller found himself surrounded by eight enemy divisions, his response was, ‘All right, they are on our left. They are on our right. They’re in front of us. They’re behind us – they can’t get away from us this time!’ In life, problems, challenges, obstacles, and failures are unavoidable. So, how are you going to deal with them? Will you give up? Will you let conditions make you miserable? Or are you going to attempt to make the best of things? Which path you select depends on your attitude. The old saying is true: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Remember the times in your life when you have grown the most. Weren’t they times when you had to overcome obstacles and problems?

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

It’s easier to recognise success looking back than it is looking forward. For some of us, it can be many years before we recognise our success, celebrate it, and feel secure in it. That’s because we lack a proper perspective. At its widest point, the Mississippi River requires a two-mile-wide steel span bridge to get across; while at its source, the stream is so small you can jump over it. But it’s still the same river. Most things start small! Have you ever heard the Serenity Prayer? It goes like this: ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.’ It was first prayed in a little church in Massachusetts by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr during a Sunday morning service. Only a small group of people was in the congregation that day, but one person liked the prayer and, after the service, he asked Niebuhr for a copy. ‘Here,’ Niebuhr responded, handing over a crumpled piece of paper. ‘I doubt I’ll ever have any more use for it.’ Well, guess what? Next to the Lord’s Prayer, it’s the most used prayer in the world. Isn’t it ironic that Niebuhr’s prayer became so popular? Evidently, his perspective wasn’t too good because he didn’t know what he had. With that story in mind, read this Scripture again and really think about it: ‘Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.’ With God’s help, you can turn your failure into success and go on to greater things.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Everyone who ever achieved anything significant had to beat the odds. The problem for most of us isn’t the odds; it’s that we sell ourselves short. As R.H. Headlee observed, ‘Most people think too small, aim too low, and quit too soon.’ The odds in favour of David defeating Goliath weren’t good. Unless you factor faith in God into the equation, which David did. Listen to his words: ‘I’ll strike you down and cut off your head’ (v. 46 NIV). Clearly, David was aiming high. And when it comes to the thing God is callingyouto do, aim high. The odds matter little. Whether you fall down along the way matters little. You fell when you were learning to walk, didn’t you? Dr Maxwell Maltz says, ‘You’re a champion in the art of living if you reach only 65 per cent of your goals.’ If the odds indicate you will make a lot of mistakes on your way to success, so be it. As long as you’re eventually successful, isn’t that what matters? Remember, ‘If at first you don’t succeed – you know you’re running about average!’ As long as you keep trusting God and trying, He will come to your aid. James writes, ‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown’ (James 1:12 NIV). Paul writes, ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9 NIV). When you believe God wants you to succeed, and you persevere, you move from failure to success.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

There comes a time when we have to face our fears and take a stand for what we know is right. That’s what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego did. They risked their lives when they refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. They could have rationalised, ‘I’ll bow on the outside, but not on the inside,’ or ‘I’ll just pretend the idol is Jehovah.’ But they took a stand for what is right, and it set the stage for miracles. ‘Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished…saying to his counsellors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God”’ (vv. 24-25 NKJV). When you place yourself in a defenceless position, it sets the stage for God to show up. But if Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had bowed to the idol, 1) they would not have received promotions, 2) the Jewish people would not have gained protected status within the Babylonian kingdom, 3) idol worship would have continued in Babylon, and 4) Nebuchadnezzar would not have experienced a life-changing encounter with God. ‘Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God…who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him…there is no other God who can deliver like this.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon’ (vv. 28-30 NKJV). By honouring God today, you are positioning yourself for Him to bless and honour you.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Many of us have a God-sized dream within us, but we’re so afraid of failing we never even try. We can’t imagine how it could possibly happen. So, we don’t act on it. Here is a challenge: don’t worry about the outcome. That isn’t your responsibility. ‘Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ You simply need to act on it. It doesn’t have to be something big; in fact, it will probably be something small. Everything that’s big starts small. But if you do little things like they are big things, God will bless them and use them. A.W. Tozer said, ‘A low view of God is the cause of a hundred lesser evils. A high view of God is the solution to ten thousand temporal problems.’ Note how Paul prayed for the believers at Ephesus: ‘To make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him – endless energy, boundless strength!’ (Ephesians 1:18-19 MSG). We can’t imagine what God is capable of. This means we can’t imagine what we’re capable of if we give God control of our lives. His power initiates a chain reaction. And with His energy working within us, we can accomplish all He has called us to do.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Are you in a situation where lying seems to be the only viable solution? Unless you want to create a problem between God and yourself – don’t do it! ‘The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.’ When you lie, you hurt God, others, and yourself. ‘Dishonesty destroys treacherous people’ (Proverbs 11:3 NLT). Lying always comes with consequences because of the following: 1)God hears you.When you decide to pray, the last thing you will want to discuss with God is the first thing He will want to discuss with you; namely, your dishonesty! 2)It robs you of your confidence before God.The Bible says, ‘If we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him’ (1 John 3:21-22 NLT). 3)You risk being exposed.Remember, ‘Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed’ (Proverbs 12:19 NLT). When people discover you have lied, they lose respect for you, their trust level plummets, and a reputation that has taken years for you to build suffers a blow you may not recover from. Paul writes: ‘Since you have heard about Jesus and…learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbours the truth, for we are all parts of the same body’ (Ephesians 4:21-25 NLT). 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Under Old Testament law, God commanded Jewish farmers: ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field…You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger’ (v. 22 NKJV). Ruth was working in an obscure corner of a field owned by a wealthy man named Boaz, who is a beautiful type of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. When Boaz saw Ruth, he called her out of the corner and into the midst of the harvest field. And he instructed the reapers to drop handfuls of wheat in her path so that she wouldn’t have to work for it (see Ruth 2:16). There is a lesson here. One moment of God’s favour can change your life. And He can do it through someone He has already prepared, someone you haven’t even met yet. Ruth didn’t know it, but because Boaz was related to her mother-in-law Naomi, that positioned him to be her ‘kinsman-redeemer’ (see Ruth 3:1-9), who was someone qualified to wipe out her debt, and care for her, and meet her needs. Jesus said, ‘Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly’ (Matthew 6:4 NKJV). Be assured, God has not overlooked you. Others may not notice your faithfulness, but He does, and He will reward you for it. ‘Godisnot unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown towards His name,in thatyou have ministered to the saints, and do minister’ (Hebrews 6:10 NKJV). One of these days God is going to say to you, ‘Come out of that corner!’

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

The book of Ruth illustrates the difference between those who step out in faith and take risks, and those who give in to fear, play it safe, and miss God’s best for them. The book begins with these words: ‘There was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife [Naomi] and his two sons’ (v. 1 NKJV). Things went well for a while, then tragedy struck. First Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. They married local girls named Orpah and Ruth and then the sons died. Overwhelmed with grief, Naomi decides to return home to Bethlehem and advises her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and hopefully find husbands and raise families. This is where the difference shows up in the two girls. Orpah decided to stay in Moab, even though it was a place of heartache and hard times. Why? Because it was the place she knew. It was her comfort zone. She didn’t have the faith to go forwards. Ruth was different. She said to Naomi: ‘Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God’ (v. 16 NKJV). Orpah went back, Ruth went forwards. And it paid off. Back in Bethlehem, she met Boaz, her new husband. Not only was he wealthy, but he took good care of her, and they had a son from whom descended both King David and our blessed Lord Jesus. God rewards faith, not fear. So the word for today is – it’s time to break with the past and move forwards.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

God wants us to appreciate the season we are in; to live in the ‘here and now’. Some people live only for the future. ‘I’ll be happy when…’ Other people live in the past. Solomon addresses them: ‘Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this’ (Ecclesiastes 7:10 NKJV). TheNew Yorkermagazine once had a cartoon in which two monks in robes and shaved heads were sitting side by side, cross legged on the floor. The younger one, with a quizzical look on his face, is facing the older one, who is saying: ‘Nothing happens next. This is it.’ That’s exactly what it means to live in the here and now. We aren’t waiting for something else to occur, we aren’t distracted by anything around us, we aren’t trying to escape mentally to another time. We are fully alive because we are living in the moment! God may have done great things for you in the past, and you’re trusting Him to do great things in the future, but His presence, His power, His goodness, His favour, His blessing, and all that He is, can only be experienced in the here and now. Question: ‘Are you living in a shell to keep from being eaten alive by the pain of life? Do you guard yourself by retreating deeper into your shell, being available only to what is pleasant, predictable, and safe?’ ‘This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ Live in the ‘here and now’.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

Since God is both our Creator and our Redeemer, we are called to be ‘conformed to His image’ in both senses. So, to become more like the Creator is to become more creative. When we apply our sanctified imagination to serve His objectives, we are doing what God does best and loves most. And our heavenly Father takes deep pride and joy in it. Just as we celebrate creativity in our kids, so God celebrates creativity in us. Have you ever noticed how often Psalms tells us to sing a new song? The creative command is repeated no fewer than half a dozen times. The more you discover about God, the more you love Him. And the more you love Him, the more you need new ways of expressing your love. Most of us don’t classify ourselves as creative, but that’s because we narrowly define creativity. We think of it like we do a work of art, a new invention, or an entrepreneurial conception. But that’s a meagre slice. Creativity isn’t merely for artists, inventors, or entrepreneurs; it’s vital in all aspects of life. In the fullest sense, creativity is any use of the imagination. Yes, in the past we may have used our imagination for the wrong purposes. But at the new birth, your imagination is redeemed so that it can be used to glorify God. If God is infinitely creative and we are not justcreatedin His image but called to be conformed to His image, then creativity isn’t optional. It’s a dimension of spiritual maturity. 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

When things don’t happen as quickly as we want them to, we can become anxious, frustrated, irritable, and negative. And if you’re a ‘make it happen’ person, you can rush ahead of God and get into trouble. ‘The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take’ (Psalm 37:23 TLB). Think about it: if you’re following the Lord, you can’t go faster than the One who is leading. So, just take the next step and trust Him to work things out for you. God knows what you don’t know. At best, you are working with limited knowledge. Do you believe your steps are being ‘directed by the Lord’? Do you believe He has a plan for your life? Do you believe He cares for you and has your best interests at heart? If you do, then stand on this Scripture: ‘Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep travelling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honour you with every blessing’ (Psalm 37:34 TLB). God knows what He is doing. He works according to His schedule, not ours. When will God ‘honour you with every blessing’? Answer: ‘in due season’. Impatience is a sign of two things: 1) Immaturity. Babies cry until you pick them up, and children don’t want to wait for anything. But a wise parent knows that often the child is not ready to handle what they’re demanding. 2) Doubt and unbelief. ‘You need to keep on patiently doing God’s will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised’ (Hebrews 10:36 TLB). 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

Do you get upset when you cannot control others? Or moody and irritated when people don’t do what you want? Do you react when your mistakes are pointed out? Or try to force people to comply with your demands? Do you exaggerate your pain, sickness, or need in order to gain attention or sympathy? Or criticise the opinions and choices of others, and position yourself as superior? Do you become angry and abusive when someone disagrees with you or challenges your authority? Are you reluctant to compliment others, but quick to try and fix something you think is wrong in them? Do you find it hard to say, ‘I need you’? Do you try to drive a wedge between your loved ones and anyone else who gets close to them? Do you ‘give orders’ to those you interact with, rather than using the simple courtesies of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’? If your answer to these questions is yes, then the word for today is – don’t be so controlling! The Bible says, ‘Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another’ (v. 10 NKJV). That means stopping to consider how your behaviour affects other people. You say, ‘But I just happen to have a strong personality.’ Sorry, that doesn’t let you off the hook! ‘A servant of the Lord must…be gentle to all’ (2 Timothy 2:24 NKJV). So if you’re a controller, start changing your ways! And if you’re being controlled because you fear anger and rejection, it’s time to draw a line in the sand. Seek help from a trusted friend, church leader, or healthcare professional, especially if you feel at risk. Ask God to help you stand firm and refuse to be controlled any longer.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

The first reaction recorded in Scripture is God’s reaction to His own creation. He stepped back at the end of each day, looked at what He had made, and said, ‘It’s good.’ Then on the sixth day when creation was complete, He said, ‘It’s very good.’ This is why we feel so spiritual when we watch an ocean sunset or the towering summit of a mountain. Thomas Carlyle said, ‘Worship is transcendent wonder. Wonder for which there is no limit or measure; that is worship.’ It’s standing in amazement of the Creator and His creation. It’s translating the beauty of creation into worship of the Creator. It’s thanking God for splendid sunrises and dazzling stars and unique snowflakes. It’s giving credit where credit is due – to the Creator. The psalmist captured it in the words: ‘The heavens declare the glory of God’ (Psalm 19:1 KJV). The musical group U2 captured it in the words of their hit song ‘Beautiful Day’. Such wonder is also an act of worship. One pastor writes: ‘The sunrise is so consistent that we take it for granted, but few things are as miraculous as the celestial dance that takes place on a daily basis. The earth spins on its axis at a speed of 1,000 mph. And while [it] rotates 360 degrees on its axis every twenty-four hours, it is also hurtling through space at the unimaginable speed of 67,000 mph. You may not have any big plans for today, but you will travel 1.6 million miles in your annual lap around the sun. Quite an accomplishment!’ So, take time to wonder and worship God. 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Did you know that the word ‘disciple’ occurs 269 times in the New Testament, whereas the word ‘Christian’ is found only three times? The word ‘Christian’ was first introduced to describe who they were, disciples of Jesus Christ! Dallas Willard uses the illustration of the car: ‘The disciple of Jesus is not the deluxe or heavy-duty model of the Christian – especially padded, textured, streamlined, and empowered for the fast lane on the straight and narrow way. He or she stands on the pages of the New Testament as the first level of basic transportation in the Kingdom of God.’ Becoming a Christian is the work of a moment; it happens when you place your trust in Christ. But becoming a disciple is the work of a lifetime; it calls for denying yourself and saying yes to the will of God every day of your life. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Three things: 1)To listen to Him and learn.That calls for reading, studying, memorising, verbalising, and applying the truths taught in the Scriptures to your life each day. 2)To follow Him wherever He leads.This may call for changing your plans, forfeiting some of your relationships, and giving Him access to things you would like to hold on to. 3)To be devoted to Him.One day Jesus said to Peter, ‘Do you love Me more than these?’ (John 21:15 NKJV). Note the word ‘more’. To be a disciple means to love Jesus more than anyone or anything else. And it’s the most fulfilling and rewarding life you can live!

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

The men and women who made the greatest impact on the world were those who were totally focused and sold out to their vision. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, once said, ‘If I had three hundred men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, I would set the world on fire.’ Jonathan Edwards, whose ministry sparked the Great Awakening in America, made this his life’s motto: ‘Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I will.’ C.T. Studd, one of England’s greatest athletes, shocked the world when he gave up fame and fortune to be a missionary to China. ‘If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him,’ he explained. Missionary Jim Elliot, who died as a martyr in South America, said, ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.’ The day you were born, God had a track for you to run on. But to win, you must get rid of 1) anything that weighs you down, and 2) anything that trips you up. ‘Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus’ (vv. 1-2 AMPC). 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

Jesus said, ‘If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.’ Roman soldiers were permitted to force a Jew to carry a burden a mile for them. They treated Jews as tools to be used. So, what do you do in that kind of situation? Jesus invites us to take the high road. A Roman soldier like these could probably be a young boy, a stranger there, probably poor himself. All he receives is local resentment. So, you finish the mile and say, ‘You look tired. Can I help you some more? Can I carry it for you another mile?’ That would blow the soldier’s mind. Nobody asked that! That’s what you’re called to do! When someone takes advantage of you, you want to think of them as unlikable rather than a real person with their own story. It’s said that a friend offered to introduce English essayist Charles Lamb to a man whom Lamb had disliked for a long time. ‘Don’t make me meet him,’ Lamb said. ‘“I want to go on hating him, and I can’t do that to a man I know.’ Understand this: you can give the gift of empathy. You can remember that the person you don’t like is also a human being. You can put yourself in his their place. You can take the time to imagine how they feel, what they have been through, and how life has treated them. When you do that, your problem becomes an opportunity to practise the Christ life. Isn’t that what you want? Isn’t that what you signed up for in the first place?

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

They say, ‘The devil is in the details.’ But for a redeemed child of God,Heis in the details! When you set your heart on something and it doesn’t happen, it’s only human to experience disappointment. At such moments, here is what you need to keep in mind: 1) At best, you’re always working with limited information. You may know the end result you desire, but God knows what’s best for you, and He plans accordingly. ‘IamGod…declaring the end from the beginning…saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure”’ (Isaiah 46:9-10 NKJV). 2) Trying to work outside of God’s will is like attempting to dig your way through a solid wall with a fork. Instead of digging your way out of a prison, you dig your way into one when you demand to get what you want. Do you really want to carry out a plan God hasn’t ordained? Can you depend on Him to know what’s best for you? ‘The Lord, the God of battle, has spoken – who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?’ (Isaiah 14:27 TLB). It’s better to be disappointed temporarily than end up with something you can’t handle. The story of Israel reads like this: ‘He…redeemed them from the hand of the enemy…Then they believed His words; they sang His praise. They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel…and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul’ (Psalm 106:10, 12-15 NKJV). Trust God, and He will give you what’s best. 

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

There are plenty of good leaders around – don’t be afraid to follow them. But what about the ‘blind guides’ that Jesus talks about? Here are some signs to help you identify and avoid them: 1)Inflexibility. True leaders have a teachable spirit and a servant’s heart. They rejoice in your growth and aren’t threatened by your development. They won’t try to ‘keep you in the nest’ when it’s clear that you’re ready to fly. 2)Elitism.Look out for the ‘we-alone-are-right’ attitude. When someone can’t acknowledge and fellowship with other members of God’s redeemed family, something’s wrong. The wordexclusiveis often another word for paranoid. 3)Money-grubbing.Here is God’s standard for leadership: ‘Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve’ (1 Peter 5:2 NIV). The Bible also says good leaders are ‘worthy of double honour’ (1 Timothy 5:17 KJV), which means twice as much. But look out for those who teach that you must only sow your seed into their field, and nowhere else. 4)Accountability. Beware of the untouchable, ‘I-am-God’s-anointed’ types. No matter how gifted we are, we all have blind spots and need to be confronted and counselled from time to time. Solomon said, ‘Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up’ (Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV). Here is what Jesus said about the religious leaders of His day: ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit’ (Matthew 15:13-14 NIV). When choosing a leader, you don’t need a blind prima donna; you need one with a servant spirit.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

The Bible has a lot to say about the dangers of the tongue. James devotes an entire chapter to this subject: ‘If we could control our tongues, we…could also control ourselves in every other way.’ Nowthereis an aspect of self-control to consider! The Greek sage Publius said, ‘I have often regretted my speech, but never my silence.’ And novelist William Edward Norris wrote, ‘If you your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care; to whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.’ King David puts it this way: ‘I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle’ (Psalm 39:1 NASB 1995). That’s what it takes – a muzzle! David is talking about making a conscious commitment to watch what you say, and if you want to accomplish this, here are three principles you need to live by: 1)Think first.Before you speak, pause for ten seconds and mentally preview your words. Are they accurate or exaggerated? Kind or cutting? Needless or necessary? Grateful or complaining? What you don’t say today, you won’t have to explain tomorrow. 2)Talk less.Your chances of getting into trouble increase exponentially when you talk too much. That’s why compulsive talkers often find it hard to keep friends. Conserve your verbal energy. 3)Start today.Already you have read enough to help bring your tongue into submission. So put that muzzle on your mouth now – and watch how it enriches your life.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

When you read God’s Word, you discover how He feels about you. As a result, your memories begin to heal, your self-worth is restored, and you stop trading with a devalued self-image. When that happens, you no longer believe that ‘anybody’s company is preferable to my own’. In a survey of supposedly happy couples, over 50 per cent said they wouldn’t marry the same person again. Why? Because the answer to loneliness isn’t people; it’s purpose! The apostle John was a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos when God showed him the glories of heaven and he wrote the book of Revelation. Paul was alone in a Roman dungeon when he wrote half the New Testament. God did some of His best work when He was alone with no one to applaud Him, so he praised Himself, saying, ‘It [is] very good’ (Genesis 1:31 KJV). Canyoudo that? It’s nice when others speak well of you, but when you can speak well of yourself, it reflects your opinion of yourself – and that’s the one you live with every day. Three cheers for those whose departure taught us how to be alone and enjoy it! Somewhere beyond loneliness, there is a contentment born of necessity. When your options close in the natural realm, you find doors opening to you in the spiritual realm. So, work on deepening your relationship with God. As you do, you will find joy, and you will also develop qualities that make you attractive to the right people. It’s why Jesus said that when you ‘seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously…he will give youeverythingyou need’ – including self-worth.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International. 

‘Stir up the gift of God which is in you.’ 2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV

Paul told Timothy, ‘Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.’ That Scripture means, even though you’re gifted, you can become apathetic if you don’t keep doing the right things. ‘Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away’ (Hebrews 2:1 NKJV). The word ‘drift’ is not only slow and subtle, it’s deadly. Let’s look at two of the things that can rob you of your passion, enthusiasm, motivation, and focus. 1)Lack of goals.‘Without a vision the people perish’ (see Proverbs 29:18). What used to enthuse you? What destroyed your interest in it? Is it a desire you could revive? Put it down in writing. Ignore the potential cost or reasons it might not work. Just indulge your mind in the luxury of feeling optimistic and excited about something, even a small thing. 2)Wrong goals.Are you pursuing a goal you feel was imposed upon you by someone else? Or like Jonah before he was swallowed by the whale, possibly you’re rowing against the tide of God’s will for your life. Check with Him and see if this is so. Did God really lead you to pamper yourself in that extravagant item that’s now requiring you to work two jobs? Or maybe the time has come to an end for a goal that was part of God’s plan for a specific season of your life. Moving on is sometimes difficult, but oh, the joy and peace of knowing that you are in the centre of God’s perfect will!