UCB Word For Today

James wrote: ‘My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful’ (James 5:10-11 NKJV). Here we are reminded to look back and be challenged and encouraged by those who went before us as we await the Lord’s coming. Look back at Hosea: his wife deserted him, but he faithfully hung in there and God restored their marriage (see Hosea 3:1-3). Look back at Daniel: he was thrown into a lions’ den for standing firm in his faith, but God delivered and promoted him (see Daniel 6:1-28). Look back at Jeremiah: he was arrested, accused of being a traitor, and thrown into a well to die (see Jeremiah 37-38). But he looked up, and God delivered him. Then there’s the roll call of the faithful listed in Hebrews eleven! Those of us who have been rejected by family members can look back to Abel (v. 4). Those who are misunderstood can look back to Noah (v. 7). Those battling a crisis of faith and who seem to be up against the impossible can look back to Abraham (vv. 8-10). If you’ve been used or abused, look back to Joseph (v. 22). Those confronted by seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life can look back to Joshua (v. 30). Those seeking to move beyond a sinful past can look back to Rahab (v. 31). So, this is the word for today: look back and be encouraged.

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

Here are three reasons you need to partake of Holy Communion: 1) To make you grace-minded. No one will ever stand in heaven and say, ‘Look what Jesus and I have accomplished.’ If you had to pay one penny of your debt of sin, it would make you a co-redeemer with Christ. What an offence to the cross! (See Ephesians 2:8-9.) Hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote: ‘My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!’ 2) To keep you sensitive to sin. ‘Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself’ (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 NKJV). You may say, ‘If I sin and take communion, does that mean I’m drinking liquid damnation?’ No, it’s the ‘manner’ in which you approach God that counts. You don’t have to avoid the communion cup; you need only confess your sin, then drink deeply with gratitude. 3) To keep you focused on Christ’s return. ‘I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God’ (Mark 14:25 NKJV). Every communion service brings you one step closer to the greatest communion service of all: the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (see Revelation 19:7). Are you planning on being there?

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

Neuroscientists tell us that every sound, every experience, every conscious thought, and every subconscious dream is recorded and literally engraved on our external hard drive, the cerebral cortex. Now juxtapose that with this: ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:5 NKJV). Simply put: the mind of Christ is the Word of God. After all, Jesus is ‘the Word’ (John 1:1). When you pray, or meditate, or memorise Scripture, you are engraving Jesus on your brain. Neurologically speaking, you are recruiting new neuro connections and rerouting old ones. Slowly but surely, your brain is being rewired and renewed. Think of it as mind sync. You are downloading the very words, the very thoughts of God. And over time, those downloads are upgrades that form the mind of Christ in us. Note what author Mark Batterson says about how he reads the Bible, ‘I continue until I come to any verse that may suggest pausing. It’s often something I need to think about or pray about. Sometimes it’s the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and I need to have a conversation with God before I continue…When I come to one of those verses, I do three things: First, I underline it or circle it in my Bible. Second, I write it out in longhand in my journal. Third, I journal thoughts, confessions, and ideas associated with it. Then, when I feel like the Holy Spirit brings closure, I go on to the next verse.’ Those are three great ideas that will work for you too.

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

Jimmy Wayne never knew his father, and his mother spent more time in prison than out. When Jimmy was twelve, his mother was released from jail and took up with a troublemaker. They loaded him into the back seat of their car, and for a year that was his home. Then one day, they dumped him at a Pensacola, Florida, bus station and drove off. He had no home, no future, and no provision. While wandering through a neighbourhood, he spotted an older man at work in a garage wood shop. He approached the elderly gentleman and asked if he had any work. Not only did he give Jimmy Wayne a job, but he also took him in to live with him and his wife. Having a home to live in was like heaven to Jimmy. Still, in spite of their kindness, he refused to unpack his bag. For four days, his plastic bag sat on the floor, full of clothes, ready if the husband and wife changed their minds. It took several days, a dozen or so meals, and more than one heart-to-heart conversation. But they finally persuaded Jimmy to trust them to care for him. Perhaps you question your place in God’s family or His love for you. What if He changes His mind? God answered that question at the cross. When Jesus died, the heavenly vote was forever cast in your favour. ‘He has rescued [you] from the kingdom of darkness and transferred [you] into the Kingdom of his dear Son.’ P.S.: What happened to Jimmy Wayne? He took his place in the family, got an education, and became a country music singer and songwriter.

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

In the early days of America, a stranger asked how he might identify George Washington among those present at Congress. He was told, ‘You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer. Washington is the gentleman who kneels down.’ Washington was known as a man who prayed. When the fate of the new nation hung in the balance at Valley Forge, he frequently found rest and relief in prayer. One day, a farmer approaching Washington’s military camp heard an earnest voice. When he drew nearer, he saw Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears. The farmer returned home and told his wife: ‘George Washington will succeed, and the Americans will secure their independence.’ His wife said, ‘Isaac, what makes you think so?’ He replied, ‘I heard him pray out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah, rest assured, He will!’ When we have less, we’re more aware of our need and pray more. But as we acquire and achieve more, we become more self-sufficient and pray less. That’s a mistake. The more God entrusts to you, the more you need His strength, His wisdom, His guidance, and His grace. David sat on a throne and ruled Israel. Was he proud or arrogant? No. ‘When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me…In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid’ (vv. 9, 11 NKJV). So this is the word for today: more responsibility calls for more prayer.

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