UCB Word For Today

Jesus told the disciples just before He left this earth to return to heaven: ‘I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high’ (Luke 24:49 KJV). As a redeemed child of God the Holy Spirit lives in you (see Romans 8:9). But this promise indicates that you can also have the Holy Spirit resting upon you and empowering you. How did the disciples respond to this promise? ‘All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer’ (Acts 1:14 ESV). Author Larry Sparks says, ‘For too long, the Western church has tolerated a prayer culture defined by lack of results.’ Then he gives us this strategy for a divine visitation: ‘Review God’s promises for a Holy Spirit outpouring. Become possessed by them. And “tarry” in devoted, sustained, persevering prayer until revival promises become revival realities. That’s exactly what the disciples did.’ We make the mistake of assuming that outpourings of the Holy Spirit are sovereignly fixed dates in heaven’s calendar. One of the great promises God made to us is this: ‘In the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh’ (Acts 2:17 ESV). As long as ‘all flesh’ has not experienced this outpouring of God’s Spirit, we must continue to pray, ‘Oh, that You would rend the heavens [and] come down!’ You say, ‘What can I do?’ Do what the disciples did: ‘All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer.’ Begin to pray each day for a divine visitation of God’s Spirit.

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

Paul takes one entire chapter in the book of Romans to name the people who helped him and to express his appreciation for them. Showing that you care about people beyond what they can do for you lets them know you truly care about them. Sincere praise can energise others and cause them to spring up like wilted flowers that have just been watered. Oh, the dividends that a husband or a wife (or anyone else) would reap from expressing appreciation for the little things. Just in case your gratitude muscle has grown weak, and you take most kindnesses and efforts for granted, read the following list of tasks and responsibilities that you should show appreciation for: Cleaning the house. Preparing meals. Paying the bills. Going to work. Spending wisely. Buying groceries. Washing and folding the clothes. Bathing the kids. Taking out the rubbish. Filling the car with fuel. Being on time. Watering the grass or plants. Sending out Christmas and special-occasion cards. Selecting family birthday presents. Supporting your career. Being accountable. Listening. The list could go on and on. Why not set a goal of appreciating at least one thing per day for a particular person in your life? If you are a man, don’t be so insecure that you fear you will appear weak if you start to notice the little things. It takes a real man to look beyond his needs and recognise the efforts of another. When you are secure in your own identity, you are able to give people more power by keeping them informed, trusting them, caring about them, and appreciating them.

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

Entering the Promised Land, God told Joshua: ‘Be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses.’ You must identify your core values – and live by them. Swiss philosopher Henri-Frederic Amiel said, ‘The man who has no inner life is a slave to his surroundings.’ Your core values are the governing principles you live by. They’re the light that guides you. They give stability and structure to your inner world. When that’s in order, you can navigate your way through almost anything. Have you ever wondered why God refers to His Word as ‘laws’? Because they govern your thoughts and actions, guide you in the right direction, and guard you from trouble. They bring order to your life; without that, you’re left with chaos and confusion. Imagine living in a world where 100 centimetres don’t equal a metre, and two plus two doesn’t make four. God established His laws for our good. When we disobey them, we suffer; when we honour them, we succeed. Unlike dining al a carte, you can’t pick what you want and forget the rest. God says, ‘Do everything written…Then you will be…successful’ (Joshua 1:8 NIV). Many talented people who make it into the limelight don’t stay there long. Why? Because they failed to develop strong character. Their lack of integrity toppled them because they couldn’t climb beyond the limitations of their character. Talent may take you to a higher level of success, but without character, you won’t be able to handle the pressures that accompany success. That’s why it’s so important to live by the principles of God’s Word.

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

The fear of success derails many dreams. Sometimes success brings resentment from those closest to you. Being successful can also create its own anxiety; namely, you fear that you are unable to maintain your success. Then there’s the fear of attracting people who want what you’ve got but are not willing to pay the price you paid to get it. Solomon warned, ‘Wealth attracts many friends’ (Proverbs 19:4 NIV). Then there’s the fear of being bombarded by constant requests for money. What if you say no? You must follow your heart, give as God directs you, and leave your image up to Him. David said, ‘You surround them with your favour as with a shield’ (Psalm 5:12 NIVUK). The favour of God can make you a target. And while you must always try to be fair in your behaviour towards others, you cannot reject the favour God sends your way just to keep others from becoming envious. You must embrace God’s favour as part of your destiny. Perhaps growing up, you were told that you should not expect success. And now that you have it, you may feel that you don’t deserve it and that it won’t last. Indeed, you may find yourself engaging in self-sabotaging behaviour that will confirm your own worst fears and bring them to fruition. What should you do? First, thank God that you understand the root of your problem. Second, talk it out with a good listener. As you hear yourself put the problem in perspective, you may find yourself declaring the words of Solomon: ‘Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.’

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

The Bible says, ‘Joshua built an altar to the LORD…in Mount Ebal…“an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD…Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal…He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings’ (Joshua 8:30-34 NKJV). There are two important lessons in this otherwise obscure Old Testament story. First, ‘an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool’ speaks of God’s unearned and unmerited grace towards us – no human effort involved. ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast’ (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). Second, notice where this altar was built. When Israel listened to Joshua reading the blessings and cursings recorded in the Law of Moses, half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and the other half in front of Mount Ebal. Those in front of Mount Gerizim heard him read the blessings, and those in front of Mount Ebal heard him read the cursings. But the altar was not built on Gerizim, the mount of blessings, but on Ebal, the hill of cursing. The message is clear: even when you ‘blow it’, God extends His grace to you. C.S. Lewis said, ‘Obedience is the key that opens every door.’ So even when you fail and disobey God, you can return to the altar of grace at Mount Ebal. It’s built for people like you.

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